Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) remote controller device comprises radio frequency (RF) circuitry operably coupled to an antenna arrangement and arranged to transmit and receive RF signals to and from controllable devices. The RF remote controller device further comprises signal process logic operably coupled to the RF circuitry and to a user interface. The antenna arrangement is arranged to comprise a directivity characteristic. The signal processing logic upon receipt of a command input from the user interface, is arranged to: determine at least one link quality value that is at least partly dependent upon the directivity characteristic for the at least one controllable device; and select the controllable device for remote controlling based on the determined at least one link quality value.

Abstract: A personal digital ID device provides a digital identifier to a service for a predetermined duration in response to user interaction. The user interaction may include a button press. The personal digital ID device may be in the form of a bracelet, a key fob, or other form factor. The service may be provided by a mobile device, in the cloud, or elsewhere.

Abstract: A personal digital ID device provides a digital identifier to a service for a predetermined duration in response to user interaction. The user interaction may include a button press. The personal digital ID device may be in the form of a bracelet, a key fob, or other form factor. The service may be provided by a mobile device, in the cloud, or elsewhere.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include a sensor configured to store in memory indications of sensor use information and formulas or indications of formulas for determining the useful life of a sensor from the indications of sensor use information. A monitor connected to the sensor monitors sensor use and stores indications of the use on sensor memory. The monitor and/or sensor compute the useful life of the sensor from the indications of use and the formulas. When the useful life of the sensor is reached, an indication is given to replace the sensor.

Abstract: A battery pack has first and second battery terminals, plural battery cells each with a battery element, a cell supervisor electrically connected to the battery element, and a communication section to communicate with the cell supervisor. The battery elements are connected serially between the first and second battery terminals. Bus interfaces are arranged in alternating fashion with the battery cells to define a daisy chain bus, each such bus interface being configured for signal communication, the interfaces respectively connecting the communication sections of two adjacent battery cells. A battery manager communicates with the battery cells via the daisy chain bus. The battery manager sends a command message to the battery cells using a through mode protocol, and each battery cell sends at least one of a confirmation message and a service request to the battery manager using a shift mode protocol.

Abstract: A downhole energy transmission system is described. The system can include a casing string having a number of casing pipe disposed within a wellbore, where the casing string has at least one wall forming a cavity. The system can also include a remote electrical device disposed within the cavity of the casing string at a first location. The system can further include a first stripline cable disposed on an outer surface of the casing string, where the first stripline cable transmits a first energy received from an energy source. The system can also include a second stripline cable disposed adjacent to the first stripline cable at the first location, where the second stripline cable is electrically coupled to the remote electrical device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for indicating the presence of a mobile device within a passenger cabin are provided. A method for indicating the presence of a mobile device within a passenger cabin of a vehicle includes linking a vehicle computing device with the mobile device, determining whether a vehicle ignition is off and whether a vehicle lock has been actuated. The method further includes generating an audible mobile device search signal that is played through a cabin and waiting to receive a response from the mobile device as to whether the mobile device detected the audible mobile device search signal. The method further includes determining whether the mobile device is within the passenger cabin based on whether a response was received from the mobile device and generating a first audible indication when the mobile device is within the passenger cabin.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electronic luggage locking device and airline baggage handling method mainly characterized by ease-of-use, enhanced security and efficiency by utilizing proximity access-gaining and authentication technologies, a plurality of sensors, embedded electronic storage and retrieval of luggage information. The luggage locking device is incorporated with an electronic communication system enables interactions with other sensor modules within the luggage, external smart devices and airline transport systems to form an unitary baggage handling system. The baggage handling system contents a method using application software and capable of indicating and communicating the said luggage information and locational identification within an airline transport systems.

Abstract: A system for providing continuous monitoring of a patient includes: a first monitor device configured to measure one or more physiological attributes associated with the patient, the first monitor device being a contactless device; and a second monitor device configured to measure one or more physiological attributes associated with the patient, the second monitor device including one or more sensors contacting the patient; wherein, upon an alarm condition by the first monitor device, the second monitor device is configured to measure a physiological attribute and suppress the alarm condition when the second monitor device detects a non-alarm condition.

Abstract: A remote controlling device (100) is disclosed that includes one or more motion sensors (120, 130, 140) configured to sense a motion of the device. The remote control further includes a capacitive sensor (150) and a power source (405). The capacitive sensor selectively couples the power source to the one or more motion sensors.

Abstract: A positioning system is provided with a cell phone, a ticket gate having a known absolute position, and a housing of the ticket gate which regulates a traveling direction of a user to be a reference direction.

Abstract: A lock system including an electronic lock and a wireless device having a location determining utility configured to determine a location of the wireless device. The electronic lock and the wireless device communicate wirelessly with one another and send commands to and from one another to perform a specific task when the wireless device is within a specified range of the electronic lock. The location of the wireless device and a speed of the wireless device may be used to calculate an estimated arrival of the wireless device at the electronic lock, and the specific task may be performed substantially at the estimated arrival.

Abstract: A drillstring combination pressure reducing and signaling valve assembly uses multiple ball valves mounted in parallel, each having a different bore, to meter the flow through a drillstring. The individual ball valves are maintained in either a fully open or a fully closed position, but can be selectively moved between these two positions. The bores of the individual ball valves are sized so that at a given pressure, a first ball valve has a predetermined flow rate, a second ball valve has twice the flow rate of the first ball valve, a third ball valve has twice the flow rate of the second ball valve, and the remaining ball valves each have twice the flow rate of their predecessor in the valve sequence. This arrangement permits the flow rate and flow pressure drop through the assembly of valves to be digitally controlled by varying the combination of open and closed valves.

Abstract: Receiver and digital demodulation circuitry for an external controller for communicating with an implantable medical device (IMD) is disclosed. A Digital Signal Processor (DSP) is used to sample received analog data transmitted from the IMD at a lower rate than would otherwise be required for the frequency components in the transmitted data by the Nyquist sampling criteria. To allow for this reduced sampling rate, the incoming data is shifted to a lower intermediate frequency using a switching circuit. The switching circuit receives a clock signal, which is preferably but not necessarily the same clock signal used by the DSP to sample the data. The switching circuit multiplies the received data with the clock signal to produce lower intermediate frequencies, which can then be adequately sampled at the DSP at the reduced sampling rate per the Nyquist sampling criteria.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a monitoring system is provided. The system includes one or more monitoring devices configured to generate respective video signals, and a control circuit. The control circuit is configured to allow a user remote access to the video signals in response to a request for remote access by the user via the WAN interface and the control circuit operating in an alarm state. The control circuit is configured to deny the user access to the video signals in response to a request for remote access by the user via the WAN interface and the control circuit operating in a non-alarm state.

Abstract: Method and system are disclosed for determining conditions of components that are removably coupled to articles of personal protection equipment (PPE) by tracking the components against predetermined criteria.

Abstract: A device for displaying information in a hybrid vehicle has a display instrument which has a plurality of regions for displaying the current operating state of at least one internal combustion engine and at least one electric motor of the hybrid vehicle. The display instrument has a display region in which it is possible to display whether it is possible to drive the hybrid vehicle solely using the electric motor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electronic luggage locking device and airline baggage handling method mainly characterized by ease-of-use, enhanced security and efficiency by utilizing proximity access-gaining and authentication technologies, a plurality of sensors, embedded electronic storage and retrieval of luggage information. The luggage locking device is incorporated with an electronic communication system enables interactions with other sensor modules within the luggage, external smart devices and airline transport systems to form an unitary baggage handling system. The baggage handling system contents a method using application software and capable of indicating and communicating the said luggage information and locational identification within an airline transport systems.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present inventions are related to monitoring physical characteristics of a monitored individual including, but not limited to, alcohol consumption by the monitored individual.

Abstract: The present invention provides an RFID-based torque sensor that can be used to quickly monitor off the shelf fasteners including fasteners that are used in expensive satellites or other uses where fastener failure can be very costly. In one embodiment, an antenna, RFID ring and spring comprise a sensor tag that can be interrogated with an interrogation signal produced by an interrogator device. When sufficient torque is applied to the fastener, an RFID circuit is connected, and produces a radio frequency (RF) signal that can be read by the interrogator. In one embodiment, the RFID circuit does not transmit when the spring member is not compressed, thereby indicating insufficient tensioning of the fastener. The present invention offers the ability to remotely, quickly, and inexpensively verify that any number of fasteners are torqued properly upon initial installation. Where applicable, the present invention allows low cost monitoring over the life of the fastener.