Abstract: A power drop assembly is disclosed which, in general, includes a power cord housing, a reel, a power cord, a female power outlet, an electrical input, switching circuitry, and a controller. The reel is positioned within the power cord housing. The reel is rotatably connected to the power cord housing. The power cord is mechanically attached to the reel. The female power outlet is mechanically and electrically attached to the power cord. The switching circuitry is electrically connected to the electrical input. The switching circuitry selectively, electrically connects the electrical input and the power cord. The switching circuitry is electrically connected to the power cord. The controller is communicatively connected to the switching circuitry for controlling the switching circuitry. The controller is also connected to circuitry programmed for regulating the amount of power available to the power cord.

Abstract: There is disclosed a power drop assembly which includes a housing and a reel positioned and rotatable within it. Preferably, the device determines, not only whether power is available, but how much power is available. Preferably, the power drop assembly also contains a processor and non-transitory storage medium, so that user settings and profiles as well as settings and profiles for the power drop assembly can be stored and run. Additionally, the power drop assembly preferably contains a wireless transceiver which connects to a home Wi-Fi network and then to a cloud account, user profiles and settings, and settings and profiles for the power drop assembly can be saved on the cloud account. In this way multiple users can use the power drop assembly without contradicting instructions or resetting the power drop assembly every time it is used.

Abstract: A thin scale apparatus for measuring body weight includes 5 or more force sensors within a total thickness of between 0.4 inches and 0.004 inches measured between a bottom surface and a top surface of the thin scale apparatus. The thin scale is designed to be thin enough to be non-intrusive or not recognized by a user. A weight of a toilet user may be determined as a combination of additive force of force sensors in a thin scale and force sensor associated with a toilet seat of a toilet. The force sensors may be positioned in one or more cavities on a bottom side of a substrate material of the thin scale or be embedded within a substrate material. Embodiments of a standalone thin scale and a thin scale with a toilet are disclosed.

Abstract: A toilet is disclosed which, in general, includes a toilet bowl and a housing. The toilet bowl includes multiple apertures and a blower, wherein the blower is fluidly connected to one or more of the apertures. The housing is fluidly connected to the blower. The housing includes a gas permeable substrate and a gas chemical sensor. The gas permeable substrate comprises a first side, a second side, intercalated sorbent media, and a rapid desorption heater.

Abstract: A portable hoisting apparatus is disclosed which, in general, includes a base, multiple legs, and a winch. The legs pivotally connect to the base. The winch includes a drum, a cable, a motor, and a battery. The cable is windably connected to the drum. The motor is coupled to a gear that rotates the drum. The battery is electrically connected to the motor. The battery is located within a battery holder. The battery holder is positioned intermediate the motor and a controller inside the drum.

Abstract: An otoscope apparatus is disclosed which, in general, includes a left-ear housing and a right-ear housing connected together by a tensioning band. The left-ear housing and right ear housing each include a light source and a camera. The left-ear and right-ear housings each include a speculum which corresponds to a user's left and right ear canals, respectively.

Abstract: An audio transmitting table is disclosed which, in general, includes a table top, frame, a controller, and multiple microphones. The table top has one or more non-perpendicular contour edges. The frame is attached to the table top. The controller is attached to the audio transmitting table. The multiple microphones are embedded in the non-perpendicular contour edges. Each microphone transmits audio data to the controller.

Abstract: A light bulb is disclosed herein, which in general, includes a light transmitting bulb portion and a base portion. The light transmitting bulb portion includes a rotating light aperture. The base portion includes a motor for rotating the light aperture. The light transmitting bulb portion is rotated independently of the base portion to direct light produced by the light bulb in a direction defined by a rotational position of the light aperture. A controller, battery, and wireless transceiver are included in the light bulb.

Abstract: A toilet is disclosed which, in general, includes a toilet bowl and a housing. The toilet bowl includes multiple apertures and a blower, wherein the blower is fluidly connected to one or more of the apertures. The housing is fluidly connected to the blower. The housing includes a gas permeable substrate and a gas chemical sensor. The gas permeable substrate comprises a first side, a second side, intercalated sorbent media, and a rapid desorption heater.

Abstract: A light bulb is disclosed herein, which in general, includes a light transmitting bulb portion and a base portion. The light transmitting bulb portion includes a rotating light aperture. The base portion includes a motor for rotating the light aperture. The light transmitting bulb portion is rotated independently of the base portion to direct light produced by the light bulb in a direction defined by a rotational position of the light aperture. A controller, battery, and wireless transceiver are included in the light bulb.

Abstract: A light bulb is disclosed herein, which in general, includes a light transmitting bulb portion and a base portion. The light transmitting bulb portion includes a first gear and an aperture. The base portion includes a second gear. The first gear is rotated independently of the second gear to direct light produced by the light bulb in a direction defined by a rotational position of the light transmitting bulb portion.

Abstract: A synthetic aperture photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor is disclosed. A group or matrix of contiguous PPG sensors located on a toilet seat are conditionally combined based on sensor measurements. Conditional combinations may be based on timing data and signal-to-noise ratio data of each of the PPG measurements. Measurements associated with the conditional combinations are then used to determine a cardiac function of a toilet user.

Abstract: The invention is an automated storage and retrieval system. Positionable objects are stored in columns within a frame. When a user requests an object, the objects are selectively relocated until the requested object is brought to an access point. The objects are relocated by planar motion mechanisms attached to the walls of the frame. When not moving, the objects are suspended from mountings that extend from the same walls that the planar motion mechanisms are attached to. The mountings are controlled by actuators within the walls. The mountings are retractable to allow the planar motion mechanisms to pass. Each of the objects is supported by more than one mounting so that support is not withdrawn when any one mounting is retracted to allow a planar motion mechanism to pass. The design allows objects to be arranged in more than two columns within an automated storage and retrieval system.

Abstract: An excreta-sampling toilet is disclosed which includes a bowl, a processing apparatus, and a chiller. The bowl separates excreta into solid excreta and liquid excreta. The processing apparatus then processes the solid excreta into a solid excreta sample, including metering it by weight or volume and storing it in containers. The chiller lowers the temperature of the sample, which is stored to await analysis. A metered liquid excreta sample is also stored and chilled in separate storage containers.

Abstract: An excreta-sampling toilet is disclosed which includes a bowl, a processing apparatus, and a chiller. The bowl separates excreta into solid excreta and liquid excreta. The processing apparatus then processes the solid excreta into a solid excreta sample, including metering it by weight or volume and storing it in containers. The chiller lowers the temperature of the sample, which is stored to await analysis. A metered liquid excreta sample is also stored and chilled in separate storage containers.

Abstract: A waste fragmenting toilet apparatus with pressurized water jets is disclosed. The apparatus includes a toilet bowl, a toilet trap, a water supply, and a plurality of oscillating water jet nozzles. The oscillating water jet nozzles are located within line of sight of recurrent waste blockage zones, interior to the toilet trap and/or toilet bowl. When actuated, the oscillating water jet nozzles inject pressurized water into a trap area breaking up waste material as it passes through. The oscillating water jet nozzles may be used to preemptively prevent blockages and to remove existing blockages.

Abstract: A thin scale apparatus for measuring body weight includes 5 or more force sensors within a total thickness of between 0.4 inches and 0.004 inches measured between a bottom surface and a top surface of the thin scale apparatus. The thin scale is designed to be thin enough to be non-intrusive or not recognized by a user. A weight of a toilet user may be determined as a combination of additive force of force sensors in a thin scale and force sensor associated with a toilet seat of a toilet. The force sensors may be positioned in one or more cavities on a bottom side of a substrate material of the thin scale or be embedded within a substrate material. Embodiments of a standalone thin scale and a thin scale with a toilet are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a harness system that can be used in both restraining and extracting a wearer. The harness takes the form of webbing that may be integrated into a crewmember worn vest. The webbing includes extraction loops for use in hoisting the crewmember and a release mechanism for releasably coupling the harness to an external restraint, such as an overhead reel. The system can be used within a vehicle, such as a land based vehicle, a water going vessel, or an aircraft.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pretensioner for an occupant restraint. The pretensioner is designed to be used in conjunction with an inertial reel that locks the occupant restraint when detecting an adverse event. The pretensioner acts to remove slack in the webbing of the restraint and thereby safely secure the occupant once the reel is locked. The pretensioner described herein includes a rack that is initially held in place by a shear pin. Upon being activated, the rack is forced to a fully extended orientation, whereby the shear pin is severed. A deceleration ramp in included beneath the rack to slowly bring the rack to a stop at the end of the stroke.

Abstract: Among other things, information is maintained that associates competitors with respective territories for which the competitors have rights that are to be exclusive relative to other competitors for items associated with the territories. A user can enter, through a user interface, an expression of interest that can be associated with one of the territories. In response to the expression of interest, a user is automatically enabled to interact with the competitor that has the exclusive right to the territory, without automatically enabling the user to interact with a competitor that does not have the exclusive right.