Abstract: The invention describes improved methods and mechanisms for providing secure access to pharmaceutical and supply items in a clinical setting. In one version of the invention, a dispensing unit has an interior housing one or more drawers. Each drawer has one or more storage locations. The fronts of the drawers are covered with one or more locking doors, preventing access to a particular drawer, unless the covering door is unlocked. Indicators are mounted on the side of the enclosure, to guide the user to a drawer covered by an associated unlocked door. The unit further includes indicators on the sides of the drawers, to guide the user to the right storage receptacles or pockets within the drawer. Some pockets may have lids. Some of the lids may have locks. Sensors associated with at least some of the individual pocket lids may be provided to detect the lifting of a lid. Means to automatically detect the entry of a hand or fingers into a pocket may be provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ground bounce and power supply bounce detection in devices have been disclosed. In one case one input to a differential amplifier is coupled to a reference voltage and another input to the differential amplifier is coupled to a measurement point and the output of the differential amplifier is coupled through a diode to a sample and hold circuit which is coupled to an analog to digital converter.

Abstract: An apparatus and a system, as well as a method and article, may operate to compare a circuit operational condition with a specified condition, to record an out-of-specification condition, and to determine some specified number of recorded out-of-specification conditions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for powering one or more remotely-situated devices. In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, energy is added (at a convenient location) to a medium that the remotely-situated devices are associated with (e.g., a medium that the remotely-situated devices are sensing, controlling, alarming, etc). The energy is removed from the medium near to the remotely-situated devices. If required, the energy is converted to a form that is useable by the remotely-situated device. The removed energy is delivered to the remotely-situated devices and is used by them to perform an action that is associated with the medium (e.g., sensing a characteristic of the medium, controlling a characteristic of the medium, providing an alarm responsive to a value of a characteristic of the medium, etc.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the power state of a circuit breaker switch is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a detector circuit, a processor and an indicator. The processor is coupled to the detector circuit. The indicator is coupled to the processor. In operation, the detector circuit senses an electronic signal at the circuit breaker switch and transmits a signal to the processor. The processor then transmits a signal to the indicator indicating the power state and location of the circuit breaker switch.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and systems are disclosed for a power supply adapted to receive power from an outlet, the power input having a property, such as amperage, frequency or voltage. An indicator is provided on the connector to the power cord to indicate a value for the property to the power supply, wherein the power supply adapts to the value for the property. By providing an indication of the property the system is capable of reducing functionality to meet the capabilities of the power supply. A power cord may be provided with a male plug at one end capable of being inserted into a socket with a minimum value for a property, and the other end of the power cord may have a connector with an indicator to identify the minimum value for the power cord.

Abstract: A power failure alarm for use in sounding a warning in the occasion of a power failure, with built in electrical connectors, and a temporary source of light. The device is housed in a molded plastic enclosure in a rectangular shape and includes an emergency light, night-light, flashlight, and power failure alarm. All unit functions are completely automatic once the unit has been plugged into a standard 120 volt receptacle. The device has a three prong male plug on the back of the body and is designed to occupy one receptacle of a duplex receptacle thus leaving one receptacle still available for use. Alternate embodiments of the device are specifically intended to alert and notify the user of a power failure. The device utilized logic circuitry to determine if a power failure or improper setup has occurred. The battery charging and monitoring circuits ensure the batteries are always charged and ready for use.

Abstract: A light emitting device drive controller is disclosed that comprises a first port that is connected to one end of a first light emitting device group where two light emitting devices are connected in parallel in the opposite directions; a second port that is connected to the other end of the first light emitting device group as well as connected to one end of a second light emitting device group where two light emitting devices are connected in parallel in the opposite directions; a third port that is connected to the other end of the second light emitting device group; and a port state setting unit that selectively sets each of the first, second, and third ports to any one of a state of a first voltage, a state of a second voltage which is less than the first voltage, and a high impedance state for each consecutive predetermined period, wherein the light emitting device drive controller drives selectively the light emitting devices constituting the first light emitting device group and the second light emitt

Abstract: A point of sale terminal includes a microcontroller integrated circuit. In one aspect, a regulator within the IC receives power from a supply voltage terminal and/or a battery terminal. If the regulator does not receive adequate power from either terminal, then energy stored on-chip in a capacitor is used to erase secure memory. In another aspect, pulses of current are made to pulse through conductors of a conductive mesh. A tamper condition is detected if an improper voltage is detected on the IC terminal through which the pulse is conducted. In another aspect, each vendor signs his/her firmware with his own vendor ID. A bootloader uses the vendor ID to lookup a public key that is then used to verify a private key supplied by the firmware to be executed. In another aspect, a magnetic card reader includes a digital peak detector circuit involving programmable positive and negative thresholds.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and a concomitant method for boosting the audio signal generated by at least one notification appliance in a supervised emergency voice evacuation system.

Abstract: Anti-pinch sensor (2, 2?, 2?), in particular for detecting an obstacle in the path of an actuator of a motor vehicle, having a first measurement electrode (6) and having a second electrically isolated measurement electrode (7) spaced a distance from the first measurement electrode (6), wherein the first measurement electrode (6) is designed to generate an external electric field (17) with respect to the second measurement electrode (6), and wherein the first and second measurement electrodes (5, 6) are elastically supported relative to an electrically isolated ground electrode (8). In addition, a sensor device (1) having such an anti-pinch sensor (2, 2?, 2?) is disclosed. The anti-pinch sensor (2, 2?, 2?) is suitable as both a contactless and a tactile sensor. Detection of surface deposits of contaminants or water is easily possible.

Abstract: When a metering coupled to a network loses its primary power source and has a secondary power source, such as a super-capacitor, it recognizes and reports a power outage. In this case, the head end server may verify the power outage report by querying through the downstream nodes coupled to the network about the power outage. When a node loses its primary power source and has no secondary power source, it will fail to make a regularly scheduled report at the appropriate time. Consequently, the head end server verify the power outage by polling downstream nodes coupled to the HAN about the power outage to deduce whether a power outage.

Abstract: Systems and methods for protecting electronic and other sensitive devices in the event of security breaches such as physical intrusion or access, tampering, and attempts at reverse engineering. One aspect of the present invention provides security systems and methods that utilize an active security measure that can identify a security breach and respond with a protective action. Protective actions may include erasure or randomizing of data or software, activation of an alarm or signal (such as at a remote location), or destruction of any portion of a protected device or circuit or the like.

Abstract: A light failure monitoring system using existing alarm panels includes a first circuit capable of turning on a solid state switch or transistor, which turns on a lamp or LEDs. The system also includes a second circuit having a light sensitive device, such as a photoresistor, that keeps the solid state switch or transistor turned on upon sensing light from the lamp or LEDs, and when the light sensed by the photoresistor substantially drops in intensity the solid state switch or transistor turns off, which causes an alarm to sound on the alarm panel. Alternatively, the first circuit may include a second solid state switch to amplify the signal and make it easier to start the second circuit.

Abstract: A cover and method for protecting objects is provided. The cover includes a flexible sheet, wherein the sheet comprises a lower layer of a carbon fiber weave material; and an alarm module attached to the lower layer, wherein the alarm module comprises at least one sensor electrically connected to carbon fibers in the lower layer of the sheet for detecting a change in at least one attribute of the sheet and generating a signal triggering a notification system when the change in the at least one attribute exceeds predetermined maximum threshold levels.

Abstract: A security case includes a shell (1) formed of a wall or lining (2) made of a layered composite material. The wall or lining (2) has at least three layers (3, 4, 5) including two conductive layers (3, 5) made of an electrically conductive material between which is sandwiched an intermediate insulating layer (4) made of an electrically insulating material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a three-phase asynchronous electric motor for domestic appliances, comprising power elements, such as triacs or relays, for charge control. The power elements other than the relays are controlled by at least one microcontroller with the aid of an optical insulation means, ensuring electronic programming and also control of the motor with the aid of a command. The microcontroller or microcontrollers are references to a zero potential of a recovery and filter block feeding the motor. The controller can be applied to a washing machine in order to control the electric motor which rotationally drives the drum.

Abstract: A power and environmental monitoring system includes a power distribution unit, a power monitoring system including an internal sensor for monitoring power consumption characteristics of power supplied to equipment coupled with the power distribution unit, an environmental monitoring system including an internal sensor for monitoring environmental characteristics in a physical environment occupied by the power and environmental monitoring system, and a network connection. The power monitoring system and the environmental monitoring system share a common interface accessible via the network connection. The power distribution unit includes an I/O port for connecting an external sensor, and the environmental monitoring system is configured for receiving environmental characteristics sensed by the external sensor. The common interface comprises a series of Web pages for displaying characteristics sensed by the power monitoring system and the environmental monitoring system.

Abstract: Activity sensing in the home has a variety of important applications, including healthcare, entertainment, home automation, energy monitoring and post-occupancy research studies. Many existing systems for detecting occupant activity require large numbers of sensors, invasive vision systems, or extensive installation procedures. Disclosed is an approach that uses a single plug-in sensor to detect a variety of electrical events throughout the home. This sensor detects the electrical noise on residential power lines created by the abrupt switching of electrical devices and the noise created by certain devices while in operation. Machine learning techniques are used to recognize electrically noisy events such as turning on or off a particular light switch, a television set, or an electric stove. The system has been tested to evaluate system performance over time and in different types of houses. Results indicate that various electrical events can be learned and classified with accuracies ranging from 85-90%.

Abstract: A power meter having fault tolerance enhances the monitoring of electrical power by increasing the reliability of data output by the power meter having fault tolerance. The power meter having fault tolerance may enhance the monitoring process by transitioning from a faulty power monitoring device to a non-faulty power monitoring device without losing or corrupting power management data.

Abstract: Methods of automatically configuring a power monitoring system based upon the locations of the monitoring devices in a hierarchy representing the spatial interrelationships of the monitoring devices. The power monitoring system includes a host computer communicatively coupled to a plurality of monitoring devices arranged in a hierarchy in an electrical system.

Abstract: A remaining battery level management system includes a battery-driven measurement device and a data collection server device. The measurement device includes: a communication data generation section that generates communication data to be transmitted to the data collection server device based on the measured value; and a wireless transmission section that transmits the communication data via wireless communication; and the data collection server device includes: a wireless reception section that receives the communication data transmitted from the measurement device via wireless communication; a remaining battery level calculation section that calculates a remaining battery level of the measurement device based on the received communication data; and an alarm output section that outputs an alarm about the remaining battery level of the measurement device based on a remaining battery level calculation result.

Abstract: An appliance is disclosed that includes an electrically operated load such as a gas-fired appliance having an electrically operated gas valve. A current sensing circuit is configured to sense the current provided to the load. Based upon this sensed current, it is determined whether the load is energized. Methods are also disclosed for monitoring the status of a current sensing circuit to determine the actual operating state of the load.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a portable electronic device comprising a power storage device by means of which the electronic device is supplied or can be supplied either indirectly or directly with power. The inventive method is characterized in that a date/period is stored in the electronic device and that a charge status indication regarding the charge status of the electronic device is output depending on the charge status of the power storage device and on the date/period.

Abstract: An audio warning monitoring device, system and method including an audio detector, one or more audio screens to determine if monitored sound is an alarm, a processor or logic device to potentially analyze sound data and then instruct a transmitter to send a message with the monitoring device identification and signals representing sound detected by the audio detector to a server. The computer server analyzes the message and authenticates the audio detector, looks up user data associated with the detector, and contacts a user from previously stored user data in order to notify of the alert and then relay the audio signals in an audio file. At the user's option, the server may contact a staffed or automated monitoring center.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus for monitoring an electric field in a patrolled area, comprising at least one detection device for measuring electric field signals, at least one camera device for collecting video images of said patrolled area, a processor for correlating video image data collected from the camera device with electric field signal data measured by the detection device, and a video based graphical user interface for analyzing and capturing a monitored event depicting an anomaly in the measured electric field signals.

Abstract: A grid-connected photovoltaic electrical power system with both array level and string level remote monitoring and production and efficiency analysis capabilities. The inventive system includes an array level monitoring component, software for recording and analyzing data obtained through the array level monitoring component, and a string level monitoring component.

Abstract: A substrate forming a sensor element is connected to a non-inverting input terminal of an operational amplifier, and a common voltage is applied thereto from a reference voltage supply circuit to fix them to the same potential. Thus, the impedances of the non-inverting input terminal and of the inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier are matched with respect to the power source. Therefore, noise superposed on a power source line can be greatly decreased by noise-removing characteristics determined by CMRR characteristics of the operational amplifier. As a result, a capacitive-type acceleration sensor exhibits sensor characteristics of frequency noise suppressing effect.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tamper respondent covering (10) wherein the covering (10) is adapted for mounting on a surface having at least one item (14, 16) disposed thereon, said tamper respondent covering (10) comprising a covering member defining a recess (28), and at least one non-metallic detecting element having an electrical characteristic disposed on said covering member, wherein said covering member is adapted for mounting on the surface and covering and protecting said at least one item (14, 16) on the surface such that damage to said at least non-metallic detecting element results in a detectable variation to said electrical characteristic.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for determining an expected life of an electric surge protection component. The system and method monitors preferably each surge that an electric surge protection component experiences. Each surge is measured to determine magnitude and duration, and a cumulative surge measurement history is maintained for each component. Based upon an analysis of the cumulative surge measurement history, an expected life of the component is determined, and an end user is alerted at or preferably near an end of the expected life of the device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting power outages in communication networks are described. In one implementation, an alarm associated with a network error is detected. Attempts are made to contact the network equipment originating the alarm. The alarm is linked to an error that is identified as either a power outage or another type of error depending on the results of the attempts to contact the network equipment originating the alarm.

Abstract: A self testing fault detector having a line side and a load side and a conductive path there between, said apparatus is provided. The self testing fault detector includes a controller, adapted to perform periodic status tests on a protection circuit of the self testing fault detector without interrupting power to the load.

Abstract: The present disclosure is concerned with the reduction of an operational security margin of a power system without jeopardizing the safety of the power system or incurring heavy investments. According to the disclosure, a check for basic accuracy or correctness of a conventional State Estimation (SE) procedure allows to increase a level of confidence in the results of the procedure. To this end, an accuracy of the estimated states is verified by comparing the latter with the results (y, y?) of independent phasor measurements performed at selected locations of the power system. Unless a discrepancy is reported by this comparison, the results of the SE can be assumed to be sufficiently accurate, and any conservative or additional security margin intended to compensate for SE uncertainty can be relaxed. Hence, established trustworthiness in the estimated states allows increasing the transmitted power where the estimated states do indicate such a possibility, i.e.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for indicating the status of one of a plurality of switches connected in series between signal terminals of a safety relay, each switch actuable between an open position and a closed position. The circuit arrangement includes at least one voltage sensor configured to be connected to one of the plurality of switches to provide an output signal upon sensing a presence of a voltage across the one of the plurality of switches and an indicating means associated with the voltage sensor to provide an indication signal when the voltage sensor provides an output signal. The circuit arrangement is powered by the voltage provided at one of said signal terminals of the safety relay.

Abstract: A load status indicator is disclosed for determining whether power is available to, and current is flowing through, a load. A first visual status indicator may light up when power is available to the load but current is not flowing through the load. A second visual status indicator may light up when power is available to the load and current is flowing through the load. A bi-color light-emitting diode may comprise the first and second visual status indicators. Transistors may be used to permit or prevent current from flowing through the visual status indicators. In some embodiments, a reed switch or a hall-effect sensor may be used to determine whether current is flowing through the load.

Abstract: An electrical indicator system and a method for operating the system includes a plug adapted to be electrically coupled to a power source remote from the vehicle and an indicator adapted to be mounted to the vehicle at a visible location. The indicator is operable to provide a first visual indication when electrical power is present at the plug. The indicator provides a second visual indication, different from the first visual indication, when current is flowing through the plug.

Abstract: A proximity sensor includes a sense electrode having a first capacitance to ground, wherein the first capacitance varies in response to proximity of an object to be sensed; a first sense circuit which provides a first pulse signal having a pulse width determined in accordance with the first capacitance; a reference capacitor; a second sense circuit which provides a second pulse signal having a pulse width determined in accordance with a second capacitance of the reference capacitor; and a computing circuit which computes a difference pulse by subtracting the second pulse signal from the first pulse signal and provide a pulse of the difference pulse width.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, which can comprise a set of electrical energy monitoring devices. Each of the set of electrical energy monitoring devices can be adapted to be mounted in a circuit breaker panel substantially adjacent to a corresponding circuit breaker. The system can comprise an energy monitoring master controller adapted to be communicatively coupled to each of the set of electrical energy monitoring devices.

Abstract: An automated and/or remote method for identifying and/or changing the source of power for these generator sets, which may apply to any environment where there are alternative sources of power available which must be managed remotely (such as for other powered containers not used for refrigeration transport).

Abstract: A power monitoring device in a power utility system having an interactive display that allows an end user of the power monitoring device to communicate voice and optionally video data over the Internet protocol with a support operator at a remote system. The interactive display includes an input panel for accepting user inputs, and a video display for displaying power-related data monitored by the power monitoring device. The power-related data is communicated over a communications medium, such as Ethernet, to the remote system for diagnostics, troubleshooting, setup and configuration, and the like. The input panel features one-touch voice and optionally video communication with a support operator by an end user standing in front of the interactive display. The remote system can also download firmware or software upgrades to the power monitoring device via the communications medium according to the Internet protocol.

Abstract: A device is described, for monitoring a household electric user (COT, LB, AU), in particular a household appliance, presenting an electric load, where said monitoring device (AI) is connected between a source of electric energy (PDC) and said electric load, said monitoring device (AI) comprising measuring means (A) for detecting the quantity of electric power or current absorbed by said user (COT, AL, AU), characterized in that said monitoring device (AI) comprises control means (SC), which are programmed for: comparing the absorption of electric power ou current measured through said measuring means (A) with reference values of electric power or current, which are stored within said control means; generating, in function of said comparison, information which being representative of the present status or phase of operation of said electric user (COT, LB, AU); allowing said information to be read from outside said device (AI).

Abstract: A power supply subsystem configured for connection between a LAN switch and at least one node, the power supply subsystem providing electrical power to the at least node over communication cabling, the power supply subsystem comprising: a management and control unit; at least one port for connection to a LAN switch; a combiner combining power into the communication cabling substantially without interfering with data communication between the LAN switch and the at least one node; and current limiting circuitry controlling current of the power delivered into the communication cabling via the combiner, wherein the management and control unit is operative to interrogate the at least one node to which it is intended to transmit power over the communication cabling in order to determine whether the node's characteristics allow it to receive power over the communication cabling.

Abstract: An amplitude detecting device of the present art increases the slope of the change in output voltage corresponding to the change in amplitude of an input signal to improve the detection accuracy of amplitude change of input signal, without changing the dynamic range of the device. An amplitude detecting device of the art includes a plurality of amplifiers that amplify an input signal according to a predefined amplification rate, an amplitude detector that detects the amplitude of the signal amplified by the amplifiers, an operation circuit that operates the signal detected by the amplitude detector and obtains the amplitude value of the input signal, and a switch circuit that sets whether the signal detected by the amplitude detector is to be transmitted to the operation circuit or not.

Abstract: A sensing system for sensing the proximity of a part of a user to a control input, such as a control panel (14), for a vehicle subsystem (10), includes a transmitter (26) for transmitting a signal, a primary receivers (22) for receiving the signal via the user as a primary signal and a reference receiver (28) for receiving the signal via the user as a reference signal. One of the transmitter and primary receiver is associated with the user and the other with the control input (14). The reference receiver (28) is associated with the user and a controller (12) is provided to receive and process the primary and reference signals to provide a measure of the proximity between the part of the user and the control input (14).

Abstract: A method for rapidly extracting data file samples with an a signal monitor and an automatically adjusted decimation ratio is provided to solve the long-standing problems caused by large data files and small buffers by reducing a large data segment to a smaller, more manageable size automatically so that a lower resolution version of the data segment will be loaded into a fixed-size small buffer in the computer's working space buffer for further data editing. In accordance with the methods of this invention, the segment size will vary during the operation of a means for zooming-in and the decimation ratio is updated and adjusted automatically based on the variation of segment size. The present invention insures that the best resolution of the data segment will be achieved when fitting the varying large size data segment into the fixed small size buffer.

Abstract: A method is provided for tracking an object, including positioning a radio frequency (RF) driver to radiate an RF driving field toward the object, and fixing to the object a wireless transponder that includes a power coil and at least one sensor coil. The method also includes receiving the RF driving field using the power coil and storing electrical energy derived therefrom. A plurality of field generators are driven to generate electromagnetic fields at respective frequencies in a vicinity of the object that induce a voltage drop across the at least one sensor coil. A digital output signal is generated at the wireless transponder indicative of the voltage drop across the sensor coil, and the generation of the digital output signal is powered using the stored electrical energy. The digital output signal is transmitted from the wireless transponder using the power coil, and the transmission of the digital output signal is powered using the stored electrical energy.

Abstract: A system (10) and method for monitoring the operational life and/or performance of one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs) (20) based on sensed parameters are disclosed. The remaining life of each LED may be predicted by counting the clock cycles during which the LED-based light is activated. LED current and/or temperature measurements may be used to control the clock signal and, thus, to compensate the predicted life value. Furthermore, operational characteristics of the LED-based light may be monitored based on LED current and/or voltage measurements. Such characteristics may include performance (e.g., intensity) and failure conditions (e.g., open or short circuits).

Abstract: A connection checking system of the present invention is arranged so as to apply a power supply voltage which is dropped by the resistance to a terminal when the control substrate and the unit are connected. Then, the control section determines that the unit is connected to the control substrate when the dropped voltage is applied to the terminal. On the other hand, when a dropped voltage is not applied to the terminal, the control section determines that the unit is not connected to the control substrate. The connection checking system of the present invention can be realized by using a conventional power supply cable, a signal cable and a terminal, and thus the connection checking system of the present invention can be manufactured at low costs.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments include an uninterruptible power supply including: at least two inputs in operable communication with a plurality of switches; a plurality of AND gates in operable communication with the plurality of switches; a plurality of NOR gates in operable communication with the plurality of switches; a plurality of inverters in operable communication with an output of the NOR gates; a plurality of light emitting diodes in operable communication with the plurality of inverters and the plurality of AND gates, the light emitting diodes operable for signaling a condition of one of the plurality of inputs; and an output in operable communication with the light emitting diodes, wherein each of the inputs is connected to an uninterruptible power supply, the uninterruptible power supply signals a condition to the uninterruptible power supply controller, and the uninterruptible power supply controller signals the condition to the output if the condition is signaled by all uninterruptible power supplies co

Abstract: A system for detecting electrolysis in an automobile system includes a probe, a microcontroller electrically coupled to the probe, a power supply configured to supply power to the microcontroller, a ground lead, and an optical indicator operationally coupled to the microcontroller. According to one embodiment, the microcontroller is configured to read a voltage across the probe and the ground lead when the probe is inserted into a coolant fluid and the ground is coupled to a ground source, analyze the voltage, and illuminate the optical indicator in response to the voltage analysis.