Abstract: A smoke alarm comprises smoke detection circuitry for detecting smoke and generating a detection signal responsive thereto. Proximity detection circuitry generates a proximity detection signal responsive to detection of an object within in a selected distance of the smoke alarm. Alarm generation circuitry generates an audible alarm responsive to the detection signal. The audible alarm may be deactivated for a predetermined period of time responsive to at least one proximity detection signal.

Abstract: A sleep management application on a computing device having a processor and a storage medium executes code that establishes to a server that maintains data pertaining to the computing device or to a user, retrieves data from the remote server, and generates a custom interface to configure a feature of the computing device. The custom interface is used to program a sleep management setting. In one implementation, a method uses the sleep management application to provide an alarm function using external data from a remote server. The sleep management application can receive the external data from the remote server and analyze the external data to identify elements that pertain to the sleep management application. Then, the sleep management application can generate a control signal based on the elements, and modify a setting governing an operation of the alarm function in accordance with the control signal.

Abstract: A tablet holder with an alert system for reminding individuals to take their medications featuring a base with seven compartments. Each compartment has a separate lid, and a base lid covers all the compartment lids. Compartment LEDs are disposed in each compartment lid. A touch screen display, a speaker, a vibrating component, and a microprocessor are each disposed in the base. The microprocessor is connected to a time keeping system that keeps the date and time. The microprocessor can be programmed to be activated at various dates and times. When the microprocessor is activated, the microprocessor activates the LEDs, the speaker, and the vibrating component to alert the user to take his/her medicine.

Abstract: Digital Control Ready (DCR) is a two-way open standard for controlling and managing next-generation fixtures. A DCR-enabled lighting fixture responds to digital control signals from a separate digital light agent (DLA) instead of analog dimming signals, eliminating the need for digital-to-analog signal conditioning, fixture-to-fixture variations in response, and calibration specific to each fixture. In addition, a DCR-enabled lighting fixture may also report its power consumption, measured light output, measured color temperature, temperature, and/or other operating parameters to the DLA via the same bidirectional data link that carries the digital control signals to the fixture. The DLA processes these signals in a feedback loop to implement more precise lighting control. The DCR-enabled lighting fixture also transforms AC power to DC power and supplies (and measures) DC power to the DLA via a DCR interface.

Abstract: A time interval setting unit sets a time interval that depends on the number of items of data stored by a storage unit. A storage processing unit stores the data in the storage unit at every time interval that is set by the time interval setting unit. The storage unit retains the data at the time interval that depends on data acquirement time. A data extraction unit extracts the data by the number of items of data that depends on the number of items of display data, from the items of data stored by the storage unit. When the time interval setting unit updates the time interval, it is not necessary to perform subsampling or compression on the data stored by the storage unit and the data can be retained at the time interval that depends on the data acquirement time with less processing load.

Abstract: An electronic communication unit such as a mobile phone comprises a processor for operating said unit; and an ambient air quality monitoring sensor; characterized in that said processor is configured to operate said unit in a first mode of operation during which a) monitoring of said air quality occurs and a level of air quality is assessed against pre-determined levels; and b) ordinary communication routines are activated provided an acceptable category of pre-determined levels is identified; and in a second mode of operation during which a) monitoring of said air quality occurs and a level of air quality is assessed against pre-determined levels; and b) an alarm routine is launched interrupting the ordinary communication routines once a level of ambient air quality is assessed to warrant the user's attention.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for recommending a navigation destination based upon recent updates are provided. The apparatus and methods include, in one or more aspects, receiving a request from a user communication device for a desired item, and associating a user location of the user communication device with a destination location of a provider of the desired item. Further, the one or more aspects include identifying a destination communication device at the destination location, and querying the destination communication device for a human-originating response to obtain a current accessibility status of the desired item. Additionally, the one or more aspects include reporting the destination location of the provider and the current accessibility status to the user communication device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring keyboard input are provided. The method includes monitoring input from the user over a predetermined interval, determining whether the amount of input over the predetermined interval has exceeded a predetermined threshold, and transmitting a warning to the user when the amount of input over the predetermined interval has exceeded the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Timing apparatus which may be in the form of a stop watch and which includes a laser beam transmitter for transmitting a laser beam and a detector for detecting a reflected laser beam reflected from objects for example runners intercepting the transmitted beam. The apparatus includes a processor for calculating elapsed time of movement of the runners and their finishing order from the reflected signals received by the detector.

Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention, a method and system is provided for designing improved intelligent, LED-based lighting systems. The LED based lighting systems may include fixtures with one or more of rotatable LED light bars, integrated sensors, onboard intelligence to receive signals from the LED light bars and control the LED light bars, and a mesh network connectivity to other fixtures.

Abstract: A device and method to automatically control timing of outside lighting are achieved. An ephemeris program and a calendar are loaded into memory on a timing device. Power is applied to the device wherein a GPS circuit on the device is energized, and Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), Current Day (CD), and physical location of the device are determined from satellite signals through an antenna or alternately from a repeater circuit or a key fob type device. GMT and CD that are retrieved are stored in memory. Lighting on and off times are calculated by the ephemeris program based on physical location, the calendar, GMT, CD, and the user selected distance of the sun below the horizon. Lights are turned on and off based on the calculated on and off times.

Abstract: A modular pillbox that includes a base unit and a plurality of modules that can be interchangeably coupled to the base unit. The base unit includes a plurality of interior compartments defined by a top, a bottom and at least one side wall, openable doors that close the tops of the plurality of interior compartments, one-way passages in one of the bottoms or the at least one side wall of each interior compartment through which pills can be pushed into the interior compartments, and an opening in a front portion of the base unit. The plurality of modules includes a cover plate that couples to the base unit and covers the opening, and various electronic packages that removable couple to the base unit and cover the opening.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing alerts to one or more customers at an optimized time and communication channel based on at least customer preferences, transactions, activities, usage patterns, and other information; and for allowing customers to directly respond and communicate feedback to alerts that are provided to complete various account actions, including to “snooze” one or more alerts.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may include systems and methods for monitoring a person's activities. A system may receive an input (2) and may contact a designated party to ensure they are safe or perhaps even confirm they are at a specified location at a specified time. A system may also provide an escalation response (315) in those circumstances where a primary contact is not reached or perhaps where it is directed by a primary contact. Further, a system may provide communications to a primary contact or a user (203) including a plausible excuse for the primary contact to leave an agenda location.

Abstract: A patient-portable medication event monitor is disclosed which is capable of detecting the dispensing of doses of a particular medication from the monitor, comparing the dispensing detected with information concerning the desired dosing regimen for the certain medication and displaying graphically to the patient at least one feedback indication of the patient's degree of compliance or deviation with the desired regimen.

Abstract: A handheld computer includes a processor; a memory in communication with the processor; and at least one light-emitting device that emits visible light as a visual indicator of an occurrence of a designated event. The processor is programmed to selectively activate the visual indicator in response to an occurrence of a designated event to provide the visual indicator to a user of the handheld computer. The processor is programmed to monitor for occurrence of two or more different types of designated events. The processor varies the visual indicator based on the type of the event for which occurrence is being signaled by that visual indicator, such that a different visual indicator is associated with each type of event for which the processor is programmed to monitor.

Abstract: A method for scheduling communications over a wireless communication subsystem and a radio frequency identification (RFID) communication subsystem comprising determining one or more periods of activity of the wireless communication subsystem; deriving one or more periods of non-activity on the basis of the one or more determined periods of activity; synchronizing an operation of the radio frequency identification (RFID) communication subsystem with the one or more periods of non-activity; and triggering the operation of the radio frequency identification (RFID) communication subsystem in accordance with the one or more derived periods of non-activity to enable substantially concurrent communications operation of the wireless communication subsystem and the radio frequency identification (RFID) communication subsystem.

Abstract: Configuration technologies for cost-effectively monitoring indicia of regimen compliance or noncompliance in response to one or more indications of symptoms or actions or other data on data-bearing media or in wireless transmissions, such as implementing techniques for providing or preventing access or otherwise acting on or communicating incremental or definitive indicia of compliance or noncompliance.

Abstract: A computer-based system for monitoring medication compliance. The system can include one or more processors configured to process and manage data. Additionally, the system can also include one or more medication packagings comprising a machine-readable medium. Notably, the machine-readable medium can comprise medication information among other types of information. The one or more processors can be configured to receive the medication information of the machine-readable medium. The machine-readable medium and corresponding medication information can be adjustable based on a dispensing of a medication from the one or more medication packagings.

Abstract: A portable terminal includes an alarm control. A method for controlling an alarm includes determining whether an input fact to analyze an exceptional situation of an alarm operation is generated; analyzing the exceptional situation by rule using at least one fact; and when there is an alarm which is placed in the exceptional situation, cancelling the alarm.

Abstract: An activity monitor which can be pre-programmed at the factory, the doctor's office or the pharmacist, or that can be programmed by the user. The activity monitor is affixed to a medicine bottle or container and activity associated with the bottle or container, such as movement, opening, volume changes, etc. are monitored in view to the schedule. If the schedule indicates that a dose of medicine should be taken at a particular time, but the monitored activity does not determine that the medicine has been taken, an alert signal will be issued to alert the user that it is time to take the medicine. In addition, if the monitored activity indicates that the medicine bottle has been opened prior to a scheduled time, then a tamper alert can be triggered.

Abstract: Implementations for mobile device notifications are disclosed. In one implementation, a method for a mobile device is disclosed. The method includes outputting a first notification of an event at the mobile device responsive to occurrence of the event. The method further includes discontinuing the first notification after a period of time. The method further includes receiving an indication of motion of the mobile device via a motion sensor of the mobile device after discontinuing the first notification. The method further includes outputting a second notification of the event at the mobile device after discontinuing the first notification responsive to receiving the indication of motion of the mobile device.

Abstract: The patient monitoring system comprises at least one load cell element (12) mounted in relation to a support surface, the load cell element (12) determining movement of a person on a support surface. The movement is determined based on a reference (31) measured using the load cell element (12) when the person is positioned on the support surface in a reference position and the subsequent load changes determined using the load cell element in relation to the reference. If the load change exceeds a pre-defined threshold, an alarm (18) is activated. The user is able to set the threshold value of the alarm system according to the physical condition of the patient. For example, in some cases it is necessary to he notified about any movements and in others only major movements are of interest. The patient monitoring system is able to provide a flexible means of monitoring of a patient by a nurse or carer.

Abstract: An indicator system for use on a medicine bottle to indicate the times and dates of the last dosage taken and the next dosage to be taken, including means for registering time and date when the bottle is opened and then closed.

Abstract: A communication device locks input of the communication device and executes an alarm if a current time reaches a set alarm time. When the alarm is executed, an unlock input set is generated for unlocking the input and an alarm disable button set is generated for disabling the alarm. If an unlock input set is the same as the generated unlock keypad set, the locked input is unlocking. If the alarm disable button set input by the user is the same as the generated alarm disable button set, the communication device disables the alarm.

Abstract: A user interface of a configurable light timer is described. The user interface comprises an input portion for receiving timing characterization data, the input portion having a slot adapted to receive a portable memory device storing the timing characterization data; and a feedback portion providing an indication of the status of the timer in based upon the timing characterization data and a current day and time setting. A method of implementing a user interface in a configurable light timer is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a mobile device to set an alarm based on an external request is described. In one embodiment of the invention, the mobile device receives the external request which includes a set of one or more parameters at least partially defining the alarm and a set of one or more actions to take upon the alarm triggering. Upon determining that the external request is trusted, the mobile device automatically sets the alarm on the mobile device according to the set of parameters included in the request. Upon the alarm triggering, the mobile device performs the set of actions included in the external request. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.

Abstract: Data in the form of discrete learnable objects, is automatically retrieved at time intervals and fed to a user by an electronic time data device based on options such as subject, alert and time interval of 60 minutes or less. Preceding or with the feeding of a data object, an alert is outputted, which is ceased by an input. Inputs such as answers to questions to test comprehension, can also be required. The system can evaluate the responses, and adaptively introduce a new subject when comprehension is demonstrated, and repeat data objects for which comprehension is not demonstrated. The interval, subject matter fed and other parameters can be controlled by the device, or remotely by a second device or administrator, and information representative of comprehension, marketing, and the like can be recorded and collected.

Abstract: A portable and personal alarm clock system which incorporates the use of wireless technology to wake a person up through a personal earpiece alarm. This device comprises two main components including an earpiece alarm and a receiving base. The earpiece alarm is integrated with a small rechargeable battery and charging portal and is designed to automatically turn on after removing from receiving base. The receiving base resembles an electric alarm clock having an LED face, two speakers, a snooze button, buttons for setting the clock and alarm, and an alarm sound selector function. There is a charging means for the earpiece(s) and a volume control for the ear piece and base speakers. The base could also include a backup power source.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a notification system for timed power supply, which includes a timed power supply device and a wireless notification device. The timed power supply device is able to receive a set time inputted by a user and stores the set time into a memory module, and then starts timing, providing power supply and generating an elapsed time, respectively. When the timed power supply device determines that the difference between the elapsed time and the set time reaches a threshold value, the timed power supply device issues a notification signal through a wireless transmitter module to the wireless notification device carried by the user, so as to ensure that the user will be notified, via an alert signal generated by the wireless notification device according to the notification signal, that the set time is coming to an end.

Abstract: A toothbrush alarm consists of an alarm box located in the bedroom. It has an alarm such as a noisemaker, radio, light and/or voice chip saying “please brush your teeth.” In intermittent periods it is controlled ON and OFF by a battery powered alarm clock circuit built into a toothbrush. A wireless transmitter in the toothbrush sends the ON or OFF command to the alarm box. The alarm box will repeatedly remind the child to brush their teeth until it is turned off from the toothbrush. Thus, a child sets his alarm time on his toothbrush in the bathroom and leaves the toothbrush there. At wakeup time (or brushing time) the child must go to the bathroom, pick up the toothbrush, turn off the alarm, and (hopefully) brush his/her teeth.

Abstract: A product system comprises a package base unit and a package. The package base unit comprises a control element and a package interface operatively connected to the control element. The package comprises a package base interface, and a printed element. The printed element comprises a control circuit element and an output circuit element. Each of the control circuit element and the output circuit element are operatively connected to the package base interface.

Abstract: A system for maintaining an electrically operated folding wall comprising: (a) a maintenance detecting means; (b) a time measuring means; (c) a first time alarm means for detecting a preset time for a maintenance reminder; (d) a second time alarm means far detecting a preset time for maintenance; (e) a first maintenance schedule indicator for indicating that maintenance is soon required; f) a second maintenance schedule indicator for indicating that maintenance is required; (g) a preventing means for preventing the electrical operation circuit of the folding operable wall from functioning after the second time alarm detects that the time measuring means has reached the preset time for maintenance; (h) a resetting means for resetting the time measured by the time measuring means after the required maintenance has been performed; and (i) a restarting means for restarting the electrical operation circuit of the folding operable wall after the required service has been performed.

Abstract: A display device includes a dial, an alarm setting member, and a warning unit. The alarm setting member includes an A/D converter, a recognition module, a storage module, and an analysis module. With rotation of the dial, a variation voltage is generated. The A/D converter converts variable voltage from analog to digital form. In contrast, the alarm time is decreased. The storage module stores the adjusted alarm time. The analysis module compares the current time with the preset alarm time and outputs a driving signal to the warning unit in the event of a match.

Abstract: An alarm device is provided. The alarm device comprises a processor, an alerting component, a communication interface, and an alarm application. The communication interface receives messages encapsulating an alarm control message from a third party. The alarm application, when executed by the processor, receives the message from the communication interface, validates the message based on a code embedded in the message, parses a body of the message to extract the encapsulated alarm control message, schedules an alarm event based on the body of the message, and activates the alerting component when the alarm event occurs.

Abstract: A fire and smoke heat detector alarm device that employs a combination of indoor and outdoor alarms with a user delay and off access control activation input. The warning alarm device has interior and remote control access including battery backup and pro-active threat mitigation of optional gas supply cut-off.

Abstract: A vehicular sensor node, circuit apparatus and their operations. Power from power source is controlled for delivery to radio transceiver and magnetic sensor, based upon a task trigger and task identifier. The radio transceiver and the magnetic sensor are operated based upon the task identifier, when the task trigger is active. The power source, radio transceiver, magnetic sensor, and circuit apparatus are enclosed in vehicular sensor node, placed upon pavement and operating for at least five years without replacing the power source components. Magnetic sensor preferably uses the magnetic resistive effect to create magnetic sensor state. Radio transceiver preferably implements version of a wireless communications protocol. The circuit apparatus may further include light emitting structure to visibly communicate during installation and/or testing, and second light emitting structure used to visibly communicate with vehicle operators. Making filled shell and vehicular sensor node from circuit apparatus.

Abstract: A smart cap for a medical container for the containment of solid medications having unique indicia. The cap is provided with an optical scanner configured with at least one locally contained or external data base having general medication identification data and optionally patient-specific information to scan and identify the medication (and optionally the dosage, specific formulations, manufacturing source, etc.) and to record and correlate information regarding patient medication usage (scanning of a medication is generally considered indicative of actual patient taking of the medication). The cap further comprises communication elements configured to transmit/receive “usage” through scanning of a unit dosage of the medication, to an external data base such as the patient's cell phone and or computer (such as with blue tooth or RF communication) or via a telephone call or internet transmission to a data base of a pharmacy or physician or other health care provider.

Abstract: Methods of establishing an insulin delivery rate in a pump and an insulin pump are disclosed. A method includes selecting a set of alerts from one or more sets of alerts. The method also includes initiating a test process based on the set of alerts. The method further includes, upon activation of each alert in the selected set of alerts, prompting a user to input a blood glucose level.

Abstract: Systems, products, and methods are disclosed for helping to ensure that an alarm of a mobile communications device is activated when desired. An illustrative method includes receiving an indication of a desired time that the alarm is intended to be activated, determining a power level of a power source that is powering the mobile communications device, determining whether the power level will provide sufficient power to the mobile communications device to enable it to activate the alarm at the desired time and, if so, then enabling the alarm to be set. Further, the power source could be monitored as the alarm-activation time approaches so that if variables change that might prevent the alarm from activating, then changes or preventive measures can be taken.

Abstract: A method of managing medias, including steps of: receiving medias; detecting whether the media includes a time information including a start time, a finish time, and a display time interval; comparing the current date and time with the start time if the media includes the time information; displaying the media every the display time interval if the current date and time reaches or goes beyond the start time but does not reach the finish time. The time information can be added to the metadata of the media by a user before the media is sent to a receiver. The present invention further provides an electronic device capable of executing the above steps.

Abstract: An activity monitor which can be pre-programmed at the factory, the doctors office or the pharmacist, or that can be programmed by the user. The activity monitor is affixed to a medicine bottle or container and activity associated with the bottle or container, such as movement, opening, volume changes, etc. are monitored in view to the schedule. If the schedule indicates that a dose of medicine should be taken at a particular time, but the monitored activity does not determine that the medicine has been taken, an alert signal will be issued to alert the user that it is time to take the medicine. In addition, if the monitored activity indicates that the medicine bottle has been opened prior to a scheduled time, then a tamper alert can be triggered.

Abstract: A smart cap for a container to dispense a medication and for automatically (a) self-verifying at least an obverse side and a converse side of the medication once the smart cap has been programmed for the medication so as to prevent improper dispensing of the medication, (b) indicating and verifying the number of pills in the container, (c) indicating and verifying timely compliance for taking the medication as prescribed and (d) issuing instructions and/or warnings to the consumer. The cap includes necessary circuitry and displays and is programmable from computer.

Abstract: A device adapted to be releasable attached to a blister including at least one piece of medicament. The device includes apparatus for releasable attachment to the blister, a sensor arrangement including at least one first sensor arranged to register the sound of the dispense of a piece of medicament, a time system arranged to register the time and/or date of the dispensing of said piece of medicament and a memory for storing data, such as time and/or date data, related to the dispense of the piece of medicament.

Abstract: A personal athletic device is worn by a runner during a race. A race course is provided with a plurality of mats along the race course. The mats have antennas and generate a magnetic field. The personal athletic device has a chip system having an RFID tag and a display. As the runner progress along the course, the RFID tag is triggered at each mat and race data is displayed on the device.

Abstract: An LED illumination system includes a control circuit having a timing unit, a control unit, a PWM signal generating unit and a micro-programmed control unit (MCU). The timing unit divides an operating period of an LED lamp into different time segments, and outputs clock signals. The control unit outputs different controlling signals corresponding to the clock signals to the PWM signal generating unit, which in turn generates different PWM signals with different duty cycles. A constant current circuit electrically connects the control circuit and outputs different electric currents to make the LED lamp emit light having different light intensities at the different time segments. The MCU is at an outside of the LED lamp and sets a program to control the timing unit, the control unit and the PWM signal generating unit.

Abstract: A reminder device includes a controller, a switch, and an annunciator. When a user closes the switch, the controller turns on the annunciator for a fixed period of time. The annunciator may be a light source such as a flashing LED or an audio indicator. The signal from the annunciator communicates to a user that a particular task, such as taking a pill or locking a car door, has been completed and need not be further verified.

Abstract: A therapy adherence system is provided. The system comprises at least one computer system, a database, and an application that, when executed on the at least one computer system, receives a message from a home-based patient device containing medication compliance information and physical condition information. The system also compares medication compliance information and physical condition information with a current treatment regimen and historical medication and physical condition information stored in the database. The system also calculates an updated regimen and health risk level based on at least current and historical medication compliance information and physical condition information. The system also notifies an at least one health care provider when health risk level exceeds a threshold. The system also receives response from the at least one health care provider, the response comprising adjustments to the updated regimen and a diagnosis and communicates the updated regimen.

Abstract: A portable electronics includes detection unit which detects a state of the portable electronics, storage unit which stores a detection result of the detection unit at a first period, and determination unit which reads out, every time a second period longer than the first period has elapsed, a plurality of detection results stored in the storage unit during the second period and determines the state of the portable electronics based on the plurality of readout detection results.

Abstract: An RFID communication system comprises an NFC device (11) and a smart card (2) with contactless card functionality, wherein the NFC device (11) and the smart card (2) are couplable to each other via a protocol converter (7), wherein the NFC device (11) is coupled to an antenna (3) to receive electromagnetic signals (ES) from an RFID reader/writer and to transmit response signals (RS) to the RFID reader/writer by modulating received electromagnetic signals (ES). The electromagnetic signals (ES) contain first and second characteristic components (FE, RE) which define the begin and the end of a predefined signal pattern (PA), wherein the second characteristic component triggers a predefined response delay time (FDT) at the expiration of which the RFID communication system has to respond to the RFID reader/writer. A device (12) for compensating signal delays is provided that comprises signal pattern shortening means (13).