Abstract: The invention proposes a device and a method for characterizing movements performed by an object, notably a limb of a human being instrumented with at least one accelerometer. The invention is particularly useful for determining the direction, the line and the length of the steps of said human being. The invention uses algorithms for processing the signals from the sensor to make it possible to segment the steps by identifying the lifting and the landing of said limb by comparing the signals output from the sensor with thresholds, to determine the direction and the line of the step by comparing the maxima of the values of the signals along two axes substantially parallel to the walking plane and to calculate the length of the step by double integration of the signals according to the direction of the step. The invention is also applicable to hand movements that have trend characteristics similar to those of the steps.

Abstract: The invention relates to an energy storage assembly, comprising a plurality of cells connected in series, wherein the series connection of cells is connected to a power output of the energy storage assembly and a control unit, wherein at least a part of the cells connected in series is connected to the power output and the control unit by way of potential-free controlled converter and control units connected in parallel, such that during the charging, discharging and recharging processes each of the cells is operated according to the individual performance characteristics of said cell by means of selective current drains by the converter and control units and a total current flowing at the power output of the energy storage assembly is formed by a base current flowing through the series connection of the cells and by additional currents, which are drained from the individual cells depending on the capacity of the cells.

Abstract: An earpiece may be used to detect sounds from an ear canal of a user. The earpiece may include a microphone assembly and an acoustic pathway that is at least partially defined by a hollow elongated member. The acoustic pathway fluidly couples the microphone assembly with an ear canal of the user when the earpiece is positioned with respect to the ear of the user. Sounds produced by the user travel from the ear canal through the acoustic pathway for detection by the microphone assembly. Also, the hollow elongated member behaves as an acoustic waveguide to amplify a desired frequency and/or attenuate other, less desirable, frequencies of the sounds produced by the user.

Abstract: Disclosed is an earset assembly that has a housing having a microphone port and a speaker port. A microphone is enclosed by the housing and has first and second input ports. The first input port is acoustically coupled to the microphone port to detect air pressure changes of the ear of a user. A speaker is enclosed by the housing and has an output port acoustically coupled to the speaker port to broadcast sounds to the user. The output port is acoustically coupled to the second input port of the microphone so that the microphone cancels at least a portion of feedback from the sounds broadcast by the speaker and detected at the first input port of the microphone.

Abstract: A method and device for operating a wireless network comprising at least two user equipments, each comprising a transmitter and a receiver. A beacon frame is sent by a master user equipment at a transmit channel derivable from a user code. The beacon frame comprises a network code. Any user equipment may calculate a data channel by an algorithm using the user code and the network code. The user equipment may be an active user, which is permitted to send data over said data channel, or a passive user equipment, which only receives transmitted data at said data channel. Several active users may transmit simultaneously. Such active users are entered on a list at the beacon frame and is designated each a transmit channel. A passive user may become an active user, for example by pushing a button, whereupon the passive user is entered on the list of active user and at the same time takes over the task to send the beacon frame, i.e. becomes a master user.

Abstract: A technique for combining music and choreographed movement improves physiological and cognitive processes through purposeful movement to a steady beat. Users perform examples of the technique by purposefully executing one or more movement instructions in time with one or more musical selections. The movement instructions require concentration on both the beat pattern of the music and on the movement pattern to execute the movement instruction successfully.

Abstract: An apparatus for multi-bitrate content streaming includes a receiving module configured to capture media content, a streamlet module configured to segment the media content and generate a plurality of streamlets, and an encoding module configured to generate a set of streamlets. The system includes the apparatus, wherein the set of streamlets comprises a plurality of streamlets having identical time indices and durations, and each streamlet of the set of streamlets having a unique bitrate, and wherein the encoding module comprises a master module configured to assign an encoding job to one of a plurality of host computing modules in response to an encoding job completion bid. A method includes receiving media content, segmenting the media content and generating a plurality of streamlets, and generating a set of streamlets.

Abstract: A system for mounting signage onto the door area of a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a mounting assembly, a display pan, and one or more inserts removably received within the display pan. The fastener assembly permits the selective reorientation of the display pan from a first position, in which the pan is oriented along the rear face of the cargo area, to a second position, in which the display pan is oriented away from the rear face of the cargo area. The inserts may include an indicia panel, a backing panel, an electroluminescent panel, and/or a support or cushioning panel. In operation, the system is mounted onto the rear facing surface of a cargo vehicle containing overhead or swing-open doors.

Abstract: A lead response system is provided comprising a customizable lead delivery rules engine and a customizable escalation rules engine for delivering leads to appropriate responders and re-routing undeveloped leads to different responders. Each delivery rule includes two or more criteria which may be met in order for the lead to be delivered to the responder specified in the particular rule. A lead that is not accepted by the responder to whom it was delivered within a user-defined time frame is re-routed for delivery to a new responder according to a set of escalation rules. The escalation rules may include delivery instructions specifying the new responder or may re-route the lead to the delivery rules engine for delivery to a new responder according to a re-application of the delivery rules.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a graphics display assembly configured to display a true color palette in illuminated and non-illuminate states. The graphics display assembly includes a backlit electroluminescent (EL) panel and optical interface layer. The optical interface layer is translucent, preventing color shift of transmitted light. In operation, the optical interface layer masks the pink or rose-colored hue visible when the EL panel is in its non-illuminated state.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for planning and tracking meals and activities comprising a display panel having a first and second side, a plurality of manipulatives for releasable attachment to the first and second sides, and an attachment device for releasably securing the display panel to a surface. A portion of the first side of the display panel bears indicia defining a category of food and a drink item. A portion of the second side of the display panel bears indicia defining an activity. The manipulatives bear indicia defining a food item, a drink item, and a serving size. In one embodiment the manipulatives and the indicia on the first and second sides of the display panel are color coordinated such that an individual may plan and track meals and activities.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for managing multiple video players executing on a client software platform. The method includes the operation of displaying a plurality of video players viewable by an end user. Each video player can have at least one video data stream supplied over a data network. A priority value can be applied to selected video players. In addition, an amount of bandwidth available from the data network to supply the plurality of video players can then be determined. Another operation is calculating whether the selected video players can sustain a video playback quality above a pre-defined threshold using the determined amount of bandwidth available.

Abstract: An ear sensor apparatus includes a microphone positionable with respect to an ear canal to detect sound signals from the ear canal and to generate a corresponding output signal. The apparatus may include a seal for substantially blocking ambient sound signals from reaching the microphone and an interface to convey the output signal to a remote speech recognition apparatus. The output signal may be normalized so that the normalized output signal is more representative of speech from a user's mouth than speech detected from the user's ear.

Abstract: A system for mounting signage onto the door area of a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a mounting assembly, a display pan, and one or more inserts removably received within the display pan. The fastener assembly permits the selective reorientation of the display pan from a first position, in which the pan is oriented along the rear face of the cargo area, to a second position, in which the display pan is oriented away from the rear face of the cargo area. The inserts may include an indicia panel, a backing panel, an electroluminescent panel, and/or a support or cushioning panel. In operation, the system is mounted onto the rear facing surface of a cargo vehicle containing overhead or swing-open doors.

Abstract: A device for lifting a person, comprising a pair of cups (1, 2) for gripping a person by applying pressure force on opposite sides of the person's thorax (12) and moving means for moving the cups towards each other. The cups (1, 2) are tiltably mounted on the device, each cup (1, 2) having a tilt axis (A, B) which in use extends in a substantially horizontal direction along one of the opposite sides of the person's thorax (12). Each cup (1, 2) has a contact surface for contacting one of the opposite sides of the person's thorax (12), at least a part of which is located behind the tilt axis (A,B) with respect to the person's thorax.