Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for determining operation compatibility between field devices for example, between a first field device and a second field device. The first and second field devices are for use in an industrial process and the second field device may be a candidate for replacing the first field device, the first and second field devices being configured to communicate using the same communications protocol.

Abstract: An automatic signaling system for a vehicle having a turn signal light, includes a sensor configured for sensing at least a portion of a lane, and a processor coupled to the sensor, wherein the processor is configured to activate the turn signal light of the vehicle based at least on a signal received from the sensor. A method for activating a turn signal light of a vehicle includes sensing at least a portion of a lane in which the vehicle is traveling, and automatically activating a turn signal light of the vehicle based at least on the sensed portion of the lane.

Abstract: The invention discloses a proximity sensor (1) comprising at least one detecting unit (10) of at least one obstacle (40) and a control unit comprising receiving means (22) of first and second parameters (P1, P2) representative of the detecting unit and of features of the obstacle (40). The control unit (20) is further responsible for generation of detection signals (S, S1, Si, Sj) of the obstacle (40), as a function of the first and second representative parameters (P1, P2) and of third representative parameters (P3) of the detected obstacle (40).

Abstract: An intelligent tire pressure management system capable of real-time tire pressure monitoring, vehicle load detection, and automatic tire inflation and deflation for maintaining optimal tire pressure in a commercial vehicle. Additional functions include counting tire rotations for calculating and recording distance travelled for each tire, and detecting wheel sliding due to locked-up tires. The system includes a chassis-mounted control box connecting to the vehicle air supply, a hubcap-mounted dual wheel valve apparatus integrated with a rotary union assembly that connects through the vehicle hollowed axles to the air tubes from the control box. The inflation/deflation supporting dual wheel valve apparatus has an embedded electronic unit that monitors individual tire pressure and temperature in real time, and communicates with the control box over the power line. Furthermore a load sensor integrated with the control box provides the system with the current vehicle load information.

Abstract: The present invention provides a smart monitoring system incorporating various forms of hardware used to secure the tie-down straps of ULDs, pallets, or shipping containers. More specifically, the present invention provides a smart electronically enhanced strap for a container monitoring and security device which is integrated into the housing of the hardware of a tie down strap webbing. Using this system, discrete sensors housed in the ratcheting mechanism, the hook, the winch or the load bar that are attached to latching straps are able to actively monitor a securely loaded ULD, pallet or container.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved illuminating vehicle wheel cover system that remotely activates a plurality of lights about a vehicle wheel in either a solid or flashing pattern. The lights can be in multiple color pairs and used for aesthetics or to indicate an emergency situation. The remote can be synchronized to the key fob of the vehicle and/or wirelessly connect to a preset medical emergency facility or the nearest facility geographically.

Abstract: A material handling apparatus including pallets developed to operate in radio frequency rich environments. Pallets are provided having at least one large compartment capable of enclosing at least one electronic device or a package populated with a plurality of devices. The devices include RFID pallet tags that communicate with RFID item tags and RFID beacon tags positioned within distributed RFID networks. The devices include sensors to monitor pallet conditions to which a pallet management system is responsive. The devices include wireless transceivers for communicating indicative information through LAN, WLAN and Cellular communications networks. An antenna array operating on different radio frequency signals is provided. The apparatus includes a power resource in order to facilitate long term autonomous operation.

Abstract: A catalytic converter protection system that includes a controller, a catalytic converter having a housing, and a shorting element that has two terminals and is coupled to the housing. The system also includes a connector having an internal resistor. The connector is electrically coupled to the controller and the two terminals. The controller monitors resistance of the internal resistor to determine continuity between the connector and the shorting element. The controller may activate an alarm element with a loss in continuity between the terminals and the shorting element.

Abstract: A vehicle turn signal switch device whereby the production of knocking sounds by a cancellation pin when a steering wheel is turned in the direction of a turn signal is suppressed. A turn signal switch includes a fixed member and a movable plate. The cancellation pin, which is supported by the fixed member and the movable plate such that the cancellation pin can swing and move forward and backward relative to a cancellation cam, includes a sliding-contact surface that is in sliding contact with the fixed member. The cancellation pin is biased by a return spring in the direction of the cancellation cam and in the direction of the sliding contact of the sliding-contact surface with the fixed member.

Abstract: A device that produces patterned tactile sensations or events discernible to human touch from micro-actuators housed in a fabric, or other pliable material, where such actuated sensations or events are discernible by a user donning the fabric. The device is configured to convert electronically stored music or audio data into a sequence of patterned tactile sensations or events in a matrix across the fabric, providing a tactile representation of the music or audio data to the user. The discernible tactile sensations or events may alternately comprise retractable physical features, electric stimuli, and/or combinations of these.

Abstract: A firefighter's safety apparatus includes a first system located in a firefighter's helmet and a second system located at a central station. The first includes a power source, an ambient temperature sensor for relaying ambient temperature information to a microprocessor, a first on/off light source and a second light source coupled to the microprocessor for emitting a status alarm signal when the temperature sensed is above a preset level. An audible alarm is coupled to the microprocessor for emitting an audio signal when the temperature sensed is above the preset level. A manually operated panic switch causes a transceiver coupled to the microprocessor to send a radio signal to the central station if the firefighter is injured or does not move for a preset time and activates the audio alarm. The second system includes a transceiver, a power source and a microprocessor and a power source electronically coupled.

Abstract: A security system that can be used in a home, office, or other building in order to generate alarms or take other actions depending on conditions within the building. The security system may rely on sensors within the building which sense various conditions and collect other data. The information learned from the sensors can be communicated to a location outside the building for processing, such as, but not limited to, processing associated with a need to instigate an alarm.

Abstract: This invention provides a medication dispensing system that instructs the user through visual and audio cues, such as the illumination of individual medication cups that are arrayed in accordance with a daily and weekly schedule in separate orifices within the dispenser body. It monitors compliance by determining when an indicated cup is accessed, based upon at least one of manipulating a lid and/or placing into, removing from, or replacing into the correct orifice based upon the indication. The cups can be refilled based upon an indication, and/or can be provided in removable prefilled refill tray. The dispenser can include an on-board processor that stores a current configuration including the treatment schedule. The configuration can be programmed/re-programmed, and compliance can be monitored, via a wired or wireless server connection that communicates with interested parties, and that supports a graphical user interface. Communication, messaging and/or display systems can also be integrated.

Abstract: An automated self-monitored alarm verification solution including at least a premises portion, a server portion, and an end user device portion. Alarm verification includes capturing by an image capture device at least one image in response to a detection event, and transmitting a first data signal including the image to a local signal processing device. The signal processing device transmits a second signal including at least a portion of the image to a remote hosted server according to at least a first set of predetermined parameters. After receiving the second signal, the server transmits a third signal including at least a portion of the image from the hosted server to a user device. Using the user device, a user views the image and indicates a validity status of the alarm based at least in part on the content of the image.

Abstract: Mobile devices having haptic interfaces located on an edge or back of mobile phones for selectively controlling and varying surface texture and/or force levels are provided. The haptic interfaces may allow for haptic interaction with the user of the mobile device when audio or visual feedback is not practical. The haptic interface may be an electro-mechanical system that may include a matrix or array of individually addressable actuators that can convey haptic information through the deformation of a flexible surface or membrane covering the array of individually addressable actuators. The array of “individually addressable” actuators may provide each actuator the ability to be separately addressable or addressable as a group (i.e. two or more) actuators.

Abstract: An automated self-monitored alarm verification solution including at least a premises portion, a server portion, and an end user device portion. Alarm verification includes capturing by an image capture device at least one image in response to a detection event, and transmitting a first data signal including the image to a local signal processing device. The signal processing device transmits a second signal including at least a portion of the image to a remote hosted server according to at least a first set of predetermined parameters. After receiving the second signal, the server transmits a third signal including at least a portion of the image from the hosted server to a user device. Using the user device, a user views the image and indicates a validity status of the alarm based at least in part on the content of the image.

Abstract: A system includes one or more sensors to detect activities of a mobile object; and a processor coupled to the sensor and the wireless transceiver to classify sequences of motions into groups of similar postures each represented by a model and to apply the models to identify an activity of the object.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the disclosure may include systems and methods for process alarm reduction. According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, a method is provided for process alarm reduction. The method can include generating at least one alarm event modality based at least in part on the received alarm information or alarm events; filtering the received alarm information or alarm events using the at least one alarm event modality; and prioritizing at least a portion of the filtered alarm information or alarm events.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing registration at a remote site that may include, for example, a monitoring module that may communicate with a remote site. A registration protocol may be used by the monitoring module and the remote site in generating the messages communicated during the registration process. The monitoring module may gather and generate various identification information to be included in the registration protocol messages. The registration information provided by the monitoring module maybe stored at the remote site in a database server having a database. A confirmation message may be communicated from the remote site to the monitoring module that may either acknowledge successful registration or report that an error occurred during the registration process.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing registration at a remote site that may include, for example, a monitoring module that may communicate with a remote site. A registration protocol may be used by the monitoring module and the remote site in generating the messages communicated during the registration process. The monitoring module may gather and generate various identification information to be included in the registration protocol messages. The registration information provided by the monitoring module maybe stored at the remote site in a database server having a database. A confirmation message may be communicated from the remote site to the monitoring module that may either acknowledge successful registration or report that an error occurred during the registration process.