Abstract: An isolator system is disclosed in which a pair of circuit systems is separated by an isolation barrier but engage in mutual communication by an isolator device that bridges the isolation barrier. A first circuit system may include a measurement system generating measurement data and status monitor generating status data. The first circuit system also may include a communication system that multiplexes the measurement data and the status data for transmission across a common isolator device. In this manner, the number of isolator devices may be reduced over conventional designs.

Abstract: At least one of a state and a storage amount of a battery is detected, and a battery output that can be outputted by the battery is calculated on the basis of it. A state of an electric motor is detected, and at least one of electric motor torque and electric motor output that can be outputted from the electric motor and maximal torque of the electric motor are calculated on the basis of it. A state of an engine is detected, and engine starting torque required to start the engine is calculated on the basis of it. An EV range in which the engine is cut off to be capable of driving with only the electric motor is set up on the basis of the calculated battery output, at least one of the calculated electric motor torque and electric motor output, and the calculated engine starting torque.

Abstract: The damage length measurement system has an object being measured that comprises a plurality of members is vibrated by an oscillator, and the vibration that propagates through the object being measured is detected by three sensors. A measurement apparatus analyzes that vibration wave, and measures the arrival time of the maximum peak. Using the fact that the time for a wave to propagate between two vibration detection sensors separated by a set interval is fixed, the measurement apparatus determines whether the difference in arrival time between two sensors is within a set reference range that includes the vibration propagation time between two vibration sensors. When the measurement apparatus determines that the difference is not within the set reference range, uses the fact that that wave is delayed compared to the wave that was to be detected.

Abstract: A monitoring system for monitoring the integrity of a member disposed within a machine includes an image analyzer configured to receive image data from an imaging device and to determine an amount of radiation incident on one or more of one or more pixels of the imaging device. The monitoring system also includes a monitor coupled to the image analyzer and configured to generate an alarm in the event an amount of radiation on one or more of the one or more pixels exceeds a limit.

Abstract: An adhesive bandage that includes: a thin sheet having an underside provided with a self adhesive; a wireless transmitter; a memory unit, coupled to the wireless transmitter, for storing a patient identifier and for storing patient data that comprises measurement thresholds, vital signs measurements and treatment data; a monitor, coupled to the memory unit, for monitoring vital signs and for generating the vital signs measurements; a wireless receiver for receiving requests to obtain requested patient data; an alert generator, coupled to the memory unit, for generating an alert if a vital sign measurement reached an associated measurement threshold; and a processor, coupled to the wireless transmitter, to the wireless receiver and to the memory unit, for determining whether to transmit, by the wireless transmitter, the requested patient data and the patient identifier, and for determining whether to transmit, by the wireless transmitter, the alert and the patient identifier; and wherein at least one component

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are related to systems, methods and apparatus for monitoring and controlling energy usage. Alert notifications may be generated based on a current power status of an energy-consuming device and location information of a mobile device associated with the energy-consuming device.

Abstract: An air conditioner that can present information on a predicted value of stored energy usage per unit time, a predicted value of the electricity charge per unit time, and a predicted value of the amount of CO2 emission per unit time, at the start of operation.

Abstract: A HAZMAT monitoring system detects a plurality of different hazardous materials and includes first and second pluralities of RSIs. Each RSI of the first plurality forms a node in a first wireless sensor network and is associated with a mobile container and with at least one sensor that is configured to acquire data for detecting a first hazardous material. Each RSI further is configured to receive the sensor data and wirelessly transmit, over the first wireless sensor network, data relating to the received sensor data pertaining to the detection of the first hazardous material. Each RSI of the second plurality is similarly associated and configured. Communications within a respective wireless sensor network do not result in communications within the another wireless sensor network. A gateway is configured to independently communicate with each respective wireless sensor network.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to mobile inventory unit monitoring systems and methods. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a mobile inventory unit monitoring system comprising a computer configured to execute at least one computer program, at least one wireless transmitter located proximate to a mobile inventory unit, a plurality of radio-frequency transceivers dispersed geographically at defined locations, and a gateway connected to a wide area network. Select information can be transmitted from the transmitter proximate to the mobile inventory unit, through a transceiver in the plurality of transceivers, through the gateway, and to the wide area network. Other aspects, features, and embodiments are also claimed and described.

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: A moving or rotating body and a stationary body having a wireless communication link with each other. The communication link may involve RF telemetry. The stationary body may provide power in a wireless manner to the rotating body. The moving body may be a rotation sensor for determining torque, speed of rotation, angular position, power and the like. The stationary body may also interact with a processing module via a communication medium. The communication medium may be an Ethernet or an equivalent.

Abstract: A dual-technology motion sensor with an ultrasonic sensor element (transducer) and a PIR sensor element is disclosed. The dual-technology motion sensor is configured to modulate ultrasonic radiation emitted from the ultrasonic sensor element when the motion sensor detects a condition under which other wireless devices, especially ultrasound-based wireless devices, are in operation, thereby eliminating problems associated with interference.

Abstract: A sensor device includes an interface that receives a request. The sensor device includes an updatable information store that responds to the request if the request is directed to the updatable information store, the updatable information store being in a first power domain of the sensor device. The sensor device also includes a power manager that activates a sensor element in the sensor device in response to receiving the request if the request is a request for measurement of a parameter by the sensor element. The sensor element is in a second power domain of the sensor device. The sensor element communicates measured parameter information to the updatable information store.

Abstract: A security device for detecting the position of a manhole cover includes a pinger device, such as an acoustic pinger, that transmits a signal in the direction of the expected position of the manhole cover. The device takes energy samples to determine if the signal has been reflected back by the manhole cover. If the device determines the signal has not been reflected, it determines that the manhole cover has been moved from the expected position. In response, the device captures an image of an area around the expected position of the manhole cover. In addition, the device can notify a remote security station via a network that the manhole cover has been moved.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a device characterization system includes a sensor to sense an attribute of a device, a processor, and an algorithm executable on the processor to collect time series data of the attribute from the sensor, detect edges in the data, identify clusters from the edges, label the clusters based on input from a supervisor, and estimate device characterization parameters from the clusters.

Abstract: A system for sensing and communicating in a pipeline that contains a fluid. An acoustic signal containing information about a property of the fluid is produced in the pipeline. The signal is transmitted through the pipeline. The signal is received with the information and used by a control.

Abstract: An IPTV can receive a user name and present a screen enabling a user by means of a remote control to select health information categories, inputting numeric parameters into the selected categories which can be uploaded to an Internet server for analysis and viewed by the user for subsequent monitoring/charting.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for non-invasive monitoring thermal stress of a user. The device is capable of monitoring the internal body temperature and changes in the internal body temperature of a user. Also, the device is capable of alerting a user when the user is in danger of thermal stress.

Abstract: A peritoneal dialysis system includes an automated peritoneal dialysis (“APD”) machine including a logic implementer and a wireless interface receiver. The system also includes at least one of a scale or a blood pressure monitor including a wireless interface transmitter. The scale or blood pressure monitor is operable to send at least one of patient blood pressure data and patient weight data wirelessly, respectively, to the wireless interface receiver. The logic implementer is configured to store the patient blood pressure data or patient weight data. A server computer is configured to communicate with the logic implementer to receive the stored at least one patient blood pressure data and patient weight data.

Abstract: A telemetry system is disclosed herein. The telemetry system includes a transmitter/monitor configured to provide tracking data and monitoring data, and a receiver adapted to define a coverage area. The receiver is configured to receive the tracking data and the monitoring data from the transmitter/monitor when the transmitter/monitor is within the coverage area. The telemetry system also includes a processor configured to receive the tracking data and the monitoring data from the receiver, analyze the tracking data and the monitoring data, and identify an alarm condition based on the analysis of the tracking data and the monitoring data.

Abstract: A monitor implements a protocol for evaluating the sufficiency of a worker's hand washing activity in a desirably sanitary area. After a quantity of cleanser has been dispensed to the worker, data representative of the frequency, amplitude and duration of hand reciprocation by the worker are combined according to a predetermined mathematical proposition to provide a hand cleansing quality indicator. The indicator is then compared to a predetermined threshold level to determine if the protocol has been satisfied. Preferably, the predetermined mathematical proposition includes variable multipliers which can be selected to reflect the importance to the user of the frequency, amplitude and duration components of the proposition and the user can also select the predetermined pass/fail threshold.

Abstract: Described are methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for detecting lightning activity. Waveform data indicative of lightning activity is received by a waveform sensor from one or more signal converters. The waveform data comprises a group of electromagnetic waveforms. The waveform data is filtered by a processor to remove noise frequencies. One or more uncompressed portions of the waveform data are transmitted to a processing server. Digital filter data based on the one or more uncompressed portions of waveform data are received from the processing server. One or more frequencies are removed from the waveform data based on the digital filter data. The waveform data is compressed. The compressing includes selecting one or more points on a waveform, wherein the one or more points are above a predetermined threshold. The compressing includes determining an inflection of the selected points based on a predefined algorithm.

Abstract: A system for endoscope data management of an endoscopic image of a body acquired by an endoscope is provided. An image filing apparatus retrieves the image from the endoscope, and records data of the image and scope ID assigned to the endoscope in association with one another. A washer washes the endoscope. A memory is incorporated in the washer, for storing log information of washing of the endoscope. A data manager retrieves the log information on line with the washer, to record the scope ID and the log information in association with one another. A server device records the data of the image, the scope ID and the log information on line with the image filing apparatus and the data manager. Furthermore, the data manager includes an editor for editing the log information of the washer.

Abstract: An RFID tag is provided. The RFID tag includes an emitting module, a temperature detecting circuit and a tag chip. The temperature detecting circuit produces a time signal according to a surrounding temperature, wherein the time signal changes with the surrounding temperature. The tag chip is electrically connected to the temperature detecting circuit and the emitting module, wherein the time signal is transmitted via the emitting module.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for presenting users with dynamic views of process data related to the operations of an industrial system. Data obtained by a SCADA system may be stored in a real-time status database (which reflects the current process data of the industrial system) and a historian database (which archives the process data from the industrial system as it changes over time). A design canvas allows users to compose a dynamic view of the process data obtained by the SCADA system. For example, a user may compose a dynamic view of selected temperatures, pressures, and flow rates obtained by the SCADA system while monitoring the status of a pipeline.

Abstract: A system and method to monitor the condition of a structure is provided. In one embodiment, a sensor node can include a power supply that can scavenge available energy, a sensor for sensing conditions in the immediate environment, and a communications interface for communicating the sensed operating conditions. Readers can be used to acquire data from the sensor nodes. In one embodiment, the readers can determine if the data from the sensor nodes is an exception and, if so, determine whether trend data is sufficient.

Abstract: Systems for sending utility meter alerts in response to a predetermined threshold condition being met at the utility meter are disclosed. In one embodiment, the utility meter has a communications stack embedded therein, and the communications stack is configured to send an alert through a network in response to a predetermined threshold being met. In another embodiment, a server is communicatively connected to a utility meter, and the server is configured to send an alert through a network in response to a predetermined threshold being met at the utility meter. In either embodiment, the alert can comprise an email, a Short Message Service (SMS), a voice alert, or an instant message. Examples of predetermined threshold conditions that could trigger an alert include total energy consumption, peak energy consumption or total currency, e.g., dollars, spent at the location of the utility meter for a set consumption period.

Abstract: Techniques and systems are described that assist in predicting, diagnosing, and/or managing an incident in a utility service area. A communication system is provided in the service area to communicate with nodes of the service area. Nodes of the service area may communicate with the communication system using a variety of different communication technologies and/or communication protocols. In some instances, nodes of the communication are capable of two-way communication with the communication system.

Abstract: A manhole security system includes a barrier and an alarm. The barrier fits within a manhole opening and under a manhole cover. The barrier is also formed to substantially close the manhole opening to block access to the manhole if the cover is removed, and includes a basin to collect fluids that may otherwise drain into the manhole. The alarm of the system is positioned on the barrier and includes a monitoring device operable to directly or indirectly monitor the position of the manhole cover and/or to detect a volatile gas in the manhole. Upon the removal of a manhole cover and/or upon the detection of a volatile gas within the manhole, the alarm emits an audible alert and/or transmit a signal to a remote station indicating that the manhole cover has been removed an/or the presence of a volatile gas in the manhole.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for monitoring the consumption of a plurality of metered resources. The techniques involve receiving a KYZ pulse from a first utility meter, where the first utility meter is coupled to a source of one of the metered resources, and where the first utility meter outputs the KYZ pulse based on a predefined amount of metered resource being passed through the utility meter. A first counter is incremented, where the first counter is associated with the utility meter and stored in a memory.

Abstract: A process variable transmitter that preferably includes a transmitter output circuit that provides bidirectional HART and controller area network communication transceiver lines. The transmitter output circuit also includes sensor circuit interface contacts. An isolated circuit couples to the sensor circuit interface contacts. The isolated circuit includes sensor circuitry sensing a process variable. The isolated circuit further comprises a galvanic isolation barrier galvanically isolating the sensor circuitry from the HART and controller area network transceiver lines. A stacked power supply provides power management. Other aspects may include a controller area network current limiter diagnostic output, timed sequencing of microcontroller startup and shutdown, a local operator interface and power management.

Abstract: An arrangement has a tachograph, an external mobile data memory device with an external second interface, the interface corresponding with the first interface, for providing data transmission. For safety reasons, conventional arrangements provide for a complete mechanical isolation of the memory device during transmission, the memory device being configured as a data card. In order to reduce cost without compromising safety, the tachograph has a first encoding unit associated to an interface of the tachograph and the data memory device has a second encoding unit to enable data transmission in encoded form.

Abstract: The invention relates to a temperature probe for an oven, comprising in one embodiment a longitudinal housing in the form of a spit. A temperature sensor and an electronic unit are arranged in a tip and are connected at the other end to emitting means. The temperature probe comprises a thermogenerator for producing energy. The thermogenerator uses a temperature difference between a higher temperature inside the oven and a lower core temperature in a food product, such as roast, in which the temperature probe is inserted, for producing energy for operating the emitting means.

Abstract: Among the embodiments of the present invention are pest control devices (1010, 1110, 1210) each operable to detect the presence of pests. The pest control device (1010, 1110, 1210) has a bait (1032) that is consumed or displaced by one or more species of pest, a pest sensing circuit (1052, 1152, 1252), and a monitoring circuit (1069, 1169, 1269). The pest sensing circuit (1052, 1152, 1252) can be altered by pest activity. The monitoring circuit (1069, 1169, 1269) detects this alteration and reports it automatically or in response to an external stimulus or interrogation to indicate pest presence.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for validating that an operator has moved a portable device sufficiently close to an inspection point to enable the operator to perform an inspection. A first exemplary technique employs a first portable device that includes a sensor for detecting the inspection point, a speaker, and stored audible prompts to facilitate the inspection, but no display on which visual prompts for facilitating the inspection can be provided. An alternative second exemplary technique employs a second portable device having a sensor for detecting the inspection point, and a wireless transmitter. This second portable device generates and immediately transmits a signal to a remote receiver indicating that the operator has moved the portable device sufficiently close to the inspection point to enable the operator to perform the inspection. Accordingly, the second portable device need not include a memory for storing the signal.

Abstract: A GIS-based computerized system is provided for maintaining a water supply system having a pipe network and a plurality of measuring sensors. The maintenance system includes a transmitter that receives information from the measuring sensors, and transmits the information, a collector that collects the information transmitted by the transmitter, an information analyzer that analyzes the collected information and decides prescribed status variables for the maintenance system, a storage that stores information provided by the collector and the information analyzer, an alarm device that generates an alarm when the information analyzer decides a leak expectation, a sensor error or an abnormal operation, a pipe network analyzer that analyzes the pipe network base on the collected information. The pipe network analyzer analyzes the information stored by the storage based on a pipe network scheme that is constructed with space data of the water supply system.

Abstract: A safety locking system is provided to detect an open fault or a ground fault condition. The safety locking system includes a central processing unit with an input and an output, and a safety switch electrically connected to the input of the central processing unit. The input receives a low signal when the safety switch is in an enabled state and a pulsed signal when the safety switch is in a disabled state. The central processing unit detects an open fault condition when the input receives a high signal for a time period greater than a threshold time period, and a ground fault condition when the input receives the low signal and the safety switch operates as if the safety switch is in the disabled state.

Abstract: A wireless sensor network for monitoring one or more selected environmental characteristics. Multiple wireless signal transceivers, disposed in respective portions of a selected environment, respond to one or more wireless beacon signals by selectively collecting, processing and storing data corresponding to one or more characteristics of such portions of the selected environment, and by selectively transmitting respective wireless response signals containing selected portions of such data. Alternatively, multiple wireless signal transceivers, disposed in respective sub-networks in portions of a selected environment, collect and convey data corresponding to one or more characteristics of such selected environment portions.

Abstract: Systems and methods that evaluate moisture content of the soil through change of capacitance and alternative current. A contact free inductive coupling can be provided between a sensor arrangement associated with the soil, and a reader arrangement (e.g., combination of inductor(s) and capacitor(s)) to determine frequency changes of resulting sinusoidal oscillator. Such frequency change can be correlated with moisture content of the soil.

Abstract: A self dynamo smart flow utility meter providing self electric energy, real-time wireless data transmission ability and remotely flow control ability is disclosed. Also, a method and system for flow utility real-time flow usage monitoring and control, self error diagnostic and self leakage monitoring is disclosed.

Abstract: Devices and methods for generating audio alerts while monitoring power consumption of a load are provided. For example, an audio-enabled energy meter may include metering circuitry and a processor. The metering circuitry may monitor the power consumption of a load. The processor may generate a speech audio alert based at least in part on the power consumption of the load.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a wind turbine. A monitoring signal, including an audio signal and/or an image signal, is received from a monitoring device. Operating data are calculated based on the received monitoring signal. An operating condition and/or a deviation is determined by comparing the operating data to baseline data.

Abstract: Structural health monitoring apparatuses and methods are disclosed. One or more structural health sensors may be used to disconnect and/or connect one or more RFID chips to an antenna such that wireless communication with the one or more RFID chips (or the absence of wireless communication) through the antenna indicates the structural health status. Example structural health sensors may be moisture detecting or fracture detecting. A remote reader may be used to establish the wireless communication with the one or more RFID chips to determine the structural health. The sensors and RFID chips may be passive and powered through the wireless communication from the remote reader. Such apparatuses and methods may be applied to any large structures requiring regular inspection, such as aircraft, ships, automobiles or buildings.

Abstract: A method for use in a power line communication systems for an electrical distribution system (1) to quickly and accurately poll electrical meters (6) installed at user facilities to determine if an outage has occurred at a facility. An outbound communications message is transmitted to the meter at the facility requesting a short response consisting of a bit pattern that is either partially or completely known to the receiver. Any perceived response from the meter is then processed to ascertain whether or not the meter actually transmitted a message. Receipt of a message indicates that an outage has not occurred at that site, while an indication the message was not received indicates an outage has likely occurred. In processing the received message, two types of errors can potentially occur; i.e., a false positive or a false negative. A false positive occurs when a detection algorithm used to process the response indicates that the meter sent a response when actually it did not.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring an analog data signal is provided that includes an analog data compression subsystem. The analog data compression subsystem includes a frequency bandpass filter, a rectifier, and an integrator such as a leaky integrator or one that is reset after being sampled. An analog data signal is bandpass filtered by the frequency bandpass filter, rectified, and integrated in the analog domain. The output of the integrator is converted into a digital data value by an analog-to-digital converter circuit that samples the integrator at a desired sample rate or duty cycle. The output of the integrator can trigger an event based upon established criteria. Multiple analog data compression subsystems can be used in parallel to monitor multiple frequency bands-of-interest.

Abstract: A system is provided, which may alternatively be implemented as a method. According to one embodiment, the system comprises an article to be tracked; a flexible radio frequency identification (RFID) device coupled to the article, the RFID device comprising a first thin flexible sheet having a first surface, a dipole antenna disposed on the first sheet, and a single integrated circuit (IC) having stored therein an identification code associated with the article. The system further comprises an article tracking system configured to receive the identification code from an interrogation system, wherein the interrogation system includes a first interrogator located at a point of origin of the article, a second interrogator located at a point of destination of the article, and a third interrogator located on a route between the point of origin and the point of destination, and wherein the first, second, and third interrogators are configured to communicate with the RFID device to determine the identification code.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to a system for monitoring a variety of environmental and/or other conditions within a defined remotely located region. Such a system may be configured to monitor utility meters in a defined area. The system is implemented by using a plurality of wireless transmitters, wherein each wireless transmitter is integrated into a sensor adapted to monitor a particular data input. The system also includes a plurality of transceivers that are dispersed throughout the region at defined locations. The system uses a local gateway to translate and transfer information from the transmitters to a dedicated computer on a network. The dedicated computer, collects, compiles, and stores the data for retrieval upon client demand across the network. The computer further includes means for evaluating the received information and identifying an appropriate control signal, the system further including means for applying the control signal at a designated actuator.

Abstract: A wireless communication device includes a near-field activated circuit that transmits an output signal upon exposure to an energizing electromagnetic field, and a sensor having an output coupled to the near-field activated circuit, wherein the sensor produces an output signal in response to sensing an environmental condition other than the energizing electromagnetic field, and wherein the output signal of the near-field activated circuit changes when the sensor changes states.

Abstract: Remote monitoring of the munition assets is directed to providing a munitions monitoring system and method for monitoring the environment approximate to a munition and transferring data of the environment to a location remote from the munition for storage or processing. A local monitoring device communicates directly with a remote device at a location remote from the munition, the monitoring device being proximate to a munition with a plurality of sensors that monitor the environment of the munition. The local monitoring device can communicate directly with a centralized relay system that is located in the general proximity to a munitions stock pile and/or with a mobile remote device, such as mounted on a vehicle or a hand-held device. The data can be correlated with the operability of the munition.

Abstract: A lightning detection system and method for detecting a lightning strike are provided. The system includes a lightning detector in a structure susceptible to a lightning strike. The lightning detector includes a data logger configured to log data indicative of a time of occurrence of the lightning strike. The system further includes memory to store data collected from a wide-area lightning detection network. The stored data includes at least one characteristic of the lightning strike. A processor may be configured to process data from the data logger relative to data collected from the wide-area lightning detection network to determine correlated data indicative of a lightning strike affecting the structure. In the event correlated data is determined, the processor may be configured to assign the characteristic of the lightning strike to the structure.