Abstract: The present invention concerns application of a unique conductive electrode geometry used to form an efficient wideband, one- or two-way wireless data link between autonomous systems separated by some distance along a bore hole drill string. One objective is the establishment of an efficient, high bandwidth communication link between such separated systems, using a unique electrode configuration that also aids in maintaining a physically robust drill string. Insulated or floating electrodes of various selected geometries provide a means for sustaining or maintaining a modulated electric potential adapted for injecting modulated electrical current into the surrounding sub-surface medium. Such modulated current conveys information to the systems located along the drill string by establishing a potential across a receiving insulated or floating electrode.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining possible theft scenarios at utility meters are described. In some examples, the system receives information that indicates possible tampering of utility meter by a customer of a utility. In some examples, the system uses the information to determine a theft scenario. The system may then use the determined theft scenario as evidence against the customer.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter relates to an integrated decision support “cockpit” or control center for displaying, analyzing, and/or responding to, various events and contingencies that can occur within an electrical grid.

Abstract: A key activation system for use in an electronic device is provided. The system comprises an activation mechanism associated with a key in the system, a first feedback system and a second feedback system. The activation mechanism is associated with the key activation system and provides a first feedback sense when the activation mechanism has triggered the first activation condition. The second feedback system provides a second feedback sense indicating when the key triggers the second activation condition. In the system, the second feedback system operates independently from the activation mechanism and the first activation condition is triggered before the second activation condition when the activation mechanism is initially engaged. An activation mechanism may be centrally located for a set of keys.

Abstract: Interfacing application programs and motion sensors of a device. In one aspect, a high-level command is received from an application program running on a motion sensing device, where the application program implements one of multiple different types of applications available for use on the device. The high-level command requests high-level information derived from the output of motion sensors of the device that include rotational motion sensors and linear motion sensors. The command is translated to cause low-level processing of motion sensor data output by the motion sensors, the low-level processing following requirements of the type of application and determining the high-level information in response to the command. The application program is ignorant of the low-level processing, and the high-level information is provided to the application program.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a body-scanning device using multiple wireless devices is disclosed. The method includes communicating a secure wireless signal from a footswitch enclosure to a footswitch receiver coupled to the body scanning device in response to an actuation of a footswitch zone carried on a footswitch enclosure. Additionally, a wireless signal is communicated from a handswitch enclosure in response to an actuation of a handswitch zone and communicated to a handswitch receiver located in the footswitch enclosure. The wireless signal is then communicated from the footswitch enclosure to the footswitch receiver coupled to the body-scanning device to enable an operator to control the body-scanning device using the handswitch or the footswitch.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards methods of oil and gas well logging, monitoring, and the field of electrically powering submersible devices like electrical motors in oil and gas wells.

Abstract: An input device is disclosed that includes keys on a first surface and a second surface of the input device. At least some of the keys are operably coupled to a matrix including a switch for each key therein. When one of the keys is pressed, the corresponding switch is activated to provide a signal indicative thereof.

Abstract: A dispensing and accountability system for assuring washing of a person's hands includes at least one passive infrared detector adapted to detect the presence of the person having a requirement of washing the hands. Further, the dispensing and accountability system includes a controller having a scalable processor architecture operatively coupled to each passive infrared detector of the at least one passive infrared detector. Furthermore, the dispensing and accountability system includes at least one audio signal unit operatively coupled to the controller. The at least one audio signal unit is adapted to generate an audio signal to remind the person to wash the hands. In addition, the dispensing and accountability system includes at least one dispensing unit operatively coupled to the controller. Because of the scalable processor architecture of the controller, the system may be expanded or contracted depending on the needs of the institution using it.

Abstract: Illustrative embodiments of force sensitive input devices and methods are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, an input device may comprise a first input key configured to output a first analog signal as a function of force applied to the first input key, a second input key configured to output a second analog signal as a function of force applied to the second input key, a third input key configured to output a third analog signal as a function of force applied to the third input key, a fourth input key configured to output a fourth analog signal as a function of force applied to the fourth input key, and a controller configured to output movement data including both direction and magnitude in response to the first, second, third, and fourth analog signals, where the movement data is formatted for presentation to a driver of a computing device.

Abstract: The present technology relates to protocols relative to utility meters associated with an open operational framework. More particularly, the present subject matter relates to protocol subject matter for advanced metering infrastructure, adaptable to various international standards, while economically supporting a 2-way mesh network solution in a wireless environment, such as for operating in a residential electricity meter field. The present subject matter supports meters within an ANSI standard C12.22/C12.19 system while economically supporting a 2-way mesh network solution in a wireless environment, such as for operating in a residential electricity meter field, all to permit cell-based adaptive insertion of C12.22 meters within an open framework. Cell isolation is provided through quasi-orthogonal sequences in a frequency hopping network. Additional features relate to apparatus (both network and device related) and methodology subject matters relating to uplink routing without requiring a routing table.

Abstract: An example water usage monitoring system includes at least one sensor communicating at least one parameter relating to water usage. At least one microcontroller represents a location with each microcontroller in communication with at least one of the sensors and having at least one input for selectively receiving said parameters, a counter, an accumulator that utilizes said counter and said parameters received from the at least one input for a discrete count to create a data packet in response to a change in at least one of said parameters, and a transmitter for wirelessly sending said data packet. The system also includes a data collection device configured to receive and combine at least one data packet from the at least one microcontroller into an information set. The data collection device is configured to transmit the information set. A storage device is configured receive the information set from the data collection device.

Abstract: Devices capable of being disposed in a wellbore for outputting acoustical signals for monitoring downhole parameters are described. Receiving devices positioned remote from the devices and can receive the acoustical signals and determine the downhole parameters. The devices can output acoustical signals in response to fluid flow or otherwise.

Abstract: A subsea communication system is used to communicate between a position that is proximal to a surface of the sea and an apparatus of the seabed. The subsea communication system includes an umbilicalless communication system.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methodology for providing safe reconnection of remotely disconnectible gas meters. In accordance with the present subject matter, a gas metering device is provided with a remotely controllable valve and has associated therewith indicia uniquely identifying the meter. A gas company representative or other authorized person must be physically present to read the meter associated data, enter corresponding data into a handheld device, and transmit a signal from such handheld device to the meter to initiate reclosure. In such manner, physical presence of a gas company representative is required at the time of reconnection to provide other services and functionality such as equipment inspection and/or pilot relighting as required for safety considerations.

Abstract: A meter that monitors usage of a water distribution system by a client is provided. The meter includes a wireless communications system operable to communicatively couple the meter to a wireless network to provide two-way communication between the meter and the wireless network; a calibration system operable to calibrate the meter, wherein the calibration system may calibrate the meter in response to an instruction received via the wireless network; and a power system operable to maintain a sufficient level of power for the meter to allow substantially real-time communication between the meter and the wireless network.

Abstract: A device (2600) includes a controllable skin texture (2606) defining a keypad (2610), a sensor (2602), and control logic (200). The sensor senses a proximity of a pointing element (2900) to a particular key (2800, 2808, 2902, 2908) of the keypad based on a user input. The control logic adjusts a height of the particular key with respect to another key of the keypad in response to the sensor sensing the proximity of the pointing element to the particular key. In one example, the device includes a display (2700) for displaying a plurality of keys (2612). The control logic adjusts visual characteristics of the particular key (2800, 2808, 2902, 2908) and an adjacent key (2802, 2810, 2904, 2910) with respect to each other and with respect to other keys of the plurality of keys in response to the sensor sensing the proximity of the pointing element to the particular key.

Abstract: A handheld electronic device includes a reduced QWERTY keyboard and is enabled with disambiguation software. The device provides output in the form of a default output and a number of variants. The output is based largely upon the frequency, i.e., the likelihood that a user intended a particular output, but various features of the device provide additional variants that are not based solely on frequency and rather are provided by various logic structures resident on the device. The device enables editing during text entry and also provides a learning function that allows the disambiguation function to adapt to provide a customized experience for the user. The disambiguation function can be selectively disabled and an alternate keystroke interpretation system provided.

Abstract: In a pulse phase difference coding circuit, a count unit includes a plurality of partial counters connected to each other in series so that the most significant bit of an output of the previous stage serves as an operation clock of the subsequent stage. A circulation number detecting unit includes a first latch circuit which is provided for each of the partial counters and latches an output of the partial counter according to a pulse for measurement, and a first delay circuit which treats the partial counter in the second stage or later as an object counter and delays the pulse for measurement by a total delay time in all the partial counters located at the previous stages of the object counter. The pulse for measurement is inputted into the first latch circuit which latches an output of the object counter.

Abstract: A method of setting specific scan codes for a manual input device includes the steps of establishing a transmission channel between the manual input device and a scan code register of a computing device, receiving at least one scan code, which corresponds to at least one input key of the manual input device and is for setting a customized specific code for enabling the computing device to perform a specific function, from the manual input device, saving the customized specific code to the scan code register of the computing device, and closing the transmission channel.