Abstract: An electronic device providing number input is an input combination of a number input system. The number input system comprises three horizontal elements and four vertical elements arranged in the shape of the number “8.” The electronic device provides a mechanism for a user to input numbers by pressing combinations of the elements.

Abstract: A complex switch control system including many switches, a switching voltage control circuit and a comparator is provided. The switching voltage control circuit converts an operating voltage into a switching voltage according to the states of the switches. The comparator compares the switching voltage with a reference voltage and outputs a switch state signal to a keyboard controller. A duty cycle of the switch state signal corresponds to the states of the switches.

Abstract: A data logging device (1) that includes more than one communication devices (7), a stored instruction list (6), input ports (3), output ports (8), data buffers (4) and a processing unit (5); wherein: the data logging device (1) collects, processes and forwards data and/or predetermined signals to one or more external locations (10); the data/predetermined signal is independently transmitted to said one or more external locations (10) using one or more communication devices (7) and/or frequencies; such that, if a chosen communication device is not available, or cannot reliably transmit the data/predetermined signal to said one or more external locations (10), then the processing unit (5) consults the instruction list (6) and selects the next predetermined communication device (7), until transmission is successful or the instruction list (6) dictates another action.

Abstract: The invention relates to medicine and can be used for persons with paralysis of upper and lower limbs. The inventive device comprises a signal processing and transmitting module (1), a coordinate unit (2), functional contacts (3), control contacts (4) and an elastic base plate (5) which is symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal axis and is provided with an unbendable projection (6) on the front part thereof. The plate consists of a central circle (7), peripheral circles (8) which are radially spaced away from the central circle, connecting straps (9) mating with the central circle (7) by one end thereof, whilst the other end is coupled with the respective peripheral circle (8). The unbendable projection is made in a shape of an equilateral trapezoid adjacent to the central circle by the larger base thereof and is upwardly bent at about 20 to 60° angle with respect to the plate plane. The signal processing and transmitting module is arranged on the top surface of the central circle of the plate.

Abstract: A universal remote control device (100) is provided which is able to operate different electronic devices such as television sets, recorders, set top boxes, and audio systems. The universal remote control device (100) is provided with a database (10) in which control data collected from a plurality of individual physical remote control units (2) is stored in a structured manner. To enable the memory storing the database (10) to be kept small, repetitious and/or redundant control data is omitted. In addition, the database structure uses a hierarchical structure and inheritance. The control data of a physical remote in memory may be stored, therefore, in part in a child physical remote and also in one or more parent or grandparent virtual remotes. Such a structure enables control information which is common to a number of remotes to be stored in just a single occurrence.

Abstract: A floor mat suitable for a vehicle is shown in FIG. 1 includes a circuit for operating remotely controllable devices both inside a vehicle or outside a vehicle. In another embodiment of the invention, a floor mat receives email from a wireless email device such as a BLACKBERRY, performs a text-to-voice recognition process on the contents of the email, and outputs a voice signal to a speaker such that the email is read to the user. This allows a user to review email messages without taking his or her eyes away from the road.

Abstract: Keyboards, keypads and other data entry devices can suffer from a keying ambiguity problem. In a small keyboard, for example, a user's finger is likely to overlap from a desired key to onto adjacent ones. An iterative method of removing keying ambiguity from a keyboard comprising an array of capacitive keys involves measuring a signal strength associated with each key in the array, comparing the measured signal strengths to find a maximum, determining that the key having the maximum signal strength is the unique user-selected key, and maintaining that selection until either the initially selected key's signal strength drops below some threshold level or a second key's signal strength exceeds the first key's signal strength.

Abstract: A handheld electronic device includes a reduced QWERTY keyboard and is enabled with disambiguation software that is operable to disambiguate compound word text input. The device provides output in the form of a default output and a number of variants. The output is based largely upon the frequency, i.e., the likelihood that a user intended a particular output, but various features of the device provide additional variants that are not based solely on frequency and rather are provided by various logic structures resident on the device.

Abstract: In a method and system of remote metering the consumption of utilities like electricity, water or gas, each of a plurality of remote meters (RM) measures a consumption and reports the measured-consumption to a concentrator (C). The concentrator (C) communicates with a plurality of remote meters (RM) in order to collect consumption data and perform tasks related to the administration of its associated remote meters (RM). Each remote meter (RM) has a host controller (MCM) and a program memory storing programs for execution by the host controller (MCM). In order to update some or all of the application programs running on the host controller (MCM) of the remote meters (RM), the concentrator (C) transmits program data to the remote meters (RM), and the remote meters (RM) receive the program data and update at least a portion of the program stored in the program memory in accordance with the received program data.

Abstract: Aspects of this invention include a downhole assembly having a non-contact, capacitive coupling including first and second transceivers deployed in corresponding first and second downhole tool members. The capacitive coupling is disposed to transfer electrical signals between the first and second transceivers. In one exemplary embodiment, the capacitive coupling is configured to transfer data and power between a substantially non-rotating tool member and a rotating tool member, for example, the shaft and blade housing in a steering tool. Exemplary embodiments of this invention provide a non-contact, high-speed data communication channel between first and second members of a downhole assembly. Moreover, exemplary embodiments of the invention also provide for simultaneous non-contact transmission of electrical power between the first and second tool members.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for attachment to a resource consumption meter emitting and detecting a signal having a first frequency relative to the rate of metered resource consumption. The apparatus comprises at least one signal detection means adapted to detect said signal from said resource consumption meter; and, a circuit operatively connected to the signal detection means and adapted for interpreting the signal for a human. A method for multi-mode operation of the apparatus is disclosed so that it is possible for the apparatus to automatically detect the type of resource consumption meter it is attached to and operate accordingly.

Abstract: A load control system is operable to control the amount of power delivered to a plurality of electrical loads from an AC power source. The load control system includes a plurality of keypads, which each may include a different button assembly having a different button configuration or multiple button configurations. Each keypad is operable to determine the button configuration of the button assembly installed on the keypad in response to simultaneous actuations of the top button and the bottom button of the button assembly for a predetermined amount of time. Each keypad is further operable to store in a memory of the keypad data representing the button configuration. Therefore, after the keypad is installed in the field and the button assembly is replaced, the keypad can be easily configured to operate with the new button assembly.

Abstract: The present technology relates to protocols relative to utility meters associated with an open operational framework. More particularly, the present subject matter relates to protocol subject matter for advanced metering infrastructure, adaptable to various international standards, while economically supporting a 2-way mesh network solution in a wireless environment, such as for operating in a residential electricity meter field. The present subject matter supports meters within an ANSI standard C12.22/C12.19 system while economically supporting a 2-way mesh network solution in a wireless environment, such as for operating in a residential electricity meter field, all to permit cell-based adaptive insertion of C12.22 meters within an open framework. Cell isolation is provided through quasi-orthogonal sequences in a frequency hopping network. Additional features relate to apparatus (both network and device related) and methodology subject matters relating to uplink routing without requiring a routing table.

Abstract: A system is provided that includes a utility meter of a utility company that measures consumption of a utility within a space occupied by a user, a wireless fault detector associated with the utility located within the space and a wireless transmitter of the utility meter that receives a fault message from the fault detector, confirms consumption of the utility within the space and transmits a fault message that identifies the space to the utility company.

Abstract: A controlling device, such as a universal remote control, that uses visual and/or audio cues, such as sounds, color, patterns, shapes, etc., to indicate a relationship between a function key and an intended target appliance for a command transmitted in response to activation of the function key.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methodology subject matters for providing improved functionality of a meter in a 2-way communications arrangement, such as an Advanced Metering System (AMS) or Infrastructure (AMI). More particularly, the present technology relates to methodologies and apparatus for providing load side voltage sensing for utility meters which preferably are operable with remote disconnect features in an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) open operational framework. The present subject matter provides enhanced capabilities resulting in improved functionality, increased safety, and greater economy vis-à-vis fraud detection for individual metrology components in an open operational framework. Meters per the present subject matter utilize a detection circuit, which is situated generally downstream of a remote disconnect functionality. Such detection circuit is able to sense whether voltage exists or doesn't exist at such relatively downstream, or load side location.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rotary transmitter for example for use in machine tools with adjusting tools. The rotary transmitter comprises a stator part (18) and a rotor part (26), each having a respective stator core part (72) and a rotor core part (74), which are separated from one another at mutually facing ends via an air gap, and each having at least one respective power winding (76, 78), which is wound on the stator core part and the rotor core part, in order to transmit power using the transformer principle, and having respective stator and rotor coupling turns (80?, 80?, 82?, 82?), which are associated with one another in pairs, for inductive data transmission. One aim of the invention is to transmit data without interference. A further aim is a low maintenance requirement.

Abstract: A technique usable with a well includes disposing a retractable line in a conduit having an open end located above a region of interest in the well. The retractable line comprises a sensing portion that, when the line is deployed, extends from the open end of the conduit and into the region of interest. Information observed by the sensing portion in the region of interest is communicated to the surface. When further well operations are to be performed in the region of interest, the retractable line is retracted until the sensing portion is located above the region of interest and below the surface. After the well operation is completed, the retractable line may be re-deployed such that the sensing portion again extends through the open end of the conduit and into the region of interest to continue observing characteristics associated with the well.

Abstract: Communication nodes for use with a wireless ad-hoc communication network are disclosed. In an embodiment of the present invention, the communication node comprises a transducer, which generates a signal in response to an external signal. The ad-hoc network communication is supported in part by static communication nodes, which defined an organized infrastructure network in order to achieve the various functions of the transducers. In another embodiment, the communication node for use with a wireless ad-hoc network does not include a transducer. Such communication nodes are preferred for use with a less structured network with virtually no infrastructure and allow for being used with expanding and contracting networks. Mobile communication nodes mostly support the propagation of signals. However, pseudo-static or static communication nodes are also used in wireless communication ad-hoc networks.

Abstract: An embodiment of a wireless telemetry system for providing signal communication across a wired-communication gap in a bottom-hole assembly (“BHA”), the BHA having an upper portion and a lower portion separated by the wired-communication gap, includes an upper transceiver positioned in the upper portion and in signal communication with a surface telemetry system and a lower transceiver positioned in the lower portion and in signal communication with a drilling tool, the upper and the lower transceivers in signal communication with one another via wireless induction telemetry. Each transceiver may include an antenna that is positioned within the bore of a drill collar adjacent to a thinned wall section in the drill collar. The thinned wall section may include one or more of increasing an inside diameter relative to a base inside diameter of the bore and decreasing an outside diameter relative to a base outside diameter of the drill collar.