Abstract: An automatic and dynamic maintenance scheduling system for surface cleaning machines. Based on the receipt or lack of receipt of machine usage data from the machine, the system will adjust or maintain scheduled service call dates.

Abstract: A battery-powered vehicle and a vehicle battery maintenance system that includes a battery charger that monitors energy consumption data from the vehicle battery to generate charging instructions to a charger. A central data unit (CDU) can determine whether if a vehicle electrical load is consuming too much energy and then generate instructions to the vehicle controller to limit the energy consumption. The CDU can notify an offsite central computer if the battery has not been charged according to charging instructions.

Abstract: An automatic and dynamic maintenance scheduling system for surface cleaning machines. Based on the receipt or lack of receipt of machine usage data from the machine, the system will adjust or maintain scheduled service call dates.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a cleaning apparatus, such as a battery-powered vacuum cleaner, that has a body and a cleaning wand. The apparatus operates in a multiple power mode, uses a wireless system to allow an operator interface to be provided on the cleaning wand and/or uses a motion detector on the cleaning wand to operate the cleaning apparatus in an intelligent manner. In cases where the cleaning apparatus is a battery-powered apparatus, the use of a multiple power mode, wireless system and/or a motion detector helps to extend the life of a battery.

Abstract: A battery-powered vehicle and a vehicle battery maintenance system that includes a battery charger that monitors energy consumption data from the vehicle battery to generate charging instructions to a charger. A central data unit (CDU) can determine whether if a vehicle electrical load is consuming too much energy and then generate instructions to the vehicle controller to limit the energy consumption. The CDU can notify an offsite central computer if the battery has not been charged according to charging instructions.

Abstract: A microprocessor controlled wrapping machine including a separate SCR drive driving a corresponding permanent magnet motor, wherein an incremental optical encoder is coupled with each permanent magnet motor to provide a feedback signal indicative of motor position to a microprocessor. Both a main motor, which drives the infeed conveyor and the cutting head assembly, and a finwheel motor are used in combination with the SCR drive and an incremental optical encoder to provide a low cost alternative to a servo amplifier-controlled motor drive. Both the finwheel motor and the main motor are independently controlled from one another as a function of an oscillator, which forms a portion of the microprocessor circuit, and as a function of input switches and the respective feedback signal provided by the respective incremental optical encoder. The present invention provides a low cost alternative to wrapping machines incorporating expensive servo amplifier-controleld motor drives.