Abstract: A washing machine appliance includes a wash basket that is rotatably mounted within a wash tub and that defines a wash chamber for receiving a load of clothes. A motor assembly is mechanically coupled to the wash basket for selectively rotating the wash basket and a turbidity sensor is positioned within the wash fluid. A controller is configured to perform a wash cycle, obtain a turbidity of the wash fluid following the wash cycle using the turbidity sensor, determine rinse parameters of a rinse cycle based at least in part on the turbidity of the wash fluid, and perform the rinse cycle in accordance with the rinse parameters.

Abstract: System and methods for storing data include detecting presence of one or more computing devices within a defined geographic area, automatically copying media stored on the one or more computing devices, storing the copied media on a backup storage device, and grouping the stored copied media by at least one of time period, location, event and a source of the copied media.

Abstract: Digital data processing circuitry is described that uses combinatorial logic hardware and sequential logic hardware to process one or more inputs. For each input a periodic sequence is generated that is based at least in part on a value of the input and a weight value. A match is determined at an event time when the periodic sequence(s) matches a corresponding arbitrary reference pattern. The digital data processing circuitry may be implemented as an integrated circuit as part of an interconnected network of devices that may be trained and subsequently used for recognition or other complex data processing tasks.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for announcing reminders and alerts is described. In one embodiment, appointments of an electronic calendar are monitored via a processor of a home automation system. A trigger of an upcoming appointment is detected. Information regarding the upcoming appointment is announced via a speaker of the home automation system.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for back-end failure redundancy in security and automation systems. According to at least one embodiment, an apparatus for back-end failure redundancy includes a processor, a memory in electronic communication with the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions are executable by a processor to detect an alarm event, and attempt to establish a connection between a control panel and a backend system. If no connection between control panel and backend system is made, the instructions may initiate a two-way cellular call between the control panel and a central station, and deliver a caller ID from the control panel to the central station via the two-way cellular call.

Abstract: An industrial device supports device-level data modeling that pre-models data stored in the device with known relationships, correlations, key variable identifiers, and other such metadata to assist higher-level analytic systems to more quickly and accurately converge to actionable insights relative to a defined business or analytic objective. Data at the device level can be modeled according to modeling templates stored on the device that define relationships between items of device data for respective analytic goals (e.g., improvement of product quality, maximizing product throughput, optimizing energy consumption, etc.). This device-level modeling data can be exposed to higher level systems for creation of analytic models that can be used to analyze data from the industrial device relative to desired business objectives.

Abstract: A glove (1) and glove liner (4) is provided, the glove liner (4) comprising a palm portion (11a) and a finger portion (11b); the finger portion (11b) comprising finger sheaths; the liner (4) further comprising a plurality of insulating layers (6,8,10), and the plurality of insulating layers comprising a first insulating layer (6), a second insulating layer (8) and a third insulating layer (10), wherein the first insulating layer (6) extends substantially across the palm portion (11a) and the finger portion (11b), the second insulating layer (8) extends across at least a part of the finger portion (11b), and the third insulating layer (10) extends across at least a part of at least one finger sheath of the finger portion (11b).

Abstract: A human-machine interface (HMI) development platform simplifies generation of an industrial visualization application by generating at least a portion of the visualization application based on analysis of digital engineering drawings of an automation system to be monitored and controlled. This drawing-based approach includes creation of HMI interface displays comprising animated graphics representing industrial assets represented in the drawings, and setting animation data sources for the graphics based on analysis of the drawings.

Abstract: Described herein are engineered cells, enzymes, methods of use, and bee bread incorporating engineered cells and enzymes as described herein. In certain aspects, described herein are a bacterium containing therein one or more stably-expressing expression vectors for exogenous expression of one or more recombinant carboxylesterase enzymes or oxalate decarboxylase enzymes, thereby providing the engineered cell an exogenous pathway for hydrolyzing ester bonds or removing a carboxyl group. Engineered cells and recombinant enzymes as described herein can be incorporated into bee bread to be fed to a member of the Apidae family of bees or of the Apis or Bombus genus. In additional aspects, such bacteria can also be selected and amplified from the milieu of the hive microorganisms and in some cases they can be molecularly bred to enhance their metabolic capabilities without genetic engineering.

Abstract: In some embodiments, security and/or automation systems, collectively referred to as automation systems, may facilitate communications between a remote user and an occupant of a residence. The automation system may receive one or more communications from a user and deliver the communication to the specified recipient when the recipient occupies the residence. The automation system may determine the recipient is proximate the residence and may notify the recipient of the pending communication. The recipient may use the control panel or another device associated with the security and/or automation system to receive the message.

Abstract: A sample collection device for a fluid includes: a substantially disk-shaped body having a periphery; a capillary channel extending through the body and bounded by the periphery, having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is adapted to draw the fluid into the channel by capillary action; a sample collection well located in the vicinity of the second end and in fluid communication with the capillary channel; and an axis of rotation extending through the center of the disk and which is substantially perpendicular to the major surface of the disk-shaped body. In a preferred embodiment, the sample collection device is adapted to rotate about the axis of rotation within a cartridge having a housing comprising an air vent in fluid communication with the capillary channel when the disk is rotated in a first position.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and techniques for security and/or automation systems are described. In one embodiment, the method may include receiving a call initiation instruction at a video monitoring component of a home automation system. The method may further include analyzing the call initiation instruction, and communicating a call request from the video monitoring component of the home automation system to a first remote user based at least in part on the received call initiation instruction.

Abstract: A method for operating a security and/or automation system is described. A sensor may identify when a first person is in a sleep state. The sensor may detect a disturbance in the sleep state, and alert a second person when the detected disturbance satisfies one or more disturbance parameters.

Abstract: A method for security and/or automation systems is described. In one embodiment, the method may include receiving a plurality of video footage at a home automation system from at least one video monitor. The method may further include reviewing the plurality of video footage recorded over a predetermined period of time. The method may further include automatically identifying at least one distinguishing feature in the video footage over the predetermined period of time, and automatically indexing the video footage based, at least in part, on identifying the at least one distinguishing feature in the video footage.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating air includes a housing with an air inlet and an air outlet, the housing enclosing an air treatment zone and an ozone removal zone, wherein the ozone removal zone is positioned downstream of the air treatment zone with respect to a flow direction of the air being treated, an ozone generator in the air treatment zone configured to generate ozone from the air, wherein the ozone generated by the ozone generator treats the air in the air treatment zone, catalyst in the ozone removal zone that removes at least a portion of the ozone generated the ozone generator, a particle matter (PM) filter positioned between the air treatment zone and the ozone removal zone, wherein the ozone generated by the ozone generator treats the PM filter, and an air mover positioned near the air outlet configured to draw the air through the air inlet.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for monitoring commercial activities is described. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving information related to commercial activities at at least one of a plurality of locations, the information being collected at the at least one of a plurality of locations, and transmitting the collected information for at least one of the plurality of locations to a device located remote from at least one of the plurality of locations.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and techniques for security and/or automation systems are described. In one embodiment, the method may include receiving a call initiation instruction at a video monitoring component of a home automation system. The method may further include analyzing the call initiation instruction, and communicating a call request from the video monitoring component of the home automation system to a first remote user based at least in part on the received call initiation instruction.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for premises security is described. In one embodiment, a person passing through a perimeter of a predefined area is detected via a boundary sensor. Upon detecting the person passing through the perimeter of the predefined area, a camera is activated to capture an image of the person, the camera being positioned in relation to the predefined area. A notification is sent to a user determined to be nearest to the predefined area. The notification may include the image of the person. A proximity of a person in relation to a vehicle is detected via a proximity sensor. Upon determining the proximity of the person satisfies a predetermined threshold, a notification is sent to a user. Upon determining the proximity of the person satisfies the predetermined threshold, a camera positioned in relation to the vehicle is activated.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a new cable having at least one insulation layer, to a process for producing such cable as well as to the use of a soluble a-nucleating agent (NA) for increasing the crystallization temperature of a polymer composition (PC) being part of an insulation layer of such a cable and the use of such a cable as communication cable and/or electrical cable.

Abstract: A method for security and/or automation systems is described. In one embodiment, the method may include receiving input regarding at least one home automation system operation profile. The method may further include receiving monitored sleep data of at least one user of a home automation system associated with the at least one home automation system operation profile. The method may further include comparing the received monitored sleep data with the received input regarding the at least one home automation system operation profile, and may include implementing the at least one home automation system operation profile based, at least in part, on the comparing.