Abstract: A hunting and wildlife waterfowl decoy apparatus comprising a tubular member and a cord member, wherein the tubular member and the cord member cooperate in order to create a tensional force and a locking mechanism. A waterfowl decoy tubular apparatus for use in keeping a plurality of waterfowl decoy cords in a substantially tight and taught orientation, thereby holding a plurality of decoys in a secure manner and preventing the decoy cords, and thus the decoys, from entangling during transportation or storage.

Abstract: An improved cryogenic cooling system is disclosed. The cryogenic cooling system comprises a pressure sensing system disposed at or near the cryocooler to provide a more accurate representation of the pressure of the working gas within the cryocooler. By utilizing pressure measurements at the cryocooler, the thermal performance and net cooling capacity of the system may be improved. This may also improve the life of the cryocooler. Further, in some embodiments, pressure sensing systems are disposed at both the compressor and the cryocooler. In these embodiments, performance issues and potential failures may be monitored.

Abstract: A hunting and wildlife waterfowl decoy apparatus comprising a tubular member and a cord member, wherein said tubular member and said cord member cooperate in order to create a tensional force and a locking mechanism. A waterfowl decoy tubular apparatus for use in keeping a plurality of waterfowl decoy cords in a substantially tight and taught orientation, thereby holding a plurality of decoys in a secure manner and preventing said decoy cords, and thus said decoys, from entangling during transportation or storage.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for supporting multiple applications and multiple instances of the same application on a wireless smart device are disclosed. According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a system for supporting multiple instances of the same application. The system includes a wireless smart device for communicating with a wireless reader. The wireless smart device includes multiple instances of the same application for performing wireless transactions with an external device. The wireless smart device also includes an application manager for identifying one of the instances as active, for detecting a request from a wireless reader for performing a wireless transaction, and for communicating the request to the active instance.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for acquiring payment device data for wireless payment transactions are disclosed. According to one method, a request from a wireless payment reader for standardized payment device data for effecting a wireless payment is received by a wireless smart payment device. Payment device data elements are assembled by the wireless smart payment device into the standardized payment device data. The standardized payment device data are sent by the wireless smart payment device to the wireless payment reader.

Abstract: The invention includes a seed treatment composition containing plant macronutrients, micronutrients, a pest inhibitor and at least one growth regulator. The composition additionally contains a vitamin component, an amino acid component, a penetrant and an energy source. The invention also includes treated seed having a treatment material on at least a portion of a seed surface. The treatment material contains macronutrients, micronutrients, vitamins, humic acid, a pest inhibitor, a mold inhibitor, an absorbant, a penetrant and growth regulators. The invention includes methods of formulating seed treatment compositions and methods of treating seeds.

Abstract: A method for upgrading software at remote locations comprises uploading software upgrades to a portable computing device and conveying the portable computing device to the remote locations. The portable computing device ascertains the current software and hardware present at the remote location and installs the requested software upgrade if no incompatibilities are detected. Further, the portable computing device stores a record of what service was performed and what software is presently in existence at the remote location. The portable computing device communicates with a corporate computer the records so created and an accounting is performed.

Abstract: The invention includes a seed treatment composition containing plant macronutrients, micronutrients, a pest inhibitor and at least one growth regulator. The composition additionally contains a vitamin component, an amino acid component, a penetrant and an energy source. The invention also includes treated seed having a treatment material on at least a portion of a seed surface. The treatment material contains macronutrients, micronutrients, vitamins, humic acid, a pest inhibitor, a mold inhibitor, an absorbant, a penetrant and growth regulators. The invention includes methods of formulating seed treatment compositions and methods of treating seeds.

Abstract: A control system for a fuel dispensing system and a method for simultaneously refueling from at least two fuel dispensers to provide a single transaction total wherein the two fuel dispensers are a master/satellite fuel dispenser pair. A first communication means enables the dispenser control circuitry in the master dispenser to control the dispensing of fuel from the satellite dispenser. A second communication means enables the dispenser control circuitry to receive data regarding the amount of fuel dispensed by the satellite dispenser. A combination means generally associated with the dispenser control circuitry combines the total amount of fuel dispensed from the master/satellite fuel dispenser pair to a single vehicle. A device mounted on the master dispenser displays the total volume and price for the customer as a single transaction.

Abstract: A retail transaction system provides enhanced customer convenience and increased transaction security by sending transaction information to a cellular network provider via a customer's digital cellular phone. For example, a fuel dispenser is equipped with a communications link allowing direct communications to a customer's cellular phone. When a customer desires to conduct a transaction using the fuel dispenser, the fuel dispenser transmits select information to the customer's cellular telephone using this communications link. A telephone number is included in the select information. When the customer presses send, or otherwise causes their telephone to dial the number transferred from the fuel dispenser, the select information along with any additional customer information is sent to the cellular network.

Abstract: A control system for a fuel dispensing system and a method for simultaneously refueling from at least two fuel dispensers to provide a single transaction total wherein the two fuel dispensers are a master/satellite fuel dispenser pair. A first communication means enables the dispenser control circuitry in the master dispenser to control the dispensing of fuel from the satellite dispenser. A second communication means enables the dispenser control circuitry to receive data regarding the amount of fuel dispensed by the satellite dispenser. A combination means generally associated with the dispenser control circuitry combines the total amount of fuel dispensed from the master/satellite fuel dispenser pair to a single vehicle. A device mounted on the master dispenser displays the total volume and price for the customer as a single transaction.

Abstract: A retail transaction system provides enhanced customer convenience and increased transaction security by sending transaction information to a cellular network provider via a customer's digital cellular phone. For example, a fuel dispenser is equipped with a communications link allowing direct communications to a customer's cellular phone. When a customer desires to conduct a transaction using the fuel dispenser, the fuel dispenser transmits select information to the customer's cellular telephone using this communications link. A telephone number is included in the select information. When the customer presses send, or otherwise causes their telephone to dial the number transferred from the fuel dispenser, the select information along with any additional customer information is sent to the cellular network.

Abstract: A control system for a fuel dispensing system for simultaneously refueling from at least two fuel dispensers to provide a single transaction total wherein the two fuel dispensers are a master/satellite fuel dispenser pair. A first communication device enables the dispenser control circuitry in the master dispenser to control the dispensing of fuel from the satellite dispenser. A second communication device enables the dispenser control circuitry to receive data regarding the amount of fuel dispensed by the satellite dispenser. A combination device generally associated with the dispenser control circuitry combines the total amount of fuel dispensed from the master/satellite fuel dispenser pair to a single vehicle. A device mounted on the master dispenser displays the total volume and price for the customer as a single transaction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for distributing files, such as data files, executable files, and web page content files, between an unsecure server and a client. The client is capable of authenticating the transferred file to determine if the creator of the file has been previously authorized to create files for the client., The file creator may be the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of the client. The file creator may be a third party that is not the same party as the OEM of the client.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel dispenser antenna system for communicating with remote communications units associated with a customer. The system will include a dispenser having a first site for customer interface wherein an area extending away from and along the first side substantially defines a fueling position. A first antenna is used to communicate with remote communications units through an associated communications system. The first antenna and communications system are adapted to provide a focused transmission field substantially throughout the fueling position, but substantially minimizing extension of the transmission field outside of the fueling position. Means associated with the communications system is provided to receive signals from the remote communications units. This means is typically one or more receive antennas in communication with the communications system.

Abstract: A portable digital ultrasonic monitoring system and method for use by an operator in detecting the ultrasonic waves and temperature variations produced by sources such as leaks in pipes, arcing, electrical corona and machinery defects is provided. The digital ultrasonic monitoring system includes a microprocessor based system in a hand held elongate housing that digitally analyzes and stores information received from its sensors. The digital ultrasonic monitoring system provides a referenced decibel output reading of the signal strength of the received ultrasonic signals. In addition, a heterodyned type audio signal that is related to the sensed ultrasonic signals is provided to the operator through a pair of headphones. The portable device has user input keys that allow the operator to select from a variety of different operating modes. A display displays a variety of different readings depending upon the operating mode of the device.

Abstract: A device detects an emission source of a vibration signal against a background of noise, where the vibration signal is produced by a mechanical system and has one or more frequency components. A sensor senses the vibration signal and produces a sensor signal corresponding to the vibration signal. The sensor has a mechanical frequency selection structure for mechanically resonating at desired frequencies and for mechanically attenuating a frequency component of the vibration signal having a frequency outside the desired frequencies. The mechanical frequency selection structure thus produces a mechanically-tuned sensor signal. Electrical frequency selection filters electrically attenuate a frequency component of the mechanically-tuned sensor signal having a frequency outside the desired frequencies. The electrical frequency selection filters thus produce an electrically-tuned sensor signal.

Abstract: An ultrasonic monitoring apparatus is provided for use by an operator in detecting ultrasonic vibrations and sound waves. The ultrasonic monitoring apparatus consists of a hand held device with a sensor socket that allows a variety of different types of sensors to be interchangeably installed in the hand held device. These sensors include both contact and airborne ultrasonic sensors as well as a combination temperature and ultrasonic sensor that allows the operator to simultaneously monitor the surface temperature of an object and the ultrasonic vibrations produced by the object. Identification information corresponding to the type of sensor is encoded on the individual sensors. The identification information is read by an identification circuit located in the hand held device. This identification information allows the hand held device to configure itself to operate with the type of sensor installed in the socket.

Abstract: An apparatus and method determines ultrasonic measurement parameters of ultrasonic measurements to be performed on a mechanical system, where the ultrasonic measurements are performed using a portable ultrasonic measurement device. The ultrasonic measurement parameters consist of information used in configuring the portable ultrasonic measurement device to make the ultrasonic measurements. The measurement parameters are used to configure an ultrasonic measurement device that uses an ultrasonic sensor to measure ultrasonic characteristics of the mechanical system, where the ultrasonic characteristics are indicative of an operating condition of the mechanical system. The apparatus includes a processor for generating user instruction messages that query a user concerning specific characteristics of the mechanical system on which the ultrasonic measurements are to be performed. The user instruction messages also provide response options from which the user chooses in responding to the instruction messages.

Abstract: A route based ultrasonic monitoring method for use by an operator in detecting when the ultrasonic sound produced by a device indicates the presence of a leak or machinery defect. The route based ultrasonic monitoring method uses a central processing location to store testing information concerning which machines to test and how to configure a portable ultrasonic sensing device to test them. At the appropriate time, the testing information is loaded from the central processing location into the portable processing and storage unit. The operator is then prompted by the portable processing and storage unit to proceed to a test location. Once at the test location, the portable processing and storage unit provides the testing information to the portable ultrasonic sensing device. The test is then performed by the operator with the portable ultrasonic sensing device and the test results are downloaded from the portable sensing device to the portable processing and storage unit.