Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to an automatic ordering method including a network-connected machine-readable code scanner identifying a product, and a network-connected weigh scale identifying a current weight of the product, the method further triggering an automatic order process when the current weight crosses a predetermined threshold. In an illustrative example, the automatic order process may send a signal to a user's network-connected personal device containing a notification that the product's current weight has crossed the predetermined threshold. The user may be presented one or more options, for example, regarding product purchase. In some examples, user setup selections may provide input to a function that determines the predetermined weight threshold. Various examples may include a network server. Online merchants providing online ordering of the product may also connect to the network server, for example.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to the determination of local environmental air quality by processing data from a local device sensing a user's respiration-vocalization. In an illustrative example, respiration-vocalization for a CPAP user may be sensed by an airflow and/or air pressure sensor. Respiratory disturbance events, such as coughing, for example, may be detected. The sensed events, converted to respiration-vocalization data, may be collected to estimate the environmental air quality and/or particle density around the user. Some examples may estimate specific allergen concentrations by correlating user respiration-vocalization data with the respiration-vocalization data from users/patients with known airborne particle sensitivities. In some embodiments, regional environmental air quality data may be compared with respiration-vocalization data to produce local environmental air quality results.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, devices, and computer program products are disclosed for improved sanitization. An example device includes a sanitizing element that outputs a sanitizing agent. The device also includes a scanning device that generates scanning data of the physical form of the object. The device further includes a controller operatively coupled to the sanitizing element and the scanning device. The controller determines the output of the sanitizing agent during operation of the scanning device, receives the scanning data generated by the scanning device, and determines one or more areas of the object failing to receive sufficient contact with the sanitizing agent based upon the scanning data and sanitizing agent output.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to an automatic ordering method including a network-connected machine-readable code scanner identifying a product, and a network-connected weigh scale identifying a current weight of the product, the method further triggering an automatic order process when the current weight crosses a predetermined threshold. In an illustrative example, the automatic order process may send a signal to a user's network-connected personal device containing a notification that the products current weight has crossed the predetermined threshold. The user may be presented one or more options, for example, regarding product purchase. In some examples, user setup selections may provide input to a function that determines the predetermined weight threshold. Various examples may include a network server. Online merchants providing online ordering of the product may also connect to the network server, for example.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to the determination of local environmental air quality by processing data from a local device sensing a user's respiration-vocalization. In an illustrative example, respiration-vocalization for a CPAP user may be sensed by an airflow and/or air pressure sensor. Respiratory disturbance events, such as coughing, for example, may be detected. The sensed events, converted to respiration-vocalization data, may be collected to estimate the environmental air quality and/or particle density around the user. Some examples may estimate specific allergen concentrations by correlating user respiration-vocalization data with the respiration-vocalization data from users/patients with known airborne particle sensitivities. In some embodiments, regional environmental air quality data may be compared with respiration-vocalization data to produce local environmental air quality results.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to the determination of local environmental air quality by processing data from a local device sensing a user's respiration-vocalization. In an illustrative example, respiration-vocalization for a CPAP user may be sensed by an airflow and/or air pressure sensor. Respiratory disturbance events, such as coughing, for example, may be detected. The sensed events, converted to respiration-vocalization data, may be collected to estimate the environmental air quality and/or particle density around the user. Some examples may estimate specific allergen concentrations by correlating user respiration-vocalization data with the respiration-vocalization data from users/patients with known airborne particle sensitivities. In some embodiments, regional environmental air quality data may be compared with respiration-vocalization data to produce local environmental air quality results.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, devices, and computer program products are disclosed for improved sanitization. An example device includes a sanitizing element that outputs a sanitizing agent. The device also includes a scanning device that generates scanning data of the physical form of the object. The device further includes a controller operatively coupled to the sanitizing element and the scanning device. The controller determines the output of the sanitizing agent during operation of the scanning device, receives the scanning data generated by the scanning device, and determines one or more areas of the object failing to receive sufficient contact with the sanitizing agent based upon the scanning data and sanitizing agent output.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a particulate matter (PM) sensor assembly receiving a PM count value from an optical pulse counting sensor and selectively calibrating the sensor characteristics in response to recent published high-accuracy air-quality information within a local region that contains the sensor assembly. In an illustrative example, the air-quality information may be generated by various PM monitoring stations and published in data streams or collections, for example. The sensor assembly may select, for example, a specific regional PM mass density reference value from the received air-quality information associated with location information of the sensor assembly. Based on the published air-quality information, the sensor assembly may select a calibration curve from, for example, a set of predetermined calibration curves.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a particulate matter (PM) sensor assembly receiving a PM count value from an optical pulse counting sensor and selectively calibrating the sensor characteristics in response to recent published high-accuracy air-quality information within a local region that contains the sensor assembly. In an illustrative example, the air-quality information may be generated by various PM monitoring stations and published in data streams or collections, for example. The sensor assembly may select, for example, a specific regional PM mass density reference value from the received air-quality information associated with location information of the sensor assembly. Based on the published air-quality information, the sensor assembly may select a calibration curve from, for example, a set of predetermined calibration curves.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to an automatic ordering method including a network-connected machine-readable code scanner identifying a product, and a network-connected weigh scale identifying a current weight of the product, the method further triggering an automatic order process when the current weight crosses a predetermined threshold. In an illustrative example, the automatic order process may send a signal to a user's network-connected personal device containing a notification that the products current weight has crossed the predetermined threshold. The user may be presented one or more options, for example, regarding product purchase. In some examples, user setup selections may provide input to a function that determines the predetermined weight threshold. Various examples may include a network server. Online merchants providing online ordering of the product may also connect to the network server, for example.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a particulate matter (PM) sensor assembly receiving a PM count value from an optical pulse counting sensor and selectively calibrating the sensor characteristics in response to recent published high-accuracy air-quality information within a local region that contains the sensor assembly. In an illustrative example, the air-quality information may be generated by various PM monitoring stations and published in data streams or collections, for example. The sensor assembly may select, for example, a specific regional PM mass density reference value from the received air-quality information associated with location information of the sensor assembly. Based on the published air-quality information, the sensor assembly may select a calibration curve from, for example, a set of predetermined calibration curves.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to the determination of local environmental air quality by processing data from a local device sensing a user's respiration-vocalization. In an illustrative example, respiration-vocalization for a CPAP user may be sensed by an airflow and/or air pressure sensor. Respiratory disturbance events, such as coughing, for example, may be detected. The sensed events, converted to respiration-vocalization data, may be collected to estimate the environmental air quality and/or particle density around the user. Some examples may estimate specific allergen concentrations by correlating user respiration-vocalization data with the respiration-vocalization data from users/patients with known airborne particle sensitivities. In some embodiments, regional environmental air quality data may be compared with respiration-vocalization data to produce local environmental air quality results.

Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to systems and methods for assessing cognitive function limitations. A system may comprise a sensor module, wherein the sensor module comprises a gas detector; and a device, wherein the device is configured to: obtain data from the sensor module, wherein the data comprises environmental data; calculate a cognitive availability value based on the environmental data; and display the cognitive availability value on a user interface of the device.

Abstract: A display device to measure ambient light brightness may include a camera to provide an image, a controller to detect a face from the image and to measure brightness from a ratio of the iris diameter to the pupil diameter DI/DP, and an actuator to stepwise change the backlighting of the display device based upon the measured brightness.

Abstract: An electronic device (10). The device comprises means (14) for displaying a compass directional bearing. The device also comprises means (18, 26, CAM) for determining the compass directional bearing unresponsive to a local magnetic field in which the electronic device is located, wherein the means for determining comprises image capturing circuitry.

Abstract: A wireless device (100) having an optimum alert sequence definition analyzes its environment, including time and type of incoming call, and selects an appropriate alert signal sequence. A central processing unit (114) included within the device (100) is responsive to a transmitted signal from an external communications device to generate active and passive sonic sensing. The reflected signal received through the microphone (110) and a predetermined set of values or ranges stored in a memory (102) coupled to the central processing unit (114) are used as input for a program of instructions tangibly embodied in a programmable storage device executable by the central processing unit (114). Based upon processing of this reflected signal, the central processing unit (114) determines which alert signal is optimum given the environment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for using a universal serial bus “USB” in a computer as a power source for a portable electronic device. In one embodiment of the invention, a computer (26) having an external USB connector (38) is coupled to the external power input connector on a portable electronic device, such as a cellular telephone (14). The computer (26) is coupled to the cellular telephone (14) via a cable having one end connected to a first connector and another end connected to a second connector, the first connector being connected to the USB connector (38) on said computer (26), and the second connector being connected to external power input connector on the portable electronic device. The cable includes electronic circuitry (42, 62) for converting the voltage level supplied by the USB to a voltage level usable by the portable electronic device.

Abstract: A wireless device (100) having an optimum alert sequence definition analyzes its environment, including time and type of incoming call, and selects an appropriate alert signal sequence. A central processing unit (114) included within the device (100) is responsive to a transmitted signal from an external communications device to generate active and passive sonic sensing. The reflected signal received through the microphone (110) and a predetermined set of values or ranges stored in a memory (102) coupled to the central processing unit (114) are used as input for a program of instructions tangibly embodied in a programmable storage device executable by the central processing unit (114). Based upon processing of this reflected signal, the central processing unit (114) determines which alert signal is optimum given the environment.

Abstract: A mobile device charging cradle (46) to enable short distance wireless communication between a personal computer (10) and at least one other short distance wireless communication enabled electronic device (50). In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a short distance wireless radio (transceiver—Bluetooth enabled) (44) and antenna (42) are added to a charging cradle to produce a combination charging and short distance wireless communication enabled cradle (46) which is coupled via a data cable (12) to a personal computer (10). The short distance wireless (in this case RF) communication enabled cradle enables a system in which a legacy architecture personal computer may communicate with other short distance RF communication enabled electronic devices. Such communication is enabled whether or not another RF communication enabled portable electronic device is coupled to the cradle.

Abstract: A system and method for wireless communication between two devices allows the transfer of location information through a cellular or “BLUETOOTH” link that can be used to provide a continuous indication of estimated distance and direction relative to the two devices in communication with one another.