Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for providing a standby activation of a device. A method for providing standby activation of a device can include coupling a tag to a computing device. Furthermore, a method for providing standby activation of a device can include activating the tag utilizing a tag reader, wherein activating the tag provides access to the computing device.

Abstract: A remote control device is authorized to command the presentation of information from an information presenting device by communicating with the information presenting device by a first mode of communications while the remote control device and the information presenting device are proximate. In response to the authorizing, the information presenting device is unlocked to permit the presentation of information in response to commands from the remote control device. After the unlocking, the information presenting device presents information in response to commands from the remote control device.

Abstract: A pressure-balanced acoustic-signal-receiving apparatus and methods therefor. The apparatus may comprise a first housing, a first actuator, a second housing, and a second actuator. The first housing may comprise a fluid chamber, a passage connecting a first and second portion of the fluid chamber, a tubular-contact assembly, an isolating member within the fluid chamber and coupled to the assembly, an acoustic-signal receiver within the isolating member and coupled to the assembly, and a communication member coupled to the receiver. A method for receiving an acoustic signal generated within a wellbore may comprise receiving the acoustic signal with a tubular-contact assembly, sensing the acoustic signal with an acoustic-signal receiver positioned within a fluid chamber and coupled to the assembly, equilibrating fluid pressures in the first and second portions of the fluid chamber, and transmitting information generated by the acoustic-signal receiver through a communication member.

Abstract: A method for controlling an electronic device is provided. The method may include displaying, on a display, information related to at least one of a plurality of items to be managed or processed by the device, selecting at least one piece of item information displayed on the display, recognizing the selected piece of item information, and storing the recognized piece of item information into a memory as an object to be managed or processed by the device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a protection module (1), a system and a method for monitoring objects, wherein a protection module (1) comprises, a locating module (11) for acquiring position data of the protection module and a communication unit (12) which can send data to a monitoring device (2), wherein the protection module (1) is suitable for being placed into an alarm state by an alarm signal and in the alarm state, sending position data to the monitoring device (2) in a particular alarm interval or continuously.

Abstract: A connection validation apparatus includes a connector engagement mechanism configured to physically engage a connector to connect the connector to a connector interface. The apparatus further includes a connection indication detector located on the connector engagement mechanism and configured to detect at least one of a sound and a vibration corresponding to a secure connection of the connector with the connector interface. The apparatus also includes a connection indicator output unit configured to provide an indication to a user that the connector is securely connected with the connector interface based on the detection of the at least one of the sound and the vibration by the connection indication detector.

Abstract: Toilet management systems and methods are provided. In an example system, a central monitoring component compiles usage information from sensors stationed at multiple toilet units and compiles a report of usage patterns. The usage patterns are networked to potential users via a user interface available on a webpage or mobile communications device. The user interface recommends which candidate toilet unit to use based on longest time since last use and/or least number of occupants since last maintenance or cleaning. The user interface may display two visual dials defining, for each toilet unit, amount of time elapsed since last occupancy and number of occupants since last maintenance or cleaning, and other metrics via bar charts. The example system extends a reservation system for a potential user to reserve a toilet unit based on the recommendation or the usage patterns provided over the network.

Abstract: In a vehicle theft preventing device that is used in a chargeable vehicle, a prohibition request signal, that requests the prohibition of execution of vehicle function is transmitted from a terminal to the vehicle when power is received by the vehicle. The vehicle theft preventing device disallows authentication using a key when the prohibition request signal is received from the terminal. The authentication using the key is disallowed unless the authentication is enabled by the terminal.

Abstract: An authentication server for a wireless lock system comprising a wireless lock and a key device is configured to receive and authenticate a validation message. The validation message is created at the wireless lock from a secret key contained in the wireless lock. The authentication server receives the validation message from the key device, receives a certificate of ownership provided by the user, and authenticates the validation message and key device using copies each stored in a database of the authentication server. The authentication is configured to associate the user with the lock ID upon successfully authenticating the validation message, thereby enabling the authorizations server to provide the user with digital credentials to open the lock.

Abstract: A method of evaluation, by an electromagnetic transponder in the field of a terminal generating a magnetic field, of power that can be extracted from this field, including the steps of: evaluating the current coupling between the transponder and the terminal; and deducing therefrom information relative to the power available in this coupling position.

Abstract: This invention relates to an externally mounted vehicle warning light system and related method, employing an accelerometer illuminating different lights to indicate to other drivers whether a vehicle is accelerating, decelerating, coasting or braking.

Abstract: A method of authentication, by a terminal generating a magnetic field, of a transponder located in this field, wherein: first data, relative to the current in an oscillating circuit of the terminal, measured by the terminal for a first value of the resistive load of the transponder, are transmitted to the transponder; second corresponding data are evaluated by the transponder for a second value of the resistive load and are transmitted to the terminal; and said second data are compared with third corresponding data, measured by the terminal for the second value of the resistive load.

Abstract: RFID tags are affixed to vials used to store samples, such as biological samples stored in liquid nitrogen dewars or mechanical freezers. In one set of embodiments, an RFID tag is inserted into a recess at the bottom of a vial and held in place by an insert that engages with vial structure. In another set of embodiments, the RFID tag is retained in the recess by directly engaging with the vial structure and without using a separate insert. Mechanisms for keeping the insert and/or tag in place include tabs that gouge into the vial material, clips that allow the insert/tag to be inserted, but not removed, and holes in the side wall of the vial recess that receive tabs extending from the insert/tag. Tag-insertion techniques enable tags to be affixed to vials either before or after insertion of the sample, thereby enabling retrofitting of existing sample-storing vials with tags.

Abstract: A trap for small animals, includes a trigger mechanism (26) to be triggered by an animal that is trapped, and a transmitter (42) actuated by the trigger mechanism for transmitting a detection signal to a monitoring center, the detector including a mechano-electrical transducer (44) that is driven by the trigger mechanism (26) and the energy of which powers the transmitter (42).

Abstract: A capacitance type detection device may include a sensor electrode forming a capacitor with respect to a peripheral conductor; a measurement unit measuring the floating capacitance of the sensor electrode, which changes correspondingly to a positional relation between the sensor electrode and the detection object; and a judgment unit judging the approach of the detection object in a case in which there is satisfied an approach detection condition including a fact that a magnitude correlation between a time rate-of-change of the floating capacitance measured by the measurement unit and a predetermined time rate-of-change which is defined correspondingly to a combination of the detection object and an object to be discriminated so as to be different from the detection object lies in a predetermined relation.

Abstract: In a first illustrative embodiment, a computer implemented method includes detecting a plurality of context providing devices accessible to a vehicle computing system. The illustrative method further includes evaluating context relevant information from each of the detected devices to compile a display. The illustrative method also includes outputting a compiled display to a vehicle display, including at least one portion of the display initially dedicated to vehicle-based service content and at least one portion of the display dedicated to content from a context providing device.

Abstract: An autonomous drilling rig (200), including a carriage including a mast (204), a rotary head (202) configured to traverse up and down the mast (204), and a wireless transmission system. The wireless transmission system includes a wireless transmitter (208) mounted on the rotary head (202) and configured to send a wireless signal to a wireless receiver (210). The wireless transmitter (210) includes a first connector (209) configured to engage with a first sensor, wherein the sensor measures at least one operating parameter. The wireless transmission system further includes the wireless receiver (210) configured to receive the wireless signal from the wireless transmitter (208), wherein the wireless signal comprises the at least one measured operating parameter, and a display unit (610) operatively connected to the wireless receiver (210) and configured to display the measured operating parameter.

Abstract: A method and system (30) are disclosed for providing situational awareness to a lineworker executing a switching order in a distribution substation (10). The method includes the steps of wirelessly transmitting a status of at least one circuit breaker (20) in the distribution substation (10), wirelessly receiving the status at a location adjacent a target switch (16) in the distribution substation (10); and displaying the status to a lineworker at the location to allow the lineworker to verify the status immediately prior to executing a switching order for the target switch (16). The system (30) includes a wireless transmitter (32) to perform the transmitting step of the method and one or more wireless receivers (34) to perform the receiving and displaying steps of the method.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for reading and identifying molded products based on detecting intentionally introduced defects in the molded products that were included to identify and authenticate the molded products, or to confirm compatibility of the molded products in devices in which the molded products are installed for use. Process conditions in the fabrication or formation of melt processed parts are modified to deliberately introduce surface, detectable defects into the melt processed parts. A Quality Review (QR) code that specifies a compilation of at least some of the actual defects that are present in the molded part is provided, potentially encrypted, for comparison purposes.

Abstract: A mechanism for determining whether a malfunctioning pressure sensor has returned to a normal or acceptable operating range. The mechanism includes controllers and methods that perform a “good check” on the sensor to determine whether the sensor has returned to normal or acceptable operation after a malfunction has been detected. When a previously-malfunctioning sensor passes the “good check,” warning lights (or tell-tale) indicators are shut off and systems that relied upon information from the malfunctioning sensor return to normal operation.