Abstract: A remote instrument control and reporting system utilizes a host communication gateway based on hardware and software that interfaces with a field device, remote terminal unit, or control system that operates across multiple communications infrastructures to a common back end data delivery system. This design allows Modbus hosts or similar SCADA polled technologies, such as a field bus that utilizes various industrial protocols to control instruments at and acquire instrumentation data from physically isolated installations. In particular, this design is well suited for applications such as oil well electrical submersible pumps. The data is communicated through, for example, a low Earth orbit satellite into a host communications gateway that simulates within a host computer environment the same polling registers that the data was collected from in the remote locations.

Abstract: A system and method for predicting a vehicle rollover. A vehicle rollover is predicted when a vehicle impact has not occurred and first and second threshold values indicative of vehicle motion and vehicle kinetic energy are exceeded.

Abstract: A method of installing a submersible electrical pump assembly in a well monitors the integrity of the pump assembly and electrical cable while the pump assembly is being run. The pump assembly has at least one sensor that measures a parameter in the environment of the pump assembly. A battery-powered test unit is mounted to the reel of cable, and a lead of the unit is connected to the power cable. While lowering the completion equipment, test voltage is supplied from the unit via the power cable through the motor to the sensor. The unit transmits an indication to a remote monitor that the sensor is operational.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus for simulating attributes of a vehicle during a certain inertial event. The apparatus comprises a rigid shell, an occupant compartment surrounded by the rigid shell, and a carriage supporting the occupant compartment and the rigid shell. The test apparatus transforms the vehicle into a system of reusable components. The rigid body shell eliminates damage to body components by protecting the occupant compartment. The invention also provides a method of simulating a tripped rollover event of a vehicle with the test apparatus and a cart.

Abstract: An interactive television program guide with remote access is provided. The interactive television program guide is implemented on interactive television program guide equipment. A remote program guide access device is connected to the interactive television program guide equipment by a remote access link to provide a user with remote access to program guide functions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle seat belt system having a shoulder belt portion and a lap belt portion including a relay device adapted to receive a predetermined signal from a vehicle sensor, a buckle operatively attached to the relay device, a locking tongue detachably received by the buckle in operative communication with the buckle when the buckle and locking tongue are attached, a housing portion in operative communication with the buckle via the locking tongue portion with a trigger mechanism adapted to be activated in response to the predetermined signal received by the relay device, a locking structure having a belt length received therethrough actuatably engaged by the trigger mechanism, and wherein the locking structure is adapted to lock the belt length in place when the trigger mechanism is activated.

Abstract: A communication arrangement for a household appliance device. The arrangement includes a first communication part including a transmitter for transmitting a wireless signal, and a second communication part, remotely located from the first communication part, including a receiver for receiving the wireless signal. One of the first and second communication parts is associated with the appliance device. In one aspect, the second communication part includes a processor to process the signal and nullify the effects of noise transmitted in the signal. In one aspect, the signal is an RF signal, and the second communication part includes means to over sample the signal.

Abstract: A disappearing interface system for a device, such as an appliance (e.g., a cooking range) having an interactive user interface, a light-emitting device (e.g., a LED), a microprocessor based LED fader electronic control system that uses a PWM signal to drive an A/D circuit to control the intensity (e.g., fade in/out) of the light-emitting device.

Abstract: An enhanced program guide interface is provided. The interface may use colors and other display characteristics, and may provide navigational interface elements, and other displays, to enhance the user's guidance experience. The system may include advertisements that are tied to the subject matter of program guide features, options or functions. Display elements may be componentized.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle seat belt system having a shoulder belt portion and a lap belt portion including a relay device adapted to receive a predetermined signal from a vehicle sensor, a buckle operatively attached to the relay device, a locking tongue detachably received by the buckle in operative communication with the buckle when the buckle and locking tongue are attached, a housing portion in operative communication with the buckle via the locking tongue portion with a trigger mechanism adapted to be activated in response to the predetermined signal received by the relay device, a locking structure having a belt length received therethrough actuatably engaged by the trigger mechanism, and wherein the locking structure is adapted to lock the belt length in place when the trigger mechanism is activated.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing an interactive display having indicators of video-on-demand programs are described. The systems and methods select indicators for inclusion in the interactive display according to a promotional selection algorithm.

Abstract: An interactive television program guide with remote access is provided. The interactive television program guide is implemented on interactive television program guide equipment. A remote program guide access device is connected to the interactive television program guide equipment by a remote access link to provide a user with remote access to program guide functions. An interactive television program guide system based on multiple user television equipment devices in a single household is provided. The system provides a user with an opportunity to adjust program guide settings with a given one of the interactive television program guides. Program guide setting include features related to setting program reminders, profiles, program recording features, messaging features, favorites features, parental control features, program guide set up features (e.g., audio and video and language settings), etc.

Abstract: A transformer assembly and method for powering a load with a secondary fault protected isolated secondary. The fault fault path is isolated from ground allowing voltage detection of faults and the return terminal is isolated from the midpoint for multiple load connection schemes using the midpoint as a ground connection. A power control system is connected between the primary winding and the input terminal with a ground fault detection circuit connected between the fault path and the ground terminal, where the ground fault detection circuit is operable to detect a fault and activate the power control system to disconnect the source of power from the primary winding in response to detecting the fault. Also disclosed is a high frequency filter adapted to reduce the effects of high frequency transients and a capacitive reactance connected between the input terminal means and the ground terminal. The capacitive reactance is adapted to provide a ground fault path for fault signals.

Abstract: A system that facilitates opening of a bank account by banking personnel for a customer. The account opening system includes an automatic rate determination feature that uses customer information, account information and other criteria to determine an account interest rate. The rate determination system may also mediate rate negotiation between a personal banker and the customer by limiting the increase in rate awarded by the personal banker. An auditing system assigns numbers to a series of profiles, each describing a request to open an account. Profiles to be audited are determined by generating random numbers that fall within the range of assigned profile numbers. Random number generation is repeated until a threshold percentage of profiles have been selected for auditing. The account opening system includes a system for tracking the progress of the account application and for organizing information recorded by the personal banker during interactions with the customer.

Abstract: A rethermalization cart having top and bottom sides connected together by at least two side walls. Attached to the side walls at a plurality of vertically spaced positions are a plurality of tray supports. Attached adjacent and below the tray supports and in a cantilevered out position are a plurality of heating pads at each tray support location. Each of the pads is secured so that it can be individually disconnected, removed and replaced as needed. Switches within each individual heating pad are activated by covers that are positioned over the food. The use of the covers provides a positive indication whether the food is being heating since the switches are magnetic and the covers contain corresponding magnets. Thus, by leaving the cover off there is a positive assurance that the food will remain cold.

Abstract: A rethermalization system for rethermalizing food includes (a) a food service tray having a hot dish through-opening and the through-opening having a through-opening top edge, (b) a rethermalization cart including a cart frame, a plurality of heating pads supported within the cart frame, and a plurality of vertically spaced tray supports attached to the cart frame for supporting the food service tray at a plurality of alternative vertically spaced shelf locations, and in a tray support position such that the hot dish through-opening is disposed above one of the heating pads, and (c) a food service dish positionable in the hot dish through-opening of the food service tray.

Abstract: The cooking vessel has a laminated wall including one layer of a magnetic material having a thickness, determined in accordance with skin depth as a function of the operating frequencies of the cooking device so that the major part of the power is developed in the one layer and substantial penetration of the magnetic field produced by the device beyond the layer is prevented, and another layer of relatively high thermal conductivity material which promotes the uniform distribution of heat derived from the magnetic layer throughout the other layer.