Abstract: Embodiments of a dispenser and a dispensing method for an analyzer are disclosed herein. The dispenser can include a first structure containing a first fluid path and a probe containing a second fluid path. The first structure can include a heat source that can heat the first structure and a fluid contained in the first structure. The first structure can be physically and thermally connected to the probe such that the probe is indirectly heated by the heat source via thermal energy transferred through the first structure. The heat source can be controlled to heat the first structure to a first desired temperature and/or temperature range, which can result in the heating of the probe and the fluid contained in the probe to a second desired temperature and/or temperature range.

Abstract: A method and system for automated immunochemistry or chemistry analysis are provided. The method and system provide a sample aliquoting section, a reagent pipetting section having a plurality of independent reagent pipetting stations, each operating on a cycle of a first period of time, and an incubate and wash and read section operating on a cycle of a second period of time to match the throughput of the system, where the quotient of the first period of time divided by the second period of time is a whole number, and the number of the independent reagent pipetting stations being equal to the whole number. The respective cycles of the independent reagent pipetting stations are staggered apart by the second time period, such that at least one of the multiple independent pipetting stations is available for working with the incubate and wash and read section at each operating cycle of the second period of time.

Abstract: A vehicle monitoring system includes sensors located on a vehicle and which are connected to a receiver/transmitter that transmits a signal of an event sensed by the sensors via a cellular telephone network to a cellular telephone. A keyboard unit is mounted on the vehicle at a location spaced apart from the receiver/transmitter and is used to program the system to dial specified telephone numbers and to react in ways that are appropriate and desired to monitor a vehicle.

Abstract: A method and system for automated immunochemistry or chemistry analysis are provided. The method and system provide a sample aliquoting section, a reagent pipetting section having a plurality of independent reagent pipetting stations, each operating on a cycle of a first period of time, and an incubate and wash and read section operating on a cycle of a second period of time to match the throughput of the system, where the quotient of the first period of time divided by the second period of time is a whole number, and the number of the independent reagent pipetting stations being equal to the whole number. The respective cycles of the independent reagent pipetting stations are staggered apart by the second time period, such that at least one of the multiple independent pipetting stations is available for working with the incubate and wash and read section at each operating cycle of the second period of time.

Abstract: An electric meter tamper detection system for sensing removal of an electric meter from a corresponding meter socket and for generating a tamper signal is disclosed. In this system, the tamper signal is relayed to a headend when the electric meter—connected in series with and monitoring current flour through at least one conductor—has been removed from the meter socket. At least one resistor is electrically connected to the line-side of the conductor. A light emitting diode is electrically coupled to the resistor and to the load-side of the conductor. A transistor receives the tamper signal from the light emitting diode when the electric meter is removed from the meter socket. A microprocessor is coupled to the transistor, receives the tamper signal from the transistor, and relays the tamper signal to said headend. Thus, the headend is immediately notified if and when the electric meter is removed from its meter socket.

Abstract: A control system is disclosed which varies the operation of consumer's devices to minimize influx currents across a power grid. Power consuming devices are scheduled to operate in accordance with varying pricing tiers. As customers schedule the operation of various devices and appliances in accordance with pricing tiers, when the tiers change, the current drain on the power grid increases significantly. Even increasing the strain on the power grid is the fact that the startup current for electric motors is up to six times their normal operating current. When started, as electric motors place a heavy strain on a power grid, the power strain lead to the disruption of power to the very consumers requiring more power. The present invention randomizes the start up times of the controlled devices so as to minimize the strain of the power grid as each one comes on line.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing notice of impending initialization prior to initializing a microprocessor to enable the microprocessor to store operating data prior to initialization and to use the stored operating data after initialization. The apparatus includes a first means for supplying a first signal to warn the microprocessor of an impending initialization and a second means for supplying a second signal to cause the initialization of the microprocessor. In response to the first signal, the microprocessor is programmed to recognize that an initialization of the processor is scheduled to occur and therefore operates to complete current program tasks and initiates the storage of a selected set of operating data within a memory storage device. In response to the second signal, the microprocessor is initialized and operates to detect whether the initialization of the microprocessor corrupted any of the selected operating data stored within the memory storage device.

Abstract: An electric meter tamper detection system for sensing removal of an electric meter from a corresponding meter socket and for generating a tamper signal is disclosed. In this system, the tamper signal is relayed to a headend when the electric meter--connected in series with and monitoring current flow through at least one conductor--has been removed from the meter socket. At least one resistor is electrically connected to the line-side of the conductor. A light emitting diode is electrically coupled to the resistor and to the load-side of the conductor. A transistor receives the tamper signal from the light emitting diode when the electric meter is removed from the meter socket. A microprocessor is coupled to the transistor, receives the tamper signal from the transistor, and relays the tamper signal to said headend. Thus, the headend is immediately notified if and when the electric meter is removed from its meter socket.

Abstract: A modular meter based utility gateway enclosure which resides between a power meter and a meter socket of a residence or other building supports multiple interchangeable local area network (LAN) and wide area network (WAN) interface cards. As a result, multiple LAN and WAN media are simultaneously and interchangeably supported by simply changing interface cards inserted into the slots of the enclosure. The modular meter based utility gateway enclosure includes a WAN card slot for accepting a WAN interface card, multiple LAN card slots for respectively accepting LAN interface cards, and a data bus for enabling communication between the WAN interface card and the LAN interface cards inserted into the WAN and LAN card slots respectively. The modular meter based utility gateway enclosure may also support one or more interdiction cards, and may further include a tamper proof mechanism to prevent unauthorized tampering with the enclosure.

Abstract: A distribution system architecture provides a platform for communicating energy services and non-traditional services as part of an overall communications infrastructure. A native message, regardless of the source of the message's application, is divided into data packets that are encapsulated and transmitted through an open network from a headend to a gateway or from the gateway to the headend. The receiver of the encapsulated data reassembles the original native message from the encapsulated data packets. The encapsulating information can include a header which incorporates a time division multiple access transport scheme. The encapsulating information at the headend provisions the gateways from the headend in a real time fashion and the headend dynamically allocates the gateway functions of listening, talking and acknowledging.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling an electrical load in an electrical load management system and monitoring the load control operations and the energy supplied to the electrical load. The apparatus includes a controller for controlling an electrical load in an electrical distribution network in response to command signals transmitted by a command center remotely located from the electrical load. A first monitor generates electrical load data in response to detecting the distribution or interruption of energy to the electrical load. Furthermore, a second monitor generates electrical load reduction data in response to detecting the control operation of the controller. The apparatus also includes a communicator means for transmitting the electrical load data and the electrical load control data to a data processing center remotely located from the electrical load.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing information, such as power consumption, to a subscriber over an electronic network in response to commands provided by the subscriber. The apparatus includes a remote unit which detects and stores the power consumption information, a subscriber device, i.e., a telephone, for generating request commands and a control device which tracks the information. The subscriber using the subscriber device, feeds the request commands via the network to the control device. The control device responds to the commands by directing the remote unit to feed its stored power consumption information onto the network to the control device. The control device then processes the information and indicates the result back to the subscriber.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling energy supplied to a space conditioning load and for overriding a load control operation in response to measuring certain space temperatures within a closed environment. The load control apparatus includes a control device connected to an electrical distribution network and to a space conditioning load and a temperature sensing device connected to the control device. The control device conducts a load shedding operation to control distribution of electrical energy to the space conditioning load in response to command signals supplied by a remote command center. The temperature sensing device operates to override the load shedding operation by outputting a control override signal to the control device in response to sensing certain space temperatures within the closed environment.

Abstract: A fastener is formed with an elongated threaded portion defined by a central shank and a thread formed on the shank, a neck collinear with the shank, and a head provided with a recess adapted to receive a tool for rotating the fastener. The shank of the threaded portion includes a cylindrical body and a tapered penetrating point extending longitudinally from the body. The thread is provided with a constant diameter section along the cylindrical body and a tapered section along the tapered penetrating point. The constant diameter section defines a major diameter that is more than about double the minor diameter defined by the body of the shank. The thread defines a pitch greater than the cross-sectional thickness of the thread along the shank so that the cylindrical shank is exposed within each pitch of the thread.

Abstract: A tamper detection system for promptly warns a utility that it has lost control of a load which is part of a load management system, and may be giving price incentives to a customer without receiving the corresponding benefit arising from the intended control of the load. A monitor circuit automatically determines whether the load management device is connected to the load by detecting whether a current is passing via the load control device to the load, and generates a warning signal when no current is detected for a first predetermined period of time. The load current is detected either by inductively coupling a conductor to the load with a sensing conductor, or by sensing current induced in the load control relay as the load current passes through the relay contacts. The tamper detection feature operates without any activity of the load management device, and detects disconnection of the load even when the load management device itself is powered up and working properly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing notice of impending initialization prior to initializing a microprocessor to enable the microprocessor to store operating data prior to initialization and to use the stored operating data after initialization. The apparatus includes a notice device for supplying a notice signal to warn the microprocessor of an impending initialization and an interrupt device for supplying an interrupt signal to cause a switching device to momentarily interrupt electrical power to the microprocessor. The cycling of microprocessor power resets microprocessor operations that are sensitive to a power interruption. Upon restoration of microprocessor power, a reset device outputs a processor reset signal that forces the microprocessor to reboot and execute an initialization program. The processor reset signal also synchronously resets the notice device and the interrupt device means to maintain the cycle of intentional initialization of the microprocessor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring and testing the operation and configuration of a remote receiver in a utility management system, such as a load management system or a cable television subscriber control system. The receivers are responsive to encoded command signals to perform utility control functions such as remove electrical loads from the electrical distribution system or connect a subscriber to the CATV system. The receiver retrieves status information pertaining to the receiver, and transmits the status information over a data communications link to a hand-held operator display unit. The operator display unit receives the transmitted status information, and displays the received status information to the operator on a display.