Abstract: Systems and techniques are presented for displaying information customized for a ticket of a fare gate. Ticket information for the ticket is received via a ticket validation device. A customized image for the ticket is determined based on the ticket information. Further, a first position of an object is detected within an area of the floor. Based on the first position of the object, a second position within the area for displaying the customized image is determined. The second position is proximate to the first position. A display image is determined for the area and the display image includes the customized image at the second position. The display image is displayed within the area on the floor.

Abstract: The presence or absence of objects is determined by interrogating or exciting transponders coupled to the objects using pulsed wide band frequency signals. Interrogation is broken down into a number of subsample scan cycles each having interrogation cycles a start time forward in time by a fraction of a period of an expected transponder response signal. Ambient or background noise is evaluated and a threshold adjusted based on the level of noise. Adjustment may be based on multiple noise measurements or samples. Noise detection may be limited, with emphasis placed on interrogation to increase the signal to noise ratio. Matched filtering may be employed. Presence/absence determination may take into account frequency and/or Q value to limit false detections. Appropriate acts may be taken if detected noise is out of defined limits of operation, for example shutting down interrogation and/or providing an appropriate indication.

Abstract: An entity detection method and system are provided for monitoring an area. The method comprises providing an illuminated band extending continuously along an extremity of the area; providing an optical detector having an image sensor adapted to capture an image, the illuminated band being viewable by the image sensor and being capturable in the image, a space between the band and the image sensor being part of the area; storing a detection threshold; analyzing the image to detect a discontinuity in the continuous illuminated band apparent on the image, comparing the detected discontinuity to the detection threshold; and indicating a status of the area to be one of a presence of an entity and an absence of the entity based on the comparing.

Abstract: Controls, devices, systems, and methods for remotely reversing ceiling fan rotation directions based on seasonal appearing indicia controls, and remotely selecting ceiling fan turn off times when the user falls asleep. Cooler weather indicia for a remote control reverse switch can include snowflake symbol and/or the types of seasonal weather indicators such as for winter time use. Warmer weather indicia for a remote control reverse switch can include a sun symbol and/or other types of seasonal weather conditions, such as for summer time. Sleep timer controls, such as buttons for 2 hours, 4 hours and 8 hours, allows the user to preset when the fan is to be turned off after the user decides to go to sleep.

Abstract: A vehicle-mounted apparatus outputs caution or warning information to an occupant in a vehicle if the vehicle-mounted apparatus does not continually receive information that shows that an application that is presently being executed in a portable information terminal connected to the vehicle-mounted apparatus has an attribute of being permitted to be used during the moving of a vehicle in which the vehicle-mounted apparatus is mounted.

Abstract: An electronic device. The device comprises a rewritable radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag to store an identification number and to transmit the identification number via a radio transmitter, an RFID writer, configured to write an identification number into the RFID tag based on selection by a controller, and a memory storing identification selection rules and a list of identities of RFID interrogators. The device further comprises a controller, configured to read the identity of the RFID interrogator from the RFID reader, analyze the identification selection rules and the list of identities of the RFID interrogators in the memory, select an identification number for the RFID tag based on the list of identities of the RFID interrogators, the identification selection rules stored in the memory, and the identity of the RFID interrogator, and command the RFID writer to write the selected identification number into the RFID tag.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of correcting meter data for enhancement of electricity data management in a remote automatic measuring environment of a photovoltaic module are disclosed. According to an exemplary embodiment, a meter reads energy usage of a consumer and transmits meter data on the energy usage to an automatic meter reading (AMR) server. A meter data management system monitors an error in the transmitted meter data and a non-reading interval and re-requests collection of an error in meter data and a non-reading interval to the AMR server. When an error and a non-reading interval are found even after meter data is collected on the re-requesting, the error in the meter data and the non-reading interval are corrected using an estimated approximate value based on a history of previous meter data accumulated in a database of the AMR server.

Abstract: A method for estimating a parameter includes: transmitting a control signal to a coherent optical source, the control signal configured to chaotically vary an output of the optical source and generate a chaotically excited optical signal; transmitting the optical signal from the optical source into an optical fiber, the optical fiber including at least one sensing location; receiving a reflected signal including light reflected from the at least one sensing location; and estimating a value of the parameter using the reflected signal.

Abstract: The invention described herein generally pertains to a system and method for monitoring a brush of a rotor/stator assembly associated with an engine driven welder. A notification system can be provided that outputs alerts related to an amount of wear on a brush in contact with a rotor/stator assembly. An in situ component can provide dynamic real time monitoring of the brush and in particular an amount of wear of the brush. Based on a predetermined amount of wear being met, a notification component can output an alert.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for monitoring physical parameters in an oil and/or gas well, the apparatus being connectable to a wellhead of the oil and/or gas well. The apparatus comprises a flange assembly configured with a through bore and an end termination, in which through bore a sensor and associated electronics are arranged. The sensor, including a first electronic circuitry, is connected to a second electronic circuitry via transmission devices that are passed through a pressure-tight element arranged in the through bore. The invention also relates to a wellhead for use with an oil and/or gas well with a plurality of casings defining a plurality of annili. The wellhead is configured with a plurality of through-holes, each leading into a respective annulus of the well, and each through-hole is connected to an apparatus as mentioned above.

Abstract: Enhanced devices, processes, and systems provide measurement of electrical resistance as a means for determining the intensity with which stress is applied to an object, such as but not limited to a toy, e.g. a stuffed toy. The induced strain resulting from such an applied stress may also be determined from the measurement of electrical resistance. One or more actions may preferably be taken in response to the determined stress or the resulting strain, such as but not limited to providing any of visual feedback, auditory feedback, haptic feedback, or a numerical readout.

Abstract: The disclosed approaches for processing traffic signal priority requests include receiving traffic signal priority requests from a vehicle. The number of stopped vehicles at the intersection and on an approach to the intersection is determined in response to receiving each priority request. An activation threshold is computed as a function of an estimated-time-of-arrival (ETA) threshold and the number of stopped vehicles. A vehicle ETA of the vehicle at the intersection is determined in response to each priority request. In response to the vehicle ETA being less than the activation threshold, the priority request is submitted for preemption service processing at the intersection. In response to the vehicle ETA being greater than the activation threshold, submission of the priority request is bypassed for preemption service processing at the intersection.

Abstract: A rotary actuator and a method of providing kinesthesia using a magnetorheological fluid are provided. The method includes generating a solenoid which generates a magnetic field, thereby forming flux lines, in response to a current being applied thereto. A cylindrical rotor surrounds inner, outer and top surfaces of the solenoid, is freely rotatable about a rotary shaft disposed in an opened central portion thereof. A cylindrical housing surrounds inner, outer and bottom surfaces of the solenoid, and engages with the rotor. The magnetorheological fluid is disposed inside gaps among the solenoid, the rotor and the housing, and generates magnetic chains along the flux lines in response to the magnetic field. The thickness of walls of the rotor which surround the inner and outer surfaces of the solenoid decreases in the top-to-bottom direction. A space having a predetermined width is defined around the rotary shaft.

Abstract: In an in-vehicle power line communication system in which a power line communication network and a battery are connected to each other via a first power line, the power line communication network includes a master power line communication node connected to the battery via the first power line, a second power line, slave power line communication nodes including at least a transmitting slave power line communication node and a receiving slave power line communication node, a transmitting-side in-vehicle device, and a receiving-side in-vehicle device. The master power line communication node and the slave power line communication nodes communicate with each other using a time-triggered communication protocol. The mutual communicating of the slave power line communication nodes are controlled by a token signal output from the master power line communication node. Only the master power line communication node and the slave power line communication nodes are connected to the second power line.

Abstract: A sealing device including a housing and a closure member having a first end and a second end, at least one of the first and second ends being removably attached to the housing, the housing having means for checking the integrity of the closure member and a first transponder for transmitting information on the status of the sealing device where, the sealing device further includes a second transponder, preferably a passive transponder, associated with at least one of the first and second ends (16, 20) of the closure member, the second transponder comprising a second identity, and a transponder reader associated with the first transponder, preferably an active transponder, the transponder reader being arranged for reading the second identity of the second transponder; the first transponder being configured for receiving the second identity from the transponder reader and for transmitting the second identity.

Abstract: An electronic discriminating device incorporating a non-contact electronic sensor array, a controller, and a signaling device that may indicate the presence of urine and/or bowel movement is disclosed. In particular, the electronic discriminating device can discriminate between an insult of urine only and an insult containing bowel movement. The device can then generate different alerts based on the type of insult. The electronic discriminating device may also emit a signal at or near the opening of an absorbent article or transmit the alert wirelessly to a radio, computer device, or smartphone.

Abstract: A method for providing real-time streaming drilling data transmission services using self-aligning satellites. The method can include receiving and transmitting the drilling data using client devices, radio boxes, a processor, a local network, a satellite network, a router and switch, a satellite modem, and self-aligning satellite dishes. The drilling data can be transmitted to a remote network operation center and a remote central server. The remote central server can real-time stream the remote client devices.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems receive information, via at least one sensor, indicating an ergonomic characteristic of a user of a computing device. The information is user to determine if the ergonomic characteristic of the user is within a reference ergonomic boundary. In response to determining the ergonomic characteristic of the user is not within the reference ergonomic boundary, processing is executed to determine an adjustment for the user to make so that the ergonomic characteristic of the user is within the reference ergonomic boundary, the adjustment to include at least one of an adjustment to the ergonomic characteristic of the user and an adjustment to the computing device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatic down-hole asset monitoring is provided that monitors tagged down-hole assets wherein the assets travel into and out of an oil or gas well. A rig reader system, a controller and a computer incorporating a graphic user interface are connected to monitor tagged assets moving into and out of a drill head. The rig reader portion may be a ring shaped device having therein an integrated antenna array and radio frequency identification interrogators that interrogate an SAW or RFID tag as it moves through the ring shaped device. The integrated antenna array may include evenly distributed antennas about an interior surface of the ring shaped device that are covered by a radome that seals the antenna array and interrogators against contamination from caustic chemicals and other substances found on or around an oil rig platform.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wireless device, configured for ensuring authentication of a user, to a reference unit configured for ensuring authentication of a user of the wireless device and to a method for ensuring authentication of a user. The wireless device comprises a checking unit configured for scanning a distance to a reference unit and for checking if the distance scanned lies within a predetermined range such that authentication of the user is ensured. In this way, a wireless device is provided which is simple and cost-effective to realize and increases security by making sure that the rightful owner is available without the need of asking for PIN codes, passwords or other measures, such as biometric recognition, i.e. voice recognition, fingerprint recognition, retina recognition and the like.