Abstract: A position determination system is disclosed, which comprises a mobile device comprising at least two transducers, wherein each transducer is operably connected to at least one single board processor; and a plurality of markers, each associated with a position of an area of interest, the plurality of markers at least one of: operable to transmit signals recognizable by the at least two transducers, and comprising at least one feature recognizable by the at least two transducers.

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: A method for energy management is described. In one embodiment, an aspect of a dwelling is monitored. The monitored aspect of the dwelling is compared to an energy policy to determine a deviation of the monitored aspect of the dwelling from a setting of the energy policy. A notification is sent to an occupant, the notification comprising the deviation of the monitored aspect of the dwelling from the setting of the energy policy.

Abstract: A sensing assemblage for capturing a transit time, phase, or frequency of energy waves propagating through a medium is disclosed to measure a parameter of the muscular-skeletal system. The sensing assemblage comprises a transducer and a waveguide. The transducer is coupled to the waveguide at a first location. A reflective surface can be coupled to the waveguide at a second location. The reflective surface is configured to reflect energy waves away from the reflective surface. An interface material that is transmissive to acoustic energy waves can be placed between the transducer and a waveguide to improve transfer.

Abstract: A method for security and/or automation systems is described. In one embodiment, the method may include detecting a first sound event at a home entry point using one or more sensors. The method may further include receiving input to associate at least one home automation system operation with the first sound event, and may further include storing the first sound event. The method may further include initiating the at least one home automation system operation associated with the first sound event.

Abstract: An automation system may include a smart doorman. The system may observe one or more guests to a residence, predict a user profile associated with the guest, and invite an administrator of the automation system to create the suggested profile of the guest. The system may store one or more biometric identifiers with a visitation pattern to determine if the guest requires a profile. In one embodiment, a method for security and/or automation systems may be described. The method may include detecting the presence of one or more guests at an entrance to a residence and comparing the presence of a guest to one or more profile parameters. A guest profile associated with the guest may be predicted based at least in part on the comparing.

Abstract: A method of gaming comprises displaying play of a game having a feature event which is triggerable through play of the game. The feature event has a base award value, which may be either a potential award value or an actual award value. Responsive to determining a trigger for the feature event, the player is provided with an opportunity to reject the feature event prior to initiating play of the feature event, such that following said rejection by the player one or more award parameters of the feature event are configured so as to increase the award value of the feature event for a subsequent triggering thereof.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for controlling an automation and security system. According to at least one embodiment, an apparatus for voice control of an automation and security system 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 a trigger word spoken by a user at a location remote from a control panel of the automation and security system, detect a command spoken by the user at the remote location which follows the trigger word, deliver at least one audio response to the user at the remote location in response to the command, and perform an action in response to the command.

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: Methods and systems are described for controlling an automation and security system. According to at least one embodiment, an apparatus for data storage in an automation and security system 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 receive data at a first device, store a copy of the data on the first device, fragment the data into a plurality of data fragments, transmit the plurality of data fragments to a plurality of remote devices, and store some of the plurality of data fragments on each of the plurality of remote devices.

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: A method for security and/or automation systems is described. In one embodiment, the method may include detecting a first sound event at a home entry point using one or more sensors. The method may further include receiving input to associate at least one home automation system operation with the first sound event, and may further include storing the first sound event. The method may further include initiating the at least one home automation system operation associated with the first sound event.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for entity detection is described. In one embodiment, an entity passing through a perimeter of a predefined area is detected via a camera. Upon detecting the entity passing through the perimeter of the predefined area, a type of the entity is classified from an image of the entity captured by the camera. Upon classifying the type of the entity, a feature of the entity is detected from the image of the entity. An identifier is assigned to the entity based on the type and the detected feature of the entity. The identifier distinguishes the entity from another entity of a same type.

Abstract: An automation system may include a smart doorman. The system may observe one or more guests to a residence, predict a user profile associated with the guest, and invite an administrator of the automation system to create the suggested profile of the guest. The system may store one or more biometric identifiers with a visitation pattern to determine if the guest requires a profile. In one embodiment, a method for security and/or automation systems may be described. The method may include detecting the presence of one or more guests at an entrance to a residence and comparing the presence of a guest to one or more profile parameters. A guest profile associated with the guest may be predicted based at least in part on the comparing.

Abstract: A method for security and/or automation systems is described. In one embodiment, the method may include receiving occupancy data associated with a home. The method may further include automatically selectively broadcasting an audio stream to at least one of a plurality of speakers in the home based, at least in part, on the received occupancy data.

Abstract: A sample collection device for a fluid sample includes: a body including a capillary channel having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is adapted to draw the fluid into the channel by capillary action; an air vent located in the vicinity of the second end and in fluid communication with the capillary channel; a barrier positioned within the capillary channel to prevent flow of the fluid by capillary action thereacross; and features on opposing sides of the body to form an axis of rotation, which is substantially perpendicular to the overall direction of the capillary channel from the first end to the second end. In a preferred embodiment, the sample collection device is adapted to rotate about the axis of rotation within a cartridge having a sample manipulation device to bring the first end into position with the sample manipulation device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described that are directed to status and control of a garage door system via an alarm system controller. A garage door system may include one or more garage doors and at least one sensor configured to sense data indicative of a status of a garage door of the one or more garage doors. The at least one sensor may further be configured to convey the sensed data to an alarm system controller.

Abstract: A protective head gear with a substantially hemi-spherically shaped portion intended to be worn over hair on the head of a wearer and including at least one opening therein large enough to accommodate a bundle of hair passing through the opening and means for securing the cap to the bundle of hair. An a fixed mechanism is attached to the cap body around the perimeter of the opening to compress the aperture containing the bundle of hair and hold the bundle of hair and the cap body in a fixed relationship. The fixed mechanism includes an O-ring attached to the cap body along the perimeter of the opening and a drawstring passed through the interior. The drawstring may be drawn to gather the sleeve to compress the bundle of hair. Two clamps are locked to the drawstring in a drawn disposition to hold the aperture gathered about the bundle of hair.

Abstract: An OR table disposable cover includes a sheet, fluid absorbent on a top side, and fluid impermeable on an opposite, bottom side; a angled support wedge positioned in a head support region on the top side of the sheet; and a soft foam ring member on a top of the angled support which in concert with its underlying support wedge maintains a patient's head in a sniff position. Also provided is a barrier cover having a patient head support member adjacent one end, said head support member being canted at an about 15° angle to the cover, and an operating table carriage that interfaces with the patient either directly, or through a cushion that allows the patient's head to translate along an Y axis of the rail.

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 ultraviolet (UV) light source in the air treatment zone configured to generate ozone from the air, wherein the UV light from the UV light source and the ozone generated by the UV light source treat the air in the air treatment zone, catalyst in the ozone removal zone that removes at least a portion of the ozone generated by the UV light source, and an air mover positioned near the air outlet configured to draw the air through the air inlet into the air treatment zone from outside the housing.