Abstract: An integrated system for: complete waste compactor/container operational control; remote fullness monitoring; and, remote performance and maintenance diagnostics. Such diagnostic information is transferred wirelessly or otherwise to one or more recipients, so as to directly provide a critical warning in real time. The waste compactor/container controller/monitor system allows for periodic substantially real-time oil viscosity measurements of the hydraulic fluid to account for changes in such viscosity. The system adjusts the timing of the compactor stroke to permit more efficient operation and inhibit damage to the hydraulic ram and/or container during use. The system provides for the monitoring and communication of substantially all aspects of compactor operation both on-site and remotely.

Abstract: An integrated system for: complete waste compactor/container operational control; remote fullness monitoring; and, remote performance and maintenance diagnostics. Such diagnostic information is transferred wirelessly or otherwise to one or more recipients, so as to directly provide a critical warning in real time. The waste compactor/container controller/monitor system allows for periodic substantially real-time oil viscosity measurements of the hydraulic fluid to account for changes in such viscosity. The system adjusts the timing of the compactor stroke to permit more efficient operation and inhibit damage to the hydraulic ram and/or container during use. The system provides for the monitoring and communication of substantially all aspects of compactor operation both on-site and remotely.

Abstract: An integrated system for: complete waste compactor operational control; remote fullness monitoring; and, remote performance and maintenance diagnostics. Such diagnostic information is transferred wirelessly or otherwise to one or more recipients, so as to directly provide a critical warning in real time. The waste compactor controller/monitor system allows for periodic real-time oil viscosity measurements of the hydraulic fluid to account for changes in such viscosity. The system adjusts the timing of the compactor stroke to permit more efficient operation and inhibit damage to the hydraulic ram and/or container during use.

Abstract: A system and method is provided, which monitors multiple pressure readings of the compactor assembly during each of one or more compaction cycles, and upon request, graphically displays the monitored information corresponding to one or more of the compaction cycles, thereby providing a visual indication of the operational status of the waste compactor container.

Abstract: A system for remotely managing a network of waste containers (12), each of which is associated with a monitoring unit (38), utilizes a central computer (50) having a communication link to each monitoring unit (38). The central computer (50) provides a dynamically updated display, via a display module (60) having a full container window (or zone) which shows full containers (12), an alarm window (or zone) which shows non-full containers (12) having an alarm condition, and a container status window (or zone) which shows non-full containers not having an alarm condition. The system additionally includes one or more remote monitors (404) capable of providing user access to the container status information maintained by the central computer (50, 402).

Abstract: A system and method is provided, which monitors multiple pressure readings of the compactor assembly during each of one or more compaction cycles, and upon request, graphically displays the monitored information corresponding to one or more of the compaction cycles, thereby providing a visual indication of the operational status of the waste compactor container.

Abstract: A method and system for remotely managing a network of one or more waste compactor containers, each of which is associated with a monitoring unit and has a set of operating parameters including a container pick-up level. The method and system further allow for the container pick-up level to be variably adjusted based upon one or more preselected conditions. When the present indication of compactor container fullness meets or exceed the presently adjusted pick-up level, a container pick-up request is generated. The variable adjustment of the container pick-up level, generally, takes the form of a setback amount, which alters the amount of compactor container fullness necessary for generating a pick-up request. The setback amount provides an automated approach for handling previously known interruptions or changes in container pick-up services.

Abstract: A system for remotely managing a network of waste containers (12), each of which is associated with a monitoring unit (38), utilizes a central computer (50) having a communication link to each monitoring unit (38). The central computer (50) provides a dynamically updated display, via a display module (60) having a full container window (or zone) which shows full containers (12), an alarm window (or zone) which shows non-full containers (12) having an alarm condition, and a container status window (or zone) which shows non-full containers not having an alarm condition.

Abstract: A system for remotely managing a network of waste containers (12), each of which is associated with a monitoring unit (38), utilizes a central computer (50) having a communication link to each monitoring unit (38). The central computer (50) provides a dynamically updated display, via a display module (60) having a full container window (or zone) which shows full containers (12), an alarm window (or zone) which shows non-full containers (12) having an alarm condition, and a container status window (or zone) which shows non-full containers not having an alarm condition. The system additionally includes one or more remote monitors (404) capable of providing user access to the container status information maintained by the central computer (50, 402).

Abstract: A system for remotely managing a network of waste containers (12), each of which is associated with a monitoring unit (38), utilizes a central computer (50) having a communication link to each monitoring unit (38). The central computer (50) provides a dynamically updated display, via a display module (60) having a full container window (or zone) which shows full containers (12), an alarm window (or zone) which shows non-full containers (12) having an alarm condition, and a container status window (or zone) which shows non-full containers not having an alarm condition.

Abstract: A system for remotely managing a network of waste containers (12), each of which is associated with a monitoring unit (38), utilizes a central computer (50) having a communication link to each monitoring unit (38). The central computer (50) provides a dynamically updated display, via a display module (60) having a full container window (or zone) which shows full containers (12), an alarm window (or zone) which shows non-full containers (12) having an alarm condition, and a container status window (or zone) which shows non-full containers not having an alarm condition.

Abstract: An illuminated sign comprises a photoconductive plate and a series of light-emitting diodes of a type having a viewing angle of approximately 8.degree.. Being made from polycarbonate in a single piece, the photoconductive plate is inset from its back face, toward its front face but not through it, so as to define a series of indicia, each having a boundary. Each light-emitting diode is pressed into a recess opening at an outer periphery of the photoconductive plate, between the front and back faces. The recesses orient the light-emitting diodes so that a part of the boundary of each of the indicia is disposed within the viewing angle of at least one of the light-emitting diodes and so that another part thereof is not disposed within the viewing angle of any of the light-emitting diodes. An opaque material covers the back face of the photoconductive plate, at least where the back face is visible through the front face thereof, except where the photoconductive plate is inset so as to define the indicia.

Abstract: An illuminated sign comprises a photoconductive plate and a series of light-emitting diodes of a type having a centerline and having a viewing angle of approximately 8.degree.. Being made from polycarbonate in a single piece, the photoconductive plate is inset from its back face, toward its front face but not through it, so as to define a series of indicia, each having a boundary. Each light-emitting diode is pressed into a recess opening at an outer periphery of the photoconductive plate, between the front and back faces. The recesses orient the light-emitting diodes so that a part of the boundary of each of the indicia is disposed within the viewing angle of at least one of the light-emitting diodes and so that another part thereof is not disposed within the viewing angle of any of the light-emitting diodes.

Abstract: A time-division multiplexing system includes a control unit and multiple I/O units. The control unit generates timing signals that select one of the I/O units to be enabled at any time, and the timing signals include clock signals that index selected channels within the enabled I/O unit. The control unit stores both Boolean logical relationships among the channels of the multiplex system and functional names for the channels of the multiplex system in a reprogrammable memory. The control unit can be programmed with a programming system that uses a graphical user interface to make the programming operation simple and reliable.

Abstract: The hotel vending network includes a central control at the hotel main desk and a vending unit in each hotel guest room. The microprocessor controlled vending units include a display arrangement for displaying prices of articles to be rended and a user allocatable keyboard for use in article selection and final purchase from the vend unit. Each purchase is a cooperative action between the central control and a vend unit and is completed by an acknowledgment signal from the vending unit which signal is required before actual billing of a rended article occurs. The keyboard is also used to control service access to the vending unit by means of passwords assigned from the central control.

Abstract: In a system for monitoring trash compactors, each monitoring unit associated with a trash compactor comprises a transducer for sensing hydraulic pressure, for generating an analog signal from the sensed pressure, and for converting the analog signal to a frequency signal, and a microprocessor. The microprocessor compares pressure signal values generated from the frequency signal over timed intervals to a specified value indicative of a compaction. The microprocessor also compares the maximum pressure signal value generated therefrom, under certain conditions, to a threshold value indicative of the trash compactor having a substantially empty compactor and to a threshold value indicative of the trash compactor having a substantially full container. Whenever a specified, plural number of substantially full compactions have been determined, a modem sends a status signal to a computer at a remote location or a facsimile message to a facsimile machine at a remote location.

Abstract: In a system for monitoring trash compactors, each monitoring unit associated with a trash compactor comprises a transducer for sensing hydraulic pressure, for generating an analog signal from the sensed pressure, and for converting the analog signal to a frequency signal, and a microprocessor. The microprocessor compares pressure signal values generated from the frequency signal over timed intervals to a specified value indicative of a compaction. The microprocessor also compares the maximum pressure signal value generated therefrom, under certain conditions, to a threshold value indicative of the trash compactor having a substantially empty compactor and to a threshold value indicative of the trash compactor having a substantially full container.