Abstract: Methods and systems of extending battery life of remote battery-operated timekeeping devices by minimizing the number of required synchronizations per unit of time needed to maintain a predetermined accuracy of the devices. The number of synchronizations are minimized by first calculating a time error rate between the remote timekeeping device and a master device over a sample period. Then, a synchronization is delayed and the remote timekeeping device is compensated based on the time error rate. The compensation delays the need for a synchronization yet maintains the predetermined accuracy of the remote timekeeping device. In some embodiments, the remote timekeeping device is compensated and multiple synchronizations are delayed before a new synchronization is necessary to maintain the predetermined accuracy.

Abstract: Presented are apparatus and methods for providing online health monitoring and accumulating data from patients applicable in both diagnosing and prescribing preventive medical treatment. Methods and devices include using a sensitive acoustic device to analyze a patient's health function from a location such as a public computer kiosk, a doctor's office or a patient's computer. The data may be downloaded to a central database, for example, via the Internet. The data may be retrieved by the patient, or accessed by doctors for purposes of diagnosis, monitoring and treatment. The data may include demographic data that can be stored while maintaining patient anonymity. The data may be accessible to researchers providing medical statistics on a wide variety of patients from various age groups, ethnic backgrounds, medical histories and the like.

Abstract: Methods and systems of extending battery life of remote battery-operated timekeeping devices by minimizing the number of required synchronizations per unit of time needed to maintain a predetermined accuracy of the devices. The number of synchronizations are minimized by first calculating a time error rate between the remote timekeeping device and a master device over a sample period. Then, a synchronization is delayed and the remote timekeeping device is compensated based on the time error rate. The compensation delays the need for a synchronization yet maintains the predetermined accuracy of the remote timekeeping device. In some embodiments, the remote timekeeping device is compensated and multiple synchronizations are delayed before a new synchronization is necessary to maintain the predetermined accuracy.

Abstract: Methods and systems for adjusting a pressure value to account for an altitude-induced pressure effect. One method includes determining an average pressure value experienced at a first altitude, determining a ratio based on the average pressure value and a reference pressure value, determining a current pressure value experienced at the first altitude, and adjusting the current pressure value based on the ratio to obtain an altitude-adjusted pressure value.

Abstract: A wireless synchronous time keeping system includes a primary device and a secondary device. The primary device includes a receiving unit to receive a first signal having a time component, a processor coupled to the receiving unit and operable to process the signal to produce a processed time component, an internal clock to store the processed time component and to increment the component thereafter to produce a first internal time, and a transmitting unit to transmit a second signal having the first internal time and an event having an instruction and a time element. The secondary device includes a transceiving unit to receive the second signal and transmit a third signal, an internal clock to store the first internal time and to increment the internal time to produce a second internal time, and an event switch operable to execute the instruction when the second internal time matches the time element.

Abstract: A method of synchronizing an event system. The method includes receiving a first signal at a primary device. The first signal includes a time component. The method also includes processing the first signal to produce a second signal. The second signal includes the processed time component and an instruction. The method further includes wirelessly transmitting the second signal to a repeating device, wirelessly receiving the second signal at the repeating device, wirelessly transmitting a third signal from the repeating device, wirelessly receiving the third signal at a secondary device, and executing an event with the third signal.

Abstract: A wireless synchronous time keeping system includes a primary device and a secondary device. The primary device includes a receiving unit to receive a first signal, a processor coupled to the receiving unit and operable to process the first signal to produce a processed time component, an internal clock to store and increment the component to produce a first internal time, and a transmitting unit to transmit a second signal having the first internal time and an event having an instruction and a time element. The secondary device includes a receiving unit to receive the second signal, an internal clock to store and increment the first internal time to produce a second internal time, a memory operable to store one or more messages, a display operable to display the messages, and an event switch operable to execute the instruction when the second internal time matches the time element.

Abstract: A wireless synchronous time system comprising a primary master event device and secondary slave devices. The primary event device receives a global positioning systems “GPS” time signal, processes the GPS time signal, receives a programmed instruction, and broadcasts or transmits the processed time signal and the programmed instruction to the secondary slave devices. The secondary slave devices receive the processed time signal and the programmed instruction, select an identified programmed instruction, display the time, and execute an event associated with the programmed instruction. The primary event device and the secondary devices further include a power interrupt module for retaining the time and the programmed instruction in case of a power loss.

Abstract: A wireless synchronous time system comprising a primary master event device and secondary slave devices. The primary event device receives a global positioning systems “GPS” time signal, processes the GPS time signal, receives a programmed instruction, and broadcasts or transmits the processed time signal and the programmed instruction to the secondary slave devices. The secondary slave devices receive the processed time signal and the programmed instruction, select an identified programmed instruction, display the time, and execute an event associated with the programmed instruction. The primary event device and the secondary devices further include a power interrupt module for retaining the time and the programmed instruction in case of a power loss.

Abstract: A wind velocity measuring apparatus. The apparatus includes a thermal sensor and a processor operatively coupled to the thermal sensor. The processor is configured to receive a first temperature reading from the thermal sensor of a beginning temperature sensed by the thermal sensor and to receive a second temperature reading from the thermal sensor of an ending temperature sensed by the thermal sensor after a quantifiable amount of heat is applied to the thermal sensor for a quantifiable amount of time. The processor is further configured to determine a theoretical temperature based on the quantifiable amount of heat, the quantifiable amount of time, and the beginning temperature and to determine a wind velocity based on the difference between the theoretical temperature and the ending temperature.

Abstract: A wireless synchronous time keeping system includes a primary device and a secondary device. The primary device includes a receiving unit to receive a first signal, a processor coupled to the receiving unit and operable to process the first signal to produce a processed time component, an internal clock to store and increment the component to produce a first internal time, and a transmitting unit to transmit a second signal having the first internal time and an event having an instruction and a time element. The secondary device includes a receiving unit to receive the second signal, an internal clock to store and increment the first internal time to produce a second internal time, a memory operable to store one or more messages, a display operable to display the messages, and an event switch operable to execute the instruction when the second internal time matches the time element.

Abstract: A method of synchronizing an event system. The method includes receiving a first signal at a primary device. The first signal includes a time component. The method also includes processing the first signal to produce a second signal. The second signal includes the processed time component and an instruction. The method further includes wirelessly transmitting the second signal to a repeating device, wirelessly receiving the second signal at the repeating device, wirelessly transmitting a third signal from the repeating device, wirelessly receiving the third signal at a secondary device, and executing an event with the third signal.

Abstract: Methods and systems for adjusting a pressure value to account for an altitude-induced pressure effect. One method includes determining an average pressure value experienced at a first altitude, determining a ratio based on the average pressure value and a reference pressure value, determining a current pressure value experienced at the first altitude, and adjusting the current pressure value based on the ratio to obtain an altitude-adjusted pressure value.

Abstract: A wireless synchronous time keeping system includes a primary device and a secondary device. The primary device includes a receiving unit to receive a first signal having a time component, a processor coupled to the receiving unit and operable to process the signal to produce a processed time component, an internal clock to store the processed time component and to increment the component thereafter to produce a first internal time, and a transmitting unit to transmit a second signal having the first internal time and an event having an instruction and a time element. The secondary device includes a transceiving unit to receive the second signal and transmit a third signal, an internal clock to store the first internal time and to increment the internal time to produce a second internal time, and an event switch operable to execute the instruction when the second internal time matches the time element.

Abstract: A method of synchronizing an event system. The method includes receiving a first signal at a primary device, where the first signal includes a time component, and processing the first signal to produce a second signal, where the second signal includes the time component and an instruction. The method also includes wirelessly transmitting the second signal to a repeating device, wirelessly receiving the second signal at the repeating device, and wirelessly transmitting a third signal from the repeating device, where the third signal includes the time component and the instruction. The method further includes wirelessly receiving the third signal at a secondary device and executing an event with the third signal.

Abstract: A primary device for a synchronous event system. In one construction, the primary device includes a solar panel operable to convert light into electricity; a receiver operable to receive a global positioning system time signal; a processor coupled to the receiver and operable to process the global positioning system time signal to produce a processed time component; an internal clock coupled to the processor and operable to store the processed time component and to increment relative to the processed time component thereafter to produce an internal time; and a transmitter coupled to the processor and operable to transmit the internal time to a secondary device for wireless reception by the secondary device and synchronization of the secondary device relative to the primary device.

Abstract: A time keeping system having a first time module operable to keep a first time, a second time module operable to keep a second time, and a control module operatively coupled to the first time module and to the second time module. The control module adjusts the first time in response to information stored in the control module and adjusts the second time to reduce a time difference between the first time and the second time.

Abstract: Methods for providing online health monitoring and accumulating data from patients worldwide, and accompanying apparatus for using the same, are disclosed. Such monitoring is particularly useful for both diagnosing and prescribing preventive medical treatment, and is particularly suited for the field of cardiovascular health care. Preferred methods and devices include using a sensitive acoustic device, such as an electret, to analyze a patient's cardiovascular functions from a location such as a public computer kiosk, a doctor's office or a patient's home computer. The data may be downloaded from the acoustic device to a central database located, for example, on the Internet. The data may be retrieved by the patient, or upon instructions from the patient, may be transferred to or accessed by doctors for purposes of diagnosis, monitoring and treatment. The data may, in addition, include demographic and like data for each patient and preferably be stored while maintaining the anonymity of each patient.

Abstract: A primary device for a synchronous event system. In one construction, the primary device includes a solar panel operable to convert light into electricity; a receiver operable to receive a global positioning system time signal; a processor coupled to the receiver and operable to process the global positioning system time signal to produce a processed time component; a internal clock coupled to the processor and operable to store the processed time component and to increment relative to the processed time component thereafter to produce an internal time; and a transmitter coupled to the processor and operable to transmit the internal time to a secondary device for wireless reception by the secondary device and synchronization of the secondary device relative to the primary device.

Abstract: A data center in communication with a plurality of remote wireless clocks of a network comprises a server in communication with the network. The server is operable to send time information and non-time information through the network to a remote wireless clock among the remote wireless clocks. The server is also operable to receive status information through the network from the remote wireless clock, generate a traceable record based on the received status information, store the traceable record in a database, and host a software application for remote access by a user. The software application is operable to provide a plurality of functions associated with the remote wireless clock. The server is further operable to selectively output at least one of the time information, the non-time information, and the traceable record.