Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods are provided to monitor operation of a compound water meter comprising a low flow meter and a high flow meter. In the disclosed embodiments, a first sensor package is coupled to the low flow meter to generate a first set of sensor data for monitoring operation of the low flow meter, and a second sensor package is coupled to the high flow meter to generate a second set of sensor data for monitoring operation of the high flow meter. The first and second sensor packages may each include, e.g., an optical sensor, a magnetic sensor and a vibration sensor. In the disclosed embodiments, the first and second sets of sensor data are analyzed to detect various potential problems within the compound water meter, such as a register failure, a crossover failure, a measurement failure, a bypass open condition and/or an incorrect flow meter size.

Abstract: There is described a process for obtaining a target chemical species, in particular alginate and/or cellulose, from seaweed. The process comprises the steps of: (i) providing a seaweed portion; (ii) bleaching the seaweed portion; and (iii) extracting the target chemical species from the seaweed portion; wherein the bleaching comprises a neutral or alkaline bleaching step, the neutral or alkaline bleaching step comprising using a bleaching composition under neutral or alkaline conditions. The neutral or alkaline bleaching step may precede the extraction step. Also described is alginate, an alginate salt, alginic acid, an alginic acid salt, an alginate derivative, an alginate derivative salt, cellulose, and/or a cellulose derivative obtained by the process.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods are provided to monitor operation of a compound water meter comprising a low flow meter and a high flow meter. In the disclosed embodiments, a first sensor package is coupled to the low flow meter to generate a first set of sensor data for monitoring operation of the low flow meter, and a second sensor package is coupled to the high flow meter to generate a second set of sensor data for monitoring operation of the high flow meter. The first and second sensor packages may each include, e.g., an optical sensor, a magnetic sensor and a vibration sensor. In the disclosed embodiments, the first and second sets of sensor data are analyzed to detect various potential problems within the compound water meter, such as a register failure, a crossover failure, a measurement failure, a bypass open condition and/or an incorrect flow meter size.

Abstract: A system and method of recording data from a number of devices in a distributed network system in a manner adaptable for auditing the device output. The devices may include one or more control, sensor, edge, or peripheral computing devices physically separate in the distributed network system and in communication with a control server. Such distributed networks systems are common in SCADA or IoT applications. The content stream of data records output from the devices are recorded; a payload stripped stream of data records which are stripped of the payload are recorded and preferably retained by an escrow service. The metadata of the data records includes the hash value of one or more predecessor data records. The hash values are calculated based on the payload and a linkage function, preferably a cryptographic function. A comparison of hash values of the payload stripped stream and the content stream provides the audit ability.

Abstract: There is described a process for obtaining a target chemical species, in particular alginate and/or cellulose, from seaweed. The process comprises the steps of:(i) providing a seaweed portion; (ii) bleaching the seaweed portion; and (iii) extracting the target chemical species from the seaweed portion; wherein the bleaching comprises a neutral or alkaline bleaching step, the neutral or alkaline bleaching step comprising using a bleaching composition under neutral or alkaline conditions. The neutral or alkaline bleaching step may precede the extraction step. Also described is alginate, an alginate salt, alginic acid, an alginic acid salt, an alginate derivative, an alginate derivative salt, cellulose, and/or a cellulose derivative obtained by the process.

Abstract: An infrastructure and methods for the analysis of flow in pipe systems. In a preferred form, the infrastructure and methods account for energy status of a sensor device and wear cost functions. The infrastructure comprises a controller and a plurality of sensor devices coupled to the pipe system to collect measurements related to one or more of the following: vibration, magnetic field, fluid pressure, temperature, humidity, chemical composition of the fluid, fluid flow or fluid throughput. The controller has access to a database containing one or both of—(i) current energy status of a sensor device and/or (ii) a cost allocation relating to use of a sensor device and assigns workloads using energy status and/or cost.

Abstract: A retrofit device and method of installing such a device for supplementing a legacy flow meter in a fluid pipe system. The retrofit device enhances the function of the legacy flow meter by providing a digital interface and means for error diagnostics and tamper detection. The retrofit device adapts to the mechanical and casing form factor design of the legacy flow meter, particularly a flow meter already installed, such as buried in the ground.

Abstract: A retrofit device and method of installing such a device for supplementing a legacy flow meter in a fluid pipe system. The retrofit device enhances the function of the legacy flow meter by providing a digital interface and means for error diagnostics and tamper detection. The retrofit device adapts to the mechanical and casing form factor design of the legacy flow meter, particularly a flow meter already installed, such as buried in the ground.

Abstract: An infrastructure and methods for the analysis of flow in pipe systems. In a preferred form, the infrastructure and methods account for energy status of a sensor device and wear cost functions. The infrastructure comprises a controller and a plurality of sensor devices coupled to the pipe system to collect measurements related to one or more of the following: vibration, magnetic field, fluid pressure, temperature, humidity, chemical composition of the fluid, fluid flow or fluid throughput. The controller has access to a database containing one or both of—(i) current energy status of a sensor device and/or (ii) a cost allocation relating to use of a sensor device and assigns workloads using energy status and/or cost.

Abstract: A system and method of recording data from a number of devices in a distributed network system in a manner adaptable for auditing the device output. The devices may include one or more control, sensor, edge, or peripheral computing devices physically separate in the distributed network system and in communication with a control server. Such distributed networks systems are common in SCADA or IoT applications. The content stream of data records output from the devices are recorded; a payload stripped stream of data records which are stripped of the payload are recorded and preferably retained by an escrow service. The metadata of the data records includes the hash value of one or more predecessor data records. The hash values are calculated based on the payload and a linkage function, preferably a cryptographic function. A comparison of hash values of the payload stripped stream and the content stream provides the audit ability.

Abstract: A wireless mesh network comprising a plurality of mobile mesh devices coupled as nodes in a mesh network topology is provided herein. Generally speaking, each mobile mesh device may be a portable, self-contained unit, which does not require network or power wiring to communicate network traffic between the nodes. According to one embodiment, the mobile mesh device may include a plurality of dipole antennas, which are enclosed within the mobile mesh device and configured to forward network traffic. At least one of the dipole antennas may be a frequency adjustable end-fed dipole antenna comprising a channel selection pin, which can be adjusted up or down along the dipole axis to change a resonant frequency of the dipole antenna. A method for setting or adjusting a resonant frequency of a frequency adjustable end-fed dipole antenna is also provided herein.

Abstract: A wireless mesh network comprising a plurality of mobile mesh devices coupled as nodes in a mesh network topology is provided herein. Generally speaking, each mobile mesh device may be a portable, self-contained unit, which does not require network or power wiring to communicate network traffic between the nodes. According to one embodiment, the mobile mesh device may include a plurality of dipole antennas, which are enclosed within the mobile mesh device and configured to forward network traffic. At least one of the dipole antennas may be a frequency adjustable end-fed dipole antenna comprising a channel selection pin, which can be adjusted up or down along the dipole axis to change a resonant frequency of the dipole antenna. A method for setting or adjusting a resonant frequency of a frequency adjustable end-fed dipole antenna is also provided herein.

Abstract: A wireless mesh network comprising a plurality of mobile mesh devices coupled as nodes in a mesh network topology is provided herein. Generally speaking, each mobile mesh device may be a portable, self-contained unit, which does not require network or power wiring to communicate network traffic between the nodes. According to one embodiment, the mobile mesh device may include a small cell gateway for capturing, converting and re-routing cellular signals throughout and beyond the wireless mesh network. According to another embodiment, the mobile mesh device may include a real-time locating services (RTLS) hardware/software engine for capturing network traffic, identifying the identity and location of the device transmitting the network traffic, and triggering an action in response to either the identity and/or the location of the transmitting device.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying participants in a videoconference between locations includes receiving a plurality of video signals from at least two cameras located at one or more remote sites. A display position is assigned for each video signal. The video signals are displayed on one or more displays. The display positions for the video signals maintain a fixed display position relative to each other video signal on the displays during the videoconference, and a number of displays is less than a number of cameras at the remote sites.