Abstract: Textiles coupled with electrical components that are responsive to actions of the wearer and the surrounding environment. The textiles comprise a variety of sensors that interface with the cloud, networks, and devices. The textiles monitor physiological characteristics of the wearer. Objects in the environment may interact with the electrical components of the textiles. Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems that include electrical components, such as, accelerometers, gyroscopes, Bluetooth chips, NFC chips, and RF tags integrate with the textiles to wirelessly communicate with networks.

Abstract: Methods, software, apparatus, and systems for policy-based access control are provided. In one embodiment, a method for providing policy-based access to a policy-controlled resource for a user, comprising: detecting an electronically encoded signal from a computer-controlled electronic access control service at a user-controlled computer-controlled electronic communications device proximate to the user; receiving an electronically encoded compliance query from the computer-controlled electronic access control service at the computer-controlled electronic communications device; determining an electronically encoded response to the electronically encoded compliance query using an electronically encoded, computer-controlled process on the computer-controlled computation device; and returning the electronically encoded response to the computer-controlled electronic access control service using the computer-controlled computation device.

Abstract: Sounds, alarms or other indications of conditions of potential interest that are produced by appliances and other household devices are detected by one or more sensors to trigger a notification signal that is sent to a remotely located user. The signals produced by the sensors are advantageously compared with a database of signals representing conditions of potential interest produced by known appliances and devices, producing the appropriate notification signal when a match is found. Notifications may be relayed to one or more selected users only when predetermined conditions are satisfied.

Abstract: A system, method, and device for transferring thermal energy between areas of a structure so as to maintain occupant comfort while minimizing the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures, thereby minimizing thermal losses from the structure. The device operates effectively in the heating season and cooling season, when outdoor temperatures are cold and hot, respectively.

Abstract: A DVD player/recorder incorporates a hard drive mass memory device for temporarily storing program content and metadata, includes a network interface for connecting to content and metadata providers, as well as other resources and other computers, via the Internet, a television interface for connecting to a conventional television set which reproduces content from the DVD player, and also connects the DVD player to a set top box which provides a connection to a cable or satellite provider which forms a further source of programming and metadata. The DVD player can retrieve and play content, and permit the navigation of content, specified on a metadata playlist file.

Abstract: A system, method and device to interrogate for the presence of objects, to prevent the inadvertent separation of the objects from their owner. An owner is alerted when they are separated from the objects by determining when a trigger event occurs, such as a person leaving and/or entering a particular monitored area or location. These monitored areas can be retrofitted with an electronic interrogation device that monitors local conditions to determine whether a user is entering or leaving the monitored area to trigger an interrogation of the personal items. The interrogation device is constructed and arranged to communicate with the objects to determine whether the objects are with the owner. The interrogation device automatically determines the presence of a particular object at the monitored environment and automatically generates a notification when needed. The system further controls functionality of the objects, according to illustrative embodiments, when the object is present.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing panel products in edgewise shear in which the shear stress is applied in a diagonal direction with a first rotational degree of freedom in a first grip means and a second rotational degree of freedom in a second grip means as a first loading configuration. A second loading configuration is provided in which the second rotational degree of freedom of the second grip means is locked in place and motion is prevented. A third preferred method of loading is available in which shear forces in a horizontal direction through a centerline of a specimen, with the centerline in the plane of the specimen and extending across a widest dimension of said specimen. Control and data collection are under computer control and operator safety is enhanced by a locking guard door which is electrically locked while the various parts of the machine are in motion.

Abstract: Sounds, alarms or other indications of conditions of potential interest that are produced by appliances and other household devices are detected by one or more sensors to trigger a notification signal that is sent to a remotely located user. The signals produced by the sensors are advantageously compared with a database of signals representing conditions of potential interest produced by known appliances and devices, producing the appropriate notification signal when a match is found. Notifications may be relayed to one or more selected users only when predetermined conditions are satisfied.

Abstract: Sounds, alarms or other indications of conditions of potential interest that are produced by appliances and other household devices are detected by one or more sensors to trigger a notification signal that is sent to a remotely located user. The signals produced by the sensors are advantageously compared with a database of signals representing conditions of potential interest produced by known appliances and devices, producing the appropriate notification signal when a match is found. Notifications may be relayed to one or more selected users only when predetermined conditions are satisfied.

Abstract: The present invention is a wood grading apparatus including a robust “push” solenoid as a hammer means for impacting a lumber specimen under test. A conventional solenoid coil with stationary magnetic iron pole pieces is combined with a bimetallic armature including a magnetic portion and a non-magnetic portion; said armature is of uniform cross section through the solenoid coil. A magnetic steel portion of said armature is fastened to a nonmagnetic steel portion thereof, whereby the magnetic field may act upon the magnetic portion of said armature and drive said nonmagnetic portion in an outward direction whereby impact or striking action is achieved. The present invention includes said solenoid in a wood grading apparatus whereby physical properties of wood are measured in a conveyor line setting and wood grading is affected by combining sonic velocity and density measurements to determine the modulus of elasticity of the wood object.

Abstract: Customer-used objects, such as tabletops, dinnerware, and retail racks, are impregnated with an accelerometer, a processor, and a Bluetooth chip. Taping or knocking such an entity by alerts a worker of a requested service. The accelerometer captures vibration data associated with the tapping or knocking and sends that data to the processor. The processor recognizes the gesture's vibrations. Finally, a recognized gesture will command the Bluetooth chip to send an alert to the server. The invention prevents a customer from second-guessing possible orders or purchases and allows an employee to become more efficient, thus saving time money.

Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatus and software for controlling environmental conditions of an interior location, such as a room or office, are provided. In one aspect, the invention provides a computer-controlled system for determining an improved energy configuration for a structure. In some embodiments, the invention includes: an electronic memory storage device configured to store electronically encoded signals corresponding to at least one location parameter of the structure; an electronic memory storage device configured to store electronically encoded signals corresponding to at least one construction parameter of the structure; an electronic memory storage device configured to store electronically encoded signals corresponding to at least one atmospheric parameter of the structure.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for identifying unwanted email messages by transmitting metadata with an outbound email message that indicates the total number of email messages sent by that sender in a predetermined time period, or alternatively indicates the total number of email messages which are equivalent to the outgoing message that have been sent. In addition the metadata may include an identification of the sender and a “pledge” made by the sender. A pledge may take the form of a binding commitment from the sender that the information contained in the metadata is accurate, and/or that the sender promises to abide by predetermined good conduct rules designed to limit unwanted email. The outgoing message may be further signed by the sender with a digital signature that provides means for verifying the content of the message and the pledge as well as the identity of the sender.

Abstract: A system for utilizing metadata created either at a central location for shared use by connected users, or at each individual user's location, to enhance user's enjoyment of available broadcast programming content. A variety of mechanisms are employed for automatically and manually identifying and designating programming segments, associating descriptive metadata which the identified segments, distributing the metadata for use at client locations, and using the supplied metadata to selectively record and playback desired programming.

Abstract: A cellular telephone handset stores audio files previously recorded by the user as well as voice mail messages from other users and selectively transmitted selected ones of these files to the remote listener, or to the voice mail system of a remote user. Voice mail messages are composed, stored, transmitted, forwarded and reviewed using a voice mail system without ringing the remote party's telephone, much as email is composed, stored, transmitted and reviewed using an email server.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and apparatus for determining the grain angle of a wood object which has a circular cross section of constant or varying radius along the object's length. This apparatus may be hand-held or fixed mounted as testing circumstances dictate. The resulting grain angle may be displayed in real time, as perceived by the user, or transmitted to a processing unit for data collection or interpretation.

Abstract: An audio program and message distribution system in which a host system organizes and transmits program segments to client subscriber locations. The host organizes the program segments by subject matter and creates scheduled programming in accordance with preferences associated with each subscriber. Program segments are associated with descriptive subject matter segments, and the subject matter segments may be used to generate both text and audio cataloging presentations to enable the user to more easily identify and select desirable programming. A playback unit at the subscriber location reproduces the program segments received from the host and includes mechanisms for interactively navigating among the program segments. A usage log is compiled to record the subscriber's use of the provided program materials, to return data to the host for billing, to adaptively modify the subscriber's preferences based on actual usage, and to send subscriber-generated comments and requests to the host for processing.

Abstract: An audio program and message distribution system in which a host system organizes and transmits program segments to client subscriber locations. The host organizes the program segments by subject matter and creates scheduled programming in accordance with preferences associated with each subscriber. Program segments are associated with descriptive subject matter segments, and the subject matter segments may be used to generate both text and audio cataloging presentations to enable the user to more easily identify and select desirable programming. A playback unit at the subscriber location reproduces the program segments received from the host and includes mechanisms for interactively navigating among the program segments. A usage log is compiled to record the subscriber's use of the provided program materials, to return data to the host for billing, to adaptively modify the subscriber's preferences based on actual usage, and to send subscriber-generated comments and requests to the host for processing.

Abstract: A system, method and device to interrogate for the presence of objects, to prevent the inadvertent separation of the objects from their owner. An owner is alerted when they are separated from the objects by determining when a trigger event occurs, such as a person leaving and/or entering a particular monitored area or location. These monitored areas can be retrofitted with an electronic interrogation device that monitors local conditions to determine whether a user is entering or leaving the monitored area to trigger an interrogation of the personal items. The interrogation device is constructed and arranged to communicate with the objects to determine whether the objects are with the owner. The interrogation device automatically determines the presence of a particular object at the monitored environment and automatically generates a notification when needed. The system further controls functionality of the objects, according to illustrative embodiments, when the object is present.

Abstract: A system, method and device to interrogate for the presence of objects, to prevent the inadvertent separation of the objects from their owner. An owner is alerted when they are separated from the objects by determining when a trigger event occurs, such as a person leaving and/or entering a particular monitored area or location. These monitored areas can be retrofitted with an electronic interrogation device that monitors local conditions to determine whether a user is entering or leaving the monitored area to trigger an interrogation of the personal items. The interrogation device is constructed and arranged to communicate with the objects to determine whether the objects are with the owner. The interrogation device automatically determines the presence of a particular object at the monitored environment and automatically generates a notification when needed. The system further controls functionality of the objects, according to illustrative embodiments, when the object is present.