Abstract: A toilet including a frame; a bowl supported by the frame; a seat supported by the frame; an at least partially removable shroud for covering the frame; and at least one first seat actuator pivotally attached to the frame and to the seat for adjusting the height or angle of the seat; and at least one second seat actuator pivotally attached to the frame and to the seat for adjusting the height or angle of the seat is disclosed.

Abstract: An access system and system for enabling a package to be delivered to a house are disclosed. The access unit includes a keypad, a light, and an activatable open button. The access unit opens a door to the structure when the button is pressed while active. The access unit also includes an authentication module configured to communicate via Bluetooth with a package delivery unit when the package delivery unit reaches a predetermined delivery distance near the structure and to authenticate the package delivery unit. The access unit also includes an execution module configured to store one or more rules pertaining to delivery of a package by the package delivery unit and to execute the one or more rules in response to the access unit successfully communicating with the package delivery unit, wherein one of the rules is to activate the activatable open button if the authentication is successful.

Abstract: A toilet comprising a frame; a bowl supported by the frame; a seat supported by the frame; and an at least partially removable shroud for covering the frame is disclosed. A medical toilet comprising a bowl supported by a frame; a seat supported by the frame; one or more health and wellness assessment devices; and an at least partially removable shroud for covering the frame is also disclosed.

Abstract: A data storage device is disclosed comprising a plurality of disk surfaces, a first plurality of heads actuated over a first subset of the disk surfaces by a first actuator, and a second plurality of heads actuated over a second subset of the disk surfaces by a second actuator. A first access command is executed using the first actuator and a second access command is executed using the second actuator. When the first access command finishes before the second access command finishes, a third access command is selected to execute using the first actuator based on a time remaining (To2) to finish the second access command, and at least part of the second access command is executed while concurrently executing at least part of the third access command during To2.

Abstract: An automated window mechanism is disclosed having an electric motor attached to a sliding panel of a window configured to open and close the window by moving the sliding panel. The electric motor has a locked state in which the electric motor and sliding panel are stationary. The automated window mechanism also includes a monitor configured to detect an external force applied to the sliding panel while the electric motor is in the locked state. In response to the monitor identifying the external force while the electric motor is in the locked state the electric motor opposes the external force to prevent unwanted movement of the sliding panel. A method and system for preventing unwanted movement of an automated window are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for sanitizing water in a hot tub is described. The system includes a sanitizing chamber, separate from the hot tub, and sized to hold a small portion of the water from the hot tub. A first conduit for conveys water from the hot tub to the sanitizing chamber. A second conduit conveys water from the sanitizing chamber to the hot tub. A pump is provided that moves water from the hot tub, through the first conduit into the sanitizing chamber and from the sanitizing chamber, through the second conduit, back into the hot tub. A heater heats the water in the sanitizing chamber to a temperature and for a time sufficient to destroy or deactivate undesirable microorganisms.

Abstract: A system to provide health and wellness data, comprising a platform for placement; at least one imaging sensor associated with the platform for capturing images; and a processor adapted to analyze the images to determine health and wellness data is disclosed. A toilet for assessing health and wellness of a user, comprising a bowl supported by a base; a platform for placement of a user's feet; at least one imaging sensor mounted on the base; and a processor adapted to analyze the images to determine health and wellness is disclosed. A method for assessing health and wellness comprising acquiring one or more images of the foot a user; using a processor to analyze the one or more images for health and wellness factors; and making the results of the health and wellness analysis available to the user on one or more digital platforms is disclosed.

Abstract: A fairlead for use with a winch is disclosed. The fairlead includes: a device for detecting a speed at which a line is being spooled or unspooled from the winch, a first and second roller adapted to aid in spooling or unspooling a line, a fairlead motor for driving at least the first roller, and a controller connected to the fairlead motor. The controller is in communication with the device for detecting the speed. The controller is configured to direct the fairlead motor to drive at least the first roller at a speed that maintains tension on the line as it is unspooling or spooling. Alternatively, the device measures current drawn by the fairlead motor and the controller directs the fairlead motor to drive the rollers at a speed that maintains a target current draw.

Abstract: A toilet for measuring excreta is disclosed. The toilet is adapted to measure the amount of excreta received by the bowl and then the flush water. A pressure sensor is configured to monitor the pressure exerted by the flush water and any excreta contained therein. Data from monitoring the pressure of the flush water and excreta therein is used to determine the weight or volume of the excreta received by the bowl. This toilet can provide data which may be used to analyze how the volume of flush water changed due to excreta deposit. A volume change feature can be associated with a urination event and the data associated with the event can be used to determine a urine characteristic of the event.

Abstract: An analytical toilet comprising a bowl for receiving excreta from a user; and a lid adapted to cover the bowl and form an airtight seal between the bowl and the lid forming a sealed chamber; and at least one fluid outlet for cleaning the bowl is disclosed.

Abstract: An analytical toilet is disclosed. The toilet is equipped to use energized flush water to clean excreta and other waste from the toilet. The toilet includes a bowl for receiving excreta from a user; at least one analytical device by which a sample of excreta is analyzed; a supply of flush water to be used to remove waste from a surface the of the toilet; an energizer to add energy to at least a portion of the to create energized flush water prior to its use in removing waste; and an orifice for directing a first jet of the energized flush water at the waste on the surface of the toilet. The disclosure also includes features to detect the location of waste in the toilet and selectively activate the energized flush water in order to clean the detected waste.

Abstract: A system for releasably securing a platform in a raised position is disclosed. A track is provided. An arm is connected at a first end to the platform. A second end, with a lug, is biased toward a side portion of the track. The lug is configured to ride in the track. As the platform is raised, the lug rides upward and enters the top portion and clears a first vertical wall, whereupon the lug rests in the depression and thus supports the platform in the raised position. As the platform is raised further, the lug clears a second vertical wall, whereupon the lug can ride downward in the side portion and through a bottom portion, past a door and out an open end of the bottom portion.

Abstract: An automated window mechanism is described that includes a motor attached to a sliding window and a rack on a window frame. The window frame supports the sliding window and provides a path for sliding movement of the sliding window relative to the window frame. A transmission couples the motor to the rack such that rotation of the motor causes the transmission to move the sliding window relative to the rack. The mechanism also includes a clutch switch assembly, that includes a switch and a clutch actuator responsive to the switch and being configured to engage and disengage the transmission. When the transmission is disengaged, the motor cannot move the window. The mechanism also includes a position sensor, such as an encoder, coupled to the transmission and configured to monitor a position of the window relative to the frame using the transmission. Engagement or disengagement of the transmission allows the window to be moved manually within the frame.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for motion-based beacon advertisement are disclosed. A motion detector (e.g., request to enter detector) includes a motion sensor, a first Bluetooth® radio that operates in a beacon mode, and a controller that executes instructions. The instructions cause the controller to detect a motion event via the motion sensor, initiate a timer for a predetermined time in response to the detected motion event, broadcast a beacon message in response to the detected motion event via the Bluetooth® radio, and terminate the broadcast of the beacon message upon expiration of the timer.

Abstract: A mechanism is disclosed for automating a sliding window having window components comprising a stationary pane component, a sliding pane component and a window frame component. The mechanism includes a telescoping mounting assembly attached to a first of the window components. The telescoping mounting assembly includes a housing and one or two extension arms, selectively extensible from the housing to either one or both sides of the first window component. A motor is disposed within the housing driving a first gear. Either one or two telescoping drive shafts are disposed within the extension arms, each having a gear on one end of the telescoping drive shaft driven by the first gear and having a gear on an opposite end of the telescoping drive shaft that engages a rack mounted on one side of a second of the window components. The telescoping drive shafts are coupled to the extension arms and are therefore selectively extensible with first extension arms.

Abstract: An automated window mechanism includes a main body attached to a sliding window, a first telescoping arm extending from the main body in a first direction and a second telescoping arm extending from the main body in a second direction opposite the first direction. A first actuator is located at an end of the first telescoping arm. A first gear is coupled to the first actuator, the first gear being configured to interface with a first rack secured to a first side of a window frame. A second actuator is located at an end of the second telescoping arm. A second gear coupled to the second actuator, the second gear being configured to interface with a second rack secured to a second side of the window frame. The operation of the first and second actuators in concert causes the first and second gears to rotate relative to the first and second racks and move the sliding window within the window frame.

Abstract: An automated window mechanism has a motor that moves a sliding window along a frame to open and close the window. A position sensor, such as an encoder, monitors a position of the sliding window relative to the frame. The automated window mechanism can receive an instruction to calibrate to the frame by disengaging the motor while the position sensor remains engaged. The user then manually moves the sliding window between two end points and then reengages the motor. The position sensor records the end points, and then the automated window mechanism uses the end points as limits of movement for the sliding window.

Abstract: An automated window mechanism having a motor and a force measuring component. A movement path is defined for the window movement relative to a window frame. The force-measuring component measures the force required to move the window along the movement path. The force required is stored as a force map and is a function of position along the path. Deviations from the force map cause the motor to take measures which may include stopping the motor.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for motion-based beacon advertisement are disclosed. A motion detector (e.g., request to enter detector) includes a motion sensor, a first Bluetooth® radio that operates in a beacon mode, and a controller that executes instructions. The instructions cause the controller to detect a motion event via the motion sensor, initiate a timer for a predetermined time in response to the detected motion event, broadcast a beacon message in response to the detected motion event via the Bluetooth® radio, and terminate the broadcast of the beacon message upon expiration of the timer.

Abstract: A line tensioner is disclosed. A winch has a winch drum with at least one groove over which a line is passed. The winch has a line tensioner assembly with a stationary cam surface and a plurality of line tensioners rotating with the winch drum. Each has a line gripping portion and a cam follower. The line gripping portion is brought into and out of contact with the line as the cam follower rides along at least a portion of the cam surface.