342results about "Centralised architecture usage" patented technology

Disclosed are apparatus and related methodologies for transmitting data in a gas AMI network. Data may be transmitted bi-directionally between selected endpoint devices and data collection devices to central or head end equipment. Transmitted data may include parameter updating data for selected endpoint devices, and collected data from selected endpoint devices. Endpoint physical area conditions may be monitored for selected of the endpoint devices including monitoring for and reporting of physical changes in the area surrounding cathodic protection systems. The present concepts may be extended to implementation in conjunction with water and electricity metering environments.

A one way direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) communications wide-area network is the data collection channel (uplink) of an automatic meter reading (AMR) system, and a paging network, or other suitable communication channel is the optional forward (downlink) channel. The communications network may include one-way meter modules (transmitters) each communicatively coupled to a corresponding electric, gas or water utility meter, and may include two-way meter modules (transceivers) each coupled to such a corresponding utility meter. The meter modules monitor, store, encode and periodically transmit metering data via radio signals (air messages) in an appropriate RF channel. Metering data air messages are collected by a network of receiver Base Stations (BS) and forwarded to a Data Operations Center (DOC), which acts as a metering data gateway. The reception range of each base station is typically over 5 miles in urban areas, allowing sparse infrastructure deployment for a wide variety of metering data collection applications.

A system to monitor the health of a structure, health monitoring sensor nodes, program product, and associated methods are provided. The system includes an array of health monitoring sensor nodes connected to or embedded within a structure to monitor the health of the structure. Each health monitoring sensor node includes sensor elements positioned to sense parameters of the structure and to provide data related to the parameters to a health monitoring sensor node interrogator. Each health monitoring sensor node has a tunable antenna arrangement individually tunable to minimize data collisions between each other of the health monitoring sensor nodes. Each health monitoring sensor node also includes a processor and memory in communication with the processor storing a parameter processing program product adapted to control tuning the antenna arrangement and providing data to the health monitoring sensor node interrogator.

A method in a radio frequency (RF) addressable sensor for communicating sensor data to a wireless sensor reader for transmission over a communications network, wherein the RF addressable sensor includes one or more sensor elements. The method includes (a) receiving signals from the wireless sensor reader; (b) obtaining analog sensor data from at least one sensor element; (c) converting the analog sensor data to digital sensor data; (d) communicating the digital sensor data to the wireless sensor reader for transmission over the communications network; and (e) communicating additional information to the wireless sensor reader. Steps (a) and (d) include common designation network communications. The RF addressable sensor is capable of powering down to conserve energy and capable of powering up in response to an electronic signal. The RF addressable sensor includes (i) a transmitter and a first receiver, and (ii) a second receiver that is configured to screen a radio frequency transmission.

A computer-implemented method for identifying a property usage type based upon sensor data includes, with customer permission or affirmative consent, receiving data generated by various sensors; generating a report that includes a listing of events recorded by each sensor; analyzing data from the report to determine a property usage type score; receiving data regarding types and levels of insurance coverage associated with the property usage type score; receiving data derived from a homeowner's insurance policy; comparing the types and levels of insurance coverage associated with the property usage type score with the types and levels of insurance coverage from the homeowner's current insurance policy; and transmitting a message to the homeowner to update their insurance policy if there are differences between (i) the insurance coverage that the homeowner has, and (ii) the insurance coverage the homeowner should have based upon the property usage type score.

A computer-implemented method for identifying a property usage type based upon sensor data includes, with customer permission or affirmative consent, receiving data generated by various sensors; generating a report that includes a listing of events recorded by each sensor; analyzing data from the report to determine a property usage type score; receiving data regarding types and levels of insurance coverage associated with the property usage type score; receiving data derived from a homeowner's insurance policy; comparing the types and levels of insurance coverage associated with the property usage type score with the types and levels of insurance coverage from the homeowner's current insurance policy; and transmitting a message to the homeowner to update their insurance policy if there are differences between (i) the insurance coverage that the homeowner has, and (ii) the insurance coverage the homeowner should have based upon the property usage type score.

A battery monitoring system for simultaneously managing the batteries in 100 or more remote locations, each with 100 or fewer cells, has an individual battery monitor operatively engaged with at least one of the cells, a network access module in communication with the battery monitor, and a battery manager that has a fixed IP address that can be connected via an M2M data protocol to the battery monitor. The network access module is programmed to periodically transfer battery monitor data, including ohmic measurements, to the battery manager at a frequency of not less than once per week and with a total rate of data transfer of not more than 1 Mb per month. When the network access module initiates contact with the battery manager, the M2M data communication protocol assigns a variable IP address to the modem of the network access module.

An environmental monitoring device that monitors the operation of a legacy electronic device is described. In particular, a sensor in the environmental monitoring device provides sensor data that represents an environmental condition in an external environment that includes the environmental monitoring device. This environmental condition is associated with the operation of the legacy electronic device in the external environment. The environmental monitoring device analyzes the sensor data and provides feedback about the operation of the legacy electronic device based on the analyzed sensor data. Moreover, the sensor provides the sensor data without or excluding communication and / or electrical coupling between the environmental monitoring device and the legacy electronic device. In this way, the environmental monitoring device facilitates monitoring, analysis and feedback of the sensor data without directly interacting with the legacy electronic device.