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: An asset monitoring device and system may be used to determine and report location and operational status of an asset within a local area network.

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 first electronic device uses a first wireless link to connect wirelessly to an audio source device, and a second wireless link to connect to a second electronic device. In some cases, the first electronic device and the second electronic device can be worn by, or mounted to, a user. Upon receiving audio from the audio source device, the first electronic device extracts stereo channels from the received audio, and transmits at least one of the channels to the second electronic device. In some embodiments, an antenna of the first electronic device and an antenna of the second electronic device create a coaxial antenna pair. Alternately or additionally, each antenna, when worn by or mounted to a user, propagates an electric field in a direction generally normal to the user's head. In turn, this generates a creeping wave that travels along a surface, such as the surface of the user's head.

Abstract: A circuit assembly (600) includes a printed circuit board assembly (100). The printed circuit board assembly includes a first circuit board (101), a second circuit board (102), and a first flexible substrate (103) interposed between, and continuous with, the first circuit board and the second circuit board. A second flexible substrate (108) extends from, and is continuous with, the second circuit board. One or more electronic circuits comprising electronic components (301,302,303,304,305) are disposed along one or more of the first circuit board or the second circuit board. The printed circuit board assembly is folded about a battery (601), with the first circuit board adjacent to the first major face, the second circuit board adjacent to the second major face, and the first flexible substrate spanning the one or more side faces.

Abstract: A first electronic device uses a first wireless link to connect wirelessly to an audio source device, and a second wireless link to connect to a second electronic device. In some cases, the first electronic device and the second electronic device can be worn by, or mounted to, a user. Upon receiving audio from the audio source device, the first electronic device extracts stereo channels from the received audio, and transmits at least one of the channels to the second electronic device. In some embodiments, an antenna of the first electronic device and an antenna of the second electronic device create a coaxial antenna pair. Alternately or additionally, each antenna, when worn by or mounted to a user, propagates an electric field in a direction generally normal to the user's head. In turn, this generates a creeping wave that travels along a surface, such as the surface of the user's head.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a wireless communication earpiece. The wireless communication earpiece comprises an earbud and an electronics portion. A manual selection of one of a left ear and a right ear position of the earbud is conveyed to the electronics portion by one of an electrical and mechanical means. In some embodiments, a right antenna element is electrically coupled (activated) to a transceiver when the right ear position is selected and a left antenna element is activated when the left ear position is selected. In some embodiments, an antenna element is coupled to the transceiver and the antenna element is rotated to a right side (activated) of the earpiece when the right ear position is selected and the antenna element is rotated to a left side (activated) of the earpiece when the left ear position is selected.

Abstract: A circuit assembly (600) includes a printed circuit board assembly (100). The printed circuit board assembly includes a first circuit board (101), a second circuit board (102), and a first flexible substrate (103) interposed between, and continuous with, the first circuit board and the second circuit board. A second flexible substrate (108) extends from, and is continuous with, the second circuit board. One or more electronic circuits comprising electronic components (301,302,303,304,305) are disposed along one or more of the first circuit board or the second circuit board. The printed circuit board assembly is folded about a battery (601), with the first circuit board adjacent to the first major face, the second circuit board adjacent to the second major face, and the first flexible substrate spanning the one or more side faces.

Abstract: A circuit assembly (600) includes a printed circuit board assembly (100). The printed circuit board assembly includes a first circuit board (101), a second circuit board (102), and a first flexible substrate (103) interposed between, and continuous with, the first circuit board and the second circuit board. A second flexible substrate (108) extends from, and is continuous with, the second circuit board. One or more electronic circuits comprising electronic components (301,302,303,304,305) are disposed along one or more of the first circuit board or the second circuit board. The printed circuit board assembly is folded about a battery (601), with the first circuit board adjacent to the first major face, the second circuit board adjacent to the second major face, and the first flexible substrate spanning the one or more side faces.

Abstract: A circuit assembly (600) includes a printed circuit board assembly (100). The printed circuit board assembly includes a first circuit board (101), a second circuit board (102), and a first flexible substrate (103) interposed between, and continuous with, the first circuit board and the second circuit board. A second flexible substrate (108) extends from, and is continuous with, the second circuit board. One or more electronic circuits comprising electronic components (301,302,303,304,305) are disposed along one or more of the first circuit board or the second circuit board. The printed circuit board assembly is folded about a battery (601), with the first circuit board adjacent to the first major face, the second circuit board adjacent to the second major face, and the first flexible substrate spanning the one or more side faces.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a wireless communication earpiece. The wireless communication earpiece comprises an earbud and an electronics portion. A manual selection of one of a left ear and a right ear position of the earbud is conveyed to the electronics portion by one of an electrical and mechanical means. In some embodiments, a right antenna element is electrically coupled (activated) to a transceiver when the right ear position is selected and a left antenna element is activated when the left ear position is selected. In some embodiments, an antenna element is coupled to the transceiver and the antenna element is rotated to a right side (activated) of the earpiece when the right ear position is selected and the antenna element is rotated to a left side (activated) of the earpiece when the left ear position is selected.

Abstract: A Multiple Protocol Signal Detector, MPSD (320, 500) has a mixer (406) that receives signal energy from a multi-band antenna system (324) via a low noise amplifier (402) and from a variable frequency synthesizer (408) via a first variable band pass filter (410). The output of the mixer (406) passes through a second variable band pass filter (416) to an envelope detector (418) a power detector (419) and a low resolution A/D (420) that inputs digitized samples to a binary modulation detector, BMD (422). A controller (424) configures the aforementioned devices of the MPSD (320) to detect communications using different protocols based on a scan Look Up Table (426).

Abstract: The present invention provides a chassis for a radio frequency communication device. The chassis includes an electrically conductive chassis portion having a length and a width, where the electrically conductive chassis portion has a line of symmetry substantially centered widthwise and running along the length of the electrically conductive chassis portion. The chassis further includes an electrically conductive bridge, which has a first end coupled to the electrically conductive chassis portion for enabling a current to pass therebetween. The chassis still further includes a path conductor having a first end and a second end, and a length therebetween. The first end of the path conductor is coupled to the electrically conductive chassis portion at an asymmetrical location relative to the line of symmetry.