Abstract: Disclosed is a smart home system for controlling peripheral devices. The smart home system allows a single computing device to control a plurality of peripheral devices. The system can include a crystal oscillator. The computing device connects to a universal device. The universal device connects to one or more system modules. The universal device and system modules communicate using a protocol stored, at least in part, on both the universal device and system modules. The use of the protocol and the system module to peripheral device interface allows for a universality of peripheral devices. That is, the smart home system allows for the extension of smart control to non-traditional smart devices.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for power line control of devices. The system operates in two modes. In mode one, the system operates on an open loop architecture with a controller generating a sinusoidal wave using a crystal oscillator. Control information is added to the sinusoidal wave by alternating the output of two phase shifted waves which have the same frequency and amplitude to form a control signal. The resulting control signal is sent on a power line. The control signal is received using a crystal filter, decoded and converted to executable instructions for the devices and data parameters for sensors. In mode two, the system operates on a hybrid open loop/closed loop architecture where devices are jointly controlled by the controller and the sensors.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sensor and method for detecting one or more gasses in a sample. The sensor includes two sample tube sections, which allow for a larger sample, and correspondingly, more accurate measurement. Having two sample tube sections increases the total length of the sample path. However, placing the sample tube sections in parallel allows for the performance of the sensor to be enhanced, but the footprint of the sensor to remain unchanged. Light pipe material may be used to transport the light between sample tube sections. Further, light pipe material may be used to move the IR lamp away from the first filter tube section, reducing problems in the thermopile by dissipating heat from the IR lamp away from the sample tube section.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for more secure card transactions. The security is generated by the use of a dynamic transaction number which is valid for only a single predetermined time interval. The transaction number is generated through a two step process. In a first step, time is used as an input to a transaction number function. The transaction number function outputs more than 16 digits. The second step uses the more than 16 digits for input and uses a ruleset to strip at least one digit to determine the transaction number valid for the predetermined time interval.

Abstract: Disclosed is an air filter and a method of manufacture for an air filter which is much more cost effective and provides greater operational effectiveness than state-of-the-art air filters. The air filter includes an outer metallic shell which may be used to attach the filter in line to ducting of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. The filter may further include a filter unit made of activated carbon material. The filter unit may have one or more sections and may have a honeycomb cross section.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for power line control of electrical fans. The system generates a sinusoidal wave using a crystal oscillator. Control information is added to the sinusoidal wave by routing the wave through a phase inversion circuit a predetermined intervals according to a protocol. The resulting control signal is sent on a power line. The control signal is received using a crystal filter, decoded and converted to executable instructions for controlling a fan motor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods using power line communication to control light fixtures. The system operates in two phases. In the first phase, a control device generates commands which are encoded on a control signal. The control signal is generated by encoding data using two sinusoidal waves, the second sinusoidal wave being a phase-shifted copy of the first sinusoidal wave. The resulting control signal is sent on a power line. The control signal is received by light fixtures and/or sensors through an ultra-narrow band filter, decoded and converted to executable instructions for the light fixtures and data parameters for sensors. In the second phase, the light fixtures are jointly controlled by the control device and the sensors. The control in phase two is hybrid open loop/closed loop control.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for verifying the authenticity of goods for sale. The system includes an authenticity device on the product which determines a code using a two step authenticity algorithm which inputs time as a variable and outputs the code. The code may be displayed on the authenticity device. The smart device contacts the manufacturer via an application and a wide area network and provides identification information regarding the product. Based on the identification information, the manufacturer finds the copy of the authenticity algorithm stored at the manufacturer, runs the algorithm, and returns the code to the smart device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for power line control of devices. The system operates in two modes. In mode one, the system operates on an open loop architecture with a controller generating a sinusoidal wave using a crystal oscillator. Control information is added to the sinusoidal wave by alternating the output of two phase shifted waves which have the same frequency and amplitude to form a control signal. The resulting control signal is sent on a power line. The control signal is received using a crystal filter, decoded and converted to executable instructions for the devices and data parameters for sensors. In mode two, the system operates on a hybrid open loop/closed loop architecture where devices are jointly controlled by the controller and the sensors.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sensor for detecting the proximity of smart devices previously connected to the sensor using the IEEE 802.11 protocols. Importantly, the sensor does not operate using a Bluetooth® connection, which would require the smart devices previously connected to the sensor using the IEEE 802.11 protocols to also have Bluetooth® protocols enabled. Enabling such Bluetooth® protocols uses more battery than having the IEEE 802.11 protocol adapter enabled. The sensor references a list of previously connected smart devices and attempts to connect with any in range, if none can be connected to, the sensor emits an audible alarm signal. Further, no application is required for the sensor to operate.

Abstract: Disclosed is an air filter and a method of manufacture for an air filter which is much more cost effective and provides greater operational effectiveness than state-of-the-art air filters. The air filter includes an outer metallic shell which may be used to attach the filter in line to ducting of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. The filter may further include a filter unit made of activated carbon material. The filter unit may have one or more sections and may have a honeycomb cross section.

Abstract: A computing device, such as a smartphone, can replace the hardware of various instruments to overcome the cost issue in designing universal smart instruments. Distinguished from traditional instruments, a universal smart instrument takes the maximum advantage of the latest smart phone or mobile computing devices. The instrument control panel is realized on the smartphone by applying the interactive graphical representation of control and indicator elements common in real instruments such as knobs, buttons, dials, graphs and the like. Universal smart instruments unify heterogeneous measurement probes on the market into a single device that can be readily modified or expanded when new technologies need to be added to the existing system or current measurement requirement change. Universal smart instruments also make use of the internet to publish and share data, which was unable to be achieved in conventional propriety instruments.