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An energy distribution may include a server and one or more databases. The system may communicate with an energy provider to receive energy provider data, at least one information collector to receive information collector data such as individualized energy usage data, customer preferences, and customer or location characteristics, and the one or more databases for receiving data for optimization. The system may calculate a cost of service or avoided cost using at least one of the individualized energy usage data and a system generation cost at a nearest bus. The system may also forecast individualized demand by end-use, individualized demand by location, energy prices, or energy costs. The system may optimize energy distribution, energy use, cost of service, or avoided cost using the forecasted individualized demand by end-use, the forecasted individualized demand by location, the forecasted energy prices, and the forecasted energy costs.

A general programmatic interface-to-network messaging adapter exposes a suitable object integration interface or application programming interface to applications on a controller device and sends network data messages to invoke services or query status of a controlled device. The adapter maps application calls to the interface into network data messages according to service protocols of the controlled device. The general adapter provides the interface suitable to any specific service of a controlled device based on a data description of the interface, and converts the application calls to network data messages based on a data description of a protocol and format for network data messages to interact with the specific service. Once the interface / messaging description is obtained, applications on the controller device can programmatically interact with the adapter, and the adapter then handles appropriate message exchanges with the service of the controlled device. The general adapter allows controller device applications to be written using object-oriented programming, while avoiding code download.

A device control model provides an integrated set of addressing, naming, discovery and description processes that enables automatic, dynamic and ad-hoc self-setup by devices to interoperate with other devices on a network. This permits a computing device when introduced into a network to automatically configure so as to connect and interact with other computing devices available on the network, without a user installation experience and without downloading driver software or persisting a configuration setup for connecting and interacting with such other computing devices. Upon completing interaction with such other devices, the computing device automatically releases the setup for such other devices so as to avoid persistent device configurations that might create a configuration maintenance and management burden.

Systems and methods for energy optimization may receive receiving energy provider data, near-real time individualized energy usage data for each of a plurality of end-uses or near-real time individualized whole premise energy usage data, customer preferences, and near-real time and forecasted weather information. The systems and methods may forecast, for a selected time period, individualized energy usage for each of the plurality of end-uses or individualized whole premise energy usage data for a customer location using: (1) the energy provider data, (2) the near-real time individualized energy usage data, (3) the customer preferences, and (4) the near-real time and forecasted weather information. The systems and methods may optimize, for the selected time period, energy usage at the customer location using (1) the individualized energy usage, (2) the energy provider data, and (3) the customer preferences.

A universal plug and play (UPnP) device makes itself known through a set of processes-discovery, description, control, eventing, and presentation. Following discovery of a UPnP device, an entity can learn more about the device and its capabilities by retrieving the device's description. The description includes vendor-specific manufacturer information like the model name and number, serial number, manufacturer name, URLs to vendor-specific Web sites, etc. The description also includes a list of any embedded devices or services, as well as URLs for control, eventing, and presentation. The description is written by a vendor, and is usually based on a device template produced by a UPnP forum working committee. The template is derived from a template language that is used to define elements to describe the device and any services supported by the device. The template language is written using an XML-based syntax that organizes and structures the elements.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a network system for monitoring driving behavior comprises one or more vehicle-mountable motion sensing mechanisms that generate a plurality of data relevant to vehicle moving attitude. The data being indicative of manual or mental risks for a vehicle operator is wirelessly transmittable. The network system also comprises a central data processing system that collects the data transmitted from the motion sensing mechanisms. A risk assessment engine operatively coupled to the central data processing system analyzes the collected data to determine the manual or mental risks. The central data processing system further comprises a feedback engine operable to yield indicia based on the analyzed data that is reportable to the vehicle operator or an authorized data recipient. A reward engine operatively coupled to the feedback engine provides incentives to encourage good or improved driving behavior.

The invention is a computerized mobile robot with an onboard internet web server, and a capability of establishing a first connection to a remote web browser on the internet for robotic control purposes, and a capability of establishing a second short range bi-directional digital radio connection to one or more nearby computerized digital radio equipped devices external to the robot. The short-range bi-directional digital radio connection will typically have a maximum range of about 300 feet. In a preferred embodiment, this short-range wireless digital connection will use the 2.4 gHz band and digital protocols following the IEEE 802.11, 802.15, or other digital communications protocol. By employing the proper set of external short-range digital radio devices capable of interfacing with the robot (such as sensors, mechanical actuators, appliances, and the like), a remote user on the internet may direct the robot to move within range of the external devices, discover their functionality, and send and receive commands and data to the external devices through the CGI interface on the robot's onboard web server.

A fluid storage and dispensing system comprising a vessel for holding a fluid at a desired pressure. The vessel has a pressure regulator, e.g., a single-stage or multi-stage regulator, associated with a port of the vessel, and set at a predetermined pressure. A dispensing assembly, e.g., including a flow control means such as a valve, is arranged in gas / vapor flow communication with the regulator, whereby the opening of the valve effects dispensing of gas / vapor from the vessel. The fluid in the vessel may be constituted by a liquid that is confined in the vessel at a pressure in excess of its liquefaction pressure at prevailing temperature conditions, e.g., ambient (room) temperature. In another aspect, the vessel contains a solid-phase sorbent material having sorbable gas adsorbed thereon, at a pressure in excess of 50 psig. The vessel may have a >1 inch NGT threaded neck opening, to accommodate the installation of an interior regulator.

A general programmatic interface-to-network messaging adapter exposes a suitable object integration interface or application programming interface to applications on a controller device and sends network data messages to invoke services or query status of a controlled device. The adapter maps application calls to the interface into network data messages according to service protocols of the controlled device. The general adapter provides the interface suitable to any specific service of a controlled device based on a data description of the interface, and converts the application calls to network data messages based on a data description of a protocol and format for network data messages to interact with the specific service. Once the interface / messaging description is obtained, applications on the controller device can programmatically interact with the adapter, and the adapter then handles appropriate message exchanges with the service of the controlled device. The general adapter allows controller device applications to be written using object-oriented programming, while avoiding code download.

A drug delivery device having a base member defining a skin-contacting surface, a syringe serving as a reservoir for the drug, and means for expelling drug from the syringe. The syringe is connected to the base member such that the longitudinal axis of the syringe is substantially parallel to the skin surface. A delivery needle is in communication with the syringe. The needle has an angled bend which directs the tip of the needle substantially perpendicular to the skin-contacting surface. In use, the tip of the needle is adapted to penetrate the skin of the subject.

A universal plug and play (UPnP) device makes itself known through a set of processes—discovery, description, control, eventing, and presentation. Following discovery of a UPnP device, an entity can learn more about the device and its capabilities by retrieving the device's description. The description includes vendor-specific manufacturer information like the model name and number, serial number, manufacturer name, URLs to vendor-specific Web sites, etc. The description also includes a list of any embedded devices or services, as well as URLs for control, eventing, and presentation. The description is written by a vendor, and is usually based on a device template produced by a UPnP forum working committee. The template is derived from a template language that is used to define elements to describe the device and any services supported by the device. The template language is written using an XML-based syntax that organizes and structures the elements.

Rather than costly modifications to existing radars, a small, low cost radar warning receiver is used to monitor the RF environment. This add-on receiver can provide situational awareness including RF signal levels and angle of arrival, and recommend or provide antenna scanning synchronization, blanking inputs or gated reactionary outputs to or for the airborne radar. Utilization of this information can be used to reduce false alarms and improve system performance.

A universal plug and play (UPnP) device makes itself known through a set of processes—discovery, description, control, eventing, and presentation. Following discovery of a UPnP device, an entity can learn more about the device and its capabilities by retrieving the device's description. The description includes vendor-specific manufacturer information like the model name and number, serial number, manufacturer name, URLs to vendor-specific Web sites, etc. The description also includes a list of any embedded devices or services, as well as URLs for control, eventing, and presentation. The description is written by a vendor, and is usually based on a device template produced by a UPnP forum working committee. The template is derived from a template language that is used to define elements to describe the device and any services supported by the device. The template language is written using an XML-based syntax that organizes and structures the elements.

A route finder means and method for finding routes to satisfy a plurality of connection requests in a communications network comprising a plurality of nodes connected by a plurality of links. A cost is assigned to each network link. Arrays of eight shortest paths of links between each pair of nodes in the network are created. Bit strings comprising for example a 3 bit binary number for each point-to-point connection request are generated. Each 3 bit number is an index to one element of the shortest path array for each connection request's source and destination nodes. The bit strings are assembled into population members which are manipulated by genetic algorithms. The fitness of the population members is evaluated by calculating the cost of traversing the routes represented by the bit strings. The route finder means and method has an ability to split traffic over multiple routes, and to handle different traffic types, eg different bit rate traffic types. The route finder means and method is generic to a plurality of different communications network types.

A virtual reality (VR)-based test battery wherein various neurobehavioral performance skills, including motor skills, sensory-perceptual skills, attention, and decision-making can be measured in human subjects. The invention can be used as a screening method within a virtual environment to provide an overall measure of general brain function relating to behavioral ability. In addition, the invention provides comprehensive VR-based neurobehavioral examinations tailored to individual subjects which can automatically self-adjust during operation in accordance with the specific purpose of the assessment, or for forms of cognitive or physical rehabilitation. According to the invention, patients with neurological and psychiatric dysfunctions can be assessed with physiologic monitoring as well as with anatomical and functional neuroimaging to non-invasively map the functional neuroanatomic correlates of VR-based test performance. In a preferred embodiment, the VR-based neurobehavioral testing system is portable allowing computerized tests to be administered in a desk-top or lap-top configuration, or via the Internet for tele-assessment of human subjects who are physically inaccessible to the test administrator. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the method of the invention is used for vocational assessment and training, wherein individual test scores are combined into a final metric useful for assessing a candidate's qualifications for employment, or certification in a particular skill.

A data storage assembly having multiple disk drives disposed on a replaceable module. Multiple modules are connected to a single chassis having a back plane with a plurality of connectors, each of which are adapted to receive a connector of one of the modules.

A touch screen system, including a near-infrared transparent screen including a plurality of reflective elements embedded therein, a circuit board including circuitry for controlled selective activation of electronic components connected thereto, at least one light source connected to the circuit board, for emitting light, and at least one light detector connected to the circuit board, for detecting light emitted by the at least one light source and reflected by the reflective elements.

The invention is a computerized mobile robotic router with an onboard internet web server, and a capability of establishing a first connection to a remote web browser on the internet for robotic control purposes, and a capability of establishing a second short range bi-directional digital radio connection to one or more nearby computerized digital radio equipped computers or devices external to the robot. The short-range bi-directional digital radio connection will typically have a maximum range of about 300 feet. In a preferred embodiment, this short-range wireless digital connection will use the 2.4 gHz band and digital protocols following the IEEE 802.11, 802.15, or other digital communications protocol. By employing the proper set of external short-range digital radio devices capable of interfacing with the robot (such as sensors, mechanical actuators, appliances, and the like), a remote user on the internet may direct the robot to move within range of the external devices or computers, and connect these devices or computers to the internet.

A credit based marketing process for products and services identifies a particular product or service to be offered to a list of prospective consumers. The list of prospective consumers is subjected to parameters to identify creditworthy prospects by a lending institution or by an independent credit rating agency. Offers to sell the product or service on a credit plan, including the establishment of a credit account, are distributed by direct mail, telemarketing or a computer network, for example. A transaction is completed by notifying a lending institution underwriting the process of a transaction whereby the transaction is funded and an account for the purchaser / consumer is established. The process eliminates or reduces costs to the provider and the lending institution by eliminating unqualified customers, gives the provider a competitive advantage and saves time and effort for the consumer.

The present invention discloses a laminate-based electromechanical device and a method of fabricating laminate-based electromechanical devices. The device includes two or more layers of laminate bonded together to form a unitary laminate structure. The layers of laminate include a layer of organic dielectric material that may have at least a portion of one layer of electrically conductive material adherent thereto. The layers of organic dielectric material are bonded to form a unitary laminate structure through a process of lamination. The structures that make up the electromechanical device may be formed either before or after bonding. In particular, the various electromechanical structures that make up the electromechanical device are formed from the layers of organic dielectric material and the layers of electrically conductive material adherent thereto using a predetermined sequence of additive and subtractive fabrication techniques.

Building-integrated photovoltaic devices can be provided, which function as sensors, wherein the output parameters from the device are used to provide information about light intensity and ambient temperature, in addition to providing power, to an intelligent building energy management system.

A scanning apparatus and method for generating computer models of three-dimensional objects comprising means for scanning the object to capture data from a plurality of points on the surface of the object so that the scanning means may capture data from two or more points simultaneously, sensing the position of the scanning means, generating intermediate data structures from the data, combining intermediate data structures to provide the model; display, and manually operating the scanning apparatus. The signal generated is structured light in the form of a stripe or an area from illumination sources such as a laser diode or bulbs which enable data for the position and color of the surface to be determined. The object may be on a turntable and may be viewed in real time as rendered polygons on a monitor as the object is scanned.

An adjustably opaque window including an external pane, an internal pane, a light transmission control layer and a shock-absorbing layer is provided. The external pane and the internal pane provide a cavity between them, and the light transmission control layer and the shock-absorbing layer are positioned in the cavity. The shock-absorbing layer is a flexible sheet that supports and protects the light transmission control layer. The light transmission layer consists of liquid crystal cells. The transmission ratio of the cells can be controlled variably.

A server monitoring system monitors the performance of a web site or other Internet server system, as seen by users in multiple geographic access locations, without the need for special monitoring software or hardware within such locations. Automated agents that run at a central data center generate message traffic that is used to access and monitor the server system from the multiple remote locations. The message traffic associated with a particular remote access location is transmitted from the data center to the remote location across a dedicated link, such as an ATM link, and is routed onto the Internet at a corresponding Internet access point. The server response to each request message flows back to the data center across the same link as the corresponding request message. The remote access points thus serve as virtual points of presence for monitoring purposes. Server response times as seen from the remote access locations are determined by measuring the total response times as observed from the data center, and deducting from the total response times the round-trip latencies associated with the corresponding dedicated links. The response times and other performance data generated by the agents are aggregated within a database that is local to the agents. Multiple data centers may be interconnected such that each data center services a particular continent or other region using a respective set of virtual points of presence.

A branding process provides a networked computing device with initial set up information, including a name, a public / private key pair, and a set of certificates the device will need to inter-operate with other devices in the trust group. A branding device conveys the initial set-up information to the networked computing device via a limited access network interface, or alternatively via a broadcast network media with the device enclosed in a wave guide and / or Faraday cage. The networked computing device can then use the set up information to verify that other devices on the network that seek to interact with the device are also members of the trust group, with which networked computing device can interact.