Abstract: A system and method is provided for monitoring, tracking and/or coordinating the movement of items and/or equipment aboard a vessel. More particularly, a system and method is provided for controlling material flow, planning, reporting, scheduling, and inventory tracking of items throughout a vessel. The system comprises a computer infrastructure configured to receive item identification from remote sources and provide transporting instructions based on the item identification and predetermined criteria to operators for movement of cargo within a vessel. The system also includes at least one external device configured to at least receive the transporting instructions from the computer infrastructure.

Abstract: Methods and systems for interconnecting sub-systems and for identifying combinations of multiple technologies.

Abstract: A communication system includes a data concentrator computer, a gateway device for communicating with the data concentrator computer, a first mobile data acquisition device communicating with the gateway device, and a second mobile data acquisition device communicating with the gateway device. The gateway device allows direct communication between the first and second mobile data acquisition devices without communication with the data concentrator computer.

Abstract: Portable transaction terminal includes a processor, an imager configured to produce a digital image of a payment card using a source of continuous light, the imager being operably linked to the processor, and an image recognition module that performs image recognition and that is configured to produce or extract data for a transaction, from the digital image of the payment card, using the processor. The portable transaction terminal is configured to enter the data for the transaction that is produced or extracted, and wherein the data for the transaction is communicated and processed.

Abstract: A portable transaction terminal has an imager and image recognition system. The image recognition system produces information from image data for transaction processing. An optional location system enables obtaining and recording data corresponding to the location of the terminal at the time a transaction is processed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for interconnecting sub-systems and for identifying combinations of multiple technologies. The method of this invention can be applied to detecting the presence of a characteristic in an object.

Abstract: A system includes a device management computer, a data concentrator computer for communicating with the device management computer, a gateway device for communicating with the data concentrator computer, and a plurality of mobile data acquisition devices. Each of the plurality of mobile data acquisition devices communicates with the gateway device. The gateway device performs pre-processing functions on data collected by the plurality of mobile data acquisition devices prior to transferring the data to the data concentrator computer.

Abstract: A system enables a mobile data acquisition device. The system includes a software application for use with the mobile data acquisition device. The software application is located on a remote computer. The remote computer transfers the software application from the remote computer to the mobile data acquisition device. The remote computer installs and activates the software application for use by the mobile data acquisition device. The software application is determined by a user and replaces a factory default software application.

Abstract: A system upgrades a mobile data acquisition device. The system includes a software upgrade for use with the mobile data acquisition device. The software upgrade is located on a software management computer. The software management computer transfers the software upgrade from the software management computer to a local communications computer. The local communications computer transfers the software upgrade to the mobile data acquisition device. The local communications computer stores the software upgrade for transfer to other mobile data acquisition devices.

Abstract: A communication system includes a data concentrator computer, a gateway device for communicating with the data concentrator computer, a first mobile data acquisition device communicating with the gateway device, and a second mobile data acquisition device communicating with the gateway device. The gateway device allows direct communication between the first and second mobile data acquisition devices without communication with the data concentrator computer.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting contaminants in or on objects, having a movably mounted container for holding objects and having a plurality of perforations and an entrance opening through which objects may be placed into the container. A housing encloses the container and forms a barrier to ambient air. There is a sealable opening for inserting and removing objects from the container. A drive assembly moves the container within the housing to move objects therein for emitting particles which are in or on such object. There is an air stream for moving air through the housing and container to entrain any emitted particles into the air stream and a sensor for sensing contaminants in the air stream and providing a signal when a contaminant is sensed. The container can be a rotatable cage or a vibrating box. In the method, there is a chamber provided which may be sealed with respect to ambient air to create an enclosed atmosphere.