Abstract: Various prison services are rendered more efficient by providing inmates access to portable electronic devices in a controlled and regulated manner. A dispenser is employed to control and monitor the checking out and return of portable electronic devices and to communicate with such devices during use by inmates to monitor inmate use and ensure the portable electronic devices are only used by inmates as authorized.

Abstract: A system for vehicular detection and ranging fault detection, notification, and recovery is provided. The system may include at least one detection and ranging device, at least one camera, and at least one physical processing unit configured with program instructions. The processing unit may be configured to analyze detection and ranging data of an object from the detection and ranging device, analyze image data received of the object from the at least one camera and, based on a comparison, detect a detection and ranging fault.

Abstract: A method for distributing parking availability data via blockchain includes: storing a blockchain comprised of a plurality of blocks, each block having a block header including a timestamp; receiving spot availability notifications including a common spot identifier and availability data; generating a transaction value including the common spot identifier and availability data; generating a new block header including i) a current timestamp, ii) a reference hash value generated via hashing of the block header included in a most recent block identified via the timestamp, and iii) a transaction hash value generated via hashing of the new transaction value; generating a new block comprised of the new block header and the new transaction value; and transmitting the generated new block.

Abstract: A method for direct current power line communication in a photovoltaic system includes (a) transferring power between at least one photovoltaic device and a load using a power line, (b) maintaining a magnitude of a current flowing through the power line above a threshold value in a normal operating mode of the photovoltaic system, (c) detecting a change in operation of the power line in response to magnitude of a direct current component of the current flowing through the power line falling below the threshold value, and (d) in response to the detected change in operation of the power line, decoding operating state of the power line to obtain information.

Abstract: A materials handling vehicle includes an operator platform from which an operator can drive the vehicle; a traction control system for advancing the vehicle across a floor surface; at least one sensor configured to detect the presence of an object located at a position proximate to the vehicle; and a controller communicably coupled to the at least one sensor and the traction control system. The controller is responsive to the output of the at least one sensor to stop or slow down the vehicle if an object is detected proximate to the vehicle and the vehicle is traveling in response to a remote travel request. However, the controller does not slow down or stop the vehicle if an object is proximate to the vehicle while the operator is driving the vehicle on the operator platform.

Abstract: In a wireless IC device, a columnar body includes a metal body with an insulating film. A loop-shaped antenna conductor is provided on an upper surface of the columnar body via an insulating pedestal. The loop surface of the antenna conductor is parallel or substantially parallel to the upper surface of the columnar body. On the lower surface of a RFIC element, two terminal electrodes are provided. The RFIC element is mounted on the antenna conductor such that the two terminal electrodes are connected to both ends of the antenna conductor, respectively. One end of the connecting conductor is connected to the vicinity of one end of the antenna conductor, and the other end of the connecting conductor is connected to the upper surface of the columnar body.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products are provided for identifying assets (e.g., mobile assets and/or personnel assets). A mobile asset is uniquely identified from RFID tags. Additionally, mobile assets and personnel assets are identified from captured image data. After identification, it can be determined whether the asset (e.g., mobile asset and/or personnel asset) is authorized for one or more activities and a corresponding perceivable indication can be generated.

Abstract: Systems and methods are discussed for providing sensor enhanced safety, recovery, and activity evaluation systems. Sensors that monitor user activity and behavior are worn by a user and/or placed in the user environment. Data from the sensors are processed to obtain a safety, recovery, and/or activity evaluation. Based on the evaluation, recommendations or adjustments to the terms of an insurance policy covering the user, the user's employer, or a facility providing health care to the user to accurately reflect the risks associated with the user, employer, and/or facility.

Abstract: A parking server is queried for parking data descriptive of locations of available on-street parking spots. On a map indicating a current location of a vehicle and an upcoming intersection to be traversed by the vehicle, a depiction of parking availability is overlaid, indicating, for each leg of the intersection, a number of on-street parking spots available down the respective leg according to the parking data.

Abstract: The present inventions, in one aspect, are directed to a system comprising a portable sensor device including a housing having a physical size/shape that is adapted to couple to a user's body, an identification tag including identification data which is associated with the sensor device and an identification tag transmitter to responsively and wirelessly transmit the identification data according to a first communication protocol. The system further includes a portable electronic device including an identification tag receiver to wirelessly receive the identification data of the identification tag according to the first communication protocol, transceiver circuitry to wirelessly and responsively communicate with the sensor device according to a second communication protocol, and processing circuitry to instruct the transceiver circuitry, after receiving the identification data, to wirelessly request, from the sensor device the sensor data and/or data which is representative of the sensor data.

Abstract: A microcontroller uses a combination of several synchronized PWM outputs to generate a low distortion sine wave by summing the PWM outputs and filtering the summed signal. The sine wave is used as a guard voltage. The unknown impedance is measured by impinging the guard voltage on the sense electrode by a transistor connected in common base configuration and then transferring the sense current through the common base connected transistor to a transimpedance amplifier made out of a second transistor connected in common emitter configuration. The output voltage at the collector of the second transistor is measured by an ADC input of the microcontroller. The microcontroller translates the ADC output values into the unknown impedance to be measured by doing a software demodulation of the ADC output values. A reference impedance can be connected in parallel to the unknown impeder to eliminate gain errors of the signal sensing circuit.

Abstract: Data is communicated from sensors at a downhole location near a drill bit to surface equipment. Communication to the surface equipment may be direct or may pass through a series of nodes. The nodes in some cases are intelligently reconfigured to achieve desired data rates, achieve power management goals, and/or compensate for failed nodes.

Abstract: Techniques for autonomously optimizing traffic flow amongst one or more traffic junctions are provided. In one example, a computer-implemented method can comprise generating, by a system operatively coupled to a processor, a piece-wise sinusoidal representation of traffic arrival at a first traffic junction. The computer-implemented method can also comprise determining, by the system, an offset a parameter of one or more traffic junctions based on the piece-wise sinusoidal representation and a polynomial objective.

Abstract: It is provided a method for alerting traffic. The method is performed in an alert control device connected to a street light and comprises the steps of: detecting the presence of a radio frequency identification device using a radio frequency identification reader; and controlling the street light to go from a normal state to an alert state, wherein the lighting of the street light in the alert state differs from the lighting of the street light in the normal state. Alert control devices, a street light, a computer program and a computer program are also presented.

Abstract: A safety system and method for redundant alerting to prevent unattended vehicular occupants is disclosed. Redundant alerts are presented on multiple devices to alert multiple different people of an unattended occupant, such as a child, in a vehicle. In some cases, further action may be taken to alarm local passersby or emergency services of the unattended occupant. Accordingly, there are multiple layers of security to prevent an unattended occupant from remaining in a potentially dangerous situation such as an overheating vehicle.

Abstract: A geolocation system includes an originator device configured to transmit a first wireless signal to a transponder device. The transponder device is configured to transmit a second wireless signal to the originator device. The system includes at least one observer device configured to receive the first wireless signal from the originator device and receive the second wireless signal from the transponder device. The system also includes a first processor configured to calculate a transactional difference range at the at least one observer device based on the first wireless signal received at the observer device and the second wireless signal received at the observer device. A corrected transactional difference range value may be calculated by subtracting a time-of-flight of the first wireless signal from the originator device to the transponder device from the transactional difference range. A method of performing geolocation using a transactional difference range is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for monitoring access to a restricted area, comprising a module housed below or above the gate is disclosed. In one aspect, the system includes at least one monitor configured to monitor entry and/or exit in the restricted area of users using a pedestrian gate, specific to the monitor, for the entry and/or the exit in the restricted area. The monitor can include a circulation authorization system and a signing system configured to show a user whether he/she is authorized to use the gate. The signing system can include at least one peripheral configured to change state and a control module configured to control the at least one peripheral. The control module can be housed in a control compartment under the gate.

Abstract: A position indicator assembly, including first and second positioning units, is attached to a pair of shoes in positions which are spaced when the shoes are aligned together. Each positioning unit includes a first proximity switch element, at least one indicator, a battery and a second proximity switch element. The battery is electrically connected to the indicator when the first proximity switch element of one of the first and second position units is arranged a predetermined, spaced distance from the second proximity switch element of the other of the first and second positioning units in order to provide a visual and/or audible indication to a wearer that the pair of shoes are on the correct feet.

Abstract: A driver action system for monitoring traffic and capturing specific information about the car and the driver from a GPS device and other IoT sensors. Driver history and tendencies can provide insight into a driver's intention while on the road. The system will analyze the collected information and broadcast an alert to other drivers in the same area. A broadcast to the other devices or users in the area would include the probability or percentage of the driver taking a particular action or a lack of familiarity with the area.

Abstract: A mobile device includes a receiver for receiving radio frequency (RF) signals from a signal generating unit of an invisible fence system when a user reaches or enters a zone defining a pet restricted area. The mobile device can identify a frequency of the signals which were received from the signal generating unit. The mobile device can notify a user by providing a warning regarding the presence of the invisible fence system based upon identification of the signals. The mobile device also includes a transmitter for emitting RF signals at the identified frequency of the invisible fence system defining another zone surrounding the mobile device and the user.