Hand Held Products, Inc.

Everyday Wireless, Inc.

Power Distribution, Inc.

Vernon Lee Stant

James M DeArras

Frederick M Weaver

Allen M Grayson, Jr

Michael S Beard

Josef K Winkler

Stephen G Wilson

Kevin John Ahearn

Lawrence R Ober

John B Kammeter

Richard A Perry

Walter C Simciak

Gregory Scott Schlueter

David P Gibbon

Joseph W Lowe

James A Trautwein

Bengt E Salmonsson

The present invention features a system and methods for notifying passengers of an approaching vehicle. Utilizing such a system and methods, passengers can remain in a safe, controlled environment, avoiding harsh environmental conditions and excessive waiting times, instead arriving at their pick-up point closer and prior to a vehicle's arrival. More specifically, the present invention relates to a bus notification system () wherein passengers are able to know the location and estimated arrival time of the bus several minutes before its arrival at a specified location along the bus route. The present invention also features a system and methods for locating an in-transit vehicle and for providing real-time mapping and monitoring of such in-transit vehicles.

Everyday wireless vehicle notification and vehicle location systems and methods related thereto

A method and device for connecting a load to an AC power source is arranged to ensure that the volt-second ratings of magnetic devices in the load are not exceeded, in order to limit in-rush currents resulting from saturation of the magnetic devices. In the case where the load is being disconnected from a first AC source and connected to a second AC source, the volt-seconds of the load can be measured and/or calculated during disconnect, in order to delay connection of the load to the second AC source by an amount sufficient to prevent saturation of magnetic devices and thereby ensure volt-second synchronization of the sources.

Volt-second synchronization for magnetic loads

The present invention relates to a system and methods for notifying passengers of an approaching vehicle. Utilizing this invention, passengers can remain in a safe, controlled environment, avoiding harsh environmental conditions and excessive waiting times, instead arriving at their pick-up point just prior to a vehicle's arrival. More specifically, the present invention relates to a bus notification system wherein passengers are able know the precise location and arrival time of the transporting vehicle several minutes before its arrival at a specified location along the vehicle route.

Bus arrival notification system and methods related thereto

A portable item tracking unit includes a bar code reader for capturing a bar code related to an item, a microphone for capturing an audio identification from a recipient of an item, and a memory. The memory associatively electronically stores a digital signal related to the audio identification along with a digital representation of bar code data to provide audio proof of delivery of the item. A display and a speaker may respectively display the stored bar code related to the item and audibly broadcast the electronically stored audio identification for the item. A user input is preferably included for verifying that the input of the bar code and the audio identification is satisfactory. A transferring circuit transfers the electronically stored bar code and the electronically stored audio identification to a host computer. The host computer includes its own memory for associatively storing a plurality of digital identification indicia having a respective plurality of digital audio identifications for a corresponding plurality of items. A consumer can then access the host computer via a telephone network. After the host computer accepts selection of an item, a reconstruction circuit converts the digital identification indicia and the digital audio identification for the selected item into first and second audible messages. A transmitter may then transmit the first and second audible messages to provide audio proof of delivery of the item.

Audio proof of delivery system and method

A data recognition apparatus of the invention preferably has a data communication apparatus and a portable data reader adapted to communicate therewith. The portable data reader is particularly adapted to substantially extend the time period required before replacing or recharging a portable power source connected thereto. The portable data reader preferably includes a data sensor, a central processor, a display, a user interface, a transceiver, a timer, a portable power source, and a power manager. The power manager is connected in electrical communication with the portable power source, the data sensor, the central processor, the display, the user interface, and the transceiver and the central processor is connected in electrical communication with the timer. The power manager manages the amount of and timing of power supplied to the data sensor, the central processor, the display, and the transmitter and receiver responsive to command signals received from the central processor and interaction of a user with the user interface. The power manager also preferably provides at least four modes of predetermined power operation of the central processor, the display, and the user interface. A method of managing power for such a portable data reader are also included.

Data recognition apparatus and portable data reader having power

Power may be conserved and battery life may be extended in a microprocessor controlled device by providing two microprocessors, one of which is a low power, low performance low speed processor for performing background tasks, the other of which is a high power, high performance, high speed processor for performing computationally intensive foreground tasks. The low speed processor activates the high speed processor when a high performance task is to be performed. When activating the high performance processor, the low performance processor also controls the device's power supply to provide high voltage to the high speed processor. The high speed processor may run at variable clock speeds, with power consumption of the processor increasing with increasing speed. The high speed processor selects its own clock speed based upon the task to be performed, by including a clock speed in each software subroutine which controls a task. The software subroutine associated with a task is thereby executed at its associated clock speed, which may be chosen to be the lowest possible clock speed consistent with the task to be performed.

Power conservation in microprocessor controlled devices

Electronic bar code reader

Front of an instrument panel for an electronic bar code reader

Top, bottom, back, and ends of a housing with a carrying clip for an

Growing community of inventors

Richmond, VA, United States of America

Vernon Lee Stant