Abstract: A lighting system and a method for a operating a lighting system, enabling to obtain an identification tag (7) comprised in lighting design data (5) directly from an output beam (3), i.e. from the emitted light of the at least one lighting unit (2). It is thus possible to trace any unauthorized distribution of a lighting design by monitoring the emitted light without the need to directly access the controller or any other part of the lighting system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a battery-operated stationary sensor arrangement with a unidirectional data transmission. The battery-operated stationary sensor arrangement has a sensor, a means for generating data packets and a means for transmitting data packets. The transmitter is implemented to determine sensor data and provide a sensor data packet based on the sensor data, wherein the sensor data has an amount of data of less than 1 kbit. The means for generating data packets is implemented to divide the sensor data packet into at least two data packets, wherein each of the at least two data packets is shorter than the sensor data packet. The means for transmitting data packets is implemented to transmit the data packets with a data rate of less than 50 kbit/s and a time interval via a communication channel.

Abstract: A system is provided including a plurality of inter-connected premises management devices, each including one or more sensors that generate data about an environment, and a control device to control one or more operations of the premises management system, the control device including a movement detector. The premises management system detects an attempt by an intruder to damage the control device based on data from the movement detector indicating an abnormal movement applied to the control device, historical data obtained from the sensors, and current data obtained from the sensors.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for monitoring waste collected by a service vehicle. The system may include a lift actuator configured to cause lifting of the waste, a power takeoff driven by a powertrain of the service vehicle to power the lift actuator, and a sensor configured to generate a speed signal indicative of a speed of the powertrain. The system may also include an output device, and a controller in communication with the sensor and the output device. The controller may be configured to receive the speed signal from the sensor, determine an amount of waste lifted by the lift actuator based on the speed signal, and relay the amount of waste to the output device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to aggregate control of multiple devices. In some methods, a downstream controller can advertise a service group of the downstream controller, can receive a connection request message from a gateway controller that is part of the service group, and responsive to the connection request message, can transmit a connection accept message to the gateway controller to set up a connection channel between the downstream controller and the gateway controller. In some methods, the gateway controller can receive an advertisement message from the downstream controller, can transmit the connection request message to the downstream controller responsive to the advertisement message and when the gateway controller is part of the service group, and can receive the connection accept message from the downstream controller to set up the connection channel between the gateway controller and the downstream controller.

Abstract: An on-board viewing system for aircraft of an image arising from an image sensor overlaid on a synthetic image of the outside landscape is provided. The method comprises the following steps: analysis, at a temporal frequency, of the sensed images so as to determine, in each image, a boundary between the information useful for piloting and the non-useful information, the useful information consisting of noteworthy elements, the temporal frequency being an order of magnitude lower than the video refresh frequency; determination of a transition zone in the vicinity of each boundary; display on the viewing screen, at the video refresh frequency, of the sensed images, each sensed image being displayed overlaid on a synthetic image of the landscape, the sensed image being opaque under the transition zone, totally transparent above the transition zone and of continuously variable transparency in the transition zone.

Abstract: Embodiments provided herein relate to implementing a household policy within a household environment. In one example, a method includes: receiving, at a processor, the household policy; interpreting the household policy to extract one or more conditional events associated with the household policy; monitoring, via at least one sensing smart device in the household environment, for satisfaction of the one or more conditional events; and when the one or more events is satisfied, implement one or more controls on at least one conditionally controlled smart device in the household environment, the at least one smart device affecting the household environment.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification system, and method of operation thereof, provides: a sensor for sensing the absence or presence of a radio frequency identification transponder at the radio frequency identification system; a supply system connected to the sensor for supplying the radio frequency identification transponder to the radio frequency identification system in the absence of the radio frequency identification transponder at the radio frequency identification system; and a programmer connected to the sensor for writing transponder content to the radio frequency identification transponder at the radio frequency identification system in the presence of the radio frequency identification transponder at the radio frequency identification system.

Abstract: Various embodiments for logging traffic collision data at a traffic signal, by a processor device, are provided. In one embodiment, a method comprises recording a media loop of a predetermined time and an associated traffic light sequence by a recording device placed in substantially close proximity to a traffic signal; and upon registering a media event above a predetermined threshold level, saving instant media loop information and the associated traffic light sequence to a storage device for aiding in determining fault in a traffic accident.

Abstract: A system for monitoring screening facilities which includes screening panels and components of the screen deck incorporating wirelessly readable identification tags; a computer database containing information relating to the screen deck components and their associated tags; a wireless tag detection station for regularly reading the conveyed material to detect tags; a computer program for matching the detected information with said data base and means for communicating a warning that a screen deck component has been dislodged.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for making ordinary objects network-enabled interfaces. A radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag may be fixed or detachably attached to an item capable of being manipulated by a person to obtain information about the item or to cause a performance of a task associated with the item. The RFID tag may include a capacitive touch interface that, when manipulated by a person, causes the RFID tag to emit an identifier associated with a corresponding item. A receiver, having the identifier and an instruction from a person, may communicate with a remote computing device to process the instruction and to generate a response to the instruction.

Abstract: An inductive security sensor system is not susceptible to magnetic tampering (such as by using an external magnet or false target). A sensor assembly includes an inductive sensor (inductor coil), mounted in a relatively secure location, and a conductive proximity target incorporated with an object (such as a window or door, or an object/asset). An alarm condition can be detected as either a displacement condition in which the proximity target is displaced relative to the inductive sensor, or a tamper condition in which magnetic coupling between the proximity target and the inductive sensor is interfered with (such as by introducing a false conductive target) An inductance-to-data converter drives the inductor coil with an excitation signal to project a time-varying magnetic field for magnetically coupling to the proximity target. The IDC acquires sensor measurements (such as coil inductance), which are converted into corresponding sensor data representing alarm conditions (displacement or tamper).

Abstract: An indicator system and method for a vehicle is provided that uses forward-directed indicators to signal to pedestrians when the vehicle is yielding to crossing pedestrians. The system monitors the vehicle brakes and the speed of the vehicle. One or more sets of indicator lights are deployed along the forward portion of the vehicle. When the vehicle brakes are applied, one set of indicator lights is energized. When the vehicle speed slows below a defined speed to indicate yielding, either a second set of indicators illuminate or the first set is pulsed. The second set of indicators is a different color than the first, and can pulse or energize statically. The indicator lights are preferably green in color when energized to indicate yielding to pedestrians, providing a positive signal that it is safe to cross the road in front of the vehicle.

Abstract: A combined apparatus for indicating the elevated temperature of an infant and for sensing moisture in a diaper. The combined apparatus includes an elongated sensing strip made of highly efficient liquid absorption and transfer capillary wick material having a first end disposed in engagement with the diaper. The elongated sensing strip has a first side having a pair of screen-printed, spaced apart conductive ink bands which couple electrically at one end with a portable alarm unit and a second side having an elongated band of thermochromic ink printed thereon a segment of which is visible proximate the second end of the elongated sensing strip.

Abstract: A system for providing physical access to a building that is for sale, lease, or rent is described. The system includes a server, a remote device located at the building that prohibits access to the building, and a handheld device. The handheld device transmits location information for the handheld device and identification information to the server. The server identifies the building based on the location information and transmits marketing information for the building to the handheld device. The device displays the marketing information and transmits a request for access to the building, the request transmitted to the server. The remote device is configured to provide access to the building when the remote device receives an access signal from the server or from the handheld device. The access signal is sent from the server based on confirmation of the location information for the handheld device and confirmation of the identification information.

Abstract: Transit through an area by a population of travelers may be evaluated by a number of techniques, and may be useful for routing, transit time estimation, and transit control. Some techniques involve the use of probes, such as individuals or vehicles that are tagged and trackable through the area. However, estimating properties such as transit queue volume through probe counts may be difficult, as the ratio of probes to the overall population may vary. Presented herein are techniques for estimating transit properties by evaluating transit queues to estimate the probe ratio for an area. Such techniques involve counting and tracking the probes in a transit queue to estimate a queue length change of the transit queue, and a probe rate change of probes entering and exiting the transit queue. This information may inform estimates of the probe ratio, and in turn regional transit estimates, such as transit queue volumes.

Abstract: There is provided a system for estimating or monitoring the temperature of brake fluid in a hydraulic brake mechanism, the system comprising a controller configured for: receiving data related to the temperature of a brake friction element of said hydraulic brake mechanism; and estimating the temperature of said brake fluid based upon said data. Aspects of the invention also relate to brake systems and vehicles comprising such systems, to related methods, and to suitable controllers and software.

Abstract: Locks, systems and methods of monitoring a lock, the lock having a hub with a slot rotatable by a handle to open and close a latchbolt. A locking member is moveable into and out of engagement with the hub slot to prevent and permit movement of the hub and latchbolt. A sensor on the lock, adjacent the hub and locking member, monitors a moving lock component. The sensor may sense the position of the locking member in or out of engagement with the hub slot. The sensor may be a reed switch actuated by a magnet on the moving lock component. The lock may further include a magnet mounted on the hub and the sensor may comprise a reed switch capable of being actuated by the magnet on the hub. The lock and system may include an external control unit having an alarm for controlling operation of the lock.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media can be operable to generate an alert in response to a detection of an unexpected wireless device within a premises. An access device may receive a communication from a wireless device and may retrieve identification information associated with the wireless device from the communication. The access device may compare the retrieved identification information to identification information associated with one or more known devices, and if the retrieved identification information does not match the identification information associated with any of the known devices, the access device may identify the wireless device as an unexpected wireless device. The access device may output an alert providing a notification that an unexpected wireless device has been detected within an associated premises.

Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly module (20) for a motor vehicle (1), comprising an optical sensor system (30) which is suitable for: a) monitoring a detection region (150) lying outside of the motor vehicle (1) in order to determine the proximity of a user (10), b) in the event of a detection of the user (10) in the detection region (150), monitoring an activation region (160) arranged within the detection region (150) in order to determine whether the user (10) is located within the activation region (160), and c) in the event of a detection of the user (10) in the activation region (160), triggering a signal for the execution of an action at the motor vehicle (1).