Abstract: Apparatus and method for monitoring flow meter operation. In one embodiment, a flow metering system includes a flow meter and a condition monitor. The flow meter is configured to measure volume of fluid flowing through the flow meter. The condition monitor is coupled to the flow meter and is configured to monitor a parameter of operation of the flow meter, and to compare a value of the parameter to a threshold. The condition monitor is also configured to generate an alarm based on the value exceeding the threshold, and to compute, based on the alarm, a confidence level indicating a degree of certainty that the system is operating in accordance with predetermined criteria.

Abstract: A ticketing device having a computerized mechanism which works in conjunction with a vehicle speedometer and is programmed to alert law enforcement personnel and dispense a ticket if the motorist is driving over the designated speed limit. In addition, units employed by teenage drivers may be programmed to send an audible or text message to their parent or guardian's cellular telephone, with the message alerting the caregiver that their teen is engaging in reckless driving.

Abstract: Sensors installed at a vehicle may automatically detect that a disturbance event, such as a collision, has occurred at the vehicle. A disturbance response module installed at the vehicle may automatically determine whether the vehicle was running and whether the vehicle was moving when the disturbance event occurred. The disturbance response module may determine that the vehicle was parked in response to a determination that the vehicle was not running and not moving when the disturbance event occurred. A communication module installed at the vehicle may automatically transmit a notification message that indicates a disturbance event has occurred at the vehicle.

Abstract: An indicating system and method having a parent unit communicable with a child unit is provided. In an embodiment for the indicating system and method of the present invention, the child unit may be responsive to receiving a signal from the parent unit for communicating instructions (e.g., traffic signal based, protective based etc.) which may result in a visual, and/or audio and/or tactile indication being provided to the user of the child unit. In an embodiment of the present invention, the system may communicate instructions, praise or other information, educational or otherwise to a child unit via actuators on the parent unit or by an auto mode feature utilizing signal strength detection/proximity sensing technology. Safety enhancing features, entertainment and encouragement features may be incorporated into the system.

Abstract: A display device and a method for controlling the same are provided, in which a flexible display panel is provided, and a plurality of strain gauges are arranged on at least one surface of the flexible display panel to sense bending deformation of the flexible display panel.

Abstract: A solar panel system includes a plurality of the panels connected together in one or more panel strings. An embodiment includes a signal generator module connected to the photovoltaic panel strings injecting a multiple radio frequency signal onto each of the strings and a detector module analyzing a frequency response echo from the panel strings. The signal generator may include a string coupling module communicating with a controller. The detector module analyzes the echo to obtain an analog fingerprint for each panel string and determine whether the fingerprint for each panel string is within an acceptable range. The detector module initiates an alarm when one of the fingerprints is outside the acceptable range. During night time, when no current is being produced by the photovoltaic cells, a DC or AC source may be connected to the panel strings to inject a signal onto the strings for the same purpose.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a device for hanging clothes, comprising an engaging portion and a deformable elongate member, the elongate member comprising a connection mechanism such that the elongate member can be deformed back upon itself and connected to itself to form a loop.

Abstract: A method and system for tracking exercise and personal security includes providing hardware for a portable computing device that allows the device to be worn on a person. The method includes receiving a selection of an exercise option with the portable computing device and receiving a selection of an automated alert option for personal security with the portable computing device while a person trains or competes. The portable computing device that is worn may display one or more biological outputs on a display and it may provide a user interface which has one or more selectable instant alert options. The user interface may also support two-way audio communications.

Abstract: A system for spraying, according to various aspects of the present invention, includes a power switch, an arm switch, a trigger switch, and a communication switch. The system establishes a communication link in response to power being applied through the power switch. Before operation of the arm switch, the system establishes a communication link. After operation of the arm switch, the trigger switch activates release of spray. In further response to the trigger switch, the system transmits a notice via the communication link. Such a system when equipped with pepper spray aerosol is advantageous for self-defense.

Abstract: Techniques are described for providing control of a monitoring system (e.g., a home alarm or security system) using one or more mobile devices. In some implementations, a native mobile device application enables use of a mobile device as a security/automation system keypad and controller for a home security system. In these implementations, the mobile device, using the native mobile device application, checks real time status of system and sensors, arms/disarms system, turns lights on/off, looks in on live video of security cameras, reviews history of system events, reviews saved video clips, monitors/changes thermostat settings, and performs other features of a traditional security keypad in a home security system.

Abstract: An alarm system for a vehicle charge cord is provided. The alarm system has an armed state and a disarmed state. The alarm system includes a battery, a charge cord sensor, a battery state estimator (“BSE”) module, and an interface module. The battery has state of charge (“SOC”), and is rechargeable to a predetermined level of charge. The charge cord sensor is configured to detect if the vehicle charge cord is connected to or disconnected from a vehicle. The BSE module is configured to monitor the SOC of the rechargeable battery and determine if the battery is charged to the predetermined level of charge. The interface module is in communication with the charge cord sensor and the BSE module. The interface module is configured to switch the alarm system from the armed state to the disarmed state.

Abstract: A vehicle-mounted surrounding object recognizing apparatus, comprising: a camera that captures an environment surrounding an own vehicle; and an image processing device; wherein the image processing device is configured to process an image captured by the camera to calculate an index value of a color component with respect to an image portion having a luminance value greater than a predetermined value, and determine whether the image portion is related to a light from a surrounding vehicle based on a relationship between the calculated index value of a color component and a predetermined threshold, and the predetermined threshold is changed according to a lighting status of a forward lighting device of the own vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a parking assistance device such that it is easy to understand the process for aligning the vehicle with the guidance completion position of each stage of parking, specifically the parking start position, the steering wheel reversal position and the intended parking position. Specifically disclosed is a parking assistance device wherein a control device (11) switches to a first parking guidance indicator (45A) during first parking guidance for guiding the vehicle to the parking start position, switches to a second parking guidance indicator (45B) during second parking guidance for guiding the vehicle to the steering wheel reversal start position, and switches to a third parking guidance indicator (45C) during third parking guidance for guiding the vehicle to the final parking position.

Abstract: A touch-sensitive linear adjustment switch is configured to be touched along a linear direction in order to turn on or off, or make stepwise adjustment to the power supplied from, an external power source. The switch includes a housing having a light-permeable sensing surface. The touch control circuit board in the housing has a touch control circuit layer adjacent to the sensing surface. The surface of the touch control circuit layer is divided into plural first sensing areas arranged along the linear direction and is provided at intervals with plural first light-emitting elements, each located beside or in one first sensing area. When touched, the sensing surface triggers the touch control circuit layer in the corresponding first sensing area to control light emission of the light-emitting element(s) beside or in the first sensing area and to output a coded signal for controlling power supply from the external power source.

Abstract: A method of parking a running vehicle includes measuring a length of a parked vehicle that is proximate to a desired parking location, and estimating the width of the parked vehicle based on a regression equation. The running vehicle is parked based on the estimated width.

Abstract: A casing includes a base, a trigger switch, an alarm device, and a cover. The base includes a first side plate and a second side plate perpendicular to the first side plate. The trigger switch is mounted to an inner side of the first side plate. A resilient tab is formed on a top of the trigger switch. The alarm device is electrically connected to the trigger switch. The cover covers on a top of the base and deforms the resilient tab down. A recess is defined in a bottom surface of the cover and located between the second side plate and the resilient tab. When the cover is slid away from the second side plate, the recess aligns with the resilient tab. The resilient tab enters the recess and restores. The trigger switch triggers the alarm device to alarm.

Abstract: In accordance with certain embodiments, a smoke detector utilizes a reflected-light signal and sensed ambient light to determine the presence of smoke particles.

Abstract: In accordance with certain embodiments, a smoke detector utilizes broadband light with a plurality of wavelengths to determine the presence of smoke.

Abstract: An RFID system according to one embodiment includes an electronic device being powered by a battery; an RFID device in electrical communication with the electronic device; and a mechanism for estimating a remaining potential energy of the battery, wherein a flag is set on the RFID device when an estimated remaining potential energy of the battery is below a predefined threshold. In an RFID system according to another embodiment, the RFID device stores an indication of a condition of the battery powering the electronic device. An RFID device according to yet another embodiment of the invention includes an interface for providing a direct physical connection to an electronic device that is powered by a battery; a memory for storing an indication of a condition of the battery powering the electronic device; and circuitry for sending the indication stored in the memory to a remote device via an air interface.

Abstract: An industrial control system is provided that includes a field device configured to receive only a first plurality of behaviors for the alert and a controller of an industrial control system, wherein the controller is configured to receive the alert and overlay a second plurality of behaviors on the alert, and the controller is configured to process one or more of the second plurality of behaviors differently than the first plurality of behaviors.