Abstract: Embodiments provide a temperature sensing device that allows measuring temperature of a subject through insulating layers such as fur or other insulating layer.

Abstract: An electronic messaging device includes a receiver configured to receive a message at one of a first operational frequency and second operational frequency. The messaging device can operate using a time synchronous protocol and can receive commands through over-the-internet-programming (OTIP) and over-the-air-programming (OTAP).

Abstract: An electronic messaging device includes a receiver configured to receive a message at one of a first operational frequency and second operational frequency. The messaging device can added to a message distribution group comprising a plurality of existing messaging devices. A test communication can be sent through a coupling to test an operation of the messaging device and confirming the addition of the messaging device to the message distribution group without communicating with the existing messaging devices.

Abstract: Systems and method for monitoring vital signs of a patient include a platform having a top surface upon which a patient may rest and a bottom surface; a vibration sensor coupled to the platform such that vibrations caused by the resting patient are coupled to the vibration sensor; a set of load cells coupled to the bottom surface, wherein each load cell is isolated from environmental vibrations in a manner that eliminates or dampens environmental vibrations that otherwise might be conducted by the vibration sensor; and at least one processor configured to process the vibration signals and the strain signals and to derive at least one vital signal parameter of the patient based on the processed vibration signals and the processed strain signals including at least one of a patient heart performance parameter or a patient respiration performance parameter.

Abstract: An electronic messaging device includes a receiver configured to receive a message at one of a first operational frequency and second operational frequency. The messaging device can added to a message distribution group comprising a plurality of existing messaging devices. A test communication can be sent through a coupling to test an operation of the messaging device and confirming the addition of the messaging device to the message distribution group without communicating with the existing messaging devices.

Abstract: An electronic messaging device includes a receiver configured to receive a message at one of a first operational frequency and second operational frequency. The messaging device can added to a message distribution group comprising a plurality of existing messaging devices. A test communication can be sent through a coupling to test an operation of the messaging device and confirming the addition of the messaging device to the message distribution group without communicating with the existing messaging devices.

Abstract: A method of and system for recommending one or more products to a consumer from a plurality of products, the system comprising: a user interface; and a processor configured to: provide a list of questions for the consumer at the user interface, each question having a defined set of answers; calculate a consumer score for each question using the answer chosen by the consumer at the user interface; calculate a recommendation score for each question, using the consumer score; and select the one or more products for recommendation to the consumer based on the recommendation score.

Abstract: A smart animal bed system includes a base supporting a padded animal bed; a movement sensor for providing movement sensor signals in response to movement of an animal within the padded animal bed; and a temperature control system having a heating mode and a cooling mode, the temperature control system configured to selectively provide heating or cooling to the padded animal bed based at least in part on the movement sensor signals.

Abstract: A portioning machine for providing a custom cosmetic includes a mixer having a mixing chamber and also accommodates a plurality of dispensers having outlets that are directly coupled to the mixing chamber. In one embodiment, the portioning machine includes a plurality of slots, where each slot is configured to receive an assembly having at least one dispenser. In another embodiment, the portioning machine includes a slot configured to receive an assembly having a plurality of dispensers. Each dispenser is associated with an actuator, and the portioning machine includes a portioning processor configured to control the actuators to dispense additives from selected dispensers into the mixing chamber in accordance with a target set of additive ratios to produce the custom cosmetic.

Abstract: A compact ground robot includes a vehicle body, a forward pair of track assemblies mounted to the vehicle body, and a rearward pair of track assemblies mounted to the vehicle body. All the track assemblies are foldable underneath the vehicle body for compact transport of the robot. All the track assemblies unfold to a deployed position supporting the vehicle body for deployment of the robot. Each track assembly may include a drive sprocket, a flipper, and a tack about the sprocket and flipper.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an image capture device includes a housing configured to be attached to a host device (that has a camera and a light source). The device includes a light chamber within the housing. The chamber includes a first port facing a direction where the host camera would be located when the device is attached to the host, and a second port substantially opposite the first port. The device includes a light pipe having an opening that faces a direction where the host device light source would be located. The light pipe is configured to transmit light from the host device light source for providing illumination at or about the second port. The device includes a lens cover configured to move between a closed position in which the lens cover blocks the second port and an open position in which the lens cover does not block the second port.

Abstract: An electronic messaging device includes a receiver configured to receive a message at one of a first operational frequency and second operational frequency. The messaging device can added to a message distribution group comprising a plurality of existing messaging devices. A test communication can be sent through a coupling to test an operation of the messaging device and confirming the addition of the messaging device to the message distribution group without communicating with the existing messaging devices.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an image capture device includes a housing configured to be attached to a host device (that has a camera and a light source). The device includes a light chamber within the housing. The chamber includes a first port facing a direction where the host camera would be located when the device is attached to the host, and a second port substantially opposite the first port. The device includes a light pipe having an opening that faces a direction where the host device light source would be located. The light pipe is configured to transmit light from the host device light source for providing illumination at or about the second port. The device includes a lens cover configured to move between a closed position in which the lens cover blocks the second port and an open position in which the lens cover does not block the second port.

Abstract: An electronic messaging device includes a receiver configured to receive a message at one of a first operational frequency and second operational frequency. The messaging device can added to a message distribution group comprising a plurality of existing messaging devices. A test communication can be sent through a coupling to test an operation of the messaging device and confirming the addition of the messaging device to the message distribution group without communicating with the existing messaging devices.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide a simple, inexpensive, and easy-to-operate color capture device that can capture color information and transmit the captured color information to an interface device such as smartphone, where the captured color information is optionally processed and is then transmitted to a remote server for subsequent production of the customized cosmetic.

Abstract: A hand held imaging device for measuring characteristics of hair and scalp, comprising a housing with a high magnification optic for obtaining magnified images of surface characteristics of hair fibers, said high magnification optic comprising a first lens and a first light source, and a low magnification optic for obtaining magnified images of the scalp and hair, said low magnification optic comprising a second lens and a second light source, wherein the high magnification optic has a fixed focal length and a slot for locating hair fibers in frame such that the hair fibers are in focus and wherein the device further comprises a viewing means, selected from an integral viewing means, an external viewing means and a combination thereof.

Abstract: A portioning machine for providing a custom cosmetic includes a mixer having a mixing chamber and also accommodates a plurality of syringes having outlets that are directly coupled to the mixing chamber. In one embodiment, the portioning machine includes a plurality of slots, where each slot is configured to receive an assembly having at least one syringe. In another embodiment, the portioning machine includes a slot configured to receive an assembly having a plurality of syringes. Each syringe is associated with an actuator, and the portioning machine includes a portioning processor configured to control the actuators to dispense additives from selected syringes into the mixing chamber in accordance with a target set of additive ratios to produce the custom cosmetic.

Abstract: A portioning machine for providing a custom cosmetic includes a mixer having a mixing chamber and also accommodates a plurality of dispensers having outlets that are directly coupled to the mixing chamber. In one embodiment, the portioning machine includes a plurality of slots, where each slot is configured to receive an assembly having at least one dispenser. In another embodiment, the portioning machine includes a slot configured to receive an assembly having a plurality of dispensers. Each dispenser is associated with an actuator, and the portioning machine includes a portioning processor configured to control the actuators to dispense additives from selected dispensers into the mixing chamber in accordance with a target set of additive ratios to produce the custom cosmetic.