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 current invention is a dispensing system for deterring and preventing transponder misuse in a fueling environment. The system includes a fuel dispenser associated with a control system and a receiver adapted to receive signals, including identification indicia from a remote communications unit associated with a customer. The receiver operates in conjunction with the control system to provide the control system with the first indicia and determine if the remote communications unit has been lost, stolen or used in an unauthorized manner. The control system is adapted to prevent fueling and transaction continuance upon determining the remote communications unit in communication if the dispenser was lost, stolen or used in an unauthorized manner.

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.

Abstract: The invention relates to providing secure transactions with a tag and POS device associated with a host network authorization system. In doing so, the tag is adapted to bi-directionally communicate with a POS device, preferably a fuel dispenser, which further communicates with a host network to provide authorization of the tag and carry out any desired purchases or transactions. To avoid transmitting data from which valuable account or financial information could be derived, between the tag and POS device or the POS device and the host network system, the invention may maintain all or a majority of account and financial information requiring absolute security only at the host network. Neither the tag nor the POS device has or has access to certain critical financial or account information. The tag also is adapted to communicate with other local sources and the POS device directly. Additional and alternate security is available for these communications.

Abstract: The invention relates to providing secure transactions with a tag and POS device associated with a host network authorization system. In doing so, the tag is adapted to bi-directionally communicate with a POS device, preferably a fuel dispenser, which further communicates with a host network to provide authorization of the tag and carry out any desired purchases or transactions. To avoid transmitting data from which valuable account or financial information could be derived, between the tag and POS device or the POS device and the host network system, the invention may maintain all or a majority of account and financial information requiring absolute security only at the host network. Neither the tag nor the POS device has or has access to certain critical financial or account information. The tag also is adapted to communicate with other local sources and the POS device directly. Additional and alternate security is available for these communications.

Abstract: The present invention is a point of sale system, method of operation and a control program for use within a point of sale system. The point of sale system includes at least one operator console controlled with the control program with each operator console communicating with at least one console device connected thereto with a control program being executable by a site controller processor of the point of sale system which is operatively associated with a coresident console and being executable by a remote console processor within each console which is remote from the site controller and connected to the site controller by a communications link. The programming includes coresident console application programming for controlling operation of a coresident operator console which is executable by the site controller processor and remote console application programming for controlling operation of each remote console within the point of sale system.

Abstract: The present invention solves these problems by providing a fueling system capable of distinguishing between types of transponders based on the type of signals transmitted or information transmitted therein. Based on the type of transponder, the system may control dispenser functions accordingly. For example, certain applications may allow transponders carried on a person to be moved about the fueling environment during a fueling operation, but stop fueling and provide warning or instructional information if a vehicle mounted transponder begins or starts to move during the fueling operation.The fueling system may use many various techniques to determine transponder movement within the fueling environment, and in particular, with respect to the fuel dispenser at which the fueling operation is taking place.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fuel dispenser having a fuel delivery path, a pump associated with the delivery path for pumping fuel from a storage tank to a fueling nozzle and a controller and communication system adapted to receive remotely transmitted signals from transmitters of different types. The controller is adapted to determine the type of transmitter from which the remotely transmitted signals were received, and preferably, whether or not the transmitter is moved with respect to the dispenser. The controller and communication depending on the sophistication of the system or respond to information in the transmitted signals indicating the vehicle is moving.