Abstract: An RF addressable sensor network architecture is provided. The RF addressable sensor network includes one or more RF addressable sensors, one or more wireless sensor readers coupled to a communications network, and one or more end user devices coupled to the communications network. The RF addressable sensor network may also include a sensor network processor. An RF addressable sensor includes one or more sensor elements, one or more antennas for communicating with the wireless sensor reader, an RF power and communications interface, an RFID control module, and a sensor interface. The wireless sensor reader includes one or more antennas, a user interface, a controller, a network communications module, and an RF addressable sensor logic module.

Abstract: An automatic meter reading (AMR) system and a method of operating an AMR system are disclosed. The AMR system stores and transfers consumptive data, demand data, and data archives. The system and method can also provide a demand reset to reduce or eliminate the need to physically visit a remote endpoint device, for example a residential utility meter, to directly connect to the endpoint device for the collection of data. The system and method provide two-way wireless communication between at least one reader and a plurality of remote endpoint devices and are adapted for use with mobile readers. The AMR system and method therefore provide efficient and reliable storage and transfer of data, including high volumes of data, at mobile read rates.

Abstract: A safety controller having a total worst case propagation delay, exceeding the required propagation delay required by a safety process, may be used to control the safety process by monitoring actual delays in signal processing in the safety controller and moving to a safety state if a signal delay exceeds an amount less than the total worst case propagation delay.

Abstract: A method and system for reading endpoints used for tracking consumption of a utility may allow the sequencing of meters/endpoints in a meter reading route, such as a mobile automatic meter reading route. The sequencing may include receiving an indication of a collection of endpoints comprising a meter reading route, wherein each endpoint stores utility consumption data, then executing the meter reading route. Executing the meter reading route may include identifying and reading a first endpoint on the meter reading route, receiving input used in identifying a next endpoint to be read on the meter reading route, identifying a next endpoint to be read on the meter reading route based on the received input, and reading the identified next endpoint. One or more of these tasks may be performed repeatedly until all the endpoints on the meter reading route are read or otherwise acknowledged as unreadable, etc.

Abstract: A method monitors servicing operations of a vehicle capable for example of pumping various fluid treatments down into a well being serviced at a well site. The method records the vehicle's engine speed and the values of one or more service-related variables, such as pressure, temperature, flow rate, and pump strokes per minute. These variables are recorded as a function of the time of day in accordance with when they were sensed, and are associated with a well site identifier to form a data record. Global Positioning System data associated with the service vehicle assists in determining the well site identifier or can constitute the well site identifier. In some embodiments, the data record is communicated over a wireless communication link from a remote well site to a central office.

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: To allow meter data users to have access to needed information and at the same time address the rapidly shifting requirements of the deregulated marketplace, a new business model, apparatus and system are provided. A common metering device measures raw data and a system composed of independent services or applications collect and process raw metered data and then make that data available to interested parties. This new model removes the dependence upon an automatic meter reading (AMR) system provider, as the sole provider, by creating a system to enable a competitive environment where services (applications, information, networking, etc.) rather than systems are selected and paid for on a leased or pay-per-use basis. One example of such a networked-based, extensible metering system comprises a network server, a wide area network coupled to the network server, and a plurality of network-enabled meters coupled to the network.

Abstract: A method for the detection of M0 sources common to several observations u(t) and v(t) within a single array of sensors, the observations having different lengths N1 and N2, comprises at least the following steps: defining a law of likelihood Vuv([M=M0]/M0) substantially equal to the chi-2 law with 2(N1?M0)(N2?M0) degrees of freedom with N1?N2, dim{u(t)}=N1×1 and dim{v(t)}=N2×1; determining a detection threshold ?M in order to obtain a low probability of false alarms and a number of degrees of freedom that takes account of the lengths N1 and N2 and of the number of sources M0; determining the presence and/or the number of the sources M0 in applying the law of likelihood and the threshold ?M. The method and device can be applied to the determining of the presence and/or the number of sources common to at least two observations having different lengths in a GSM type radiocommunications system.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention provides a meter reading system. The meter reading system includes an endpoint device and a reader. The endpoint device is configured to operably couple to a utility meter and includes a receiver, a control block, and a transmitter. The receiver is configured to periodically turn on for a first time period to measure a signal strength. The control block is configured to keep the receiver turned on for a second time period if the measured signal strength is at least equal to a threshold value so as to enable the receiver to receive a subsequent wake-up message. The transmitter is configured to transmit an endpoint signal in response to the wake-up message. The reader is configured to transmit the wake-up message and to receive the endpoint signal.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed that provide for transmitting data from a downhole location to the surface. In one embodiment, a communications medium provides data transfer capabilities to the surface. A first downhole instrument is associated with the communications medium in order to measure a first downhole parameter and transmit first data relative to the first downhole parameter to the surface via the communications medium at a first time. A second downhole instrument is associated with the communications medium in order to measure a second downhole parameter and transmit second data relative to the second downhole parameter to the surface via the communications medium at a second time such that the first data is interleaved with the second data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a security, telemetry and control system which utilizes wireless communication between a control unit and smart relay(s) within the vehicle and also utilizes wireless communication between the vehicle and a remote base station to monitor and protect a vehicle or piece of equipment against unauthorized users and thieves.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a patient care and communication system which utilizes a central processing system and a plurality of remote stations electrically connected to the central processing system to facilitate visual and data communications. Each remote station includes telephone circuitry which is connected to a private branch exchange for telephone communications between stations. In addition, the private branch exchange is connected to a telephone exchange and a plurality of telephones for facilitating telephone communication therebetween. The central processing system facilitates the visual and data communications between the plurality of remote stations, and includes a system for determining which of the plurality of remote stations are transmitting the visual and data communications and which of the plurality of remote stations are to receive the visual and data communications.

Abstract: An implantable infusion pump possesses operational functionality that is, at least in part, controlled by software operating in two processor ICs which are configured to perform some different and some duplicate functions. The pump exchanges messages with an external device via telemetry. Each processor controls a different part of the drug infusion mechanism such that both processors must agree on the appropriateness of drug delivery for infusion to occur. Delivery accumulators are incremented and decremented with delivery requests and with deliveries made. When accumulated amounts reach or exceed, quantized deliverable amounts, infusion is made to occur. The accumulators are capable of being incremented by two or more independent types of delivery requests. Operational modes of the infusion device are changed automatically in view of various system errors that are trapped, various system alarm conditions that are detected, and when excess periods of time lapse between pump and external device interactions.

Abstract: An inexpensive energy monitoring device and method for measuring energy usage and power costs in real time. The invention can include an external type digital battery powered camera that can be mounted away from and adjacent to the outdoor utility meter on a rotatable arm, which can send data signals to remote locations indoors using wireless such as an RF signal to a detector/display inside the residence. The indoor unit can be programmed to display desirable energy status information to a home owner on power usage and power costs on a daily bases, monthly bases, and yearly bases so that the home owner can budget energy usage and energy costs as needed. A shield can also be used with device and method for shielding power meters from adverse weather conditions.

Abstract: In the wireless telegram communication (28) from data-generating, unidirectionally communicating terminal devices (12) by way of primary radio sections (10) and by way of subsequent bidirectionally operating data collectors (13) of a radio network (11) to a data-documenting master data collector (14), a memory and selection expenditure governed by redundancy as a consequence of multiple connections by way of the primary radio sections (10) is avoided and nonetheless very reliable telegram communication (18) is achieved with simplified data collectors (13) if distribution criteria such as for example reception field strength-dependent quality information (22) is currently detected and stored in data collectors (13) for primary radio sections (10) from terminal devices (12).

Abstract: The present invention comprises systems and methods related to monitoring of energy usage on a power line. In a preferred embodiment, this system comprises (a) an electronic microprocessor-controlled digital electricity metering device coupled to the power line and comprising a non-volatile non-battery-powered data-storage device, wherein the metering device is capable of interval metering and of receiving a data request and transmitting data in response to the request over the power line; and (b) a data collector (preferably, a transponder) coupled to the metering device via the power line. The data collector is preferably capable of (i) receiving data from and transmitting data to the metering device over the power line, (ii) storing data received from the metering device over the power line, and (iii) receiving data from and transmitting data to a remotely located computer (preferably, a billing computer).

Abstract: A remote telemetry system utilizing dual communication pathways comprising low-cost remote communications devices operating on existing wire-based communications systems, wireless communications systems, and/or a combination thereof, to provide real-time reading and control of the remote telemetry units. A central controller directs the operation of the remote telemetry units and receives data from the remote telemetry units. The central controller is configured to utilize a conventional broadcast communications channel to transmit commands to individual remote telemetry units, each of which is assigned a unique identification code. Signals broadcast from the central controller are received at receivers associated with each remote telemetry unit, which performs a directed operation if a unique identification code included in the broadcast signal matches the identification code assigned to the remote telemetry unit.

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: A wireless, programmable system for medical monitoring includes a base unit and a plurality of individual wireless, remotely programmable biosensor transceivers. The base unit manages the transceivers by issuing registration, configuration, data acquisition, and transmission commands using wireless techniques. Physiologic data from the wireless transceivers is demultiplexed and supplied via a standard interface to a conventional monitor for display. Initialization, configuration, registration, and management routines for the wireless transceivers and the base unit are also described.

Abstract: Method and system to collect measurements from multiple metering devices. The collector devices store and forward measurement information through a network connection to a remote processing center to generate an output based on the measurement information.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and system for verifying an installation of an meter, for example, an electric power meter. The inventive method includes identifying the electric power meter to a central computer using a mobile computing device. The electric power meter receives computer-executable instructions from the central computer via the mobile computing device, and transmits meter information (e.g., power consumption readings, meter identification information, and meter location) to the central computer. The meter information received from the central computer is compared with meter information available at the electric power meter. The comparison may be accomplished visually by reading the meter and comparing the readings with the information received on the mobile computing device. Also, the comparison may be accomplished automatically by the mobile computing device based on the information it receives from the central computer and the information it receives from the electric power meter.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus implementing and using techniques for data collection, including using a plurality of telemetry devices to generate and transmit a series of measurements and transmit the measurements. Each of a plurality of collection devices are used to receive measurements from one or more telemetry devices, transmit data based on the measurements received from a telemetry device in a first set of telemetry devices to a monitoring station and, upon request from the monitoring station, transmit data based on measurements received from a telemetry device in a second set of telemetry devices to the monitoring station. A monitoring station is used to designate a collection device as a preferred collection device for a telemetry device and designate at least one other collection device as an alternate collection device for the telemetry device.

Abstract: A tri-mode telemetry system useful for monitoring patients in a care unit of a health care facility. The system includes an antenna system with a first antenna tuned to receive a signal in a first communication band, a second antenna tuned to receive a signal in a second communication band, a third antenna tuned to receive data signals, a down converter for producing a frequency translation signal, and a mixer coupled to the second antenna. The mixer combines the signal received by the second antenna with the frequency translation signal to produce a signal having a frequency in the first communication band. A combiner coupled to the mixer and the first antenna combines the signal generated by the mixer with the signal received by the first antenna. The combined signals and data signals are delivered to a wiring system.

Abstract: A wireless data collection system 1a includes a wireless terminal 2 provided for an apparatus 1, a wireless base station 5 for communicating with the wireless terminal 2 through a wireless communication to collect data on the apparatus 1, and a central station apparatus 10 for communicating with the wireless base station 5 through a line 9. The wireless base station 5 includes a control section 6 for controlling an operation of the wireless base station 5, an information obtaining section 7 for obtaining change information for changing an operation of the control section 6 from outside the wireless base station 5, and a rewriting section 8 for rewriting control information defining the operation of the control section 6 based on the change information.

Abstract: A method for making an apparatus for disambiguating telemetry sent by exception over a multi-path, multi-tier communications network having a plurality of telemetry source nodes producing telemetry data elements, a plurality of linked relay nodes, and one destination node, each telemetry source node connected to at least one relay node, wherein each node originates uniquely identifiable periodically changing counter data over said network, the method comprising the steps of obtaining a network diagram of said multi-path, multi-tier communications network, organizing data describing said network diagram, wherein said data describing said network diagram includes data relating to said counter data, and autocoding said data describing said network diagram to produce a telemetry disambiguating computer program. An apparatus and a program product are also provided.

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: A method and a system for estimating electricity consumption of electric appliances and an abnormality alarm system, enabling estimation of individual electricity consumption of electric appliances in operation in a building or the like by a non-intrusive method, and comprising a measuring sensor (11), data extracting means (12), and estimating means (13) such as an LMC. The estimating means (13) learns based on a training set in advance, and is able to estimate individual electricity consumption of electric appliances in operation. Fundamental and higher harmonics of total load current and their phase differences from voltage are obtained by the data extracting means (12) from measurement data VA, VB, IA, IB detected by an instrument transformer (111) and an instrument current transformer (112) provided in the vicinity of a service entrance 6 of a feeder 4 to a user 2. They are inputted to the estimating means (13) as inputs, thereby estimating individual electricity consumption of the electric appliances.

Abstract: A cover member for an electronic device, the cover member having a secure radio frequency identification (RFID) module within it, an electronic device including such a cover member, and a system including such an electronic device for authorizing providing of goods or services. If desired, the circuitry of the electronic device can supplement that of the RFID module, enabling storage, display and control of transactions enabled by the RFID module.

Abstract: System for tracking mobile tags. Cell controllers with multiple antenna modules generate a carrier signal which is received by the tags. Tags shift the frequency of the carrier signal, modulate an identification code onto it, and transmit the resulting tag signal at randomized intervals. The antennas receive and process the response, and determine the presence of the tags by proximity and triangulation. The recursive-least squares (RLS) technique is used in filtering received signals. Distance of a tag from an antenna is calculated by measuring the round trip signal time. The cell controllers send data from the antenna to a host computer. The host computer collects the data and resolves them into positional estimates. A combined infrastructure including a wireless communication system and the local positioning system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A position measuring device for determining the position of two elements, which are movable with respect to each other, the device including a voltage source and a scanning unit that includes one or more individual electrical components and a voltage monitoring unit that selectively supplies the one or more individual electrical components with a voltage from the voltage source.

Abstract: A beverage system including a communication means (300) for communicating between a beverage dispensing module (32) and a base station (304). Each beverage-dispersing module (32) includes a controller (76), which is centralized for use with multiple modules (32) or dedicated to an individual module (32). The controller (76) collects information about the module (32) or modules. The controller (76) includes link (302), which connect the controller (76) to the base station (304). The base station (304) includes a means for displaying display (305) and can provide visual auditor or other information about numerous conditions.

Abstract: A conduit network system includes at least one, and typically multiple, node elements in communication with an inner area of a conduit, which is used to transfer material therein. The node element can receive, process and communicate data signals that are representative of user-desired information. A system control mechanism is in communication with the node elements and receives the data signals from these node elements. A method for communicating data in a conduit system is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to detection and alarm systems for predicting and detecting the location of spills, leaks, emissions, and/or pollution sources, i.e., unwanted fluid (liquid/gas) flow/escape, at refineries, e.g., oiland gas refineries, and plants, e.g., petrochemical, chemical, pharmaceutical, and food processing plants, and avoiding said unwanted flow/escape. According to one embodiment, said system comprises at least one detector, at least one battery powered radio frequency transmitter, preferably, according to one embodiment, a 900 megahertz spread spectrum transmitter, and a central processing location which, according to one embodiment, is preferably capable of handling up to 3000 points in a single cell site.

Abstract: To develop a method according to WO 01/45232 in such a manner that it supplies good results in every case, in a method for detecting and digitally transmitting measured analog output values of a number of transducers to a protection or field device, the measured analog output values of each transducer (ECT1 . . . EVTBB) are converted into measured digital values (Md) at a sampling rate which is higher by a factor (m) than the minimum sampling rate, and are transmitted, the factor (m) being an integer divider of the number (n) of the filter coefficients of in each case one FIR filter (FIR) with filter coefficients of the value 1 in a data concentrator (26) for each transducer (ECT1 . . . EVTBB). The measured digital values (Md) are transmitted as a message to a data concentrator and from buffers (Buf1) associated with each transducer (ECT1 . . .

Abstract: An electronic meter incorporates a TCP/IP protocol suite and an HTTP server to provide two-way access to the meter data. Alternatively, the TCP/IP protocol suite may be incorporated into a gateway serving multiple meters connected through a power line or wireless two-way network. The gateway may incorporate an HTTP server for accessing data from multiple meters and for transmission of data to individual meters. Other aspects of the disclosed system include the use of a common gateway interface for remote access to meter data and to set meter parameters using HTML forms in HTTP browsers; remote reading and setting of multiple meter parameters using a TCP/IP protocol suite; a TCP/IP protocol suite implemented in designated nodes in a CEBus LAN with remote access through TCP/IP to routers and brouters and to individual meters on the LAN; and an SLIP-PPP enabled gateway for remote TCP/IP access through a serial interface to a single or multiple meter parameters.

Abstract: An analog-digital, radiation-hardened, low-power Smart Sensor Data Acquisition and Control chip, specifically designed and developed for Spacecraft/Instrument Housekeeping and Controls. Sensor data (Temperatures, Voltages, Currents, Pressure, Digitals) are continuously measured, digitized, stored, and transmitted, and Control Actions (DACS, Timers, Digitals) are activated, through a standard bi-directional, digital serial bus (I2C). The chip also offers a Custom or Standard (like PCI) parallel bus interface for parallel readout internally communicating to the serial bus. The chip essentially eliminates spacecraft harness, and greatly simplifies system design.

Abstract: A method for providing environmental monitoring and control includes providing a network of wireless nodes, the wireless nodes includes an array of sensor nodes and an array of actuator nodes, each wireless node including a wireless transceiver, a processor and one of a sensor device or an actuator device. The method further includes sending a message from a first wireless node to a second wireless node through wireless communication; and processing the message at the second wireless node. In operation, the message may include sensor data or a control command operative to control the sensor device or the actuator device in the second wireless node. In one embodiment, a sensor node processes sensor data and generate a control command as a message to be transmitted to an actuator node. In another embodiment, the actuator node transmits a message to a sensor node to request sensor data or control commands.

Abstract: A method for providing environmental monitoring and control includes providing a network of wireless nodes, the wireless nodes includes an array of sensor nodes and an array of actuator nodes, each wireless node including a wireless transceiver, a processor and one of a sensor device or an actuator device. In one embodiment, the receiver wireless node schedules the time slot for the next transmission by sending an acknowledgement message from the receiver wireless node to the sender wireless node including a time slot for the next scheduled transmission. The wireless nodes are turned off until the next scheduled time slot when the wireless nodes are turned on synchronously. In another embodiment, the sender wireless node schedules the next transmission by sending a message including a time slot for the next scheduled transmission and the receiver wireless node sends an acknowledgement message acknowledging the selected time slot.

Abstract: A method for remote sensing includes receiving, at a first module of an array of modules, incident electromagnetic energy from an external source. The incident electromagnetic energy is converted to a source of power for the first module. A value is measured, at the first module, of at least one environmental parameter adjacent the first module. A signal is encoded with the value of the at least one environmental parameter. The signal is transmitted to a central processing subsystem independently of transmissions from other ones of the array of modules.

Abstract: A network of remote sensing node assemblies, a first and second of which each has a sensor element, as well as associated technique and program code for transmitting information collected about a liquid environment. The network provides the capability of sensing the liquid to collect a wide variety of types of information/data about the liquid and any surrounding environments, and transmitting from the originating node assembly to a different node within acoustic transmission range, and then transmitting further to a third node assembly where the information may be processed and communicated to a user, or further transmitted by way of suitable medium, preferably as electromagnetic signals, to a host location for processing into a compilation of data. Each of at least two sensing node assemblies has at least one sensor element adapted for operation while immersed within the liquid, a source of power, and a transducer for receiving acoustic waves/signals transmitted from another node assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method 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 or each remote monitoring device, coupled to a microprocessor for processing variable data and means for transmitting data to the or each remote monitoring device; the or each remote monitoring device being momentarily activated for a period of time at programmed intervals, wherein during such momentary activation period the or each remote monitoring device transmits a beacon signal to the control device and/or further transmits up to 1 byte of any processed variable data from the and/or a previous momentary activation period, the or each remote monitoring device resuming a sleep mode after such transmission(s) a

Abstract: A tire air pressure monitoring device is inexpensively constructed, and avoids misregistering ID codes from other vehicles by using a receiver that determines the ID code registration method based on the speed of the vehicle, and a function code setting process that sets the function code of the data intended for ID code registration based on the results of the ID code registration method determining process. The receiver identifies data intended for ID code registration by the function code, and then registers the ID code. Further, the receiver has an ID code permutation comparison process that permutes the ID codes received from a plurality of transmitters to form ID code permutation blocks. The receiver compares the ID code permutations of consecutive ID code permutation blocks, and registers the ID codes when the ID code permutations are the same in two consecutive ID code permutation blocks.

Abstract: A wireless lighting system for providing convenient illumination where needed with centralized control. The wireless lighting system includes a main transmitter assembly providing a centralized control capability; including a housing defining an interior space and a transmitter member positioned substantially within the housing for generating and transmitting control signals, and a plurality of lamp assemblies each having a base portion and a lamp member. Each lamp member selectively provides illumination. Each one of the base portions has a base housing defining an interior space and an energy storage member positioned within said housing for selectively providing electrical current to an associated lamp member. Additionally, each one of said base portions includes a receiver portion positioned within the housing for receiving control signals generated and transmitted by the transmitter member.

Abstract: A system and method are useful for tracking two or more objects moving by separate transport paths to a destination and associating the objects at the destination. Object and check smart tags are associated respectively with each object to be tracked and with an associated check object. Each smart tag includes at least an electronic memory from which information man be transmitted and/or into which information may be stored. Smart tag control units (reader and/or writer) and antenna arrays along the transport path communicate with the smart tags and/or communicate directly or indirectly with one or more processors that process the information. Object and check smart tags are read and compared for matching the object and check object at the destination.

Abstract: A sensor head includes a sensor element whose measurement signal can be fed to a comparator. The comparator compares the measurement signal to a threshold value and forwards a binary output signal to a transmission circuit. The sensor head is provided with electric energy via a proprietary two-wire line. In addition, the output signal can be transmitted from the transmission circuit via the two-wire line to a higher-order control module that is located outside of the sensor head. At least two sensor heads of this type can be connected to the control module.

Abstract: An electronic control system, such as a field oriented control system, is provided, including a device to be controlled; an application control arrangement including a plurality of functional blocks configured to perform a cascaded computation, the application control arrangement configured to generate control signals to control the device in accordance with the cascaded computation; and a master control arrangement communicatively coupled to the application control arrangement and configured to communicate parameter inputs and an initial start pulse to the application control arrangement, the initial start pulse being operable to initiate the cascaded computation; wherein each of the functional blocks is configured to generate output data and a done pulse in accordance with a predetermined partial computation, the output data being valid and stable at least for a duration of the done pulse, the predetermined partial computation of each of the functional blocks being performed as a function of input data and

Abstract: Disclosed are materials and methods for detecting biomolecules in samples employing transponders associated with the bead(s) used as the solid phase in the assay, and information pertinent to the assay is encoded on the transponders memory elements. A dedicated read/write device is used remotely to encode or remotely to read the information. The invention can be used in direct or competitive ELISA-type assays, or in multiplex assays for the simultaneous assay of several analytes.

Abstract: A portable communication device (100) includes at least one sensing circuit (101) and a processor (104), and operates in accordance with a corresponding method of operation. The sensing circuit detects (205) either a characteristic of an external environment containing the portable communication device (e.g., a chemical in the air or acceleration of the device) or a characteristic of the portable communication device user (e.g., heart rate or blood sugar content), and generates a signal (207) representative of a feature of the sensed characteristic. The processor receives the signal and initiates an event based at least on the feature of the sensed characteristic as represented by the signal. Events include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: alerting the device user, transmitting a signal (e.g., an emergency call) to a remote communication device, re-sensing the characteristic or sensing another characteristic, and modifying a setting or profile of the device.

Abstract: The invention presents a method for providing activation parameters for a telematic device by receiving at least one telematic device specific activation attribute from a telematic device manufacturer at a remote activation server. Additionally, the remote activation server receives at least one mobile vehicle specific attribute from a mobile vehicle manufacturer. At least one data feed attribute is created as a function of the telematic device specific activation attribute and the mobile vehicle specific attribute, and is stored within a database in communication with the remote activation server.

Abstract: A transmitter to transmit data from an end-point includes a reference oscillator; a low pass filter coupled to the reference oscillator; a modulation filter to provide an over-sampled modulated signal; a synthesizer coupled to the low pass filter and the modulation filter; and a sine wave generator coupled to the synthesizer.