Abstract: A method to be carried out at an electronic device for detecting proximity to another electronic device is described. The electronic devices are capable of interaction through both low-accuracy sensing and high accuracy sensing. Low-accuracy sensing is used until a potential proximity event is detected. High-accuracy sensing is then activated, and attempts are made using high-accuracy sensing to detect a further potential proximity event corresponding to the potential proximity event. A determination is then made as to whether a proximity event has taken place—this is done using the further potential proximity event if detected, and using the potential proximity event otherwise. A suitable electronic device is also described, as is a method of training electronic devices to detect proximity to other electronic devices using a proximity estimation algorithm.

Abstract: A controller and method for controlling objects states in a complex system. A change in state of at least one first object in the system is detected. A first modifying action to the at least one first object in response to the detected change in state is determined, and output to be applied to the at least one first object. A change in state of at least one second object from the plurality of system objects different from the at least one first object is detected, where the change in state of the at least one second object is a result of the first modifying action being applied to the at least one first object. A second modifying action is determined and output to be applied to the system to improve system performance according to the performance metric after the first modifying action is applied.

Abstract: A method of assessing health risk in an environment is provided. The method is implemented with at least one health risk assessment computing device in communication with at least one environmental sensor and at least one proximity monitoring assembly each including a proximity sensor. The method includes computing an environmental risk score based on environmental data received from the at least one environmental sensor, and estimating a distance between the at least one proximity monitoring assembly and another proximity monitoring assembly based on proximity data received from the at least one proximity monitoring assembly. The method also includes comparing the estimated distance with a proximity threshold corresponding to the environmental risk score, and recommending personal protection measures based on the comparison and the environmental risk score.

Abstract: A surface mount electronic reed switch component (10) is provided having a rod-shaped pad element (40) connected in transverse relationship to the outer end (30) of each switch lead (12, 14) of the reed switch (10) to provide a stable surface mounting foot without bending the leads (12,14) to thus avoid adversely affecting the switch gap (28) defined by the inner ends (22,24) of the leads (12,14). Element (40) may be of round, square, rectangular or tubular cross-section.