Abstract: For localizing gingival inflammation within a user's mouth the following steps are carried out using an oral care device (10): (i) sequentially emitting (520) light by a plurality of light sources (48) in a first sequential pattern, wherein at least some of the plurality of light sources are configured to emit light of different wavelengths; (ii) sequentially emitting (530) light in a second sequential pattern which is the reverse of the first sequential pattern; (iii) obtaining (540), by a light detector (40), reflectance measurements to generate first reflectance data from light emitted in the first sequential pattern, and to generate second reflectance data from light emitted in the second sequential pattern; (iv) averaging (550), by a controller (30), first reflectance data and second reflectance data for each wavelength to generate averaged reflectance data; and (v) determining (570), using the averaged reflectance data, whether gingiva at the location is inflamed.

Abstract: A method for localizing gingival inflammation using an oral care device, comprising: (i) simultaneously emitting (520) light by a plurality of light sources (48) of the oral care device, wherein at least some of the plurality of light sources emit light of different wavelengths to result in a plurality of emitted light wavelengths, wherein each of the different wavelengths is modulated with a distinct code; (ii) obtaining (530), by a light detector (40) of the oral care device, reflectance measurements from a location within the user's mouth to generate reflectance data for the location; (iii) demodulating (540), by a controller (30) of the oral care device, the obtained reflectance data; and (iv) determining (560), by the controller using the demodulated reflectance data, whether gingiva at the location is inflamed.

Abstract: A method for localizing gingival inflammation using an oral care device, comprising: emitting (520) light by one or more light emitters (42) of the oral care device; obtaining (530), at a first rate by one or more light detectors (40), reflectance measurements for a plurality of locations to generate first reflectance data; determining (540), by a controller (30) of the oral care device using the first reflectance data, whether the location comprises gingiva; obtaining (550), at a second rate by the one or more light detectors, reflectance measurements for each location determined to comprise gingiva to generate gingiva reflectance data, wherein the second rate is faster than the first rate; and determining (560), by the controller using the gingiva reflectance data, whether gingiva at that location is inflamed.

Abstract: A method (500) for localizing gingival inflammation using an oral care device (10), the method comprising: (i) emitting (520) light at a first intensity by a light emitter (42); (ii) obtaining (530) first reflectance measurements reflectance data; (iii) determining (540), by a controller (30) from the first reflectance data, whether the location comprises gingiva; (iv) automatically adjusting (550), based at least in part on the first reflectance data, the intensity of a light emitter to a second intensity different from the first intensity, and/or automatically adjusting (550) a gain of a light detector; (v) obtaining (560) a second plurality of reflectance measurements by the light detector of the oral care device for at least some of the locations; and (vi) determining (570), using the second plurality of reflectance measurements, whether gingiva at the location is inflamed.

Abstract: A system (100) for detecting tissue inflammation, gingivitis specifically, including a light emitter (102) configured to emit light at a tissue region within a user's mouth; at least four wavelength-sensitive photodetectors (110, 112, 114, and 116) configured to detect optical signals diffusely reflected through the tissue region, each of the at least four wavelength-sensitive photodetectors comprising a filter (BPF1, BPF2, BPF3, and BPF4) and a photodiode (D1, D2, D3, and D4), where the photodiodes are stacked on top of each other to generate current differential signals for amplifiers corresponding with the photodiodes, wherein the generation of the current differential signals removes an unwanted component from the optical signals prior to amplification; and an inflammation detection unit (136) configured to receive outputs from the corresponding amplifiers and detect inflammation at the tissue region.

Abstract: A method for localizing gingival inflammation using an oral care device, comprising: emitting (520) light by one or more light emitters (42) of the oral care device; obtaining (530), at a first rate by one or more light detectors (40), reflectance measurements for a plurality of locations to generate first reflectance data; determining (540), by a controller (30) of the oral care device using the first reflectance data, whether the location comprises gingiva; obtaining (550), at a second rate by the one or more light detectors, reflectance measurements for each location determined to comprise gingiva to generate gingiva reflectance data, wherein the second rate is faster than the first rate; and determining (560), by the controller using the gingiva reflectance data, whether gingiva at that location is inflamed.

Abstract: A method (500) for localizing gingival inflammation using an oral care device (10), the method comprising: (i) emitting (520) light at a first intensity by a light emitter (42); (ii) obtaining (530) first reflectance measurements reflectance data; (iii) determining (540), by a controller (30) from the first reflectance data, whether the location comprises gingiva; (iv) automatically adjusting (550), based at least in part on the first reflectance data, the intensity of a light emitter to a second intensity different from the first intensity, and/or automatically adjusting (550) a gain of a light detector; (v) obtaining (560) a second plurality of reflectance measurements by the light detector of the oral care device for at least some of the locations; and (vi) determining (570), using the second plurality of reflectance measurements, whether gingiva at the location is inflamed.

Abstract: A method for localizing gingival inflammation using an oral care device, comprising: (i) simultaneously emitting (520) light by a plurality of light sources (48) of the oral care device, wherein at least some of the plurality of light sources emit light of different wavelengths to result in a plurality of emitted light wavelengths, wherein each of the different wavelengths is modulated with a distinct code; (ii) obtaining (530), by a light detector (40) of the oral care device, reflectance measurements from a location within the user's mouth to generate reflectance data for the location; (iii) demodulating (540), by a controller (30) of the oral care device, the obtained reflectance data; and (iv) determining (560), by the controller using the demodulated reflectance data, whether gingiva at the location is inflamed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to determining a neural respiratory drive (NRD) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) based on surface electromyography measurements taken from the intercostal muscles on the chest of a subject (100).

Abstract: The invention provides a power generation device comprising at least two generating arrangements, each adapted to generate a voltage output through the relative motion of two differently charged generating elements, the generating elements having some separation distance (which may be zero or non-zero). The arrangements are co-operatively configured in such a way that the separation distances between their respective elements are reciprocally related: an increase in one leads to a related decrease in the other. By combining these two signal outputs, a single voltage, current or power output may be provided in a self-regulating manner by the device whose amplitude is substantially independent of any changes or variations in the separation distance between elements of either of the two arrangements.

Abstract: For localizing gingival inflammation within a user's mouth the following steps are carried out using an oral care device (10): (i) sequentially emitting (520) light by a plurality of light sources (48) in a first sequential pattern, wherein at least some of the plurality of light sources are configured to emit light of different wavelengths; (ii) sequentially emitting (530) light in a second sequential pattern which is the reverse of the first sequential pattern; (iii) obtaining (540), by a light detector (40), reflectance measurements to generate first reflectance data from light emitted in the first sequential pattern, and to generate second reflectance data from light emitted in the second sequential pattern; (iv) averaging (550), by a controller (30), first reflectance data and second reflectance data for each wavelength to generate averaged reflectance data; and (v) determining (570), using the averaged reflectance data, whether gingiva at the location is inflamed.

Abstract: The invention provides an energy generation and/or conversion system and method wherein an electrical power generator is controlled to periodically alternate between a contact-mode, during which elements of the generator are brought into contact to induce a state of charging, and a non-contact mode, during which plates of the generator are separated from one another and electrical energy is generated through electrostatic induction. Timing and duration of contact and non-contact modes are controlled by a controller, or by user commands, in dependence on a charge state of the elements of the generator: In this way elements are controlled to come into contact only when surface charge has fallen below a certain level, and re-charging is necessary; contact time between the elements may hence be minimised—thereby minimising incurred noise and surface wear—whilst still maintaining a given desired threshold power output.

Abstract: A system comprises a power generator for generating electrical power and a switched capacitor converter for down-converting the output voltage of the power generator. The switched capacitor converter comprises a bank of capacitors and a switch arrangement. A controller is used for controlling the switches, based on a feedback signal from the power generator. This provides automatic control of the switched capacitor converter, thereby simplifying the overall control circuitry and improving efficiency.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods and apparatus for locating luminaires within a lighting system where multiple luminaires are located on a grid of DC power rails. The AC signal generator connects to each DC power rail and transmits an AC signal along each DC power rail in turn to luminaires that each compute their distance from the generator based upon the AC signal. The AC signal generator may similarly transmit and receive data communications with luminaires across DC power rails.

Abstract: The invention provides a power generation device comprising at least two generating arrangements, each adapted to generate a voltage output through the relative motion of two differently charged generating elements, the generating elements having some separation distance (which may be zero or non-zero). The arrangements are co-operatively configured in such a way that the separation distances between their respective elements are reciprocally related: an increase in one leads to a related decrease in the other. By combining these two signal outputs, a single voltage, current or power output may be provided in a self-regulating manner by the device whose amplitude is substantially independent of any changes or variations in the separation distance between elements of either of the two arrangements.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods and apparatus for locating luminaires within a lighting system where multiple luminaires are located on a grid of DC power rails. The AC signal generator connects to each DC power rail and transmits an AC signal along each DC power rail in turn to luminaires that each compute their distance from the generator based upon the AC signal. The AC signal generator may similarly transmit and receive data communications with luminaires across DC power rails.

Abstract: A system comprises a power generator for generating electrical power and a switched capacitor converter for down-converting the output voltage of the power generator. The switched capacitor converter comprises a bank of capacitors and a switch arrangement. A controller is used for controlling the switches, based on a feedback signal from the power generator. This provides automatic control of the switched capacitor converter, thereby simplifying the overall control circuitry and improving efficiency.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods and apparatus for locating luminaires within a lighting system where multiple luminaires are located on a grid of DC power rails. The AC signal generator connects to each DC power rail and transmits an AC signal along each DC power rail in turn to luminaires that each compute their distance from the generator based upon the AC signal. The AC signal generator may similarly transmit and receive data communications with luminaires across DC power rails.

Abstract: A triboelectric power generator system uses a power converter to provide a controllable impedance between a triboelectric power generator and a load, in dependence on the triboelectric generator output. This enables improved power transfer even though the output generated by a triboelectric power generator can be irregular and fluctuates over time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to determining a neural respiratory drive (NRD) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) based on surface electromyography measurements taken from the intercostal muscles on the chest of a subject (100).