Abstract: A sensor assembly may include a housing made of a non-magnetic material. The housing may define an interior chamber. A shaft may extend from the housing. A bearing may be positioned around the shaft. An impeller may be positioned around the shaft and the bearing, and the impeller may include a magnetized portion. A sensor may be positioned within the interior chamber and/or proximate the magnetized portion. The sensor may detect the magnetized portion of the impeller to sense a rate of rotation of the impeller. The rate of rotation of the impeller may correspond to changes in flow rate of the fluid. As the flow rate of the fluid, and the rate of rotation of the impeller change in predetermined manners, control signals may be conveyed to activate a tool.

Abstract: An underreamer for increasing a diameter of a wellbore. The underreamer may include a body having an axial bore extending at least partially therethrough. An electromagnetic activation system may be disposed at least partially within the bore of the body. A valve may be disposed within the bore of the body and coupled to the electromagnetic activation system. The valve may include a mobile element and a static element. The mobile element may be coupled to the electromagnetic activation system and move from a first position where the mobile element obstructs fluid flow through the valve to a second position where the mobile element permits fluid flow through the valve. A cutter block may be movably coupled to the body and move radially-outward as the mobile element moves from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A method for linking an event to video documenting the event is disclosed. Such a method includes detecting an event, wherein the event is one of (1) completion of a delivery; and (2) access to an enclosure. The method determines a first timing associated with the event and identifies video documenting the event by correlating the first timing with a second timing associated with the video. The method automatically provides, to a user, information to enable the user to view the video. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: A broadband helical microstrip antenna having a small foot print is disclosed. A PCB (printed circuit board) has a first planar side opposite a second planar side with dielectric material therebetween. The first planar side comprising a plurality of spaced apart non-linear antenna segments, each non-linear antenna segment having one or more electrical vias to the second planar side of the printed circuit board. The second planar side comprising a plurality of spaced apart parallel linear antenna segments. The plurality of non-linear antenna segments and the plurality of linear antenna segments form the broadband helical microstrip antenna symmetrical about a center line formed by a centered linear antenna segment of the plurality of spaced apart parallel linear antenna segments of the second planar side.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are wireless devices operable at intermediate wireless at ranges of thousands of meters, utilizing packets that include a preamble and a data payload. Devices may be such things as keypads, door latches, occupancy monitors, sprinkler controllers and other devices needing a communications link. A digital spread-spectrum frequency hopping rotation is used, wherein packet transmissions rotate through frequency sequences. Used is a spectrum-impact-smoothed channel sequence, each channel specifying a unique preamble frequency relative to the other sequences and channels. The set is traversed as a broadcasted stream is transmitted, thereby distributing the focused radio-frequency emission impact of packets having long preambles over time. Packet acknowledgments are deferred until a group of packets in a stream has been exchanged.

Abstract: A broadband microstrip antenna formed on a printed circuit board has a first planar side comprising a plurality of electrically conductive planar v-shaped antenna segments, each v-shaped antenna segment comprising an open end formed by non-parallel sides and a closed end formed by an intersection of the non-parallel sides. The open end of each v-shaped antenna segment is electrically connected to one or more adjacent v-shaped antenna segments forming a series of electrically connected v-shaped antenna segments. The closed end of a centered v-shaped antenna segment provides a feed point for the one or more adjacent v-shaped antenna segments.

Abstract: The invention is a method and device for normalizing communication. The method includes receiving on a first device a first message via a first protocol from a second device; transmitting a second message to a third device via a second protocol, wherein the second message is transmitted using a first spreading factor; initiating a delay timer upon transmitting the second message, wherein a duration of the delay timer is based on a second spreading factor, wherein the second spreading factor is greater than or equal to the first spreading factor; receiving a third message from the third device via the second protocol, wherein the third message is transmitted using the first spreading factor, and wherein the third message is in response to the second message; and upon the expiration of the delay timer, sending a fourth message to the second device via the first protocol. The device includes the hardware and instructions to perform the method.

Abstract: A secure remote actuation system is described herein that operates based on voice commands provided by a user and/or owner of the system. The system may include: a remote input receptor having a user interface for receiving one or more user inputs from a user, the user interface having a voice input processor, and the user inputs including vocalization; and a cloud-based network storing one or acceptable inputs and including a network device for obtaining said one or more user inputs from the remote input receptor. The network device may obtain said one or more user inputs from the remote input receptor while the user is using the user interface. The cloud-based network may compare said one or more user inputs to said one or more acceptable inputs. The voice input processor may include a microphone, a speaker, or both, and may perform various types of voice recognition.

Abstract: A secure remote actuation system is described herein. The system may comprise a remote input receptor and a network. The remote input receptor may comprise a user interface for receiving user inputs from a user. The network may comprise a combination of computer systems interconnected by telecommunications equipment or cables allowing information to be exchanged. The network may also comprise a network device for obtaining the user inputs from the remote input receptor. The network device may comprise an internal memory unit. One or more acceptable inputs may be stored on the network. In the present invention, the network device obtains the user inputs from the remote input receptor while the user is using the user interface and then the network compares the user inputs to the acceptable inputs.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for delivering a package which includes an enclosure with a door. The door includes an access code input device, which has a tilt plate for entering a code. The method and system also include a mechanism for opening and closing the door and a controller, which is in communication with the access code input device, is proximate the door and includes an access code reader for controlling the mechanism. The method also includes the step of providing a package with a delivery label attached to the package having an access code comprising dimensions for the package to be delivered. The access code further includes instructions to partially move the door only for an amount of time needed to partially open the door from a closed position or partially close the door from an open position according to the dimensions of the package to only allow passage of the package.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are wireless devices operable at intermediate wireless at ranges of thousands of meters, utilizing packets that include a preamble and a data payload. Devices may be such things as keypads, door latches, occupancy monitors, sprinkler controllers and other devices needing a communications link. Devices include an intermediate-range transceiver and a separate deployment wireless interface accessible from a mobile device such as a cellular telephone or portable tablet. Devices can be registered in a database and deployed for use by means of an application running on the mobile device. A scannable label bearing a code can be affixed to a wireless device providing a means of tracking, identifying and verifying a device through the deployment process. Detailed information on various example embodiments of the inventions are provided in the Detailed Description below, and the inventions are defined by the appended claims.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure can relate to an apparatus including a first member having a first bearing surface formed from a hard material (e.g., a diamond-based material, such as a polycrystalline diamond material), and a second member coupled to an input shaft to translate (e.g., rotate, slide, etc.) with respect to the first member. The second member has a second bearing surface formed from a hard material, and the second bearing surface is to bear against the first bearing surface. In embodiments of the disclosure, the first and second members can be for devices including, but not necessarily limited to: solenoids, generators and/or motors (e.g., out-runner radial flux generators, axial flux generators, radial flux generators/motors, roller vane motors, etc.), gearboxes, rotary data swivels, digital actuators, filters (e.g., inner rotating filters), valves (e.g., proportional valves), sensors (e.g., pressure differential sensors), and so forth.

Abstract: Low data rate wireless electronic devices utilizing a hub- or star-based network topology, operational at ranges of thousands of meters. Remote end-devices may be such things as keypads, door latches, occupancy monitors, sprinkler controllers and other devices controlled or monitored in a campus or a collection of buildings. End-devices operate at intermediate ranges in RF congested areas and failure-intolerant situations through the use of discrete programmable channels. Each end-device carries a unique identifier and uses a common default initialization channel to accept an operational channel assignment from the hub, without a configuring or programming step at the end-device by an installing person. After assignment the end-device can utilize a low-power listening mode that avoids processor-awakening events due to orthogonality of the operational channels.

Abstract: A fluid dispersal node is disclosed that includes one or more fluid outlets, an electromechanical valve, one or more hardware processors, hardware memory, a hardware wireless communication module, an antenna, and a fluid-tight, substantially radio frequency (RF) transparent enclosure. The valve is disposed in the node, and controls fluid flow to the outlets. The processors, in turn, control the valve. The wireless module receives instructions for operating the valve and forwards those instructions to one or more of the processors and the memory. The processors, memory, wireless module and antenna are disposed within the RF-transparent housing. In some embodiments, the antenna is disposed on a riser associated with the node outside the enclosure. In other embodiments, the antenna is disposed in a fluid line connected to the node.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for delivering a package which includes an enclosure with a door. The door includes an access code input device, which has a tilt plate for entering a code. The method and system also include a mechanism for opening and closing the door and a controller, which is in communication with the access code input device, is proximate the door and includes an access code reader for controlling the mechanism. The method also includes the step of providing a package with a delivery label attached to the package having an access code comprising dimensions for the package to be delivered. The access code further includes instructions to partially move the door only for an amount of time needed to partially open the door from a closed position or partially close the door from an open position according to the dimensions of the package to only allow passage of the package.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are wireless devices operable at intermediate wireless at ranges of thousands of meters, utilizing packets that include a preamble and a data payload. Devices may be such things as keypads, door latches, occupancy monitors, sprinkler controllers and other devices needing a communications link. A digital spread-spectrum frequency hopping rotation is used, wherein packet transmissions rotate through frequency sequences. A spectrum-impact-smoothed channel set is fashioned using sequences that each specify a unique preamble frequency relative to the other sequences and channels. The set is traversed as packets are transmitted, thereby distributing the focused radio-frequency emission impact of packets having long preambles over time. Traversal of the set is by way of time slots relative to a point of synchronization in a first packet.

Abstract: The invention is a method and device for normalizing communication. The method includes receiving on a first device a first message via a first protocol from a second device; transmitting a second message to a third device via a second protocol, wherein the second message is transmitted using a first spreading factor; initiating a delay timer upon transmitting the second message, wherein a duration of the delay timer is based on a second spreading factor, wherein the second spreading factor is greater than or equal to the first spreading factor; receiving a third message from the third device via the second protocol, wherein the third message is transmitted using the first spreading factor, and wherein the third message is in response to the second message; and upon the expiration of the delay timer, sending a fourth message to the second device via the first protocol. The device includes the hardware and instructions to perform the method.

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting a number of rotary blade unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is described. The apparatus includes a first physical connector, a first electrical connector, a second physical connector, a second electrical connector, a storage area, and a UAV control unit. The first physical connector attaches the apparatus to a first UAV. The first electrical connector connects electricity between the apparatus and the first UAV. The second physical connector attaches the apparatus to a second UAV. The second electrical connector connects electricity between the apparatus and the second UAV. The storage area stores an energy source for the apparatus. The UAV control unit includes a processor and storage medium. The processor and storage medium are in communication with a cloud based network and receive instructions for the operation of the UAV, including steering instructions, through the cloud based network from a remote control device.

Abstract: Low data rate wireless electronic devices utilizing a hub- or star-based network topology, operational at ranges of thousands of meters. Remote end-devices may be such things as keypads, door latches, occupancy monitors, sprinkler controllers and other devices controlled or monitored in a campus or a collection of buildings. End-devices operate at intermediate ranges in RF congested areas and failure-intolerant situations through the use of discrete programmable channels. Each end-device may carry a unique identifier and type information that facilitates the assignment of an operational channel assignment from the hub, without a configuring or programming step at the end-device by an installing person. A hub uses end-device type information to make channel assignments, conserving communications channel resources. Detailed information on various example embodiments of the inventions are provided in the Detailed Description below.

Abstract: A system for extending the range of a wireless signal is disclosed. A typical or near typical IP packet may be used to establish a connection between a server and a sending device. A server receives the payload of a packet for which delivery information has been removed. The server may package the data into a full IP packet and then communicate with a smart device, such as a door lock.