Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and networks comprising a network operations server application for improving a packet-switched communications network, the application configured to: receive data from data source nodes; provide a management console allowing a user to configure a network multi-access protocol for: i) a node, ii) a type of node, iii) a group of nodes, iv) a type of data packet from a node, v) a type of data packet from a type of node, vi) a type of data packet from a group of nodes, or vii) a specific instance of a data packet from a node, the network multi-access protocol a scheduled or random access protocol; and dynamically create channel assignments to allocate bandwidth of the network among channels based on the configured network multi-access protocols to prevent network saturation and minimize data collisions in the packet-switched network.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and networks comprising a network operations server application for improving a packet-switched communications network, the application configured to: receive data from data source nodes; provide a management console allowing a user to configure a network multi-access protocol for: i) a node, ii) a type of node, iii) a group of nodes, iv) a type of data packet from a node, v) a type of data packet from a type of node, vi) a type of data packet from a group of nodes, or vii) a specific instance of a data packet from a node, the network multi-access protocol a scheduled or random access protocol; and dynamically create channel assignments to allocate bandwidth of the network among channels based on the configured network multi-access protocols to prevent network saturation and minimize data collisions in the packet-switched network.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and networks comprising a network operations server application for improving a packet-switched communications network, the application configured to: receive data from data source nodes; provide a management console allowing a user to configure a network multi-access protocol for: i) a node, ii) a type of node, iii) a group of nodes, iv) a type of data packet from a node, v) a type of data packet from a type of node, vi) a type of data packet from a group of nodes, or vii) a specific instance of a data packet from a node, the network multi-access protocol a scheduled or random access protocol; and dynamically create channel assignments to allocate bandwidth of the network among channels based on the configured network multi-access protocols to prevent network saturation and minimize data collisions in the packet-switched network.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are hub devices for a machine-to-machine (M2M) communications network that enables multiple communication modes for data source nodes, the hub comprising a processor, a local connectivity system configured to communicate data with the data source nodes via an interface, a data processing and caching system comprising a local memory and configured to receive and store user-defined data routing and processing functions, prioritize the data based on the user-defined functions; and route the prioritized data to the local memory for storage or to the data transmission system for immediate transmission based on the priority, and a data transmission system configured to dynamically assign an M2M upload mechanism to the routed data selected from: a real-time transmission mechanism, a fixed interval mechanism, a data backhaul mechanism, and a user pull mechanism; and transmit the data to a network backhaul link for delivery to a host point.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are hub devices for a machine-to-machine (M2M) communications network that enables multiple communication modes for data source nodes, the hub comprising a processor, a local connectivity system configured to communicate data with the data source nodes via an interface, a data processing and caching system comprising a local memory and configured to receive and store user-defined data routing and processing functions, prioritize the data based on the user-defined functions; and route the prioritized data to the local memory for storage or to the data transmission system for immediate transmission based on the priority, and a data transmission system configured to dynamically assign an M2M upload mechanism to the routed data selected from: a real-time transmission mechanism, a fixed interval mechanism, a data backhaul mechanism, and a user pull mechanism; and transmit the data to a network backhaul link for delivery to a host point.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are hub devices for a machine-to-machine (M2M) communications network that enables multiple communication modes for data source nodes, the hub comprising a processor, a local connectivity system configured to communicate data with the data source nodes via an interface, a data processing and caching system comprising a local memory and configured to receive and store user-defined data routing and processing functions, prioritize the data based on the user-defined functions; and route the prioritized data to the local memory for storage or to the data transmission system for immediate transmission based on the priority, and a data transmission system configured to dynamically assign an M2M upload mechanism to the routed data selected from: a real-time transmission mechanism, a fixed interval mechanism, a data backhaul mechanism, and a user pull mechanism; and transmit the data to a network backhaul link for delivery to a host point.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and networks comprising a network operations server application for improving a packet-switched communications network, the application configured to: receive data from data source nodes; provide a management console allowing a user to configure a network multi-access protocol for: i) a node, ii) a type of node, iii) a group of nodes, iv) a type of data packet from a node, v) a type of data packet from a type of node, vi) a type of data packet from a group of nodes, or vii) a specific instance of a data packet from a node, the network multi-access protocol a scheduled or random access protocol; and dynamically create channel assignments to allocate bandwidth of the network among channels based on the configured network multi-access protocols to prevent network saturation and minimize data collisions in the packet-switched network.

Abstract: A real-time operating system (RTOS) for use with minimal-memory controllers has a kernel for managing task execution, including context switching, a plurality of defined tasks, individual ones of the tasks having subroutines callable in nested levels for accomplishing tasks. In the RTOS context switching is constrained to occur only at task level, and cannot occur at any lower sub-routine level. This system can operate with a single call . . . return stack, saving memory requirement. The single stack can be implemented as either a general-purpose stack or as a hardware call . . . return stack. In other embodiments novel methods are taught for generating return addresses, and for using timing functions in a RTOS.

Abstract: A combined valve and filter mechanism for use in chemical apparatus comprises a valve body having a valve seat connected thereto. A valve stem has a valve at one end thereof for engaging said valve seat and has a cylindrical filter element for telescoping within the valve seat. The mechanism permits filtration of the chemical in situ without a separate filtering mechanism while providing a valve which when open or closed permits the agitation of the chemical in the apparatus without interference with or from the valve and vice versa. In the fully open position, the entire contents of the apparatus can be withdrawn from the apparatus.