Abstract: A monitoring system for a pipeline system, may comprise: thickness sensors, vibration sensors, flow sensors, leak sensors and/or other sensors disposed on pipelines, controller processors coupled to the sensors to receive and geo-tag sensor data, communication devices for transmitting geo-tagged data, and a central facility comprising: a communication device receiving the geo-tagged data and servers to analyze the data from the sensors to determine, e.g., wall thickness, vibration producing events, media flow, and/or leaks, and to compare same to standardized exception data therefor; wherein when an exception exists, to generate and communicate an alert therefrom via a display, a human interface device and/or the communication device of the central facility.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a terminal facility handling containers may comprise: a sensor set sensing containers entering and/or exiting the facility for providing container identification data and location data to a relational database; and container handling equipment having a sensor set for providing container identification data and location data to the database when a container is grasped and/or released. Sensors may sense when the equipment grasps and/or releases a container for storing a record thereof in the database, and/or geo-tagged identification data and location data relating to carriers that are to pick up and/or to deliver a container is received and stored as records in the database. The relational database contains records representing the current location of each container and each container handling equipment substantially in real time and can estimate arrival time.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a track and/or rail employs one or more distance measuring imagers mounted to a railcar and directed to image the track and/or rails wherein the images are geo-tagged with location data. Geo-tagged distance measurements are processed to determine at least track gauge and/or at least rail fastener integrity. The system and method may also determine other track and/or rail integrity issues including, e.g., rail profile, rail alignment, center point dip, cross level, rail cant, wheel wear, wheel integrity, rail wear, rail defects, and/or rail temperature. The system and method may also determine when inspection and/or maintenance of the track is indicated, and provide selected records of where and/or when such inspection and/or maintenance is indicated.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting and measuring rail and/or track defects may comprise: an array of time-of-flight distance measuring sensors measuring distance to the rail head; wherein the distance measuring sensors are synchronized and the dimensional data therefrom is geo-tagged. A memory stores geo-tagged distance measurement data. Distance measurement data is processed to determine the dimensional data of the rail head including at least the width and the height thereof, for detecting rail wear and rail defects. Rail wear, surface defects, rail structural defects, rail fractures and cracks, and/or a gap in a rail, can be measured and detected.

Abstract: A semiconductor wafer support arrangement and method for processing a semiconductor wafer including an adhesive sheet may comprise: a layer of wafer supporting adhesive that has certain characteristics that permit wafer processing, e.g., wafer thinning, and removal of the processed wafer in condition for use without cleaning. The carrier or substrate for the wafer processing may be reusable, and the adhesive sheet may have plural layers and may include a flexible substrate.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a track and/or rail employs one or more distance measuring imagers mounted to a railcar and directed to image the track and/or rails wherein the images are geo-tagged with location data. Geo-tagged distance measurements are processed to determine at least track gauge and/or at least rail fastener integrity. The system and method may also determine other track and/or rail integrity issues including, e.g., rail profile, rail alignment, center point dip, cross level, rail cant, wheel wear, wheel integrity, rail wear, rail defects, and/or rail temperature. The system and method may also determine when inspection and/or maintenance of the track is indicated, and provide selected records of where and/or when such inspection and/or maintenance is indicated.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a track and/or rail employs one or more imagers mounted to a railcar and directed to image the track and/or rails wherein the images are geo-tagged with location data. Geo-tagged images are processed to determine at least track gauge and/or at least rail fastener integrity. The system and method may also determine other track and/or rail integrity issues including, e.g., rail fastener integrity, rail profile, rail alignment, center point dip, cross level, rail cant, wheel wear, wheel integrity, rail wear, rail defects, and/or rail temperature. The system and method may also determine when inspection and/or maintenance of the track is indicated, and provide selected records of where and/or when such inspection and/or maintenance is indicated.

Abstract: A system and method for conducting a tokenized electronic transaction may comprise: receiving identifying biometric data for the user, generating a biometric template representative thereof, and destroying the identifying biometric data. The identifying biometric data is not stored permanently, is not transmitted, cannot be derived from the biometric template, and is destroyed so that only the biometric template remains. The biometric template is attached to a transaction token for completing the transaction represented by the token including: comparing the token and attached biometric template with reference transaction data and with a reference biometric template. When the token matches the reference transaction data and the biometric template matches the reference biometric template, then the transaction is authorized and completed, and when the token and/or the biometric template does not match the reference therefor, then the transaction is rejected.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a track and/or rail employs one or more imagers mounted to a railcar and directed to image the track and/or rails wherein the images are geo-tagged with location data. Geo-tagged images are processed to determine at least track gauge and/or at least rail fastener integrity. The system and method may also determine other track and/or rail integrity issues including, e.g., rail fastener integrity, rail profile, rail alignment, center point dip, cross level, rail cant, wheel wear, wheel integrity, rail wear, rail defects, and/or rail temperature. The system and method may also determine when inspection and/or maintenance of the track is indicated, and provide selected records of where and/or when such inspection and/or maintenance is indicated.

Abstract: A method for a product exchange for plural producers may comprise: configuring an electronic device to provide geo-tagged and time stamped image data, receiving registration data from a producer, receiving facility data and product data, and storing the received data in a relational database separate from the electronic device, and repeating the foregoing for a plurality of producers. The method may further comprise receiving registration data and qualifying data from a buyer who is provided product data and may make an offer therefor, or may comprise receiving a request for a supply, equipment or educational material and facilitating the ordering and delivery thereof.

Abstract: A semiconductor wafer support arrangement and method for processing a semiconductor wafer including an adhesive sheet may comprise: a layer of wafer supporting adhesive that has certain characteristics that permit wafer processing, e.g., wafer thinning, and removal of the processed wafer in condition for use without cleaning. The carrier or substrate for the wafer processing may be reusable, and the adhesive sheet may have plural layers and may include a flexible substrate.

Abstract: A method for a product exchange for plural producers may comprise: configuring an electronic device to provide geo-tagged and time stamped image data, receiving registration data from a producer, receiving facility data and product data, and storing the received data in a relational database separate from the electronic device, and repeating the foregoing for a plurality of producers. The method may further comprise receiving registration data and qualifying data from a buyer who is provided product data and may make an offer therefor, or may comprise receiving a request for a supply, equipment or educational material and facilitating the ordering and delivery thereof.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a track and/or rail employs one or more imagers mounted to a railcar and directed to image the track and/or rails wherein the images are geo-tagged with location data. Geo-tagged images are processed to determine at least track gauge and/or at least rail fastener integrity. The system and method may also determine other track and/or rail integrity issues including, e.g., rail fastener integrity, rail profile, rail alignment, center point dip, cross level, rail cant, wheel wear, wheel integrity, rail wear, rail defects, and/or rail temperature. The system and method may also determine when inspection and/or maintenance of the track is indicated, and provide selected records of where and/or when such inspection and/or maintenance is indicated.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a track and/or rail employs one or more imagers mounted to a railcar and directed to image the track and/or rails wherein the images are geo-tagged with location data. Geo-tagged images are processed to determine at least track gauge and/or at least rail fastener integrity. The system and method may also determine other track and/or rail integrity issues including, e.g., rail fastener integrity, rail profile, rail alignment, center point dip, cross level, rail cant, wheel wear, wheel integrity, rail wear, rail defects, and/or rail temperature. The system and method may also determine when inspection and/or maintenance of the track is indicated, and provide selected records of where and/or when such inspection and/or maintenance is indicated.

Abstract: A positive train control system and method may comprise one or more switch monitors and/or one or more track monitors providing sensor data relative to one or more switches and/or one or more tracks, respectively, determining whether there is an anomaly of a switch or track, and when there is, providing a message, alert and/or warning, and/or initiating a train control action. Determination of an anomaly may be preformed on a train or at a remote location, e.g., a central facility.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a terminal facility handling containers may comprise: a sensor set sensing containers entering and/or exiting the facility for providing container identification data and location data to a relational database; and container handling equipment having a sensor set for providing container identification data and location data to the database when a container is grasped and/or released. Sensors may sense when the equipment grasps and/or releases a container for storing a record thereof in the database, and/or geo-tagged identification data and location data relating to carriers that are to pick up and/or to deliver a container is received and stored as records in the database. The relational database contains records representing the current location of each container and each container handling equipment substantially in real time and can estimate arrival time.

Abstract: A positive train control system and method comprises a plurality of RFID devices embedded in a track way and having data representing location stored therein, and an RFID reader/detector mounted on a train for reading the location data from the embedded RFID devices. The location data is processed on the train and/or at a central facility for determining whether the train location and/or time is consistent with a train routing order. Messages, alerts and/or warnings may be generated for an alert device and/or for automated response, e.g., via a train control system.

Abstract: A positive train control may comprise a plurality of different sensors coupled to a processor that determines whether there is an anomaly of a track way, and if there is, provides an alert and/or a train control action. The plural sensors may include a visual imager, an infrared imager, a radar, a doppler radar, a laser sensor, a laser ranging device, an acoustic sensor, and/or an acoustic ranging device. Data from the plural sensors is geo-tagged and time tagged. Some embodiments of the train control employ track monitors, switch monitors and/or wayside monitors, and some employ locating devices such as GPS and inertial devices.

Abstract: A personnel tracking and monitoring system and method comprises sets of monitoring devices each including: an electronic device having a unique identifier, a locating device, and a wireless communication device communicating via a plurality of protocols. The unique identifier, the location data and time data are associated and are transmitted wirelessly to one or more monitoring stations which store same in a database. The electronic devices and/or one or more relay devices may be configured before arrival at the site and/or while en route. Data stored in the data base is compared with predetermined criteria and if any predetermined criteria is exceeded, an indication thereof is communicated to the monitoring stations and/or to the electronic device to which such indication relates.

Abstract: A personnel tracking and monitoring system and method comprises sets of monitoring devices each including: an electronic device having a unique identifier, a locating device, and a wireless communication device communicating via a plurality of protocols. The unique identifier, the location data and time data are associated and are transmitted wirelessly to one or more monitoring stations which store same in a database. The electronic devices and/or one or more relay devices may be configured before arrival at the site and/or whilst en route. Data stored in the data base is compared with predetermined criteria and if any predetermined criteria is exceeded, an indication thereof is communicated to the monitoring stations and/or to the electronic device to which such indication relates.