Abstract: The present invention provides a smart air filter blockage detection and alert communication system for use with filters in air circulation systems such as HVAC, vehicles, server systems, and dryers. The system attached to the frame of a filter comprises a light source, a light sensor, two actuators and a control unit. The control unit based on a stored program or an external command activates the actuators to place the source and the sensor devices attached to the two arms of the actuators on the two sides of the filter membrane. The sensor measures the light intensity transmitted through the filter. The control unit upon receiving the intensity data determines the filter blockage level and communicates alert to the user when the blockage exceeds a predetermined value. The system uses a 4G or a 5G IoT network capability for data collection and communication with servers and user devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides a smart air filter blockage detection and alert communication system for use with filters in air circulation systems such as HVAC, vehicles, server systems, and dryers. The system attached to the frame of a filter comprises a light source, a light sensor, two actuators and a control unit. The control unit based on a stored program or an external command activates the actuators to place the source and the sensor devices attached to the two arms of the actuators on the two sides of the filter membrane. The sensor measures the light intensity transmitted through the filter. The control unit upon receiving the intensity data determines the filter blockage level and communicates alert to the user when the blockage exceeds a predetermined value. The system uses a 4G or a 5G IoT network capability for data collection and communication with servers and user devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides a virtualized parking meter system using the GPS location information of a user's mobile phone, cloud-based servers, databases and software application programs. A user application program is installed in the user's mobile phone. In response to receiving the GPS location data of the mobile phone from the application program the server generates and sends a virtualized map of one or more blocks in the neighborhood of the user. The virtualized map is created by superimposing space numbers assigned to the parking spaces on a commercially available map. The user selects a parking space and indicates a parking duration via the application program. The system collects payment using an online payment method for the duration and starts a timer. The system sends parking status of one or more block in response to a query from the parking system operator.

Abstract: The present invention provides a smart air filter blockage detection and alert communication system for use with filters in air circulation systems such as HVAC, vehicles, server systems, and dryers. The system attached to the frame of a filter comprises a light source, a light sensor, two actuators and a control unit. The control unit based on a stored program or an external command activates the actuators to place the source and the sensor devices attached to the two arms of the actuators on the two sides of the filter membrane. The sensor measures the light intensity transmitted through the filter. The control unit upon receiving the intensity data determines the filter blockage level and communicates alert to the user when the blockage exceeds a predetermined value. The system uses a 4G or a 5G IoT network capability for data collection and communication with servers and user devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tire pressure regulation system for use in a pneumatic tire mounted on a vehicle to continuously maintain a predetermined optimum pressure by automatically inflating or deflating the tire as needed. The system employs one or more actuators, an air pump pneumatically coupled to the tire and a motion reversal device coupling the actuator and the piston of the pump. The actuators are controlled by the tire pressure in one direction and the tension of one or more springs in the other direction. The springs are attached to the handle of the piston at one end and the body of the pump at the other end to provide the appropriate tension to maintain the optimum pressure in the tire. When the tire pressure is low the pump piston is pulled out. The piston pumps air into the tire when the pulled out pump piston is pressed against the road while the vehicle is in motion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tire pressure regulation system for use in a pneumatic tire mounted on a vehicle to continuously maintain a predetermined optimum pressure by automatically inflating or deflating the tire as needed. The system employs one or more actuators, an air pump pneumatically coupled to the tire and a motion reversal device coupling the actuator and the piston of the pump. The actuators are controlled by the tire pressure in one direction and the tension of one or more springs in the other direction. The springs are attached to the handle of the piston at one end and the body of the pump at the other end to provide the appropriate tension to maintain the optimum pressure in the tire. When the tire pressure is low the pump piston is pulled out. The piston pumps air into the tire when the pulled out pump piston is pressed against the road while the vehicle is in motion.

Abstract: Systems and methods for handoff of a mobile node between first and second points of attachment are provided. A communication between a first and second mobile node is optimized and conducted independent of a home agent. During the handoff process the communications directed to the mobile node performing the handoff are routed to the mobile node's home agent. Once the handoff process is complete the communication is again optimized and conducted independent of home agents.

Abstract: Systems and methods for handoff of a mobile node between first and second points of attachment are provided. A communication between a first and second mobile node is optimized and conducted independent of a home agent. During the handoff process the communications directed to the mobile node performing the handoff are routed to the mobile node's home agent. Once the handoff process is complete the communication is again optimized and conducted independent of home agents.

Abstract: A method for lightpath provisioning in a reconfigurable optical network that comprises the steps of naming each network addressable element in the reconfigurable optical network, determining current resources therein, determining current topology therein, requesting establishment of a lightpath, and allocating the lightpath. A system for lightpath provisioning in a reconfigurable optical network is also provided, which includes naming each network addressable element in the reconfigurable optical network, determining current topology in the reconfigurable optical network, determining current resources in the reconfigurable optical network, requesting establishment of a lightpath, allocating the lightpath and removing the lightpath upon completion.

Abstract: A method and system provide capacity-efficient restoration within an optical fiber communication system. The system includes a plurality of nodes each interconnected by optical fibers. Each optical fiber connection between nodes includes at least three channel groups with different priority levels for restoration switching in response to a connection failure. The system maintains and restores full-capacity communication services by switching at least a portion of the channel groups from a first optical fiber connection to a second optical fiber connection system based on the priority levels assigned to the channel groups. Service reliability is effectively maintained without to incurring additional costs for dedicated spare optical fiber equipment by improving idle capacity utilization.

Abstract: A method for lightpath restoration in a reconfigurable optical network comprises the steps of naming each network addressable element in said reconfigurable optical network, determining current topology in said reconfigurable optical network, determining current resources in said reconfigurable optical network, requesting establishment of a lightpath, requesting reservation of restoration capacity, allocating the lightpath, and reserving the restoration capacity. Also disclosed is a method for lightpath restoration that comprises the steps of reserving restoration capacity, detecting transmission failures in the reconfigurable optical network, handling exceptions as a 10 result of transmission failures, and allocating transmission capacity.

Abstract: A system and method is provided to allow users to receive and transmit real-time traffic flow information. A service provider can utilize information gathering infrastructure to receive, store, and transmit the real-time traffic data to groups or individual users. An information-generating subscriber can provide information required to determine road traffic conditions using a cellular telephone. A system of incentives is provided to overcome the reluctance of users to transmit their individual traffic data to the service provider by assigning some amount of positive points for data transmission to a central network. Users who choose only to receive data are assigned some amount of negative points. Points are converted during the billing process to fees for using the system, whereby users who both transmit and receive data ultimately pay less for utilizing the system than users who choose only to receive data.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new type of router, called a PACS router, to build an improved IP network in which high-quality services such as voice and best-effort data services can be provided with higher reliability and lower cost. A PACS router includes a packet-switching fabric and a circuit-switching fabric interconnected by channelized high-speed links. A network built with PACS routers uses signaling and routing protocols to segregate traffic into different classes and route them using circuit-channels and packet-channels depending on quality of service requirements. Routing high-quality service over circuit-channels eliminates transit delay typically incurred in packet-switching fabrics, enhances reliability from software malfunction in the router and enhances network scalability by not having to terminate all traffic into packet-switching fabrics in every router.

Abstract: Data are rerouted over a network having a uniform-capacity Tandem Connection by detecting a failure in a link in a path, maintaining the path through a Tandem Connection that does not include the failed link, and rerouting the data through the Tandem Connection based on information embedded in a tandem layer in the data, and independent of the constituent payload capacities within the tandem connection.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for restoring communications in a network. The network includes a plurality of nodes, with each pair of nodes connected by a link, and with each link having information channels and restoration channels. An idle signal is sent on each restoration channel for each link. The failure of a link is detected, with the failed link connecting an originating node with a terminating node. In addition, the failed link includes at least one information channel carrying information signals. An alternate path through the network is determined for the information signals using restoration and idle signals sent over the restoration channels. The information signals are then routed from the originating node to the terminating node in accordance with the alternate path.

Abstract: A method and system provide capacity-efficient restoration within an optical fiber communication system. The system includes a plurality of nodes each interconnected by optical fibers. Each optical fiber connection between nodes includes at least three channel groups with different priority levels for restoration switching in response to a connection failure. The system maintains and restores full-capacity communication services by switching at least a portion of the channel groups from a first optical fiber connection to a second optical fiber connection system based on the priority levels assigned to the channel groups. Service reliability is effectively maintained without incurring additional costs for dedicated spare optical fiber equipment by improving idle capacity utilization.

Abstract: A transparent optical switch includes network management and performance monitoring using bit level information obtained by extracting selected information on a polling basis and analyzing the extracted information in the electrical domain. In one embodiment, a signal is injected into the switch fabric of the switch via a demultiplexing device. The injected signal is extracted at the output of the switching fabric via an N:1 switch and analyzed by a signal analyzer to verify input to output connections. In another embodiment, an optical switch includes first and second switch fabrics for 1:2 broadcast capability. In a further embodiment, an optical communication system includes a plurality of optical networks and a plurality of optical switches that cooperate to generate unequipped signals and to obtain autonomously switch-to-switch port connectivity information required for auto-topology discovery.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for restoring communications in a network. The network includes a plurality of nodes, with each pair of nodes connected by a link, and with each link having information channels and restoration channels. An idle signal is sent on each restoration channel for each link. The failure of a link is detected, with the failed link connecting an originating node with a terminating node. In addition, the failed link includes at least one information channel carrying information signals. An alternate path through the network is determined for the information signals using restoration and idle signals sent over the restoration channels. The information signals are then routed from the originating node to the terminating node in accordance with the alternate path.

Abstract: A transparent optical switch includes network management and performance monitoring using bit level information obtained by extracting selected information on a polling basis and analyzing the extracted information in the electrical domain. In one embodiment, a signal is injected into the switch fabric of the switch via a demultiplexing device. The injected signal is extracted at the output of the switching fabric via an N:1 switch and analyzed by a signal analyzer to verify input to output connections. In another embodiment, an optical switch includes first and second switch fabrics for 1:2 broadcast capability. In a further embodiment, an optical communication system includes a plurality of optical networks and a plurality of optical switches that cooperate to generate unequipped signals and to obtain autonomously switch-to-switch port connectivity information required for auto-topology discovery.

Abstract: A transparent optical switch includes network management and performance monitoring using bit level information obtained by extracting selected information on a polling basis and analyzing the extracted information in the electrical domain. In one embodiment, a signal is injected into the switch fabric of the switch via a demultiplexing device. The injected signal is extracted at the output of the switching fabric via an N:1 switch and analyzed by a signal analyzer to verify input to output connections. In another embodiment, an optical switch includes first and second switch fabrics for 1:2 broadcast capability. In a further embodiment, an optical communication system includes a plurality of optical networks and a plurality of optical switches that cooperate to generate unequipped signals and to obtain autonomously switch-to-switch port connectivity information required for auto-topology discovery.