Abstract: Devices to aid in finding items, along with methods of operation of the devices. The resultant movement of an item during use, and lack of movement of an item during non-use, are exploited to alert a user to the whereabouts of the item through adaptive techniques. A device is associated with an item (e.g., attached to an item) and is configured to sense motion events corresponding to movement of the device and to track corresponding times of occurrence of the motion events. The device may adaptively determine a time interval of motion inactivity or an alert time at which to provide an indication of a current location of the device based on one or more of the motion events and the times of occurrence.

Abstract: A system for controlling movement of a motor vehicle door includes at least one sensor that detects a distance from the vehicle to an object near the vehicle. The sensor is also configured to provide input to an automatic parallel parking system of the vehicle. The system may include at least one ultrasonic sensor on each side of the vehicle to detect the distances to objects on opposite sides of a vehicle. The system utilizes a plurality of detected distances and vehicle positions or velocities to determine a location of the detected object relative to the vehicle. The system selectively actuates the door brake to prevent the vehicle door from contacting the detected object as the door is opened.

Abstract: A device to be worn on the human or animal body for detecting body-related data using a detection element for detecting a temperature in or on the device and an element for activating and deactivating the device by taking the detected temperature into account.

Abstract: A method of automatically requesting assistance for a patient includes wearing a wireless device with one or more accelerometers on the patient to detect patient motion; determining a fall based on detected motions; and automatically requesting assistance for the patient if needed.

Abstract: The invention comprises a unit and system for remote monitoring and controlling of various conditions in a container during cargo. The system includes a local wireless or cable (wired) network with a local station and access points positioned in the vicinity of location of containers, a remote central station connected with the Internet and a container-mounted means for monitoring and control of reefer equipment, each of which includes a processor (CPU) and a transceiver of wireless local communication, a GPS-receiver and a transceiver of cellular communication (with all of them being connected to the said processor). In addition the processor (CPU) of the device is connected to the controller of reefer equipment, while the transceiver of wireless local communication is made so that the creation of Personal Area Network (PAN) with mobile electronic devices (e.g.

Abstract: A consumable holder has a source of a consumable, a first appliance coupling point configured to receive a resource from and convey the resource or consumable to an appliance configured to use the consumable and the resource in a physical operation on an article, a process control apparatus to control conveyance of the resource or consumable to and from the consumable holder, and a second appliance coupling point in communication with the process control apparatus and configured to connect to an appliance. Thus, an appliance coupled to the consumable holder can communicate with the process control apparatus via the second coupling point.

Abstract: A medical system includes: a first operation apparatus used when a first doctor operates a medical instrument; a second operation apparatus that outputs a control instruction signal for controlling a motion of the medical instrument, and is operated by a second doctor; at least one medical action information detection section that detects medical action information based on the motion of the medical instrument when the first doctor operates the medical instrument using the first operation apparatus; a storage apparatus that stores reference information set by the second doctor according to the first doctor for comparing with the medical action information detected by the medical action information detection section; a switching signal generation apparatus that is connected to the second operation apparatus, and switches an output destination of the control instruction signal based on the medical action information detected by the medical action information detection section and the reference information store

Abstract: A telecommunication central office site monitor system comprising a central monitoring board configured to receive and send reported current values. The reported current values may be provided by current monitors, with each current monitor being arranged in-line with a power protection device and identified with a particular piece of telecommunication equipment.

Abstract: A three-layer model of an engineering system is proposed for developing and evaluating a resilient industrial control system incorporated within the engineering system, the model based upon a group of metrics that are cyclically estimated, operated and evaluated to create a valid resilient arrangement. The layers in the model include a human/operator layer, an automation layer and a process layer, where the industrial control system resides in the automation layer. The metrics are based upon the identification of a number of undesirable incidents, as well a determination of the frequency of occurrence of these incidents, their impact on the performance of the engineering system and the financial loss of the engineering system based upon these undesirable incidents.

Abstract: A safety system for detecting the presence of an undesired object in a safety area may include a first pair of distance measuring sensors disposed on opposed sides of the conveying path, the pair of distance measuring sensors defining a sensor field between said pair of distance measuring sensors, and an electronic control device operatively coupled to the sensors. The electronic control device may be configured to initiate a machine-stopping sequence based at least in part on signals received from the distance measuring sensors.

Abstract: A display system includes a display and a control circuit operable with the display. The display is configured to provide visual output having a presentation orientation. When user input is received, the control circuit can alter the presentation orientation from an initial orientation in response to user input. When non-user events or device events are detected, the control circuit can revert the presentation orientation to the initial orientation in response to the non-user event or device event. Where the presentation orientation has a user input configuration associated therewith, the user input configuration can either be altered with the presentation orientation or retained in an initial disposition.

Abstract: A temperature control system of a mobile device is provided. The system includes a memory for storing a set temperature value and a release temperature value, a temperature sensor for sensing an internal temperature of the mobile device; at least one module that emits heat, and a controller. The controller compares the output of the temperature sensor with the set temperature value in a normal mode in order to determine whether the mobile device is overheated, and controls, if the mobile device is overheated, the at least one module to operate in a heat generation suppressing mode, compares the output of the temperature sensor with the release temperature value in the heat generation suppressing mode in order to determine whether to release the heat generation suppressing mode, and executes the normal mode if the heat generation suppressing mode is released according to the comparison result.

Abstract: Monitoring and optimizing a state of an electrical grid are provided. An approach for synchronizing state information associated with one or more electrical devices on an electrical grid, with time information is described. The approach further includes notifying one or more subscribing devices of the synchronized state information such that the one or more subscribing devices monitors and controls the one or more electrical devices based on the synchronized state information.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for stage evaluation of a state machine model. Two types of transitions are used: first-stage transitions and second-stage transitions for a two-stage evaluation. In one embodiment, top-down processing and bottom-up processing may be combined using a two-stage evaluation. First-stage transitions are used with top-down processing while second-stage transitions are used with bottom-up processing. Certain conditions are used to determine if a switch from one type of stage processing to another type of stage processing is needed.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods for collection and analyzing biological samples containing nucleic acid in conjunction with collecting at least one ridge and valley signature of a test subject, while keeping the sample and signature associated with each other. Such devices and methods are used in forensic, human identification, screening, and access control technologies to rapidly process an individual's identity or determine the identity of an individual.

Abstract: A programmable device adaptable for wearing on an affected limb of a subject afflicted with hemiplegia and/or hemispatial neglect includes a sensor for measuring movement values of the affected limb, a sensory stimulator for providing sensory stimulation at a particular interval, duration, frequency, intensity and/or pattern, a microprocessor for storing and administering the one or more interval values and the one or more duration values of the sensory stimulation, and a computer interface for transferring and receiving data between the microprocessor and a separate data processor. The programmable device provides cues to a subject according to preset parameters or when it has been determined that the affected limb is not being used. A method for monitoring and treating a subject afflicted with hemiplegia and/or hemispatial neglect is also disclosed.

Abstract: A picking system comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, a case, a two-wire conductive strip, at least one identifying unit and a processing unit. The two-wire conductive strip is electrically connected between the identifying unit and the processing unit. The identifying unit reads tag information within the RFID tag for actively and instantly controlling the authorization of an operating staff assigned for particular items thereby improving the accuracy of picking items.

Abstract: A module for controlling integrity properties of a data stream input into a device, such as a machine for manufacturing or a management system related to such machines. A plurality of control items are registered in a database. At least one activable control means executes a control of one integrity property according to one of several registered control items. A list is attached to the database with selectable links for activating at least one of the control means. Configuration means perform on at least one of the links a chronological selection according to a predefined management profile on integrity properties of the data stream in order to introduce a selectable relative time delay between activations of control items. Due to that configuration, the integrity control thus obtained is provided with high reliability as well as in a very flexible manner.

Abstract: A facility emergency system. The system includes a control unit and a manual activation station in communication with the control unit, wherein the manual activation station comprises a switch. The system also includes a plurality of lights in communication with the control unit and a plurality of automatic locks in communication with the control unit, wherein the control unit includes instructions which, when executed by the control unit, cause the control unit to receive an activation signal from the manual activation station, activate the plurality of automatic locks, and activate the plurality of lights.

Abstract: A group monitoring system for dispenser usage compliance is provided. The system is for a predetermined group of interest in a predetermined facility type. A dispenser data collection system is operably connected to a plurality of dispensers and is capable of providing information. The information includes a unique dispenser identifier and a number of dispenser usage events. The information from the data collection system is received and the predetermined group within which each dispenser is associated is determined. The number of dispenser usage events is determined. A benchmark which corresponds to dispenser usage opportunities particular to the predetermined group and particular to the predetermined time period is determined. The dispenser usage compliance index particular to the predetermined group and particular to the predetermined time period is determined by dividing the dispenser usage events for the predetermined group and the predetermined time period by a denominator which equals the benchmark.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method, system and apparatus, in particular, a lighting system and method of controlling the lighting system, comprising a computer readable medium and a programmable device capable of controlling and manipulating individually addressable lights to realize a visual display at a pixel level.

Abstract: A portable communication terminal having a remote control apparatus includes a CPU. The CPU detects electronic appliances around there by a wireless tag reader, displays characters respectively corresponding to the detected appliances on a monitor, transmits test signals to these appliances, and changes a manner of the character of the appliance except for the appliance which responds, that is, in an off-state. Furthermore, the CPU detects identification information of a base station which is able to communicate with the terminal, registers the identification information detected under a desired location condition in the register, and determines whether or not a match condition is satisfied between detected identification information and the identification information which has been registered.

Abstract: Remote monitoring and inspection of measurement devices, emergency equipment, parking spaces, and other items is accomplished by using an image sensor (e.g., a CMOS sensor) to capture an image containing information about the monitored item. A signal containing information about the image (e.g., data representing the captured image or data indicating the state of the captured image) is transmitted to a remote central station.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an entrance barrier comprising a barrier element movable between an open and a closed position, driving means, by which the barrier element can driven from one position to the other position respectively, a control unit, by which the driving means are controllable, and a sensor unit connected to the control unit. The invention also relates to a barrier element for the entrance barrier and to method for operating the entrance barrier. To provide a possibility of further improving the safety of persons in the area of entrance barriers beyond the mere passive safety of the entrance barrier, the invention proposes for the sensor unit to include a capacitive sensor.

Abstract: An engine control system comprises a signal deviation module, a variation determination module, and a sensor diagnostic module. The signal deviation module receives a signal from a sensor monitoring an operating condition of an engine and determines a plurality of signal deviations. Each of the plurality of signal deviations is based on a magnitude of a difference between the signal at a first time and the signal at a second time. The second time is different than the first time. The variation determination module generates a variation value based on the plurality of signal deviations during a period. The sensor diagnostic module determines a state of the sensor based on the variation value.

Abstract: The different advantageous embodiments provide a system comprising a dynamic transmission process and a processor unit. The processor unit is configured to run the dynamic transmission process. The dynamic transmission process is configured to receive environmental information. The dynamic transmission process determines whether to send the environmental information to a subscriber.

Abstract: Described herein are several embodiments relating to modular irrigation controllers. In many implementations, methods of implementing irrigation control are provided that detect a presence of a first module coupled with a control unit of an irrigation controller, the control unit operating in accordance with a bootloader set of code and a first set of code to implement irrigation control, identify that the first module stores a second set of code, and activate the bootloader set of code to replace the first set of code with the second set of code. Also described are various different types of modular controllers, expansion modules that may be coupled to the modular controller, having as variety of functions and features, as well as related methods of use and configuration of the controller and these modules in the controller.

Abstract: Low cost, low power consumption radio frequency transceivers are incorporated in barrier operator control systems for transmitting signals between an operator control unit, one or more remote control units, a diagnostic or calibration device and an obstruction detector. Similar detector devices, including such transceivers, may be employed in loading docks for detecting the status of dock levelers and vehicle restraint devices. Radio frequency communication eliminates the need for hard wiring and also provides for transmission of commands and status information between various control units.

Abstract: The wireless power transmission is a system for providing wireless charging and/or primary power to electronic/electrical devices via microwave energy. The microwave energy is focused to a location in response to receiving a beacon signal from a beacon device by a power transmitter having one or more adaptively-phased microwave array emitters. Rectennas within the device to be charged receive and rectify the microwave energy and use it for battery charging and/or for primary power.

Abstract: Programmable occupancy sensors that control the on/off operation of a fluorescent lamp automatically determine loss of lamp life as the lamp is used. The programmable occupancy sensors can provide lamp life status and can automatically alert a user when a lamp is nearing its end of life and should be replaced. The occupancy sensors are also programmable to automatically improve lamp life and energy savings by selecting an optimal time delay from among a number of selectable time delays at which to operate the sensor. The selection is based on an occupancy pattern sensed by the sensor over a given period of time. The optimal time delay, which prevents the lamp from turning off immediately after last sensing occupancy, extends lamp life by limiting the number of lamp off/on transitions, which shortens lamp life, in view of overall energy usage and lamp usage.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for controlling a computer-assisted arithmetic process in a technical system, which is designed for interactive network-based use such that data is input by means of an interactive network-based operation. Said data is processed at least in part during the computer-assisted arithmetic process while the interactive operations is prevented from actively influencing the computer-assisted arithmetic process and vice versa by dissociating the interactive network-based operation and the computer-assisted arithmetic process. Also disclosed is a device for controlling a computer-aided arithmetic process in a technical system, which is designed for interactive network-based use. Said device comprises a client, a server, a data memory, as controller, and an application.

Abstract: A synchronized pseudorandom sequence injector is provided for injecting a plurality of pseudorandom signals at selected locations in a power system having a plurality of locations forming a transmission and distribution grid. A synchronization pulse generator generates an accurate reference clocking signal. A pseudorandom clocking and sequence generator receives the clocking signal and generates a string of pseudorandom sequences. A binary drive control creates a tri-state voltage output from a logic level output of the pseudorandom clocking and sequence generator. A signal conditioning interface processes the voltage output to attenuate any protection related carrier signals from a pseudorandom signal injection point at a selected location.

Abstract: A communication device that can simplify various settings of a display device, such as a TV, that provides information regarding an object (communication device) is provided. An image capturing device (1) has a RF-ID unit (47) for performing proximity wireless communication with a RF-ID reader/writer (46) connected via an infrared communication path to a TV (45). The image capturing device (1) includes: an antenna (21) for the proximity wireless communication; a data receiving unit (105) receiving an input signal from the RF-ID reader/writer (46); a nonvolatile second memory (52) storing at least UID (75) and an execution program (116); and a data transmission unit (108) transmitting the UID (75) and the execution program (116) to the RF-ID reader/writer (46) via the antenna (21) according to the input signal. The UID (75) is used to identify the communication device, and the execution program (116) is executed by the TV (45) with reference to the UID (75).

Abstract: A hazardous condition alerting system is described that provides a method for alerting on a hazardous condition. The method may include transmitting a location data item identifying a location of an alerting apparatus to a remote server. The method may further include receiving alert information from the remote server when the remote server makes the determination that the location of the alerting apparatus corresponds to a hazardous location. And the method may further include providing a local alert on the alerting apparatus when the alert information from the remote server is received by the alerting apparatus.

Abstract: A secure monitoring device, system, and method to aid response and investigation of events. An example secure monitoring device includes a fire and tamper resistant enclosure. A processing device is provided in the fire and tamper resistant enclosure to analyze an event for an anomaly and a black-box mode to secure all system events for the secure monitoring device when the anomaly is a threat to the secure monitoring device. The secure monitoring device, system, and method may include preprogramming and packaging as an integrated building security and building automation device.

Abstract: A configuration unit (1) and a method for configuring a sensor (2) comprising a transmitter (4) and a plurality of receivers (6) are provided. The configuration unit is operatively connected to the transmitter and the plurality of receivers, and is adapted to estimate the location of a static element (8) based on a probing signal (5) transmitted by the transmitter and based on a return signal (7) received by the plurality of receivers. The return signal is generated by reflection of the probing signal against the static element. Moreover, the configuration unit is adapted to configure the sensor, for presence detection of a target (9), based on the estimated location of the static element.

Abstract: An alarm system senses alarm conditions on a premises, reports the occurrence of an alarm condition to a remote monitoring facility and for selected alarm conditions establishes two way voice communications with a person at the monitored premises or elsewhere. Multiple modes of communication are available such as public switched telephone (audio or audio modulated data), GSM (cellular audio), GPRS (cellular packet data), GSM/SMS (cellular text), etc. The programmed processor selects the network and communication protocol to rely on data communications if only data reporting is required. When two way voice communications will be required, the processor can select a network (e.g., GSM) that can be used for both data and audio communications.

Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for providing state information of a digital device in a home network. The apparatus includes a first network interface module receiving changed state information data from the digital device in the home network, and a control module updating state information of the digital device on the basis of the received state information data.

Abstract: A power device may include channels coupled to conductors in lines, where each one of the channels is coupled to a different one of the lines than the other channels and where the channels deliver direct current power signals over the conductors to the load devices. Each one of the load devices may be powered by a different one of the direct current power signals. The power device may include a power communicator that communicates with the load devices over the conductors that propagate the direct current power signals. The power communicator may determine a target power level for the load devices based on the communication over the conductors. The load device may adjust an amount of power in the direct current power signals in order to match the target power level.

Abstract: This method for determining a person's activity in surroundings equipped with electrical appliances that are switchable, in response to a command from the person, between an ‘on’ mode and an ‘off’ mode, wherein the method comprises: the measuring of the magnetic field produced by one of the electrical appliances by means of a magnetometer carried by the person, the identifying of the electrical appliance in ‘on’ mode in proximity to the magnetometer by comparing the measured magnetic field with the pre-recorded magnetic signatures of these electrical appliances in ‘on’ mode, and the determining of the activity of the person on the basis of a pre-recorded activity identifier associated with the electrical appliance identified as being in ‘on’ mode on the basis of its magnetic signature.

Abstract: Passive RFID devices are disclosed that perform image recognition. The device includes an antenna, circuitry, and a camera. The antenna receives a radio frequency (RF) signal from a RFID reader. The circuitry stores image data for objects that is used for image recognition. To operate, the circuitry derives power from the RF signal. With the power derived from the RF signal, the camera captures an image. The circuitry then identifies an object in the captured image based on the image data for the objects, and outputs information for the identified object, such as to the RFID reader.

Abstract: Embodiments include a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag reader system and methods of its operation. The system includes a drive system and an RFID tag reader. The RFID tag reader includes a directional antenna configured to receive RF signals within a radiowave beam (e.g. RFID tag response signals from RFID tags when the RFID tags are within an area encompassed by the radiowave beam). An embodiment of the system also includes a camera configured to capture images within a field of view. The drive system is coupled to the directional antenna and the camera, and is configured to change physical orientations of the directional antenna and the camera with respect to a fixed coordinate system, resulting in adjustments to angular orientations of the radiowave beam and the field of view with respect to the fixed coordinate system.

Abstract: This invention comprises a method and system for estimating unique visitors for Internet sites that is more accurate than the existing unique cookie/unique address counting methods. The invented method relies on the count of unique user identifiers (such as network addresses or preferably cookies)—I—that can be obtained from an existing cookie tracking/user access logging system. The number of unique visitors U is calculated substantially as a ratio of the count of unique cookies (or unique network addresses) to the number of visits N times the inflation factor X plus constant on that is approximately one (exactly one in the case of cookies). The number of visits is calculated by multiplying the sampling period t to the visitation frequency T1 minus one. The resulting estimate of the unique visitors is stable and does not diverge with sampling time unlike estimates directly obtained from the unique network address or unique cookie counts.

Abstract: A photoreceptor device includes a photoreceptor unit, a detector, an amount-of-light controller, and a correcting unit. The photoreceptor unit includes one or more photoelectric converter elements, and converts received light into an electric signal and outputs the electric signal. The detector detects an illuminance of ambient light received by the photoreceptor unit, on the basis of the electric signal. The amount-of-light controller controls an amount of light incident on the photoreceptor unit. The correcting unit corrects the illuminance of ambient light detected by the detector, on the basis of the electric signal output from the photoreceptor unit when the photoreceptor unit is shielded from light.

Abstract: An event communication system involves facilitating entry by a user of one or more device addresses via a network accessible user interface of the event communication system. The device addresses are associated with alerts provided by the event communication system. Test alert messages targeted for the device addresses are sent via the user interface. The system sends alerts user devices corresponding to the one or more tested device addresses in response to predetermined events. The system may provide user access to historical copies of data relating to the alerts. Registration on the system involves storing a personal identity data of a student on a database and comparing the personal identity data to registration data entered via the user interface. Authentication is automatically provided based on the comparison.

Abstract: A detection sensor and method enable a communication of setting information without a dedicated communication device. In particular, the output of an output signal as well as the reception of the setting information data are conducted using a common external connecting terminal, by selectively enabling a second output circuit, which a pressure sensor essentially includes, and an input circuit commonly connected to the external connecting terminal that is connected to the second output circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus communicating with a gateway apparatus on a control system network for facility equipment, via an information system network, includes a unit which stores not less than one piece of virtual point information defining a virtual point combined with not less than one piece of facility equipment, a user authentication unit which performs user authentication for a user associated with a client, a unit which receives a request for control on one virtual point from the client, a unit which creates a remote control command for the facility equipment associated with the request based on the virtual point information when the request has been received and the user authentication has succeeded, and a unit which transmit the remote control command to the gateway via the information system network when tenant authentication for a tenant associated with the agent apparatus which is performed by the gateway has succeeded.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to computer systems, and more specifically, to a premise monitoring system. In one embodiment, the invention includes operations of receiving one or more signals containing a device identifier and a device condition from one or more remote alarm monitoring systems; retrieving enhanced information based on the device identifier and/or the device condition; determining one or more communication methods and/or communication destinations based on the device identifier and/or the device condition; and dispatching the enhanced information to the one or more communication destinations using the one or more communication methods.

Abstract: A method and system for reducing the temperature of a communication system are disclosed. The method and system comprise detecting a temperature of the communication system. The method and system further includes providing a signal based upon the detected temperature, and determining a desired idle time between transmit packets based upon the signal. Finally, the method and system includes sending the desired idle time between transmit packets to the communication system.

Abstract: An apparatus for taking an electronic message from a user and actively notifying a receiver is disclosed. The apparatus includes a message input device for receiving the electronic message from the user, a message storing device for storing the electronic message therein, a message playing device for playing the electronic message, a vibration detector for detecting a certain level of vibration, a controller electrically connected to the message input device, the message storing device, the message playing device and the vibration detector, and a case accommodating the message input device, the message storing device, the message playing device, the vibration detector and the controller therein. The vibration detector sends out a trigger signal in response to the vibration, and the controller allows the electronic message to be read out from the message storing device and played by the message playing device in response to the trigger signal.