text:
"Stealth Mode" Web 2.0 Startup
Exceptional Web 2.0 lawyer! I've been working with Antone on setting up my social Web startup and have found his knowledge, guidance, and support invaluable. He's a great resource for any entrepreneur who wants to get it right out of the gate and have peace of mind on all of the legal aspects of starting and operating a consumer Internet business. Highly recommend.
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eHarmony, Inc.
I have truly enjoyed working with Antone and watched him build eHarmony's legal structure from scratch to a professional organization. He is a take-charge person who is always available to help and assist with every situation. His door is always open for advice and guidance and he tackles every problem with enthusiasm and a smile. His suggestions are insightful and realistic to implement and he always follows through to completion.
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Antone played a key role in helping eHarmony transition from a company with the mentality and operations of a startup to a top-tier company. He brought a deep knowledge-base and a strategic mindset to the task of developing an in-house legal department. While his skills are top-notch, he also brings an attitude of collegiality, openness and good humor. In sum, he has all the abilities needed to produce in a growth environment and the personality to be an invaluable team player.
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MySpace, Inc.
Antone did an excellent job of representing MySpace as part of our legal team. I worked on several contracts with Antone, and he clearly explained the legalese and pointed out the pitfalls. He knows how to negotiate in a friendly manner with vendors/partners while protecting the company's interests and bottom line.
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CEO and Co-Founder, SodaHead.com
Intermix Media, Inc.
Always the team player, Antone was great to work with at Intermix. I worked with him on many complex deals, and he was involved in the compliance review of SEC docs. In all cases, the wealth of experience and attention to detail that he brought to the table supported what was an aggressive organization, and a successful one, due to the extraordinary efforts by all on the team of which Antone was a primary member. We could not have done it without him!
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CIO at Kofax
Gemstar-TV Guide(Nasdaq: GMST)
I worked closely with Antone during an intense time at Gemstar-TV Guide. The company was undergoing multiple levels of review by the SEC, DOJ, IRS, which required four years of restating SEC documents, financial process retooling and the initial establishment and certification of our Sarbanes-Oxley Act compliance. Antone was instrumental in this process and was always calm and cool under the pressure.
— Richard Steele, Vice President, Finance
Excite@Home (Nasdaq: ATHM)
While on M&A, joint venture, securities/corporate governance and bankruptcy projects, and despite (1) the size of Excite@Home, (2) an adverse business climate and (3) the complexities of operating at the nexus of the fledging Internet, established cable and telephony industries, Antone demonstrated an ability to interface on complex matters with both adversaries and E@H executives across all levels and functional groups.
— Tom Connelly, Corporate Counsel
Trademarks displayed on this page are property of their respective owners. Testimonials include current and former clients of BLLG attorneys.


text:
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
ATLANTA – One Cobb County woman is all smiles with a third $10,000 win from the Georgia Lottery since 2010. Pamela James, 57, won a $10,000 Maximum Green prize from being selected as a winner from the Monthly Extra Chance Drawing.
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Copyright © 2015, Georgia Lottery Corporation. All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy | Site Terms of Use | State of Georgia | Play Responsibly


text:
|Publication number
|Publication type
|Application number
|Publication date
|Jul 8, 2008
|Filing date
|Jan 8, 2001
|Priority date
|Feb 14, 1997
|Fee status
|Also published as
|Publication number
|Thomas D. Petite
|Original Assignee
|Sipco, Llc
|Export Citation
|BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan
|Patent Citations (109), Non-Patent Citations (26), Referenced by (115), Classifications (26), Legal Events (6)
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet
This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/102,399 filed Jun. 22, 1998 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,233,327 which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applications Ser. Nos. 08/825,576, filed on Mar. 31, 1997, entitled Transmitter for Accessing Automated Financial Transaction Machines, 08/895,720, filed Jul. 17, 1997 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,926,531, entitled Transmitter for Accessing Pay-Type Telephones, and 08/910,980, filed Aug. 7, 1997, entitled Transmitter for Automatically Communicating Information to a Telephone, which all claimed the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/040,316, filed Feb. 14, 1997, and entitled Card Replacement Transceiver for Use With Automatic Teller Machines This application further claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser No. 60/059,643, filed Sep. 20, 1997, and entitled System For Requesting Service Of A Vending Machine.
The present invention generally relates to transceivers, and more particularly to a general purpose radio frequency (RF) transceiver having an open-ended architecture that readily adapts it for a wide variety of uses and applications.
There are a wide variety of circumstances in which it is desired or desirable to communicate information to a single location. For example, in the banking industry, when a user accesses an automated teller machine (ATM), it may be desirable to communicate the user identifying information (e.g., account and PIN number) to a central location to verify that the PIN number matches the account number. Likewise, if the ATM breaks down, malfunctions, runs out of money, takes in a predetermined amount of money, or for a variety of other reasons, it may be desirable to communicate such information to a centralize location that can respond accordingly (e.g., dispatch a person to repair or otherwise service machine).
In the vending machine industry, it may be desirable to communicate information relating to the product status (e.g., low or out of stock) of a given vending machine to a central location, so that service personnel may be dispatched to replenish the product. In similar fashion, it may be desirable to communicate machine operational status to a centralized location for purposes of dispatching repair or service personnel. Thus, for example, if the vending machine malfunctions, runs out of change, acquires too much currency, or for other reasons, it may be desired to communicate this information to a centralized location
One way this type of information has been communicated in the past has been to dispatch personnel to periodically check on such machinery If problems were noted, then the dispatched personnel communicated this information to a central dispatch or service location One shortcoming with this approach, however, is that it is relatively expensive to employ an individual to make these periodic status checks Also, a machine may be disabled or otherwise in need of service for a undesirably lengthy period of time between service checks, before the service condition is noted and reported.
Accordingly, it is desired to provide an apparatus that effectively addresses the these and other shortcomings of the prior art.
Certain objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description that follows and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned with the practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
To achieve the advantages and novel features, the present invention is generally directed to a system for communicating information to a predetermined location. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the system includes a transmitter disposed at a first location and configured to transmit a signal containing an instruction code to a transceiver The instruction code uniquely identifies an instruction to be carried out Preferably, the transmitter transmits a relatively low-power radio-frequency electromagnetic signal. The system further includes a transceiver disposed remotely from the transmitter (but within range of the transmitted signal) and is configured to receive the transmitted signal. The transceiver circuit includes a line interface circuit configured to interface with a telephone line that is part of the public-switched telephone network (PSTN) and initiate a phone call over the telephone line. In this regard, the transceiver further includes a controller configured to control both the reception of the transmitted signal and to control the communication of information over the telephone line. Finally, the system includes a central station remotely located from said transceiver but being in communication with said transceiver via the PSTN. The central station further includes a decoder configured to decode the instruction code.
As will be appreciated, the system summarized above provides an extremely robust and flexible platform for providing general purpose communications to a central location. In this regard, the term "general purpose" may also be referred to as an "open ended" platform that may be readily adapted for a wide variety of uses. The instruction code is a relatively small data value that may be decoded to define a wide variety of functions. For example, an instruction code a single byte (eight bits) in size may define up to two hundred fifty six different functions or instructions Similarly, an instruction code two bytes in size may define over sixty-five thousand (216) functions or instructions.
In operation, the transmitter transmits the instruction code, perhaps along with other information, to a transceiver located remotely, but generally nearby. The transceiver, which will preferably be integrated into a pay-type public telephone (but which can be integrated into virtually any telephone or other device having access to the PSTN), receives the transmitted information including the instruction code, and communicates this information to a predetermined location over the PSTN. In this regard, the transceiver is configured with a controller or other appropriate component to place a call to a predetermined phone number. Once the connection is established, the instruction code may be communicated (as by modem) to the predetermined location. The predetermined location (which may be a central dispatch location) then decodes the instruction code to identify the function or instruction that corresponds to the code, and further initiates an appropriate response.
To illustrate the foregoing summary with a more concrete example, consider a vending machine that is running low on a particular product. A sensor within the vending machine may make this determination and signal the transmitter accordingly. The transmitter then broadcasts a transmission that includes an instruction code that corresponds to the low product alert. The transceiver receives the broadcast transmission and communicates this information to a predetermined phone number. In this respect, the predetermined phone number may also be communicated from the transmitter to the transceiver along with the instruction code. Assuming that the predetermined number corresponds to a central dispatch center, the center answers the phone call placed by the transceiver and receives the instruction code. It then decodes the instruction code to determine that a particular product is low in the vending machine, and it may dispatch an appropriate service person to restock the machine. To this end, the center may be configured to generate an email message to route to an appropriate service person to handle the request.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for performing an automated service request. In accordance with this aspect of the invention, the method includes the steps of sensing a service condition and notifying a transmitter of the service condition. Then the method transmits an information signal from the transmitter to a remotely-located transceiver, wherein the information signal includes a function code that specifies the service condition. Thereafter, the method places a call from the transceiver to a central station over a phone line comprising a part of the public switched telephone network (PSTN), and communicates at least the function code from the transceiver to the central station. Finally, the method decodes the function code at the central station to identify the service request.
In accordance with a broader aspect of the present invention a multi-function, general purpose transceiver is provided In accordance with this broad aspect of the invention, the transceiver includes a receiver circuit for receiving a signal transmitted from a remotely located transmitter. The transceiver also includes a transmitter that is configured to communicate information over a phone line, comprising a portion of the PSTN Finally, the transceiver includes a controller that is configured acquire information from the receiver circuit, initiate a phone call to a predetermined location, and transmit the acquired information over the PSTN to the called location
The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the present invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:
Having summarized various aspects of the present invention, reference will now be made in detail to the description of the invention as illustrated in the drawings. While the invention will be described in connection with these drawings, there is no intent to limit it to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed therein. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
While the present invention is broadly directed to a general purpose transceiver and a method for communicating information from remote sites to a central location, before specifically describing these aspects of the invention, reference will first be made to two different illustrative environments and uses of the present invention In this regard,
Turning now to the drawings,
In the embodiment illustrated in
Finally, the last functional block illustrated in the AFTM 10 of
A remote transmitting unit 20 is provided for remote communications with the AFTM 10 While the transmitter 20 will be described in more detail below, it broadly operates to transmit an electromagnetic signal 30 to a receiver located at the AFTM 10, wherein said electromagnetic signal is encoded with user identifying information to allow a user to gain access to the AFTM 10. In this regard, an internal transmission circuit (not shown) is provided within the transmitter 20 to act upon command to transmit the encoded electromagnetic signal 30. A transmit button 22 is provided for the user. As illustrated, the transmitter 20 is quite small and may be conveniently attached, for example, to a key ring for ready and portable use. Indeed, in one embodiment, the single transmitter constructed in accordance with the present invention may serve multiple functions For example, small transmitters of this type are known for activating and deactivating automobile alarm systems. The transmitter of the present invention may be integrally designed with such an automobile remote to provide the dual functionality of remotely controlling an automobile alarm along with the functionality of remote access to an AFTM 10. In accordance with such an embodiment, a second transmit button 24 would be provided. In this regard, the first transmit button 22 would be operative to, for example, operate the AFTM 10, while the second transmit button 24 would be operative to remotely operate the automobile alarm. It will be appreciated that the frequency, and/or format of the transmit signal 30 transmitted will be different for the different applications. For example, the signal transmitted to AFTM 10 may include account identification information, while only a unique activation sequence need be transmitted to actuate an automobile alarm.
In yet a further embodiment, additional transmit buttons (not shown) may be provided as well. To illustrate, presently people typically carry multiple banking and/or credit cards in their billfolds or purses. In accordance with one embodiment, a transmitting unit 20 may be provided with multiple transmit buttons, wherein a transmit button 22, 24 is uniquely assigned to a different banking and/or credit card Therefore, if a user has a bank checking account, and credit accounts with other financial institutions for both VISA and MASTERCARD credit cards, then three distinct transmit buttons would be provided for accessing the three different accounts. It should be appreciated that many AFTM's 10 presently allow access to a wide number and variety of accounts, including MASTERCARD, VISA, AMERICAN EXPRESS, etc. Such a machine would be constructed in accordance with the invention to recognize the transmissions from each of the different transmit buttons depressed. In accordance with the description provided below, the various user/account information will be different for each account, and therefore, the signal transmitted will be different. Providing a separate transmit button for each of these functions/account simplifies the user interface. A simpler way to envision such a transmitter 20 is to recognize that each individual credit/banking card that a user may carry in a billfold or purse would be replaced by an additional transmit button on the transmitter 20.
In use, a user would simply depress a transmit button 22, which would result in the transmitter 20 transmitting an electromagnetic signal 30 to a remote AFTM 10 Preferably, the transmitter 20 is an extremely low power transmitter, so that a user will have to be in close proximity, (e.g., several feet) to the receiver 18 of an AFTM 10 in order to use the transmitter. This would help alleviate problems which may otherwise occur if a user approaching an AFTM 10 is circumvented by a second, more distantly located user who depresses his transmit button. This extremely low-power operation also helps to prevent the unlawful interception of the electromagnetic signals In addition, in an alternative embodiment, the transmitted signal may be encrypted for further protect against such unlawful interception
A receiving unit 18 disposed within the AFTM 10 receives and decodes the signal 30 The AFTM 10 then evaluates the received, decoded signal to ensure that it identifies a legitimate user/account If so, the user may then access the AFTM 10 In the case of an automatic teller machine, or other similar AFTM 10, a user may then be prompted to enter a personal identification number (PIN) into, for example, key pad 16, as an added measure of security. However, in many AFTM's, a user will not need to make any further input. For example, many gas pumps are presently automated to receive an inserted credit card and debit the corresponding account according to the amount of gasoline purchased. Presently, there is no need in these devices for a user to manually key in a personal identification number. In similar fashion, the system may be configured to operate automatically and exclusively by the depression of a transmit button on the transmitter 20.
Having now presented an overview of the basic operation of the system of
In keeping with the description of the transmitter 20, the controller 46 lies at the heart of the transmitter 20, and serves to control the overall functionality thereof. In this regard, the controller 46 is responsive to the depression or actuation of transmit button 22 to begin the data transaction and signal transfer. More particularly, when a user depresses the transmit button 22, the controller 46 initiates the data transmission sequence by accessing an internal memory 42, which, among other things, stores user and/or account identification information. This information is then passed to a data formatter functional block 44 which places the data in an appropriate and predefined format for transmission to the AFTM 10. It is contemplated that the above-described functionality occurs in electronic format. This electronic data is then sent from data formatter 44 to an RF transmitter 48 for conversion from electric to electromagnetic form. As is well known by those skilled in the art, a variety of transducers can perform this functionality adequately.
The AFTM 10 receives the transmitted electromagnetic signal 30 at an RF receiver 50 This receiver serves to convert the data from electromagnetic format into electrical format (i.e., a digital signal) and passes that data to a data formatter 52. Also illustrated as comprising principal functional components of the AFTM 10 are the magnetic card receiving slot 14, a transducer or magnetic pick-up 54, the display 12, the keyboard 16, a block denoted as controller 56, a cloud denoted as miscellaneous 58, and a communication network (i.e., the PSTN) 60
In a manner that is well known, a magnetically encoded card is inserted into slot 14, wherein the information encoded on the card's magnetic strip is read by transducer or magnetic pick-up 54. The electric signals from this pick-up 54 are then formatted into a suitable, preferably digital, form by data formatter 52. For purposes of simplifying the description, the data formatter 52 (shown as a single block) receives signals from both the transducer 54 and the RF receiver 50. It will, however, be appreciated that the data formatting function of block 52 may be provided by two separate and distinct formatting units. In such a retrofit system, the functionality of such data formatter 52 would indeed be performed by distinct physical units.
In keeping with the description of the AFTM 10, the information received and formatted by the data formatter 52 is then transmitted to a block denoted as Controller 56 This functional block serves to verify that the information received, either from the encoded card inserted into slot 14, or the signal received by the RF receiver 50 is valid To do this, the AFTM 10 will generally access a centralized database (not shown) via the PSTN 60 It will be appreciated that this account verification functionality is well known in the prior art, and therefore, need not be discussed herein. Finally, a block 58 denoted as "transmitter" is illustrated within the AFTM 10, which controls the communication of data across the PSTN 60
As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the controller 56 performs a variety of functional features which depend, in part, upon the specifics of the machine 10 For example, the block will manage user input and output to and from the display 12 and keypad 16, as well as the PSTN 60 management and access. It would further serve to access any database of information that is stored locally at the AFTM 10.
As illustrated, the ATFM 10 communicates across the PTSN 60 to a central station 62 The central station 62 may comprise a database of financial and/or account information, which database may be utilized to verify user information. It may also include facilities that are capable of dispatching service personnel, if the ATFM 10 sends a message indicating that the machine, or its surrounding environment is in need of service. In this regard, the surrounding environment may refer to lighting. As is known, a certain amount of lighting is generally desired (if not required) in the immediate vicinity of an ATM A lighting failure may be an event that is sensed and transmitted by the transceiver to report a service condition for repair. For purposes of the present invention, the actual structure and/or of the central station 62 is unimportant, and thus will not be discussed in detail herein. Suffice it to say that the central station 62 may vary from implementation to implementation.
The controller 56, receiver 50, data formatter 52, and transmitter 58 may all be provided on an open-ended transceiver constructed in accordance with the present invention
Reference is now made to
Internally, the transceiver includes receiver circuitry for receiving the transmitted signal 130 and a transmitter for communicating data via the PSTN 160 to a central station 162 In this regard, the central station 162 may be a central dispatch location, that is set up to dispatch service personnel to attend to the vending machine 120. As will be appreciated, the vending machine 120 may encompass a wide variety of devices, in addition to a soda dispensing machine For example, the vending machine 120 may include a snack dispensing apparatus, a candy dispensing apparatus, a cigarette dispensing apparatus, a newspaper dispensing apparatus, an ice dispensing apparatus, among a laundry list of other devices.
A variety of sensors (not shown) may be provided in the vending machine 120 for detecting a variety of events. For example, detecting whether the machine is low on a given product, or out of a product, determining whether the machine is out of change; determining if the machine has taken in a predetermined amount of money, which should be emptied; detecting if the machine is out of order; etc. These, and other events sensed within the vending machine 120 may be communicated to the transmitter 148, which then formats the data in a way that it may be readily understood by the transceiver. The transmitter 148 then transmits the data (via RF link 130) to the transceiver disposed within the telephone 110. This information, in turn, is communicated from the transceiver via PSTN 160 to a central station 162. Based upon the information received, the central station 162 will institute an appropriate response. For example, if the information received is a notification that one or more of the products in the vending machine 120 is either low or out, then a first person may be dispatched to restock the machine If, on the other hand, the information received is a notification that the machine is out of order, then a second person (service person) may be dispatched to service the machine.
Having broadly described the vending machine service environment, reference is now made to
In this regard, and as will be discussed in more detail below, the transceiver of the present invention is characterized by an open-ended architecture that is configured to receive an encoded instruction. This encoded instruction may be decoded to identify specific and unique functions and/or instructions. For example, one code may uniquely describe the event of the vending machine 120 running out of a certain product. Although this code may be meaningless to the transceiver, when decoded by the central station 162, an appropriate action may be taken. Thus, a vending machine company may utilize a given code to define a certain event relevant to the vending machine, while a banking enterprise may utilize the same code to define a completely different event. Nevertheless, the same general purpose transceiver may be used to implement both embodiments.
In keeping with a description of the vending machine 120, the controller 146 is preferably configured to receive sensor outputs and compose the appropriate instruction code for transmission to the transceiver. A block called "Data Formatter" 144 may also be provided within the vending machine 120. As the name implies, this block formats the data for transmission to the transceiver It will be appreciated that, in addition to the instruction code, other information may also be supplied by the transmitter 148. As illustrated by the block 157 (exploded from the Data Formatter block 144), information such as a transmitter identification code, and a destination phone number may also be included in the information transmitted to the transceiver. In this regard, the transmitter identification code uniquely identifies the transmitter, which code may be decoded at the central station to identify the specific vending machine that is originating the message. That is, the instruction code may inform the central station 162 as to the particular service need of the vending machine 120, and the transmitter identification code may inform the central station 162 of the particular vending machine 120, and thus its location, in need of service.
Finally, the data formatter may also include the phone number of the central station 162; namely, phone number that the transceiver is to dial over the PSTN 160. In this way, a generic (open-ended) transceiver may be utilized and installed in mass within public, pay-type telephones, by the service provider. Thus, various companies may then utilize specially configured transmitters 148 to communicate with the general purpose transceiver to communicate a wide variety of information to central locations, defined by the transmitters.
Reference is now made briefly to
An external wire 153 may be provided to act as an antenna for the RF receiver. Alternatively, a smaller internal antenna may be provided. As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, the output from the transceiver is via cable 180, which may terminate at an RJ11 connector, having Ring, Tip, and Common conductors.
Reference is now made to
For example, a transceiver identification code may be added to the signal Although the central station may decode the transmitter identification code (if provided) to identify, for example, a geographic location of a transmitter, in environments where the transmitter is a mobile (i.e., handheld), a transmitter identification code may be of no use in identifying a geographic location. In such an environment, the addition of a transceiver code will facilitate the identification of the transmitter location (recognizing that the transmitter will be located in the proximity of the transceiver 270).
The controller 256 preferably performs the overall control and synchronization of functional operations within the transceiver 270. In this regard, the controller 256 may be a general purpose microprocessor or microcontroller. If so, memory 257 will be provided to store programmable code for controlling the operation of the controller 256. Telephone circuitry 258 may also be provided for interfacing to the telephone circuitry 263 within the telephone 110. The telephone 110 typically has circuitry configured to interface with the local loop of the PSTN 260. The interface 258 within the transceiver 270 is designed to interface with this typical/standard telephone circuitry 263. The specific implementation of the circuitry of block 258 will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art and need not be described in detail herein.
A look-up table 266 is also illustrated in
At the central station 262, a computer 290 may be provided to receive and process data received from the transceiver 270 via the PSTN 260. In this regard a database 292, including a look-up table 294, may be provided. Since the present invention is directed to the transceiver 270, a variety of platforms may actually be implemented at the central station 262. It will be appreciated, however, that with a computer 290 implementation, an extremely flexible and robust operation may be achieved. For example, the response of the central station 262 to various incoming messages may be programmed to vary depending upon the contents of the message.
By way of illustration, suppose in incoming message identifies a particular vending machine that is out of a given product. The computer 290, upon recognizing this condition, may alert the appropriate person that is to restock the machine. To this end, the computer may so notify the person by sending the person an email message Similarly, suppose the computer recognizes the incoming message as identifying that a particular vending machine is out of order, then the computer 290 may alert a different person that the machine is in need of technical service. In order to identify the contents of the various incoming messages, the central station 262 may employ a look-up table, like that illustrated in
Referring to
Thus, in one embodiment, the instruction codes themselves may be encoded to uniquely identify particular machines or persons. More particularly, in the illustrated embodiment, instruction code 00000001 identifies that vending machine "n" is low on product "X". In yet another embodiment, this same code may indicate that a vending machine (generally) is low on a product (generally) Additional codes may be generated at the transmitter and decoded at the central station to provide this more specific information For example, a transmitter identification code may be decoded by the central station to identify the specific vending machine that is low on product Likewise, an additional code, such as a product code, may be generated by the transmitter to identify the specific product that is low. Thus, in such an alternative embodiment, as many as three different look-up tables may be utilized at the central station 292.
Having described the transceiver of the present invention, and illustrated its use in differing embodiments, reference is now made to
In this regard, the transceiver may be configured to seize the phone line. Thus, anyone making a call or any call currently in progress would be disconnected Alternatively, the transceiver (through the controller) may be configured to test the phone line for its present availability. If a call is in progress, the controller may store the message received from the transmitter and await the availability of the phone line Once the phone line becomes available, then the transceiver may assume the line and place its call In yet a further embodiment, the transceiver may be configured to implement simultaneous voice/data technology to place the phone call to the central station without interrupting any ongoing call. In an even more complex embodiment, a different service may be provided in connection with the telephone 110 through which to place the call. For example, the telephone 110 may also be equipped with an ISDN service or a DSL service, through which the transmitted is communicated. As is known, communication through such a service may be made without any interruption to a call ongoing in the POTS frequency band.
Finally, the transceiver transmits the message, including the instruction code, and, if relevant, the transmitter identification code, the destination phone number, the transceiver identification code, etc. (step 310).
Referring now to
Based upon the decoded instruction code (and perhaps other codes in some embodiments), the central station initiates an appropriate action in response For example, in response to a distress call, the central station may dispatch emergency personnel (step 330) In response to a service request, the central station may dispatch service personnel 332. In response to other types of messages or requests, the central station may dispatch other personnel or take other appropriate action (step 334).
Having described the top-level functional operation of the invention, reference is made to
It should be appreciated that the foregoing description has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. Various alternative embodiments may be implemented completely consistent with the concepts and teachings of the invention. Indeed, the encoded message transmitter 148 is, preferably, different that described above. In this regard, the message preferably transmitted is, in its most basic form, a fourteen byte message, defined by Table 1 below.
"To" Address - Four Hex Bites
"From" Address - Four Hex Bytes
Message Number
Packet Number
Byte Count (14-255)
Command (instruction code)
Check Sum - Hex (modulo 8)
Thus, in the preferred embodiment, the message transmitted defines the destination of the central station by the "To" address, which is a logical IP address. Thus, the transceiver may be configured to establish a connection with a predetermined remote number, which may this allow message routing in accordance with the IP protocol, using the Internet In this regard, bytes 1-4 of the message define the destination to which the message is routed.
When the central station receives the message, it may evaluate the "From" address, which will be unique to a given transmitter. This address, in turn defines the physical (i.e., geographic) location of the transmitter. That is, in many embodiments, knowing that a given transmitter was installed in a given device allows the central station 262 to known the location of the transmitter 148.
Byte 13 defines the command or instruction code that is relayed to the central station In accordance with the general purpose nature of the system, a second byte (actually variable in size), permits the passage of data if necessary. For example, byte 13 may be encoded to indicate that a given product in a vending machine is low on stock. Further detail, such as a description of the product, may be passed in byte 14. In an alternative embodiment, this byte may be used to communicate other data. For example, in an embodiment where the transmitter is a hand-held transmitter, a panic button may be provided. The instruction code may be encoded to convey "help" or distress command (See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,714,931, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, and is hereby incorporated by reference). The data field of byte 14 may be encoded to include personal data about the person carrying the transmitter In a banking environment, the instruction code may be one that requests access to an account, while the data field may convey the track one data, typically carried on the magnetic strip of a magnetic card.
In yet another embodiment, a transmitter may be provided on an automobile. Sensors may be disposed in numerous locations throughout the car. In this regard an automobile manufacturer may include a variety of diagnostic sensors covering a variety of the mechanical and electrical systems on the automobile If a system malfunctions, causing the car to break down, the transmitter may encode the relevant data into the data field of the transmitted message In this regard, the instruction code may be that the car is broken down and the data may be the data relevant to diagnose the reason for the breakdown Using this diagnostic information, a service person may be dispatched to the site of the vehicle with the necessary component(s) to service the vehicle, rather than simply dispatching a tow-truck to tow the vehicle to a service location (depending of course on the nature of the service required).
In embodiments such as a personal transmitter, an automotive transmitter, and other embodiments where the nature of the transmitter is necessarily mobile, the transmitter may also include global positioning system (GPS) circuitry. Thus, when the message is transmitted, the data field may also include the relevant GPS location, so that the geographic location of the transmitter may be readily identified and located.
In this regard, byte 14 is actually variable in length. It may vary from 0 to 241 bytes in length. To this end, byte 12 (byte count) will specify the size of the message, which in turn defines the number of bytes in the data field of the message. In the unlikely event that even more information is desired to be transmitted, the protocol defined in Table 1 allows for ready expandability In this regard bytes 9-11 define a message number and a packet number. Up to 255 messages can be sent in a burst transmission, and up to 65,536 packets may be strung together. In this way, the central station, upon receiving multiple burst transmissions may use the message number and packet number to reconstruct a relatively lengthy message transmission that is broken up over an number of successive transmissions.
Although it is preferred to implement the present invention through an open-ended transmission protocol, as defined above, it will be appreciated that the concepts and teachings of the present invention are not so limited. In fact, for purposes of the present invention, the message transmitted by the transmitter may be as simple as an instruction code that defines some condition, that a central station may decode and act upon. In such an embodiment, the transceiver may be specially configured to establish a phone connection with a predetermined central station.
In yet another embodiment, the transmitter may encode a message that transmits both an instruction code and a phone number that the transceiver is to establish a connection with. Such an embodiment, allows a generic transceiver to be utilized, such that multiple enterprises may utilize this common, generic transceiver for various applications Consistent with these broad concepts, a variety of other configurations may be employed as well.
Indeed, the foregoing description has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. For example, the transceiver has been illustrated herein having a transmitter configured to communicate across the PSTN. However, it will be appreciated that the transmitter may, consistent with the concepts and teachings of the present invention, be similarly configured to communicate via cellular technology as well. For example, in embodiments such as the automobile embodiment described above, it may be desirable to use a cellular transmitter, instead of a low-power RF transmitter This may be desired because the automobile may break down a relatively significant distance from the nearest pay-type telephone (e.g., location of the nearest transceiver). Thus, a transmitter in the automobile may establish a cellular communication link to a predetermined telephone number and convey the information in a similar message structure.
In this regard, the embodiment or embodiments discussed were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly and legally entitled
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|Trilliant Holdings Inc.
|System and method for securely communicating across multiple networks using a single radio
|May 31, 2011
|Sep 16, 2014
|Mueller International, Llc
|Valve meter assembly and method
|Mar 15, 2013
|Sep 30, 2014
|Rain Bird Corporation
|Methods and systems for irrigation control
|Oct 24, 2012
|Sep 30, 2014
|Causam Energy, Inc.
|System, method, and apparatus for settlement for participation in an electric power grid
|Oct 8, 2010
|Oct 7, 2014
|Consert Inc.
|Apparatus and method for controlling communications to and from utility service points
|Dec 29, 2011
|Oct 7, 2014
|Mueller International, Llc
|Systems and methods for dynamic squelching in radio frequency devices
|Feb 9, 2012
|Oct 7, 2014
|Trilliant Holdings, Inc.
|Device and method for facilitating secure communications over a cellular network
|May 4, 2007
|Oct 21, 2014
|Capstone Metering Llc
|System and method for remotely monitoring and controlling a water meter
|May 8, 2012
|Nov 18, 2014
|Causam Energy, Inc.
|System and method for estimating and providing dispatchable operating reserve energy capacity through use of active load management
|May 12, 2011
|Nov 18, 2014
|Hart Communication Foundation
|Routing packets on a network using directed graphs
|May 5, 2011
|Jan 13, 2015
|Gregory E. HYLAND
|Infrastructure monitoring devices, systems, and methods
|Apr 10, 2008
|Jan 27, 2015
|Hart Communication Foundation
|Support for network management and device communications in a wireless network
|Jan 9, 2013
|Feb 24, 2015
|Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
|System and method for compressor motor protection
|Jan 24, 2012
|Mar 3, 2015
|Trilliant Holdings Inc.
|Aggregated real-time power outages/restoration reporting (RTPOR) in a secure mesh network
|Mar 15, 2013
|Mar 10, 2015
|Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
|Method and apparatus for monitoring a refrigeration-cycle system
|Feb 2, 2011
|Mar 31, 2015
|Consert Inc.
|System and method for estimating and providing dispatchable operating reserve energy capacity through use of active load management
|Sep 19, 2012
|Apr 7, 2015
|Trilliant Networks Inc.
|System and method for implementing handover of a hybrid communications module
|Sep 13, 2011
|Apr 21, 2015
|Trilliant Networks, Inc.
|Process for detecting energy theft
|Mar 15, 2013
|Apr 28, 2015
|Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
|Method and apparatus for monitoring a refrigeration-cycle system
|Mar 15, 2013
|May 5, 2015
|Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
|Method and apparatus for monitoring a refrigeration-cycle system
|Mar 15, 2013
|May 5, 2015
|Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
|Method and apparatus for monitoring a refrigeration-cycle system
|Mar 7, 2012
|May 26, 2015
|Trilliant Networks, Inc.
|System and method for managing load distribution across a power grid
|Feb 14, 2013
|Jun 2, 2015
|Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
|Method and apparatus for monitoring refrigeration-cycle systems
|Mar 4, 2013
|Jun 30, 2015
|Consert Inc.
|System and method for estimating and providing dispatchable operating reserve energy capacity through use of active load management
|Mar 15, 2013
|Jul 14, 2015
|Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
|Method and apparatus for monitoring a refrigeration-cycle system
|Aug 26, 2011
|Jul 14, 2015
|Trilliant Networks Inc.
|System and method for interference free operation of co-located transceivers
|Mar 15, 2013
|Jul 21, 2015
|Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
|Method and apparatus for monitoring a refrigeration-cycle system
|Aug 8, 2013
|Jul 28, 2015
|Beverage Works, Inc.
|Appliance with dispenser
|Aug 8, 2013
|Jul 28, 2015
|Beverage Works, Inc.
|Appliance having a user interface panel and a beverage dispenser
|Aug 8, 2013
|Jul 28, 2015
|Beverage Works, Inc.
|Appliance having a user interface panel and a beverage dispenser
|Aug 8, 2013
|Jul 28, 2015
|Beverage Works, Inc.
|Appliance having a user interface panel and a beverage dispenser
|Jul 1, 2013
|Sep 1, 2015
|Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
|Compressor diagnostic and protection system and method
|May 15, 2012
|Sep 8, 2015
|Causam Energy, Inc.
|System and method for generating and providing dispatchable operating reserve energy capacity through use of active load management
|Oct 30, 2008
|Sep 22, 2015
|Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
|Compressor sensor module
|May 4, 2012
|Nov 3, 2015
|Causam Energy, Inc.
|Systems and methods for determining and utilizing customer energy profiles for load control for individual structures, devices, and aggregation of same
|Oct 19, 2012
|Nov 17, 2015
|Trilliant Networks, Inc.
|Process, device and system for mapping transformers to meters and locating non-technical line losses
|Feb 19, 2013
|Nov 24, 2015
|Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
|Compressor sensor module
|Sep 13, 2007
|Mar 20, 2008
|Garrison Stuber Michael T
|Distributing metering responses for load balancing an AMR network
|Aug 29, 2007
|Mar 20, 2008
|Holbrook Kenneth J
|Orchestration manager
|Aug 29, 2007
|Mar 20, 2008
|Holbrook Kenneth J
|Native network transport
|Aug 29, 2007
|Mar 27, 2008
|Guthrie Kevin D
|Interface between meter and application (IMA)
|Apr 10, 2008
|Nov 6, 2008
|Hart Communication Foundation
|Wireless Protocol Adapter
|Apr 10, 2008
|Nov 6, 2008
|Hart Communication Foundation
|Combined Wired and Wireless Communications with Field Devices in a Process Control Environment
|Apr 10, 2008
|Nov 13, 2008
|Hart Communication Foundation
|Adaptive Scheduling in a Wireless Network
|Apr 10, 2008
|Nov 13, 2008
|Hart Communication Foundation
|Increasing Reliability and Reducing Latency in a Wireless Network
|Apr 10, 2008
|Jan 8, 2009
|Hart Communication Foundation
|Efficient Addressing in Wireless Hart Protocol
|Apr 10, 2008
|Jan 8, 2009
|Hart Communication Foundation
|Support for Network Management and Device Communications in a Wireless Network
|Apr 10, 2008
|Jan 8, 2009
|Hart Communication Foundation
|Priority-Based Scheduling and Routing in a Wireless Network
|Apr 10, 2008
|Jan 8, 2009
|Hart Communication Foundation
|Wireless Gateway in a Process Control Environment Supporting a Wireless Communication Protocol
|Apr 10, 2008
|Feb 19, 2009
|Hart Communication Foundation
|Scheduling Communication Frames in a Wireless Network
|Apr 10, 2008
|Feb 26, 2009
|Hart Communication Foundation
|Synchronizing Timeslots in a Wireless Communication Protocol
|Apr 10, 2008
|Feb 26, 2009
|Hart Communication Foundation
|Enhancing Security in a Wireless Network
|Aug 29, 2008
|Mar 5, 2009
|Fisher-Rosemount Sytems, Inc.
|Configuring and Optimizing a Wireless Mesh Network
|Jul 8, 2008
|Mar 12, 2009
|Petite Thomas D
|Multi-function general purpose transceivers & devices
|Jan 26, 2009
|Jul 2, 2009
|Perkins Technical Services, Inc.
|Integrated power supply and platform for military radio
|May 4, 2007
|Dec 17, 2009
|Capstone Mobile Techologies Llc
|System and method for remotely monitoring and controlling a water meter
|Jun 23, 2009
|May 6, 2010
|Hart Communication Foundation
|Wireless Communication Network Analyzer
|Mar 1, 2010
|Jun 24, 2010
|Forbes Jr Joseph W
|Method and apparatus for actively managing consumption of electric power supplied by an electric utility
|Mar 1, 2010
|Jul 15, 2010
|Forbes Jr Joseph W
|Method and apparatus for actively managing consumption of electric power supplied by one or more electric utilities
|Feb 5, 2010
|Aug 11, 2011
|Instant Care, Inc.
|Personal Emergency Response System with Alternative Voice Line Capability
|Aug 8, 2013
|Dec 5, 2013
|Beverage Works, Inc.
|Appliance having a user interface panel and a beverage dispenser
|U.S. Classification
|379/155, 379/143, 379/39, 379/40
|International Classification
|Cooperative Classification
|European Classification
|Jul 19, 2001
Owner name: STATSIGNAL SYSTEMS, INC., GEORGIA
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:PETITE, THOMAS D.;REEL/FRAME:011995/0547
Effective date: 20010709
|Sep 9, 2004
Owner name: STATSIGNAL IPC, LLC, GEORGIA
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:STATSIGNAL SYSTEMS, INC.;REEL/FRAME:015788/0684
Effective date: 20040419
|Jan 9, 2012
|Fee payment
Year of fee payment: 4
|Feb 27, 2012
Owner name: PETITE, DAVID, GEORGIA
Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:SIPCO LLC;REEL/FRAME:027766/0065
Effective date: 20120217
Owner name: PETITE, CANDIDA, GEORGIA
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Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:SIPCO LLC;REEL/FRAME:027766/0065
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Owner name: PETITE, CANDIDA, GEORGIA
Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:SIPCO, LLC;REEL/FRAME:035913/0631
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Effective date: 20150602
|Oct 2, 2015
|Fee payment
Year of fee payment: 8


text:
WASHINGTON — Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont pledged immediate action Tuesday to ensure a strong and reconstituted Voting Rights Act following the Supreme Courts decision to strike down a key part of the law.
Leahy, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, will begin holding hearings next month to determine the next step for the landmark civil rights law. Tuesdays 5-4 court ruling struck down the formula in the law that is used to determine which states and other jurisdictions with a history of discriminatory voting practices must get pre-clearance from federal officials before making any change to their election procedures.
Throwing out the formula effectively renders the pre-clearance requirement under Section 5 unenforceable.
I fear todays decision will make it more difficult for racial minorities to have their right to vote fully protected, Leahy said in a statement. I look forward to working with my fellow members of Congress to restore the protections that John Lewis, Martin Luther King and Fannie Lou Hamer knew that we needed to protect racial minorities from discrimination in voting.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., said the Voting Rights Act is as necessary today as it was in the era of Jim Crow laws.
We must act immediately to rewrite this vital law, he said in a statement.
The ruling in a case out of Alabama frees states and municipalities with a history of racial discrimination from having to clear changes in voting procedures in advance with either the Justice Department or with a federal court. That restriction has applied to nine states and parts of six others, mostly in the South.
Congress can come up with a new formula based on current conditions, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote, to salvage the federal oversight requirement. But Democrats said passing new legislation is a long shot at best.
Make no mistake about it, this is a back-door way to gut the Voting Rights Act, said Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y. As long as Republicans have a majority in the House, and Democrats dont have 60 votes in the Senate, there will be no pre-clearance.
Rep. Bennie Thompson, the Mississippi delegations lone Democrat, said he expects little House action given the polarization in the chamber.
I am not holding my breath, he said.
Asked for a reaction to the court ruling during his weekly briefing with reporters, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said he hadnt read it yet.
Obviously its an important bill that passed back in the 60s at a time when we had a very different America than we have today, McConnell said.
The Voting Rights Act was reauthorized in 1970, 1975, 1982 and 2006 with only minor changes. The 2006 vote came after 19 hearings and more than 15,000 pages of congressional testimony.
Some observers point to those votes as evidence of bipartisan support for the law.
As we are seeing on immigration in the Senate, bipartisan action is possible when both parties perceive that it is in their interests, said Bill Yeomans, a fellow at the American University Washington College of Law and former chief counsel to the late Sen. Ted Kennedy on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Just as Republicans dont want to be seen as the party blocking immigration reform, it may well be in their interests to support legislation ensuring against discrimination in voting.
To determine who should be subject to pre-clearance, lawmakers presumably would take into account Voting Rights Act lawsuits, objections to discriminatory voting practices and cases in which jurisdictions settled a lawsuit or abandoned a proposed voting-related change in the face of opposition during the past decade or so, said Gerry Hebert, executive director of the Campaign Legal Center, who has represented most jurisdictions that have won exemptions from pre-clearance provisions.
Congress, far better than the Supreme Court, knows that voting discrimination continues to exist, Hebert wrote in an email. I am optimistic that a bipartisan Congress will act as they have done in the past to repair the damage done today.
Other observers dont expect lawmakers to pick and choose among states and municipalities, even if they could overcome political inertia.
I am frankly dubious that (Leahy) and his Senate colleagues, in concert with people of good will in the House, (would) fashion new and effective criteria for Section 5 coverage that will become law, Chandler Davidson, a voting rights expert at Rice University, wrote in an email And if, by some miracle, this were to happen, I think its highly likely that the conservative majority on the court would then strike down Section 5.
Contributing: Richard Wolf and Brad Heath, USA TODAY, and Deborah Barfield Berry, Gannett Washington Bureau. Contact Nicole Gaudiano at email@example.com. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ngaudiano.


text:
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HI EVERYONE! How are things going! Here in France life is sweet, we're working on our new songs and will soon make you discover them... From blues to punk Rock, let's sing, shout, and dance! Have a great spring sunday! Cath
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text: Man Shot in Broad Daylight in NYC a Complex Victim Brandon Lincoln Woodard gunned down on busy Midtown street By Evann Gastaldo, Newser Staff Posted Dec 12, 2012 9:42 AM CST STORY COMMENTS (47) (Newser) – It was a shooting that made waves: A Los Angeles man visiting New York was gunned down in broad daylight on a busy Midtown Manhattan street Monday. Police are piecing together a portrait of the victim and the crime, and the picture that's emerging is a complex one. The latest, per the New York Post and New York Times: The victim, Brandon Lincoln Woodard, 31, was known as a club promoter who liked to party and who had 20 arrests on his record, some of them drug-related ... but he also happened to be in law school at the University of West Los Angeles, and had an upcoming final. He flew to NYC on a one-way ticket Sunday, and reportedly planned to fly back to LA on Monday; he had asked his mother to pick him up from the airport at 8pm ET ... but he left his bag at the front desk when he exited the hotel just after 1pm, apparently intending to return. Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly says Woodard had three phones with him; one in his bag and two on him. Hours before his death, Woodard "looked scared and afraid of something" while eating breakfast at a nearby diner, the cashier recalls. "He was always looking over his shoulder" while eating. Surveillance video shows the killer waited for him for 20 minutes outside his hotel. When Woodard finally exited, he appears to have looked at the hooded shooter before turning around and continuing to text. The assailant shot him in the head from close behind before being whisked away by a getaway driver. Kelly says it's possible Woodard was lured out of his hotel. Police don't think the couple who rented the getaway car were involved, though they may have loaned the car to someone who was. The gun had also been used in an unsolved 2009 shooting in Queens. This 2009 photo from the Hermosa Beach, Calif., Police Department shows Brandon Lincoln Woodard. (AP Photo/Hermosa Beach PD) This image made from video provided by the NYPD shows the gunman, left, behind Brandon Lincoln Woodard pulling the weapon from his pocket a moment before the shooting, Dec. 10, 2012 in New York. (Ap Photo/New York Police Department/ HO) ADVERTISEMENT(Click Prev or Next to continue viewing images.) « Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow New York Post (Source Grid ») New York Times (Source Grid ») Crime & Courts New York City • murder • shooting • Brandon Woodard CLICK BELOW TO VOTE 4% 8% 63% 9% 2% 13% RETURN TO THE STORY To report an error on this story, notify our editors.


text:
By Tracy Clemons
ST. LOUIS (KSDK) - Backlash to the George Zimmerman verdict has been strong on social media in the African American community. But one question some are asking, "Where is the same backlash when it comes to black on black murders right here in St. Louis?"
Brenda Davis' cousin, Alfred Marshall Jr., was killed last week in a shooting on Semple Avenue.
"People came from along the side of the house, like the gangways, and just started openly shooting on a crowd of people of our family members," she said.
Davis tells us all they know about the gunmen is that they were black.
"He was celebrating his birthday," she said.
In the days after George Zimmerman was acquitted of killing 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, the reaction among a majority of African Americans has been outrage. But many are asking where is that same outrage when a black person kills another black person?
"While we must fight external, and while we must defend our community rights, we must also look inside the community and look at what we can do and what we need to begin to do to make our own communities safer," said James Clark.
Clark is the vice president of community outreach at Better Family Life. He says he's with the throngs of people who are angry about it.
"But I do think we need to take that energy and that drive and that focus and that theme of accountability and apply it to our community as it relates to homicides that are committed every day," said Clark.
Of the 54 murder victims so far this year in St. Louis, 46 were black. So were 26 of the suspects.
In 2012, there were 113 homicide victims. Of those, 104 were black. 87 of the suspects were black.
"I think it's sad that we do have so much black on black crime when we should be working more together than against each other," Davis said. "And it's just over dumb things that they're murdering for."
"We just had a situation recently where a nine year old boy lost his life. We a few weeks ago had 17 people shot in one night. Neither one of those instances brought forth an outcry. So we have got to use this energy to begin to make changes from the bottom up," said Clark.
Clark says he thinks black communities have become apathetic and de-sensitized to what's going on, and that they must begin to challenge that.
What ideas do you have to reduce crime in your neighborhood? Weigh in on our Facebook page.


text:
Writing Lab
Welcome to the Writing Lab!
In the Writing Lab, writers help other writers improve their work. How do we do this? We provide one-on-one consultations with writers. In these tutorials, we talk with writers who are planning their papers and with others who are in the midst of writing them. Wherever you may be in your writing process, a conversation with another interested writer can help you better achieve your goals.
Walk ins are welcome and you can simply "drop-in" to discuss your work, but appointments would be preferred. You may schedule an appointment by calling 419.433.5560 ext. 20896 or by email at email@example.com
The BGSU Firelands Writing lab is located in the BGSU Firelands
Writing tutors are available in the Writing Lab on these days and times:
Spring / Fall Semester Hours
Monday 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Thursday 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Friday 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Summer Sessions Hours
Tuesday - Thursday 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Other inquiries can be directed to email@example.com or to Joe
Wagner, Writing Lab Coordinator (email@example.com).
Writers might also find useful information at a variety of web sites (see below) devoted to writing well.
BGSU Firelands Writing Lab: Recommended Links
- Guide to Grammar and Writing
This site offers FAQ's, quizzes and multiple levels of grammar help.
- The Bluebook of Grammar and Punctuation
English Rules | Grammar Rules | Punctuation and Capitalization Rules
This site overviews commonly misunderstood rules related to English and provides quizzes and interactive tests for self study.
- Creative Writing Prompts
This page provides hundreds of prompts/ideas to get you started on your next paper!
- English Tutoring Lab Handouts (from Diablo
This site offers printable handouts to help with writing in general, thesis statements, book reports, cause and effect essays, and essay tests
- BGSU Writing Center (Main Campus)
BG's Writing Center offers help with all aspects of writing assignments (including handouts for standard ENG 112 assignments, such as the critique and multi-source essays).
- The Writer's
Reference (textbook companion site)
This is an especially useful online resource for BGSU Firelands students using The Writer's Reference in any composition course. It offers help with grammar, punctuation, citation directions, and much more.
- Study Guides and Strategies
This site offers help with everything from studying to test taking to project management and allows users to pick from 31 available languages
- The OWL at Purdue
This Online Writing Lab (OWL) is a wonderful source for almost anything related to writing!


text:
Promoting quality music in Knoxville … by any means necessary.
Who: Sharon Van Etten with Flock of Dimes
Where: The Square Room
When: Tuesday, April 24 (8 pm)
Knoxville music fans, we have been waiting for this one for some time. As you know, we are big fans of Sharon Van Etten. We have featured her not once, but twice for Free Music Friday. This show will be one of those wonderful intimate venue affairs that make the Scruffy City a special place. Trust us, this will be a great show by a very talented young artist. Here is what Rachael Maddux at Pitchfork.com had to say about Sharon's most recent album, Tramp –
It's the default assumption that a female songwriter, performing under her own name, is "confessional," that she's serving up some dark part of her soul for the world's consumption. And maybe one day Van Etten will slip into the voices of strangers just as easily as she inhabits her own. But for now, confession is still very much the thing. "It's self-therapy," Van Etten has said to nearly every interviewer who has asked, and more and more that seems to refer to both the writing and the production of her songs; that she can draw out the words, bring them into a room with other human beings, and together with them lay something beautiful on tape is both transformative and redemptive.
Matters of mistrust, isolation, and uncomfortable togetherness dominate Tramp, rolling through every track like a sick, creeping fog. Maybe Van Etten is still nursing the psychic wounds carved into her by that one Tennessee boyfriend, or maybe it's something else; either way, she sounds, at last, good and angry and ready to put up a fight. First comes the dark jangle of "Warsaw", then the calculated frankness of "Give Out" ("You're the reason why I'll move to the city/ Or why I'll need to leave"). On "Serpents", the album's lead single, she scoffs, "I had a thought you would take me seriously." As guitars strain at their tethers and Walkmen drummer Matt Barrick pounds out marching orders, the plea she issued three years ago on "Much More Than That"– "please don't take me lightly"– quavers, crumples, turns to ash.
And guess what, we do video –


text:
Welcome to the MITS program
The Master of Information Technology Strategy (MITS) is a cooperative endeavor of the College of Engineering (CIT), School of Computer Science (SCS) and Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences (H&SS).
The MITS program provides a multidisciplinary education that prepares students to define and conceptualize:
- the emerging environment of threats caused by cyber operations;
- opportunities for enhanced information analysis and exploitation;
- development and management of innovative information technology systems; and
- decision-making challenges associated with the above.
The program has four areas of concentration: Data Analytics, Decision Science & Policy, Information Security, Software and Networked Systems.


text:
All hotels in Austin, Texas, United States of America
1 room, 2 adults
2711 I 35 S, Austin, TX, 78741, United States of America, 866-299-2910
Howard Johnson Inn Austin, Austin
Lowest price$80 CAD
Best Price Guarantee
No-frills hotel in Austin
- Free continental breakfast, free WiFi in lobby, and free parking
When you stay at Howard Johnson Inn Austin, you'll be within a 10-minute drive of LBJ Presidential Library and Blanton Museum of Art. Guests can enjoy the fitness center or take advantage of nearby mountain biking. Also, Texas State Capitol and Governor's Mansion are within a short drive.
Main amenities
- 89 guestrooms
- Fitness center
- 24-hour front desk
- Coffee/tea in the lobby
- Air conditioning
- Self-serve laundry
What's around
- Austin Department of Veterans Affairs (0.6 mi / 0.9 km)
- Mabel Davis District Park (0.7 mi / 1.1 km)
- St. Edward's University (1.2 mi / 1.9 km)
not much sleep in this old hotel with an excessive amount of noise, no phone in the room…
It was a great experience. The rooms are affordable and comfortable. The staff was…
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating: 2.5
From 319 reviews
Enter dates to check prices
Hotel Info: 866-266-9798from $80 CAD
- One king bed large room
- Standard Double Room, 2 Double Beds
- Standard Room, 1 King Bed
- Standard Double Room, 2 Double Beds
- Standard Room
- Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Smoking
- Standard Room
Also popular with travellers from Canada
At a glance
Key facts
Hotel size
- This hotel has 89 rooms
- This hotel is arranged over 2 floors
- Check-in time starts at 3 PM
- Check-out time is 11 AM
Required at check in
- Credit card or cash deposit required
- Government-issued photo ID required
- Minimum check-in age is 21
Travelling with others
- Pets not allowed
- Free WiFi in public areas
- Free self parking
- Accessible parking
Nearby Two Star Austin hotels
In the hotel
Food and drink
- Free continental breakfast daily
- Coffee/tea in the lobby
Things to do
- Fitness facilities
- Mountain biking nearby
- 24-hour front desk
- Laundry facilities
- Disabled parking
- Accessible bathroom
- In-room accessibility
In the room
Home comforts
- Air conditioning
- Coffee/tea maker
- Iron/ironing board
Sleep well
- Blackout drapes/curtains
Freshen up
- Free toiletries
- Hair dryer
Be entertained
- Cable TV channels
Stay connected
- Free newspaper
- Free local calls
- Access via exterior corridors
Top Austin hotels
Recently reviewed hotels in Austin
- HYATT house Austin/ArboretumFrom
"The hotel was very clean and the staff friendly. The kitchen looked brand new. The morning breakfast choices were plentiful and tasted great! My only issue would be the very small…"Nov 26, 2015
- DoubleTree by Hilton AustinFrom
"Very nice hotel , it's in middle of renovation when we visited but wasn't a issue with our stay would stay here again . Nice seafood restaurant next door , did not try it but…"Nov 21, 2015
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites Austin NW - Arboretum AreaFrom
"We were greeting by a nice front desk staff and recommended us to many different places. The room was clean and smell great. The bed were perfect for us, came with soft or firm…"Nov 20, 2015
- Orangewood Suites University, Austin TexasFrom
"Nice hotel, although a little dated. Lots of room with fantastic service. Good breakfast. Safe area located convinently just of the interstate."Nov 13, 2015


text:
Product Information
Product Information
Marc by Marc Jacobs Sunglasses MMJ281 F / Frame: Gunmetal Lens: Gray Gradient
Marc by Marc Jacobs Sunglasses, style MMJ281 F is a rimless metal aviator with hearts etched on the lenses. The MMJ281 F features adjustable nose pads and plastic temple tips for extreme comfort. The Marc by Marc Jacobs logo is engraved on the temples. Marc by Marc Jacobs Sunglasses have scratch/impact-resistant lenses.
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text:
Adult and Family Literacy
The IECC Literacy Development Center offers adults the opportunity to enhance their reading skills. The Literacy Program serves all adults throughout the IECC district with less than a ninth grade reading level by providing individual and group tutoring. All of our services are free and learning materials are provided.
Qualifying individuals work with a trained volunteer tutor to learn how to better speak, read, and write. These services are also provided to ESL (English as a Second Language) students and can help those interested in becoming a U.S. citizen to study for their citizenship test.
The Family Literacy Program offers parents, grandparents, and children the opportunity to learn together. This program promotes active learning through fun and educationally based literacy activities such as children's fairs, story hours, and parenting classes.
Linda Sargent, IECC District
Literacy Development Coordinator
618-842-3711, ext. 4314
Vicki Cretors, Lawrenceville area
Literacy Volunteer Specialist
618-842-3711, ext. 4314