Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for providing automated tracking and re-order functionality for household consumable products, such as sheet product rolls, napkins, plates, and bulk storage product are provided herein. Various devices (e.g., dispensers, spindles, storage devices, consumable product holders, etc.) include one or more sensors configured to determine the presence and/or usage of a consumable product and transmit that information to a remote device. The remote device keeps track of an inventory of the consumable product and, based on user preferences, initiates re-order functionality in response to a determination of a need to re¬order the consumable product. Such re-order functionality may include notifying the user, offering a pre-configured order, and automatically initiating the re-order. Various devices are also provided herein with sensor configurations that are usable with such systems. Corresponding software application configurations are also provided.

Abstract: A mobility aid for use in conjunction with a toilet bowl fixture includes first and second side frames, each side frame having front and rear legs and a rail connecting upper ends of the front and rear legs, and a transverse member having first and second opposite ends. When the lower ends of the legs rest on the floor of the water closet, the transverse member is substantially horizontal and is above the upper surface of the toilet bowl. The transverse member is pivotally attached at its first end to the rear leg of the first side frame and is pivotally attached at its second end to the rear leg of the second side frame, whereby the first and second side frames are pivotable relative to the transverse member between an unfolded disposition, in which the side frames are substantially parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to the transverse member, and a folded disposition, in which the side frames are substantially parallel to each other and to the transverse member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermally insulated optical module. A heat source/sink is thermally coupled with an optical element for sourcing/sinking heat there to/from for temperature regulating the optical element. A thermally insulating packaging forms an enclosure surrounding the optical element. The thermally insulating packaging provides a thermally controlled environment within the enclosure. A thermally conductive structure is disposed within the enclosure and is thermally coupled to the heat source/sink for being temperature regulated thereby. The thermally conductive structure outlines a space surrounding the optical element for providing together with the heat source/sink a second thermally controlled environment therein. The second thermally controlled environment provides a lower temperature gradient across the optical element than absent the thermally conductive structure.

Abstract: Apparatuses are disclosed for separating substantially parallel freespace optical beams whose origins are geometrically close. The freespace optical beams originate from a waveguide substrate. A cube shaped mirror substrate is positioned sufficiently close to the waveguide substrate to prevent the freespace optical beams from overlapping as they diverge and thereby minimizes optical cross talk. This assembly allows different freespace optical to be treated and acted upon independently. Thus, different optical components may be inserted in the separated freespace optical beams.

Abstract: A spectrum, time and protocol optical power monitor is disclosed. This device utilizes a same photodetector to perform spectral optical monitoring of an incoming optical signal, as well as performing timing and protocol monitoring for preselected wavelength channels. Advantageously the device uses a same passband tunable optical filter for both the spectrum and timing/protocol measurements. The spectral response of the filter passband is deconvolved from the spectral scan in order to achieve improved spectral scan resolution, and the timing and protocol measurements are not degraded by the passband of the filter.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to rotational actuators or rotators that rotate an object in a worm-like manner. One rotator includes piezoelectric members that are controlled to expand and contract in a predetermined sequence to rotate a ring. The rotator includes first and second coupling members which are adjustable in length to move between a coupled position being coupled with the ring and a decoupled position being decoupled from the ring. A top advancing member is connected between the top coupling end of the first coupling member and the top coupling end of the second coupling member. A bottom advancing member is connected between the bottom coupling end of the first coupling member and the bottom coupling end of the second coupling member. The top and bottom advancing members are adjustable in length to produce relative movements between the top coupling ends and between the bottom coupling ends, respectively.