Abstract: Sleep systems having embedded sensors are described. In one aspect, a sleep system includes a mattress and one or more force sensors embedded within the mattress. The force sensors are positioned within the mattress to sense movement of an occupant of the mattress. The sleep system also includes one or more processors coupled with the one or more force sensors. At least one of the processors is configured to determine sleep state information for the occupant based on data obtained from one or more of the force sensors.

Abstract: A method for estimating a level of damage to perishable cargo during transportation of the cargo using data collected by a portable monitoring device. The method includes measuring vibrational data associated with the cargo. The vibrational data is monitored by a vibration sensor of the portable monitoring device. The method further includes incrementing a counter in the portable monitoring device in response to an amplitude of the measured vibrational data exceeding a predetermined threshold. The method also includes determining if the counter value exceeds a predetermined value, and generating an alert indicating damage to the cargo in response to determining the counter value has exceeded the predetermined value.

Abstract: A speed limit display device for a vehicle, includes an indicator configured to display information related to a speed limit of a road; an image obtaining device configured to capture an image of a landscape and obtain image data of the landscape; and an electronic control unit configured to detect the speed limit indicated on a traffic sign in the captured landscape, and display the speed limit on the indicator. The electronic control unit is configured to i) determine whether a predetermined condition is satisfied when the traffic sign is detected, the predetermined condition including a condition that a distance between the vehicle and the traffic sign be less than a predetermined distance, ii) display the detected speed limit when the predetermined condition is satisfied, and iii) not display the detected speed limit when the predetermined condition is not satisfied.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring at least one reciprocating machine having a crankshaft and at least one cylinder, comprising providing at least one sensor for monitoring the at least one cylinder, the sensor being in communication with at least one processor configured to measure at least one signal from the at least one sensor and to thereby determine an angular position of the crankshaft; selecting at least one subset of potential crankshaft angular positions; calculating at least one statistic associated with the at least one subset of possible crankshaft angular positions based at least partially on data from the at least one sensor; and automatically providing a user with at least one warning or automatically shutting down the machine if the at least one statistic exceeds at least one predetermined threshold; wherein, the at least one sensor comprises at least one acoustic emission sensor.

Abstract: A vehicular assistance device, which is equipped to a vehicle and performs a wireless communication with a facility-side device to receive assistance information useful to a user from the facility-side device, includes a facility ID reception portion receiving a facility ID used for identifying a facility from the facility-side device, an area information acquisition portion acquiring area information related to a position of the facility, a position information acquisition portion acquiring position information of the vehicle, a determination portion determining whether the received facility ID is valid based on the position information of the vehicle and the area information related to the facility corresponding to the received facility ID, and a user ID transmission portion, when the facility ID is valid, transmitting, to the facility-side device, a user ID used for identifying the user as a request for transmitting the assistance information.

Abstract: A sleep inhibition assembly for inhibiting a driver from falling asleep includes a housing that may be manipulated. A vibration unit is coupled to the housing and the vibration unit vibrates the housing. The vibration unit may be placed in a mouth. Thus, the vibration unit may inhibit a driver from falling asleep.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for notifying a flight crew of a fire condition in a cargo container of an aircraft. For instance, particular embodiments involve installing at least one notification device on a cargo container that is in communication with at least one of a fire-detection system or a fire-suppression system for the cargo container. In these particular embodiments, the notification device is configured to emit energy when the fire-detection system detects the fire condition in the cargo container or the fire-suppression system activates as a result of the fire condition. Further, particular embodiments of the invention involve installing at least one detector positioned to detect the energy emitted by the notification device. In these particular embodiments, the detector is configured to send a signal to notify the flight crew of the fire condition after detecting the energy emitted by the notification device.

Abstract: A system for controlling activation of a traffic warning sign. The system receives a signal generated from a local sensor indicating presence of an automobile and sends an activate signal command in response. The system will activate a local interface logic controller in response to receiving the activate signal command. The system further generates a Wi-Fi connect request with an SSID in response to activating the interface logic controller. The system sends the Wi-Fi connect request to a remote system. The system further determines if the traffic warning sign should be activated and if a positive determination is made, activate the traffic warning sign. Determination is made by determining if a Wi-Fi remote connect request is received. If it is determined a remote connect request has been received, a traffic warning message is generated and sent to a terminal for display or activation.

Abstract: There is provided a device for attachment to an object for determining whether the device has been tampered with. The device has a body, removably attachable to an object, and configured to maintain a substantially fixed form or shape when attached to an object. A transducer is provided, connected to the body, configured to detect a change of form of the body. An indicator, connected to the transducer is configured to store the position of the body when attached to an object and indicate if the body has changed position after it has been attached.

Abstract: A three phase power system provided with a data communications system and associated method of data transmission for transmitting data over a three phase power system between a surface and a sub-surface location for an arrangement such as an oil field electrical submersible pump, the data communications system comprising a cabled connection from a surface system to a sub-surface system; a power module coupled to the cabled connection via a tuned circuit tuned to a first frequency, a data signal module coupled to the cabled connection via a tuned circuit tuned to a second frequency, independently of the coupled power module so as to minimize interference between the power signal module and data signal module during operation.

Abstract: A merchandise security device configured for use with an electronic key for locking and/or unlocking a lock mechanism is provided. The merchandise security device may include a housing operably coupled with a cable, wherein the cable is configured to be extended and retracted relative to the housing and to at least partially surround an item of merchandise. The security device may also include a lock mechanism configured to releasably secure the cable relative to the housing for locking the cable about the item of merchandise. In addition, the lock mechanism is configured to receive electrical power for unlocking the lock mechanism so that the housing and the cable may be removed from the item of merchandise.

Abstract: Magnetically biased retracting key assemblies and keyboards are provided. A key assembly includes a touch surface for receiving a press input from a user and a planar-translation-effecting (PTE) mechanism configured to guide as the keycap moves from an un-pressed position toward a pressed position. The key assembly also includes a ready-return mechanism configured to magnetically biased the keycap in the un-pressed position, the ready-return mechanism including a slider mechanism positioned beneath the keycap and coupled to the PTE mechanism. When the press surface receives a press input the slider mechanism translates away from the magnet as the PTE mechanism guides the keycap from the un-pressed position toward the pressed position. In some embodiments, the PTE mechanism and the ready-return mechanism translate with respect to a chassis layer providing a key retraction feature for the key assembly or keyboard.

Abstract: An authentication apparatus includes an authentication unit configured to perform authentication processing according to power generation information from a power generation unit configured to generate electric power from ambient energy.

Abstract: An information processing system including an information processing apparatus that receives captured radiographic images captured by a plurality of image capturing apparatuses each having a wireless communication function and a wired apparatus that connects to the information processing apparatus in a wired manner, the information processing system includes a setting unit that sets, in a case where one of the plurality of image capturing apparatuses is connected to the wired apparatus, the connected image capturing apparatus as a master unit of wireless communication, and a communication unit that receives, via the image capturing apparatus set as the master unit, a captured image of a different image capturing apparatus that is received through wireless communication by the image capturing apparatus set as the master unit from the different image capturing apparatus set as a slave unit of wireless communication.

Abstract: There is a need to provide an intuitive way for a battery-powered device to send a low battery notification to another device that can properly notify a user that the battery-powered device has a low battery. The user can be notified by the other device even after the battery-powered device has exhausted its battery to the point where it can no longer report its battery state. A second electronic device (e.g., a remote control) can send a low battery notification to a first electronic device (e.g., a set-top box) so that the first electronic device can alert a user that the second electronic device has a low battery.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electromechanical locker system may include providing a set of lockers with coin-operated locks. The coin-operated locks may be removed from the set of lockers. A conduit may be extended along and connected to a frame member from which the coin-operated locks had previously been positioned. Electromechanical lock units may be attached to the conduit so as to replace the coin-operated locks. A retrofitted coin-operated locker bank may include a coin-operated locker bank including a multiple lockers having respective doors, where the coin-operated locker bank is free of coin-operated locks. A conduit may be connected to a frame member and extend vertically adjacent to the hinged doors of a column of lockers. Multiple electromechanical lock units may be attached to the conduit so as to replace the coin-operated locks.

Abstract: A data analysis system and approach having sensors, a collective processing mechanism connected to the sensors, and a threshold logic panel connected to the collective processing mechanism. Raw data from the sensors may be subject to collective processing and collective threshold logic analysis. The collective processing mechanism and the threshold logic panel may be situated outside of or in the cloud. Big data analytics may be performed on the data. The sensors may be homogeneous or heterogeneous. Consequently, there may be data fusion for false alarm reduction and advanced alarm detection, and application of big data analysis. Raw data may be used for determining positional information.

Abstract: The various technologies presented herein relate to providing prognosis and health management (PHM) of a photovoltaic (PV) system. A PV PHM system can eliminate long-standing issues associated with detecting performance reduction in PV systems. The PV PHM system can utilize an ANN model with meteorological and power input data to facilitate alert generation in the event of a performance reduction without the need for information about the PV PHM system components and design. Comparisons between system data and the PHM model can provide scheduling of maintenance on an as-needed basis. The PHM can also provide an approach for monitoring system/component degradation over the lifetime of the PV system.

Abstract: A security monitoring system includes at least one sensor configured to sense an event condition. A security monitoring system controller communicates with the sensor and an indicator of alarm and trouble conditions. The central security system also detects barometric pressure within a monitored area. The security system controller is configured to receive an event signal indicative of an event from the at least one of the sensors and receive an indication of the barometric pressure from a barometer. When the barometric pressure from the barometer indicates a change in barometric pressure, the security monitoring system controller confirms that the event is present and outputs an indication signal to the indicator based on the confirmed event. When the barometric pressure from the barometer does not indicate a change in barometric pressure, the security monitoring system controller suppresses the output of the indication signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for compensating for hysteresis in a disc drive are described. In one embodiment, a method may use an inverse hysteresis model to linearize effects of hysteresis of a microactuator in the disc drive. The hysteresis model may be a Coleman-Hodgdon hysteresis model. The hysteresis of the microactuator may be characterized, and the inverse hysteresis model may be based at least in part on the characterization. The inverse hysteresis model may be used to implement a digital filter. The digital filter may be employed in series with the microactuator to linearize the effects of hysteresis.