Abstract: A sensor housing system is used to monitor the lifetime of a motor or other device. A protected housing shields a microprocessor and several sensors. The device communicates to a user information about the health of the motor or other device using thermal, vibrational, or other measurements. The information is compared to a baseline which provides a warning threshold. Once the threshold is passed, the microprocessor can alert the user that the motor or other device is about to fail.

Abstract: An HVAC controller, a method for operating a HVAC unit and a HVAC unit are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the HVAC controller includes: (1) a memory configured to store a unique default network address for the controller and (2) a processor configured to automatically generate the unique default network address based on a seed value that is uniquely associated with the HVAC unit.

Abstract: A sign language message may be derived from user movements detected proximate to an electronic device by comparing the movements to a database that includes data regarding one or more sign languages. A control function may then be identified which the electronic device may be caused to perform. Output related to the user's detected movements may be provided to the user. In some implementations, output specifying identified control functions may be transmitted to a presentation device. Further, in some implementations, if a sign language message and/or a control function cannot be unambiguously derived and/or identified, output promoting the user to provide additional information may be transmitted to a presentation device. Detected movements may be compared to data regarding multiple different sign languages and/or a subset of available multiple different sign languages.

Abstract: A semiconductor-transistor-based system and device that are designed to, but are not limited to: electronically outputting electronic-semiconductor-transistor-voltage-level-based-state-machine-assisted-user-menu-selection display associated with electronic-semiconductor-transistor-voltage-level-based-state-machine-assisted collection of user-physiological information, associated with electronic-semiconductor-transistor-voltage-level-based-state-machine-assisted collection of user-conduct information, and associated with electronic-semiconductor-transistor-voltage-level-based-state-machine-assisted obtaining of food-based information. In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a location tracker and auxiliary device for use with a monitoring center for tracking individuals or objects. The location tracker has position determining circuitry and first wireless circuitry that communicates position data representative of the location of the location tracker to a remote location (e.g., a monitoring station). The location tracker also has second wireless circuitry that communicates with the auxiliary device. The location tracker has at least two operational modes. The location tracker switches operational modes when communication is established between the location tracker and the auxiliary device. The auxiliary device generally has an associated auxiliary device ID and wireless circuitry that communicates the auxiliary device ID to the location tracker.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for monitoring hygiene compliance is provided. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method for monitoring hygiene compliance may include at a server having one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors: receiving hygiene data from a hygiene monitoring member, the hygiene data indicating the dates and times a user used a hygiene improvement apparatus and the length of time the user used the hygiene improvement apparatus; comparing the hygiene data with a hygiene protocol; determining if the hygiene data conforms to the hygiene protocol; generating an alert if the hygiene data does not conform to the hygiene protocol; and storing the hygiene data in a database.

Abstract: An article management system includes RFID tags (102) fixed above a reader waveguide (101), a tag position table storage unit (106) that stores tag information and fixed positions of the RFID tags (102) in association with each other, an article position table storage unit (105) that stores identification information and an assigned position of an article (108) in association with each other, an article management table storage unit (107) that stores the identification information of the article (108) and the tag information of the RFID tags (102) in association with each other, a tag reading unit (103) that reads the RFID tags (102) by electromagnetic coupling through the reader waveguide (101), and an article presence/absence determination unit that determines presence or absence of placement of the article (108) corresponding to the RFID tags (102) based on results of reading the RFID tags (102).

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system for installation and testing of a system at a premises is provided. The apparatus is configured to communicate with an installer interface device. The apparatus includes a communication subsystem that provides at least one communication protocol. The communication subsystem is configured to receive data from the installer interface device and communicate with a plurality of premises devices. The apparatus includes a processor in communication with the communication subsystem. The processor is configured to automatically configure at least one life safety feature of the system at a premises. The automatic configuration includes at least configuring a plurality of premises devices based at least in part on the received data. The process is configured to test the configuration of at least one of the plurality of premises devices.

Abstract: An exterior alerting system for a vehicle. The system may include a sensor, a controller, and an alerting device. The sensors maybe configured to detect an object exterior to the vehicle. Additionally, the controller may be configured to receive a position of the object from the sensor, calculate a danger zone based on a trajectory of the vehicle and the position of the object, and generate at least one exterior alerting signal when the vehicle cannot avoid the danger zone.

Abstract: A brake lamp module for a vehicle, wherein the module includes a housing, lamp device, sensor, and electronic control unit (ECU). The lamp device, sensor and ECU are carried by the housing. The ECU is configured based at least in part on data received from the sensor to provide a power signal that causes illumination of the lamp device. In at least some embodiments, this arrangement permits actuation of the brake lamp or other lamp device in response to detection of a hazard event, such as rapid deceleration of the vehicle. And, in at least some embodiments, this may be done independently of actuation of the brake pedal by the driver.

Abstract: A method of gaining authorized entry into a secure location is provided. The method includes providing an electronic lock having a dial, the lock operably coupled to a microprocessor having memory for storing a user input code and a valid code. The user rotates the dial to activate power to the lock and a first random character is generated. The user again rotates the dial until a first user input character displays in the display. The first user input character is stored in memory and a second random character is generated. After the user has entered all characters of the access code, the microprocessor compares the user input characters with the valid access code stored in memory if the user inputted code comprises an authorized code an indicia is generated on the display to visually indicate to a user that the lock is capable of moving to the opened position.

Abstract: Method and system are provided for vehicle accident avoidance carried out with respect to a host vehicle by modeling behavior. The method includes: monitoring a surrounding environment of the host vehicle and detecting other vehicles in a vicinity of the host vehicle by at least one visual sensor. The method further includes: estimating a speed and direction of each of the detected vehicles; calculating one or more projected paths of each of the detected vehicles based on their current estimated speed and direction, the current monitored surrounding environment, and other vehicle projected paths; estimating a probability of intersection of each projected path with the host vehicle; and providing an alert or action to the host vehicle if there is a high probability of intersection.

Abstract: A delivered-package vault has a selectively-lockable access portal that is configured to contain at least one package, which package has at least one recipient-specific requirement associated therewith. The delivered-package vault also includes a two-way communications interface configured to communicate with a remote source having that at least one recipient-specific requirement and further includes a control circuit that operably couples to the two-way communications interface and the selectively-lockable access portal. The control circuit is configured to communicate with the remote source regarding the at least one recipient-specific requirement for the at least one package that is presently in the delivered-package vault and to unlock the selectively-lockable access portal to thereby provide access to the at least one package by a recipient who meets the at least one recipient-specific requirement.

Abstract: A method of controlling an external apparatus connected with a device includes: providing user input information used to determine a user's intention; identifying an external apparatus controllable by a device; providing apparatus information of the identified external apparatus; receiving control information about the external apparatus, which is generated based on the based on the user's intention and the apparatus information; and transmitting a control command to the external apparatus which is generated based on the received control information.

Abstract: A vehicular haptic feedback system includes a haptic feedback controller configured to communicate with a vehicle. The haptic feedback controller including a plurality of haptic feedback actuators and processing circuitry configured to detect quality of operation information of the vehicle, a direction and an intensity of threat information corresponding to the vehicle, and a mode of operation of the vehicle. The haptic feedback controller is also configured to determine a desired direction of travel of the vehicle based on the quality of operation information, the direction and the intensity of threat information, and the mode of operation. The haptic feedback controller is further configured to provide haptic feedback corresponding to the quality of operation information, the direction and the intensity of threat information, the mode of operation and the desired direction of travel of the vehicle, via the plurality of haptic feedback actuators.

Abstract: The vehicle courtesy light is adapted for use with vehicles. Specifically, the vehicle courtesy light provides for two signaling lamps that are installed in the electrical system of a vehicle. The two signaling lamps are configured to visually display courtesies initiated by the driver to the drivers of other vehicles. A first signaling lamp displays the phrase “Thank You”. The second signaling lamp displays the phrase the “U-Welcome.” The vehicle courtesy light comprises a mirror display, a rear display, a first switch, and a second switch.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer-readable medium for fall detection of a user are disclosed. In a first aspect, the method comprises determining whether first or second magnitude thresholds are satisfied. If the first or second magnitude thresholds are satisfied, the method includes determining whether an acceleration vector of the user is at a predetermined angle to a calibration vector. In a second aspect, the system comprises a processing system and an application that is executed by the processing system. The application determines whether first or second magnitude thresholds are satisfied. If the first or second magnitude thresholds are satisfied, the application determines whether an acceleration vector of the user is at a predetermined angle to a calibration vector.

Abstract: A doorbell system comprises a doorbell chime (18), a first doorbell push (10) for sending a first input signal to the doorbell chime (18) in response to the first doorbell push (10) being activated, and a second device, such as a second doorbell push (14), for sending a second input signal to the doorbell chime (18). The doorbell chime (18) is arranged to emit light (24) of a first color in response to receiving the first input signal and light of a second, different, color in response to receiving the second input signal. The light (24) may be emitted around a perimeter of the doorbell chime, such that it creates a halo effect around the part of the door chime located within said perimeter.

Abstract: A method for detecting and presenting burnout symptoms associated with users is provided. The method may include receiving a plurality of predictor rules for monitoring and detecting a plurality of burnout indicators. The method may further include monitoring and receiving the plurality of burnout indicators. Additionally, the method may include storing the monitored and received plurality of burnout indicators. The method may also include detecting a plurality of burnout events associated with the stored monitored and received plurality of burnout indicators. The method may further include determining the plurality of burnout symptoms based on the detected plurality of burnout events. The method may also include determining at least one aggregate score based on the determined plurality of burnout symptoms. The method may further include presenting at least one alert and at least one recommendation based on the determined plurality of burnout symptoms and the determined at least one aggregate score.

Abstract: A method for assessing accident risks to a moving vehicle (100; 110) includes continuously monitoring (s410) a surroundings configuration while the vehicle (100; 110) is in motion, continuously determining (s420) running characteristics for the vehicle (100; 110), continuously registering (s430) the surroundings configuration in order to create and provide an idea about chosen characteristics of the surroundings passed by the vehicle using the running characteristics and the idea as a basis for assessing (s440) accident risks related to the surroundings passed by the vehicle (100; 110). Also a computer program product includes program code (P) for a computer (200; 210) for implementing the method. Also the device and a vehicle equipped with the device.