Abstract: An out-of-product alarm process includes initiating an out-of-product check by sending a signal to a controller from an optical sensor assembly connected to a fluid delivery medium for delivering a product to a fluid dispensing site, performing an out-of-product check, running an alarm cycle with the controller after receipt of an out-of-product signal, and executing a corrective action. Performing the out-of-product check includes directing light into the fluid delivery medium, generating a detector output based on detected light within the fluid delivery medium, determining an out-of-product state within the fluid delivery medium based on a comparison of the detector output to an out-of-product threshold, starting an out-of-product timer, when the out-of-product state is determined, and determining an out-of-product event when the out-of-product timer reaches a threshold out-of-product time period.

Abstract: An out-of-product alarm process includes initiating an out-of-product check by sending a signal to a controller from an optical sensor assembly connected to a fluid delivery medium for delivering a product to a fluid dispensing site, performing an out-of-product check, running an alarm cycle with the controller after receipt of an out-of-product signal, and executing a corrective action. Performing the out-of-product check includes directing light into the fluid delivery medium, generating a detector output based on detected light within the fluid delivery medium, determining an out-of-product state within the fluid delivery medium based on a comparison of the detector output to an out-of-product threshold, starting an out-of-product timer, when the out-of-product state is determined, and determining an out-of-product event when the out-of-product timer reaches a threshold out-of-product time period.

Abstract: A reporting system for collecting, communicating and analyzing information from a plurality of pest monitoring locations is disclosed. The monitored locations include activity sensing pest devices. These devices can include traps and/or passive and active monitoring devices not having a trapping or killing functionality. While traps may constitute the majority of activity sensing pest devices in a given pest control program, devices which only monitor pest activity may be preferred in some locations and applications. The system includes automatic reporting from the plurality of activity sensing pest devices and also includes physical inspection data. Preferably an automatic real-time communication system is used, with the preferred communication system being a radio-frequency (RF) or other over-the-air system. However, hardwired systems, use of a personal digital assistant (PDA) as an interim data carrier, and other technologies may also be employed.

Abstract: A reporting system for collecting, communicating and analyzing information from a plurality of pest monitoring locations is disclosed. The monitored locations include activity sensing pest devices. These devices can include traps and/or passive and active monitoring devices not having a trapping or killing functionality. While traps may constitute the majority of activity sensing pest devices in a given pest control program, devices which only monitor pest activity may be preferred in some locations and applications. The system includes automatic reporting from the plurality of activity sensing pest devices and also includes physical inspection data. Preferably an automatic real-time communication system is used, with the preferred communication system being a radio-frequency (RF) or other over-the-air system. However, hardwired systems, use of a personal digital assistant (PDA) as an interim data carrier, and other technologies may also be employed.

Abstract: A reporting system collects, communicates and analyzes information from a plurality of pest monitoring locations. The monitored locations include activity sensing pest devices. These devices can include traps and/or passive and active monitoring devices not having a trapping or killing functionality. The system includes automatic reporting from the plurality of activity sensing pest devices and also includes physical inspection data. Preferably an automatic real-time communication system is used, with the preferred communication system being a radio-frequency (RF) or other over-the-air system. However, hardwired systems, use of a personal digital assistant (PDA) as an interim data carrier, and other technologies may also be employed. Manual input devices for providing the additional physical inspection data on the activity sensing pest device parameters and a computer based report generator (of the resulting combined data) provide for a robust and efficient pest monitoring and/or trapping tool.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for capacitively sensing one or more pests is disclosed. The detector may be employed as either a passive detector and/or as a part of a combined detector and trap. The sensor system includes at least two sensor electrodes and a capacitance sensing circuit. When a non-capacitive object, such as a pest, approaches the sensor electrodes, the capacitance of the sensor electrodes increases due to the object having a higher dielectric constant than air. A capacitance sensing circuit detects the increased capacitance and provides an output signal that a pest has entered the area being monitored. The capacitance sensing circuit may also be constructed to measure the change in the electrode in order to determine the size and/or type of pest based on a characteristic change.

Abstract: A reporting system for collecting, communicating and analyzing information from a plurality of pest monitoring locations is disclosed. The monitored locations include activity sensing pest devices. These devices can include traps and/or passive and active monitoring devices not having a trapping or killing functionality. While traps may constitute the majority of activity sensing pest devices in a given pest control program, devices which only monitor pest activity may be preferred in some locations and applications. The system includes automatic reporting from the plurality of activity sensing pest devices and also includes physical inspection data. Preferably an automatic real-time communication system is used, with the preferred communication system being a radio-frequency (RF) or other over-the-air system. However, hardwired systems, use of a personal digital assistant (PDA) as an interim data carrier, and other technologies may also be employed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for capacitively sensing one or more pests is disclosed. The detector may be employed as either a passive detector and/or as a part of a combined detector and trap. The sensor system includes at least two sensor electrodes and a capacitance sensing circuit. When a non-capacitive object, such as a pest, approaches the sensor electrodes, the capacitance of the sensor electrodes increases due to the object having a higher dielectric constant than air. A capacitance sensing circuit detects the increased capacitance and provides an output signal that a pest has entered the area being monitored. The capacitance sensing circuit may also be constructed to measure the change in the electrode in order to determine the size and/or type of pest based on a characteristic change.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and to a device for sensing low levels of iodine in an aqueous solution by using an extraction procedure whereby iodine from the aqueous solution is extracted into a substantially water-insoluble organic phase, and testing measuring the concentration of iodine in the organic phase using optical absorption techniques. The measured concentration of iodine can then be equated with concentration of iodine or iodine in the aqueous solution.