Abstract: A vibration measurement sensor (3) adapted to measure the vibrations formed on a test object (O) with moving mechanical systems, at least one noise measurement sensor (4) adapted to measure sound intensity and/or particle velocity and/or sound pressure in at least one direction, i.e. on one axis, and a vibration and noise mapping system (1) that is adapted to control the vibration measurement sensor (3) and the noise measurement sensor (4), to provide the vibration and acoustic performance data of the test object (O) according to the data obtained from these units (3, 4) and to identify the areas on the test object (O) that are problematic or need to be studied further in order to improve vibration and acoustic performances thereof, and to control the operation of test objects (O) such as moving mechanical systems under different conditions.

Abstract: A multi-antenna signal encoding method comprises receiving an antenna signal and a reference signal a first mixer; producing, using the first mixer, a down-converted signal based on the antenna signal and the reference signal; receiving, at one or more second mixers, second antenna signals and second reference signals orthogonal to the first reference signal; producing one or more second down-converted signals based on the one or more second antenna signals and the one or more second reference signals; converting, using an analog-to-digital converter, a summation signal corresponding to a sum of the first down-converted signal and the one or more second down-converted signals, into a digital receive-signal; and extracting, at a processor, a plurality of digital signals from the digital receive-signal, wherein each of the plurality of digital signals corresponds to one of the first antenna signal and the one or more second antenna signals.

Abstract: Techniques are described for receiving data generated by multiple platforms of different types, and managing the data in multiple stages of a data lifecycle associated with a super-platform. An end-user (e.g., data discloser) may interact with multiple individual (e.g., siloed) platforms of different types. The individual platforms may generate data describing, and/or resulting from, these interactions with end-user(s). The data from the various individual platforms may be received, ingested, stored, analyzed, aggregated, and/or otherwise processed by a super-platform during various stages of a data lifecycle. In some implementations, the end-user, the super-platform, and/or the individual platform(s) may provide one or more restrictions on how the data may be handled in each of the stages of the data lifecycle.

Abstract: Techniques are described for receiving data generated by multiple platforms of different types, and managing the data in multiple stages of a data lifecycle associated with a super-platform. An end-user (e.g., data discloser) may interact with multiple individual (e.g., siloed) platforms of different types. The individual platforms may generate data describing, and/or resulting from, these interactions with end-user(s). The data from the various individual platforms may be received, ingested, stored, analyzed, aggregated, and/or otherwise processed by a super-platform during various stages of a data lifecycle. In some implementations, the end-user, the super-platform, and/or the individual platform(s) may provide one or more restrictions on how the data may be handled in each of the stages of the data lifecycle.

Abstract: A mobile charging station includes a plurality of drawers, an off-the-grid power source and a fastening element. Each of the drawers is configured to allow for secure storage of a mobile device and includes a charging lead and a charging circuit configured to connect to the charging lead and to charge the mobile device connected to the charging lead. The power source is coupled to the plurality of drawers and configured to provide electricity to the charging circuit for charging the mobile device connected to the charging lead. The fastening element is coupled to the plurality of the drawers and configured to secure the charging station to a facility to reduce a possibility of unauthorized removal.

Abstract: A telemetry data acquisition management system includes a system processor and an interface engine, controlled by the system processor, for interfacing with sensor bearing systems, to receive telemetry data from the sensor bearing systems, and distribute the data to a plurality data processing systems or applications operational for processing telemetry data according to each sensor bearing systems' protocol. The system processor enables the plurality of multiple data processing systems or applications to specify telemetry requests including “fuzzy” timeliness protocol, generates a charging structure such that the sensor bearing systems are charge by usage commensurate with system load.

Abstract: Techniques for limited data messaging with standards compliance are described herein. A network may be configured as an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) for automatic meter reading (AMR). A plurality of endpoints (EP) may each be associated with a meter configured to measure consumption of a resource, such as electricity or natural gas. The plurality of EPs may communicate consumption data to a data collector (DC), which transfers the data to a central office. In one example, network traffic and battery power consumption of the EPs may be reduced if each endpoint packages data as a compact array, having minimal data formatting and tagging. A class object associated with each EP and stored at the DC allows the DC to interpret the compact array. Based on this interpretation, the DC is able to reformulate the data as a COSEM (or other standards-based object) for transmission to the central office.

Abstract: A remote water meter monitoring system is provided. A mesh network-type transceiver unit is coupled to a water meter housing having a water counting mechanism inside to transmit water consumption information as well as other sensor information, such as backflow detection, water pressure, and water metrics (e.g., residual chlorine and temperature) to a central server system via a bridge device and a corresponding mesh network. Mechanical energy from the water flowing through the water meter housing is converted to electrical energy via an energy conversion unit. An electrically powered shut off valve is remote addressable via the transceiver unit.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an advanced metering infrastructure system that includes electronic meters, each of which being configured to measure and store an amount of energy consumed by each customer and provided with a slave communication modem, a data concentrator for collecting meter data from the electronic meters via a master communication modem that performs wired/wireless communication with the slave communication modems of the electronic meters, and a meter reading server for receiving and managing the meter data collected by the data concentrator. The master communication modem and each of the slave communication modems implement mutual communication interfaces using a protocol stack. The protocol stack includes a network layer, an application layer, and a modem performance analysis layer disposed between the network layer and the application layer and configured to analyze quality of a communication link between the master communication modem and each slave communication modem.

Abstract: An apparatus for estimating at least one of a dynamic motion of a portion of interest of a drill string and a static parameter associated with the portion of interest, the apparatus having: a plurality of sensors operatively associated with the drill string at at least one location other than the portion of interest; and a processing system coupled to the plurality of sensors, the processing system configured to estimate at least one of the dynamic motion and the static parameter using a measurement from the plurality of sensors as input.

Abstract: Numeric values “a” representing a respective order of transmission by a plurality of transmitting units, and a numeric value N representing the total number of transmitting units, are set for each of the transmitting units. At startup, a transmitting unit for which the value “a” representing the order of transmission of the unit has been set to 1 sets a trigger value to N and transmits information about the value “a” of the unit and detection information from a sensor, and, when the value N is detected from a received signal, transmits the value “a” of the unit and detection information. When a value of a?1 is detected from a received signal, the transmitting unit for which the value “a” representing the order of transmission of the unit has been set to other than 1 transmits the information of the value “a” of the unit and detection information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for adjusting a transmission power level of a transceiver (12, 15) at a utility meter data origination site (10). A power level of transmission at the site transceiver (12, 15) is adjusted to an optimum level if an acknowledgement is not received from a network gateway (30) in response to data transmissions from the site transceiver (12, 15). Also, for each unsuccessful transmission period, the amount of metering data is increased in the next transmission period to make up for the failed communication tries. Upon establishing communication with the gateway (30), the site transceiver (12, 15) can receive commands from the gateway (30) that further adjust its power level of transmission to optimize reception at the gateway from a large plurality of utility meter data origination sites (10) within a geographical area served by the gateway (30).

Abstract: Sensor modules (12) including accelerometers (20) are placed on a physical structure (10) and tri-axial accelerometer data is converted to mechanical power (P) data (41) which then processed to provide a forewarning (57) of a critical event concerning the physical structure (10). The forewarning is based on a number of occurrences of a composite measure of dissimilarity (Ci) exceeding a forewarning threshold over a defined sampling time; and a forewarning signal (58) is provided to a human observer through a visual, audible or tangible signal. A forewarning of a structural failure can also be provided based on a number of occurrences of (Ci) above a failure value threshold.

Abstract: Provided is a communication device capable of efficiently performing a power supply control when reducing power consumption by reducing the time during which the power is supplied. In the device, a CPU power saving control unit (301) switches between a normal mode in which the power is supplied to a CPU (302) and a low power consumption mode in which the power supply is stopped at predetermined timing. A session management table (321) stores transmission intervals before and after conversion. An information conversion section (322) converts the transmission intervals of session maintenance messages according to a predetermined rule so that the transmission intervals of the session maintenance messages of respective protocols are mutually synchronized between the protocols.

Abstract: There is provided a ubiquitous monitoring system comprising a plurality of sensor nodes, one or more agent adapters receiving sensing data from the plurality of sensor nodes and determining to where the sensing data is transmitted according to one of characteristics of the plurality of sensing nodes and characteristics of the sensing data, one or more first monitoring agents receiving the sensing data from the agent adapter, one or more second monitoring agents receiving the sensing data from one of the agent adapter and the first monitoring agent, one or more third monitoring agents receiving the sensing data from one of the agent adapter and the second monitoring agent, and a monitoring engine receiving the sensing data from the third monitoring agent and monitoring the received sensing data.

Abstract: Communication nodes for use with a wireless ad-hoc communication network are disclosed. In an embodiment of the present invention, the communication node comprises a transducer, which generates a signal in response to an external signal. The ad-hoc network communication is supported in part by static communication nodes, which defined an organized infrastructure network in order to achieve the various functions of the transducers. In another embodiment, the communication node for use with a wireless ad-hoc network does not include a transducer. Such communication nodes are preferred for use with a less structured network with virtually no infrastructure and allow for being used with expanding and contracting networks. Mobile communication nodes mostly support the propagation of signals. However, pseudo-static or static communication nodes are also used in wireless communication ad-hoc networks.

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: A meter is provided having a communication interface for receiving and interfacing with a communication device for transmitting measurement and other data to a central computer station via the communication device. The meter includes a measurement module for obtaining measurement data and a processor having a memory for storing application software for communicating the measurement and other data to the communication interface. The data are then provided to the communication device via the communication interface. The communication device is preferably a plug-and-play PCMCIA-type card or other type of memory card having a processor and a connection port for connecting to a port adaptor of the communication interface for receiving the data via the connection port-port adaptor connection.

Abstract: This invention relates to a data transmission system for wireless communication of a control device with a field unit via a radio transmission device. The communication between control device and radio transmission device takes place via a field bus protocol. Likewise, the communication of the field unit with the radio transmission device takes place via a field bus protocol. The radio transmission device is capable of transmitting the field bus protocol by a radio protocol.

Abstract: The present invention includes systems, methods and apparatus for continuously, independently and in some cases remotely monitoring the operation of a current interrupter used to test a cathodic protection system, or the cathodic protection system itself, for verification of proper operation. Embodiments of the invention include electronic devices that may be temporarily attached to a current interrupter that is being used to test a cathodic protection system, or directly to the cathodic protection system itself. Embodiments of the invention monitor the activity of an interrupter by sampling the output (voltage and time) to identify the cycle(s) of the interrupter. The invention provides truly independent verification since it does not need to know in advance the sequence or cycle times of the current interrupter being monitored. The information obtained by the invention is output so that it may be provided to a user, displayed, downloaded or stored for future reference.

Abstract: This invention relates to an integrated building control and information system with wireless networking, including the controlling and/or monitoring of various building devices or appliances such as air conditioning, lighting, temperature, humidity, etc., including practically any environmental condition-or-mechanical operation. Also, the invention relates to a system which includes a vendor tracking system comprising an industrial operator interface, with communication, local data processing, and data storage capabilities, which provide an efficient information resource for service and product control. Additionally, the invention relates to a system including a utility monitoring and/or control system to monitor and/or control the facilities utilities such as electricity, gas, water, steam, etc., through revenue and non-revenue rated metering devices, allowing real-time demand side utility management through the controlled equipment.

Abstract: A tire sensor device comprising sensor modules 20A to 20D, each comprising a sensor, a communication module having a communication function and a power regenerating circuit, and an antenna; and a base station comprising an internal communication device for communication with the sensor modules 20A to 20D, an information processing device for processing tire information signals from the sensor modules, an external communication device for communicating with a car control device 40 on the car body side and a power source. The sensor modules 20A to 20D and the base station 30 are arranged in the tire and constitute an intra-tire LAN. Tire information signals transmitted from the sensor modules 20A to 20D are processed by the base station 30 and transmitted to the car control device 40 so that appropriate tire information can be obtained and the size and power consumption of the sensor device can be reduced.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides systems and/or techniques that facilitate and/or effectuate efficient stream sharing for multi-user sensor data collection. The system includes mechanisms that locate within a query a specification that includes spatial regions over which data is required, based on the spatial regions the mechanism determines which sensors are situated within the region or ascertains which of the sensors in the region is actively streaming data and/or has persisted data in order to fulfill the query, constructs or utilizes a directed acyclic graph to obviate redundancy in a functional requirement included in the specification and imposed by the query, and formulates a result in fulfillment of the query that is delivered to an application.

Abstract: A communication system is presented. The system includes one or more transmitters configured to transmit a signal, where each of the signals generated by the one or more transmitters corresponds to a respective frequency. Further, the system includes a plurality of receiver front-ends configured to receive the signal transmitted by each of the one or more transmitters. The system also includes a plurality of remodulator modules configured to translate each of the received signals to a signal having a respective intermediate frequency. In addition, the system includes a combining module configured to combine each of the signals having respective intermediate frequencies to generate a single composite signal. Also, the system includes a single analog-to-digital converter configured to process the composite signal and generate a digital output. Additionally, the system includes a digital signal processor module configured to extract the signal transmitted by each of the one or more transmitters.

Abstract: The present disclosure introduces a simple method for an Automated Meter Reading (AMR) system for determining quantities of a consumed utility product including electric, gas, and water service, using wireless data transfer. To compensate for the frequency drifts of the transmitters, the embodiments of this invention, with minimum pre-processing of the received data, allow for on-the-fly adjustability of the receiver bandwidth by merely changing a pre-calculated weighting function. As such, it is possible to use a fixed size Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT), or in particular a fixed N-point Fast Fourier Transform, for signals of different bandwidths.

Abstract: A system and method for transmitting data from a utility meter, such as a power meter, is disclosed. A microprocessor housed inside the power meter obtains readings of various power indicia, stores the readings in memory, and determines an efficient means of formatting the data for transmission to a remote host computer for further processing and use. The data is selectively compressed to minimize the amount and size of data that needs to be transmitted. The microprocessor is mounted on a circuit board assembly within the power meter housing and interfaces between the meter board of the power meter and a transmitter. The transmitter communicates the formatted and potentially compressed data from the power meter to the remote host computer wirelessly or via hard-wired communication lines. The various power indicia include power usage or power quality information.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for intelligent two-way telemetry. A telemetry system in accordance with the invention includes one or more telemetry units that can receive and send data. The system further includes one or more controllers that includes intelligence for processing data from the one or more telemetry units and for autonomously communicating with the one or more telemetry units. The controllers are separately located from a data processing center of the telemetry system such that the controllers alleviate data congestion going to and coming from the data processing center.

Abstract: A method of measuring a parameter of a landfill including a cap, without passing wires through the cap, includes burying a sensor apparatus in the landfill prior to closing the landfill with the cap; providing a reader capable of communicating with the sensor apparatus via radio frequency (RF); placing an antenna above the barrier, spaced apart from the sensor apparatus; coupling the antenna to the reader either before or after placing the antenna above the barrier; providing power to the sensor apparatus, via the antenna, by generating a field using the reader; accumulating and storing power in the sensor apparatus; sensing a parameter of the landfill using the sensor apparatus while using power; and transmitting the sensed parameter to the reader via a wireless response signal. A system for measuring a parameter of a landfill is also provided.

Abstract: An environmental data recorder for recording environmental factors acting on micro-well plates. The environmental data recorder has sensors for sensing environmental factors and it has a microcontroller programmed to receive and process inputs from the sensors. The sensors and microcontroller are housed in a recorder housing unit. The recording housing unit has exterior dimensions that are approximately equal to the exterior dimensions of the micro-well plates enabling the recorder housing unit to be handled by the same robotic device handling the micro-well plates. In a preferred embodiment, the environmental data recorder's sensors are a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor and an accelerometer.

Abstract: A dynamic self-configuring system for collecting metering data comprises a collector meter. The collector meter scans for meters that are operable to directly communicate with the collector and registers such meters as level one meters. The collector transmits instructions to the level one meters to scan for meters that are operable to directly communicate with the level one meters. The collector registers meters that respond as level two meters.

Abstract: Wireless communication networks for monitoring and controlling a plurality of remote devices are provided. Briefly, one embodiment of a wireless communication network may comprise a plurality of wireless transceivers having unique identifiers. Each of the plurality of wireless transceivers may be configured to receive a sensor data signal from one of the plurality of remote devices and transmit an original data message using a predefined wireless communication protocol. The original data message may comprise the corresponding unique identifier and sensor data signal. Each of the plurality of wireless transceivers may be configured to receive the original data message transmitted by one of the other wireless transceivers and transmit a repeated data message using the predefined communication protocol. The repeated data message may include the sensor data signal and the corresponding unique identifier.

Abstract: A tamper detection arrangement in a meter having a service disconnect switch employs a voltage sense circuit that requires only a single connection to digital processing circuitry for the feeder lines of typical residential service. In one embodiment, the voltage sense circuit includes an isolation device that electrically isolates the processing device from the line voltages. The voltage sense circuit senses a voltage on the feeder lines and is operable to generate a voltage detection signal having a characteristic representative of whether line voltage from the electrical power lines is present on the feeder lines.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for Automated Meter Reading (AMR) systems for determining quantities of a consumed utility product including electric, gas, and water service, using wireless data transfer. To compensate for the frequency drifts of the transmitters, these methods and apparatus, with minimum pre-processing of the received data, allow for on-the-fly adjustability of receiver bandwidth by merely changing a pre-calculated weighting function. As such, it is possible to use a fixed size Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT), or in particular a fixed N-point Fast Fourier Transform, for signals of different bandwidths.

Abstract: An apparatus for remotely monitoring variables comprising: one or more independently powered remote monitoring devices having means for sensing variables coupled to a microprocessor for receiving and processing variable data and means for transmitting the variable data to a control device; a control device having a means for receiving variable data from the one or more remote monitoring devices, coupled to a microprocessor for processing variable data and means for transmitting data to the one or more remote monitoring devices; the one or more remote monitoring devices being momentarily activated at programmed intervals, wherein during activation, the one or more remote monitoring devices transmit a beacon signal to the control device and/or further transmits processed variable data from the and/or a previous activation period, the one or more remote monitoring devices resuming a sleep mode after such transmission(s) and at the end of the activation period, the activation period being extendible.

Abstract: A sensor concentrating system centralizes communication between multiple parameter sensing devices and an application host. As a peripheral device, the sensor concentrating unit establishes a temporal correspondence between range data acquired from multiple optical range sensors with position data acquired from a shaft encoder. The parameter data are read and sampled according to a user specified criteria such as the time division multiplexing technique. The sampled data is correlated with a data tag generated by the sensor concentrating unit. The correlated data is packeted transmitted from the sensor concentrating unit to a downstream application host for subsequent analysis. The sensor concentrating unit also provides operating parameters for individual parameter sensing devices.

Abstract: The system of the invention is used in measuring sports metrics at an event or venue. The system includes “n” sensors, “m” repeaters, a base station and an operations terminal. One or more sensors attach to each athlete (and/or the athletes vehicle) at the event or venue to determine a sports metric, e.g., airtime, g's, drop distance, spin, rotation. The information about the sports metric is transmitted to one or more repeaters; and that information is relayed to the base station. The operations terminal provides a user interface, and may further interface with a judging station or TV to provide the sports metric, in near real-time, to judges, viewers and others at the event or venue.

Abstract: An interface device receives data from a plurality of sensors and transmits the data over a communication network to one or more of a plurality of monitors. The interface device is capable of operating in both a peripheral mode of operation and a stand-alone mode of operation for the plurality of monitors. In another embodiment, a monitor is connected to a plurality of interface devices by way of a communication network. A separate visible physical communication link or other identification link is used to visually identify which of the interface devices is serving as a peripheral device for the monitor.

Abstract: An antenna device is composed of a plurality of units of a same structure connected in series.

Abstract: A structural monitoring system comprises a plurality of modular, battery powered data acquisition devices which transmit structural information to a central data collection and analysis device over a wireless data link. The data acquisition devices each comprise mechanical vibration sensors, data acquisition circuitry, a digital wireless transmitter, and a battery for providing electrical power to the device. The central data collection device comprises a digital wireless receiver that receives data sent from the data acquisition devices, and a microprocessor for processing the data. A more powerful computer may be interfaced with the central device to provide more sophisticated analysis after a natural hazard or other extreme event. A methodology for operating the monitoring system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A communication system transmits data between a plurality of locations. The communication system is suitable for use by a utility provider to monitor a plurality of metering devices from a remote location. The communication system in accordance with use by a utility provider to monitor metering devices comprises a control for at least receiving data, a plurality of metering devices arranged in a defined number of metering groups for transmitting data associated with an amount of usage of a utility, and a defined number of concentrators, each operably connected to the control and one metering group for transmission of data between the control and plurality of metering devices.