Abstract: A system and a method automatically generate warnings intended for users of a road on board an automobile. The system includes sensors, an on-board programmable electronic device, and at least one audible or visual warning device. The programmable electronic device includes at least one processor configured to detect traffic elements, and a module for analyzing traffic elements, such that each detected traffic element is associated with a predetermined category and an associated confidence level is calculated. A module determines an at-risk situation from among a number of predetermined risk situations. At least one of the traffic elements is associated with at least one user of the road outside said vehicle. A command module warns the user of the road of the detected risk.

Abstract: There is provided systems and methods for pilot alertness and awareness of target aircraft and target obstacle that are flying within a proceeding flight path collision. Transmitted guiding sound signals consisting of three dimensional effects and tonal sounds are generated by a flight unit, and sent to the pilot's headset for the desired purpose of directing the pilot's head position to locate the target aircraft and target obstacle. The flight unit processes time of collision from received target aircraft broadcast, and contain at least GPS data and target obstacle information from stored navigational maps. The flight unit further receives the pilot's head position through means of a head tracker. Furthermore, the flight unit is able to perform the functions of, storing piloted flight information, voice language instruction, flight assisted notification, and communicating with one or multiple mobile devices such for the information to be displayed visually, and is upgradable remotely.

Abstract: A system to protect precious articles comprising a beacon device coupled with the precious articled in wireless communication with a detection device coupled with a user. The system periodically estimates the distance between the beacon device and the detection device and triggers an alarm on the detection device when the distance exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems to allow an operator to sense, for example, distance of a component from a component connector. The systems include a transmitter associated with the component connector, and a feedback device operable to contact the operator. The feedback device comprises a receiver operable to receive signals transmitted by the transmitter, and an actuator operable to provide haptic feedback to the operator in which, for example, strength, manner, or strength and manner of actuation of the actuator is determined by strength of the signals received by the receiver. Typically, the systems further allow the operator to engage the component to the component connector. Other aspects of the present disclosure provide various methods of allowing an operator to sense, for example, distance of a component from a component connector and to related computer readable media.

Abstract: The present application provides a unique way for storing cigars, and medicines in a portable environmental storage container system. The portable environmental storage container system can comprise a lid, an inner compartment, an outer container, electronics, and a bottom enclosure. An inner compartment can slide in and out of an outer container and seal shut with a seal keeping the inside of the container air tight with the humidity kept in when sealed, or the humidity out if none is desired. After the contents have been stored within the portable environmental storage container the user can monitor the contents inside the container with a portable computing device in real time.

Abstract: An approach that collects sensor data associated with a building automation system having filters and determining the optimal timing of the replacement of filters that includes replacement dates based upon use, utility, and labor costs.

Abstract: Systems and methods for vehicle passive entry/passive start (PEPS) are provided. A communication gateway in a vehicle establishes a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) or an impulse radio ultra-wide band (IR UWB) communication connection with a portable device that includes a wireless charging apparatus. A low-frequency transmitter transmits a ping request to the wireless charging apparatus. The portable device transmits a response to the ping request over the communication connection to the communication gateway. The communication gateway authenticates the portable device based on information included in the received response. A passive entry/passive start (PEPS) system performs a vehicle function in response to the portable device being authenticated, including unlocking a door of the vehicle, unlocking a trunk of the vehicle, allowing a wireless charging station of the vehicle to charge the portable device, or allowing the vehicle to be started.

Abstract: Systems and methods for localization and passive entry/passive start (PEPS) systems for vehicles are provided. A communication gateway establishes a wireless communication link with a portable device. Sensors receive connection information about the wireless communication link that includes a channel map, a next channel for communication, a next channel time for communication, a parameter for calculating a subsequent channel, and (v) a channel hop interval indicating a time interval for communication. Each sensor receives communication packets sent from the portable device based on the connection information and measures signal information. A localization module determines a location of the portable device based on the signal information. A PEPS system performs a vehicle function including at least one of unlocking a door of the vehicle, unlocking a trunk of the vehicle, and allowing the vehicle to be started based on the location of the portable device.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag includes an antenna operable to receive a radio frequency (RF) signal having a carrier frequency. The RFID tag further includes a tank circuit coupled to the antenna. The RFID tag further includes a tuning circuit operable to determine a received power level of the RF signal at the carrier frequency, determine whether the received power level is lower than a power level threshold. When the received power level is lower than the power level threshold: tuning circuit increases the input impedance of the RFID tag, determines a most recent power level of the received RF signal, and compares the most recent power level with the received power level. When the most recent power level is greater than the received power level, the tuning circuit incrementally increases the input impedance until the received power level is substantially equal to the power level threshold.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments described in this disclosure are generally directed to using a vehicle to provide building security. In one exemplary embodiment, a computer that is provided in a vehicle is communicatively coupled to various sensors included in an anti-theft security system of the vehicle. The computer automatically activates a building security procedure upon determining that the vehicle has entered, or is located inside, a geofence of a residence. The sensors are configured to detect a security event that may take place near the residence. For example, a motion sensor may be used to detect a burglar approaching the residence or a sound detector may be used to detect shattering of a glass window of the residence. Upon detecting such a security event, the anti-theft security system of the vehicle may transmit a security alert to an individual and/or a monitoring service.

Abstract: Fan systems for circulating air in a space are provided. In one example implementation, a fan system includes a canopy controller configured to be disposed within a canopy housing of a ceiling fan. The canopy controller can be configured to control operation of a motor associated with the ceiling fan. The canopy controller can have a communication interface configured to communicate using a first wireless communication protocol. The fan system can include an in-wall controller. The in-wall controller being in electrical communication with the canopy controller via one or more electrical conductors. The in-wall controller can include an interface element configured to receive a user input. The in-wall controller can be configured to communicate one or more control commands to the canopy controller using the first wireless communication protocol. The in-wall controller configured to communicate data associated with the ceiling fan via a second wireless communication protocol.

Abstract: An image-based event notification system includes a detection device, a controller, and a user application. The detection device is configured to generate an image. The controller is configured to receive the image and output an associated event-based image indicative of an event. The user application includes a user interface and a display. The user application is configured to receive the event-based image from the controller, and display the event-based image on the display. From the display, a user may choose between a user event confirmation and a user event rejection.

Abstract: An access controller combines one or more Secure Access Modules (SAMs) or other cryptographic processors with embedded storage, individually accessible by the controller such that waiting on the reply from one of the modules does not prevent accessing the others, a host CPU, running the computer program to perform authentication and access control, and a waiting queue, possibly in system memory, to put the request in when all SAMs are used. The state of the SAMs, possibly using system memory, is tracked to be able to find a free access module or to be able to match a response to the corresponding request. One or more connections (serial, network, wireless or otherwise) are used to connect to transparent smart card readers and door controllers.

Abstract: A home automation (HA) system may include HA operation devices within a user living area and an HA hub device to provide communications for the HA operation devices. The HA system may also include at least one controller configured to store historical operational data for each of the HA operation devices based upon a user within the user living area, and use machine learning to determine a predicted operational pattern of at least one of the HA operation devices based upon the stored historical operational data. The at least one controller may also be configured to monitor operation of the HA operation devices and determine therefrom an HA operation device deviation from the predicted operational pattern, and generate a notification based upon the determined HA operation device deviation.

Abstract: A velocity indication system of a vehicle includes one or more velocity sensors configured to sense a vehicle velocity and to generate velocity data therefrom. The system also includes a control unit configured to receive the velocity data and to generate a control signal based on the velocity data. The system also includes a tactile velocity indicator. The tactile velocity indicator includes a frame that defines an opening therein. The tactile velocity indicator also includes a haptic element, at least partially protruding from the opening so as to be touchable by a passenger of the vehicle via the opening. The tactile velocity indicator also includes an electric motor configured to drive the haptic element in response to the control signal to move relative to the frame according to a haptic element velocity that corresponds to the sensed vehicle velocity.

Abstract: Systems for emergency exit LED lighting are described herein. The emergency exit lighting systems comprise structures for housing at least one LED light, an LED driver electronically coupled to the LED light(s), a continuous power source, a backup power source, and a test switch. The fixtures, in various configurations, may be mounted to an existing T-grid or to a wall or ceiling. The fixture may be tested remotely.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments herein, a system for monitoring the condition of a road surface traveled by a plurality of vehicles, each comprising at least one sensor, is provided. The system comprises a central processing arrangement arranged to: map at least a part of the road surface with a number of cells; receive road surface data for the cells, which road surface data is based on measurements made by the sensors as the plurality of vehicles travel on the road surface; and calculate a probability for at least one road surface parameter for each cell traveled by the plurality of vehicles based at least on road surface data received from the plurality of vehicles.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method, system and apparatus for detecting when an animal is in heat. The invention further relates to a method of alerting a responsible individual that the animal is in heat. The method for detecting when an animal is in heat comprises the steps of, using a sensor mounted on a bull, monitoring the activity of the bull in the proximity of the animal. Thereafter, the activity of the bull is analysed before finally it is determined, based on the analysed activity of the bull, whether or not the animal is in heat. The invention shifts the focus from the animal, such as a cow, to the bull and leans on the natural instincts of the bull to determine when the cow is in heat. By implementing such a system, a more reliable and/or less expensive system than many of the existing offerings is provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing data communication in medical systems are disclosed.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments described in this disclosure are generally directed to systems and methods for assigning parking spots to autonomous vehicles based on data transfer throughput and other considerations. In one exemplary method, a server computer receives from a first autonomous vehicle, information regarding a size of a first dataset available for uploading from the first autonomous vehicle into the server computer. The server computer may further receive from a second autonomous vehicle, information regarding a size of a second dataset that the second autonomous vehicle has available for uploading into the server computer. The server computer may then assign parking spots to the two autonomous vehicles based on evaluating various factors such as the size of one or both datasets, characteristics of wireless links for carrying out data transfer in the parking area, characteristics of various access points in the parking area, and priorities associated with the data transfer.