Abstract: In various embodiments, an electronic lock includes a locking mechanism to selectively transition between locked and unlocked states. A controller and capacitive touch sensor to detect and distinguish between short touch inputs having a touch duration less than a time threshold and long touch inputs having a touch duration greater than a time threshold. If the detected series or pattern of short and long touch interactions matches a stored series of touch interactions defining an unlock code, the locking mechanism transitions from the locked state to the unlocked state.

Abstract: In various embodiments, an electronic lock includes a locking mechanism to selectively transition between locked and unlocked states. A controller and capacitive touch sensor to detect and distinguish between short touch inputs having a touch duration less than a time threshold and long touch inputs having a touch duration greater than a time threshold. If the detected series or pattern of short and long touch interactions matches a stored series of touch interactions defining an unlock code, the locking mechanism transitions from the locked state to the unlocked state.

Abstract: An electronic locking device can be configured to become active from a low power state, receive physical input to unlock, and provide access to a replaceable power supply. An electronic locking device can use a combination of physical input and discovery of an authorized mobile device to enable transition from a locked state to an unlocked state. Authorization can be internally stored or externally obtained through a service. An electronic locking device can match a series of physical interactions to a series of stored interactions to enable transition from a locked state to an unlocked state, when an authorized device is unavailable. An electronic locking device can provide access to a replaceable power supply when a latch is released.

Abstract: An electronic locking device can be configured to become active from a low power state, receive physical input to unlock, and provide access to a replaceable power supply. An electronic locking device can use a combination of physical input and discovery of an authorized mobile device to enable transition from a locked state to an unlocked state. Authorization can be internally stored or externally obtained through a service. An electronic locking device can match a series of physical interactions to a series of stored interactions to enable transition from a locked state to an unlocked state, when an authorized device is unavailable. An electronic locking device can provide access to a replaceable power supply when a latch is released.

Abstract: Disclosed are electronic padlocks and related methods. An electronic padlock includes a lock body, a shank, and a locking mechanism operably coupled to electronic circuitry configured to detect physical interactions of a user with the shank and control the locking mechanism. A method of operating the electronic padlock includes detecting physical interactions of a user with a shank of an electronic padlock, comparing the detected physical interactions with a stored predetermined series of physical interactions, and transitioning from a locked state to an unlocked state responsive to determining that the detected physical interactions match the predetermined series of physical interactions.

Abstract: An electronic locking device can be configured to become active from a low power state, receive physical input to unlock, and provide access to a replaceable power supply. An electronic locking device can use a combination of physical input and discovery of an authorized mobile device to enable transition from a locked state to an unlocked state. Authorization can be internally stored or externally obtained through a service. An electronic locking device can match a series of physical interactions to a series of stored interactions to enable transition from a locked state to an unlocked state, when an authorized device is unavailable. An electronic locking device can provide access to a replaceable power supply when a latch is released.

Abstract: An electronic locking device can be configured to become active from a low power state, receive physical input to unlock, and provide access to a replaceable power supply. An electronic locking device can use a combination of physical input and discovery of an authorized mobile device to enable transition from a locked state to an unlocked state. Authorization can be internally stored or externally obtained through a service. An electronic locking device can match a series of physical interactions to a series of stored interactions to enable transition from a locked state to an unlocked state, when an authorized device is unavailable. An electronic locking device can provide access to a replaceable power supply when a latch is released.

Abstract: Disclosed are electronic padlocks and related methods. An electronic padlock includes a lock body, a shank, and a locking mechanism operably coupled to electronic circuitry configured to detect physical interactions of a user with the shank and control the locking mechanism. A method of operating the electronic padlock includes detecting physical interactions of a user with a shank of an electronic padlock, comparing the detected physical interactions with a stored predetermined series of physical interactions, and transitioning from a locked state to an unlocked state responsive to determining that the detected physical interactions match the predetermined series of physical interactions.

Abstract: An electronic locking device can be configured to become active from a low power state, receive physical input to unlock, and provide access to a replaceable power supply. An electronic locking device can use a combination of physical input and discovery of an authorized mobile device to enable transition from a locked state to an unlocked state. Authorization can be internally stored or externally obtained through a service. An electronic locking device can match a series of physical interactions to a series of stored interactions to enable transition from a locked state to an unlocked state, when an authorized device is unavailable. An electronic locking device can provide access to a replaceable power supply when a latch is released.

Abstract: Disclosed are electronic padlocks and related methods. An electronic padlock includes a lock body, a shank, and a locking mechanism operably coupled to electronic circuitry configured to detect physical interactions of a user with the shank and control the locking mechanism. A method of operating the electronic padlock includes detecting physical interactions of a user with a shank of an electronic padlock, comparing the detected physical interactions with a stored predetermined series of physical interactions, and transitioning from a locked state to an unlocked state responsive to determining that the detected physical interactions match the predetermined series of physical interactions.

Abstract: Disclosed are electronic padlocks and related methods. An electronic padlock includes a lock body, a shank, and a locking mechanism operably coupled to electronic circuitry configured to detect physical interactions of a user with the shank and control the locking mechanism. A method of operating the electronic padlock includes detecting physical interactions of a user with a shank of an electronic padlock, comparing the detected physical interactions with a stored predetermined series of physical interactions, and transitioning from a locked state to an unlocked state responsive to determining that the detected physical interactions match the predetermined series of physical interactions.

Abstract: A multi-speaker audio system is configured to provide flexible use of speakers in any number of different environments. The multi-speaker system may include a stationary speaker unit and a portable speaker unit. The portable speaker unit may be operated in conjunction with, or separate from, the stationary speaker unit. When connected or otherwise used with the stationary speaker unit, the portable speaker unit may receive audio signals and pass at least some of the signals and/or corresponding data to the stationary speaker unit for output. When disconnected from the stationary speaker unit, the portable speaker unit may receive audio signals and output sound accordingly. The stationary speaker unit may also be able to receive audio signals and pass at least some of the signals or corresponding audio data to the portable speaker unit or output the data itself.

Abstract: An electronic locking device can be configured to become active from a low power state, receive physical input to unlock, and provide access to a replaceable power supply. An electronic locking device can use a combination of physical input and discovery of an authorized mobile device to enable transition from a locked state to an unlocked state. Authorization can be internally stored or externally obtained through a service. An electronic locking device can match a series of physical interactions to a series of stored interactions to enable transition from a locked state to an unlocked state, when an authorized device is unavailable. An electronic locking device can provide access to a replaceable power supply when a latch is released.

Abstract: A case for a portable electronic device, such as a mobile telephone (e.g., a smart phone, etc.), a portable media player or a tablet computer, includes at least one game control element for use in playing a game on the portable electronic device. In addition to the game control element, the protective case may include a receptacle and a base, which may be part of the receptacle or operatively associated with the receptacle. The receptacle is configured to receive or otherwise carry the portable electronic device, and may be configured to protect the portable electronic device. The receptacle may be configured to move relative to the base in a manner that enables a user to select an orientation of a display of the portable electronic device relative to the at least one game control element.

Abstract: A case for a portable electronic device, such as a mobile telephone (e.g., a smart phone, etc.), a portable media player or a tablet computer, includes at least one game control element for use in playing a game on the portable electronic device. In addition to the game control element, the protective case may include a receptacle and a base, which may be part of the receptacle or operatively associated with the receptacle. The receptacle is configured to receive or otherwise carry the portable electronic device, and may be configured to protect the portable electronic device. The receptacle may be configured to move relative to the base in a manner that enables a user to select an orientation of a display of the portable electronic device relative to the at least one game control element.

Abstract: A reversible connection device to attach a cover to a tablet computer in two opposite configurations has a channel pivotally coupled to the cover to receive an edge of the tablet computer. The channel has a first magnet array to magnetically attach to a magnet array of the edge of the tablet computer in a first orientation of the tablet computer with respect to the cover and the channel. A tab is movably coupled in and carried by the channel and movable into the channel. The tab has a second reversed magnet array to magnetically attach to the magnet array of the edge of the tablet computer in a second reversed orientation of the tablet computer with respect to the cover and the channel. The second reversed magnet array has a reversed orientation with respect to the first magnet array of the channel.

Abstract: A multi-speaker audio system is configured to provide flexible use of speakers in any number of different environments. The multi-speaker system may include a stationary speaker unit and a portable speaker unit. The portable speaker unit may be operated in conjunction with, or separate from, the stationary speaker unit. When connected or otherwise used with the stationary speaker unit, the portable speaker unit may receive audio signals and pass at least some of the signals and/or corresponding data to the stationary speaker unit for output. When disconnected from the stationary speaker unit, the portable speaker unit may receive audio signals and output sound accordingly. The stationary speaker unit may also be able to receive audio signals and pass at least some of the signals or corresponding audio data to the portable speaker unit or output the data itself.

Abstract: A water purification system for purifying and storing drinking water, the system comprising: a pre-treatment stage for filtering untreated water to form pre-treated water, a three-way valve having an outlet and first and second inlets, each inlet having a flow regulator which regulates the flow of water into the three-way valve; a main treatment stage for treating pre-treated water by reverse osmosis or ultra-filtration to form treated water at a treated pressure; a storage stage for storing treated water in a storage vessel at a storage pressure which increases as the storage vessel is filled, the maximum storage pressure being less than equal to the treated pressure; wherein: the pre-treated water passes through the three-way valve in passage between the pre-treatment stage and the main treatment stage, the pre-treated water entering the first inlet of the three-way valve and exiting the outlet of the three-way valve; the treated water is separated into a storage stream connected to the storage stage and a