Abstract: A method for implementing a micro grid within a Smart Distribution Power Grid (SDPG) has steps for connecting a smart meter enabled to sense voltage, to sense current and current direction and to communicate wirelessly to individual ones of consumer sites within an area of the micro grid, determining a set of Smart Distribution Nodes of a number, placement and data packet transfer technology to transfer data from the smart meters to a Micro Grid Controlling Station (MCS), the set determined in a manner to provide cost optimization, where cost is determined form at least original node costs, data packet hops, operating costs and maintenance costs, and implementing the set of SDNs along a power grid topology (PGT) of the micro grid, such that data is transmitted from each smart meter to a proximate SDN and through other SDNs to the MCS.

Abstract: A hierarchical early-warning system for landslide probability issues a first level warning based on measured rainfall amounts exceeding a determined threshold, a second level warning, after the first level warning, based additionally on measured soil moisture content measured at different levels, and Factor of safety derived from forecasted pore pressure (FPP) each exceeding a determined threshold, a third level warning, after the first and the second level warnings, based additionally on ground movement measurements compared to a determined threshold, and a fourth level warning after the first, second and third level warnings, based additionally on data from movement-based sensors including strain gauge data.

Abstract: A hierarchical early-warning system for landslide probability issues a first level warning based on measured rainfall amounts exceeding a determined threshold, a second level warning, after the first level warning, based additionally on measured soil moisture content measured at different levels, and Factor of safety derived from forecasted pore pressure (FPP) each exceeding a determined threshold, a third level warning, after the first and the second level warnings, based additionally on ground movement measurements compared to a determined threshold, and a fourth level warning after the first, second and third level warnings, based additionally on data from movement-based sensors including strain gauge data.

Abstract: A method for configuring a distribution grid with smart communication devices has steps of assuming specific communication technologies to be considered for intermediate intelligent communication devices in the distribution grid, assuming number and location of smart distribution nodes (SDNs) in the distribution grid, executing a cost optimal calculation model determining exact quantity and specific technology of intelligent communication devices at intermediate nodes, nt=n1; n2:::nj with minimal cost subject to Quality of Service (QoS) parameters of each technology and QoS requirement of a data packet generated by a Smart Consumer Node (SCN) at a smart building in the distribution grid, and placing and powering the determined number and specific communication technology of intelligent communication devices at the SDNs of the distribution grid.

Abstract: A system for optimal power utilization and supply strategy in a microgrid has a smart meter connected to a micro grid, at least one micro electricity manager connected to the smart meter, at least one wireless switch board connected to the micro electricity manager, and at least one intelligent device connected to said micro electricity manager. The system for optimal power utilization and supply strategy is configured as a cyber-physical system capable of dynamic energy management to minimize mismatch between electricity demand and generation.

Abstract: A harvesting system has a climbing unit with a body driven by traction wheels, a control unit, an articulated arm with a cutting implement at an extremity, a video camera focused on the cutting implement, and a computerized portable control station having a display and a user interface with inputs operable to control driving the traction wheels of the climbing unit, the articulation of the articulated arm, and the cutting implement. Video streamed in real time from the video camera is displayed on the display screen, and a user viewing the video display operates the inputs to position the cutting implement to cut a stem of a fruit or nut in the tree.

Abstract: A method for maximizing signal strength between a land-based or moving first station and a second, moving station on a sea-going vessel is provided, comprising mounting an antenna on a structure on the moving station, the structure rotatable about a vertical axis by a mechanism powered by an electric motor, initiating a data connection between the first and the second stations by a processor in communication circuitry at the second station, reading a received signal-strength by the processor, and operating the electric motor by the processor, rotating the rotatable structure, maximizing the signal strength.

Abstract: A smart distribution power grid (SDPG) system has at least one micro-grid, each comprising a set of intelligent entities and a set of external Smart Distribution Nodes, and a communication system enabling communication within the set of intelligent entities, forming an overlay communication network on the microgrid. The communication system is deployed on the micro-grid in a manner minimizing installation cost, communication cost and overall maintenance cost of the SDPG.

Abstract: A health-monitoring system has IoT-vitals sensing nodes joined to a patient's body, sensing vital characteristics, employing wireless transmission circuitry transmitting sensed data by a short-range network, and a local gateway having wireless circuitry receiving transmitted data from the IoT-vitals sensors, software (SW) executing on a processor from a non-transitory medium, the SW processing the transmitted data received, and transmission circuitry transmitting processed data over a long-range network.

Abstract: A system for optimal power utilization and supply strategy in a microgrid has a smart meter connected to a micro grid, at least one micro electricity manager connected to the smart meter, at least one wireless switch board connected to the micro electricity manager, and at least one intelligent device connected to said micro electricity manager. The system for optimal power utilization and supply strategy is configured as a cyber-physical system capable of dynamic energy management to minimize mismatch between electricity demand and generation.

Abstract: An e-learning system has a classroom having a seating arrangement for students, a plurality of depth-sensing cameras, a session controller coupled to the depth-sensing cameras, executing software from a non-transitory medium, a presenter station, and a plurality of augmented-reality headsets, one each associated with each of the seats in the fixed-seating arrangement, and one associated with the presenter station. The software operates in one of an instruction mode, an interaction mode, and a discussion mode. The viewpoints and audio feeds to all of the headsets are controlled such that the students directly interacting see and hear one another directly, and the remainder of the headsets see and hear one or the other of the directly-engaged students according to which student is speaking.

Abstract: An apparatus reducing power theft on a micro power grid includes a server connected to the micro power grid, the server including a processor, data repository and software executing on the processor from a non-transitory medium the software enabling collection over time of bi-directional current data from smart distribution nodes connected to identified segments of the micro power grid and from smart meters distributed to one or more client demarcation points on the identified segments, processing of the bi-directional current data to determine power theft event frequency and power theft current information, assigning of a class to the individual ones of identified segments according to results of processing, and resetting of the number of packet transmission hop counts between the smart distribution nodes on identified segments and resetting the time period interval between subsequent power theft check routines for each identified segment based upon the classification data.

Abstract: A harvesting system has a climbing unit with a body driven by traction wheels, a control unit, an articulated arm with a cutting implement at an extremity, a video camera focused on the cutting implement, and a computerized portable control station having a display and a user interface with inputs operable to control driving the traction wheels of the climbing unit, the articulation of the articulated arm, and the cutting implement. Video streamed in real time from the video camera is displayed on the display screen, and a user viewing the video display operates the inputs to position the cutting implement to cut a stem of a fruit or nut in the tree.

Abstract: A health-monitoring system has IoT-vitals sensing nodes joined to a patient's body, sensing vital characteristics, employing wireless transmission circuitry transmitting sensed data by a short-range network, and a local gateway having wireless circuitry receiving transmitted data from the IoT-vitals sensors, software (SW) executing on a processor from a non-transitory medium, the SW processing the transmitted data received, and transmission circuitry transmitting processed data over a long-range network.

Abstract: A method for maximizing signal strength between a land-based or moving first station and a second, moving station on a sea-going vessel is provided, comprising mounting an antenna on a structure on the moving station, the structure rotatable about a vertical axis by a mechanism powered by an electric motor, initiating a data connection between the first and the second stations by a processor in communication circuitry at the second station, reading a received signal-strength by the processor, and operating the electric motor by the processor, rotating the rotatable structure, maximizing the signal strength.

Abstract: A system for protecting data managed in a cloud-computing network from malicious data operations includes an Internet-connected server and software executing on the server from a non-transitory physical medium, the software providing a first function for generating one or more security tokens that validate one or more computing operations to be performed on the data, a second function for generating a hash for each token generated, the hash detailing, in a secure fashion, the operation type or types permitted by the one or more tokens, a third function for brokering two-party signature of the one or more tokens, and a fourth function for dynamically activating the one or more signed tokens for a specific time window required to perform the operations permitted by the token.

Abstract: A marine communication system has an on-shore base station providing a long-range network, an Internet router connecting the base station to an Internet network, a plurality of first fishing boats in a cluster, each having an onboard Access Router, and at least one second boat in the cluster equipped with Adaptive Backhaul Equipment, including a directional antenna and a backhaul transceiver capable of accessing the network provided by the base station. The access routers provide communication with communication devices used by fishermen aboard the boats, and at least one Access Router communicates with the equipment aboard the at least one second boat in the cluster, thereby providing Internet connectivity and email, voice, text and video communication through the base station and the Internet network, to the fishermen aboard the boats in the cluster.

Abstract: An e-learning system has a classroom having a seating arrangement for students, a plurality of depth-sensing cameras, a session controller coupled to the depth-sensing cameras, executing software from a non-transitory medium, a presenter station, and a plurality of augmented-reality headsets, one each associated with each of the seats in the fixed-seating arrangement, and one associated with the presenter station. The software operates in one of an instruction mode, an interaction mode, and a discussion mode. The viewpoints and audio feeds to all of the headsets are controlled such that the students directly interacting see and hear one another directly, and the remainder of the headsets see and hear one or the other of the directly-engaged students according to which student is speaking.

Abstract: An e-learning system has a local classroom comprising a local student station and an instructor station, such that local students at the local student station and an instructor at the instructor station face each other directly along a first viewing line, a plurality of remote classrooms each having a student station, video cameras in each of the remote classrooms positioned and oriented to capture video images of subjects, video displays in the local classroom arranged along a line orthogonal to the first viewing line and all facing the local student station, in sets of at least two displays, arranged vertically one above another, each first set of at least two displays dedicated to one of the remote classrooms, a second plurality of video displays like the first, but facing the instructor, connection apparatus between classrooms, a server coordinating video feeds with displays.

Abstract: An e-learning system has a local classroom with an instructor station and a microphone and a local student station with a microphone, a plurality of remote classrooms with an instructor display and a student station with a microphone, and planar displays and video cameras in each of the classrooms, the remote and local classrooms connected over a network, with a server monitoring feeds and enforcing exclusive states, with sets of video displays, each set dedicated to a remote classroom, arrayed along a line orthogonal to a line between the instructor station and the local student station, with one display in each set facing toward the instructor station, and one display in each set facing toward the local student station.