Abstract: A personal area network that includes a wearable electronic device, a system and methods of using the personal area network that includes a wearable electronic device. The wearable electronic device can act as an aggregator of the data that is being acquired by the one or more sensors and from other devices that are within wireless signal range of the personal area network in order to send some or all of the data over a wireless low power wide area network to remote locations within a larger network for subsequent processing, user notification, analysis of location-determination, contact tracing or the like. Data may flow in a bidirectional manner between the wearable electronic device and at least some of the other devices within the personal area network. In one form, the aggregated data may be used to control access to a hazard-prone environment in order to reduce the likelihood of exposure of a service technician to unsafe conditions within such environment.

Abstract: A personal area network that includes a wearable electronic device, a system and methods of using the personal area network that includes a wearable electronic device. The wearable electronic device can act as an aggregator of the data that is being acquired by the one or more sensors and from other devices that are within wireless signal range of the personal area network in order to send some or all of the data over a wireless low power wide area network to remote locations within a larger network for subsequent processing, user notification, analysis of location-determination, contact tracing or the like. Data may flow in a bidirectional manner between the wearable electronic device and at least some of the other devices within the personal area network. In one form, the aggregated data may be used to provide information related to one or more operational parameters of an industrial asset and, if necessary, take control-based action in order to adjust one or more such operational parameters.

Abstract: A personal area network that includes a wearable electronic device, a system and methods of using the personal area network that includes a wearable electronic device. The wearable electronic device can act as an aggregator of the data that is being acquired by the one or more sensors and from other devices that are within wireless signal range of the personal area network in order to send some or all of the data over a wireless low power wide area network to remote locations within a larger network for subsequent processing, user notification, analysis of location-determination, contact tracing or the like. Data may flow in a bidirectional manner between the wearable electronic device and at least some of the other devices within the personal area network.

Abstract: A wristband locking mechanism for a wearable electronic device, a wristband, a wearable electronic device and a method of securing an article to a person. The wristband locking mechanism includes a clasp assembly with independently-operable spring-biased actuators such that the wristband locking mechanism cannot be unlocked using one hand. The use of sensors, processors, communication equipment and associated components within the wearable electronic device allows a caregiver to monitor one or more of location, environmental, physiological and activity data of a wearer of the device, while the requirement for two-handed operation for unlocking of the wristband locking mechanism provides a deterrent against intentional or unintentional removal of the attached article or wearable electronic device by the wearer.

Abstract: A wearable electronic device, a system and methods of monitoring with a wearable electronic device. The device includes a hybrid wireless communication module with wireless communication sub-modules to selectively acquire location data from both indoor and outdoor sources, as well as a wireless communication sub-module to selectively transmit an LPWAN signal to provide location information based on the acquired data. The device may also include one or more sensors to collect one or more of environmental data, activity data and physiological data. The device may transmit some or all of its acquired data to a larger system, including a cloud-based server to, in addition to providing location-based data, be used as a part of a predictive health care protocol to correlate changes in acquired data to salient indicators of the health of a wearer of the device. In one form, the predictive health care protocol uses a machine learning model.

Abstract: A wearable electronic device, a system and methods of monitoring with a wearable electronic device. The device includes a hybrid wireless communication module with wireless communication sub-modules to selectively acquire location data from both indoor and outdoor sources, as well as a wireless communication sub-module to selectively transmit an LPWAN signal to provide location information based on the acquired data. The device may also include one or more sensors to collect one or more of environmental data, activity data and physiological data. The device may transmit some or all of its acquired data to a larger system, including a cloud-based server to, in addition to providing location-based data, be used as a part of a predictive health care protocol to correlate changes in acquired data to salient indicators of the health of a wearer of the device. In one form, the predictive health care protocol uses a machine learning model.

Abstract: A wearable electronic device, a system and methods of monitoring with a wearable electronic device. The device includes a hybrid wireless communication module with wireless communication sub-modules to selectively acquire location data from both indoor and outdoor sources, as well as a wireless communication sub-module to selectively transmit a cellular-based LPWAN signal to provide location information based on the acquired data. The device may also include sensors to collect one or more of environmental, activity and physiological data. The device may transmit some or all of its acquired data to the system to provide a predictive model to correlate changes in the acquired data to corresponding health, safety or related changes to a wearer of the device. In one form, the predictive health care protocol uses a machine learning model at least some of which may be performed on the device.

Abstract: A wearable electronic device, a system and methods of monitoring with a wearable electronic device. The device includes a hybrid wireless communication module with wireless communication sub-modules to selectively acquire location data from both indoor and outdoor sources, as well as a wireless communication sub-module to selectively transmit an LPWAN signal to provide location information based on the acquired data. The device may also include one or more sensors to collect one or more of environmental data, activity data and physiological data. The device may transmit some or all of its acquired data to a larger system, including a cloud-based server to, in addition to providing location-based data, be used as a part of a predictive health care protocol to correlate changes in acquired data to salient indicators of the health of a wearer of the device. In one form, the predictive health care protocol uses a machine learning model.

Abstract: A cord reel assembly described herein comprises a cord reel including a flat flexible cable that comprises a ribbon of generally parallel power transmission and data transmission wires embedded in a non-conductive polymeric matrix. Each data transmission wire is spaced and insulated from any adjacent wire by the polymeric matrix. The power transmission wires are flattened relative to the data transmission wires, and have a larger gauge than the data transmission wires. The FFC comprises non-shielded end regions flanking a shielded middle region that includes a shielding layer on at least one side of the cable, and a non-conductive coating covers the shielding layer.

Abstract: A cord reel assembly described herein comprises a cord reel including a flat flexible cable that comprises a ribbon of generally parallel power transmission and data transmission wires embedded in a non-conductive polymeric matrix. Each data transmission wire is spaced and insulated from any adjacent wire by the polymeric matrix. The power transmission wires are flattened relative to the data transmission wires, and have a larger gauge than the data transmission wires. The FFC comprises non-shielded end regions flanking a shielded middle region that includes a shielding layer on at least one side of the cable, and a non-conductive coating covers the shielding layer.