Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus and method for interaction between content and an olfactory recognition device. In the method for interaction between an olfactory recognition device and a content device, the method allows the olfactory recognition device to interact with the content device. If a connection to the content device has been made to enable data communication with the content device, an open signal is transmitted to the content device. As a response to the open signal, an approval signal is received from the content device. A device information datasheet that is information about the olfactory recognition device is transmitted to the content device in response to the approval signal. An acknowledgement signal is received from the content device.

Abstract: Control devices and methods for a road toll system that is based on on-board units carried by vehicles, using at least one recording vehicle and at least one control vehicle, which communicate with a central violation server, wherein the recording vehicle reads out a toll parameter from the on-board unit of a passing vehicle via a DSRC radio interface, compares it to a shape parameter of the vehicle detected by a sensor, and based thereon, in case of inconsistency, generates a violation data record and transmits it to the violation server, wherein the control vehicle registers the position or surroundings thereof in the violation server, and the violation server makes available to this control vehicle those violation data records, the locations of the violations of which are within the surroundings of a position of a control vehicle, and wherein the control vehicle issues an alert message when it detects a violating vehicle in the surroundings thereof.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing key storage and retrieval services to be performed by a service provider. The service provider provides a template to a client and instructs the client to use the template to capture, for each vehicle of a plurality of vehicles, both a vehicle identifier and a key of the vehicle in an image. The service provider stores the image in a computing system, extracts the vehicle identifier from the stored image, and associates the vehicle identifier with a location identifier corresponding to a location where the key is stored. When the service provider receives from the client a request for retrieving a key for a specific vehicle, the service provider searches a vehicle identifier of the specific vehicle in the computing system, retrieves the requested key from the location associated with the vehicle identifier, and sends the requested key to the client.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ignoring a duplicated alarm in a communications network are described. In one embodiment, at least one alarm message associated with at least one event is received. A determination of whether the at least one event exists in a database is subsequently made. The at least one event is recorded in the database if the at least one event does not exist in the database. Conversely, the at least one alarm message is suppressed if the at least one event exists in the database.

Abstract: An accessory device to be mounted on a main device is provided with a wireless IC device. The main device is provided with a reader/writer that is an interrogator that communicates with the wireless IC device of the accessory device. When the accessory device is mounted on or about to be mounted on the main device, the reader/writer selects two or more frequencies in a frequency band in which an authentic wireless IC device can communicate to perform communication with the wireless IC device. With this configuration, even if the identification code written in an RFID tag is read and the RFID tag is duplicated, the duplicated RFID tag can be accurately and effectively determined as being counterfeit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to detectors of hazardous environmental conditions (e.g., smoke, gas, motion). Specifically, the invention relates to a hazard detector configured to transmit and/or receive information related to hazardous environmental conditions based at least in part on the location of the hazard detector as identified through one or more location based service means (e.g., global positioning systems (GPS), cellular triangulation, Internet IP geolocation).

Abstract: Methods and systems for an integrated flood and temperature sensor may comprise sensing a presence of water in a premises by measuring a resistance between at least one pair of metal probes in an integrated flood and temperature sensor, sensing a temperature utilizing one or more temperature sensors, and sensing an orientation of the integrated flood and temperature sensor with respect to gravity utilizing one or more level sensors. The metal probes may be extendable. The metal probes may be gold plated. A tamper sensor may sense whether an enclosure for the integrated flood and temperature sensor has been tampered with. The presence of water may be sensed utilizing a remote probe. The integrated water and temperature sensor may communicate wirelessly with one or more external devices utilizing a wireless transceiver.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed comprising a plurality of small independent light sources which are arranged in a mesh network and capable of exchanging data such that they can be operated together and under control of a controller in order to provide enhanced lighting effects in particular applications.

Abstract: A contactless communication medium includes: a base material made of an insulating material; an antenna coil portion formed by winding a conductor in a plane on the base material; a capacitor connected to the antenna coil portion; a communication processing section connected to the antenna coil portion and the capacitor to perform a contactless communication process; and a metal pattern having a predetermined area and disposed in a region surrounded by the antenna coil portion, the metal pattern being not electrically connected to the antenna coil portion or the capacitor.

Abstract: An infrastructure monitoring system and method that comprises multiple monitoring devices and/or multiple output devices. Each monitoring device includes at least one sensor for collecting data, a data storage device for storing the data, a processor for analyzing the data, and a communications device for transmitting and receiving data. The system may also include an operations center for controlling and receiving data from the plurality of devices.

Abstract: A system including, a first component of a mineral extraction system, and a first radio frequency identification (RFID) module coupled to the first component, wherein the first RFID module comprises first component data relating to the first component, and first location data relating to a first location of the first component.

Abstract: A network of interreporting participant stations configured to monitor and analyze station movement such that activity levels of the individual stations can be determined and reported across the network to alert participant stations whenever the activity level of any one of the participant stations has dropped to a pre-determined level.

Abstract: Passive RFID devices are disclosed that perform image recognition. The device includes an antenna, circuitry, and a camera. The antenna receives a radio frequency (RF) signal from a RFID reader. The circuitry stores image data for objects that is used for image recognition. To operate, the circuitry derives power from the RF signal. With the power derived from the RF signal, the camera captures an image. The circuitry then identifies an object in the captured image based on the image data for the objects, and outputs information for the identified object, such as to the RFID reader.

Abstract: An encrypted traffic signal device controller (TSDC) and an Electronic Variable Message Sign (EVMS) at intersection roadways and related traffic intersections where the invention system is installed at traffic light intersections which will be triggered at the red light sequence where vehicles/pedestrian/cyclists are stopped. After the traffic light turns red, the time delay of the red light will trigger an audio and visual public announcement which will be of assistance to the driver and enable the driver to pay attention to the announcement without being concerned about diverting the driver's attention from driving the vehicle since the vehicle is stopped at a red light and the driver can devote his attention to reading the information provided.

Abstract: A system and method collects one or more measurements within a borehole formed in a subsurface reservoir. The system and method provides a first downhole component having an expandable element and a first port formed in a layer of the expandable element. A wireless transceiver is connected to the first downhole component, wherein the wireless transceiver is adapted to transmit one or more wireless signals within the borehole. A first wireless sensor located at the first port and remotely with respect to the wireless transceiver, wherein the first wireless sensor is configure to receive the one or more wireless signals and collect at least one measurement within the borehole or perform at least one task related to the borehole or subsurface reservoir about the borehole.

Abstract: A remote actuation system for de-manning a human/machine interface emulates the interface protocol to interact with the interface at a mechanical level. The system may function autonomously or with a remote human operator. At least one imaging module and at least one switch module with the same relative positions as and a complementary relief to the interface's gauge(s) and mechanical switch(es) are mounted on the instrument panel. The modules may be individually mounted or provided on a remote actuation panel that fits over the instrument panel. A data cable connects the imaging and switch modules to a processing module having at least one computer processor configured to execute an image-processing sub-module and a switch sub-module to emulate the protocol to interact with the interface at a mechanical level. The estimate of the measured value may be fed back to generate the switch command to control the remote switch actuator.

Abstract: Techniques are described for moving asset location tracking and monitoring system technology. A system monitors for events related to a monitoring system that monitors a fixed property and the system detects an event related to the monitoring system based on the monitoring. The system performs an operation that leverages geographic location tracking of at least one mobile asset associated with the fixed property based on the detected event.

Abstract: A door handle apparatus for a vehicle includes a door handle adapted to be provided at a vehicle exterior of a vehicle door and operated in order to open/close the vehicle door, a sensing electrode provided inside of an upper-outer surface of the door handle, a sensor for detecting a user approaching the sensing electrode on the basis of a variation of an electric capacitance generated by the sensing electrode, controlling device for controlling the vehicle door so as to be locked/unlocked on the basis of information detected by the sensor and water-removing device provided on the upper-outer surface of the door handle in order to remove water retained in the vicinity of the sensing electrode.

Abstract: This invention relates to a tether device for use in a retail environment in conjunction with a cable lock security device. The cable lock device includes a cable having a free end which extends outwardly away therefrom after the cable lock is secured onto an article of goods. The tether is configured to receive the free end inside a lock channel alternatively lock and unlock this free end with the tether. The tether is intended to be secured onto a separable portion of an article of goods, while the cable lock is intended to be secured onto another separable portion. Thus, in locking the cable lock and the tether together, the two separable portions of the article of goods are thereby rendered generally inseparable.

Abstract: An information display system for a vehicle includes an information display device, a mounting member, and a personal digital assistant. The information display device is mounted on a vehicle and is configured to display vehicle information. The mounting member is fixed to the vehicle. The personal digital assistant is detachably mounted on the vehicle via the mounting member in such a manner that at least a part of the vehicle information displayed on the information display device becomes non-visible by the personal digital assistant and includes a communication device and a display device. The communication device is configured to acquire at least vehicle information which is displayed on the information display device and which becomes non-visible from an electric accessory unit mounted on the vehicle. The display device is configured to display the vehicle information acquired using the communication device.