Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein pertaining to sound analysis in a shopping facility. In some embodiments, a system comprises one or more sound sensors distributed throughout at least a portion of a shopping facility and configured to receive at least sounds resulting from activity in the shopping facility and a control circuit, the control circuit configured to receive, from at least one of the one or more sound sensors, audio data, receive an indication of an employee, correlate the audio data and in the indication of the employee, and determine, based at least in part on the audio data and the indication of the employee, a performance metric for the employee.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a disk device includes a disk-shaped recording medium, a head which processes data on the recording medium, and a housing accommodating the recording medium and the head. The housing includes a base with a side wall, and a cover having a welded portion welded to the side wall by laser welding. The welded portion includes a first welded portion welded to a first region of the side wall and having weld beads with a first shape, and a second welded portion welded to a second region of the side wall and having welded beads with a second shape different from the first shape.

Abstract: A modular garage door opener system and method including a garage door opener having a motor that is configured to be coupled to a garage door to open and close the garage door. The garage door opener includes a first accessory port including a first accessory mounting interface and a second accessory port disposed on the garage door opener including a second accessory mounting interface. An accessory device including a first mounting interface engages the first accessory mounting interface to couple the accessory device to the first accessory port. The accessory device may be disengaged from the first accessory mounting interface and then engage the second accessory mounting interface to couple the accessory device to the second accessory port. Additionally, a second accessory device may engage the first accessory port after disengagement of the accessory device.

Abstract: A tape drive, according to one embodiment, includes: a magnetic head, a drive mechanism for passing a magnetic medium over the magnetic head, and a controller electrically coupled to the magnetic head. The magnetic head further includes a transducer structure having: a lower shield, a current-perpendicular-to-plane sensor above the lower shield, an electrical lead layer between the sensor and the lower shield, and a spacer layer between the electrical lead layer and the lower shield. A conductivity of the electrical lead layer is higher than a conductivity of the spacer layer. Moreover, the electrical lead layer is in electrical communication with the sensor.

Abstract: A communication system includes a control device and a plurality of electric units configured to be connected to the control device respectively to communicate with each other, and each of the plurality of electric units having a unique identifier. Each of the plurality of electric units comprises a resistor configured to set the corresponding identifiers. The respective resistors of the plurality of electric units are connected to each other in series to form a setting circuit. The control device is configured to determine the corresponding identifiers of the plurality of respective electric units based on magnitudes of respective voltages applied to the plurality of respective resistors in the setting circuit, and to send signals indicating the determined identifiers to the plurality of electric units, respectively.

Abstract: A system includes a memory configured to store data associated with a service that is available. The system also includes a microphone associated with an acoustic space and configured to receive an audio input produced by a person. The system further includes a sensor located within the acoustic space and configured to detect vibrations produced by the person. The system includes a processor coupled to the memory, to the microphone, and to the sensor. The processor is configured to conditionally authorize execution of the service requested by the person, the service conditionally authorized based on the audio input and the vibrations.

Abstract: Techniques are described for controlling access based on pattern repetition. A rhythmic pattern may be communicated to a portable computing device of an individual, and played on the device using haptic and/or audio output. In response to the played pattern, the individual may attempt to repeat the pattern by tapping on a touchpad or other haptic input on a computing device. The entered pattern may be compared to the original pattern and, if the patterns correspond, the individual may be provided with requested access to a secure area and/or secure data. In some implementations, the pattern repetition technique may be employed to unlock a secure device based on a rhythmic pattern received at a different device such as an epidermal patch or other wearable computer.

Abstract: This electronic key system includes: an electronic key which is enabled to engage in radio communication with a vehicle on condition that a vibration is detected by a vibration detection part; and the vehicle which has an on-board control part for starting an engine on condition that the radio communication with the electronic key is established, and a push switch installed in the vehicle is operated. The on-board control part causes the vehicle to be vibrated by the engine on condition that the push switch is operated.

Abstract: Lock arrangement and method for transferring electrical power with a lock arrangement that includes a counterpart of the lock and an electrical lock including a lock case. A device for wirelessly sending electrical power to the lock case and/or into connection with the lock case is arranged in connection with the counterpart of the lock, and arranged in the lock case and/or in connection with the lock case are a device for wirelessly receiving electrical power from the device for sending electrical power that is arranged in connection with the counterpart of the lock. The counterpart of the lock wirelessly sends electrical power to the lock case and/or into connection with the lock case with the device that is for sending electrical power, and the lock case wirelessly receives electrical power from the counterpart of the lock with the device that is for receiving electrical power, when the lock and the counterpart of the lock are at a certain distance from each other.

Abstract: An authentication system for vehicles that has a minimum of one authentication element for detecting a movement, vibration and/or inclination. An apparatus generates a movement, vibration and/or inclination. The authentication element, in particular a key or a keyless go device for a vehicle, for example an automobile, has a wireless interface for sending and receiving an authentication signal and a sensor element for detecting a movement, vibration and/or inclination. The apparatus is positioned in/on the vehicle, and has at least one actuator for generating a movement, vibration and/or inclination, as well as a wireless device for sending and receiving an authentication signal. The at least one actuator is positioned on a transmission device, in particular on a vehicle, in order to generate an authentication signal through a movement, vibration and/or inclination. It also transmits this signal to the authentication element.

Abstract: A system for compliance monitoring of a user of a monitored location is provided. The system includes at least one checkpoint monitor installed in the monitored location and a system server at a monitoring center being configured to be in communication with each checkpoint monitor via a network. Each checkpoint monitor includes a checkpoint server and being configured to monitor access to the monitored area. Each checkpoint monitor is configured to perform an authentication process to authenticate both an assignment status and an activity status of a user and transmit the resulting data to the system server.

Abstract: A method of providing an electronically generated key includes the steps of generating an account for a resident; allowing the resident to access a software application; receiving a request from the resident for an electronic pass; and generating the electronic pass. The method further includes the steps of electronically detecting the electronic pass at a reader; determining whether the electronic pass is valid; and activating a relay if the electronic pass is valid. A device for receiving the request and for activating the relay is also provided.

Abstract: An access control device including a credential reader circuit configured to enter a standby mode, awaken from a standby mode, and receive data from a nearby credential. The access control device further includes a credential detection circuit having a memory configured to store program instructions, an antenna, and a processor electrically coupled to the antenna and to the credential reader circuit, wherein the processor is configured to execute the stored program instructions to: transmit an interrogation signal, receive a reflected interrogation signal with the antenna, transmit an activation signal to the credential reader circuit in response to the received reflected interrogation signal wherein the reflected interrogation signal includes I and Q values, receive a false detection signal from the credential reader circuit, and adjust at least one of the I and Q threshold values of the reflected interrogation signal.

Abstract: A reading device includes an antenna having a signal radiating surface and configured to output a linearly polarized wave from the radiating surface, a movable and rotatable stage supporting the antenna and configured to move the antenna along a first direction parallel to the radiating surface of the antenna and rotate the antenna on an axis that is normal to the radiating surface of the antenna, and a tag reader connected to the antenna and configured to supply signals to the antenna for reading information from a wireless tag and to receive signals from the antenna including information read from the wireless tag.

Abstract: A portable communication device that can suppress degradation in communication efficiency caused by a reduction in device size. The portable communication device includes a mechanical key that is made of an electrical conductor and is for mechanically locking or unlocking a door of a vehicle, and a transmission antenna for transmitting a wireless signal. A storing portion that stores the mechanical key is provided in a case in which the transmission antenna is provided. When the mechanical key is stored in the storing portion, the transmission antenna is electrically connected to the mechanical key. In the portable communication device, the storage state of the mechanical key in the storing portion is detected by a push switch, and impedance correction in a communication circuit is performed by an impedance matching circuit in accordance with the detection result.

Abstract: A motion inducing system for playing sounds over a gramophone is provided. An electrical signal such as that from a digital music player is converted to lateral movement of a surface using a linear motion transducer. The lateral movement moves the stylus of a gramophone, and the music from the digital music source is played over the horn of the gramophone.

Abstract: Techniques are described for determining and/or verifying the location of a device based on environmental data. A device may provide location information describing its location, e.g., determined using a satellite-based navigation system. Environmental context data (e.g., temperature, air pressure, air quality, pollen count, ambient light, etc.) may also be received from the device, having been generated by sensor(s) incorporated into the device. The environmental context data may be compared to corresponding elements of other context data that is generated independently of the device. Based on the comparison, a confidence metric may be determined that indicates a level of confidence that the device's communicated location is its actual location. The confidence metric may be employed to make a security determination regarding a user of the device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for transmitting an actuation signal and a first data signal between a control device and an actuation device of a power semiconductor device. To minimize the expenditure for the operation of the physical transmission channels and the costs for the laying of the physical connection between control device and actuation device, the transmission of the actuation signal and the first data signal between the control device and the actuation device takes place simultaneously and via a common transmission channel, wherein the first data signal is combined with the actuation signal by means of a digital modulation method or coding method. A feedback signal and second data signal are transmitted in the opposite direction. A first coding length is shorter than the interval length of the actuation signal. A second coding length is shorter than the interval length of the feedback signal.

Abstract: A system, according to one embodiment, includes: a main pole; and a trailing shield. A first distance D1 is defined in a track direction between the trailing shield and a pole tip region of the main pole; and a second distance D2 is defined in the track direction between the trailing shield and a second region of the main pole located behind the pole tip region, where D2 is greater than D1. Other systems, and methods are described in additional embodiments.

Abstract: A vehicle control system includes an in-vehicle device and a portable device. The in-vehicle device includes an in-vehicle communication portion. The in-vehicle communication portion transmits a regular collation signal searching the portable device, and receives a regular response signal, and receives reservation information reserving opening of an arbitrary door. The in-vehicle device includes a collation portion that collates an ID code with a master code. The in-vehicle communication portion transmits an event collation signal, and receives an event response signal. The collation portion collates the ID code with the master code. The in-vehicle device includes an output portion and an intention determination portion. The portable device includes a portable device communication portion and an operation portion and a storage portion and a notification portion. The portable device communication portion transmits the regular response signal, and transmitting the reservation information.