Abstract: Neighborhood monitoring is performed by configuring a cluster server within a public network to maintain a cluster directory identifying cluster members including a neighborhood of smart listening devices and user vehicles. The neighborhood includes a cluster of dwellings, and the user vehicles includes an autonomous vehicle. The surroundings of the smart listening devices and the user vehicles are monitored using sensors in the smart listening devices and the user vehicles. When an alerting event is detected with one of the sensors, a corresponding one of the smart listening devices and the user vehicles that detected the alerting event initiates a message to another cluster member based on the cluster directory. A responsive action is executed in response to the detected alerting event which includes commanding the at least one autonomous vehicle to autonomously relocate to a designated location.

Abstract: Neighborhood monitoring is performed by configuring a cluster server within a public network to maintain a cluster directory identifying cluster members including a neighborhood of smart listening devices and user vehicles. The neighborhood includes a cluster of dwellings, and the user vehicles includes an autonomous vehicle. The surroundings of the smart listening devices and the user vehicles are monitored using sensors in the smart listening devices and the user vehicles. When an alerting event is detected with one of the sensors, a corresponding one of the smart listening devices and the user vehicles that detected the alerting event initiates a message to another cluster member based on the cluster directory. A responsive action is executed in response to the detected alerting event which includes commanding the at least one autonomous vehicle to autonomously relocate to a designated location.

Abstract: Crowd-sourcing of vehicles and smart listening devices is used for neighborhood monitoring. A cluster server is configured within a public network to maintain a cluster directory identifying cluster members including a neighborhood of smart listening devices and user vehicles, wherein the neighborhood is associated with a cluster of dwellings. The surroundings of the smart listening devices and the user vehicles are monitored using sensors in the smart listening devices and the user vehicles. Upon detecting an alerting event with one of the sensors, a corresponding one of the smart listening devices and the user vehicles that detected the alerting event initiates a message to another cluster member based on the cluster directory. The cluster member receiving the message initiates its own responsive action to the alerting event.

Abstract: Crowd-sourcing of vehicles and smart listening devices is used for neighborhood monitoring. A cluster server is configured within a public network to maintain a cluster directory identifying cluster members including a neighborhood of smart listening devices and user vehicles, wherein the neighborhood is associated with a cluster of dwellings. The surroundings of the smart listening devices and the user vehicles are monitored using sensors in the smart listening devices and the user vehicles. Upon detecting an alerting event with one of the sensors, a corresponding one of the smart listening devices and the user vehicles that detected the alerting event initiates a message to another cluster member based on the cluster directory. The cluster member receiving the message initiates its own responsive action to the alerting event.

Abstract: A smart listening device comprises an audio detector responsive to speech and ambient sounds to provide digital audio signals. A distributed controller is coupled to the audio detector to execute responsive actions in response to the digital audio signals. A communications circuit establishes a first communication link with a backend. A vehicle database identifies at least one user transport vehicle and at least one responsive action corresponding to the user vehicle. The distributed controller has a monitoring mode for detecting preconfigured alerting events and has an alert/response mode for executing responsive actions associated with the detected alerting events. The communications circuit establishes a second communication link with the user vehicle when an executed responsive action is associated with a detected alerting event corresponding to the user vehicle in order to initiate the responsive action.

Abstract: A smart listening device comprises an audio detector responsive to speech and ambient sounds to provide digital audio signals. A distributed controller is coupled to the audio detector to execute responsive actions in response to the digital audio signals. A communications circuit establishes a first communication link with a backend. A vehicle database identifies at least one user transport vehicle and at least one responsive action corresponding to the user vehicle. The distributed controller has a monitoring mode for detecting preconfigured alerting events and has an alert/response mode for executing responsive actions associated with the detected alerting events. The communications circuit establishes a second communication link with the user vehicle when an executed responsive action is associated with a detected alerting event corresponding to the user vehicle in order to initiate the responsive action.

Abstract: A vehicle system for detecting low clearance locations may include a controller configured to access a geographical information database configured to maintain a plurality of predefined points of interest defined by a clearance height. The controller may communicate with a first sensor to detect a low clearance structure and determine, via a second sensor, a location of the low clearance structure. The controller may update the geographical information database with the location of the low clearance structure to generate a point of interest.

Abstract: A vehicle system for detecting low clearance locations may include a controller configured to access a geographical information database configured to maintain a plurality of predefined points of interest defined by a clearance height. The controller may communicate with a first sensor to detect a low clearance structure and determine, via a second sensor, a location of the low clearance structure. The controller may update the geographical information database with the location of the low clearance structure to generate a point of interest.

Abstract: A log supporting and guiding apparatus for improved burning, the apparatus comprising: a base which rests on a fireplace floor or fireplace grate, the base comprising a front bar, back bar, a left connecting bar, a right connecting bar, and a plurality of strength reinforcing bars; a plurality of log retaining bars which are functionally attached to the base and angled off of the fireplace floor or fireplace grate; a left upright bar which is perpendicular, functionally attached to the left connecting bar at the bottom of the left upright bar, and closer to the front bar than the back bar; a right upright bar which is perpendicular, functionally attached to the right connecting bar at the bottom of the right upright bar, and closer to the front bar than the back bar; a cross bar which functionally connects the top of the left upright bar with the top of the right upright bar; a c-section bar for holding a log upright, which is functionally attached to the top of the right upright bar; and an inverted c-sectio