Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a thermostat comprising a processor configured to determine instructions for providing a flow of conditioned air to a first zone of the HVAC system. The HVAC system includes a damper located in a duct associated with the first zone of the HVAC system. The damper includes a moveable plate configured to block the flow of conditioned air through the duct when the movable plate is in a closed position and allow the flow of conditioned air through the duct when the movable plate is in an at least partially open position. The damper includes a wireless receiver and transmitter configured to receive the instructions for providing the flow of conditioned air to the first zone. The damper includes an actuator configured to move the movable plate based at least in part on the received instructions, thereby adjusting the flow of conditioned air to the first zone.

Abstract: An approach for triggering an alert notification associated with an electronic prescription. The approach includes receiving an electronic prescription associated with a patient. The electronic prescription specifies a biometric parameter and a prescribed range for the biometric parameter. The approach also includes receiving a biometric value for the biometric parameter collected by a monitoring device based on the electronic prescription. The monitoring device is associated with the patient. The approach also includes triggering an alert notification based on a comparison of the biometric value against the prescribed range.

Abstract: A cordless electronic device with power management system and method is provided that includes an outer surface, a power consumption circuit operable to consume power and for use in a cordless electronic device, a power supply circuit operable to regulate the power from a power source used to power the power consumption circuit of the cordless electronic device, a power control circuit operable to receive an input signal and to place the power consumption circuit in a lower or higher power state upon receipt of the input signal, a presence sensor operable to detect the presence of a user and to provide a presence sensor input signal to the power control circuit to place the power consumption circuit in the higher power state.

Abstract: A radio receiving apparatus is used at a sporting event to provide a spectator with additional information and contact with the participants in the event. In an automobile racing event, each of the automobiles can be equipped with a two-way radio for communication between the driver and the crew as well as with a telemetry transmitter for sending data concerning the operation of the automobile. The telemetry data is combined with other information relating to the car's involvement in the race and this data is combined to produce parameter data. A hand-held receiver receives both the audio conversation and the parameter data for one of the selected cars and produces audible sounds and concurrently produces a display of a graphic image on a screen with information derived from the parameter data. Thus, the user of the receiving apparatus can both hear a selected driver and at the same time see a display of performance information about the car and driver in the race.

Abstract: A dynamically programmable frequency scanning radio receiver (30) is disclosed. The frequency scanning radio receiver (30) includes a compiler circuit (38) that identifies transmitting parties of interest from the plurality of transmitting parties stored in a frequency database (42). The compiler circuit (38) identifies the transmitting parties of interest based upon the location of the receiver (32) that is determined by a position locator circuit (44). Frequency data corresponding to the transmitting parties of interest is then stored in a memory (40) such that a processing circuit (36) can be used to control the receiver (32) to monitor transmissions at the frequencies of the transmitting parties of interest. When the frequency scanning radio receiver (30) is moved to a geographical area having different transmitting parties of interest, the frequency scanning radio receiver (30) may be dynamically reprogrammed based upon the new location.

Abstract: A tether apparatus (100) has a tether (101), loops (104a-f) formed from the tether (101), and clamps (106a-f) maintaining the loops (104a-f). The clamps (106a-f) are operable to fail upon application of a predetermined amount of tension in the tether (101). The loops (104a-f) may be placed in alternating orientations along the longitudinal axis of the tether (101). The tether (101) may comprise a strap (118) operable to couple flotation devices (116) to the loops (104a-f).