Abstract: In one embodiment, a network device having a plurality of hardware interfaces is disclosed. The network device includes a central processing unit and a main circuit board. The main circuit board has expansion slots that receivably connect corresponding secondary circuit boards to the main circuit board. The main circuit board also has sensors for detecting predetermined parameters. A voltage regulator is operative to regulate one or more particular expansion slots, in response to detection of a predetermined parameter associated with respective slots.

Abstract: A system that can include at least one wireless proximity sensor, at least one wireless seat controller, and at least one automatic hygienic toilet seat. The at least one wireless proximity sensor can be configured to detect an object within a predetermined proximity to the infrared sensor and to emit a signal to the wireless seat controller. The at least one wireless seat controller can be configured to receive a signal from the at least one wireless proximity sensor and to activate a motor assembly of the at least one automatic hygienic toilet seat to dispense a sanitary tubular material to cover the seat portion of the at least one automatic hygienic toilet seat.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments, an intelligent communications device is disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus is disclosed for controlling the operations of temperature-sensitive electronic devices in an enclosure, based on a requisite temperature range. The apparatus includes a main circuit board with a plurality of secondary circuit board connectors that are operative to connect secondary circuit boards to the main circuit board. The apparatus also includes one or more temperature sensors that are operative to sense temperature within the enclosure, and one or more selectively actuatable heating elements that are mounted to the main circuit board in proximity to the plurality of secondary circuit board connectors. Each heating element is operative to emit heat when actuated.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a main circuit board includes a plurality of expansion slots that are operative to receive a corresponding plurality of expansion cards. The plurality of expansion slots include at least one first expansion slot configured at a first position on the main circuit board, that is operative to connect to at least one corresponding first expansion card. At least one second expansion slot configured at a second position on the main circuit board, and the second expansion slot is operative to connect to at least one corresponding second expansion card. The plurality of expansion cards includes at least one secondary expansion card that is different from the main circuit board and that is configured to be operatively coupled to at least one of the plurality of expansion slots. One or more particular expansion slots are selected for connecting one or more corresponding particular expansion cards, based on the size, dimensions, and/or function of the particular expansion cards to be connected.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments, an intelligent communications device is disclosed. In one embodiment, a plurality of circuit boards are operative to perform communication functions in a network, where the device includes a first circuit board and a second circuit board. The device includes a first actuatable member that is operative to selectively activate circuitry on the second circuit board, where the first actuatable member has a toggle switch that is operative to disable power supplied to the second circuit board while the first circuit board retains power and is fully operative to perform communications functions. The device includes a second actuatable member that is operatively coupled to an enclosure and a detachable cover. The detachable cover is configured to raise an alert when an unauthorized entity attempts to access the circuitry.

Abstract: An optical sensor for detecting motion or movement in an area of interest and a method of operation is provided. The system includes a CMOS sensor having an array of pixels that captures images in an area of interest. The system monitors the average pixel value for the array to define a first state. If the average pixel value changes beyond a defined threshold, the system defines a second state. For each change in state, a signal is generated. In one embodiment, the optical sensor is used with a meter having a dial with an indicator. The optical sensor generates a signal each time the indicator passes through the area of interest to allow for the remote monitoring of a consumable commodity.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an enclosure for electronic circuit boards and components is disclosed. The enclosure has a closable, weather-resistant housing that is sized and shaped to receive mounted circuitry in an enclosed space that is defined by a back wall and side walls extending outwardly from the back wall. The housing includes a detachable cover for covering and sealing the enclosed space. In one embodiment, the circuitry includes a planar electronic circuit board that is mounted within the enclosed space. The planar electronic circuit board has a subsection of power supply circuitry that is operative to receive electrical power from outside of the enclosure. The circuitry further includes power supply transformers and capacitors that operate from power received from outside the housing, and data processing and communications components that include a data processor and a data bus. The data bus is coupled to electronic circuit connectors.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for extending IPSec communication over a wireless mesh network is disclosed. A VPN appliance is operative to establish an end-to-end communication tunnel with at least one of a plurality of wireless mesh gateways. The VPN appliance is configured for secure communication with at least one of the mesh gateways, by establishing an outer tunnel. At least one of the wireless mesh gateways is configured to establish connection with a plurality of wireless routers, where the wireless routers are configured to establish connection with a plurality of intelligent communication devices. Multiple paths exist for routing data packets from the plurality of mesh gateways to the plurality of intelligent communication devices. The VPN appliance is also configured to establish a plurality of inner tunnels nested within the outer tunnel.

Abstract: A gas meter reading system is provided that allows automated meter reading capability to be incorporated with sealed mechanical type gas meters. The reading system is mounted to the window of the meter adjacent to the measurement dial. The reading system senses the rotation of the dial and provides data, such as a pulse, that may be recorded by an external source. A method of detecting for leaks with a gas meter having a reading system is also provided.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for extending IPSec communication over a wireless mesh network is disclosed. A VPN appliance is operative to establish an end-to-end communication tunnel with at least one of a plurality of wireless mesh gateways. The VPN appliance is configured for secure communication with at least one of the mesh gateways, by establishing an outer tunnel. At least one of the wireless mesh gateways is configured to establish connection with a plurality of wireless routers, where the wireless routers are configured to establish connection with a plurality of intelligent communication devices. Multiple paths exist for routing data packets from the plurality of mesh gateways to the plurality of intelligent communication devices. The VPN appliance is also configured to establish a plurality of inner tunnels nested within the outer tunnel.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an enclosure for electronic circuit boards and components is disclosed. The enclosure has a closable, weather-resistant housing that is sized and shaped to receive mounted circuitry in an enclosed space that is defined by a back wall and side walls extending outwardly from the back wall. The housing includes a detachable cover for covering and sealing the enclosed space. In one embodiment, the circuitry includes a planar electronic circuit board that is mounted within the enclosed space. The planar electronic circuit board has a subsection of power supply circuitry that is operative to receive electrical power from outside of the enclosure. The circuitry further includes power supply transformers and capacitors that operate from power received from outside the housing, and data processing and communications components that include a data processor and a data bus. The data bus is coupled to electronic circuit connectors.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system is disclosed for development of computer-executable applications in a network having a central utility with one or more utility-level applications and a plurality of intelligent devices operatively connected to the central utility. Each of the intelligent devices has at least one computer-executable application for causing a computer to perform functions that include core functions for supporting active communication by the intelligent devices upstream to one or more of the utility-level applications at the central utility and/or supporting local communication by the intelligent devices with another one or more of the intelligent devices that are operatively connected via the network. At least one of the utility-level applications is executable at the central utility to communicate data downstream with at least one computer-executable application on the one or more intelligent devices via the network, and also to receive communication data.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments, an intelligent communications device is disclosed. In one embodiment, a plurality of circuit boards are operative to perform communication functions in a network, where the device includes a first circuit board and a second circuit board. The device includes a first actuatable member that is operative to selectively activate circuitry on the second circuit board, where the first actuatable member has a toggle switch that is operative to disable power supplied to the second circuit board while the first circuit board retains power and is fully operative to perform communications functions. The device includes a second actuatable member that is operatively coupled to an enclosure and a detachable cover. The detachable cover is configured to raise an alert when an unauthorized entity attempts to access the circuitry.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments, an intelligent communications device is disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus is disclosed for controlling the operations of temperature-sensitive electronic devices in an enclosure, based on a requisite temperature range. The apparatus includes a main circuit board with a plurality of secondary circuit board connectors that are operative to connect secondary circuit boards to the main circuit board. The apparatus also includes one or more temperature sensors that are operative to sense temperature within the enclosure, and one or more selectively actuatable heating elements that are mounted to the main circuit board in proximity to the plurality of secondary circuit board connectors. Each heating element is operative to emit heat when actuated.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a network device having a plurality of hardware interfaces is disclosed. The network device includes a central processing unit and a main circuit board. The main circuit board has expansion slots that receivably connect corresponding secondary circuit boards to the main circuit board. The main circuit board also has sensors for detecting predetermined parameters. A voltage regulator is operative to regulate one or more particular expansion slots, in response to detection of a predetermined parameter associated with respective slots.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a main circuit board includes a plurality of expansion slots that are operative to receive a corresponding plurality of expansion cards. The plurality of expansion slots include at least one first expansion slot configured at a first position on the main circuit board, that is operative to connect to at least one corresponding first expansion card. At least one second expansion slot configured at a second position on the main circuit board, and the second expansion slot is operative to connect to at least one corresponding second expansion card. The plurality of expansion cards includes at least one secondary expansion card that is different from the main circuit board and that is configured to be operatively coupled to at least one of the plurality of expansion slots. One or more particular expansion slots are selected for connecting one or more corresponding particular expansion cards, based on the size, dimensions, and/or function of the particular expansion cards to be connected.

Abstract: A gas meter reading system is provided that allows automated meter reading capability to be incorporated with sealed mechanical type gas meters. The reading system is mounted to the window of the meter adjacent to the measurement dial. The reading system senses the rotation of the dial and provides data, such as a pulse, that may be recorded by an external source. A method of detecting for leaks with a gas meter having a reading system is also provided.

Abstract: An optical sensor for detecting motion or movement in an area of interest is provided. The optical sensor includes a base having optical filtering properties. A sensor assembly having a light emitting diode, a CMOS sensor and a pair of lens is mounted to said base. The CMOS sensor has a range of wavelengths of light to which it has an increased sensitivity. The optical filtering properties of the base are ranged to absorb wavelengths of light in the range of increased CMOS sensor sensitivity. In this way, the effects of ambient light on the optical sensor are reduced.

Abstract: An optical sensor for detecting motion or movement in an area of interest and a method of operation is provided. The system includes a CMOS sensor having an array of pixels that captures images in an area of interest. The system monitors the average pixel value for the array to define a first state. If the average pixel value changes beyond a defined threshold, the system defines a second state. For each change in state, a signal is generated. In one embodiment, the optical sensor is used with a meter having a dial with an indicator. The optical sensor generates a signal each time the indicator passes through the area of interest to allow for the remote monitoring of a consumable commodity.

Abstract: A monitoring system is provided that allows for monitoring and reporting of operational parameters for processes and devices in a subterranean environment. The system includes a plurality of interface devices coupled to sensors at a desired process or device. The interface devices transmit the measured data to a coordinator device through a personal area network. The coordinator device aggregates data from multiple interface devices and transmits the data to a remote service through a communications network.