Abstract: Aspects herein are directed to an apparel item that promotes thermo-regulation through the use of engineered openings, venting, and/or stand-off structures. In exemplary aspects, 20-45% of the apparel item may comprise the engineered openings. Vents may be positioned on the apparel item in areas that experience high amounts of air flow to help channel air into the apparel item. The stand-off structures may be positioned on an inner-facing surface of the apparel item where they help to create a space between the apparel item and the wearer's body surface in which air can flow and help cool the wearer by promoting evaporative cooling.

Abstract: A system (with corresponding method and computer program product) for monitoring flow conditions for a utility provider. The system has a register having a processor capable of monitoring a flow of fluid flowing through a utility line and a communication device having a) a wake-up circuit in communication with the register via at least one communication port and b) a processor programmed and configured to communicate with the register and broadcast information from the communication device. The processor of the register is programmed and configured to supply a signal on the communication port whenever the register has communication data for broadcast to the utility provider. The wake-up circuit of the communication device checks the communication port to ascertain if the signal is present.

Abstract: A system (with corresponding a method and computer program product) for sensing wire tampering of a utility service. The system comprises a flow meter configured to produce output pulses indicative of a flow through the utility service, a switching-element receiving the pulses from the flow meter, a diode in parallel with the switching-element, and a processor for recording the flow, and having a first wire and a second wire electrically connected to the switching-element and the diode. The processor is configured to apply a forward voltage to the diode, detect a response at the diode during the application of the forward voltage to the diode, and based on a comparison of a magnitude of the response to at least two of three different electrical states, determine if the detected response is indicative of a) a short between the first wire and the second wire, b) a cut in either of the first wire and the second wire, or c) an untampered wire condition.

Abstract: A system for battery gravitation-orientation detection. The system has a battery, an accelerometer fixed relative to the battery or optionally fixed relative to a battery housing, a processor programmed to: receive one or more signals from the accelerometer, compute a gravity direction from the one or more signals, and determine if battery or the battery housing is in a sub-optimum orientation for battery life based on the gravity direction and a relative alignment of the gravity direction to the battery or the battery housing.

Abstract: A system (with corresponding method and computer program product) for monitoring flow conditions for a utility provider. The system has a register having a processor capable of monitoring a flow of fluid flowing through a utility line and a communication device having a) a wake-up circuit in communication with the register via at least one communication port and b) a processor programmed and configured to communicate with the register and broadcast information from the communication device. The processor of the register is programmed and configured to supply a signal on the communication port whenever the register has communication data for broadcast to the utility provider. The wake-up circuit of the communication device checks the communication port to ascertain if the signal is present.

Abstract: A system (with corresponding a method and computer program product) for sensing wire tampering of a utility service. The system comprises a flow meter configured to produce output pulses indicative of a flow through the utility service, a switching-element receiving the pulses from the flow meter, a diode in parallel with the switching-element, and a processor for recording the flow, and having a first wire and a second wire electrically connected to the switching-element and the diode.

Abstract: A system for battery gravitation-orientation detection. The system has a battery, an accelerometer fixed relative to the battery or optionally fixed relative to a battery housing, a processor programmed to: receive one or more signals from the accelerometer, compute a gravity direction from the one or more signals, and determine if battery or the battery housing is in a sub-optimum orientation for battery life based on the gravity direction and a relative alignment of the gravity direction to the battery or the battery housing.