Abstract: The present invention is directed to a portable monitor for use by elderly/infirm individuals that desires a significant degree of independence but recognizes that their ability to handle many situations by themselves is or will become substantially attenuated. In one embodiment, the portable monitor includes: (a) a sensor system that receives data reflecting environmental and personal aspects associated with the monitored individual from various sensors, (b) a user interface that allows the monitored individual to interact with the monitor; (c) a communication interface that provides for the ability to communicate with a third party if the monitored individual is or is likely to enter into a situation in which assistance is likely needed; and (d) a processing system for processes data produced by sensor system and data input from the user interface to determine if the monitored individual is in a situation or likely is in a situation in which assistance is likely needed.

Abstract: This invention eliminates unnecessary beacon transmission by a DBD and suppresses the power consumption of each device included in a wireless communication network. This invention provides a communication control method in a host which wirelessly communicates with a DBD via a wireless USB. The method includes the steps of transmitting a capture packet command to a DBD when it is activated, analyzing a received captured signal and determining the presence/absence of another Wimedia device unrecognized by the host, and upon determining that the other Wimedia device unrecognized by the host exists, instructing the activated DBD to transmit a beacon to implement wireless communication synchronized with the host.

Abstract: There is provided a lightweight, slim and compact haptic feedback device due to an actuator module constituted of a piezoelectric element and a vibration plate, and an electronic device having the same. The haptic feedback device includes a haptic device receiving contact pressure applied thereto, and an actuator module being in contact with a lower surface of the haptic device and excited according to variations in contact pressure with the haptic device to thereby generate vibrations.

Abstract: A system and methods for communicating with a location system are disclosed. An electronic communication device is provided to a user that performs a communication through a device specific communication channel. A separate radio communication channel that is different from the device specific communication channel is provided. Location information is received at the electronic communication device from a location system through the separate radio communication channel. The location information is viewed on the electronic communication device.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating tactile sensation by using a magnetic field, includes: a first magnet and a second one which are placed across a target as a subject to provide tactile sensation; and a first electromagnet placed between the target and the first magnet; wherein a strength of the whole magnetic field between the first and the second magnets is allowed to be adjusted by adjusting at least either of a direction and a strength of a magnetic field arising from the first electromagnet to control the strength of the force with which the target is pressed by the first and the second magnets. Because a magnet itself that generates a magnetic field without any complicated mechanical components may perform a function as an actuator that generates tactile sensation, the apparatus for generating tactile sensation may become simple, light and compact.

Abstract: A character and function key input device comprises: a character button unit having character buttons, each of which is assigned to one or more characters of one or more languages or function key elements; a forward button which converts the character or function key element selected from among the characters or the function key elements into characters or function key elements assigned to the selected button or adjacent button in accordance with the dictionary order; and a backward button which converts the character or function key element selected from among the characters or the function key elements into characters or function key elements assigned to the selected button or adjacent button in accordance with the dictionary order, wherein said one or more characters or function key elements assigned to the character buttons are disposed adjacently to one other in the dictionary order, and the character or the function key element having the highest use frequency is used as a basic value.

Abstract: Security systems and methods configured for use with an item of merchandise for retail display include a housing, at least one sensor carried by the housing and at least one output device carried by the housing. The security system further includes a controller carried by the housing and operably coupled to the sensor and to the output device. The controller is operable to determine a distance traveled by the item of merchandise from a retail display “home” position based upon a sensor input from the sensor, and to activate the output device based upon the distance traveled by the item of merchandise exceeding a threshold distance. The controller may utilize the at least one sensor in conjunction with an inertial navigation system (INS) and motion processing algorithms or techniques to determine the distance traveled by the item of merchandise from the retail display “home” position.

Abstract: A baby monitoring light system includes a light body having a bottom portion and a top portion, the light body having a height generally shorter than the light body width and length, the light body comprising a light source oriented upwardly from the top portion, the light body adapted to project a light beam upwardly onto a surface approximately 5 to 15 feet away. The system may include a blanket having a pocket, the light body positionable in the pocket, the pocket having a space through which the light source projects when the light body is in the pocket. The light body may include one or more releasable fasteners.

Abstract: Devices, methods, systems and a computer readable medium for the provision of alerts to electronic devices in response to real-time, location based analysis of the risk of theft or loss of such devices are provided. A continually updated database of locations of thefts, losses and/or stolen or lost electronic devices is accessed in order to provide the alerts to the electronic devices.

Abstract: A method is provided of estimating a road grade of a current driven road. A nominal value of a vehicle operating parameter is measured during a nominal vehicle operating condition. The vehicle operating parameter is related to a vehicle thrust power. The nominal value of the vehicle operating condition is comprised of a nominal acceleration corresponding to the nominal value when the vehicle is driven on a substantially non-inclined road. The nominal value and nominal acceleration is stored in a memory. An actual value of the vehicle operating parameter is determined during a current vehicle operating condition. A vehicle acceleration corresponding to the actual value of the vehicle operating parameter is measured. The road grade of the current driven road is estimated as a function of a comparison between the measured acceleration value and the nominal acceleration that would be expected for the actual value of the vehicle operating parameter.

Abstract: The light-emitting diode is provided with a lid and is capable of emitting a first predefined color. The card further comprises a near field communications antenna circuit, the circuit and the diode being configured so that the diode emits light when a current of predefined intensity flows in the circuit. More particularly, the lid of the diode is coated with a mass of material forming means for selecting a set of wavelengths from those making up the first color so that the light transmitted through the mass has a second predefined color different from the first color.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a capacitive switching system may include a plurality of capacitive switches and at least one processor. Each of the capacitive switches may include an activation surface offset from an energized conductor by a dielectric region and a capacitance that is dependent upon an electric field generated by the energized conductor. The at least one processor may execute machine readable instructions to transform a change in the capacitance of one of the capacitive switches into a first control signal indicative of a first active state. A rejection delay may be activated by the at least one processor after the change in the capacitance of the one of the capacitive switches. The rejection delay can remain activated for a predetermined time period. A second control signal may be prevented from indicating a second active state while the rejection delay is activated.

Abstract: In a rotation input device, a planetary carrier, connected to an operation knob, rotatably supports a planetary gear which meshes with an outer teeth row provided for a sun gear, to which an output shaft is secured, and also meshes with an inner teeth row provided for an outer gear. A plunger provided for the sun gear is in elastic contact with a recess cam provided for the outer gear. A solenoid unit prevents rotation of the outer gear in accordance with an output of a magnetic sensor which faces a magnet provided for the output shaft.

Abstract: The exemplary embodiments include methods, computer readable media, and devices for calibrating a non-linear power detector of a radio frequency device based upon measurements of the non-linear power detector output and the associated power amplifier output level, and a set of data points that characterize a nominal non-linear power detector. The set of data points that characterize the nominal non-linear power detector is stored in a calibration system memory as nominal power detector output data. The measured non-linear power detector outputs, power amplifier output levels, and the nominal power detector output data is used to determine a power detector error function that characterizes the difference between the response of the non-linear power detector and the nominal non-linear power detector. The power detector error function and the nominal power detector output data are used to develop a calibrated power detector output data set that is stored in the non-linear power detector.

Abstract: Signaling systems are disclosed that indicate a change in an absorbent article, such as the presence of a body fluid. The various different signaling systems disclosed do not include any conductive elements contained on the interior of the article as were required in the past. Instead, the changes are monitored from the outer cover of the article. In one aspect, for instance, a signaling device is provided for sensing and indicating the presence of a body exudate in an absorbent article, the device including a housing and a capacitive sensor disposed within the housing, the capacitive sensor adapted to sense a change in capacitance due to an insult to the absorbent article. The signaling device can include an attachment mechanism for removably attaching the housing to the absorbent article.

Abstract: Included are network devices, systems, methods, and computer readable medium. These may employ a microcontroller with access to computer readable memory and computer readable storage wherein the microcontroller operates at a first network component of a local area network. The microcontroller may be configured to spatially locate one or more fiducial network components of a local area network in which the microcontroller is a member. The spatial location may be determined by receiving a unique identifier for a first fiducial network component, receiving a wireless signal from the first fiducial network component, determining a physical distance between the first network component and the first fiducial network component, and updating a registry with the determined physical distance. In certain embodiments, the network component may be an RFID reader and the unique identifier may be an IP or MAC address.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system for the secure detection of an RFID electronic tag (ET1). This detection system comprises a read/write station (1), said station (1) comprising first processing means (12) and second processing means (13), the first processing means (12) and the second processing means (13) making it possible to read in parallel control data (CD) previously written in the RFID electronic tag (ET1) when the RFID electronic tag (ET1) is located within range of the station. The station controls the state of the machine according to the processing performed.

Abstract: A technology is provided for monitoring the surroundings of a vehicle in which a driver approaching the vehicle is recognized, obstacles present in the surroundings of the vehicle are searched for, obstacle information is generated for searched and found obstacles, and the driver outside of the vehicle is notified of the obstacle information. The driver approaching the vehicle can be recognized via communication with a mobile communication device carried by the driver. Additionally, the technology determines whether or not the searched and found obstacle is present in a blind spot area of the driver, and notifies the driver outside the vehicle of the obstacle information related to the obstacle when the obstacle is present in the blind spot area of the driver.

Abstract: A method of executing an action at a predetermined time by a device is disclosed. The device has a latency time between initiation of the execution of the action and the actual execution of the action. The method includes advancing the initiation of the execution of the action by the latency time. A device in which the method is implemented and a system including the device are also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an emergency message transmission method and an electronic device implementing the method. The electronic device stores a reference voltage value and comprises a smoke assessing unit. The method includes steps: capturing air composition around the electronic device, assessing whether the air composition has changed, if the air composition has changed, detecting an electrical current of the smoke assessing unit, amplifying the electrical current and converting the amplified current to a voltage value, comparing the converted voltage value with the reference voltage value, judging whether the converted voltage value reaches the reference voltage value, and if the converted voltage value reaches the reference voltage value, outputting a signal including an emergency message.