Abstract: A method and system for generating an alert to one or more occupants of a vehicle are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving an input signal from a vehicle safety system. The input signal is indicative of an alert condition (e.g. an impending collision). The method further includes generating an output signal responsive to said input signal and wirelessly transmitting the output signal to the portable device. The portable device, such as a cellular communications device, has a haptic actuator and is configured to be mechanically disconnected from the vehicle while in physical contact with an occupant of the vehicle. The output signal, which may be transmitted directly to the portable device using short-range wireless communication protocols, is configured to activate the haptic actuator to cause a vibratory movement of the portable device and alert the vehicle occupant to the alert condition.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program product for determining parking occupancy. In some embodiments, the parking occupancy is determined based on at least one distance between a parking location of a user and a destination of the user. In some embodiments, the parking occupancy is determined based on one or more parking instances in a paid parking lot and is based on the distance from the paid parking lot. In some embodiments, the parking occupancy is determined based on at least one route of a vehicle while searching for parking. In some embodiments, the parking occupancy is determined based on a parking curve. The parking occupancy can be used to compute an estimated arrival time which includes an estimated searching for parking time. The parking occupancy information can be used to rank parking areas.

Abstract: A detection system for detecting a residential pest, the detection system may include a housing, a vibration sensor that is configured to sense vibration signals; a processor that is configured to process the vibration signals and detect residential pest activities; a coupler that once connected to a metal-including element of a resident vibrationally couples the metal-including element to the vibration sensor.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for use in delivery of items to a storage unit. The storage unit can include one or several storage receptacles and a control unit that controls and monitors the status of the one or several storage receptacles. The storage unit may be included in a storage unit system that can include one or several storage units and a central control unit. The central control unit can communicate with the one or several storage units, and can receive status and availability updates from the one or several storage units.

Abstract: A system and method for enhancing a proximity warning sound may determine an indicator of a distance between a first object and a second object. A proximity warning sound may be generated including a reverberation mimicking component responsive to the determined distance indicator; where a human listener perceives the reverberation mimicking component included in the audible proximity warning sound to be indicative of the determined distance indicator.

Abstract: A method of emanating a sound from a vehicle comprising detecting a speed of the vehicle, and emanating a speed sound, including emanating a sound profile and changing at least one of a sound pressure level and a pitch of the sound profile in relation to the speed of the vehicle changing. The method further comprises ceasing emanation of the speed sound upon the speed of the vehicle increasing from below a first threshold to above the first threshold, and resuming emanation of the speed sound upon the speed of the vehicle decreasing from above a second threshold to below the second threshold, the second threshold being less than the first threshold.

Abstract: A method of emanating a sound from a vehicle comprising detecting an accelerator state, a brake state, and a transmission state of the vehicle, and emanating a take-off sound. The take-off sound includes changing emanation of a sound profile from a first sound pressure level to a second sound pressure level that is greater than the first sound pressure level, upon first detecting the accelerator state transitioned from an accelerator released state to an accelerator depressed state while the brake state indicates the brake released state and the transmission state indicates a motive state.

Abstract: Reading apparatus for objects each bearing at least one RFID tag, said objects being placed in a cassette that can also be furnished with an RFID tag, said system comprising at least one element in the form of a tunnel in which said cassette can be placed, said element comprising at least one antenna and one RFID reader, said antenna comprising at least two coils composed of several turns, said coils being distributed along and around said tunnel.

Abstract: Monitoring and mass notification systems, such as fire alarm systems, for use in occupied structures, and more particularly to wireless monitoring and mass notification systems include wireless base units that can be modular in design. This allows horns, mini horns, strobes, and audio messaging modules (e.g., speakers) to be physically plugged into the wireless base unit creating a unit with the appearance of a single physical unit. Preferably standardized plugs are used. In some cases, visual and audio modules (i.e., notification devices) have their own battery pack or external power interface. Each wireless base unit can optionally function as a repeater if it has dual transceivers (master transceiver and slave transceiver).

Abstract: A vibration control device configured to provide a haptic function and control a vibration device driven by a sine wave. The vibration control device includes a sampling frequency signal generator and a sine wave synthesizer. The vibration control device is configured to generate a sampling frequency signal using a clock signal, wherein the sampling frequency signal is related to an operation cycle of a digital filter; and the sine wave synthesizer includes the digital filter. The digital filter is configured to adjust at least one of a cycle of the sine wave and amplitude of the sine wave using the sampling frequency signal and a plurality of coefficients of the digital filter; and generate an adjusted sine wave.

Abstract: A method for tracking procedures performed on personal protection equipment (PPE) and actions of individuals includes the following steps. An article of PPE configured with a smart tag is provided to an individual prior to performance of a task. After the individual performs the task, the article of PPE is processed. Information is retrieved from the smart tag during at least one of: before, during and after processing the article of PPE. After the performance of the task, the individual's data is read and the individual enters into a designated area.

Abstract: An apparatus including a central access control system and an access reader. The access reader is structured to receive an access credential from the central access control system, and includes a first connector connected with a second connector with the second connector connected to a cable, and with the cable in electronic communication with the central access control system. Connection of the first connector and the second connector places the access reader in electronic communication with the central access control system.

Abstract: User devices are used to access various forms of electronic content. Sensors in the user device or information about environmental data associated with the device, such as weather at the locale of the user device, may be used to determine the occurrence of physical events. Recommendations such as offers for sale of extended warranties, warranty replacement, and so forth may be provided based at least in part on the physical events.

Abstract: A system and method for adaptive motion sensing with location determination is described. In one embodiment, the adaptive motion sensor is based on vibration sensor readings and can identify different states of motions based on modifiable parameters.

Abstract: An embodiment of an electronic access control system includes an electronic access apparatus, an electronic lock, and an access control administration program. The electronic access apparatus provides a wireless power signal and a wireless digital data signal to the electronic lock. The wireless power signal can be the only source of power used by the electronic lock to actuate an electronic lock mechanism. In some embodiments, the lock mechanism includes a piezoelectric latch.

Abstract: Methods for determining a LOB of one or more user equipment (UE) in a wireless system employing Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) is described. TDOA techniques are based on estimating the difference in the arrival times of reference signals from multiple receivers or from multiple emitters to a receiver. A particular value of the time difference estimate defines a hyperbola between the two receivers on which the handset may exist. When the distance between the receiving antennas is small relative to the distance of the emitter source (the handset) being located, then the TDOA is equivalent to the angle between the baseline of the sensors (receivers antennas) and the incident RF energy from the emitter. If the angle between the baseline and true North is known, then the line of bearing (LOB) and/or angle of arrival (AoA), can be utilized to determine the location of the UE.

Abstract: In a method and system for monitoring rail operations and transport of commodities via rail, a monitoring device including a radio receiver is positioned to monitor a rail line and/or trains of interest. The monitoring device including a radio receiver configured to receive radio signals from trains, tracks, or trackside locations in range of the monitoring device. The monitoring device receives radio signals, which are demodulated into a data stream. That data stream is then decoded to find an identification number, which identifies a particular train carrying a commodity. From an analysis of the radio signals and/or identification of the position of the train, information about the train and/or the commodity it is carrying is derived and then reported to an interested party.

Abstract: A system produces haptic effects. The system receives input data associated with an event, identifies an element of the event in the input data, generates the haptic effects based on the element of the event, and produces the haptic effects via a haptic output device. In one embodiment, the haptic effects are generated by haptifying the element of the event. In one embodiment, the haptic effects are designed haptic effects and are adjusted based on the element of the event. In one embodiment, the input data is associated with a crowd that attends the event, and the element of the event is caused by the crowd. In one embodiment, the input data includes haptic data collected by one or more personal devices associated with the crowd. In one embodiment, the input data is indicative of a location of the one or more personal devices associated with the crowd.

Abstract: An instrument carriage provides control of a surgical instrument coupled to the instrument carriage. The instrument carriage includes a control surface that is coupled to the surgical instrument to provide the control. A detection pin having a first proximal end that extends from the control surface is coupled to the instrument carriage. A magnet is fixed to a distal end of the detection pin. A carriage controller provides an indication that the surgical instrument is coupled to the instrument carriage when movement of the detection pin causes an output signal from a Hall effect sensor to exceed a threshold value that is stored in the carriage controller as part of a calibration procedure during the assembly of the instrument carriage. Surgical instrument removal may be indicated when detection pin movement causes the output signal to be less than an instrument removal threshold value of less than the instrument threshold value.

Abstract: RFID-to-Bluetooth selective adapter with multiple RFID integrated chips mounted on RFID elevator controller, having customized RFID transponders, a bluetooth module, and an extended I/O connector is disclosed. Customized RFID transponders include RFID Integrated chips, RFID sensor coils, and a SPNT switch. Extended I/O connector is configured to allow connection of customized RFID transponders by coupling to SPNT switches. Bluetooth module instructs which one of SPNT switches is to be opened or closed, which then connects one RFID sensor coil with one corresponding RFID Integrated chip, while other RFID sensor coils and remaining RFID Integrated chips are disconnected. Selection criteria of chosen RFID IC by Bluetooth module is in accordance with preconfigured allocated access right given to each user by an administrator and is programmed on flash memory, EEprom memory of Bluetooth module, in APP, or on cloud authentication server. More than one customized RFID transponder can be chained together.