Abstract: A faulty meter socket detection system configured to detect faulty sockets as evidenced by series arcs in an input current waveform or an increased temperature of the meter is disclosed. The system includes a metering circuit configured to receive an input current waveform, and a controller including a power monitoring module. The meter may also include a temperature sensor. The power monitoring module is configured detect series arc currents input current waveform data by filtering the input current waveform data to produce filtered data, performing feature recognition on the filtered data, classifying the features of the filtered data, performing temporal processing on the filtered data, (optionally) scaling the temporal processing of the filtered data, and, scoring the input current waveform based on the temporal processing of the filtered data. The temperature sensor may detect an increased temperature of the meter, which may indicate a faulty socket.

Abstract: One embodiment describes a utility metering system. The utility metering system includes a utility meter that is communicatively coupled to a utility service provider, in which the utility meter includes firmware. The utility meter stores a firmware update downloaded from the utility service provider, and determines a particular time to update the firmware with the firmware update, in which the particular time is determined based at least in part on historical time of use data, time of use pricing rates, or a combination thereof. The historical time of use data include utility consumption by a consumer over time and the time of use pricing rates include the price per unit of utility charged to the consumer. Additionally, the utility meter updates the firmware at the particular time.

Abstract: One embodiment describes a utility metering system that includes metering infrastructure that facilitates data communication within the utility metering system in accordance with an expected metering platform, and a utility meter communicatively coupled to the metering infrastructure. The utility meter operates in a native mode when a native metering platform is compatible with the expected metering platform, in which the utility meter operates in a first manner in accordance with the native metering platform. The utility meter operates in an emulation mode when the native metering platform is not compatible with the expected metering platform and an emulation metering platform is compatible with the expected metering platform, in which the utility meter operates in a second manner in accordance with the emulation metering.

Abstract: One embodiment describes a utility metering system. The utility metering system includes a utility meter that is communicatively coupled to a utility service provider, in which the utility meter includes firmware. The utility meter stores a firmware update downloaded from the utility service provider, determines a particular time to update the firmware with the firmware update, in which the particular time is determined based at least in part on historical time of use data, time of use pricing rates, or a combination thereof. The historical time of use data includes utility consumption by a consumer over time and the time of use pricing rates includes the price per unit of utility charged to the consumer. Additionally, the utility meter updates the firmware at the particular time.

Abstract: One embodiment describes a utility metering system that includes metering infrastructure that facilitates data communication within the utility metering system in accordance with an expected metering platform, and a utility meter communicatively coupled to the metering infrastructure. The utility meter operates in a native mode when a native metering platform is compatible with the expected metering platform, in which the utility meter operates in a first manner in accordance with the native metering platform. The utility meter operates in an emulation mode when the native metering platform is not compatible with the expected metering platform and an emulation metering platform is compatible with the expected metering platform, in which the utility meter operates in a second manner in accordance with the emulation metering.

Abstract: A system is provided with a utility meter. The utility meter includes a memory storing a table, wherein the table specifies modifiable data that may be modified when the utility meter is sealed and non-modifiable data that may not be modified when the utility meter is sealed. The utility meter also includes a processing device configured to access the table stored on the memory or another memory to determine whether specific data stored on the memory or another memory may be modified when the utility meter is sealed.

Abstract: A system includes a utility meter. The utility meter includes a sensor configured to detect a utility usage, a processor configured to determine an ambient temperature of the utility meter, and a memory configured to store a data collection system. The data collection system is configured to be utilized by the processor to store the utility usage at least partially according to the ambient temperature of the utility meter.

Abstract: An auxiliary hydraulic system for vehicles, in particular pick-up trucks, is configured to supply hydraulic fluid under pressure to both on-board and off-board auxiliary equipment such as snow plows, dump boxes and wood splitters. The auxiliary hydraulic system includes a multi-piston fluid pump with electrically selectable poppet valves and an associated microprocessor control that facilitates variable output so that a desired proportional flow can be supplied to the auxiliary equipment. The system also provides a switchable valve arrangement for directional control and an arrangement of fluid distribution pipes and detachable couplings so that a range of different auxiliary equipment can be quickly and simply connected to the system. A simple user interface is also included so that the operator can command the auxiliary equipment from either within or in close proximity to the vehicle.

Abstract: Load-side voltage detection via electric metering processing is disclosed. In one aspect, load-side voltage is provided as an input to a metering processing unit. The metering processing unit determines a voltage level of the load-side voltage. An application processing unit uses the voltage level to control operation of a service disconnect relay.

Abstract: An auxiliary hydraulic system for vehicles, in particular pick-up trucks, is configured to supply hydraulic fluid under pressure to both on-board and off-board auxiliary equipment such as snow plows, dump boxes and wood splitters. The auxiliary hydraulic system includes a multi-piston fluid pump with electrically selectable poppet valves and an associated microprocessor control that facilitates variable output so that a desired proportional flow can be supplied to the auxiliary equipment. The system also provides a switchable valve arrangement for directional control and an arrangement of fluid distribution pipes and detachable couplings so that a range of different auxiliary equipment can be quickly and simply connected to the system. A simple user interface is also included so that the operator can command the auxiliary equipment from either within or in close proximity to the vehicle.

Abstract: A book, for use in creating a mosaic, is provided. The book can comprise a plurality of pages depicting individual and distinct artistic images that, when arranged in abutting relationship, combine to form a large unitary mosaic image.

Abstract: An improved pharmaceutical formulation that is effective in adversely affecting the viability of microorganisms or in inhibiting their growth and that provides better safety and/or comfort to the users. The pharmaceutical formulation comprises at least a polyanionic material and at least a zinc-based compound.

Abstract: A method for locating a ground fault in an electrical power distribution system includes providing a plurality of current sensors at a plurality of locations in the electrical power distribution system. The method further includes detecting a ground fault in the electrical power distribution system. Current is monitored at a plurality of locations in the electrical power distribution system via the current sensors and a test signal is introduced into the electrical power distribution system via a test signal generating device. The plurality of locations are monitored to locate the ground fault between a location at which the test signal is detected and a downstream location at which the test signal is not detected.

Abstract: A method that allows a space vehicle to determine navigation information represented by the contents of a state vector. The method includes the steps of intermittently receiving navigation signals, initializing the state vector with an estimate of the navigation information, and generating a predicted state vector that represents the predicted values for the navigation information after a predetermined time increment in the future. The method further determines whether a navigation signal has been received within a predetermined window of time from a navigation beacon. If a navigation signal has been received, the method updates the state vector and the contents of the state vector are propagated forward in time to provide an estimate of the navigation information after a predetermined time increment. In some instances, however, a navigation signal is not received within the predetermined window of time.

Abstract: A printer of the dot matrix type for printing, single, double and triple sized characters. Normal sized characters are printed in the conventional fashion. Double and triple sized characters are printed through a segmented technique in which segments of the double and triple sized characters are stored within readable memories (ROMS). For double sized characters which occupy two adjacent character lines, the segmented patterns for the upper portions of the characters are printed along the first normal sized character line. The lower half of the double sized characters is printed on the next adjacent character line by selection of the appropriate segmented patterns. Triple sized characters are printed in a similar manner, utilizing three lines of conventional sized characters. The same technique may be employed to create other graphic patterns of 1 to N lines, where N is a real integer equal to or greater than 2. The technique permits the utilization of either unidirectional or bidirectional printers.