A braking system and method utilizing a simplified estimate of a distance between two locations on the earth based on spherical geometry. A braking system utilizing the aforementioned simplified estimate does not require computationally intensive calculations and is more efficient and better equipped to handle real-time generation of distance estimates for braking needs and variable conditions. In the present invention, geodesics evaluations are not used; rather, a modified Haversine formula that simplifies computations is used, including a one-time computation of the cosine of latitude coordinate.

A braking apparatus for stopping a children's kick scooter is described. The braking apparatus comprises a hand-held remote control to transmit a command signal when a radio-frequency (RF) signal transmitter is activated. The braking apparatus also comprises a remote control signal receiver located on the children's kick scooter to receive the command signal and convert it to an electric current. The braking apparatus additionally comprises a linear actuator to receive the electric current. The linear actuator comprises a linear actuator electric motor and a linear actuator shaft. The linear actuator electric motor is activated by the electric current and moves the linear actuator shaft from a first position to a second position. The braking apparatus further comprises a brake system to press a metal plate against a rear wheel of the children's kick scooter, thereby stopping the children's kick scooter when the linear actuator shaft is in the second position.

A braking apparatus for stopping a children's kick scooter is described. The braking apparatus comprises a hand-held remote control to transmit a command signal when a radio-frequency (RF) signal transmitter is activated. The braking apparatus also comprises a remote control signal receiver located on the children's kick scooter to receive the command signal and convert it to an electric current. The braking apparatus additionally comprises a linear actuator to receive the electric current. The linear actuator comprises a linear actuator electric motor and a linear actuator shaft. The linear actuator electric motor is activated by the electric current and moves the linear actuator shaft from a first position to a second position. The braking apparatus further comprises a brake system to press a metal plate against a rear wheel of the children's kick scooter, thereby stopping the children's kick scooter when the linear actuator shaft is in the second position.

A tractor trailer monitoring system includes a network having a server and a database; a first computing device; a monitoring platform to be accessible from the first computing device; a tractor trailer system, having a tractor unit; an air supply control system to control air supply to a brake system of the trailer, the air supply control system having a CPU to receive commands from the first computing device; the first computing device and monitoring platform are to receive an identifying code from a user to activate air supply to the brake system of the trailer.

A tractor trailer monitoring system includes a network having a server and a database; a first computing device; a monitoring platform to be accessible from the first computing device; a tractor trailer system, having a tractor unit; an air supply control system to control air supply to a brake system of the trailer, the air supply control system having a CPU to receive commands from the first computing device; the first computing device and monitoring platform are to receive an identifying code from a user to activate air supply to the brake system of the trailer.

An electronic parachute deployment system including an electronic actuator, a control module, a deployment actuator, and a release mechanism. A parachute is positioned on a payload device, such as a racecar, to slow or stop the payload upon receipt of an electronic deployment activation signal. The electronic deployment signal is verified, including determining proper voltage and source. The deployment system includes multiple redundancies including mechanical deployment redundancy, remote deployment redundancy, and power supply redundancy. The control module responsible for monitoring deployment includes indicators and sensors to indicate a status, operation, or mode relative to the operability of the payload device, relative to components of the release mechanism, and relative to the parachute deployment.

An electronic parachute deployment system including an electronic actuator, a control module, a deployment actuator, and a release mechanism. A parachute is positioned on a payload device, such as a racecar, to slow or stop the payload upon receipt of an electronic deployment activation signal. The electronic deployment signal is verified, including determining proper voltage and source. The deployment system includes multiple redundancies including mechanical deployment redundancy, remote deployment redundancy, and power supply redundancy. The control module responsible for monitoring deployment includes indicators and sensors to indicate a status, operation, or mode relative to the operability of the payload device, relative to components of the release mechanism, and relative to the parachute deployment.

A navigation system uses a dead reckoning method to estimate an object's present position relative to one or more prior positions. In some embodiments, the dead reckoning method determines a change in position from the object's heading and speed during an elapsed time interval. In embodiments suitable for use with wheeled objects, the dead reckoning method determines the change in position by measuring the heading and the amount of wheel rotation. Some or all of the components of the navigation system may be disposed within a wheel, such as a wheel of a shopping cart.

A navigation system uses a dead reckoning method to estimate an object's present position relative to one or more prior positions. In some embodiments, the dead reckoning method determines a change in position from the object's heading and speed during an elapsed time interval. In embodiments suitable for use with wheeled objects, the dead reckoning method determines the change in position by measuring the heading and the amount of wheel rotation. Some or all of the components of the navigation system may be disposed within a wheel, such as a wheel of a shopping cart.

A remote start-up method of a manual transmission vehicle is provided. The method includes a parking braking force-associated remote start-up control that remotely starts-up an inclined parking vehicle parked on a ramp by confirming a situation where the parking braking force is maintained by a braking hydraulic pressure control of an electronic stability control (ESC) system in a remote start-up controller.