Abstract: A padlock is disclosed comprising an electronic circuitry and such that the padlock may be opened via a near field communication network such as Bluetooth™ or via other electronic interfaces such as an integrated fingerprint scanner. In one embodiment the padlock is capable of receiving and transmitting radio frequency signals from nearby sensor nodes containing information regarding temperature, humidity, moisture, speed, vibration, liquid level, concentration of gases and other sensing devices for use in a system for monitoring, tracking, tracing, alarms, access management, access recording, authenticity and integrity of goods, documents or other valued objects in storage or transit.

Abstract: A padlock is disclosed comprising an electronic circuitry and such that the padlock may be opened via a near field communication network such as Bluetooth™ or via other electronic interfaces such as an integrated fingerprint scanner. In one embodiment the padlock is capable of receiving and transmitting radio frequency signals from nearby sensor nodes containing information regarding temperature, humidity, moisture, speed, vibration, liquid level, concentration of gases and other sensing devices for use in a system for monitoring, tracking, tracing, alarms, access management, access recording, authenticity and integrity of goods, documents or other valued objects in storage or transit.

Abstract: A padlock is disclosed comprising an electronic circuitry and such that the padlock may be opened via a near field communication network such as Bluetooth™ or via other electronic interfaces such as an integrated fingerprint scanner. In one embodiment the padlock is capable of receiving and transmitting radio frequency signals from nearby sensor nodes containing information regarding temperature, humidity, moisture, speed, vibration, liquid level, concentration of gases and other sensing devices for use in a system for monitoring, tracking, tracing, alarms, access management, access recording, authenticity and integrity of goods, documents or other valued objects in storage or transit.

Abstract: A padlock is disclosed comprising an electronic circuitry and such that the padlock may be opened via a near field communication network such as Bluetooth™ or via other electronic interfaces such as an integrated fingerprint scanner. In one embodiment the padlock is capable of receiving and transmitting radio frequency signals from nearby sensor nodes containing information regarding temperature, humidity, moisture, speed, vibration, liquid level, concentration of gases and other sensing devices for use in a system for monitoring, tracking, tracing, alarms, access management, access recording, authenticity and integrity of goods, documents or other valued objects in storage or transit.

Abstract: A water meter/e-commerce is disclosed wherein a wide area network (WAN) and an application on a smartphone or the like can be used to retrieve a measured water consumption from a water meter while accessing an e-commerce system. The application displays the retrieved water consumption together with at least one product, and further wherein the at least one product may be purchased from the e-commerce system using the application.

Abstract: A padlock is disclosed comprising an electronic circuitry and such that the padlock may be opened via a near field communication network such as Bluetooth™ or via other electronic means such as an integrated fingerprint scanner. In one embodiment the padlock is capable of receiving and transmitting radio frequency signals from nearby sensor nodes containing information regarding temperature, humidity, moisture, speed, vibration, liquid level, concentration of gases and other sensing devices for use in a system for monitoring, tracking, tracing, alarms, access management, access recording, authenticity and integrity of goods, documents or other valued objects in storage or transit.

Abstract: An arbitration method and mechanism assigning priority to one of a combination of requesters. A priority vector for the combination of requesters has a sequential list of requester identifiers. Upon receiving requests from the combination of requesters, the corresponding priority vector is referred to and the next requester identifier on this list is selected. Priority is awarded to the requester corresponding to that requester identifier. A priority vector is preferably provided for each possible combination of multiple requesters. The list of requester identifiers in each priority vector may be advantageously programmable. Preferably, all requester identifiers for a single requester are not provided in a contiguous clump within a given priority vector.

Abstract: A method for identifying stale transactions in a queueing system with transaction processors. The method includes identifying actual processing times of transactions, maintaining a running total of deviations of processing times from a maximum expected processing time and signaling when the running total exceeds a threshold time limit.

Abstract: A method for identifying stale transactions in a queueing system with transaction processors. The method includes identifying actual processing times of transactions, maintaining a running total of deviations of processing times from a maximum expected processing time and signaling when the running total exceeds a threshold time limit.

Abstract: A performance counter to monitor a plurality of events that may occur in a component within a computer system during a monitoring period or testing period. The monitoring results, which are provided upon completion of the performance testing, may be used to provide histogram representations of the component performance. In one embodiment, the performance counter comprises a first storage, a second storage, programmable control logic, and a counting mechanism. The first storage is configured to store information indicative of a plurality of events to be monitored and the monitoring period for each event. The second storage is configured to store counting results obtained during the testing period. A counting mechanism, which is coupled to the second storage, is configured to monitor the occurrence of the events in the component under test. The counting mechanism is coupled to the control logic and the control logic is coupled to the first storage.