Abstract: A system and method are described for identifying an IoT device model from a key broadcast in an advertising channel. For example, one embodiment of a system comprises: a target Internet of Things (IoT) device to transmit a key over a Bluetooth (BT) advertising channel, the key associated with a model of the target IoT device; mobile application program code which, when installed on a mobile device, is to cause the mobile device to listen to the BT advertising channel to extract the key; and a key dictionary to be installed on the mobile device, the key dictionary mapping each of a plurality of keys with an IoT device model and associated data, the mobile application program code to perform a lookup using the key extracted from the BT advertising channel to identify the target IoT device model and/or associated data, and to use the target IoT device model and/or associated data for onboarding the target IoT device.

Abstract: A conveyor includes a trough with a floor having an upper surface configured to receive items to be conveyed in at least a first direction from a first end to a second end. The conveyor also includes a platform with at least one exciter attached thereto. The at least one exciter has at least one shaft with an eccentric mass attached thereto, the shaft having an axis of rotation about which the mass is rotated. The conveyor also includes a base. At least one first toroidal resilient member is disposed between the trough and the platform, and at least one second toroidal resilient member disposed between the platform and the base.

Abstract: A system and method are described for sharing IoT devices. For example, one embodiment of a system comprises an Internet of Things (IoT) service in communication with a plurality of IoT devices over a network; a device sharing module to receive an indication from a first user of one or more IoT devices associated with an account of the first user to be shared with a second user; the device sharing module to responsively associate the one or more IoT devices with an account of the second user and to subsequently allow the second user to access the one or more IoT devices.

Abstract: A vibratory apparatus includes a deck and an exciter assembly coupled to the deck. The apparatus also includes a motion sensor, a weight sensor, and a control system coupled to the exciter assembly, the motion sensor, and the weight sensor. The control system is configured to pause the rate of travel of the material across the deck for a weighing interval, to receive the signal from the weight sensor representative of a material weight on the deck during the weighing interval, to resume the rate of travel for a transporting interval, to receive a signal from the motion sensor representative of a material flow rate during the transporting interval, to determine a material mass flow rate based on the signals from the weight sensor and the motion sensor and the weighing and transporting intervals, and to vary the operation of the exciter assembly according to the material mass flow rate.

Abstract: A conveyor includes a trough with a floor having an upper surface configured to receive items to be conveyed in at least a first direction from a first end to a second end. The conveyor also includes a platform with at least one exciter attached thereto. The at least one exciter has at least one shaft with an eccentric mass attached thereto, the shaft having an axis of rotation about which the mass is rotated. The conveyor also includes a base. At least one first toroidal resilient member is disposed between the trough and the platform, and at least one second toroidal resilient member disposed between the platform and the base.

Abstract: A system and method are described for validating an IoT device. For example, a method in accordance with one embodiment comprises: generating a first random value to be used as a first offset into a first block of program code of an Internet of Things (IoT) device; transmitting a challenge request message to the IoT device, the challenge request including the first offset or data based on the first offset; receiving a challenge response message transmitted by the IoT device, the challenge response message comprising first authentication data for the first block of IoT device program code; and using the first authentication data to attempt to validate the first block of program code.

Abstract: A system and method are described for validating an IoT device. For example, a method in accordance with one embodiment comprises: generating a first random value to be used as a first offset into a first block of program code of an Internet of Things (IoT) device; transmitting a challenge request message to the IoT device, the challenge request including the first offset or data based on the first offset; receiving a challenge response message transmitted by the IoT device, the challenge response message comprising first authentication data for the first block of IoT device program code; and using the first authentication data to attempt to validate the first block of program code.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method are described for a secure IoT wireless network configuration. For example, one embodiment of an Internet of Things (IoT) hub comprises: a local wireless communication interface to establish local wireless connections with one or more IoT devices and/or IoT extender hubs; a network router to establish network connections over the Internet on behalf of the IoT devices and/or IoT extender hubs; an authentication module pre-configured with a passphrase and a hidden service set identifier (SSID), the authentication module to receive a connection requests from the IoT devices and/or an IoT extender hubs and to grant the connection requests when the IoT devices and/or IoT extender hubs use the pre-configured passphrase and hidden SSID; and a firewall of the IoT hub to block all outgoing and incoming connection requests other than those directed to designated servers of an IoT service with known host names.

Abstract: A faucet filter system is connected to a water supply line, and includes a manifold connectable to the supply line and providing selective fluid communication with the supply line and a filter apparatus in fluid communication with the manifold, at least one remote actuated valve is associated with the manifold and configured for controlling water flow in the manifold to the filter apparatus when filtered water is desired. A wireless controller is disposed remotely from the filter apparatus and the manifold and is configured for actuating the valve between a first position, in which water flows from the water supply conduit through a faucet inlet, and a second position, in which water flows from the water supply conduit, to the filter apparatus, through the filter outlet and through the faucet inlet. Depending on the actuation of the valve, the either filtered or unfiltered water is emitted through a faucet spout.

Abstract: A spring assembly includes a resilient member having a first and second end shanks and a central helical portion. The first end shank extends in a first direction from the central helical portion, and has a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end. The second end shank extends in a second, opposite direction from the central helical portion, and has a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end. The central helical portion includes one or more coils disposed about a central longitudinal axis, and has a first end attached to the proximal end of the first end shank and a second end attached to the proximal end of the second end shank. The axes of the shank ends and the axis of the central helical portion are parallel or are collinear. The assembly also includes an attachment site at each of the end shanks.

Abstract: A spring assembly includes a resilient member having a first and second end shanks and a central helical portion. The first end shank extends in a first direction from the central helical portion, and has a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end. The second end shank extends in a second, opposite direction from the central helical portion, and has a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end. The central helical portion includes one or more coils disposed about a central longitudinal axis, and has a first end attached to the proximal end of the first end shank and a second end attached to the proximal end of the second end shank. The axes of the shank ends and the axis of the central helical portion are parallel or are collinear. The assembly also includes an attachment site at each of the end shanks.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method are described for a secure IoT wireless network configuration. For example, one embodiment of an Internet of Things (IoT) hub comprises: a local wireless communication interface to establish local wireless connections with one or more IoT devices and/or IoT extender hubs; a network router to establish network connections over the Internet on behalf of the IoT devices and/or IoT extender hubs; an authentication module pre-configured with a passphrase and a hidden service set identifier (SSID), the authentication module to receive a connection requests from the IoT devices and/or an IoT extender hubs and to grant the connection requests when the IoT devices and/or IoT extender hubs use the pre-configured passphrase and hidden SSID; and a firewall of the IoT hub to block all outgoing and incoming connection requests other than those directed to designated servers of an IoT service with known host names.

Abstract: A system and method are described for generating an interactive preview for an IoT device. For example, one embodiment of a method comprises: in response to initiating a preview of a new IoT device, determining whether a corresponding IoT device exists and, if not, then generating a virtual IoT device; associating the virtual or real IoT device with a set of device attributes and presentation definitions; establishing a communication channel with a mobile app; in response to detecting changes to the attributes and/or presentation definitions, transmitting updates to the mobile app, the mobile app dynamically updating the attributes and presentation definitions in real time.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method are described for a secure IoT wireless network configuration. For example, one embodiment of an Internet of Things (IoT) hub comprises: a local wireless communication interface to establish local wireless connections with one or more IoT devices and/or IoT extender hubs; a network router to establish network connections over the Internet on behalf of the IoT devices and/or IoT extender hubs; an authentication module pre-configured with a passphrase and a hidden service set identifier (SSID), the authentication module to receive a connection requests from the IoT devices and/or an IoT extender hubs and to grant the connection requests when the IoT devices and/or IoT extender hubs use the pre-configured passphrase and hidden SSID; and a firewall of the IoT hub to block all outgoing and incoming connection requests other than those directed to designated servers of an IoT service with known host names.

Abstract: A system and method are described for generating an interactive preview for an IoT device. For example, one embodiment of a method comprises: in response to initiating a preview of a new IoT device, determining whether a corresponding IoT device exists and, if not, then generating a virtual IoT device; associating the virtual or real IoT device with a set of device attributes and presentation definitions; establishing a communication channel with a mobile app; in response to detecting changes to the attributes and/or presentation definitions, transmitting updates to the mobile app, the mobile app dynamically updating the attributes and presentation definitions in real time.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method are described for a secure IoT wireless network configuration. For example, one embodiment of an Internet of Things (IoT) hub comprises: a local wireless communication interface to establish local wireless connections with one or more IoT devices and/or IoT extender hubs; a network router to establish network connections over the Internet on behalf of the IoT devices and/or IoT extender hubs; an authentication module pre-configured with a passphrase and a hidden service set identifier (SSID), the authentication module to receive a connection requests from the IoT devices and/or an IoT extender hubs and to grant the connection requests when the IoT devices and/or IoT extender hubs use the pre-configured passphrase and hidden SSID; and a firewall of the IoT hub to block all outgoing and incoming connection requests other than those directed to designated servers of an IoT service with known host names.

Abstract: A system and method are described for sharing IoT devices. For example, one embodiment of a system comprises an Internet of Things (IoT) service in communication with a plurality of IoT devices over a network; a device sharing module to receive an indication from a first user of one or more IoT devices associated with an account of the first user to be shared with a second user; the device sharing module to responsively associate the one or more IoT devices with an account of the second user and to subsequently allow the second user to access the one or more IoT devices.

Abstract: A water filtering system including an inlet, an outlet and a filter positioned between the inlet and the outlet, where feed water enters the inlet and passes through the filter, and filtered water exits the through the outlet. A measurement device is connected to at least one of the inlet and the outlet measures a concentration of Total Dissolved Solids in at least one of the inlet and the outlet. A bypass valve is connected between the inlet and the outlet, and moves between a closed position and an open position, where the filtered water moves from the outlet to the inlet. A controller communicates with the measurement device and the bypass valve and automatically moves the bypass valve to a position between the closed position and the open position based on the concentration of the Total Dissolved Solids in the filtered water measured by the measurement device.

Abstract: A faucet filter system is connected to a water supply line, and includes a manifold connectable to the supply line and providing selective fluid communication with the supply line and a filter apparatus in fluid communication with the manifold, at least one remote actuated valve is associated with the manifold and configured for controlling water flow in the manifold to the filter apparatus when filtered water is desired. A wireless controller is disposed remotely from the filter apparatus and the manifold and is configured for actuating the valve between a first position, in which water flows from the water supply conduit through a faucet inlet, and a second position, in which water flows from the water supply conduit, to the filter apparatus, through the filter outlet and through the faucet inlet. Depending on the actuation of the valve, the either filtered or unfiltered water is emitted through a faucet spout.

Abstract: A separator system includes a conveyance assembly and one or more blocking components. The conveyance assembly moves a leading group of product and a trailing group of product along a feed direction toward a packaging system to separately package the leading group of product into a first container and the trailing group of product into a second container. The one or more blocking components are disposed upstream of the packaging system along the feed direction. The one or more blocking components stop movement of the trailing group of product upstream of the packaging system along the feed direction while allowing the leading group of product to move toward the packaging system.