Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for sending messages regarding an emergency at a facility. The messages can be sent to an emergency response service or directly to another facility through a wireless mesh network. The wireless mesh network can comprise one or more nodes that route measurement data, such as utility meter reading data. The emergency messages can be assigned a higher priority so that they travel through the wireless mesh network more quickly. A device receiving an emergency message may identify the address of the associated facility, for example, by identifying an address associated with utility service also provided at the same facility. The address can be forwarded to an emergency response service and a confirmation or other message may be sent back to the facility. A device at a facility may receive various messages from a control center, such as a weather center, over the wireless mesh network.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for managing utility device operations. In one aspect, a utility apparatus includes a processing apparatus that manages data processing tasks for the utility apparatus. The utility apparatus also includes a communications apparatus, coupled to the processing apparatus, that is configured to transmit and receive data over a network. A metrology apparatus is coupled to the processing apparatus, the metrology apparatus being configured to measure and provide meter data that includes at least a measure of utilized utility services. A network apparatus is also coupled to the processing apparatus, the network apparatus being configured to coordinate communication between devices that belong to a home area network. A utility identification module interface is coupled to the processing apparatus, the utility identification module having an interface that removably receives a utility identification module.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for identifying and providing warnings of tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, and other environmental occurrences. Temperature, pressure, seismic activities and other environmental conditions are measured with improved granularity using sensors at multiple locations. More extensive distribution of sensors is enabled using existing networks, such as utility (e.g., gas and electricity) meter networks. Network traffic is improved by screening information locally so that only limited information is sent for central processing. A given location, for example, may compare its own and its neighbors measurements against a profile to identify the probable existence of a tornado before sending a message to a central processing device. Upon receiving such a message and possibly other information (e.g.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for identifying and providing warnings of tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, and other environmental occurrences. Temperature, pressure, seismic activities and other environmental conditions are measured with improved granularity using sensors at multiple locations. More extensive distribution of sensors is enabled using existing networks, such as utility (e.g., gas and electricity) meter networks. Network traffic is improved by screening information locally so that only limited information is sent for central processing. A given location, for example, may compare its own and its neighbors measurements against a profile to identify the probable existence of a tornado before sending a message to a central processing device. Upon receiving such a message and possibly other information (e.g.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for managing utility device operations. In one aspect, a utility apparatus includes a processing apparatus that manages data processing tasks for the utility apparatus. The utility apparatus also includes a communications apparatus, coupled to the processing apparatus, that is configured to transmit and receive data over a network. A metrology apparatus is coupled to the processing apparatus, the metrology apparatus being configured to measure and provide meter data that includes at least a measure of utilized utility services. A network apparatus is also coupled to the processing apparatus, the network apparatus being configured to coordinate communication between devices that belong to a home area network. A utility identification module interface is coupled to the processing apparatus, the utility identification module having an interface that removably receives a utility identification module.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for sending messages regarding an emergency at a facility. The messages can be sent to an emergency response service or directly to another facility through a wireless mesh network. The wireless mesh network can comprise one or more nodes that route measurement data, such as utility meter reading data. The emergency messages can be assigned a higher priority so that they travel through the wireless mesh network more quickly. A device receiving an emergency message may identify the address of the associated facility, for example, by identifying an address associated with utility service also provided at the same facility. The address can be forwarded to an emergency response service and a confirmation or other message may be sent back to the facility. A device at a facility may receive various messages from a control center, such as a weather center, over the wireless mesh network.

Abstract: A system and method secure transactional data communicated over a wireless network in a store by obfuscating bona fide transactional messages in the message traffic flow. The system includes a load balancer coupled to a store host computer and a plurality of transactional terminals coupled to the store host computer through a wireless communication network. The load balancer monitors message traffic queues and message processing at the store host computer to determine possible dead time in the bandwidth of the wireless communication network. If the dead time is greater than a threshold, a bogus request message is generated and sent to one or more terminals in the system. In response to receipt of a bogus request message, a terminal activates a bogus message generator. The bogus message generator generates transactional messages with bogus customer, account, and transactional data therein.

Abstract: A processor, bar code scanner, and a smart card interface at a checkout stand track customer purchase habits. The smart card includes memory storing accumulated values in each of several profit categories and a second processor for executing instructions. The first processor transfers data to and from the smart card. The smart card, while coupled to the first processor, transfers stored category values containing accumulated purchase values in each of different profit margin ranges stored to the first processor. The first processor responds to the bar code scanner to retrieve profit margin data for a purchased product carrying the bar code read by the bar code scanner. The first processor adds the retrieved profit margin data and the accumulated profit margin data transferred from the smart card to the first processor for the profit margin category that is the same as the profit margin category of the purchased product.

Abstract: A system for creating, storing and retrieving secure transaction receipts. These transaction receipts may be stored on portable electronic media that can be carried by a consumer. Each transaction record contains information detailing the product or service purchased as well as a merchant ID and a customer (or other user) ID and an encrypted signature created from that data. The data can be further protected by the use of an optional user password. Examples of suitable portable storage media are personal computer diskettes, magnetic stripe cards or smart cards. The secure electronic transaction receipts may be used as substitutes for paper receipts. The portable electronic media is capable of storing a large plurality of such transaction records, thus simplifying a number of record keeping procedures, such as expense reporting and data entry for personal finance programs.

Abstract: A PIN device utilizes a preferably removable IC card to store and process data to provide a tamper resistant PIN entry system. The IC card is a tamper resistant module that provides four functions for the PIN device. The IC card: stores secure data for the PIN device; provides authentication for verifying that the IC card can be trusted; provides a mechanism for the loading of secure data into the PIN device; and provides a mechanism to authenticate its identity to other parties. The subject PIN entry system allows for servicing of the PIN device in the field.

Abstract: A system and method secure transactional data communicated over a wireless network in a store by obfuscating bona fide transactional messages in the message traffic flow. The system includes a load balancer coupled to a store host computer and a plurality of transactional terminals coupled to the store host computer through a wireless communication network. The load balancer monitors message traffic queues and message processing at the store host computer to determine possible dead time in the bandwidth of the wireless communication network. If the dead time is greater than a threshold, a bogus request message is generated and sent to one or more terminals in the system. In response to receipt of a bogus request message, a terminal activates a bogus message generator. The bogus message generator generates transactional messages with bogus customer, account, and transactional data therein.

Abstract: A transaction terminal includes a touch-screen display and various peripherals in electronic communication with and under the control of a processing unit. A PIN entry area is generated by the processing unit that includes a video keypad. The video keypad, in conjunction with the touch-screen, allows entry of a PIN, ID, or the like. A shield or barrier is provided adjacent at least a portion of the video keypad of the PIN entry area that aids in the prevention of eavesdropping by a third party during PIN entry. In one form, at least one shield extends over and above the video keypad for extra privacy. In another form, walls are situated adjacent sides of the video keypad. Preferably, the PIN entry area is also labeled as such on the display independent of the display region in order to indicate the only proper place for PIN entry to the user.

Abstract: A system and method provide access to a consumer's financial account without requiring a token or personal identifier. The system includes a biometric data capture device for capturing biometric data corresponding to the consumer. The biometric data is sent to a merchant payment host where it is used to generate a data storage key. Data records in an identity database are stored in the database by using keys generated from biometric data contained in the records. The biometric data contained in the records is obtained from consumers responsible for financial accounts maintained by the merchant payment host. When the merchant payment host locates a record in the database that corresponds to the key generated from the received biometric data, the host compares the received biometric data to the biometric data stored in the retrieved record. Correspondence between the two sets of data confirms the existence of a financial account for the consumer managed by the host and processing of a transaction may proceed.