Abstract: A device for digitizing papers, including a controller having a processor and memory, a digitizing scanner configured to accept a paper, digitize content of the paper and transfer the digitized content to the controller, a program executed by the controller that is configured to identify calibration markings or unique fingerprints from specific locations of the paper, embedded in the digitized content, wherein the program provides a determination that the digitizing scanner is functioning correctly if the calibration markings or unique fingerprint are identified as being correct or by identifying a type of paper digitized from characteristics of the unique fingerprint.

Abstract: A device for digitizing papers, including a controller having a processor and memory, a digitizing scanner configured to accept a paper, digitize content of the paper and transfer the digitized content to the controller, a program executed by the controller that is configured to identify calibration markings or unique fingerprints from specific locations of the paper, embedded in the digitized content, wherein the program provides a determination that the digitizing scanner is functioning correctly if the calibration markings or unique fingerprint are identified as being correct or by identifying a type of paper digitized from characteristics of the unique fingerprint.

Abstract: A method of digitizing, including accepting papers in an input tray for digitizing, digitizing content of the paper with a first digitizing scanner, digitizing calibration markings with each paper digitized by the first digitizing scanner or digitizing content of the paper with a second digitizing scanner, comparing the calibration markings to predefined markings or comparing the digitized content of the paper from the first digitizing scanner with the digitized content of the paper from the second digitizing scanner, determining if the content of the paper from the first digitizing scanner was scanned correctly based on the, directing the paper to one of two or more output trays by a controller responsive to the determining.

Abstract: The subject matter of the present application discloses a sip service system for moderating a beverage sip regulating apparatus, comprising: an application gateway to communicate with a sip control application operated by a registered user and to receive information related to the registered user, wherein said sip control application manages operation of the beverage sip regulating apparatus, and wherein the information related to the registered user comprises a manner of use of the beverage sip regulating apparatus by the user; and a database for collecting the received information related to a registered user of the system.

Abstract: The subject matter of the present application discloses a beverage sip regulating apparatus connectable to a beverage container, the beverage sip regulating apparatus, comprising: an entrance port through which beverage enters the beverage sip regulating apparatus; a beverage compartment for receiving a sip amount of beverage from the beverage container; a spout through which the beverage flows out of the beverage sip regulating apparatus; and, a regulation system for regulating one or more predetermined characteristics of the beverage stored in the beverage compartment.

Abstract: The subject matter of the present application discloses a sip service system for moderating a beverage sip regulating apparatus, comprising: an application gateway to communicate with a sip control application operated by a registered user and to receive information related to the registered user, wherein said sip control application manages operation of the beverage sip regulating apparatus, and wherein the information related to the registered user comprises a manner of use of the beverage sip regulating apparatus by the user; and a database for collecting the received information related to a registered user of the system.

Abstract: The subject matter of the present application discloses a beverage sip regulating apparatus connectable to a beverage container, the beverage sip regulating apparatus, comprising: an entrance port through which beverage enters the beverage sip regulating apparatus; a beverage compartment for receiving a sip amount of beverage from the beverage container; a spout through which the beverage flows out of the beverage sip regulating apparatus; and, a regulation system for regulating one or more predetermined characteristics of the beverage stored in the beverage compartment.

Abstract: A floating anchor curb system includes a floating cover for spreading over a body of water and one or more floating anchor curbs over which the floating cover is placed. Each of the floating anchor curbs includes one or more hollow chambers partially fillable with a ballast liquid to form a ballast.

Abstract: A floating anchor curb includes a frame and a wrap member wrapped around the frame. The frame has an inner ballast volume partially filled with water. A tensioning element is disposed in or on the frame, and is arranged to apply tension on the wrap member.

Abstract: A floating anchor curb system includes a floating cover for spreading over a body of water and one or more floating anchor curbs over which the floating cover is placed. Each of the floating anchor curbs includes one or more hollow chambers partially fillable with a ballast liquid to form a ballast.

Abstract: A system for controlling water quality of a reservoir including one or more covers that at least partially cover a reservoir, one or more water quality sensors that sense physical, chemical, and biological water quality characteristics of water in the reservoir, a mixer for circulating/mixing water layers of the reservoir, and a controller in communication with the water quality sensors that processes input from the sensors to circulate/mix water layers of the reservoir that are exposed to an uncovered surface of the reservoir so as to control water quality characteristics of water in the reservoir.

Abstract: A system for controlling water quality of a reservoir including one or more covers that at least partially cover a reservoir, one or more water quality sensors that sense physical, chemical, and biological water quality characteristics of water in the reservoir, a mixer for circulating/mixing water layers of the reservoir, and a controller in communication with the water quality sensors that processes input from the sensors to circulate/mix water layers of the reservoir that are exposed to an uncovered surface of the reservoir so as to control water quality characteristics of water in the reservoir.

Abstract: A method for integrated climate change mitigation and adaptation including analyzing available energy sources and grading said energy sources in terms of both climate change mitigation factors and climate change adaptation factors, and choosing and implementing energy sources that score highest in terms of both mitigation and adaptation.

Abstract: A WIPV (Water Integrated Photovoltaic) module including a photovoltaic (PV) device bonded to a geomembrane with an adhesive interface, the adhesive interface being formed with a buoyancy chamber that is at least partially filled with a material, wherein a volume of the buoyancy chamber and properties of the material are selected such that the PV device does not completely sink below an upper surface of a body of water when the WIPV module is placed on the body of water.

Abstract: A water integrated photovoltaic (WIPV) system including a plurality of interconnected photovoltaic cells covering at least a portion of a body of water, wherein at least some of the photovoltaic cells have a solar collecting surface covered by the water, and a processing unit electrically connected to and powered by the photovoltaic cells, the processing unit comprising a fluid connection from the body of water for processing the water.

Abstract: A method for financing a provider of energy to a utility, the method including creating a financial instrument belonging to an energy provider, which includes an asset-backed security (ABS), the ABS being backed by non-mortgage assets and the energy provider being part of a corporation, issuing and selling the ABS to an investor, and protecting the investor from possible bankruptcy of the energy provider by: a. defining any transfer of assets from the energy provider as a non-recourse, true sale, b. giving the investor a perfected interest in the asset cash flows of the energy provider, and c. obtaining a non-consolidation legal opinion certifying that assets of the energy provider cannot be consolidated with assets of the corporation in the event of bankruptcy.

Abstract: A solar cell geomembrane assembly including a solar cell integrated with a geomembrane, the geomembrane including a flexible floating cover material that floats partially submerged below a water surface.

Abstract: A communication device capable of receiving, processing and sending analog signals, characterized in that the device is coupled to the audio input/output ports of a built-in or external sound attached to a computer, through standard audio plugs. The device may be installed as a stand-alone unit between the audio board and a telephone line, or as a part of the audio board. During its operation the device is constantly under the control of software operating in the computer side. Signals entering through the audio inport and digitized, filtered, and analyzed by software modules, and the software then manages the information-outputs information and/or saves voice massage, etc.-in accordance with contents of these signals.

Abstract: Fluid monitoring and sampling apparatus including a buoyant element suspended from a filament, a load sensor that senses a tensile force in the filament, a rotation sensor that senses the rotation of the spool around which the filament is wound, wherein the buoyant element is adapted to be initially at least partially submerged at an equilibrium position at an initial level of a fluid, thereby creating a nominal tensile force in the filament, wherein a change in the level of the fluid changes the tensile force in the filament, a positive change in the tensile force corresponding to a downward movement of the buoyant element and a negative change in the tensile force corresponding to an upward movement of the buoyant element, wherein the rotation of the spool corresponds to an amount of distance traveled by the buoyant element, and a sensor for sensing a property of the fluid, the sensor being in communication with a processor above ground.

Abstract: An underground water resource monitoring and management system is described. The station is a complete hydrological and weather station and/or network capable of measuring, analyzing, storing and/or transmitting hundreds of parameters, such as but not limited to, quality and/or quantity of water and surroundings, and weather factors (e.g., rain, wind, etc), or any combination thereof.