Abstract: A device comprising an input for obtaining consumption data relating to the consumption of a utility provided by a utility provider, an output for outputting modified consumption data and a processor arranged to generate the modified consumption data based on obtained consumption data so that the modified consumption data starts to converge with the obtained consumption data if a deviation of the obtained consumption data from the modified consumption data exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A wireless device including a processor and memory. The memory stores executable instructions and rules. The instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the device to store, if the wireless device forms part of a network including other wireless device and a backbone, information detailing topology of the network and/or status of other devices of the network, based on the rules. The topology information estimates costs and/or benefits of transmitting data to the backbone via other wireless devices of the network and based on the rules estimates the costs and/or benefits of transmitting data directly to the backbone. One or both estimates combine an estimation of technical costs of data transmission, compensation payments, and path length dependent network benefits. The device determines whether the costs and/or benefits of a direct exchange with the backbone outweigh those of data exchange with the backbone via other nodes.

Abstract: A wireless device including a processor and memory. The memory stores executable instructions and rules. The instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the device to store, if the wireless device forms part of a network including other wireless device and a backbone, information detailing topology of the network and/or status of other devices of the network, based on the rules. The topology information estimates costs and/or benefits of transmitting data to the backbone via other wireless devices of the network and based on the rules estimates the costs and/or benefits of transmitting data directly to the backbone. One or both estimates combine an estimation of technical costs of data transmission, compensation payments, and path length dependent network benefits. The device determines whether the costs and/or benefits of a direct exchange with the backbone outweigh those of data exchange with the backbone via other nodes.

Abstract: A method for validating data received by a first party from a second party, the data comprising an aggregate sum of units of data recorded by one or more metering devices, the method comprising: receiving, at the first party, the aggregate sum of units of data from the second party and an encrypted aggregate sum of the units of data from a message aggregator to which each metering device has reported its readings, the aggregate sum being encrypted using an encryption key associated with the second party, encrypting the sum of the units of the data received from the second party using the encryption key; and comparing the result of encrypting the sum of the units of data received from the second party with the encrypted aggregate sum received from the message aggregator.

Abstract: A system comprising a data collector and a plurality of end consumers connected to and supplied with a utility by a utility distribution station. Each end consumer comprises a metering device arranged to meter the end consumer's consumption of the utility supplied by the distribution station. The metering device is arranged to report consumption data to the data collector using a high frequency ID, the high frequency ID being anonymous so that the consumption data reported by the metering device together with the high frequency ID is not able to be associated to a particular metering device and to report the consumption data to the data collector using a low frequency ID so that the consumption data reported by the metering device together with the low frequency ID is able to be attributed to a particular metering device. The data collector stores IDs and is arranged to only accept consumption data carrying a said stored ID.

Abstract: According to an embodiment there is provided a system comprising an input for connecting the system to a power supply, at least one further power source, at least one power consumer, an identifying unit arranged to identify, based on information originating from within the system, an ongoing and/or future power consumption event by the at least one power consumer and a power router that comprises a controller and that is arranged to route power to the power consumer from at least one of the power supply and the at least one further power source, the power router storing rules that define at least part of the routing operation of the router. The power router is arranged to route power to an power consumer in accordance with the rules so that at least a part of the power consumed by the power consumer during the power consumption event is provided by the at least one power source, rather than through the input, in response to the identifying unit identifying a power consumption event.

Abstract: Metering of a physical characteristic is described, in which a stochastic approach is taken. A random signal is generated on the basis of a metering signal, with a view to maximising a statistical distance between the two. The random signal and the metering signal are mixed together to obscure characteristics of the metering signal which could otherwise divulge private information to third parties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for optimising a communications network (101) comprising a plurality of heterogeneous network resources. The method comprises receiving a communication request from a device (106a, 106b, 105, 107a, 107b) for setting up a communication through one of a plurality of heterogeneous network resources; selecting, in accordance with at least one communication characteristic, a network resource of the plurality of network resources through which the communication is to be set-up; and establishing the communication through the selected network resource.

Abstract: Metering of a physical characteristic is described, in which a stochastic approach is taken. A random signal is generated on the basis of a metering signal, with a view to maximising a statistical distance between the two. The random signal and the metering signal are mixed together to obscure characteristics of the metering signal which could otherwise divulge private information to third parties.

Abstract: A method of transmitting data over a plurality of channels, said channels forming a bonded channel comprising a bonded channel superframe, the bonded channel superframe comprising a bonded channel beacon period and a bonded channel data period; broadcasting a control message on a bonded channel superframe, said control message indicating that subsequent transmission will be over distinct channels, each of said channels comprising a distinct superframe comprising a beacon period and a data period, and transmitting in each of the distinct channels a sequence of superframes, each superframe comprising a distinct beacon period followed by a distinct data period.

Abstract: A device comprising an input for obtaining consumption data relating to the consumption of a utility provided by a utility provider, an output for outputting modified consumption data and a processor arranged to generate the modified consumption data based on obtained consumption data so that the modified consumption data starts to converge with the obtained consumption data if a deviation of the obtained consumption data from the modified consumption data exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: According to an embodiment there is provided a system comprising an input for connecting the system to a power supply, at least one further power source, at least one power consumer, an identifying unit arranged to identify, based on information originating from within the system, an ongoing and/or future power consumption event by the at least one power consumer and a power router that comprises a controller and that is arranged to route power to the power consumer from at least one of the power supply and the at least one further power source, the power router storing rules that define at least part of the routing operation of the router. The power router is arranged to route power to an power consumer in accordance with the rules so that at least a part of the power consumed by the power consumer during the power consumption event is provided by the at least one power source, rather than through the input, in response to the identifying unit identifying a power consumption event.

Abstract: A system comprising a data collector and a plurality of end consumers connected to and supplied with a utility by a utility distribution station. Each end consumer comprises a metering device arranged to meter the end consumer's consumption of the utility supplied by the distribution station. The metering device is arranged to report consumption data to the data collector using a high frequency ID, the high frequency ID being anonymous so that the consumption data reported by the metering device together with the high frequency ID is not able to be associated to a particular metering device and to report the consumption data to the data collector using a low frequency ID so that the consumption data reported by the metering device together with the low frequency ID is able to be attributed to a particular metering device. The data collector stores IDs and is arranged to only accept consumption data carrying a said stored ID.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for optimising a communications network (101) comprising a plurality of heterogeneous network resources. The method comprises receiving a communication request from a device (106a, 106b, 105, 107a, 107b) for setting up a communication through one of a plurality of heterogeneous network resources; selecting, in accordance with at least one communication characteristic, a network resource of the plurality of network resources through which the communication is to be set-up; and establishing the communication through the selected network resource.

Abstract: A method of transmitting data over a plurality of channels, said channels forming a bonded channel comprising a bonded channel superframe, the bonded channel superframe comprising a bonded channel beacon period and a bonded channel data period; broadcasting a control message on a bonded channel superframe, said control message indicating that subsequent transmission will be over distinct channels, each of said channels comprising a distinct superframe comprising a beacon period and a data period, and transmitting in each of the distinct channels a sequence of superframes, each superframe comprising a distinct beacon period followed by a distinct data period.

Abstract: A wireless communications system comprising at least two piconets, each piconet comprising a plurality of wireless communications devices in direct communication with other devices within the same piconet, wherein the system comprises a bridging device capable of simultaneously communicating with communications devices in two separate piconets, the bridging device being capable of routing communications traffic from communications devices in the first of the two piconets to communications devices in the second of the two piconets

Abstract: The present invention relates to analysing network nodes such as web servers using mobile software agents, and network nodes for interacting with said agents. The present invention provides a system of disseminating two or more assessment agents to a target network node in an insecure network, and retrieving said agents following interaction with the node. The agents are software based mobile agents and are arranged such that they are associated with different sources or transmitters. This is achieved by forwarding the agents to a plurality of trusted nodes in the network which each modify the received agent's code in order to show the trusted node as the source of the agent, and forwarding the agent towards the target node. The system having retrieved the plurality of (further) modified agents then analyses their different interactions with the target node in order to determine a trust level for said target node.

Abstract: The present invention relates to security for wireless networks, especially WLAN's and PAN's. The present invention provides a terminal which adjusts its transmission output to provide a narrow beam directed at the receiving terminal, and also adjusts the transmission power to limit the range of the beam to that of the receiving terminal.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to methods, apparatus and computer program code for secure communication links, in particular where accountability is required.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to methods, systems and computer program code for flexible but secure delegation, particularly where a chain of accountability is required in a system where trust is delegated.