Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed that includes a battery-powered wireless switch and a switch dock. The switch includes a microcontroller, a short range wireless transmitter, and one or more tactile control buttons. Additionally, the switch includes one or more docking prongs. Each docking prong is contained within a groove in a switch back, with pivot pins through one end of each docking prong perpendicular to a prong longitudinal axis and parallel to the switch back. The switch also includes flexible strips coupled to the same end of each docking prong as the pivot pins, and a prong extender button coupled to the flexible strips. The dock includes one or more docking prong slots, where the number of slots matches the number of prongs. The prongs fit in the slots to mount the switch to the dock.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are wireless devices operable at intermediate wireless at ranges of thousands of meters, utilizing packets that include a preamble and a data payload. Devices may be such things as keypads, door latches, occupancy monitors, sprinkler controllers and other devices needing a communications link. Devices include an intermediate-range transceiver and a separate short-range wireless transceiver accessible from a mobile device such as a cellular telephone or portable tablet. Devices may bear a scannable label bearing a code providing a means of identification, and can be registered in a database and deployed for use by means of an application running on the mobile device. Intermediate-range communications may be tested during deployment as directed from a mobile device. Detailed information on various example embodiments of the inventions are provided in the Detailed Description below, and the inventions are defined by the appended claims.

Abstract: The tandem differential mobility spectrometer (DMS)-ion modulator instrument provides improved resolution relative to traditional DMS for molecules with larger masses. The instrument includes an ion-bunching electrode with an AC field synchronized to the transit time of the ion flow which is positioned downstream of a DMS. The ion bunching electrode produces a mobility-dependent modulation of the ion current. The ratio of AC to DC current provides a measure of the mobility of a large ion, even if it has little differential mobility, thereby extending the useful range of mobility characterization of a DMS system. The instrument is more compact than a larger traditional ion mobility spectrometer and does not require high voltages or high frequencies. Modulation before DMS separation or between tandem DMS separations produces a variable range of analyte and reactant ion densities as well as spatially separating negative and positive ions to reduce ion recombination.

Abstract: A headrail for a motorized window covering is described that includes a motor and a gearbox coupled to the motor that is configured to actuate a window covering. The headrail includes a safety detector with one or more sensors that detect an irregular strain when the window covering is being raised. The headrail may further comprise a recoil mechanism or a deactivation mechanism to reduce the likelihood of damage to the window coverings and/or individuals caught or tangled in the window covering.

Abstract: A method of preparing meals in a computerized kitchen workspace is set forth. The computerized kitchen workspace includes one or more robots for preparing and cooking food in the kitchen workspace. Kitchen appliances may be automatically controlled according to a recipe. The one or more robots may access kitchen items necessary for meal preparation by rotating automated shelves. The meal may then be automatically prepared by the one or more robots. Automated storage shelves may be provided with electrical power for powering kitchen appliances found on the shelves.

Abstract: Embodiments of an air hose accessory storage apparatus are described herein. Various embodiments may include a hose clamp, an accessory mount, a housing, and one or more accessory fittings. The accessory mount may be connected to the hose clamp. The housing may be connected to one or more of the hose clamp and the accessory mount. The housing may include at least one fixed segment, at least one articulating segment, and one or more hinges connecting the articulating segment and the fixed segment. The one or more accessory fittings may correspond to one or more air hose accessories. The one or more accessory fittings may be connected to the accessory mount, the housing, or both. The housing may enclose the accessory fittings.

Abstract: A thin scale apparatus for measuring body weight includes 5 or more force sensors within a total thickness of between 0.4 inches and 0.004 inches measured between a bottom surface and a top surface of the thin scale apparatus. The thin scale is designed to be thin enough to be non-intrusive or not recognized by a user. A weight of a toilet user may be determined as a combination of additive force of force sensors in a thin scale and force sensor associated with a toilet seat of a toilet. The force sensors may be positioned in one or more cavities on a bottom side of a substrate material of the thin scale or be embedded within a substrate material. Embodiments of a standalone thin scale and a thin scale with a toilet are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is a system for simultaneously, yet safely, suspending and powering objects through connectors on a wall. The system includes one or more connectors, preferably pins, mounted to a wall. Each connector has a groove and a lip that houses an electrical conductor, which may be a metal rod. One or more suspendable objects, which may be storage bins or electrical appliances, are designed to engage with the connectors. Each suspendable object has at least one horizontal track that guides the lip of each connector into one or more openings in the track. When the lip engages an opening, the object is suspended from the wall. Each opening also contains an electrical conductor that engages with the electrical conductor within the connector, thereby providing power to the suspendable object. The connectors may be attached to rails, and the system may be utilized within an automated storage and retrieval system.

Abstract: The drug tracking system may be used to screen a subject's bodily waste and to identify a drug the subject has consumed. The system includes drug tags which include a one or more food dyes, each detectable in a subject's bodily waste using photographic or absorption spectroscopic analysis. The system may further include a database in which is stored the spectral signature of each drug tag and the unique drug associated with each drug tag. A spectral analysis obtained by analyzing a bodily waste sample may be entered into the database. The database may include instructions for comparing the spectral analysis to the spectral signature of each drug tag. The instructions may further report the unique drug associated with a drug tag which has a spectral signature matching the spectral analysis.

Abstract: The invention is a mobile fueling system for vehicles that includes a fleet of mobile fuel stations, such as trucks. Each mobile fuel station has at least one fuel reservoir adapted for storing either liquid fuel, gaseous fuel and electric fuel. The system also includes a data processing hub and a network providing wireless data communication between vehicles, the fleet of mobile fuel stations, and the data processing hub. The data processing hub receives vehicle data from vehicles and fleet data from each mobile fuel station over the network. The data processing hub is configured to dispatch via the network the mobile fuel stations in the fleet to vehicles in need of fuel based on at least three of the following factors: vehicle fuel level, a vehicle fuel request, vehicle location, a vehicle owner stored fueling location preference, a vehicle owner service request, reservoir fuel contents, reservoir fuel level and mobile fuel station location.

Abstract: Window blinds with automated mechanisms that require a power source often include a battery housing that is placed at least partially outside of the headrail. This is done to make room for mechanical devices that are required to be housed within the headrail. We disclose a battery housing which may be mounted within a headrail of a window blind. Consequently, the battery housing is not visible when the headrail is mounted. This creates a more aesthetically pleasing window treatment. The disclosed battery housing may include a base mounted on two elongated battery compartments. An elongated channel may separate the two elongated battery compartments. The elongated channel is designed to allow a tilt rod within the headrail to pass through.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are hub-based wireless networks employing end-devices at intermediate wireless at ranges of thousands of meters. End-devices may be such things as keypads, door latches, occupancy monitors, sprinkler controllers and other devices controlled or monitored in a campus or a collection of buildings. A device-initiated asynchronous mode may be used to communicate information related to spontaneous events to a hub. The hub receives packet retrial information from the end-devices, determines whether packet retrials are due to interference or some other cause such as collisions, and applies varying levels of redundancy based upon a recent history of success and failure of packet exchanges, which measurement may be a value of badness increased as errors are encountered and decreased as packet communication is successful. Detailed information on various example embodiments of the inventions are provided in the Detailed Description below, and the inventions are defined by the appended claims.

Abstract: We disclose a headrail for window coverings that may include an extensible end cap and a gearbox which automatically adjusts the headrail mounting. The extensible end cap may include a mounting bracket which may be connected to a piston. The piston may be connected to a floating bearing. The gearbox may include a motor-driven main gear which rotates a threaded rod. As the threaded rod rotates, an end of the threaded rod may move toward a floating bearing. The floating bearing may apply force the piston which may transmit the force to the mounting bracket. The extensible end cap may also include a sensor which detects the amount of pressure or force applied to the mounting bracket. When the sensor collects a measurement below a defined level, the motor may actuate the main gear to rotate the threaded rod and apply additional force to the mounting bracket.

Abstract: A flora or fauna retrieval apparatus, comprising a frame mechanically connected to a transportation module to move the apparatus. The apparatus may comprise a location identification module, a number of flora or fauna attribute sensors communicatively connected to a communication module, and a flora or fauna storage container. The communication module may be configured to communicate with a computing device to exchange information about the animals or plants to be retrieved, and obtain information about optimal conditions for animals or plants scheduled for delivery. The flora or fauna storage container may comprise a temperature regulator, an aperture to let in air, and a humidity controller. The aperture may be adjustable.

Abstract: A three-wheeled vehicle crumple zone is described. The crumple zone includes a triangular, single-sided swing arm coupling a wheel to a frame of the vehicle at an end-most portion of the vehicle. The swing arm includes a u-shaped frame yoke coupling the swing arm to the frame and an angled wheel yoke coupling the wheel to the swing arm. The wheel yoke extends from the frame yoke at an angle ranging from 40 to 70 degrees, such that the frame yoke, the wheel yoke, and a centerline axis extending perpendicularly from the frame yoke form a right triangle.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing reliable spooling for hoists, winches, and other pulling and/or lifting devices is disclosed. In one embodiment, such an apparatus includes a motor and a drum rotated by the motor to draw in or let out a line from the drum. The drum includes a groove formed in an outer surface thereof to accommodate the line. A roller is provided to place pressure on the line against the drum. This roller is powered to assist the drum in spooling the line onto and off of the drum. In certain embodiments, the roller is driven by a gear that engages teeth on the drum. In other embodiments, the roller is driven by a wheel that is rotated by the drum. A corresponding method is also disclosed and claimed herein.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a flexible, roll-up wall are described herein. The wall includes a roller drum having a selectively engageable one-way bearing, one or more power supplies, a motor, a flexible, sound-attenuating sheet, an electromagnet and at least one of a corresponding permanent magnet or ferromagnet, one or more conductive threads, a force meter, and a potentiometer. The motor is coupled to the drum by a transmission. The flexible sheet includes a base fabric and a polymer coating surrounding the base fabric, and is coupled to the roller drum at a first end of the sheet. The one or more conductive threads are woven into the base fabric. At least one conductive thread electrically couples the electromagnet to one of the power supplies. The potentiometer varies the current delivered to the electromagnet based on a force measured by the force meter.

Abstract: Embodiments of motorized window coverings are described herein. Various embodiments may include a shade, a shade deployment assembly, one or more batteries, and wiring. The shade may include an upper end and a lower end opposite the upper end. The shade deployment assembly may be disposed at the upper end and may deploy the shade. The shade deployment assembly may comprise a rotatable element, a motor that rotates the rotatable element, and one or more mounting brackets. The mounting brackets may mount the shade deployment assembly to a surface. The shade may be directly connected to the shade deployment assembly, such as to the rotatable element. The battery may be removably connected to the shade at the lower end. The one or more batteries may power the motor. Wiring may be disposed in the shade. The wiring may electrically couple the motor to the one or more batteries.

Abstract: The invention is a system for simultaneously, yet safely, suspending and powering objects through connectors on a wall. The system includes one or more connectors, preferably pins, mounted to a wall. Each connector has a groove and a lip that houses an electrical conductor, which may be a metal rod. One or more suspendable objects, which may be storage bins or electrical appliances, are designed to engage with the connectors. Each suspendable object has at least one horizontal track that guides the lip of each connector into one or more openings in the track. When the lip engages an opening, the object is suspended from the wall. Each opening also contains an electrical conductor that engages with the electrical conductor within the connector, thereby providing power to the suspendable object. The connectors may be attached to rails, and the system may be utilized within an automated storage and retrieval system.

Abstract: A method for communicating between a remote device and a control server is described. The method include receiving a reduced packet when a reduced server identifier matches a control server, identifying the control server, constructing a device network packet, sending the device network packet to the control server, accepting a control network packet, building a reduced control packet, and transmitting the reduced control packet to the remote device.