Abstract: A self-cleaning toilet is disclosed. The toilet includes a bowl adapted to receive excreta, a mechanism that uses a consumable to clean at least a portion of the toilet, a storage structure for storing the consumable, a sensor for detecting a property of the consumable, and a processor. The sensor detects a quantity of the consumable. The processor generates an alert if the quantity of consumable is below a predetermined level. The alert can include providing a maintenance alert, ordering more consumable, and enabling or disabling features of the toilet.

Abstract: An analytical toilet comprising a bowl for receiving excreta from a user; a base supporting the bowl; a supply of flush water; and a plurality of receptacles, each providing mechanical attachment, a power supply, and a data connection to an analytical device, which analytical device is adapted to provide data useful to the user is disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing excreta samples in a toilet comprising one or more fluid inlets configured to receive fluids from a toilet including excreta samples; at least one outlet configured to discharge the fluids to the toilet; a connection for receiving electrical power; and at least one sensor configured to measure at least one property of the fluids in the apparatus is disclosed.

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 toilet comprising a frame; a bowl supported by the frame; a seat also supported by the frame; a shroud covering the frame; a lift mechanism supported by the frame for adjusting the position of the seat; a foot platform positioned to support the feet of a user sitting on the seat wherein the foot platform comprises a plurality of foot platform weight sensors; a plurality of seat weight sensors between the frame and the seat for measuring the weight of a user on the seat; and a controller receiving data from the plurality of foot platform weight sensors and from the plurality of seat weight sensors; wherein the controller uses the data from the foot platform weight sensors to calculate the weight distribution of the user between the seat and foot platform; and wherein the controller uses the data from the foot platform weight sensors to calculate the weight distribution of the user between the left and right side of the foot platform; and wherein the controller uses the calculated weight distributions to cont

Abstract: A toilet for administering a product to a user is disclosed. The toilet includes a bowl, a mechanism for administering the product to the user, a storage structure for storing the product, a sensor that detects a property of the product, and a processor. The bowl is adapted to receiving excreta from the user. The processor compares the detected property with a range of values indicating the suitability of the product for being applied to a user. The processor generates an alert when the detected property falls outside the range of values.

Abstract: An analytical toilet comprising a bowl adapted to receive excreta; one or more conduits for transporting a sample from the bowl; one or more fluid sources in fluid connection with the one or more conduits; and one or more microfluidic chips, comprising at least one fluid inlet; at least one fluid outlet; and a sensor configured to detect at least one property of an excreta sample is disclosed.

Abstract: The method of confirming consumption of a tagged pharmaceutical or nutritional product includes the step of providing a subject with a pharmaceutical or nutritional product which has been tagged with a safe, for example, a plant-based, compound. These compounds may include asparagusic acid or a derivative thereof which is found in asparagus, garlic or an extract of garlic, or 1,8-cineole. Alternatively, the taggant may be dimethylsulfoxide. A subject may be provided with and instructed to consume the tagged product according to a defined protocol. A sample of bodily waste or other biological sample may be collected from the subject and analyzed for the presence of the tag or a metabolite thereof. This method may be used to confirm compliance with the protocol in clinical drug trials or nutritional studies.

Abstract: A gear-shifting device includes a first motor having a first stator. The first stator turns clockwise and counter-clockwise, creating a wobbling action. The device further includes a compound planetary transmission, made up of a transmission ring attached to a ring gear. The compound planetary transmission receives power from the first stator. A second motor having a second stator, turns clockwise and counter-clockwise. The device further includes a shift assembly, made up of a drum, a cap, and a pinion gear. The pinion gear receives power from the second stator. The drum locks with the pinion gear such that the drum rotates with the pinion gear. The transmission ring is attached to the drum, such that the transmission ring moves laterally as the drum rotates. The ring gear locks and unlocks with the cap as the drum rotates. The wobbling action enables the locking.

Abstract: The invention includes a system for heating a room including a panel with a layer of channels, the layer of channels having a first and a second outer surface and a plurality of adjoined parallel channels disposed between them. The system also includes a heating element which converts electricity to heat and heats a fluid within the panel to heat the room.

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: A system for heating and cooling a room including a layer of channels and a heating layer. The layer of channels allows a chilled fluid to pass through it while the heating layer has a resistor that is configured to turn electricity into heat.

Abstract: In a first aspect, a system for heating, cooling, or both heating and cooling a room is disclosed. The system includes a panel with a first, second, and third wall. The second wall is disposed between the first and third walls and separated by a plurality of partitions. The partitions create a first and second row of elongated channels. Each channel in the first row is bounded on two sides by two partitions and on two other sides by the first and second walls. Each channel in the second row is bounded on two sides by two partitions and on two other sides by the second and third walls. The first row of channels is a fluid layer configured to allow heated or cooled fluid to pass through. The fluid layer is in thermal communication with the room. The second row of channels is an insulating vacuum layer, with a reduced pressure that is at least 20% less than atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: The invention is a system for heating, cooling or both heating and cooling a room. The system includes a channel layer with a first and a second outer surface and a plurality of adjoined waterproof channels disposed therebetween. Each channel is configured to allow a fluid to pass through. The channel layer is configured to be in thermal communication with a room. The system also includes spacing elements configured to space the channel layer a distance from a wall of the room.

Abstract: A system for adding, removing, or adding and removing thermal energy from a room is disclosed, including a channel layer with a first and a second outer surface and a plurality of adjoined waterproof channels which allow a fluid to pass through. The invention also includes a first heat exchanging device which puts the fluid in thermal communication with a refrigerant and second heat exchanging device which puts the refrigerant in thermal communication with an exchange medium.

Abstract: An apparatus for notifying of parcel delivery comprising an aerial parcel delivery apparatus, landing gear, a processor, a number of visual sensors, and an articulated robotic arm. The robotic arm may comprise an end effector comprising one or more simulated fingers or digits of a human hand, a protruding member, and a wireless communication adapter. The end effector may have the ability to grasp an object or actuate a doorbell, key pay, or an alarm system. The articulated robotic arm including a protruding member is extended to ring a doorbell.

Abstract: A broadband microstrip antenna formed on a printed circuit board has a first planar side comprising a plurality of electrically conductive planar v-shaped antenna segments, each v-shaped antenna segment comprising an open end formed by non-parallel sides and a closed end formed by an intersection of the non-parallel sides. The open end of each v-shaped antenna segment is electrically connected to one or more adjacent v-shaped antenna segments forming a series of electrically connected v-shaped antenna segments. The closed end of a centered v-shaped antenna segment provides a feed point for the one or more adjacent v-shaped antenna segments.

Abstract: An apparatus for lowering a hitch onto a truck bed and raising the hitch off of a truck bed is disclosed. The apparatus includes: an upper carriage, a lower carriage, and a kingpin. The upper carriage is suspended from multiple lines, which lines are configured to lower and raise the upper carriage. The lower carriage is attachable to the upper carriage at various positions relative to the upper carriage to allow the load on the lines to be balanced in one direction. The kingpin is attached to the lower carriage, and kingpin is configured to be captured by the hitch. Allowing the hitch to be lowered onto the truck bed and raised off of the truck bed as the upper carriage and the lower carriage are lowered and raised by the lines. Another embodiment of the apparatus includes lifting devices attached to the lines for raising and lowering the hitch.

Abstract: A winch assembly including a mount attachable to a vehicle, and a guide attached to the mount; including a winch having a drum for winding and unwinding a line, and a motor for driving the drum about a winding axis, wherein the drum has a helical groove for receiving the line as it is wound. A frame connects to the first and second end of the drum and is adapted to move relative to the guide so as to synchronize movement of the drum along the winding axis so that the line is aligned with the helical groove during winding and unwinding. A rod is attached to the frame and generally parallel to the winding axis, and passes through a hole in the guide, allowing the movement of the drum along the winding axis but preventing the frame from rotating about the winding axis is disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for reducing sound propagation between spaces divided by a retractable wall are disclosed. A retractable wall is configured to divide a space when deployed. An edge of the retractable wall is disposed into a track with a channel when the retractable wall is deployed. A bladder is configured to inflate when the retractable wall is deployed and to press the edge of the retractable wall. In this manner, sound propagation through any gaps is reduced.