Abstract: A transmission system is disclosed for the contactless transmission of at least one electrical and/or electromagnetic signal from a first device part of a data-generating device to a second device part of the device by way of electrical and/or electromagnetic coupling. The first device part is set up to perform a movement relative to the second device part during operation. The transmission system includes a first transmission unit and a second transmission unit, either being arrangable on the first device part and the other being arrangable on the second device part. The first transmission unit includes a first coupler and a first auxiliary coupler and the second transmission unit includes a second coupler. For the electrical and/or electromagnetic coupling, the coupling strengths between the first coupler and the second coupler and between the first auxiliary coupler and the second coupler have different functional distance dependences.

Abstract: Embodiments include a system, method, and a computer program product for identifying a cause of return system degradation. Embodiments include monitoring a network to identify a distressed node impacted by return system degradation, polling a plurality of cable modem devices serviced by the distressed node for transmission parameter values, scoring the transmission parameter values for each of the plurality of cable modem devices, identifying a cable modem device from among the plurality of cable modem devices causing the return system degradation based on the scores of each of the plurality of cable modem devices, and initiating a work order to repair the cable modem device from among the plurality of cable modem devices causing the return system degradation.

Abstract: Devices and methods are described for measuring formed blood component sedimentation rate. Some of the methods may use (1) centrifugal techniques for separating red blood cells from plasma and (2) video and/or still imaging capability. Both may be used alone or in combination to accelerate formed blood component sedimentation and to measure its rate. In one example, the method may advantageously enable rapid measurement of sedimentation rate using small blood sample volumes. Automated image analysis can be used to determine both sedimentation rate and hematocrit. Automated techniques may be used to compensate for effects of hematocrit on uncorrected sedimentation rate data.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for measuring the relative position of two objects moving relative to each other along an axis or around a rotating axis (D), with a transmitter (12) which emits unpolarized light, and with a polarizer (20), and with at least one receiver (16) which measures the luminosity of the light passing through the polarizer (20) in order to create a position-dependent signal, such that a polarizing filter is positioned in front of the receiver (16), and the receiver (16) and the polarizer (20) move relative to each other as a function of the relative position of the two objects, and such that the polarizer (20) has at least two different polarizing directions.

Abstract: Among other things, one or more data-links for transferring information between a stationary unit and a movable (e.g., rotating) unit, or between two movable units without contact between the units is provided. A transmitting antenna of a data-link comprises at least two capacitive conducting portions, a first portion configured to conduct signals having a first frequency range (e.g., a higher frequency range) and a second portion configured to conduct signals having a second frequency range (e.g., a lower frequency range). The second portion is comprised of a plurality of members (e.g., conductive plates) arranged to create a substantially continuous electrically conductive structure (e.g., although respective members may not be in physical contact with adjacent members). In this way, a loss of capacitance in a transition between two adjacent members is reduced to provide for transferring information at lower frequencies where a higher capacitance is desirable, for example.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for utility meter reading. The present disclosure provides inexpensive, easy to install, devices that can collect and report utility usage data from a remote location automatically, or on-demand. The disclosed systems may be used to monitor up to sixty-four meters per system, wherein each of the sixty-four meters is monitored at least once per second. Methods for using the disclosed systems also are disclosed.

Abstract: A safety arrangement for use with a piece of equipment. The safety arrangement includes a signal generating unit for generating an optical signal, an elongate element, and a signal detecting unit. The elongate element is disposed along, about, around or through the piece of equipment and is capable of transmitting an optical signal. The signal detecting unit detects an optical signal. The signal generating unit is connected to the signal detecting unit by the elongate element such that the signal detecting unit is in optical communication with the signal detecting unit. The signal detecting unit is arranged to detect a change in the optical signal transmitted by the elongate element as a consequence of movement of the elongate element and, upon detection of the change in the signal, the detecting unit is configured to effect a change in the operation of the piece of equipment.

Abstract: The extended range of optical data communication is enabled through the use of intermediary relay stations spaced fairly far apart. IRDA communicatiOn, as is well known, uses very short duration optical pulses to send data up to 1 Mbit/sec; this has the concomitant effect of minimizing LED duty cycle and preventing excessive heating. The invention uses a number of integrated pulses to represent a single bit instead of utilizing a one-to-one correspondence between pulses and bits. Processing software causes the transmitter to “stutter” or repetitively emanate the identical pulse representing a bit of information. Sufficient photons are thereby gathered at a receiver to reach a predetermined threshold. A tradeoff of the data transmission frequency in this invention is that as signal intensity drops by a factor of 100 when distance increases by a factor of 10 yielding a distance/intensity ratio of 1/10.

Abstract: A measuring instrument, in particular a flow or level meter, includes a base module for the acquisition and processing of measured data and an add-on module. Both the base module and the add-on module feature an optical interface interconnecting the base module and the add-on module. The result is a measuring instrument which, by interchanging the add-on module, can be equipped with various external interfaces without requiring any recalibration of the measuring instrument.

Abstract: A water meter has a meter register having an encoder having electromagnetic wave emitters, e.g., infrared emitters to measure water flow and direction of water flow through the meter. The encoder has two of three spaced emitters directing infrared rays at predetermined time intervals toward a rotating detector wheel having a reflective surface portion and a non-reflective surface portion facing the emitters and an infrared sensor. The reflective surface portion of the detecting wheel reflects the infrared rays incident thereon toward the sensor. A microprocessor connected to the sensor acts on signals from the sensor to determine material flow. The meter register transmits the signal to a distant receiver. The microprocessor of a meter register has an algorithm to prevent the meter register from sending signals until after the meter register or a water meter having a meter register is installed and water moved through the meter.

Abstract: The present invention achieves technical advantages as an AMR device and method of use having an optical transceiver adapted to read analog meter faces. The transceiver advantageously includes an optical receiver having an amplifier receiving signals from photodiodes and further including an automatic gain control. A gain of the optical receiver amplifier is programmable to compensate for parameters affecting the photodiodes in the optical receiver.

Abstract: An exciter assembly supplies current to a superconducting load. The exciter assembly includes a transformer for generating the current and an optical emitter and an optical receiver. The transformer includes a stationary winding portion having a stationary winding and a rotatable winding portion having a rotatable winding that outputs the current for the superconducting load. The optical emitter and the optical receiver define an optical path over which information is exchanged between the stationary winding portion and the rotatable winding portion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for counting wheel revolutions are provided that include a wheel-hub mountable odometer comprising an accelerometer comprising sensor means for sensing force, wherein the sensor means are operable to sense a force acting thereon and generate an electrical signal representative of said force. Further an electronic control system is provided comprising a microcontroller and power source, the microcontroller comprising electronic filtering means for attenuating irregularities in the signal from the sensor means and computing a wheel revolution count based on said attenuated signal, and output means for communicating the wheel revolution count. The accelerometer preferably comprises a dual axis electronic accelerometer with no internally rotating parts. Further, the output means preferably comprises at least one of a display means, an IR communication system, or a RF communications system.

Abstract: A meter for measuring electricity usage for a given load includes a housing and two light sources disposed in the housing and configured to output light at a predetermined frequency. Two light receivers are disposed in the housing so that a light path is defined between each light source and its respective light receiver. Each light receiver is configured to receive the light from its light source and to output a signal responsively thereto. A rotatable member is disposed in the housing in the light paths and is rotatable responsively to the electricity usage. The member has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion transmits incident light while the second portion blocks light. The first portion and the second portion are defined on the member so that the member modulates the light as it rotates. A filter circuit in communication with the light receiver is configured to receive the output signal from the light receiver and to detect therefrom modulation of the light by the rotatable member.

Abstract: The temperature of a bypass diode of a solar cell module is measured by a temperature detector from the exterior of the solar cell module, and the results of temperature detection of each bypass diode are mutually compared to detect the presence or absence of failure in the solar cell module. Also at least one solar cell in the solar cell module is covered with a light shielding plate, then a current flowing in the bypass diode bypassing to the covered solar cell is detected, and a failed solar cell module is detected from the result of the current detection. Also the solar cell module is provided with a temperature detector capable of detecting the temperature of the bypass diode and the temperature of an internal portion of the solar cell module other than the bypass diode. In this way, it is possible to detect a failure in the solar cell module easily and precisely, and also to detect short circuit failure in the solar cell.

Abstract: A novel system and method for achieving accurate readings of the rotational speed, number of revolutions and direction of rotation of a utility system. More specifically, a system and method for retrofitting existing utility meters with a lightweight tape, having contrasting sections of reflective and non-reflective material applied thereto, which is read by optical sensors as the lightweight tape passes by with the revolutions of the disk of the utility meter. Additionally, the system and method detects unauthorized use of the utility or tampering with the utility meter and its functions.

Abstract: A system for remotely monitoring and transmitting data and other information received from utility and other devices is disclosed. The universal meter reader of the present invention includes a device for sensing and collecting data at a first location. The sensed data that is in analog form is converted to a digital signal and a processing unit processes the data. The data is subsequently stored in a memory device for subsequent transmission to an interested party. In one embodiment, the data can be digitally transmitted over a GSM or TDMA technology digital network via a control channel. In addition, the universal meter reader includes a connective interface for connecting to a telecommunications system at a first location to establish a wireless telecommunications connection. An improved infrared reader of the present invention includes an infrared transmitter and receiver.

Abstract: A method for controlling an electric meter, on which a module can be mounted. The module cooperates with a basic counting mechanism in the electric meter through a bidirectional optical transmission device. A bidirectional optical transmission path can be varied to detect the type of module that is mounted. An electric meter is provided with optical module detection.