Abstract: A monitor, which may be closely associated with a handrail, may determine the amount of force applied to the handrail. The monitor may also determine the pattern in which force is applied to the handrail in order to assess how the user is contacting the handrail. The user's application of force to the handrail can be monitored along the course of movement along the handrail and may be compared to historical usage patterns.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for automated emergency assistance with manual cancellation that is responsive to physiological, environmental and/or input sensors associated with an individual. In embodiments, the invention enables a sensor system or device to be biased toward what would be false alarms, which may be avoided by the individual informing the device that he or she does not need assistance. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for automated emergency assistance with manual cancellation that is responsive to physiological, environmental and/or input sensors associated with an individual. In embodiments, the invention enables a sensor system or device to be biased toward what would be false alarms, which may be avoided by the individual informing the device that he or she does not need assistance. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for automated emergency assistance with manual cancellation that is responsive to physiological, environmental and/or input sensors associated with an individual. In embodiments, the invention enables a sensor system or device to be biased toward what would be false alarms, which may be avoided by the individual informing the device that he or she does not need assistance. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A medication box may include a processor, a plurality of compartments configured to store medication and a transceiver capable of communication with a patient via a user or patient device which is within communication range of the medication box. A server which may be configured to communicate information stored by the processor to a third-party device via wired or wireless communication methods. An estimated distance between the medication box and an RF patient device can be determined by a received signal strength indicator measured by the medication box or by the RF patient device.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting furniture cruising frequency to monitor gait decline. Embodiments of the invention monitor the frequency of furniture cruising in one's home in such a way that it does not require daily user intervention to operate. Here, shock sensors are attached or integrated into furniture in the normal walking paths for an individual in his or her home. Through the use of these shock sensors, embodiments of the invention are able to monitor the frequency of furniture cruising for the individual. If the frequency of furniture cruising exceeds a certain threshold, an assistive support device such as a walking stick or a walking frame may be required for the individual. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for automated emergency assistance with manual cancellation that is responsive to physiological, environmental and/or input sensors associated with an individual. In embodiments, the invention enables a sensor system or device to be biased toward what would be false alarms, which may be avoided by the individual informing the device that he or she does not need assistance. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting furniture cruising frequency to monitor gait decline. Embodiments of the invention monitor the frequency of furniture cruising in one's home in such a way that it does not require daily user intervention to operate. Here, shock sensors are attached or integrated into furniture in the normal walking paths for an individual in his or her home. Through the use of these shock sensors, embodiments of the invention are able to monitor the frequency of furniture cruising for the individual. If the frequency of furniture cruising exceeds a certain threshold, an assistive support device such as a walking stick or a walking frame may be required for the individual. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A medication box may include a processor, a plurality of compartments configured to store medication and a transceiver capable of communication with a patient via a user or patient device which is within communication range of the medication box. A server which may be configured to communicate information stored by the processor to a third-party device via wired or wireless communication methods. An estimated distance between the medication box and an RF patient device can be determined by a received signal strength indicator measured by the medication box or by the RF patient device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a phase change material, a plurality of particles intermixed with the phase change material, and a conductive structure encapsulating the phase change material. The conductive structure includes a cavity including a cone shape. In one embodiment, a method includes forming a conductive structure having a cavity, injecting a phase change material into the cavity, injecting a plurality of spheres into the cavity, and sealing the cavity.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a flexible display, the method comprising selecting a first flexible sheet and a second flexible sheet; and forming a number of magnetic display elements having magnetically controllable reflectivity between the first flexible sheet and the second flexible sheet. In some embodiments, a display includes pixels having a magnetically controllable reflectivity. The pixels are formed between a pair of flexible non-conductive sheets. Each of the magnetically controllable pixels includes a flexible ring located between the flexible non-conductive sheets. Each of the magnetically controllable pixels also includes magnetic particles located within the flexible ring. The location of the magnetic particles with respect to the flexible non-conductive sheets determines the reflectivity of the pixel. The display is especially suitable for use in connection with portable electronic devices.

Abstract: A method, device, and system are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises acquiring vehicle fuel consumption information from a plurality of geographic locations, compiling the information to a map, and creating a low fuel consumption path between two locations on the map using the information.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of fabricating antennae embedded within a ceramic material, such as a low temperature co-fired ceramic. Such ceramic material has a low coefficient of thermal expansion which reduces expansion and contraction stresses that can cause the signal transmission frequency to change and thereby affecting proper signal transmission.

Abstract: Solder connections are created between the substrate of an electronic package and a circuit board having lengths that are longer than the width. The solder connections are created by locating solder balls of power or ground connections close enough to one another so that, upon reflow to the circuit board the solder balls combine, creating a larger solder connection. Signal solder balls, however, remain separated. The power or ground solder balls on a particular bond pad are separated from one another by portions of a removable solder mask that keep the solder balls spherical in shape during solder ball attachment to the electronic package. However, it is removed prior to reflow to the circuit board, thus creating a larger, longer solder connection between the electronic package and circuit board.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of fabricating antennae embedded within a ceramic material, such as a low temperature co-fired ceramic. Such ceramic material has a low coefficient of thermal expansion which reduces expansion and contraction stresses that can cause the signal transmission frequency to change and thereby affecting proper signal transmission.

Abstract: An electronic assembly is provided, having a capacitor interconnected between BGA solder balls. The capacitor is placed on a motherboard and soldered to the BGA solder balls when the BGA solder balls are soldered to electric lands on the motherboard.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes forming a conductive structure having a cavity, injecting a phase change material into the cavity, injecting a plurality of spheres into the cavity, and sealing the cavity.

Abstract: A metallurgical process expands the grain structure in a heat sink from a fine grain to a coarse grain to improve the thermal conductivity of the heat sink. The temperature of the heat sink is raised to a level high enough to lead to a secondary re-crystallization grain growth in the metal alloy. The temperature of the heat sink is then gradually lowered to a cryogenic temperature and then immediately brought back up to ambient temperature to strengthen the material.

Abstract: A portable hand-held device having a main display is provided with an auxiliary display that effectively doubles the useful viewing area. An auxiliary display video memory is allocated in memory and managed by a microprocessor within the device. The auxiliary display is either pivotally or slidingly mounted to a body portion of the device, preferably adjacent an outside edge of the main display to provide concurrent dual-display viewing and optional contiguity of displayed subject matter. A video memory management mechanism for managing the dual-display video memory in memory and for enabling pixel data to one or both of the displays may be hardware assisted, as by use of a high-speed video replay and/or rendering hardware mechanism. When not deployed for viewing, the auxiliary display folds or slides within the general confines of the body of the hand-held portable device, which may be a personal digital assistant (PDA), pocket personal computer (PC) or personal digital assistant (PDA).