Abstract: An exemplary embodiment is a temperature monitoring buffering sensor and system for applications ranging from food storage to temperature-controlled pharmaceuticals. The system includes a temperature sensor unit with a buffered temperature probe sensor contained in a housing with a Bluetooth® transmitter circuit. The sensor unit is battery operated and is self-contained without the need for wiring to provide power or signal flow. The sensor unit controller periodically sends out a transmitter beacon signal identifying the temperature sensor unit and the temperature sensed by the probe, as well as a battery condition. A base station is positioned close enough to be in range of the transmitter beacon signal and includes an RF receiver circuit configured to receive the RF transmitter beacon signal from the sensor unit, and a processor configured to monitor and analyze data received by the RF receiver circuit.

Abstract: A control unit of an image reader executes OCR (optical character recognition processing) on image data as a result of scanning a setup guide, and upon acquiring an SSID and an encryption key, attempts to communicate with a corresponding wireless LAN master device using the SSID and the corresponding encryption key.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of a system and method for cargo height observation are disclosed. Certain embodiments are configured such that a user, such as a tractor operator, may verify that an overall height of the car hauler, as may be dictated by the height positions of one or more vehicles positioned on ramps associated with an upper deck of the car hauler, is below a predetermined allowable height for the car hauler when being transported over public or private roadways.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a mobile terminal comprising a communication unit that is paired with a display device and configured to perform a communication; an input unit configured to receive a search command from a user; a processor configured to transmit a search function activation command to the display device through the communication unit, receive a packet signal from a remote control device that transmits a packet signal at a predetermined packet period according to the search function activation command of the display device, obtain a signal strength of the packet signal, receive packet pattern information from the display device, and determine a distance with the remote control device based on whether the packet is changed and the signal strength.

Abstract: An approach is provided for determining placement location(s) in a public space for a shared micro-mobility vehicle. The approach involves identifying a candidate placement location in the sidewalk area. The approach also involves determining factor(s) associated with the location and/or nearby location(s) in the sidewalk area. The approach further involves making a determination of whether the location is suitable for temporary placement of a shared micro-mobility vehicle based on whether the location enables: (i) avoiding interference between the vehicle and a current/predicted people flow, a bicycle lane, and/or one or more objects, (ii) preventing the vehicle from hindering usage of a point of interest, a vehicle parking area, and/or a transit station, or (iii) accommodating the vehicle to a sidewalk configuration. The approach further involves based on the determination, outputting an indication of whether the location is suitable for temporary placement of the vehicle.

Abstract: A decomposition alarm device has an enclosure having a conventional smoke detector shape, a first side of the enclosure having a mounting tab to mount the enclosure on a vertical surface, and a front face of the enclosure having a sound grille to allow sound from inside the enclosure to exit the enclosure. The device is calibrated to detect the presence of a decomposing body and emit an audible and visual alarm. This device prevents the remains of a decomposing body going unnoticed by other inhabitants in a household or building.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a visual indicator in connection with a portion of the patient support apparatus. The visual indicator is configured to output a first indication and a second indication. The support apparatus also includes a communication circuit configured to communicate via a wireless communication interface and a controller configured to communicate with a service unit via the wireless communication interface. The controller is configured to activate the first indication in response to the service unit detected within a detection range, and in response to enabling a remote access to the service unit, the controller is configured to activate the second indicator. The activation of the second indicator identifies the controller of the patient support apparatus in communication with the service unit via the wireless communication interface.

Abstract: A system detects when sensors have become detached from equipment being monitored by the sensors. At least one sensor, such as a temperature sensor or an accelerometer, is mounted or otherwise positioned on equipment for monitoring operation of the equipment, and the sensor is coupled to a controller that may be configured to receive sensor data from the sensor. Based on the sensor data or otherwise, the controller is configured to detect when the sensor has become inadvertently detached from the equipment being monitored and notifies a user in response to such detection. The user may then take corrective action, such as reattaching the sensor to the equipment or replacing the sensor. Thus, detachment of the sensor from the equipment being monitored may be quickly detected and remedied, thereby reducing the amount of time that a sensor is unknowingly providing inaccurate information about the operation of the equipment.

Abstract: A load control system may include load control devices for controlling power provided to an electrical load. The load control devices may include a control-source device and a control-target device. The control-target device may control the power provided to the electrical load based on digital messages received from the control-source device. A user device may discover load control devices when the load control devices are within an established range associated with the user device. The user device and the load control devices may communicate via a wireless communications module. The established range may be adjusted based on the configurable transmit power of the user device or the wireless communications module associated with the user device. A discovered control-target device may be associated with a control-source device to enable the control-target device to control the power provided to the electrical load based on digital messages received from the control-source device.

Abstract: A beverage container includes a processor, an electronic display, and one or more sensors. The beverage container includes a beverage compartment for human consumption and a sample compartment for storing a sample of the same beverage stored in the beverage compartment for measuring parameters of the beverage over time. The sensors read parameters related to the beverage and the container. The processor determines the quality of wine in a wine bottle, the temperature history of the wine bottle, and the percentage of time the wine bottle has been stored horizontally. The processor determines whether the beverage in a carbonated beverage container may spill after the container is shaken. The processor determines whether opening of a champagne bottle may result in the cork to pop up. The processor may display customized messages and animations on the electronic display. The processor changes the language used to display based on the container's location.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing alarm nuisance behaviors in an electrical system are disclosed herein. In one aspect, a method for reducing alarm nuisance behaviors includes processing electrical measurement data from or derived from energy-related signals captured or derived by at least one intelligent electronic device in the electrical system to identify events in the electrical system, and alarms triggered in response to the identified events and/or other events in or related to the electrical system. Information related to at least the identified events and the identified alarms may be aggregated, and the aggregated information may be analyzed to identify at least one alarm nuisance behavior. At least one action may be taken or performed based on or in response to the at least one identified alarm nuisance behavior.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a potential hazard at an unoccupied transport unit and issuing a notification in response to detecting the potential hazard is provided. The method includes monitoring for the potential hazard at the unoccupied transport unit. The method also includes determining whether there is someone is in close proximity to the unoccupied transport unit upon determining the potential hazard. Also, the method includes providing a local notification of the potential hazard when it is determined that there is someone is in close proximity to the unoccupied transport unit and not providing the local notification of the potential hazard when it is determined that there is no one in close proximity to the unoccupied transport unit.

Abstract: The application relates to a lighting device for a motor vehicle for creating a light animation. The lighting device comprises a light emission device, the light emission device is subdivided into a plurality of segments. The lighting device further has a control unit, which is designed to separately control each of the plurality of segments of the light emission device. The control unit is also configured to control the plurality of segments in a way that a photometric parameter of the lighting device averaged across all segments for the light animation is within a predefined interval.

Abstract: A monitoring system comprises a plurality of monitoring stations disposed in or associated with a respective rubbish bin housing or surround. Each monitoring station comprising an identifier, a sensor for monitoring the bin or a detectable quality of the environment in which the bin is located, a processor for receiving a signal from the sensor and a transmitter for transmitting the signal.

Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle having at least one surface region designed to come into direct contact with a user, and at least one sensor to register a direct contact between the at least one surface region and the user. The method includes registering the beginning of a use of the vehicle by the user, registering direct contacts of the user with the at least one defined surface region by using the at least one sensor, registering the end of the use of the vehicle by the user, evaluating the registered direct contacts of the user with the at least one surface region, wherein the surface region is classified with respect to a potential degree of soiling of the surface region caused by the direct contacts during the use, and outputting a notification on the potential degree of soiling of the surface region.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating operation failure of a remote pipeline pneumatic device. A flow detector is used in combination with the pipeline pneumatic device. A controller in combination with the flow detector and a long range communication transmitter communicates an alarm upon detecting a predetermined flow, such as outside an expected amount. The controller can initiate a flow timer upon the actuation of the pneumatic device, and transmit an alarm upon the flow timer exceeding a predetermined value representing the expected amount.

Abstract: A system and method provides for one or more of tracking of an object and providing automatic access to applications or data. Depending upon the embodiment, the system includes a personal digital key (PDK), a reader, a computing device and one or more of an auto login server and a tracking server. The PDK stores one or more profiles in memory. A reader is configured to wirelessly communicate with the PDK. The computing device is coupled to the reader and one or more of the auto login server and tracking server. The auto login server is configured to communicate with the reader and launches one or more applications associated with a user name identified by a profile received from the PDK. The tracking server is configured to communicate with the reader and to track and log information received from the PDK associated with the object.

Abstract: A discharge system comprises: a container holding unit configured to hold a container; a discharge drive unit configured to discharge contents from the container; a container information acquisition unit configured to read container information applied to the container; a permission information processing unit configured to process the container information and acquire permission information; and a discharge control unit configured to limit or-enable discharge at the discharge drive unit according to the permission information. A discharge device of an aerosol container comprises the discharge system.

Abstract: It is provided a sensor device comprising: a proximity sensor; a processor; a wireless communication module; and a memory. The memory stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the sensor device to: receive a user input signal; determine when the received user input signal matches a signal template being associated with an event; store in the memory a record indicating an occurrence of the event associated with the user input signal; and transmit, once the wireless communication module is active, any stored records.

Abstract: Various embodiments of access control systems and fingerprint sensing systems are disclosed. One or more fingerprints of an authorized person are recorded in a fingerprint database together with a sequence of angular positions. The authorized person may subsequently gain access to a secured item by scanning the authorized person's finger or fingers in accordance with the sequence of angular positions. Various embodiments of fingerprint sensors for determining the angular position of a finger on the sensor are also disclosed.