Author: claimsbot

1. An information processing apparatus in a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
a present time specification section configured to specify a present time;
a light information acquisition section configured to acquire light information on lighting state of a head light of the vehicle;
a position information acquisition section configured to acquire position information for specifying a position where the vehicle presently exists;
a calculation section configured to calculate a sunset time in a position specified based on the position information acquired by the position acquisition section when it is determined that the head light of the vehicle is switched from a light-off state to a light-on state based on the light information acquired by the light information acquisition section;
a lighting-on time specification section configured to specify a lighting-on time when the head light of the vehicle is switched from the light-off state to the light-on state based on the present time specified by the present time specification section and the light information acquired by the light information acquisition section; and
an evaluation information storage section configured to store the lighting-on time specified by the lighting-on time specification section and the sunset time calculated by the calculation section, in association with each other.
2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
a position information storage section configured to store the position information acquired by the position information acquisition section,
the calculation section being further configured, when the position information is not acquired by the position information acquisition section, to calculate the sunset time based on the position information stored by the position information storage section.
3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising:
a restriction section configured to disable the position information stored by the position information storage section after a predetermined time period elapses or after a predetermined distance is traveled by the vehicle since the position information became unaquirable by the position information acquisition section.
4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2,
wherein after an electric power supply to the information processing apparatus is started, a first case arises where the calculation section calculates the sunset time based on the position information stored by the position information storage section before the position information becomes acquirable from the position information acquisition section;
wherein after the first case arises, when the position information becomes acquirable from the positional information acquisition section, the calculation section determines a use validity of the position information stored by the position information storage section, based on the position information newly acquired from the position information acquisition section;
wherein when the use validity is affirmatively determined, the calculation section regards the sunset time calculated when it is determined that the head light of the vehicle is changed from the light-off state to the light-on state as being valid; and
wherein when the use validity is negatively determined, the calculation section re-calculates the sunset time based on the position information newly acquired from the position information acquisition section and the calculation section substitutes the re-calculated sunset time for the sunset time calculated when it is determined that the head light of the vehicle is changed from the light-off state to the light-on state.
5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein a second case arises where the calculation section is unable to calculate the sunset time at the lighting-on time of the head light when it is determined that the head light of the vehicle is changed from the light-off state to the light-on state;
wherein after the second case arises, the calculation section calculates a sunset time based on position information, which is newly acquired from the position information acquisition section before a predetermined time elapses since the lighting-on time or before a predetermined distance is traveled by the vehicle since the lighting-on time; and
wherein the evaluation storage section stores the lighting-on time and the sunset time calculated by the calculation section, in association with each other.
6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
a first evaluation section configured to evaluate a lighting-on time of the head light based on the lighting-on time and the sunset time which are stored by the evaluation information storage section.
7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
a day and night determination section configured to determine whether a present time is daytime or nighttime based on a newest sunset time calculated by the calculation section;
an in-tunnel light information storage section configured to store a number of tunnels the vehicle traveled and a number of in-tunnel lighting-on undergone by the head light of the vehicle in tunnels; and
a second evaluation section configured to evaluate lighting-on of the head light in tunnels based on the number of tunnels and the number of in-tunnel lighting-on of the head light.
8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
an offset time change section configured, when it is determines that the vehicle passed a border of a time zone based on a present position of the vehicle specified based on the position information acquired from the position information acquisition section, to amend an offset time, which is based on Greenwich Mean Time, the offset time being used when calculating the lighting-on time and the sunset time.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A system for remotely-monitoring and controlling an electronic display comprising:
an electronic display having a backplane;
a color light sensor placed in front of the electronic display and in electrical communication with the backplane;
a network connection with the backplane; and
a computing device in electrical communication with the network connection and adapted to display a user interface;
wherein the user interface is adapted to display the brightness output by the display and accept a new desired brightness level for the display.
2. The system of claim 1 further comprising:
a power module in electrical communication with the backplane.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein:
the user interface is adapted to display the current draw of the power module.
4. The system of claim 3 further comprising:
a temperature sensing device placed to measure the temperature of the power module and placed in electrical communication with the backplane.
5. The system of claim 4 wherein:
the user interface is further adapted to display the temperature of the power module.
6. The system of claim 1 further comprising:
a fan placed in electrical communication with the backplane.
7. The system of claim 6 wherein:
the user interface is adapted to display the speed of the fan.
8. The system of claim 1 further comprising:
an AC current monitoring device in electrical communication with the backplane.
9. The system of claim 8 wherein:
the user interface is adapted to display the data from the AC current monitoring device.
10. The system of claim 1 wherein:
the electronic display is a liquid crystal display.
11. The system of claim 1 wherein:
the electronic display is an OLED display.
12. A system for remotely-monitoring and controlling an liquid crystal display (LCD), the system comprising:
an LCD having a backlight;
a backplane placed in electrical communication with the LCD and backlight;
a temperature sensing device placed to measure the temperature of the backlight and placed in electrical communication with the backplane;
a light sensing device placed to measure the light emitted from the backlight and placed in electrical communication with the backplane;
a fan placed to draw cooling air over the backlight and placed in electrical communication with the backplane;
a network connection with the backplane; and
a computing device in electrical communication with the network connection and adapted to display a user interface which displays the data from the light sensing device, fan, and temperature sensing device.
13. The system of claim 12 wherein:
the network connection is a wireless network.
14. The system of claim 12 further comprising:
a power module in electrical communication with the backplane.
15. The system of claim 14 wherein:
the user interface is adapted to display the current draw of the power module.
16. The system of claim 15 further comprising:
a temperature sensing device placed to measure the temperature of the power module and placed in electrical communication with the backplane.
17. The system of claim 16 wherein:
the user interface is adapted to display the temperature of the power module.
18. A system for remotely-monitoring a plurality of electronic displays comprising:
a plurality of electronic displays, each display having
a display assembly,
a backplane in electrical communication with the display assembly,
an ambient light sensor in electrical communication with the backplane,
a power module in electrical communication with the backplane;
a temperature sensor in electrical communication with the backplane and placed to measure the temperature of the power module,
a fan in electrical communication with the backplane, and
a network communication port in electrical communication with the backplane,

a local area network (LAN) connecting the network communication port of each display with the internet; and
a computing device connected to the internet and adapted to display:
the speed of the fan,
the current draw and temperature of the power module, and
the data from the ambient light sensor.
19. A computing device for remotely monitoring and controlling an electronic display having a display assembly, a backplane in electrical communication with the display assembly, an ambient light sensor in electrical communication with the backplane, a power module in electrical communication with the backplane, a temperature sensor in electrical communication with the backplane and placed to measure the temperature of the power module, and a fan in electrical communication with the backplane, the device comprising:
an electronic storage medium in electrical communication with a processor, a display, and a network communication port;
wherein the electronic storage medium contains operating instructions to accept and display the speed of the fan, the current draw and temperature of the power module, and the data from the ambient light sensor.
20. The device of claim 19 wherein:
the electronic storage medium further contains operating instructions which provide an acceptable range for the current draw and temperature of the power module and analyze the incoming current draw and temperature data to determine if it has fallen outside the acceptable range.

1-16. (canceled)
17. An alternative game of golf comprising:
a. a land target further comprising a disk shaped planar rigid sheet having a central opening, a mounting plate, and markings on one face of said disk shaped planar sheet,
b. A water target further comprising a base having a plurality of openings therethrough so as to lighten its weight, an array of floats fixedly attached to floats struts also attached to the base, a central target mount fixedly attached to the base, a target disk having a planar circular sheet-like form and a numeric indicia on one or both faces of said target, a disk bracket fixedly attached to the lower most area of the target, and a lock bolt threadedly engaged within a matingly threaded opening through one edge of the central target mount,
c. a ball,
d. a curved launcher further comprising: a launch rail having a generally C-shaped side view and a U-shaped cross section having inwardly raised ridges within the inner portion of the launch rail, reducing the surface contact area between the ball and rail, perforations traversing the central area along the length of the curved launch rail, a handle, and a spring secured between both the handle and the launch rail, and
e. Score keeping means.
18. The alternative game of golf of claim 1 wherein the target is mountable onto a pole-like ground-penetrating post adapted to accept the target mounting plate.
19. The alternative game of golf of claim 1 wherein the target is mountable onto a non-ground-penetrating pedestal-like post having a planar rigid horizontal sheet fixedly attached to the base of said pedestal-like post.
20. The alternative game of golf of claim 1 wherein the curved launcher further comprises a plurality of spaced perforations traversing the central area along the length of the curved launch rail, decompressing air ahead of the ball thus reducing drag.
21. The alternative game of golf of claim 1 wherein a spring is located between the launcher and the handle.
22. The alternative game of golf of claim 1 wherein the handle further comprises a long handle, which said handle is adapted to releasably attach to the bottom end of the spring.
23. The alternative game of golf of claim 1 wherein the handle is a short handle generally the length of an opened hand, which said handle is also adapted to releasably attach to the bottom end of the spring.
24. The alternative game of golf of claim 1 wherein either handle is attached to the lower portion of the spring by means of a male-female joint releasably held together by a spring nipple.
25. The alternative game of golf of claim 1 wherein a tubular cylindrical sleeve having an inner diameter only slightly greater than the outer diameter of the handle and spring so as to enable longitudinal motion of said sleeve over said handle and spring.
26. The alternative game of golf of claim 1 wherein the sleeve has a plurality of perforations along its length so as to enable the spring nipple to also traverse one of same perforations.
27. The alternative game of golf of claim 1 wherein the sleeve provides longitudinal sliding motion of the player’s upper hand along the long handle during a launch.
28. The alternative game of golf of claim 1 wherein the sleeve has a plurality of perforations along its length so as to enable the spring nipple to also traverse one of same perforations.
29. The alternative game of golf of claim 1 wherein the alternative game of golf easily adapts to present day golf courses.
30. The alternative game of golf of claim 1 wherein the use thereof is to provide players and golf course owners or the like the opportunity to enjoy continued use of a golf course regardless of seasonal situations.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A parking area level indicating device, comprising:
a centralized hub;
an arm depending from the hub;
an indicator light associated with the arm, the indicator light being in communication with an acceleration measuring device, and
wherein when the acceleration measuring device measures a first acceleration the indicator light is illuminated and when the acceleration measuring device measures a second acceleration the indicator light is not illuminated thereby indicating at least one of an acceptable parking space and a non-acceptable parking space.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the indicator light is comprised of at least one of a light emitting diode and a bulb.
3. The device of claim 1, further comprising an onoff device that directs electricity to at least one of the acceleration measuring device and to the indicator light.
4. The device of claim 3, wherein the source of the electricity is at least one battery.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein the acceleration device is a MEMS accelerometer.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein the acceleration measuring device is a decelerometer.
7. The device of claim 1, further comprising a second arm, a third arm and a fourth arm that depend from the hub, each associated with an acceleration measuring device and an indicator light, and wherein the third arm is positioned opposite from the arm and the second arm is positioned opposite from the fourth arm.
8. The device of claim 7, wherein the arms and the hub are defined by an upper housing and a lower housing, the lower housing having a cover that provides access to at least one battery.
9. The device of claim 1, wherein the parking level indicator is remotely controlled.
10. The device of claim 1, further including a remote control and display device for communication with the acceleration measuring device.
11. The device of claim 1, wherein the indicator light is incorporated into the arm.
12. A parking area level indicating device, comprising:
a centralized hub;
an arm depending from the hub;
a level indicator means associated with the arm, the level indicator area being in communication to an acceleration measuring means, and
wherein when the acceleration measuring means measures a first acceleration the level indicator means is illuminated and when the acceleration measuring means measures a second acceleration the level indicator means is not illuminated thereby indicating at least one of an acceptable parking position and a non-acceptable parking position.
13. The device of claim 12, wherein the level indicator means is comprised of at least one of a light emitting diode and a bulb.
14. The device of claim 12, further comprising an onoff switch that directs electricity to the acceleration measuring means and to the level means.
15. The device of claim 12, wherein the source of the electricity is a battery.
16. The device of claim 12, wherein the acceleration means is a MEMS accelerometer.
17. The device of claim 12, wherein the acceleration measuring means is a decelerometer.
18. The device of claim 12, further comprising a second arm, a third arm and a fourth arm that depend from the hub, each associated with an acceleration measuring means and a level indicator means, and wherein the third arm is positioned opposite from the arm and the second arm is positioned opposite from the fourth arm.
19. The device of claim 12, further comprising a sound emission means incorporation into the hub that is in communication with the acceleration measuring means.
20. A method of assessing the grade of a potential parking area comprising:
identifying a potential parking area;
placing an autonomous, transportable level indication device on the potential parking area; and
assessing information related to the level of the potential parking area.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein the placing further comprises:
energizing pads of the level indication device onto a portion of the potential parking area.
22. The method of claim 20, further comprising sensing gravitational pull with an accelerometer.
23. The method of claim 20, further comprising indicating to an operator of the leveling device that the potential parking area is at least one of acceptable and not acceptable.
24. A parking position level indicating device, comprising:
a centralized hub;
an arm depending from the hub;
an indicator light associated with the arm, the indicator light being in communication with an acceleration measuring device, and
wherein when the acceleration measuring device measures a first acceleration the indicator light flashes a first color at a predetermined rate and when the acceleration measuring device measures a second acceleration the indicator light is illuminated a second color thereby indicating at least one of an acceptable parking position.
25. The device of claim 24, wherein the
indicator light flashes at a second predetermined rate that is slower than the predetermined rate when the acceleration measuring device measures an acceleration that is between the first acceleration and the second acceleration.
26. The device of claim 24, wherein the indicator light is comprised of at least one of a light emitting diode and a bulb.
27. The device of claim 24, further comprising an onoff device that directs electricity to at least one of the acceleration measuring device and to the indicator light.
28. The device of claim 27, wherein the source of the electricity is at least one battery.
29. The device of claim 24, wherein the acceleration device is a MEMS accelerometer.
30. The device of claim 24, wherein the acceleration measuring device is a decelerometer.
31. The device of claim 24, further comprising a second arm, a third arm and a fourth arm that depend from the hub, each associated with an acceleration measuring device and an indicator light, and wherein the third arm is positioned opposite from the arm and the second arm is positioned opposite from the fourth arm.
32. The device of claim 31, wherein the arms and the hub are defined by an upper housing and a lower housing, the lower housing having a cover that provides access to at least one battery.
33. The device of claim 24, wherein the parking level indicator is remotely controlled.
34. The device of claim 24, further including a remote control and display device for communication with the acceleration measuring device.
35. The device of claim 24, wherein the indicator light is incorporated into the arm.