Abstract: An automated resource management system for a retail business includes a point-of-sale system and an access control system in communication with the point-of-sale system. The access control system can be configured to detect, and/or receive a signal from, an electronic device associated with a customer of the retail store, such as a cellular phone. Upon automatic detection of a billable event (e.g., retrieving an item from a vending machine) while the access control system determines that the user is within the retail store, automatic billing or invoicing of the customer by the point-of-sale system can occur.

Abstract: A straddle type vehicle includes a setting unit configured to set a warning line along a boundary between a traveling lane of a self-vehicle and an oncoming lane, a warning unit configured to issue a warning if the self-vehicle has crossed the warning line, a detection unit configured to detect a difficult-to-travel region in the traveling lane, and a determination unit configured to determine whether it is difficult or possible for the self-vehicle to pass between the boundary and the difficult-to-travel region. If it is determined by the determination unit that it is difficult for the self-vehicle to pass, the setting unit changes a position of the warning line to a position shifted from the boundary toward the oncoming lane side.

Abstract: The present technology relates to a tactile presentation apparatus and a tactile presentation control method with which the types of tactile sensations which can be presented by means of vibration can be increased. The tactile presentation apparatus includes a first member and a second member which can vibrate individually and a first bending portion that bends between the first member and the second member and that changes the relative direction between the first member and the second member. The present technology can be applied to devices that a user operates while holding the device in a hand, for example in a theatrical performance, a movie, or an attraction.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sensing water device run time, transmitting this data via a network to a database which analyzes, records and reports the individual run times and the aggregate use over any given timeframe. Sensors used to measure device use time do not directly measure flow rate, and may sense device run time by sensing water flow, through electronic signals, vibration, etc. The sensors may be battery powered and transmit discrete data packets via radio frequency to powered node units. A system of node units communicates with a central internet gateway which uploads the data packets to a cloud-based database which organizes, analyzes, stores and reports the information. The system allocates the cost of water flowing through a common water meter to a plurality of individual units within a collection of geographically proximate units. The systems are useful in multi-unit buildings or complexes having stacked plumbing.

Abstract: An impact indicator includes a micro-sensor having a mass element configured to move from a first position to a second position in response to receipt by the mass element of an impact event. The micro-sensor includes detection circuitry configured to change from a first state to a second state in response to movement of the mass element from the first position to the second position. The detection circuitry is prevented from returning to the first state in response to changing to the second state. A radio-frequency identification (RFID) module is coupled to the detection circuitry and is configured to output a value indicating that the mass element is in the second position. An activator element is configured to maintain the mass element in the first position until removal of the activator element from the micro-sensor.

Abstract: Systems and methods comprising a metering device located on an electricity distribution grid, the metering device comprising one or more processors and memory. The metering device can detect a drop in characteristic of electricity below a threshold indicating a fault on the electricity distribution grid. The metering device can generate, responsive to the drop in the characteristic of electricity below the threshold, a time series of a rate of change of the characteristic of electricity for a predetermined number of cycles subsequent to the detection of the drop. The metering device can determine, based on a comparison of the time series of the rate of change with a predetermined pattern, a location of the metering device on the electricity distribution grid relative to a location of the fault on the electricity distribution grid.

Abstract: A device including a piezoelectric actuator that can detect the actuation force and provide haptic feedback. The longitudinal extension of the actuator, generated for this purpose, can be reinforced in the desired direction by a deformable metal sheet. The deformable metal sheet is adhered on and has a borehole for pressure equalization.

Abstract: Techniques, apparatuses, and systems are described for integrating haptic actuators into accessories for mobile computing device. Current accessory devices and their associated housings lack the necessary space to implement multiple haptic actuators for conveying complex haptic information. The accessory device attached to the mobile computing device provides additional space for integrating haptic actuators, which provide complex haptic information to a user of the mobile computing device. Using the haptic device accessory, the mobile computing device can convey haptic information to a user of the accessory device. In this way, a haptic device accessory can improve the otherwise limited haptic experience for a user of the accessory device.

Abstract: An actuator and a tactile sensation providing apparatus that can reduce the number of elements are provided. The actuator includes a piezoelectric element and a diaphragm that has the piezoelectric element attached thereto and vibrates according to an expanding and contracting displacement of the piezoelectric element. The diaphragm converts the expanding and contracting displacement of the piezoelectric element into a vibration in a predetermined direction. The diaphragm supports a vibration object for providing a tactile sensation, in a displaceable manner.

Abstract: Provided is a decoding device including a decoding unit configured to decode encoded data in which a differential signal that includes a differential between a tactile signal and a reference signal has been encoded, and a signal addition unit configured to add the reference signal and the differential signal. In addition, provided is a decoding method by a processor, the decoding method including decoding encoded data in which a differential signal that includes a differential between a tactile signal and a reference signal has been encoded, and adding the reference signal and the differential signal that has been decoded.

Abstract: A system comprises a web-cloud security subsystem that hosts, manages, and analyzes data related to a plurality of hosted applications that provide at least one of physical access control, surveillance, alarm management, visitor management, and elevator management; at least one physical security subsystem that exchanges data with a corresponding hosted application of the web-cloud security subsystem; and a real-time control and monitoring device that provides secure access of the web-cloud security subsystem.

Abstract: A method includes receiving fault code data identifying one or more fault conditions detected onboard an aircraft and receiving fault context data indicating one or more conditions of the aircraft in a timeframe associated with the condition(s). The method also includes generating (based on the fault code data, the fault context data, state data indicating a current state of the aircraft, and historical maintenance data) a first checklist display including a first set of incomplete checklist items. The method further includes receiving input indicating completion of one or more checklist items of the first set of incomplete checklist items and updating the state data based on the input. The method also includes generating (based on the fault code data, the fault context data, the updated state data, and historical maintenance data) a second checklist display including a second set of incomplete checklist items.

Abstract: A road marker may include a housing with a cavity and at least one perimeter surface oriented perpendicular to the direction of traffic. Each of the at least two perimeter surfaces containing an opening may be substantially covered with a mesh. Further, each of the openings may form either an air input or an air output, and the air input and air output openings may be located substantially opposite to each other to generate a flow of air through the cavity. In addition, the cavity may include passive electrical components for heating the flow of air.

Abstract: A slim type tactile feedback device is disclosed, including: a substrate, at least an overlapping plate, a support frame, a plurality of cushions and a vibration source; the overlapping plate being fixed to the substrate in a cantilever manner; the support frame including a frame, a void area, and at least a protruding support, the protruding support being a partial segment of the frame; the cushions being fixed between the substrate and the frame; the vibration source including a magnet set and a coil set, the magnet set and the coil set being fixed between the protruding support and the overlapping plate and located at outer side the substrate; the coil set and the magnet set being positioned correspondingly to each other and separated by a gap, the gap increasing when the substrate being pressed by finger, and the substrate moving back-and-forth through linkage motion of the vibration source.

Abstract: A method for detecting a wearable device's contact with a living body may be provided, including obtaining a decreasing rate of body temperature and a decreasing a rate of environmental temperature measured by a wearable device worn on a living body; and determining the wearable device's contact with the living body based on a comparison of the decreasing rate of body temperature and the decreasing rate of environmental temperature. A corresponding apparatus and computer program product for detecting a wearable device's contact with a living body may also be provided.

Abstract: A fill level measuring device for measuring a fill level of a container including a fill level measuring circuit that measures a filling level of a container, at least one transmitter/receiver that communicates with data processing circuitry, at least one fastener that fastens the fill level measuring device to a surface of the container, at least one monitoring circuit that monitors a fastening of the fill level measuring device to the container by the at least one fastener, the monitoring circuit further transmits an alarm message to the data processing circuitry via the transmitter/receiver when the monitoring circuit detects a loosening of the fastening of the fill level measuring device from the container.

Abstract: Methods and systems for notifying a driver of a first vehicle of obstacles discouraging passing of a second vehicle in front of the first vehicle. The system includes a sensor of the second vehicle configured to detect spatial data in proximity of the second vehicle. The system also includes an electronic control unit (ECU) of the first vehicle. The ECU is configured to receive the spatial data from a transceiver of the second vehicle. The ECU is also configured to determine obstacle data based on the spatial data, the obstacle data identifying a presence of obstacles ahead of the second vehicle discouraging passing of the second vehicle by the first vehicle. The ECU is also configured to provide a notification to the driver of the first vehicle when the obstacle data indicates the presence of obstacles ahead of the second vehicle.

Abstract: A haptic feedback device to be worn on top of a user's hand comprises a plurality of loops configured to be circumscribed around the user's fingers and thumb, a plurality of anchoring finger caps configured to be circumscribed around extremities of the user's fingers and thumb, at least one haptic actuator housed within each of the anchoring finger caps, and a plurality of tendons coupled to the loops and the anchoring finger caps, the tendons configured to extend along the user's fingers and thumb. The tendons are configured to cause the loops to decrease in diameter to conform to the user's fingers and thumb.

Abstract: The application describes techniques for adaptively setting a threshold that will be used to determine the gain applied to a haptics signal.

Abstract: A water leak detection assembly for a toilet includes a housing and a flow sensor. The housing is mountable externally or internally to a tank of a toilet. The flow sensor is positionable in-line with a fill line that is engaged to the tank and detects a flow of water from the fill line into the tank. A microprocessor is engaged to and positioned in the housing and is operationally engaged to the flow sensor. The flow sensor is positioned to signal the microprocessor of the flow of water. Programming code positioned on the microprocessor enables the microprocessor to distinguish between signals from the flow sensor corresponding to a normal flow of water required for flushing the toilet and a leak of water from the tank into a bowl of the toilet. The microprocessor is positioned to selectively actuate an alert module to notify a user of the leak.