Abstract: There is provided a context detection apparatus for use with a medical monitoring device arranged to measure a physiological characteristic of a subject. The context detection apparatus comprises at least one context sensor comprising a camera; and a processing unit. The processing unit is arranged to receive image data acquired by the camera from the at least one context sensor; analyze the received image data to generate a plurality of different types of context information; wherein each type of context information comprises information which relates to a factor capable of influencing measured values of the physiological characteristic and which is not measurable by the medical monitoring device; and output a signal to the medical monitoring device based on the generated context information.

Abstract: A digital electronic system used for receiving an audio alarm from a smoke detector, a carbon monoxide detector and like detectors. The system amplifies and converts the alarm to a digital encoded radio frequency signal for shutting off power to a kitchen appliance. The system includes a microphone and an amplifier connected to a comparator circuit. This circuit provides for outputting a logic 0 or logic 1 and outputs logic 1, in the form of the digital radio frequency signal, if an audio alarm is received. The comparator circuit is connected to a transmitter and encoder circuit, which receives the frequency signal and transmits it to a radio frequency receiver and decoder circuit. This circuit then decodes the signal and disconnects the power to the appliance.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the inventory of a medical storage container such as a tray that has a required inventory of medical articles. An enclosure is used to isolate, scan, and take an inventory of the tray or other container of medical articles. The tray and each of the medical articles in the tray has an RFID tag. The enclosure having a size smaller than the size needed for a resonant frequency at the RFID frequency of operation of the tags. A probe is used to create a robust electromagnetic field standing wave of constructive interference in the enclosure and a program compares the scanned present inventory of the tray to the required inventory database and indicates any differences. Expired and recalled articles and substitutes for recalled articles are identified.

Abstract: A vehicle alarm system for inhibiting a passenger from being left in a vehicle includes a vehicle has a processor, a pair of rear seats, a theft alarm and door locks. The processor selectively generates an alarm sequence and the processor is electrically coupled to the theft alarm and the door locks. A plurality of pressure sensors is each positioned within an associated one of the rear seats. Each of the pressure sensors detects when a passenger is seated in the associated rear seat. The processor generates the alarm sequence when the vehicle is turned off and at least one of the pressure sensors detects the passenger in the associated rear seat. Moreover, the theft alarm is turned on when the processor generates the alarm sequence to alert that at least one passenger remains in the vehicle thereby inhibiting the passenger from is injured by heat exposure.

Abstract: An apparatus for driving an actuator using a shape memory alloy is provided. The apparatus includes an actuator having a shape memory alloy, a pulse signal generating device for generating a pulse signal, and a switch for applying a pseudo single pulse voltage signal to the actuator. The pseudo single pulse voltage signal is generated by performing switching control of a predetermined voltage according to a set of successive micro-pulse signals.

Abstract: A method of informing a user of an identity of an input of a remote control device is presented. In the method, user activation of one of the inputs of the remote control device is detected. An audible signal associated with the activated input is determined. Each of the inputs of the remote control device is associated with a unique one of a plurality of audible signals. The audible signal associated with the activated input is produced to inform the user of the identity of that input.

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.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve a method for determining the location of a device. The current disclosure presents a technique for identifying the location of the device using a secondary device. In one embodiment, the secondary device retrieves the location of a parked vehicle. Using the location of the parked vehicle in conjunction with its own location, the secondary device is able to determine a route to the parked vehicle. Sensors are used to parametric data. Wireless networks are also used to obtain localization information.

Abstract: A system configured to administer an impairment evaluation when a driver has been identified as attending an impairment event is provided. The system includes a driver profile unit configured to determine a sober driver profile. A sensor unit detects the location and operation of the motor vehicle after a motor vehicle stop. An impairment event unit receives the information regarding the operation of the vehicle from the sensor unit and compares the operation of the vehicle with the sober driver profile after the motor vehicle stop. The drinking unit identifying the motor vehicle stop as an impairment event when the operation of the vehicle deviates from the sober driver profile a predetermined amount. A challenge is administered to the driver after the impairment event so as to determine if the driver is impaired. The vehicle is rendered inoperable when the driver fails the challenge.

Abstract: A tamper detection system utilizes a barrier that includes a mesh sized to extend across a rack in an arrangement in which the mesh blocks access to an appliance received in the rack. The tamper detection system further utilizes a detector configured to log, transmit, or otherwise generate an indication that the barrier has been tampered with, such as in response to the mesh becoming severed or pulled away from the rack enough to cause a detectable change of resistance or other electrical characteristic in a corresponding circuit.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a lighting apparatus of a helicopter deck, which is meant especially while being installed in connection with an identification marking, such as an H, triangle, cross figure or the like, and/or a touchdown and positioning mark ring on a landing and takeoff area of the helicopter deck for illuminating the safety marking/markings in question in order to make more efficient observing thereof from the air. The lighting apparatus includes of light units formed of one or more lamps and being operable by power supply transmitted from a power source in connection with the helicopter deck, wherein the light units are coupled essentially immovably in connection with an upper surface of the helicopter deck.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive transducer system included as part of a drill string for use downhole in a well to convey signals across regions of the drill string that preclude the use of wired communication elements. The magnetostrictive transducer conveys a carrier signal as an acoustic wave through a drill collar region to an acoustic telemetry receiver, which passes an output both to an uphole processing system and back into the magnetostrictive transducer system. The output signal and carrier signal are compared to determine sub-harmonics or higher order harmonics of the output or carrier signal indicative of offset in the magnetostrictive core of the magnetostrictive transducer system, and provides a corrective component signal to automatically adjust the magnetostrictive core though preloading forces.

Abstract: Disclosed is a portable electronic device comprising: a sensor; and a control unit controlling the sensor so as to obtain movement information of the portable electronic device in order to detect a movement of at least a part of a user's arm, determining whether the user is in a driving state on the basis of the movement information, automatically switching into a driving mode on the basis of the determination, and activating at least one function relating to driving among the functions of the portable electronic device on the basis of the switching into the driving mode.

Abstract: A security system including a wireless alarm sensor that detects a threat within a secured geographic area, a cloud application that monitors the alarm sensor and reports threats detected by the alarm sensor within the secured area to a human user of the secured area and a wireless publically accessible communication system defined by a plurality of relatively low power communication devices and a local base station, the alarm sensor detects a nearby one of the plurality of low power communication devices and wirelessly connects to the cloud application through the nearby one low power communication device and local base station.

Abstract: An automatic data collection system tracks articles by providing a robust electromagnetic (EM) field within an enclosure in which the articles are stored. Respective data carriers, such as RFID tags, attached to each article respond to the electromagnetic field by transmitting data identified with each article. An RFID scanner receives the transmitted RFID tag identification data and a processor compares the received identification data to a data base. The data base associates the identification data with data concerning the medical article to which the RFID tag is affixed, such as the name of the medicine, the size of the dose, and the expiration date. The processor is also programmed to keep track of the number of articles of a particular type remaining in the enclosure, to note receipt of an article in the enclosure, and to note removal of the article.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (1500, 1600) for operating a Security Tag (“ST”). The methods involve communicating a Wireless Signal (“WS”) to ST (132) tag attached to an article (102) when a successful purchase thereof has been verified. WS includes a detach command. A mechanical component (922) of ST is caused to be released in response to a reception of WS at ST, whereby a pin (308) of ST transitions from an engaged position to an unengaged position without any human assistance or mechanical assistance by a device external to ST. An end (1002) of the pin resides within an aperture (1102) formed in a first portion (312) of an enclosure (302) spaced apart from a second portion (310) of the enclosure by a gap when the pin is in the engaged position. The pin is fully retracted into the second portion when it is in the unengaged position.

Abstract: The method, system, and computer-readable medium facilitates monitoring a vehicle operator during the course of vehicle operation to determine whether the vehicle operator is impaired (e.g., distracted, drowsy, intoxicated) and alerting the vehicle operator using a haptic alert delivered by a wearable computing device worn by the vehicle operator when impairment is detected. The method, system, and computer-readable medium may monitor the vehicle operator, the environment surrounding the vehicle, and/or forces acting on the vehicle using a variety of sensors, including optical sensors or accelerometers. In particular, optical sensors may monitor the vehicle operator to detect eye blinks, head nods, head rotations, and/or gaze fixation. Optical sensors may also monitor the road ahead of the vehicle to detect lane deviation, lane centering, and time to collision. Accelerometers may detect acceleration in the direction of vehicle travel and/or lateral acceleration.

Abstract: The method, system, and computer-readable medium facilitates monitoring a vehicle operator during the course of vehicle operation to determine whether the vehicle operator is impaired (e.g., distracted, drowsy, intoxicated) and alerting the vehicle operator using a haptic alert delivered by a wearable computing device worn by the vehicle operator when impairment is detected. The method, system, and computer-readable medium may monitor the vehicle operator, the environment surrounding the vehicle, and/or forces acting on the vehicle using a variety of sensors, including optical sensors or accelerometers. In particular, optical sensors may monitor the vehicle operator to detect eye blinks, head nods, head rotations, and/or gaze fixation. Optical sensors may also monitor the road ahead of the vehicle to detect lane deviation, lane centering, and time to collision. Accelerometers may detect acceleration in the direction of vehicle travel and/or lateral acceleration.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (1500) for operating a security tag. The methods involve: converting rotational motion of a pinion gear in a first direction into linear motion of a rack gear in a second direction so as to cause a pin to transition from an unengaged state in which the pin is retracted into a first portion of an enclosure to an engaged state in which an end of the pin resides within an aperture formed in a second portion spaced apart from the first portion of the enclosure; mechanically retaining the pin in the engaged position using a pawl that prevents movement of the pinion gear in a third direction opposed to the first direction; and automatically releasing the pawl in response to a reception of a wireless signal at the security tag, whereby the pin is returns to the unengaged state.

Abstract: An RFID-enabling system and method include a probe antenna to introduce a robust EM field into a container to activate RFID tags within the container, regardless of the container's resonant frequency. The probe reads the data of the activated RFID tags, and a processor and communications module transmit the RFID tag data to a remote processor. The RFID-enabling module may be used to retrofit existing medication drawers of a medication cabinet or may be used during the construction of a new cabinet. The RFID-enabling system includes auto tuning of the antenna to dynamically compensate for loading changes on the EM field.