Abstract: A method for diagnosing aircraft airbag initiators in air bag systems includes: providing a diagnostic circuit per aircraft seat, the diagnostic circuit being in a normally off condition and enabled by a user activation; providing a power supply independent of aircraft power; providing a momentary switch; providing a visual indicator; receiving a signal indicating user activation of the momentary switch; and responsive to receiving the signal: completing a circuit, regulating a current into the diagnostic circuit to prevent a squib from firing during diagnostic evaluation; detecting a voltage; and providing feedback to the user.

Abstract: The invention consists of various embodiments of a system that uses electromechanical means to alert a vehicle operator of an imminent vehicle roll-over and protect the operator in a roll-over event. The system uses an electronics control unit (ECU) that is able to detect the deflection angle of the vehicle's tilt with the horizontal. If this angle exceeds a certain amount, the operator is alerted of the increased risk of roll-over via haptic feedback whereby the ECU controls a seatbelt electromechanical system to create a haptic feedback alert to the operator. If the angle exceeds a second higher amount, the system braces the operator for a roll-over event by tightening the seatbelt, thereby better protecting the operator. The fact that the system is electromechanical, instead of pyrotechnical, makes the system reusable. Another embodiment of the invention comprises a safety process used by the ECU to alert and protect the operator.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing aircraft airbag initiators in air bag systems includes: providing a diagnostic circuit per aircraft seat, the diagnostic circuit being in a normally off condition and enabled by a user activation; providing a power supply independent of aircraft power; providing a momentary switch; providing a visual indicator; receiving a signal indicating user activation of the momentary switch; and responsive to receiving the signal: completing a circuit, regulating a current into the diagnostic circuit to prevent a squib from firing during diagnostic evaluation; detecting a voltage; and providing feedback to the user.

Abstract: The present invention discloses embodiments of an apparatus, system and related method for diagnosing initiators in air bag systems. An embodiment of the system comprises a diagnostic circuit electrically connected between acceleration switches and one or more squib, that is user-activated via a momentary switch, and with user-feedback, wherein a user can diagnose the health of the one or more squib with no power drain while inactive. An embodiment of a method related to the system comprises activating a momentary switch, completing a circuit whereby a diagnostic circuit may function, indicating to the user that the diagnostic circuit is functioning, regulating the current into the diagnostic circuit so that the squib does not fire, boosting the signal to a window comparator, detecting the desired voltage by the window comparator, giving feedback to the user that the voltage is good, too high, or too low.

Abstract: The present invention discloses embodiments of an apparatus, system and related method for diagnosing initiators in air bag systems. An embodiment of the system comprises a diagnostic circuit electrically connected between acceleration switches and one or more squib, that is user-activated via a momentary switch, and with user-feedback, wherein a user can diagnose the health of the one or more squib with no power drain while inactive. An embodiment of a method related to the system comprises activating a momentary switch, completing a circuit whereby a diagnostic circuit may function, indicating to the user that the diagnostic circuit is functioning, regulating the current into the diagnostic circuit so that the squib does not fire, boosting the signal to a window comparator, detecting the desired voltage by the window comparator, giving feedback to the user that the voltage is good, too high, or too low.

Abstract: The present invention discloses embodiments of an apparatus, system and related method for diagnosing initiators in air bag systems. An embodiment of the system comprises a diagnostic circuit electrically connected between acceleration switches and one or more squib, that is user-activated via a momentary switch, and with user-feedback, wherein a user can diagnose the health of the one or more squib with no power drain while inactive. An embodiment of a method related to the system comprises activating a momentary switch, completing a circuit whereby a diagnostic circuit may function, indicating to the user that the diagnostic circuit is functioning, regulating the current into the diagnostic circuit so that the squib does not fire, boosting the signal to a window comparator, detecting the desired voltage by the window comparator, giving feedback to the user that the voltage is good, too high, or too low.

Abstract: The present invention discloses embodiments of an apparatus, system and related method for diagnosing initiators in air bag systems. An embodiment of the system comprises a diagnostic circuit electrically connected between acceleration switches and one or more squib, that is user-activated via a momentary switch, and with user-feedback, wherein a user can diagnose the health of the one or more squib with no power drain while inactive. An embodiment of a method related to the system comprises activating a momentary switch, completing a circuit whereby a diagnostic circuit may function, indicating to the user that the diagnostic circuit is functioning, regulating the current into the diagnostic circuit so that the squib does not fire, boosting the signal to a window comparator, detecting the desired voltage by the window comparator, giving feedback to the user that the voltage is good, too high, or too low.

Abstract: A method for conducting a financial transaction can be used by a person using a mobile device to conduct the transaction. The mobile device receives information related to the person that can be used for authentication purposes, such as a PIN or biometric data. The mobile device then authenticates the person by verifying the information received. If the person is authenticated, the transaction is completed using the mobile device, and if the person is not authenticated, the transaction is prevented.

Abstract: A method for conducting a financial transaction can be used by a person using a mobile device to conduct the transaction. The mobile device receives information related to the person that can be used for authentication purposes, such as a PIN or biometric data. The mobile device then authenticates the person by verifying the information received. If the person is authenticated, the transaction is completed using the mobile device, and if the person is not authenticated, the transaction is prevented.

Abstract: A method for conducting a financial transaction can be used by a person using a mobile device to conduct the transaction. The mobile device receives information related to the person that can be used for authentication purposes, such as a PIN or biometric data. The mobile device then authenticates the person by verifying the information received. If the person is authenticated, the transaction is completed using the mobile device, and if the person is not authenticated, the transaction is prevented.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for supporting a budgeting process are provided. A method according to the invention may include operating an electronic information processing platform to receive an electronic confirmation of one of a purchase, a savings transaction, and an investment transaction. The method may further include performing a reevaluation of a future savings goal in response to the confirmation. The method may also include performing one of the following in response to the reevaluation: 1) presenting an alternative to the future savings goal and 2) auto-executing a process. The auto-executing may be based on pre-determined rules.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a consumption network are provided. A method according to the invention may include receiving purchase information on a mobile device and recording the purchasing information. The information may be transmitted to a central database. At the central database, the information may be recorded and transmitted from the central database to a pre-determined group of users. Alternatively, the information may be transmitted to a group of users directly from the mobile phone associated with the purchasing.

Abstract: A method for conducting a financial transaction can be used by a person using a mobile device to conduct the transaction. The mobile device receives information related to the person that can be used for authentication purposes, such as a PIN or biometric data. The mobile device then authenticates the person by verifying the information received. If the person is authenticated, the transaction is completed using the mobile device, and if the person is not authenticated, the transaction is prevented.

Abstract: Information related to a person can be processed and monetized according to several methods. The person is provided control over monetization of information that is related to him or her. This information may be received and stored by a storage entity, such as an information bank. Upon confirmation of a purchase agreement between the person and a purchaser, the information is made available to the purchaser, and the person receives value in exchange for the information. The information may be collected and stored for later bulk or incremental monetization at the control of the person.

Abstract: A method for conducting a financial transaction involves a person using a mobile device. The mobile device accesses information regarding the proposed financial transaction and determines, based on that information, whether the proposed transaction is permissible according to pre-set preferences associated with the person. Some of these preferences may be controllable by the person, and other preferences may be only partially controllable or not controllable by the person. The proposed transaction is denied if it is determined not to be permissible, and the proposed transaction is allowed if it is determined to be permissible. If the transaction is denied, the person may be presented with the option of changing the preferences, and authentication may be necessary to do so.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing electrical power to a processor (CPU) within a computing system includes a fixed-voltage power supply and a programmable power supply. When the computing system is turned on, a switching circuit determines whether the processor is a unified voltage plane type, having a first particular pin electrically floating, or a split voltage plane type, having this pin grounded. In either case, the output of the programmable power supply is applied to the pins associated with the core voltage plane of a split voltage plane type. If the processor is a unified voltage plane type, the switching circuit applies the output of the programmable power supply to the pins associated with the I/O voltage plane of a split voltage plane type.

Abstract: The invention disclosed provides a verification circuit and method for sending an operator-generated signal to a frozen remote computer processor that will be distinguished from an unintentional short circuit. The apparatus includes a USB connective cable having a momentary contact switch able to create a series of intentional short circuits that are transmitted to a counter circuit. According to the method of the invention, the user of the computer having a frozen remote processor activates the switch multiple times within a fixed time period so that the counter and associated circuit recognize that an intentional reset request is being sent, and transmit a signal to reboot the processor.

Abstract: The invention disclosed provides a verification circuit and method for sending an operator-generated signal to a frozen remote computer processor that will be distinguished from an unintentional short circuit. The apparatus includes a USB connective cable having a momentary contact switch able to create a short circuit that is transmitted to a resetting circuit. According to the method of the invention, the user of the computer having a frozen remote processor activates the switch so that the resetting circuit recognizes that an intentional reset request is being sent, and transmits a signal to reboot the processor.

Abstract: The present invention describes a system for enabling a host computer to reset individual client computers. The invention allows the host to apply the reset to any or all clients, and to inhibit additional resets during a host power-on event. The invention additionally allows individual client modules to reset other client modules, given that the issuer is authorized and equipped to do so.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring fan speeds within a computing system includes a tachometer turning with the fan, providing a tachometer signal including a number of pulses during each revolution of the fan. This tachometer signal is provided as an input to a signal generator in the form of a flip-flop, which generates a square-wave signal having transitions between high and low levels corresponding to tachometer signal pulses. The square-wave signals are provided as inputs to separate input ports of a microprocessor. These input ports are sequentially sampled at a rate providing at least two samples per period of the fastest square-wave signal, so that transitions of each square wave signal during a predetermined time interval can be detected and counted. For each input port, the number of counted transitions is compared to a stored acceptable value to establish whether the fan is operating in an acceptable speed range.