Abstract:
Ballast water treatment apparatus and methods for preventing foreign aquatic invasive species form entering marine ecological zones by translocation in ship's ballast water. The apparatus includes a housing, a filter member, and UV water treatment chambers. Methods include use of a ship's fire hydrant system or ballast water discharge port for moving ballast water from the ship's ballast tanks into the apparatus for filtration and treatment. In-port service vessels and barges as well as dock-side service vehicles are equipped with the various treatment and filtration apparatus to provided in-port or dock-side ballast water treatment services. Related methods are also provided.
Abstract:
An anti-carjacking system includes a transmitter programmed to receive a selected vehicle identification number or other code for use with a car assigned with that particular number or code. The system further includes a receiver associated with the computer system of the car so identified by the selected vehicle identification number and means for disabling normal driving operation of the car. There is further provided means for sending a disable command from the transmitter to the receiver so that the particular car with the selected vehicle identification number is rendered non-operational. The system may be implemented in various embodiments including a modified car radio system and a RFID embedded license plate configuration. Methods related to vehicle operation and occupant safety are also provided.
Abstract:
A vehicle speed control system includes an RFID equipped vehicle having a computer system for controlling operating functions of the vehicle, a transmitting and receiving station positioned adjacent a speed control zone, capability for sending a speed control command from the transmitting and receiving station to the vehicle, cooperative components associated with the vehicle for receiving the speed control command from the transmitting and receiving station, and various elements associated with the vehicle for adjusting speed of the vehicle in response to the speed control command received from the station. The transmitting and receiving station includes electronic circuitry and related components for determining the speed of the RFID equipped vehicle as the vehicle enters the speed control zone.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for controlling power to a load device. The apparatus include a standby loss prevention module or a transformer system including the module. The module and system are directed to sensing load requirements and controlling a transformer accordingly to reduce power consumption when the load is in a stand by mode. One method includes interposing a control switch between an electrical supply and a load device, determining when the load device requires full-level operational power, activating the control switch to interpose a step-up transformer between the electrical supply and the load device, providing full-level operational power to the load device, and deactivating the step-up transformer when the load device is not in use.
Abstract:
Ballast water treatment apparatus and methods for preventing foreign aquatic invasive species form entering marine ecological zones by translocation in ship's ballast water. The apparatus includes a housing, a filter member, and UV water treatment chambers. Methods include use of a ship's fire hydrant system for moving ballast water from the ship's ballast tanks into the apparatus for filtration and treatment. In-port service vessels and dock-side service vehicles are equipped with the treatment and filtration apparatus to provided in-port or dock-side ballast water treatment services. Related methods are also provided.
Abstract:
Vehicle identification and immobilizer systems and methods including license plate security are directed to an RFID equipped vehicle. An RFID transmitter and associated circuitry are formed within a license plate for the vehicle. The RFID transmitter provides an expected signal uniquely associated with a vehicle identification number. An RFID reader is positioned within the vehicle in near range of the location for display of the license plate. The RFID reader is linked to the computer system of the vehicle and communicates with the RFID transmitter in the license plate when properly displayed. Processing logic associated with the computer is provided for determining when the license plate has been removed from the display location so the computer may be activated to send a disable signal preventing the vehicle from being operated when the vehicle identification number has lost association with the expected RFID transmitter signal from the license plate.
Abstract:
Ballast water treatment apparatus and methods for preventing foreign aquatic invasive species form entering marine ecological zones by translocation in ship's ballast water. The apparatus includes a housing, a filter member, and UV water treatment chambers. Methods include use of a ship's fire hydrant system or ballast water discharge port for moving ballast water from the ship's ballast tanks into the apparatus for filtration and treatment. In-port service vessels and barges as well as dock-side service vehicles are equipped with the various treatment and filtration apparatus to provided in-port or dock-side ballast water treatment services. Related methods are also provided.
Abstract:
An RFID equipped vehicle includes a computer system for controlling operating functions of the vehicle, an RFID fob for use by an operator of the vehicle, an RFID emitter for use by a passenger of the vehicle, and logic means associated with the computer system for determining when the RFID fob of the operator is out of range of the vehicle and the passenger RFID emitter is within range of the vehicle so that the computer system may notify the operator that the passenger has remained in the vehicle.
Abstract:
A disinfectant dispensing system includes a dispensing device implemented to dispense a predetermined amount of disinfectant. The system further includes means for detecting the presence of a user within the vicinity of the system, means for detecting use of the dispensing device, and means for recording the presence of a particular user within the vicinity of the system and use of the dispensing device by said user. A related system for equipment cleaning includes equipment having embedded RFID tags associated with cleaning devices with corresponding RFID readers. Various methods of using the systems are also included.
Abstract:
An anti-hijacker system for use in association with a transportation conveyance having an engine or motor system. The anti-hijacker system includes an RFID tag associated with an authorized user of the transportation conveyance and a receiver enabled to read a signal transmitted from the RFID tag. The system further includes a computer operatively connected to the receiver and the engine or motor system of the transportation conveyance so that in the absence of an expected signal from the RFID tag, the computer takes operational control of the engine or motor system. The computer may disable the engine or place the conveyance on autopilot. Related methods include concealing an RFID tag on the person of an authorized user of the transportation conveyance and disabling operation of the engine or motor system of the transportation conveyance when an expected signal from the RFID tag is not received in an expected manner.