Abstract: Disclosed is a wide area network (WAN) module including plural radios, a power supply, and a switch configured so that one and only one of the radios may receive power at any one time. The switch may be electronically or manually operable; if electronically operable, the module may include a processor and a universal serial bus (USB) port for receiving power switching instructions. The WAN module may be incorporated into utility consumption measuring (metering) devices which may correspond to components in a consumption measurement and reporting automatic meter reading (AMR) system.

Abstract: A business method that enables a user or owner of one or a plurality of data sources to set fees or other consideration(s) for exchanges and links to a second or a plurality of data sources discovered through Internet searches or other data source discovery methods and integrating the data or the data sources into a data supply chain or federated data source.

Abstract: A method and system for aggregating messages. In one embodiment, the system comprises a plurality of distributed generators (DGs) and a controller, communicatively coupled to the plurality of distributed generators, for (i) receiving a plurality of messages from the plurality of DGs, (ii) correlating at least two messages in the plurality of messages based on at least one time parameter, and (iii) generating a summary message based on the at least two messages.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wide area network (WAN) module including plural radios, a power supply, and a switch configured so that one and only one of the radios may receive power at any one time. The switch may be electronically or manually operable; if electronically operable, the module may include a processor and a universal serial bus (USB) port for receiving power switching instructions. The WAN module may be incorporated into utility consumption measuring (metering) devices which may correspond to components in a consumption measurement and reporting automatic meter reading (AMR) system.

Abstract: The present invention introduces a marketing platform for a data supply chain applying crowd-sourced, pervasive computing and social networking to data collection and distribution including exchange of fees for data suppliers who make contributions to data research protocols and subscriptions and other fees for data access and utilization by data consumers.

Abstract: Devices, containers, and methods are provided for performing biological analysis in a closed environment. Illustrative biological analysis include nucleic acid amplification and detection and immuno-PCR.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a visualization of power for display. The method establishes a power visualization scale based on a color saturation and intensity range for a hue and a range of power to be visualized, and generates a display image for at least one measured value of power as a level of color saturation and intensity for the hue based on the power visualization scale.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system to enable buyers and sellers of data items associated with data streams housed on electronically readable data tags or data streams contained within digitally transmissible messages or data streams generated by devices capable of implementing computer readable code to set, manage, and collect fees for the one or a plurality of data items and for the processing, collection, and posting of the one or a plurality of data items. It further provides a method for collection of fees and posting data from data streams to datasets through electronic devices capable of implementing computer readable code. It further provides a method for electronic devices capable of implementing computer readable code to write data into electronic messages or onto electronically readable data tags or to other electronic devices capable of running computer readable code.

Abstract: The system and method uses strings of computer readable characters, such as QR Codes, biometric data captured from electronic devices, and RFID tags to link contributors to a data supply chain upon transmission from electronic devices that transmit said data strings. The electronically readable identification data strings include connection and context information for enrollees, regulators, and providers of services and products to be subscribed to asynchronous notifications and alerts as well to exchange fees, incentives, and rewards for contributions, participation, and access. Enrolled contributors are enabled to interact with electronic devices or websites or servers to contribute observations and data into protocols or otherwise participate in a data supply chain.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system to enable incremental improvement and changes to datasets and the determination of values prices, auction minimums, or rewards or bounties for entering incremental changes to datasets. The invention includes art to enable simple secure attributable versioning of datasets, art to enable transfer of datasets through sale or other trading and exchange mechanisms, art to use the features capabilities and functions of websites servers social networking sites and Wiki or blog sites to rank reward and otherwise compensate users who contribute to incremental improvement of datasets, and art to tier service and access levels for access to or receipt of updated data.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system to enable buyers and sellers of data items to adjust fees for one or a plurality of data items according to the compatibility of the data items with research and dataset compatibility requirements of the end user or buyer of the data items. It further provides a method for constructing data item pairs consisting of targets for observations and observations upon targets compatible with the requirement of the purchaser of the data.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system to register, initiate, authenticate, authorize, draw from a price or fee schedule, and enable electronic devices, including “cloud” appliances capable of running computer readable code to perform data transfers and collect transaction fees for data forwarded or relayed to other electronic devices. The method includes generating and sending read-write pairs of activation keys across electronic devices authorizing data transfers from or between the devices, enabling data transfers from or between the devices, most often authorizing payment to at least one of the users associated with the devices for transferred data or for transaction fees associated with the data or both.

Abstract: A system and method for collecting handling processing and calculating values weights and prices for observations entered by one or a plurality of sources about one or a plurality of targets related to a researchable model or a theory or practice.

Abstract: A method and system to accept user input into one or a plurality of graphical user interface screens or layouts to generate prices for one or a plurality of actions upon achievement of one or a plurality of trigger values or thresholds within one or a plurality of data sources linked to a data supply chain or a federated data source. The one or plurality of graphical user interfaces enable a user to select link and associate operators with data objects in order to build formulae that include mathematical and logical operations for calculating values to be compared with conditions and thresholds for triggering actions or events by the one or a plurality of servers upon the one or a plurality of data sources and to calculate and store the configuration of the schema for cumulative prices or terms or conditions for implementation of such actions by the one or a plurality of servers.

Abstract: A safety strap assembly is used by a climber for ascending, remaining secured at height and descending from a tree or pole. The safety strap assembly includes a tubular strap; an elastic strap; a stiffening member; a string; a coupling; and a finger-pull. Optionally, an oval chain-link is included. The tubular strap fits around a tree. One end of the tubular strap is connected to an elastic strap. The other end is attachable to the climber. The stiffening member fits within the tubular member. A string extending from two holes in the tubular strap permit the stiffening member to be shifted. The coupling at the free end of the elastic strap connects to the tubular strap in a removable slidable engagement. The finger-pull at that connection breaks away if the climber falls enabling the tubular strap to engage the tree and prevent a fall to the ground.

Abstract: A method and system for aggregating messages. In one embodiment, the system comprises a plurality of distributed generators (DGs) and a controller, communicatively coupled to the plurality of distributed generators, for (i) receiving a plurality of messages from the plurality of DGs, (ii) correlating at least two messages in the plurality of messages based on at least one time parameter, and (iii) generating a summary message based on the at least two messages.

Abstract: A safety strap assembly is used by a climber for ascending, remaining secured at height and descending from a tree or pole. The safety strap assembly includes a tubular strap; an elastic strap; a stiffening member; a string; a coupling; and a finger-pull. Optionally, an oval chain-link is included. The tubular strap fits around a tree. One end of the tubular strap is connected to an elastic strap. The other end is attachable to the climber. The stiffening member fits within the tubular member. A string extending from two holes in the tubular strap permit the stiffening member to be shifted. The coupling at the free end of the elastic strap connects to the tubular strap in a removable slidable engagement. The finger-pull at that connection breaks away if the climber falls enabling the tubular strap to engage the tree and prevent a fall to the ground.

Abstract: A method and system for aggregating messages. The method comprises obtaining, at a controller, a first plurality of messages related to operation of a distributed energy generator; generating, at the controller, a second plurality of messages from the first plurality, wherein each message in the second plurality has a start-time within a first time window; and generating, at the controller, a third plurality of messages from the second plurality, wherein each message in the third plurality has an end-time within a second time window and is associated with an indicia of a message group.

Abstract: A cyclonic separation apparatus comprises a plurality of series-connected separation stages 50,51, each comprising a plurality of cyclone separators 16/23 connected in parallel and disposed in a generally annular arrangement about a main vertical axis of the apparatus, with their respective longitudinal cyclone axes extending parallel to the main axis. The successive separation stages 50,51 in the direction of fluid flow are disposed radially inwardly of each other with respect to the main axis of the apparatus and are also vertically staggered upwardly, so that the outlet 20 of one separation stage 50 leads directly into the inlet 22 of the next downstream stage 51. The multi-stage, series connected cyclone separators of the apparatus provide a high separation efficiency, yet the annular arrangement of the stages 50,51 makes the apparatus compact and enables the apparatus to be utilized in a vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: A cyclonic separation apparatus comprising at least two series connected separation stages and a receptacle for collecting material separated by the separation stages is described. The first stage comprises a first cyclone separator, and the second stage comprises a plurality of parallel connected second cyclone separators. The first and second separation stages are connected by at least one transfer duct which extends through the receptacle and transfers fluid that has been partly cleaned by the first separation stage to the second separation stage.