Abstract: An apparatus may be configured with one or more cables forming loops external to a housing of the apparatus and retained by a one-way locking mechanism disposed within the housing. The one-way locking mechanism may allow movement of the cable(s) in a first linear direction (e.g., to decrease a length of cable forming the loop) while preventing movement of the cable(s) in a second linear direction (e.g., to increase the length of cable forming the loop) unless and until a controller of the apparatus verifies a received electronic signal. Upon verifying the electronic signal, the controller may actuate an electromechanical component to release the cable and allow movement in the first linear direction. The cable loops may wrap around corners, protrusions, etc., of valuables to prevent removal from the apparatus. The apparatus may include an anchor mechanism to prevent removal of the apparatus from an anchor surface.

Abstract: An electronically-releasable suction cup assembly is designed to releasably secure an object to a surface. The suction cup assembly includes a suction cup secured to the object. The suction cup has a cavity and is configured to be releasably secured to the surface. The suction cup assembly further includes a gas generating cell coupled to the suction cup. The gas generating cell is configured to selectively eject fluid into the cavity of the suction cup to release the suction cup from the surface.

Abstract: Vibration tiles, vibration tile systems, and methods of operating the same include vibration sensors that acquire vibration data from a surface coupled to the vibration tile. The tile includes a housing, a power unit supported by the housing, the power unit configured to supply power to the vibration tile device, a vibration sensor supported by the housing, the vibration sensor configured to acquire vibration data from a surface, a wireless communication configured to wirelessly transmit the vibration data to at least one gateway device, and a controller coupled to the power unit, the vibration sensor, and the wireless communication module, the controller configured to operate the vibration sensor to acquire the vibration data from the surface. The vibration tiles may be used to train a profile to define and recognize known events corresponding to the vibration data acquired by one or more of the tiles.

Abstract: Vibration tiles, vibration tile systems, and methods of operating the same include vibration sensors that acquire vibration data from a surface coupled to the vibration tile. The tile includes a housing, a power unit supported by the housing, the power unit configured to supply power to the vibration tile device, a vibration sensor supported by the housing, the vibration sensor configured to acquire vibration data from a surface, a wireless communication configured to wirelessly transmit the vibration data to at least one gateway device, and a controller coupled to the power unit, the vibration sensor, and the wireless communication module, the controller configured to operate the vibration sensor to acquire the vibration data from the surface. The vibration tiles may be used to train a profile to define and recognize known events corresponding to the vibration data acquired by one or more of the tiles.

Abstract: The disclosure herein concerns a method including receiving at a computer at least one target value of a scent parameter for an environment that is remote from the computer, receiving at the computer a sensed parameter of the environment, and controlling, via the computer, diffusion of a liquid from a source of the liquid in fluid communication with at least one scent diffusion device to achieve the target value of the scent parameter, wherein controlling includes setting or adjusting an operation parameter of the at least one scent diffusion device in response to the sensed parameter.

Abstract: The disclosure herein concerns a method including receiving at a computer at least one target value of a scent parameter for an environment that is remote from the computer, receiving at the computer a sensed parameter of the environment, and controlling, via the computer, diffusion of a liquid from a source of the liquid in fluid communication with at least one scent diffusion device to achieve the target value of the scent parameter, wherein controlling includes setting or adjusting an operation parameter of the at least one scent diffusion device in response to the sensed parameter.

Abstract: A modular security apparatus may be configured with a controller module and one or more fastener modules. A first fastener module may secure a portable item with, for example, one or more cables forming loops external to a housing of the module and retained by a one-way locking mechanism disposed within the housing. A second fastener module may anchor the modular security apparatus to an anchor surface or other fixed object. The controller module may be releasably attached to the first and second module. The controller module may include a controller configured to receive and verify an electronic signal. Upon verifying the electronic signal, the controller may actuate one or more mechanisms to release the portable item, release the modular security apparatus from the anchor surface, and/or to allow disassembly of the modules. In some implementations, the controller module may be integrated with the first and/or second module.

Abstract: An apparatus may be configured with one or more cables forming loops external to a housing of the apparatus and retained by a one-way locking mechanism disposed within the housing. The one-way locking mechanism may allow movement of the cable(s) in a first linear direction (e.g., to decrease a length of cable forming the loop) while preventing movement of the cable(s) in a second linear direction (e.g., to increase the length of cable forming the loop) unless and until a controller of the apparatus verifies a received electronic signal. Upon verifying the electronic signal, the controller may actuate an electromechanical component to release the cable and allow movement in the first linear direction. The cable loops may wrap around corners, protrusions, etc., of valuables to prevent removal from the apparatus. The apparatus may include an anchor mechanism to prevent removal of the apparatus from an anchor surface.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include a method of managing scent in an environment, which includes disposing at least one scent diffusion device within an environment, wherein the at least one scent diffusion device comprises a communications facility that enables transmitting signals to and receiving signals from a remote computer, receiving at least one target value of a scent parameter for the environment at the remote computer, and controlling, via the remote computer, diffusion of a liquid from a source of the liquid in fluid communication with the at least one scent diffusion device to achieve the target value of the scent parameter. Controlling a diffusion rate of the liquid includes altering at least one of a voltage and a duty cycle applied to at least one component of the diffusion device.

Abstract: An electronically-releasable suction cup assembly is designed to releasably secure an object to a surface. The suction cup assembly includes a suction cup secured to the object. The suction cup has a cavity and is configured to be releasably secured to the surface. The suction cup assembly further includes a gas generating cell coupled to the suction cup. The gas generating cell is configured to selectively eject fluid into the cavity of the suction cup to release the suction cup from the surface.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include a method of managing scent in an environment, which includes disposing at least one scent diffusion device within an environment, wherein the at least one scent diffusion device comprises a communications facility that enables transmitting signals to and receiving signals from a remote computer, receiving at least one target value of a scent parameter for the environment at the remote computer, and controlling, via the remote computer, diffusion of a liquid from a source of the liquid in fluid communication with the at least one scent diffusion device to achieve the target value of the scent parameter. Controlling a diffusion rate of the liquid includes altering at least one of a voltage and a duty cycle applied to at least one component of the diffusion device.

Abstract: An electronically-releasable suction cup assembly is designed to releasably secure an object to a surface. The suction cup assembly includes a suction cup secured to the object. The suction cup has a cavity and is configured to be releasably secured to the surface. The suction cup assembly further includes a gas generating cell coupled to the suction cup. The gas generating cell is configured to selectively eject fluid into the cavity of the suction cup to release the suction cup from the surface.

Abstract: The disclosure herein concerns a method including receiving at a computer at least one target value of a scent parameter for an environment that is remote from the computer, receiving at the computer a sensed parameter of the environment, and controlling, via the computer, diffusion of a liquid from a source of the liquid in fluid communication with at least one scent diffusion device to achieve the target value of the scent parameter, wherein controlling includes setting or adjusting an operation parameter of the at least one scent diffusion device in response to the sensed parameter.

Abstract: An electronically-releasable suction cup assembly is designed to releasably secure an object to a surface. The suction cup assembly includes a suction cup secured to the object. The suction cup has a cavity and is configured to be releasably secured to the surface. The suction cup assembly further includes a gas generating cell coupled to the suction cup. The gas generating cell is configured to selectively eject fluid into the cavity of the suction cup to release the suction cup from the surface.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and systems for a networked soda reconstruction appliance, adapted for home or office use, that includes intelligent sub-systems for handling various beverage components, which can be mixed under intelligent control, including local control and control by a remote host system, winch may help manage the appliance itself as well as the replenishment supply chains involved in delivering appropriate beverage components to the appliance.

Abstract: The disclosure herein concerns a method including receiving at a computer at least one target value of a scent parameter for an environment that is remote from the computer, receiving at the computer a sensed parameter of the environment, and controlling, via the computer, diffusion of a liquid from a source of the liquid in fluid communication with at least one scent diffusion device to achieve the target value of the scent parameter, wherein controlling includes setting or adjusting an operation parameter of the at least one scent diffusion device in response to the sensed parameter.

Abstract: An electronically-releasable suction cup assembly is designed to releasably secure an object to a surface. The suction cup assembly includes a suction cup secured to the object. The suction cup has a cavity and is configured to be releasably secured to the surface. The suction cup assembly further includes a gas generating cell coupled to the suction cup. The gas generating cell is configured to selectively eject fluid into the cavity of the suction cup to release the suction cup from the surface.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include a method of managing scent in an environment, which includes disposing at least one scent diffusion device within an environment, wherein the at least one scent diffusion device comprises a communications facility that enables transmitting signals to and receiving signals from a remote computer, receiving at least one target value of a scent parameter for the environment at the remote computer, and controlling, via the remote computer, diffusion of a liquid from a source of the liquid in fluid communication with the at least one scent diffusion device to achieve the target value of the scent parameter. Controlling a diffusion rate of the liquid includes altering at least one of a voltage and a duty cycle applied to at least one component of the diffusion device.

Abstract: The disclosure herein concerns a method including receiving at a computer at least one target value of a scent parameter for an environment that is remote from the computer, receiving at the computer a sensed parameter of the environment, and controlling, via the computer, diffusion of a liquid from a source of the liquid in fluid communication with at least one scent diffusion device to achieve the target value of the scent parameter, wherein controlling includes setting or adjusting an operation parameter of the at least one scent diffusion device in response to the sensed parameter.

Abstract: Vibration tiles, vibration tile systems, and methods of operating the same include vibration sensors that acquire vibration data from a surface coupled to the vibration tile. The tile includes a housing, a power unit supported by the housing, the power unit configured to supply power to the vibration tile device, a vibration sensor supported by the housing, the vibration sensor configured to acquire vibration data from a surface, a wireless communication configured to wirelessly transmit the vibration data to at least one gateway device, and a controller coupled to the power unit, the vibration sensor, and the wireless communication module, the controller configured to operate the vibration sensor to acquire the vibration data from the surface. The vibration tiles may be used to train a profile to define and recognize known events corresponding to the vibration data acquired by one or more of the tiles.