Abstract: A man-portable incident command platform is provided. A controller for a rechargeable battery system is disclosed that evaluates whether a cover of the rechargeable battery system is open or closed; determines whether an AC power source is available; evaluates a charge level (for example, from a system management bus) of one or more batteries in the rechargeable battery system; and enables a charging circuit for one or more batteries requiring a charge based on whether the cover of the rechargeable battery system is open or closed and if the AC power source is available A charging circuit for the rechargeable battery system is disclosed that comprises one or more programmable voltage sources for charging one or more batteries in the rechargeable battery system.

Abstract: A vending machine for dispensing telecommunications access is disclosed. A customer interested in using the telecommunications access makes a payment into the payment processing unit which forwards the payment information to the central control unit. The central control unit reports the transaction information to a central computer system via its modem connected to a telecommunication channel. Access to the same telecommunication channel or another channel can be made available to the customer via a switchable telecommunications access circuit which is also controlled by the central control unit. The customer connects to the telecommunications channel via the telecommunications access connector. The central control unit provides information on the progress of the vending transaction to the customer via the user interface. The central control unit determines when the transaction is completed by sensing the cessation of usage via the usage detection circuit or via customer action at the user interface.

Abstract: A vending machine for dispensing telecommunications access is disclosed. A customer interested in using the telecommunications access makes a payment into the payment processing unit which forwards the payment information to the central control unit. The central control unit reports the transaction information to a central computer system via its modem connected to a telecommunication channel. Access to the same telecommunication channel or another channel can be made available to the customer via a switchable telecommunications access circuit which is also controlled by the central control unit. The customer connects to the telecommunications channel via the telecommunications access connector. The central control unit provides information on the progress of the vending transaction to the customer via the user interface. The central control unit determines when the transaction is completed by sensing the cessation of usage via the usage detection circuit or via customer action at the user interface.

Abstract: A vending machine for dispensing power and telecommunications access is disclosed. The vending machine has an optional switchable power circuit that receives power from a power source and delivers the power to the customer's equipment via a power connector under the control of a central control unit. A customer interested in purchasing power or using the telecommunications access makes a payment into the payment processing unit which forwards the payment information to the central control unit. From time to time the central control unit reports the transaction information to a central computer system via its modem which is connected to a telecommunication channel. Access to the same telecommunication channel or another channel can be made available to the customer via a switchable telecommunications access circuit which is also under the control of the central control unit. The customer connects to the telecommunications channel via the telecommunications access connector.

Abstract: A vending machine for dispensing power and telecommunications access is disclosed. The vending machine has a switchable power circuit that receives power from a power source and delivers the power to the customer's equipment via a power connector under the control of a central control unit. A customer interested in purchasing power or using the telecommunications access makes a payment into the payment processing unit which forwards the payment information to the central control unit. From time to time the central control unit reports the transaction information to a central computer system via its modem which is connected to a telecommunication channel. Access to the same telecommunication channel or another channel can be made available to the customer via a switchable telecommunications access circuit which is also under the control of the central control unit. The customer connects to the telecommunications channel via the telecommunications access connector.