Abstract: The water barrier is comprised of a number of interconnected modules, that contain expansive material (such as polymer powder). Each module has inlets that allow rising water to enter the interior volume of the module so that it inflates from a flattened configuration to a four sided shape. The shape is wedge shaped and the modules are alternated so that the narrow end of the module is toward the rising water on one module and the wide end is next to the rising water on the adjacent module, so that pressure from the rising water is transferred to adjacent modules from module to module and ultimately to an anchoring system.

Abstract: The system utilizes a matrix of inflation modules held in position by x-y orthogonal cables. The inflation modules contain hydroscopic materials such as polymer power that swells when wet to produce modules of substantial height. The modules may be stacked in rows and columns to bridge a gap in a levee. Ballast holds the bottom of the matrix down and inflation modules, which may be air filed spheres hold the top of the matrix, on or near the surface of the water. The matrix may be configured to have a levee side that is as narrow as the opening in the levee and a water side that is wider than the gap in the levee to produce a wedging effect. Orthogonally arranged cables maintain the inflation modules in position and are used to anchor the matrix to intact portions of the levee. At points where the cables intersect they are held together by connector modules which a comprised of two halves with groves for cables and provision for holding the halves together with a bolts or other fasteners.

Abstract: The system utilizes a bag containing hydrophilic dry material such as powered polymer. The bag is initially light in weight. When the hydrophilic material is exposed to water it absorbs water and expands to inflate the bag. By taking on the weight of the absorbed, the bag of the invention can replace the function of a conventional sand bag. Unlike a conventional sand bag, the bag of the invention has provision for causing the bags before and after inflation to interlock which strengthens the resulting protective wall. Part of the interlocking effect is created by the incorporation of ballast modules at least two corners of the bag which interlock with pockets on diagonal corners of adjacent bags. In addition to ballast modules, the bag may contain seed modules or pockets which release seeds to vegetate and hold soil on slopes.

Abstract: A wireless network based location system and method uses an existing wireless communication network to locate the position of any active phone or transceiver unit in the network. The system includes a plurality of agile vector sensor units, one each installed at each antenna site in the network, and a remote central monitoring station to which wireless network users can call for assistance in the event of an emergency. The system is designed to locate a portable phone transceiver unit using the reverse voice channel signal transmitted by the transceiver unit. Each agile vector sensor unit locks onto the reverse voice channel to determine azimuth and signal strength in the reverse voice channel, and also tracks any changes in voice channel by monitoring the forward voice channel. In the event of a voice channel change, the sensor unit tunes to the new voice channel. The azimuth, signal strength, and reverse voice channel information collected is used to track the location of a transceiver unit in real time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for evaluating a driver's performance under actual real-time conditions and for using such evaluations to determine the driver's ability to safely operate a vehicle compares the information gathered by a radar system and other sensors with information previously stored in an event recording device. Conditions monitored are used to make a determination as to whether the driver is performing in conformity with normal driving standards and the driver's own past performance. The driver's performance is constantly monitored and compared to that driver's past performance to determine whether the driver's present performance is impaired, and if so, whether the impairment is detrimental to the driver's ability to safely operate the vehicle.

Abstract: A novel method, system and protocol for providing continually updated traffic (and other) information from a central station to preferably telephonically linked caller customers (though other communication links are feasible), involving enabling the caller to enter on the caller's keyboard a code for the particular zone for which a traffic information report is desired, and thereupon to receive a transmission of such report from the central station; and then, by further caller keyboard entries, requesting reports on additional specified zones--all on the same call--and further requesting from the station, by keyboard entry, automatic updating report(s) in the specified zone(s) in the event of significant changes in traffic information (including traffic incidents) during a predetermined time after the initial report.