Abstract: A highly visible single use tag prevents the fraudulent return of garments. Two members are connected by a hinge. The hinge allows the members to move from an open configuration to a closed configuration where the members form and enclose a space. Complementary latch elements on the members engage and hold the members in the closed configuration. At least one of the members has a tack extending inwardly into the space enclosed by the members. This tack pierces a garment intended to be protected by the tag and maintains the tag on the garment. At least one of the members has at least one perforated line across the width of the member. This perforated line allows that member to be pulled apart and the tag removed without the need of any tool to do so.

Abstract: A system for repelling a pet from at least one predetermined area includes a first device adapted for positioning at the predetermined area. The first device includes at least one of a first receiver and a first transmitter. A second device is adapted for placement on the pet. The second device includes at least one of a second receiver and a second transmitter. At least one of the first device and the second device is configured to warn the pet when the second device approaches the at least one predetermined area, and thereby train the pet to stay away from the predetermined area.

Abstract: There is provided a content reproduction apparatus including a content reproduction unit for reproducing content, a habit detection unit for detecting a reproduction habit regarding content that uses the content reproduction unit, and an abnormality determination unit for determining there is an abnormality, in a case a reproduction action estimated from the reproduction habit detected by the habit detection unit is not carried out.

Abstract: A patient monitor includes least one monitoring device which collects patient data about a patient. A packet generator generates data packets from the patient data collected from the patient. A communication unit transmits the data packets over an Internet protocol (IP) network. The communication unit includes a first transmitter for transmitting the data packets using a first wireless network and a second transmitter for transmitting the data packets using a second wireless network.

Abstract: A vehicle information display may include a split braking gauge for conveying information relating to braking operation and efficiency to assist drivers in maximizing energy capture during braking in vehicle with regenerative braking systems. The split braking gauge may incorporate a side-by-side or stacked configuration for conveying both regenerative braking and friction braking values. The split braking gauge may include fixed thresholds or boundaries associated with dynamic threshold values that can change based on current vehicle operating conditions.

Abstract: An RFID reader for use in a pet door to control access for a pet bearing an RFID tag or implant. The RFID reader incorporates and is operable in two modes, a learn mode and a normal mode. In learn mode, the reader stores the ID code of an RFID transponder in the vicinity of the reader and also derives additional reader information corresponding to the RFID transponder. In normal mode, the reader compares the ID codes stored in memory to the RFID signal returned from an RFID transponder in the vicinity of said the reader. The RFID reader behavior is at least in part determined by the additional reader information corresponding to said ID codes stored in memory. We also describe a confidence threshold for acceptance of an ID code in learn mode and normal mode. The confidence threshold in normal mode may be less than in learn mode.

Abstract: An aspect of this invention is a method that includes a computing apparatus estimating geographic locations as a function of time for each of a plurality of sensor nodes. The method further includes estimating a quality of information as a function of time for sensed data to be sensed by the plurality of sensor nodes at the estimated geographic locations; and sending the estimated quality of information as a function of time to one or more applications or consumers of the sensed data.

Abstract: A Driver State Monitoring System prevents any casualty on the road because of drowsiness while driving. It is an in-vehicle, vision-based electronic system for automobiles. It utilizes a camera installed on the vehicle facing towards the driver. It captures the edge-based face features of the driver. Thereafter, the real time image processor extracts the desired image from the image and estimates the correct position of the eye, the nose and the head orientation of the driver's face based on the predetermined values. The signal generator generates a warning signal when there is any abnormality detected based on the output of the status examination result generated by the real time image processor. These signals can be can be an acoustic signal, a videft signal, a photonic signal or a haptic signal.

Abstract: A method for interleaving time slots in a multi-antenna system for communication with RFID tags is disclosed. An example is shown for an eight antenna system. A first four antennas arranged side-by-side are sequentially energized to interrogate RFID transponders. A second set of four antennas arranged side-by-side, the first of which is adjacent to the last of the first set of antennas. A four-antenna sequence is performed for the first four antennas and a second four antenna sequence is performed for the second set of antennas. The first and second four antenna sequences are offset by only a marginal amount, sufficient to ensure that a transponder signal received four antennas away from an active antenna is not acknowledged because the receive window for the non-active antenna is delayed.

Abstract: An initial signature may be generated from an initial set of biometric data. A subsequent set of biometric data may be received along with diagnostic data, and a subsequent signature may be generated from the subsequent set of biometric data. The initial signature and the subsequent signature maybe compared to determine if there is an acceptable degree of matching between the signatures. If the signatures match, such as for example within a threshold percentage, the second set of biometric data is determined to be from the same a subject as the initial set of biometric data, and the diagnostic data is processed for that subject. If the signatures do not match, the initial and subsequent sets of biometric data are determined to be from different people and the diagnostic data is not processed.

Abstract: To convey tactile sensations over an open space, a system may use a vortex generator to direct one or more vortices at an object in 3-D space. Once a vortex strikes an object—e.g., a user's hand—it applies a force. The vortex generator can control the frequency and intensity of the vortices in order to provide different tactile sensations that correspond to virtual objects or events in a visual presentation. The system may identify and track objects in the real-world environment, and based on information provided by a device displaying the visual presentation, transmit instructions to the vortex generator to discharge vortices that convey a tactile sensation corresponding to the virtual object or event in the visual presentation. By doing so, the vortices augment the real-world environment to immerse the user in the visual presentation.

Abstract: Techniques for utilizing near field communications (NFC) with utility meters are described herein. In one example, a meter is configured for operation, either in a stand-alone or utility network capacity. The example meter may include a processor in communication with a memory device and a tag device configured for near field communication (NFC). In operation, the processor operates the tag device to read from the memory device to obtain data for transmission via NFC and/or write data obtained via NFC to the memory device.

Abstract: An interrogator and system employing the same. In one embodiment, the interrogator includes a receiver configured to receive a return signal from a tag and a sensing module configured to provide a time associated with the return signal. The interrogator also includes a processor configured to employ synthetic aperture radar processing on the return signal in accordance with the time to locate a position of the tag.

Abstract: Conventional technology is based on the prerequisite that an appropriate value has been established in advance as a target value for power consumption, but this does not does not take into consideration the possibility of establishment of an excessively low value. In order to solve the aforementioned problem, an alarm output device is provided, characterized by determining at all times whether or not electric power expected to be consumed within a regular interval of time exceed the set upper limit target value and by outputting an alarm in case that the electric power exceeds the set upper limit target value at approximately the point in time at which a predetermined interval of time commences or by outputting instructions for changing the set upper limit target value within such interval.

Abstract: A method for actuating a tactile interface layer of a device that defines a surface with a deformable region, comprising the steps of deforming a deformable region of the surface into a formation tactilely distinguishable from the surface, detecting a force from the user on a deformed deformable region, interpreting the force as a command for the deformable region, and manipulating the deformable region of the surface based on the command.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle approach notification sound generating apparatus that is capable of generating a vehicle approach notification sound in a suitable range according to a vehicle speed. The vehicle approach notification sound generating apparatus of the present invention is characterized by including a vehicle speed calculating unit that calculates a vehicle speed, a vehicle external speaker that outputs a vehicle approach notification sound for notifying of approach of the vehicle, and a general controller that controls a directivity angle width representing a breadth of directivity of the vehicle approach notification sound or a directivity direction of the vehicle approach notification sound, wherein the general controller controls the directivity angle width or the directivity direction according to the speed calculated by the vehicle speed calculating unit.

Abstract: A system for monitoring an area is provided. The system comprises a plurality of stationary sensors that can sense events and comprise a wireless output signal broadcast capability for transmitting output signals from the stationary sensors by a wireless communication protocol. The system further comprises gateway units connected to a wired backbone network and configured to transmit information relating to the output signals of the stationary sensors by a wired communication protocol, and a base station connected to the wired backbone network configured to receive the information transmitted by the gateway units on the wired communication protocol and to time-stamp the events signaled by the stationary sensors. The monitored area comprises sub-areas, and a group of stationary sensors are assigned to each of the sub-areas and to a gateway unit for directly receiving the output signals from the group of stationary sensors.

Abstract: An integrated circuit film comprising a circuit board and a control circuit is provided. The circuit board has an IC-installation part and a contact part and having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The contact part comprises a first set of pads and a second set of pads. The first set of pads are located on the first surface for communicating with an electrical communication device. The second set of pads are located on the second surface for communicating with a smart card. The control circuit is mounted on the IC-installation part for communicating with the electrical communication device through one of the first set of pads configured in accordance with a single wire protocol (SWP), a communication protocol.

Abstract: In a telemetry system (100) in a high-temperature environment of a combustion turbine engine (10), a wireless power-receiving coil assembly (116) may be affixed to a movable component (104) of the turbine engine. Power-receiving coil assembly (116) may include a radio-frequency transparent housing (130) having an opening (132). A lid (134) may be provided to close the opening of the housing. Lid (134) may be positioned to provide support against a surface (120) of the movable component. An induction coil (133) is disposed in the housing distally away from the lid and encased between a first layer (136) and a last layer (140) of a potting adhesive. Lid (134) is arranged to provide vibrational buffering between the surface (120) of the movable component (104) and the layers encasing the induction coil.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for managing the safety of a plurality (10) of personal protection equipment items (11). The system and method assign unique identifiers (12) to each of the items (11) and encodes the identifiers (12) into Ultra High Frequency RFID chips (18) attached to each of the items (11). A user (29) can identify the specific items (11) in the user's inventory by scanning the chips (18) and the system can provide safety information relevant to each of the specific items (11) based on the chips (18) that are scanned, including training information specific to each item (11), training information specific to each worker (34) assigned to each item (11) by a user (29), and maintenance and/or inspection protocols in the form of images (60) illustrating the steps of the protocols and text (62) explaining the steps.