Abstract: A system includes a unit having associated therewith first identification (ID) data. The unit is mountable to a room wall and has a first transmitter that transmits the first ID data wirelessly. The system also includes a hospital bed having associated therewith second ID data. The hospital bed is spaced from the unit and has a wireless receiver that receives the first ID data transmitted by the unit. The hospital bed has a second transmitter that transmits the first ID data and the second ID data wirelessly.

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: A method for monitoring health of airfoils is disclosed. The method comprises generating at least one feature alarm for a blade by fusing a plurality of features corresponding to the blade utilizing a fuzzy inference method. The fuzzy inference method comprises generating a plurality of intermediate values by fusing one or more combinations of the plurality of features utilizing a fuzzy logic method, and fusing the plurality of intermediate values utilizing a second level fuzzy logic method, wherein the at least one feature alarm is representative of the health of the blade.

Abstract: A contact or proximity network map defines who and what objects have come in contact of each other including location and time. This map selects the list people who have come in contact with known infected people based on contagious disease epidemiology criteria for the purpose of control its spread, or to prevent radiation poisoning, limit bio-chemicals exposure, etc. This selected list of people then undergoes testing and quarantine procedures. It can monitor hygiene practices and reduce nosocomial infections in hospitals and mitigate the pandemic flu threat by controlling spread and control contamination. It controls people interaction, information flow in a high security environment, control crime or gang activities. Each person or object has a proximity-sensing device with unique ID, which is recorded by the encountered units during contact. This information is stored with time stamp in a relational database.

Abstract: The sensor network may include a location capture processing unit; and a plurality of sensors in communication with the location capture processing unit. Each sensor of the plurality of sensors includes a controller and a RF receiver configured to receive RF signals. The RF receiver is in communication with the controller. A localization engine is configured to receive beacon signals transmitted by other sensors in the sensor network. The localization engine is in communication with the controller. The controller of each of the plurality of sensors is further configured to determine a position of its respective sensor using either RF receiver or localization engine or both. The plurality of sensors communicates their position to the location capture processing unit.

Abstract: A vehicle burglar alarm circuit includes a transformer including an input unit having taps and a center tap, and an output unit magnetically coupled to the input unit; a first and a second power source each having one electrode connected to the center tap to respectively output a higher voltage and a lower voltage; a driving unit including switching elements respectively having one ends connected to the taps and another ends respectively connected to the other electrodes of the power sources; a PWM controller outputting signals by which the switching elements are alternately turned on and off; and a power selecting unit for selecting one of the power sources. The PWM controller generates a first on-duty ratio when the first power source is selected and a second on-duty ratio when the second power source is selected such that the first on-duty ratio is smaller than the second on-duty ratio.

Abstract: A Bluetooth connection establishment method and system is provided for facilitating establishment of a communication channel between a master device and a target slave device. The method has the steps of broadcasting an inquiry signal for discovering a slave device and transmitting an inquiry response signal. The inquiry response signal is communicated from the slave device to a master device and the inquiry response signal indicates that the inquiry signal has been received by the slave device. The method requests at the master device that the at least one slave device transmits identification information. A slave device list is displayed. An alarm is transmitted by the at least one slave device that received the inquiry signal and a second alarm is transmitted by a target slave device selected from the slave device list in response to an alarm trigger signal transmitted by the master device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating haptic feedback over a surface of a haptic textile are disclosed. The flexible haptic structure includes a group of sensing circuits and a haptic textile. The sensing circuits, such as touch sensitive detector or motion detector, provide at least one activating signal in accordance with a sensed event. The haptic textile is structured with interlaced woven threads and/or yarns and capable of generating haptic feedback in response to the activating signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods are discussed for providing sensor enhanced safety, recovery, and activity evaluation systems. Sensors that monitor user activity and behavior are worn by a user and/or placed in the user environment. Data from the sensors are processed to obtain a safety, recovery, and/or activity evaluation. Based on the evaluation, recommendations or adjustments to the terms of an insurance policy covering the user, the user's employer, or a facility providing health care to the user to accurately reflect the risks associated with the user, employer, and/or facility.

Abstract: A system for sorting composite waste is provided. In some embodiments, the composite waste comprises two or more drugs, or two or more components. Composite waste is sorted efficiently and effectively using information regarding the different components in said waste, thus enabling proper disposal.

Abstract: A system includes a fire extinguisher station having a number of sensors to detect various predetermined conditions that can be communicated in alarms to a central station. The central station receives alarms from the fire extinguisher and determines whether to contact emergency personnel and/or building maintenance personnel. Other items of emergency equipment can be included in the system for improved detection and response to emergency conditions.

Abstract: A hygiene compliance monitoring system provides a dispenser that is associated with a data collection unit that collects dispensing events, such as the dispensement of material from the dispenser, which occurs during time segments of a predetermined duration. The hygiene event monitoring system also includes a portable data acquisition unit that is in wireless communication with the data collection unit of the dispenser. As such, when the data acquisition unit is brought within the range of reception of the data collection unit, the hygiene compliance data and time segment information are transmitted to the data acquisition unit and stored at a portable memory unit, which is removable. As such, the hygiene compliance data stored on the portable memory unit can be readily transferred to any desired computing device for analysis and report generation.

Abstract: A system including a patient support apparatus that has an adjustable height, a brake and a siderail. The system also includes a processor receiving at least two of the following signals: a first signal indicating a brake condition of the brake, a second signal indicating a siderail condition of the siderail, and a third signal indicating a height condition of the patient support apparatus. The system has a user input configured to allow a person to make a selection of any one or more of the brake, siderail and height conditions for monitoring. The system includes a light that has a first state when any of the selected brake, siderail and height conditions indicate an alarm condition and that has a second state when all of the selected brake, siderail and height conditions of the selection indicate no alarm condition.

Abstract: A mobile terminal device including a communication processor that conducts wireless communication processing, an operation unit that receives an instruction input from a user for selecting a communication contact, a displacement detector that detects a magnitude of displacement in orientation of the mobile terminal device, and a controller that causes the communication processor to conduct the wireless communication with the selected communication contact according to the detected magnitude of displacement.

Abstract: Before semiconductor units are shipped to customers, each unit is electrically tested for ensuring its functionality. However, when a unit is stuck in a test area of a testing equipment, subsequent units are thereafter not properly tested. A reflective sensor is used to check for a stuck unit within the test area. The reflective sensor includes a transmitter and a receiver. In each test cycle, a signal is transmitted toward the test area. An alert indicating a stuck unit is generated when: (1) the reflectivity and/or color of the transmitted signal is different from a bare test area reflectivity and/or color, (2) a reflected signal is received outside a window of the receiver or is not received by the receiver, or (3) the reflected signal has the same light intensity as the transmitted signal. Embodiments of the present invention protect untested units from being inadvertently shipped to customers.

Abstract: An industrial control system is provided that includes a field device configured to provide an alert having a first parameter and a controller configured to receive the alert and overlay a second plurality of parameters on the alert, wherein the controller is configured to transmit the alert having the first parameter and the second plurality of parameters.

Abstract: A motion detector and a method for detecting a tampering of the motion detector. The tampering can include a spraying or brushing of a lens of the motion detector. The motion detector comprises a lens, a single sensing section for detecting infrared signals within a protected area, and detecting vibrations on the lens in the form of acoustic signals, the vibrations and the infrared signal causing a voltage change in the single sensing section, a first and second amplifier for amplifying the voltage change for processing for tampering and motion, respectively, first and second filter for filtering the voltage change for processing for tampering and motion, respectively, a microcontroller for determining if the detected voltage change is consistent with a pattern that is indicative of tampering or motion and alarm generating section for generating a tamper alarm or a motion alarm based upon the determination by the microprocessor.

Abstract: A control device for a mobile storage system includes a data entry device, such as a numeric keypad. The user enters an access code on the keypad, and the access code is compared against a data table including a list of security levels associated with access codes. If the access code entered is included in the data table, the user is permitted to control the mobile storage system according to the access rights granted by the security level associated with the access code. Each of the access codes and attempted commands entered in the numeric keypad are recorded in an activity log. The activity log is downloadable to a computer for later review.

Abstract: A wireless remote control device for controlling an electronic device includes a switch module, a wireless transmission module, a wireless receiving module and a control module. The switch module receives a DC voltage and outputs a first control signal. The wireless transmission module receives the first control signal and encodes the first control signal to output an encoded first control signal. The wireless receiving module receives the encoded first control signal and decodes the encoded first control signal to output a decoded first control signal. The control module receives the decoded first control signal and outputs a second control signal to turn on/off or reset the electronic device.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for tracking one or more items. In one exemplary embodiment, there is provided a method for tracking one or more items. The method may include periodically detecting, by a sensor device, sensor information of the one or more items, and periodically transmitting, by the sensor device, the sensor information. The method may also include determining if the one or more parties is authorized to receive the sensor information. The method may also include transmitting the sensor information to the one or more authorized parties. The method may further include determining if the one or more parties is authorized to receive the sensor information and the periodically transmitting the sensor information to the one or more authorized parties based on a set of one or more permissions that grants or restricts access of the one or more parties to the sensor information based on the set of one or more permissions.

Abstract: A smoke detector has a housing, a smoke sensor in the housing capable of detecting smoke therein, and an alarm connected to the sensor signaling when the smoke sensor detects smoke. A partition subdivides the housing into separate first and second chambers, and the housing is formed with first and second smoke holes allowing air from the exterior into the first and second chambers. The partition has a sensor port provided with a sensor for detecting air flow through the sensor port and a fan port having a fan for drawing air from one of the chambers and forcing it into the other chamber. A controller connected to the fan and to the air-flow sensor operates the fan means to move air from the one chamber through the fan port into the other chamber and generates an output when air flow through the sensor port exceeds a predetermined limit.

Abstract: A security system that can be used in a home, office, or other building in order to generate alarms or take other actions depending on conditions within the building. The security system may rely on sensors within the building which sense various conditions and collect other data. The information learned from the sensors can be communicated to a location outside the building for processing, such as, but not limited to, processing associated with a need to instigate an alarm.

Abstract: A hospital bed has wireless communication circuitry operable to transmit wirelessly bed status data. A surface supported by the bed has wireless communication circuitry operable to transmit wirelessly surface status data. The wireless communication circuitry of the hospital bed and the wireless communication circuitry of the surface communicate with a network independently. A hospital bed with an integrated surface has wireless communication circuitry operable to transmit wirelessly bed status data and surface status data. The wireless bed status data and the wireless surface status data are received by wireless access points of a network of a healthcare facility.

Abstract: A method and system of monitoring for chemical or other toxic agents includes operating a plurality of first type sensors having a first level of sensitivity to an agent in a monitored area. Concurrently a second type sensor is operated having a second level of sensitivity to the agent in the monitored area, where the second level of sensitivity is at least ten times more sensitive than the first level of sensitivity. Input from the plurality of first type sensors and the second type sensor is received and analyzed, at a central location, in order to determine the presence of the agent in the monitored area.

Abstract: A bed occupancy state detection method includes detecting loads applied to a head side right portion, a head side left portion, a foot side right portion, and a foot side left portion of a bed platform by first to fourth load detecters, respectively, judging whether or not a prescribed judgment formula is satisfied based on load values outputted from the first to fourth load detecters, and notifying information on a bed occupancy state of an object in cases where it is judged that a judgment formula is satisfied from a judgment result at the judgment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mezuzah case having an electronic signaling device for attracting attention of Jewish people walking through a doorway to a mezuzah which is affixed to the doorpost. The Mezuzah case includes housing for holding and protecting a mezuzah parchment and an electric signaling device for emitting a noticeable signal. According to one embodiment the signaling device is a light source. According to an alternative embodiment, the signaling device emits an audio signal. The mezuzah case may further include electronic means for automatically controlling the signaling device according to a preset program and a power source for energizing the electronic means and the signaling device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing alerts is described, the method including receiving consumer financial data including at least one financial deadline. Alert level criteria is applied to the data in order to determine an alert level for each of the deadlines. A visual or audible alert indicator is activated which corresponds with at least one alert level. Alert level criteria is periodically reapplied to determine an alert level for each of the deadlines.

Abstract: A home automation and security system is provided in which a home automation and security controller in a customer premises is coupled with a remotely located central control facility using a continuous connectivity access line providing a data channel separate from a voice channel. The controller at the customer premises is responsible for monitoring and applying control signals to devices in the home and for supporting a human interface. The remotely located central control facility is responsible for providing the computational and database resources to the controller. By redistributing functionality, the network-based structure of this home automation and security system can overcome the disadvantages of conventional home automation and security systems.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for providing a policy based radio frequency identification service. The system for providing the policy based radio frequency identification service includes a policy vocabulary managing device for generating and managing policy vocabulary based on a policy vocabulary writer's control input, a policy performing resource managing device for generating and managing resource information for performing a radio frequency identification service policy based on a resource designator's control input, a policy rule managing device for generating and managing a policy rule sentence based on a policy user's control input, and a policy rule performing device for performing a radio frequency identification service policy by using a policy rule sentence input based on a policy user's control input.

Abstract: Methods, software, and hardware are disclosed for providing verified real time price quotes in an over-the-counter financial market. Systems are described that can comprise methods, software, and/or hardware to provide verified real time price information for securities traded over-the-counter. Verification methods of the invention include identifying suspect source data, wherein the suspect source data includes information about the price of a security, verifying the suspect source data, and displaying to a user a verified price quote of a security traded in an over-the-counter market to a user. The verification methods of the invention include using hash functions and hash tables to process suspect source data, wherein the hashing allows for confidential processing while at the same time maintaining the ability to match a price quote to the source of the price quote.

Abstract: A portable electronics includes detection unit which detects a state of the portable electronics, storage unit which stores a detection result of the detection unit at a first period, and determination unit which reads out, every time a second period longer than the first period has elapsed, a plurality of detection results stored in the storage unit during the second period and determines the state of the portable electronics based on the plurality of readout detection results.

Abstract: A metric of a system is monitored using a monitoring tool that receives an operation metric and a planned downtime metric that reflects whether the monitored system is currently in a planned downtime, the planned downtime metric received as another one of the multiple metric inputs. The operation metric and the planned downtime metric are combined into a processed operation metric for the monitored system.

Abstract: A monitor control system includes a focused information database and a report determination part. The focused information database is configured to store focused information that is information associating a focused item focused by each operator with the operator with respect to actual plant information. The report determination part outputs report determination information independently for each operator based on the actual plant information and the focused information. The determination information indicates a measured value, an alert, and a set value that are coincident with the focused items focused by a certain operator and additionally that is determined to need to be reported.

Abstract: There is provided a method for monitoring a building control device, the method comprising associating the building control device with an event; storing the event and at least one parameter of the building control device in a database, wherein the database is operatively connected to a plurality of operator devices, and wherein the at least one parameter at least pertains to defining the event to be one from the group of unassigned, pending, or assigned by the plurality of operator devices; traversing, by at least a first of the plurality of operator devices, the database subject to the at least one parameter.

Abstract: A multi-zone landscape irrigation and lighting system includes a personal computer equipped with a detachable wireless remote, and a multi-station controller operating a plurality of irrigation valves and lighting circuits in accordance with schedules wirelessly transmitted to it by the computer through the remote. When detached from the computer, the remote can wirelessly operate selected irrigation or lighting zones manually. The computer has an intuitive graphic user interface capable of using actual zone photographs to identify individual zones in a strip of zone icons. The icon strip is movable past a lens-like window, the zone icon under the lens at a given time determining the zone currently programmable. A residential system can be operated by a contractor from the street, and the system can be programmed by e-mail from the contractor's shop. Fully automatic operation may be derived from data obtained over the Internet.

Abstract: A method and a device for power-saving operation of a plurality of RFID data carriers, whereby the RFID data carrier has a transmission and reception antenna, by way of which data are sent to and received from a read/write unit, by means of a radio signal, and the data carrier is configured for reception of an energy-saving signal that puts the data carrier into a so-called sleep mode. The read/write unit sends a so-called conditional sleep command to all the RFID data carriers, and the RFID data carriers receiving these data in the transmission field compare the transmitted condition with a status/data detected in the RFID data carrier, whereby the condition detected in the RFID data carrier depends on a sensor input that is connected with the RFID data carrier.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for identifying and providing warnings of tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, and other environmental occurrences. Temperature, pressure, seismic activities and other environmental conditions are measured with improved granularity using sensors at multiple locations. More extensive distribution of sensors is enabled using existing networks, such as utility (e.g., gas and electricity) meter networks. Network traffic is improved by screening information locally so that only limited information is sent for central processing. A given location, for example, may compare its own and its neighbors measurements against a profile to identify the probable existence of a tornado before sending a message to a central processing device. Upon receiving such a message and possibly other information (e.g.

Abstract: A system and method of monitoring equipment performance and predicting failures. The system can include a data historian that stores data for a piece of equipment and designates the data to tags. The tags can correspond to sensors that gather the data from the piece of equipment. A matrix model builder application can allow a user to generate regression models for various time spans to determine whether new data is within a normal operating range.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and a device for obtaining an alarm solution, wherein the source alarm of the alarm currently examined is found according to the preset correlations among alarms (100), and the alarm solution corresponding to the found source alarm is used as the solution for the alarm currently examined (101), thus accurate locating for the alarm is assured, so that the maintainers are enabled to eliminate the alarm quickly by using a correct solution. In the method of the invention, the alarm locating is completed automatically, which not only improves the efficiency of problem processing, but also increases the accuracy of problem processing. For the network manager, the problem that the maintainers are required to know professional detail knowledge about software and hardware is avoided, and the problem of alarm processing is solved quickly and accurately.

Abstract: A wireless communication system for use in a process control environment includes a reference node adapted to determine geographic positions of at least some of the reference node, a base node, and a field node and determine RF power settings of transceivers attached to the reference node, the base node, and the field node based on the position of determined geographic positions. Additionally, the reference node is adapted to determine RF noise level at a plurality of locations within the process control environment at a plurality of times and to adjust the RF power settings based on the determined RF noise levels. The reference node may be implemented on a hand-held device.

Abstract: A CBRNE detection system and method for operating same are disclosed. The method provides a relatively increased Probability of Detection and a relatively decreased Probability of False Alarms for a networked system of detectors. In the illustrative embodiment, a central controller of the system is capable of receiving information from individual CBRNE detectors and of determining whether or not to issue an alarm indicating that a CBRNE event has occurred. Data obtained from individual CBRNE detectors is evaluated based on one or more “sensor alert-to-system alarm” processing modes. The various processing modes specify the requirements that must be satisfied before a system-wide “alarm” is issued.

Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention, a method and system is provided for designing improved intelligent, LED-based lighting systems. The LED based lighting systems may include fixtures with one or more of rotatable LED light bars, integrated sensors, onboard intelligence to receive signals from the LED light bars and control the LED light bars, and a mesh network connectivity to other fixtures.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring events includes defining alert events based on primitive event types in an environment monitored by monitoring devices. Alert parameters are set for each alert event, and alert events are combined to create a composite alert event based on a plurality of alert events. A plurality of engines is monitored to determine if multiple events comprising the composite alert event have occurred.

Abstract: An approach is provided for a managed heterogeneous sensor service. A plurality of signals are received over a communication network from, respectively, a plurality of heterogeneous sensors. A plurality of instant communication sessions are established over the communication network corresponding to each of the sensors. Presence of each of the sensors is indicated over the instant communication sessions. Sensor data is generated in response to the received signals. The sensor data is transmitted over the corresponding instant communication sessions.

Abstract: A system includes at least one computer device coupled to a hospital Ethernet, the hospital Ethernet having at least one wired access point and at least on wireless access point. The system also includes a hospital bed and a network interface unit (NIU) that facilitates communications from the hospital bed to the at least one computer device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a sensor device in a network detects an alarm condition. The sensor device generates an alarm message based on the detected alarm condition and waits for a delay whose length is inversely proportional to a distance between the sensor device and a downstream destination device for which the alarm message is destined. During the delay, the sensor device receives one or more additional alarm messages from one or more upstream sensor devices. The sensor device coalesces the one or more received alarm messages from the one or more upstream sensor devices with the alarm message generated at the sensor device, to form a coalesced alarm message, and transmits the coalesced alarm message downstream towards the downstream destination device, after expiration of the delay.

Abstract: A device for continuously monitoring one or more indicators relating to the health or comfort of a person 12 includes one or more sensing means for measuring a value of one or more desired indicators and a communicating means 13 communicating an alarm signal when the measured value is above or below a predetermined value or range of values range, wherein the device 10 is adapted to be attached to an item of clothing 14 of the person 12.

Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to draw attention to information presented via electronic displays to process plant operators are disclosed. A disclosed example method to draw attention to information presented to a process plant operator comprises presenting an electronic process plant display, collecting process plant data, processing the process plant data to identify a portion of a process plant, and modifying the electronic process plant display to at least partially obscure substantially all of the process plant display except for the identified portion.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed invention provide a user customizable monitoring system. For example, in one embodiment, the user customizable monitoring system includes a set of user-programmable portable sensors and a communication hub for enabling a user to customize features associated with the set of user-programmable portable sensors. In one embodiment, the communication hub is further configured to receive data from the set of user programmable portable sensors and perform a user specified action based on the received data. In some embodiments, a user selects any desired combination of different types of user-programmable portable sensors that come preconfigured to operate with the communication hub. Additionally, in some embodiments, a user may configure particular parameters associated with a user-programmable portable sensor using the communication hub.

Abstract: Provided are a control apparatus and method. The control apparatus includes: a measurement module which measures a motion of the control apparatus due to an external force; and a signal generation module which generates a signal corresponding to the measured motion, wherein the signal is transmitted to a display device to adjust a state of the display device according to the signal.