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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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.

Abstract: A winch drum is disclosed. In a first aspect, a first set of teeth are positioned around an outer perimeter of a drum. The first set of teeth taper from a first crown to a first base. A second set of teeth are positioned around the outer perimeter of the drum. The second set of teeth taper from a second crown to a second base. The second set of teeth are offset from the first set of teeth such that a gap between the first bases and the second bases forms a sinusoidal channel for a line to follow the first set of teeth and the second set of teeth becomes a guide for the line so that the line can engage the sinusoidal channel. The line follows the sinusoidal channel and each change of direction along the sinusoidal path causes the line to engage by friction with the first bases and the second bases. In a second aspect, the drum includes a trough that follows a sinusoidal path and wherein the trough is narrower at its bottom than at its top.

Abstract: A device to disinfect air filtering headwear comprising a chamber, an access port, a first disinfectant emitter to disinfect an outer surface of the headwear, and a mount wherein personal protection headwear is placed on, the mount comprises a second disinfectant emitter to disinfect an inner surface of the headwear.

Abstract: An air filtering mask is disclosed which includes a rigid component and a flexible component. The rigid component and the flexible component combine to form a space over a user's mouth and nostrils, to form a seal therearound and to maintain the mask in place. The mask also includes an exhaust port with an exhaust filter and an intake port with an intake filter. The mask further includes an air mover pulling exhaust air out the exhaust port, thereby drawing intake air through the intake port.

Abstract: A head covering device comprising a rigid component comprising a transparent face shield, a fabric component, wherein the face shield and fabric combine to cover an entire head of a user and form a seal around the user's neck, an intake port with an inlet filter, an exhaust port with an exhaust filter, an air mover causing filtered air to enter the intake port and exhaust air to exit the exhaust port, and communication hardware facilitating communication for the user.

Abstract: A device for filtering air for a user comprising a rigid component comprising a transparent face shield that provides a space for air between an inside surface of the face shield and the user's face, an intake port, through which air enters the device, an exhaust port, through which air exits the device, a fabric component affixed to the rigid component that, combined with the rigid component, covers the user's head and seals around the user's neck, an intake filter that filters air passing through the intake port, an exhaust filter that filters air passing through the exhaust port, and an air mover held by the rigid component that moves air through the intake port and out the exhaust port.

Abstract: A head covering air filtering device comprising a rigid component comprising a transparent face shield, a fabric component, wherein the rigid component and the fabric component combine to cover an entire head of a user and form a seal around the user's neck. The device further comprises an intake filter to filter all intake air entering the device, an exhaust filter to filter all exhaust air exiting the device, and an air mover causing intake air to enter the device and exhaust air to exit the device.

Abstract: There is disclosed an extendable sofa comprising a frame having a seat support portion, a back-support portion, and a cushion storage compartment, wherein the frame is adapted to extend and collapse length-wise between a collapsed configuration and an extended configuration. A primary seat cushion adapted to rest upon the seat support portion of the frame when in the frame is in the collapsed configuration. An auxiliary seat cushion adapted to be stored in the cushion storage compartment when the frame is in the collapsed configuration and adapted to rest upon the seat support portion when the frame is in the extended configuration. At least one primary back cushion adapted to rest against the back-support portion of the frame when the frame is in the collapsed configuration.

Abstract: An overhead door opener for opening and closing an overhead door. A motor is coupled to a shaft and is configured to rotate the shaft to raise and lower the overhead door. The shaft is coupled to the overhead door. The overhead door opener also includes a one-way bearing coupling the motor to the shaft, wherein the one-way bearing is configured to transmit torque from the motor to the shaft, and not to transmit torque from the shaft to the motor.

Abstract: A counterbalance system for an overhead door is disclosed. The system includes a torsion adjustment comprising a first portion and a second portion, the first and second portions being rotatable relative to one another in a first direction and not in a second direction opposite the first direction. The system also includes an anchor fixed to the first portion, a collar fixed to the second portion, the collar being selectively fixable to a shaft of the overhead door, and a spring coupled between the collar and the anchor. The spring supports at least a portion of the weight of the overhead door as the overhead door is raised and lowered. Rotating the first portion of the torsion calibration collar relative to the second portion of the torsion calibration collar increases torsion in the spring and therefore calibrates the spring to support a desired amount of the weight of the overhead door.

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.