Abstract: A system (10, 100) for communicating information and caller identification between entities (11, 13) over a public switched telephone network (PSTN) (20) includes at least one remote site (11) including a device (14, 115, 117) whose status is to be monitored. The remote site is coupled to the PSTN (20) and is operable to make a call when the device status is to be determined. A monitoring station (13) includes a plurality of call receiving interfaces (26) coupled to the PSTN (20) and a processor (30) coupled to the call receiving interfaces (26). Each call receiving interface (26) is assigned a different telephone number corresponding to information concerning the status of the device.

Abstract: A fluid tempering system for supplying tempered fluid to hot fluid distribution system, for example water at a constant temperature by controlling the amount of cold water from the cold water supply mixing with hot water from the water heater, to control the temperature of water in the hot water distribution system. The higher temperature water mixed with cold water reduces scalding hazard and also increases the volume of hot water, at a tampered temperature, within the hot water distribution system. The system also eliminates the slug in the tempering system.

Abstract: A thermal storage controller apparatus and methodology to establish the heat-loss of a dwelling and thereby charge the thermal storage system accordingly, and maintaining a history of the environment to adjust the thermal storage capacity. The system includes the apparatus to control slave thermal storage systems based on the readings from the main thermal storage system.

Abstract: A domestic electric water heater comprises a cylindrical tank having a vertical wall and a curved bottom, the latter defining with the vertical wall an annular stagnant water zone susceptible of bacterial contamination by, for example, legionella bacteria. The tank is provided with an upper immersion heating element and a lower immersion heating element, the latter being located above to the annular zone of contamination. The programmable thermostat turns on the lower immersion element until the preset temperature is sensed by the temperature sensor at the upper immersion heating element. This concept elevates the whole tank including the annular zone of contamination to a higher temperature setting and thus eliminate the danger of bacterial contamination.

Abstract: The present invention provides a simplified system for accommodating an alarm monitoring system to effectively communicate with a remote monitoring station by land lines or by a cellular communication channel. This is accomplished in a manner which reprograms the typical operation of an autotelephone dialer in combination with a particular authorization of a cellular interface. This combination results in a system which is reliable, cost effective, and which can be added to many existing alarm systems, which do not have a cellular capability.

Abstract: A self synchronizing automatic correlator, comprising apparatus for receiving an input data signal; apparatus for receiving a free running clock signal; a clock recovery circuit for comparing the input data signal and the free running clock signal and generating a phase error signal responsive thereto, and for frequency adjusting the clock signal by an amount equal to the phase error signal and in response generating a recovered clock signal synchronized to the input data signal; a shift register for receiving and storing the input data signal under control of the recovered clock signal; apparatus for storing a user data signal; and apparatus connected to the shift register and the apparatus for storing for comparing the input data signal and the user data signal and in the event of a match therebetween generating an output signal for indicating valid detection of the input data signal.