Abstract: An alternator assembly includes a crankshaft that is rotatable about an axis. A rotor is coupled with the crankshaft and is rotatable about the axis in conjunction with the crankshaft. A plurality of magnetic segments is disposed circumferentially about the rotor. Each of the plurality of magnetic segments includes one or more portions having one of a north or south polarity and at least one of the portions on one of the plurality of magnetic segments is configured as a datum section. The datum section has varied characteristic from the remaining one or more portions of the plurality of magnetic segments. A stator includes a plurality of stator poles that includes first and second groups of poles each having respective windings on each pole. The first and second groups are separated by a pair blank poles. A Hall Effect sensor extends between and is supported by the blank poles.

Abstract: The disclosed inventions include and apparatus and method for providing a universal Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) system configured with fly-by functionality. Such system may be configured to work in a plurality of modes including a walk-bay, drive-by, fixed network, and fly-by mode without hardware modifications. The system is configured to automatically calibrate so that the water meter transmitter operates at a minimum transmitted signal power level. Additional features include automatic hardware self-healing features where the system continues to function after certain hardware failures occur.

Abstract: The disclosed inventions include and apparatus and method for providing a universal Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) system configured with fly-by functionality. Such system may be configured to work in a plurality of modes including a walk-bay, drive-by, fixed network, and fly-by mode without hardware modifications. The system is configured to automatically calibrate so that the water meter transmitter operates at a minimum transmitted signal power level. Additional features include automatic hardware self-healing features where the system continues to function after certain hardware failures occur.

Abstract: The disclosed inventions include and apparatus and method for providing a universal Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) system configured with fly-by functionality. Such system may be configured to work in a plurality of modes including a walk-bay, drive-by, fixed network, and fly-by mode without hardware modifications. The system is configured to automatically calibrate so that the water meter transmitter operates at a minimum transmitted signal power level. Additional features include automatic hardware self-healing features where the system continues to function after certain hardware failures occur.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a device and method for controlling sway of a trailer utilizing a global positioning system (GPS) device to detect a speed of a vehicle, a rate gyro to detect a sway angle of the vehicle, and a controller coupled to the GPS device and the rate gyro. The GPS and the rate gyro provide the speed and the sway angle to the controller and the controller outputs a brake command if either a first condition is satisfied or a second condition is satisfied.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a device and method for controlling sway of a trailer utilizing a global positioning system (GPS) device to detect a speed of a vehicle, a rate gyro to detect a sway angle of the vehicle, and a controller coupled to the GPS device and the rate gyro. The GPS and the rate gyro provide the speed and the sway angle to the controller and the controller outputs a brake command if either a first condition is satisfied or a second condition is satisfied.

Abstract: The disclosed inventions include and apparatus and method for providing a universal Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) system configured with fly-by functionality. Such system may be configured to work in a plurality of modes including a walk-bay, drive-by, fixed network, and fly-by mode without hardware modifications. The system is configured to automatically calibrate so that the water meter transmitter operates at a minimum transmitted signal power level. Additional features include automatic hardware self-healing features where the system continues to function after certain hardware failures occur.

Abstract: Disclosed is a smart child safety module (SSM) that is either integral to or associated with a child safety device or child transportation device such as a child safety seat for transporting children in a vehicle. The SSM includes sensors for detecting environmental parameters and biological parameters for a body associated with the SSM and generate alerts when a predefined condition is detected.

Abstract: The disclosed inventions include an apparatus and method for providing a universal Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) system. Such system may be configured to work in a plurality of modes including a walk-by, drive-by and fixed network mode without hardware modifications. The apparatus tracks warranty data and provides for secure remote software configuration updates.

Abstract: Disclosed is a smart signal generator for generating a signal representing a motion. The device includes a processing device associated with a motion sensor and a signal generator and a power source. The signal generator is a light source. When the motion sensor generates data indicating the smart signal generator is slowing down, the processing device activates the signal generator which generates a motion signal. One embodiment of a motion signal is a red light.

Abstract: Disclosed is a smart signal generator for generating a signal representing a motion. The device includes a processing device associated with a motion sensor and a signal generator and a power source. The signal generator is a light source. When the motion sensor generates data indicating the smart signal generator is slowing down, the processing device activates the signal generator which generates a motion signal. One embodiment of a motion signal is a red light.

Abstract: Disclosed is a smart signal generator for generating a signal representing a motion. The device includes a processing device associated with a motion sensor and a signal generator and a power source. The signal generator is a light source. When the motion sensor generates data indicating the smart signal generator is slowing down, the processing device activates the signal generator which generates a motion signal. One embodiment of a motion signal is a red light.

Abstract: The disclosed inventions include and apparatus and method for providing a universal Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) system. Such system may be configured to work in a plurality of modes including a walk-bay, drive-by and fixed network mode. For some configurations RF scavenging technology is used to power the transmitter.

Abstract: The disclosed inventions include and apparatus and method for providing a universal Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) system. Such system may be configured to work in a plurality of modes including a walk-bay, drive-by and fixed network mode. The system configured to provide functionally-self-healing features where the system continues to function after certain hardware failures occur.

Abstract: The present inventions relate to a smart transmitter technology that provides for a more stable transmitted signal power level, a more stable transmitted signal carrier frequency, a sleep mode without the need for receiving a wakeup signal, and a universal communication interface. The smart transmitter may comprise selective of a processor, a universal communication interface, transmitter circuitry, a reference-frequency-generator, a depletable power source, and an antenna. The processor configures the transmitter circuitry to adjust the power level of the transmitted signal based on the quality of power supplied to the transmitter circuitry. The processor is further configured to access temperature data from a temperature sensor and compensate for expected changes in the frequency output of the reference-frequency-generator.

Abstract: The disclosed inventions include and apparatus and method for providing a universal Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) system. Such system may be configured to work in a plurality of modes including a walk-bay, drive-by and fixed network mode. The system configured to provide functionally-self-healing features where the system continues to function after certain hardware failures occur.

Abstract: The present inventions relate to a method and apparatus for adding Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) capabilities to utility meters that generate a magnetic field comprising magnetic flux that varies proportionally with the rate of resource consumption. The apparatus comprises a dual magnetic field sensor unit for detecting variations in the magnetic flux density for the magnetic field. The sensor unit may be compact in size so that it can be positioned within a utility meter. The sensor unit may be operatively connected to a data-unit located outside the utility meter. The data unit may be further configured for storing processed or unprocessed sensor signals and is connected to a transmitter. To minimize power consumption, the magnetic field sensors may be configured to have sensor on times and sensor off times. The on/off state of the magnetic field sensors may be controlled by either a dedicated sensor controller or the data unit.

Abstract: The present inventions relate to a method and apparatus for adding Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) capabilities to utility meters that generate a magnetic field comprising magnetic flux that varies proportionally with the rate of resource consumption. The apparatus comprises a dual magnetic field sensor unit for detecting variations in the magnetic flux density for the magnetic field. The sensor unit may be compact in size so that it can be positioned within a utility meter. The sensor unit may be operatively connected to a data-unit located outside the utility meter. The data unit may be further configured for storing processed or unprocessed sensor signals and is connected to a transmitter. To minimize power consumption, the magnetic field sensors may be configured to have sensor on times and sensor off times. The on/off state of the magnetic field sensors may be controlled by either a dedicated sensor controller or the data unit.

Abstract: The present inventions relate to a smart transmitter technology that provides for a more stable transmitted signal power level, a more stable transmitted signal carrier frequency, a sleep mode without the need for receiving a wakeup signal, and a universal communication interface. The smart transmitter may comprise selective of a processor, a universal communication interface, transmitter circuitry, a reference-frequency-generator, a depletable power source, and an antenna. The processor configures the transmitter circuitry to adjust the power level of the transmitted signal based on the quality of power supplied to the transmitter circuitry. The processor is further configured to access temperature data from a temperature sensor and compensate for expected changes in the frequency output of the reference-frequency-generator.

Abstract: A switch status sensor is provided for counting on/off events of a switch of a water meter. When an on/off event is detected by a microcontroller, the microcontroller supplies a “signature” signal, which is distinguishable from electromagnetic noise, to the switch. If this “signature” signal is detected as having passed through the switch by the microcontroller, then it can be confirmed that the switch is closed. Alternatively, if the “signature” signal is not detected as having passed through the switch by the microcontroller, then it is verified that the switch is open. Thus, the switch status sensor can distinguish between false switch events caused by electromagnetic noise and true on/off events of the switch.