Abstract: The invention relates to a method of monitoring a plurality of vital parameters of a patient 10 using a body sensor network with a set of on-body sensors 1 and at least one off-body monitoring device 2, the method comprising the following steps: with each on-body sensor 1, sensing a vital parameter and transmitting data related to the sensed vital parameter to the off-body monitoring device 2, and for at least one of the on-body sensors 1, determining the inclination of this on-body sensor 1 relative to the off-body monitoring device 2. In this way, a reliable and easy to use possibility for monitoring vital parameters of a patient 10 using a body sensor network is provided that minimizes the performance problem produced by RF attenuation caused by the body of the patient 10.

Abstract: Disclosed are an energy management system, an energy management method and a repeater for an energy management system. The repeater receives information on an amount of energy consumption of the individual user from the meter, and receives information on an energy pricing system from the central management server. Then, the repeater analyzes and manages the energy consumption rate of the individual user using the received information, and transmits information on the energy consumption rate to the meter or the central management server. The repeater may also analyze various information such as information on an energy consumption propensity of the individual user. The repeater immediately transmits essential information but transmits incidental information only when there is a request of the meter or the central management server. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce communication traffic between the central management server and the plurality of meters.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and several types of devices for converting meter reading signals into data messages including a first message (40) having meter data (44) representing consumption of a utility, and meter diagnostic status data (43), and a second message (60) having meter reverse flow data (63-65) and meter diagnostic data (66) particular to an electronic flow meter, and receiving said first message (40) and said second message (60) and converting first message and said second message to radio frequency signals (25) and transmitting said radio frequency signals (25) to a receiver (22, 24).

Abstract: A communication system for communicating information with a compliant medium is disclosed, the communication device includes a constrained fluid, a valve, a modulator, a sensor and a demodulator. The constrained is fluid distributed along a length. The valve is configured to operatively engage a second point relative to the length. The modulator configured to actuate the valve according to information. The sensor configured to measure pressure at a first point relative to the length, where the first point is distant from the second point. The demodulator is coupled to the sensor to recover the information.

Abstract: A wireless key system and location detection method determine whether a wireless key is located inside or outside a main body. A communication device in the main body transmits a wireless signal using an inner antenna and an outer antenna outside the main body having a different directivity. A wireless key measures direction of movement of the wireless key when the wireless signal is received by one of antennas having different directivities, detects one of the antennas receiving the highest signal level of the wireless signal as a first antenna, selects one of the antennas having the same directivity as the inner antenna as a second antenna according to the measured direction of movement and detected directivity of the antenna, and decides that the wireless key is inside the main body based on the signal levels of the wireless signals received by the first and second antennas.

Abstract: An approach is provided for tracking personal items. A triggering event associated with tracking a personal item is detected via a bearer tag coupled to the personal item. Sensing of the bearer tag is initiated in response to the detection of the triggering event. A determination of whether location of the personal item satisfies a predetermined criterion is made. A notification is generated if the criterion is satisfied.

Abstract: An identification device (1) for a pneumatic spring (2) includes an RFID transponder (8), which is completely embedded into the elastomer matrix (13) of the flexible member (4). An electromagnetic field is generated by a read device (9), wherein the energy necessary for supplying the RFID transponder (8) is taken from the electromagnetic field generated by the read device (9). When the read device (9) is active, information can be exchanged between the RFID transponder (8) and the read device (9). The RFID transponder (8) operates completely without an internal energy supply. The RFID transponder (8) may also be configured as a read/write transponder including a memory chip, wherein data may be stored on the memory chip in a safe and permanent manner. By retrieving data from the RFID transponder (8), an identification of the pneumatic spring (2) is possible even without any internal power supply of the RFID transponder.

Abstract: Data acquisition from a sampling of vehicle sensors includes identifying a vehicle population density for a defined region, calculating a proportional representation ratio from the vehicle population density, and transmitting a request for data over a network. The request includes the response criteria configured with the proportional representation ratio. The data acquisition also includes receiving the data from vehicles that are located in the defined region and that fall within the proportional representation ratio, and which meet the response criteria.

Abstract: An radio frequency identification (“RFID”) system and RFID tag that include a substrate body having a surface where the substrate body defines a plane of the tag, an RFID integrated circuit disposed on the surface of the substrate body, and an antenna that has an antenna pattern, which is disposed on the substrate body and in electrical communication with the RFID integrated circuit, the antenna generating a radiation pattern with maximum gain along an axis that is substantially coplanar with the tag.

Abstract: A subscriber device for use in an automated personal emergency response system implemented as a conference bridge on a remote computing network. The device, intended to be worn as a pendant, wristband or in another wearable configuration, includes a color high-resolution display for signaling a user of the subscriber device with notifications, arrows for directional guidance, and/or other status messages. The device also includes microphones and speakers for enabling a teleconference between a user of the subscriber device in need of assistance and parties joined to the teleconference via the automated personal emergency response system. The user of the subscriber device may initiate the call for assistance and teleconference via a press of a single button on the device; alternatively, accelerometers in the device may detect a fall and automatically initiate the call. The device can receive medical telemetry and provide it to conference participants and perform home automation tasks.

Abstract: An electronic keyboard including a plurality of keys arranged as a matrix, each key including a plunger, and a conductive element on the bottom of the plunger, the conductive element having a characteristic resistance, an electronic circuit having an input current source, and mounted on a surface beneath the plurality of keys such that when a key is pressed its conductive element closes a switch in the circuit, an analog-to-digital convertor for converting an output voltage of the circuit to a digital signal, and a controller for determining from the digital signal when a key is pressed, and for identifying the key that is pressed.

Abstract: A test arrangement for a laser threats identifying system of an aircraft comprises optical detecting means (10), adapted to pick up threat light beams (B) impinging on the aircraft (12) from a plurality of surrounding space sectors, and a threat warning unit (30), adapted to receive a plurality of actual optical signals indicative of at least one of the threat beams (B) through a plurality of optical channels (20), and arranged for comparing the actual signals with a predetermined library of reference optical signals representing known threats. The test arrangement includes a light emitting source (L) arranged for selectively generating a plurality of predetermined optical signals for simulating virtual threats (S1-Sn), and a plurality of optical guides (F1-Fn) for the simulation signals (S1-Sn), directly coupled with the source (L) and adapted to be connected to the aforementioned optical channels (20—120_n) for selectively stimulating the threat warning unit (30).

Abstract: An ophthalmic surgical system 10 detects a change in a viscosity of a material being aspirated from an eye 32. The system 10 includes a control module 18 connected to an aspiration pump 20, and a flow meter 19 connected to the control module 18 and the aspiration pump 20. The flow meter 19 provides a flow rate of material aspirated from the eye 32 by the aspiration pump 20. A surgical handpiece 24 connected to the aspiration pump 20 and the control module 18 is inserted into the eye 32 during surgery. The control module 18, during surgery, detects a step change in the flow rate of material aspirated from the eye 32 and the control module 18 further causes the surgical system 10 to alert a surgeon that a change in viscosity of the material being aspirated has been detected indicating that the handpiece 24 has moved from a material of a first viscosity to a material of a second viscosity.

Abstract: A smoke detector employs a receiver and a remote transmitter to silence the audible alarm of the smoke detector in the event the detector was triggered by nuisance smoke. The receiver and transmitter circuits are designed to operate in a no-power or low-power consumption mode until the alarm is activated or the remote transmitter is actuated.

Abstract: A symbolizing execution section symbolizes information regarding driving scenes, and describes an entire driving scene around the location of an own motor vehicle. This makes it possible to only increase the information to be symbolized when the number of traffic participants is increased. This can adopt the increase of the traffic participants. A symbol transition prediction section predicts a transition of the symbolized driving scene by using influence which affects the operation of the traffic participants caused by the operation of the own motor vehicle. This makes it possible to increase prediction accuracy while decreasing a large amount of calculation on predicting the transition of driving scene.

Abstract: The invention relates to a security device (1) comprising at least one authentication device (17) and a locking device (18), which authentication device (17) comprises at least one sensor (2) and an evaluation and comparison module (10), and a communication link (21) exists between the locking device (18) and the authentication device (17), and the sensor (2) is provided in the form of a thin-film sensor for detecting biometric data or spectral properties of the skin and layers of tissue lying underneath, and the communication link (21) is designed to effect a secure, wireless transmission of a unique user code determined by the authentication device (17) and is limited in terms of its operating range to a close-up range, in particular less than 50 cm, and the locking device (18) is deactivated if the user code matches an identification code assigned to the locking device.

Abstract: The system of the present invention includes a conductive element, an electronic component, and a partial power source in the form of dissimilar materials. Upon contact with a conducting fluid, a voltage potential is created and the power source is completed, which activates the system. The electronic component controls the conductance between the dissimilar materials to produce a unique current signature. The system can also be associated with food and communicate data about ingestion of food material to a receiver.

Abstract: A flight display for an aircraft includes a virtual ice accretion meter having a liquid water content portion and an ice thickness portion. A method for determining ice accretion includes integrating over a time period a constant K multiplied by a liquid water content (LWC) and true airspeed (TAS).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a monitoring device (9) for an electric appliance (1), comprising electronic control means and data and/or information storage means. Said monitoring device (9) is typically connected to a first communication network (70A, 70B) through first interface means (7) and to a second communication network (80) through second interface means (8). Said first communication network (70A, 70B) is adapted to connect at least one sensing device (93, 94, 95, 96), being capable of measuring at least one value of at least one physical quantity related to the monitored electric appliance (1), to the monitoring device (9). According to the present invention, the monitoring device (9) receives the value of at least one physical quantity through the first interface means (7), and the electronic control means use said value of at least one physical quantity in order to obtain at least one piece of information related to the monitored electric appliance (1).

Abstract: A sleep management application on a computing device having a processor and a storage medium executes code that establishes to a server that maintains data pertaining to the computing device or to a user, retrieves data from the remote server, and generates a custom interface to configure a feature of the computing device. The custom interface is used to program a sleep management setting. In one implementation, a method uses the sleep management application to provide an alarm function using external data from a remote server. The sleep management application can receive the external data from the remote server and analyze the external data to identify elements that pertain to the sleep management application. Then, the sleep management application can generate a control signal based on the elements, and modify a setting governing an operation of the alarm function in accordance with the control signal.