Abstract: An apparatus for measuring dimension and weight is provided. In one implementation, the apparatus comprises a dimensioner, a force sensing device, and a portable control module. The dimensioner, which is mounted on headgear or body wear to be worn on the head or body of a user, is configured to determine dimensions of an object. The force sensing device, which is incorporated into footwear to be worn on at least one foot of the user, is configured to measure a force acting on a bottom portion of the footwear. The portable control unit includes a dimension input module configured to receive signals from the dimensioner indicative of the dimensions of the object and further includes a weight input module configured to receive signals from the force sensing device indicative of the weight of the object.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring dimension and weight is provided. In one implementation, the apparatus comprises a dimensioner, a force sensing device, and a portable control module. The dimensioner, which is mounted on headgear or body wear to be worn on the head or body of a user, is configured to determine dimensions of an object. The force sensing device, which is incorporated into footwear to be worn on at least one foot of the user, is configured to measure a force acting on a bottom portion of the footwear. The portable control unit includes a dimension input module configured to receive signals from the dimensioner indicative of the dimensions of the object and further includes a weight input module configured to receive signals from the force sensing device indicative of the weight of the object.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring dimension and weight is provided. In one implementation, the apparatus comprises a dimensioner, a force sensing device, and a portable control module. The dimensioner, which is mounted on headgear or body wear to be worn on the head or body of a user, is configured to determine dimensions of an object. The force sensing device, which is incorporated into footwear to be worn on at least one foot of the user, is configured to measure a force acting on a bottom portion of the footwear. The portable control unit includes a dimension input module configured to receive signals from the dimensioner indicative of the dimensions of the object and further includes a weight input module configured to receive signals from the force sensing device indicative of the weight of the object.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring dimension and weight is provided. In one implementation, the apparatus comprises a dimensioner, a force sensing device, and a portable control module. The dimensioner, which is mounted on headgear or body wear to be worn on the head or body of a user, is configured to determine dimensions of an object. The force sensing device, which is incorporated into footwear to be worn on at least one foot of the user, is configured to measure a force acting on a bottom portion of the footwear. The portable control unit includes a dimension input module configured to receive signals from the dimensioner indicative of the dimensions of the object and further includes a weight input module configured to receive signals from the force sensing device indicative of the weight of the object.

Abstract: Information is presented relating to positions within delivery vehicles designated for transporting particular items of a multi-parcel cargo. Cargo-related information is evaluated in relation to characteristic(s) of each parcel. The information for transport-positioning the cargo item is computed based on the evaluation. Entry of the cargo item is registered upon loading and an identifier is visibly directed to its transport position. Geo-positioning of the vehicle is tracked over its route. Destination approach/arrival is detected based on the tracking and the visible identifier is redirected to the item's position. The identifier may be projected controllably by a pointer/projector, including delivery related information (e.g., related to delivery, warnings, etc.). Visibility may be enhanced using reflective surfaces.

Abstract: A thermal printer includes a capacitor and a power converter operable to step a voltage of a power source, and coupled to charge the capacitor. Printing is controlled based at least in part on a charge state of the capacitor. Delays in charging the capacitor may be avoided where a current line of print data is blank. Operation may be curtailed where the voltage of the power source is below a threshold.

Abstract: A system (100) for communicating multimedia messages includes a multimedia message server (102) that is operable to transmit (1404, 1406, 1408) visual media, a vibration melody (1200), and an audio segment (1300) that is preferably filtered (1402) to exclude frequencies of the vibration melody (1200) through a network (104) to a client device (106), and is operable to, preferably at a later time, to transmit instructions (1410) to the client device (106) to output the vibration melody (1200), audio segment (1300) and visual media. At the client device, (106) the audio segment (1300) and the vibration melody (1200) and visual media are preferably stored (1504, 1508, 1512) in a memory (608) and in response to the instruction signal are read (1616, 1518, 1520) from the memory (608), decoded (1522, 1524, 1526) and output (1528, 1530, 1532) to a user. The vibration melody (1200) and the audio segment (1300) are preferably applied at least partially concurrently applied to an electromechanical transducer (212).

Abstract: A thermal printer includes a capacitor and a power converter operable to step a voltage of a power source, and coupled to charge the capacitor. Printing is controlled based at least in part on a charge state of the capacitor. Delays in charging the capacitor may be avoided where a current line of print data is blank. Operation may be curtailed where the voltage of the power source is below a threshold.

Abstract: A portable electronic apparatus (100, 1000) includes a housing wall (116, 516, 916, 1012), and a piezoelectric transducer (118) unitized with the housing wall (116, 516, 916, 1012). The housing wall (116, 516, 1012) can be overmolded with the piezoelectric transducer (118) or the piezoelectric transducer (118) can be bonded to the wall (916). The portable electronic apparatus can for example comprise a watch (100) or a wireless communication device (1000). The piezoelectric transducer (118) can be driven to vibrate so as to produce a perceptible tactile or audible alert. The geometry of the piezoelectric transducer (118) and the manner in which it is integrated with the electronic apparatus (100, 1000) are such that only a small volume is required to accommodate the piezoelectric transducer (118).

Abstract: An electronic device such a telephone (100), PDA (600), or pager (800), includes a manually operable input such as an elastomeric key (102, 103) or button (814), or a touch screen (604) that does not by itself provide substantial tactile feedback upon actuation, and also includes an electromechanical transducer (212) that is capable of generating an impulse of mechanical energy that can be felt. In response to detecting actuation of the manually operable input (102, 103, 814, 604), the electromechanical transducer (212) is driven to produce an impulse of mechanical energy that propagates to the manually operable input (102, 103, 814, 604) and provides tactile feedback to a user.

Abstract: An ASIC (138) that is useful in electronic devices that include a piezoelectric transducer (112), and an electroluminescent lamp (130), includes a DC to DC converter (402), a piezoelectric drive signal input (424), a piezoelectric transducer drive amplifier (404), an oscillator (406), and an electroluminescent drive amplifier (408). The DC to DC converter (402) boosts a voltage of an external power source (132) and powers the piezoelectric drive amplifier (404), and the electroluminescent drive amplifier (408). An externally supplied piezoelectric drive signal is input through the piezoelectric drive signal input (424) to a piezoelectric transducer drive amplifier input (426), and amplified. An amplified version of the signal is output on a pair of differential outputs (432). The electroluminescent drive amplifier (408) is driven by a signal generated by the oscillator (406).

Abstract: An electronic device such a telephone (100), PDA (600), or pager (800), includes a manually operable input such as an elastomeric key (102, 103) or button (814), or a touch screen (604) that does not by itself provide substantial tactile feedback upon actuation, and also includes an electromechanical transducer (212) that is capable of generating an impulse of mechanical energy that can be felt. In response to detecting actuation of the manually operable input (102, 103, 814, 604), the electromechanical transducer (212) is driven to produce an impulse of mechanical energy that propagates to the manually operable input (102, 103, 814, 604) and provides tactile feedback to a user.

Abstract: A system (100) for communicating multimedia messages includes a multimedia message server (102) that is operable to transmit (1404, 1406, 1408) visual media, a vibration melody (1200), and an audio segment (1300) that is preferably filtered (1402) to exclude frequencies of the vibration melody (1200) through a network (104) to a client device (106), and is operable to, preferably at a later time, to transmit instructions (1410) to the client device (106) to output the vibration melody (1200), audio segment (1300) and visual media. At the client device, (106) the audio segment (1300) and the vibration melody (1200) and visual media are preferably stored (1504, 1508, 1512) in a memory (608) and in response to the instruction signal are read (1616, 1518, 1520) from the memory (608), decoded (1522, 1524, 1526) and output (1528, 1530, 1532) to a user. The vibration melody (1200) and the audio segment (1300) are preferably applied at least partially concurrently applied to an electromechanical transducer (212).

Abstract: A resonant piezoelectric alerting device (400) includes a motional mass (130) and a piezoelectric actuator (100) which is constrained to an actuator mount (132) at a first end and coupled to the motional mass (130) at a second end, the piezoelectric actuator and the motional mass in combination producing a resonant system having a predetermined frequency of operation. The piezoelectric actuator 9100) is responsive to a control signal (108, 110) generated at the predetermined frequency generates an alternating out-of-plane movement(812, 814) of said motional mass (130) which is transformed into tacile energy to provide a tactile alert about the resonant frequency (608). The out-of-plane movement (812, 814) of the motional mass (130) is also transformed into acoustic energy to provide an audible alert in response to a control signal generated above the predetermined frequency (608).