The disclosed inventions include and apparatus and method for providing a universal Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) system configured with fly-by functionality. Such system may be configured to work in a plurality of modes including a walk-bay, drive-by, fixed network, and fly-by mode without hardware modifications. The system is configured to automatically calibrate so that the water meter transmitter operates at a minimum transmitted signal power level. Additional features include automatic hardware self-healing features where the system continues to function after certain hardware failures occur.

Improved device and method for indoor monitoring The invention provides, amongst other aspects, an aircraft (1) for indoor monitoring, comprising a lifting means; a propulsion means (4, 4, 51, 61); a positioning means (2a, 2b); and a monitoring means (3); wherein the lifting means comprises a levitation means (7), preferably is a levitation means; wherein the aircraft further comprises a docking means (9) for charging; wherein either said aircraft extends between two ends along a main direction; wherein the aircraft comprises said docking means (9) at one end; or said aircraft extends between a lower portion and an upper portion along a levitation direction; wherein the aircraft comprises said docking means (9) at said lower portion. Thereby, said charging relates at least to the maintenance of an upward force for said levitation means (7). In embodiments, the indoor monitoring relates to autonomous monitoring. The invention further provides a system, a docking means for an aircraft, a docking station for charging of an aircraft, and a method for indoor monitoring.

An air conditioning controller determines whether a window fogging condition is satisfied in a window fogging determination process. The air conditioning controller uses in-cabin environment information, outside environment information, and flight information, for a determination of whether the window fogging condition is satisfied. When the window fogging condition is not satisfied, the air conditioning controller performs an inside air mode process. In the inside air mode process, an operation mode of an air conditioner system is set to an inside air mode. When the window fogging condition is satisfied, the air conditioning controller performs an outside air mode process. In the outside air mode process, the operation mode of the air conditioner system is set to an outside air mode. In the outside air mode, outside air is introduced into a cabin.

An airship comprises a main body having a rigid structure surrounding a plurality of containers for a lighter-than-air gas, a plurality of propeller units mechanically connected to the rigid structure and each comprising one or more electric motors for driving a thrust propeller, and one or more power-generating units for powering the electric motors. The airship also comprises two nacelles symmetrically arranged on either side of the main body and each configured to receive one or more of the power-generating units, each ducted nacelle comprising a mechanical structure connected to the rigid structure of the main body by joint, a fail safe interface, and at least one rod or stay cable between a first point of attachment on the rigid structure of the main body and a second point of attachment on the mechanical structure of the nacelle.

The invention features an apparatus for airborne transport of cargo. Such an apparatus includes a controller and an airship having a hull, an airframe that supports the hull, and at least one ballast chamber. The controller is configured to actively ballast the airship by causing the ballast chamber to contain a variable mass of air. The controller thus controls the mass or weight of air in each ballast chamber. In some embodiments, the ballast chamber's mass is the sum of a fixed mass and a variable mass. The variable mass is that of air that has been pressurized by some variable amount to a pressure above atmospheric pressure. The controller causes the variable mass to change by changing the number of air molecules in the ballast chamber, either by causing that number to increase or decrease.

The invention features an apparatus for airborne transport of cargo. Such an apparatus includes a controller and an airship having a hull, an airframe that supports the hull, and at least one ballast chamber. The controller is configured to actively ballast the airship by causing the ballast chamber to contain a variable mass of air. The controller thus controls the mass or weight of air in each ballast chamber. In some embodiments, the ballast chamber's mass is the sum of a fixed mass and a variable mass. The variable mass is that of air that has been pressurized by some variable amount to a pressure above atmospheric pressure. The controller causes the variable mass to change by changing the number of air molecules in the ballast chamber, either by causing that number to increase or decrease.