Abstract: A showing management system for automatically controlling access to an electronic lockbox utilizing showing appointment data maintained by the showing management system, whereby the showing appointment data is transmitted to the electronic lockbox and/or electronic key device. The electronic lockbox will open only when the actual access time is within the scheduled showing appointment time. The showing management system further programmatically matching a specific electronic lockbox with a specific Listing ID, whereby lockbox access data from an electronic lockbox are matched with showing appointment records maintained in the showing management system to complete the lockbox access records when the Listing ID for a particular showing appointment is missing from the lockbox access record.

Abstract: A device is provided for monitoring through-fault current in an electric transformer on an electrical power system. The device generally includes a magnitude calculator for calculating the magnitude of current (e.g., a root means square value of current or magnitude of a fundamental of current) based on the current through the electric transformer. A through-fault energy calculator is further provided which is coupled to the magnitude calculator for calculating a through-fault energy value based on the magnitude of current or the calculated current through the transformer. An accumulator is coupled to the through-fault energy calculator for accumulating a plurality of through-fault energy values, and an alarm coupled to the accumulator for indicating that the accumulated through-fault energy values exceed a selected threshold.

Abstract: According to the invention a drinking vessel (10) comprises a generally cylindrical container (11) adapted to contain liquid and a generally cylindrical lid (12) adapted to close the container. The lid comprises a generally cylindrical outer member (20), a generally cylindrical inner member (22) located within the outer member so as to define a generally cylindrical aperture (50) between the outer surface of the inner member and the inner surface of the outer member, and a generally cylindrical sealing element (21) located in the aperture. The sealing element normally forms a seal between the outer surface of the inner member and the inner surface of the outer member but is deformable by suction at the end of the aperture remote from the container so as to cause liquid within the container to flow, from the end of the aperture adjacent to the container, out through the aperture under the action of the suction.

Abstract: Methods to detect and correct bit errors in data include the steps of specifying to a compiler a storage area with a variable wherein the variable includes a data value corresponding to its data size and an error checking code, calculating an error checking code value indicative of the corresponding data structure value, storing the variable with the error checking code value, retrieving the variable upon demand, detecting an error on the data value using the error checking code value, and correcting the error upon detection of an error on the data value. Further steps may include storing and retrieving the data structure directly onto the storage area without additional encoding and decoding circuitry, encoding and decoding the data structure without altering the data structure format during storing and retrieving from the storage area, or detecting and correcting double bit errors. Software for the methods is provided on or in a computer readable medium.

Abstract: A power system oscillation detection device is provided for use in an electric power system. A plurality of sample signals are acquired from the electrical power system via a plurality of intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) in communication with the power system. The power system oscillation detection device includes a real-time modal analysis module, a real-time mode identification module, and real-time decision and control logic. The real-time modal analysis module calculates modes of at least one of the signals, each mode including mode information. The real-time mode identification module together with the real-time decision and control logic determines, from the mode information, whether there is an undesirable oscillation in the electric power system and activates a remedial action.

Abstract: A cyclonic separation apparatus comprises a plurality of series-connected separation stages 50,51, each comprising a plurality of cyclone separators 16/23 connected in parallel and disposed in a generally annular arrangement about a main vertical axis of the apparatus, with their respective longitudinal cyclone axes extending parallel to the main axis. The successive separation stages 50,51 in the direction of fluid flow are disposed radially inwardly of each other with respect to the main axis of the apparatus and are also vertically staggered upwardly, so that the outlet 20 of one separation stage 50 leads directly into the inlet 22 of the next downstream stage 51. The multi-stage, series connected cyclone separators of the apparatus provide a high separation efficiency, yet the annular arrangement of the stages 50,51 makes the apparatus compact and enables the apparatus to be utilized in a vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: The system and methods monitor odd harmonics within a power distribution system quantity using a special digital filter. A normal level of odd harmonics for the monitored quantity is established. Over predetermined time periods, the odd harmonics within the power distribution quantity are compared to the normal level, and a determination of whether a high-impedance fault is present in the monitored power distribution system is made.

Abstract: A ground return path is determined to be impaired when no zero-sequence current is measured in the neutral return path, but zero-sequence current is detected in other suitable measuring points that include the windings of an autotransformer, or in a magnetically coupled delta-configured tertiary winding, or potential transformer.

Abstract: An intelligent electronic device broadcasts its own location information over an IRIG-B or similar network, avoiding the need for maintenance personnel to manually record the location of the installed device, and avoiding errors in tracking its location. The intelligent electronic device either is equipped with a GPS module, or receives location information from another device installed at the same site.

Abstract: A transformer to isolate a primary winding from a signal winding include a primary substrate (which may comprise a printed circuit board (PCB)) and a secondary substrate. The primary and secondary substrates may each have three openings to allow first and second E-E core halves to be joined therebetween. A first insulator may be disposed between the primary and secondary substrates to isolate the primary substrate from the secondary substrate. A second insulator may secure the primary and secondary substrates in place and insulate the secondary substrate from the core. The primary and secondary substrates may each include a Faraday shield its outer layers. A shield slit to prevent shorting between the legs of the E-E core may be formed by cutting a channel in the shield between the opening of the primary and secondary substrates. A retaining clip may be used to clamp together the primary substrate, first and second core E-E core halves, secondary substrate and second insulator.

Abstract: A wireless communications system for viewing and modifying memory locations within a power system device is provided including a wireless device and a power system device. The wireless device includes an input mechanism adapted to accept input from a user indicating a memory location the user wishes to view; a first radio frequency transmitter for transmitting a first signal including the memory location within the power system device the user wishes to view; and a first radio frequency receiver for receiving a second signal. The power system device includes at least one randomly accessible memory location and a processor coupled to at least one randomly accessible memory location; a second radio frequency receiver coupled to the processor and a second radio frequency transmitter coupled to the processor for receiving the first signal.

Abstract: A system implementable using a programmable processor includes a plurality of pre-stored commands for building an inventory of audio, musical, works or audio/visual works, such as music videos. A plurality of works can be collected together in a list for purposes of establishing a play or a presentation sequence. The list can be visually displayed and edited. A plurality of lists can be stored for subsequent retrieval. A selected list can be retrieved and executed. Upon execution, the works of the list are presented sequentially either audibly or visually. The works can be read locally from a source, such as a CD, or can be obtained, via wireless transmission, from a remote inventory. If desired, establishment of a predetermined credit can be a pre-condition to being able to add items to the list for presentation.

Abstract: A testing system includes a hand-held transmitter that plugs into a receptacle electrically coupled to a selected branch circuit. The transmitter includes a circuit effective to test an arc fault circuit interrupter electrically coupled to the branch circuit by creating a first pulse on the branch circuit that is effective to trip the arc fault circuit interrupter. The transmitter can perform at least one additional test including: determining whether the receptacle is wired properly; determining a location of a circuit interrupting device electrically coupled to the branch circuit by creating a second pulse on the branch circuit that can be sensed by a receiver located proximately to the respective circuit interrupting device and broadly tuned about a frequency of the second pulse; and testing a ground fault circuit interrupter electrically coupled to the branch circuit by creating a third pulse on the branch circuit that is effective to trip the ground fault circuit interrupter.

Abstract: A system is provided for adjusting settings of a power system device. In one embodiment, the setting adjusted is an identification setting of the power system device. The system generally includes an actuator having a select arrangement of magnets. A magnetic field sensor is provided for sensing the select arrangement of magnets. A microprocessor is coupled to the magnetic field sensor such that upon sensing the select arrangement of magnets by the magnetic field sensor, the microprocessor establishes an identification setting based upon the select arrangement. The various embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus and system for adjusting settings of power system devices in harsh conditions, such as persistent in water.

Abstract: A nonvolatile memory system is described with novel architecture coupling nonvolatile storage memory with random access volatile memory. New commands are included to enhance the read and write performance of the memory system.

Abstract: Provided is a system, apparatus, and method for evaluating a variety of protocols on a computer network which includes a plurality of network devices. The network devices are adapted to communicate messages on the computer network using their respective protocols. The present invention system, apparatus and method are associated with one of the network devices. The present invention system, apparatus and method are further adapted to identify the various protocols on the network and analyze each message on the network to determine the protocol associated with the message. In another aspect of the present invention, the system and apparatus are adapted to determine whether to communicate a message to the associated network device based on this identification and analysis the message. The present invention embodiments allow for mixed mode communication on a single network.

Abstract: A diesel engine intake cam profile creates two intake valve events separated by a short dwell period each engine cycle. A relatively low valve lift during an engine exhaust event allows a portion of the exhaust gas to flow into an intake manifold and mix with intake air. The intake valve is then nearly closed for a dwell period until a normal intake valve opening occurs, drawing the mixture of air and exhaust gas back into the combustion chamber for compression and burning, upon closure of the intake valves.