Abstract: Technologies are provided for determining a likelihood or risk of a human patient for developing pressure injury based on patterns of movement by the patient determined using a specialized measurement support surface. Some embodiments automatically ascertain whether patterns of movements of a human subject, whose weight is supported on the support surface, exhibit sufficient frequency and variability of activity such as will confer either certain health benefits or expose the individual to certain health risks, such as development of pressure ulcers in the load-bearing skin and soft tissues. The measurement support surface can include a contact layer, a pressure-measuring layer having an air bladder subjacent to the measurement support surface, and a substrate layer with a density and stiffness to mechanically isolate the pressure-measuring layer from ambient vibrations transmitted through a floor, furniture, or other intervening articles upon which the measurement support surface is mounted.

Abstract: This relates to a monitoring system capable of measuring a plurality of vital signs. The monitoring system can include a plurality of sensors including, but not limited to, electrodes, piezoelectric sensors, temperature sensors, and accelerometers. The monitoring system can be capable of operating in one or more operation modes such as, for example: capacitance measurement mode, electrical measurement mode, piezoelectric measurement mode, temperature measurement mode, acceleration measurement mode, impedance measurement mode, and standby mode. Based on the measured values, the monitoring system can analyze the user's sleep, provide feedback and suggestions to the user, and/or can adjust or control the environmental conditions to improve the user's sleep. The monitoring system can further be capable of analyzing the sleep of the user(s) without directly contacting or attaching uncomfortable probes to the user(s) and without having to analyze the sleep in an unknown environment (e.g., a medical facility).

Abstract: A monitoring system for determining whether the child or pet has been left unattended within the vehicle. The system may include a vehicle device having a monitoring platform, an alarm switch, and an alert device, which may emit an alarm if a first sensor detects the presence of the child or pet and a second sensor detects that the vehicle is in an off state. The system further may include a portable alert device that detects its location relative to the vehicle device, and emits an alarm if it is located outside a predetermined zone surrounding the monitoring platform. In another embodiment, the system may include a vehicle device having a sensor that detects whether the vehicle transitions from an on state to an off state and an alert device that emits an alarm if the sensor detects that the vehicle transitions to the off state.

Abstract: A care system for predicting bed exit and suitable for a frame supporting a patient is provided. The care system includes a boundary-crossing detection system, a location sensing system, and a control circuit. The boundary-crossing detection system is coupled with the frame. The location sensing system is coupled with the frame, and is for obtaining relative position information between the patient and the frame. The control circuit is for data communicating with the boundary-crossing detection system and the location sensing system, and is for accessing care data defining multiple bed-exit behaviors. When one of following situations occurs, the control circuit transmits a warning signal: (1) the control circuit determines that, according to the relative position information and the care data, a current behavior of the patient corresponds to one of the multiple bed-exit behaviors; and (2) the boundary-crossing detection system senses that an object is passing through.

Abstract: A method of detecting a ligature on a door is provided whereby the load applied by the door to a load sensing means and the movement of the door relative to the door frame are used to determine whether a ligature is being applied to the door to thereby trigger an alarm. Apparatus for carrying out the method is also provided.

Abstract: An infant care device includes a mattress and mattress tray configured to support a baby and an enclosure/barrier surrounding the mattress to create a chamber around the baby. A plurality of sensors, such as load cells, are distributed beneath the mattress and mattress tray. A control unit receives information from the load cells and is able to determine the position of the baby on the mattress. A safe zone and a potential fall zone are defined in the control unit. When the determined location of the baby is within the potential fall zone, the control unit operates a resistance mechanism to restrict movement of the baby toward a perimeter edge of the mattress and generates an alarm. Multiple embodiments of the resistance mechanism are disclosed to restrict the movement of the baby.

Abstract: A monitoring system includes an axle weight measurer and a state estimator. The axle weight measurer detects a surface displacement of a road from a first captured image obtained by imaging the road when a vehicle passes at a predetermined spot of a structure having the road that the vehicle passes, and calculates an axle weight of the vehicle from the surface displacement and a displacement coefficient of the road. The state estimator generates an axle weight distribution from the axle weight calculated by the axle weight measurer, and estimates a deterioration degree of the structure, using the axle weight distribution.

Abstract: A method of distributing personalized hygienic and disposable items to a group of hotel guests where the hygienic and disposable items match a selected distinctive array wherein each user receives a set of items so as to avoid mixing use between a plurality of guests.

Abstract: Systems and methods for remote monitoring of a container are disclosed. The system includes at least one data collector configured to collect data corresponding to a physical attribute of the container, a wireless transmitter in communication with the at least one data collector and configured to transmit the data corresponding to a physical attribute of the container to a location remote from the location of the container, a server in communication with the wireless transmitter to receive and process the data corresponding to a physical attribute of the container, and a physical attribute analysis engine in communication with the server to receive the data corresponding to a physical attribute of the container and calculate a current value for the physical attribute based upon the received data.

Abstract: A person support apparatus, such as a bed, cot, stretcher, or the like, includes an exit detection system that has, in some embodiments, multiple user-selectable modes. A first mode issues an alert in response to a static condition being met and the second mode issues an alert in response to a dynamic condition being met. The static condition may be defined by an unchanging boundary that triggers an alert if the occupant's center of gravity crosses the boundary. The dynamic condition may be defined by a changing boundary that triggers an alert if the occupant's center of gravity crosses it. The changing boundary may change based upon the occupant's height, weight, BMI, vital sign, or other characteristic. The changing boundary may also change based upon a position of one or more components of the person support apparatus, such as a siderail or Fowler section.

Abstract: A calibration device is a calibration device configured to calibrate a load meter that measures an axle load of a vehicle. The calibration device includes a detector and a calibrator. The detector detects a displacement amount corresponding to displacement caused on a road by the axle load of the vehicle. The calibrator aggregates the displacement amounts detected by the detector to generate a histogram of the displacement amounts, and updates a displacement coefficient for calculating the axle load of the vehicle based on a shape of the histogram. The calibrator updates the displacement coefficient base only on the shape of the histogram corresponding to a first axle serving as a forefront axle of the vehicle.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit, a detector, a calculator, and a controller. The imaging unit captures an image of a road on which a vehicle runs, and generates the captured image of the road. The detector detects a contact position at which the vehicle is in contact with the road in the captured image. The calculator calculates a first brightness range based on brightness distribution in a first road surface area on the road and the first road surface area includes the contact position. The controller determines an imaging condition for the imaging unit based on the first brightness range, and controls the imaging unit using the determined imaging condition.

Abstract: Encoding or decoding blocks of video frames using locally adaptive warped motion compensation can include determining projection samples for predicting a warped motion of a current block to be encoded or decoded based on a warping model of a neighbor block adjacent to the current block. Parameters of a projection model can be determined based on the projection samples. A prediction block can be generated by projecting pixels of the current block to a warped patch within a reference frame using the parameters of the projection model. The warped patch can be a non-rectangular patch having a shape and a position in the reference frame indicated by the parameters of the projection model.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus comprises a substantially rigid support deck for supporting a patient support element, a first sensing element and a second sensing element arranged on the support deck and separated from one another in a direction along the width of the patient support apparatus. Each sensing element is configured to determine, in use, the force or pressure applied to it by the patient support element and a patient on the patient support element. One or more processors, coupled to the sensing elements, are configured to determine the location of the center of gravity of a patient on the patient support element, along the width of the patient support apparatus, based upon outputs of the first and second sensing elements. An alarm may be activated when the location of the center of gravity along the width of the patient support apparatus is outside a predetermined range of values.

Abstract: There is provided an aircraft tipping alarm system having a nose landing gear (NLG) shock strut containing hydraulic fluid and having an aperture. The system further has an elongated pressure chamber assembly configured to engage to the aperture. The elongated pressure chamber assembly has an elongated pressure chamber containing hydraulic fluid and having a pressure sensor device, a first check valve configured to restrict hydraulic fluid flow only into the NLG shock strut, a second check valve configured to restrict hydraulic fluid flow only into the elongated pressure chamber, and a reduced diameter breakable neck section. A potential aircraft tipping back position is indicated when a reduction of pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the NLG shock strut, sensed via the pressure sensor device, is greater than or equal to a pressure reduction threshold.

Abstract: A member is moved within a well bore in a plurality of cycles, each cycle including holding the member in slips, releasing the slips, moving the member within the well bore and applying the slips. The hook load is measured at multiple points during each of these cycles and the plurality of measured values are used to identify data indicative of the forces on the member within the well bore.

Abstract: A pedometer that records the number of steps over a defined period of time and a moment sensor that records the moments experienced by a prosthesis are used in a networked computer environment to assess the functional activity level and instability of a lower limb amputee. The networked environment may include a user computer and a server computer in communication through the Internet. Both the user computer and the server computer include a functional assessment tool and a stability assessment tool. The tools on the user computer and server computer cooperate in assessing the activity level and the instability of a lower limb amputee. The server computer may further host a Website and a secure online database that provides support to the user including the managing of clients and their medical records.

Abstract: An overturn detection device includes a housing including four or more display windows, a back-forth direction detector installed on a first position of the housing and displaying a position of a first detection member in a first display part, and a left-right direction detector installed on a second position of the housing and displaying a position of a second detection member in a second display part. Further, the installation positions of the back-forth direction detector and the left-right direction detector in the first and the second positions are not externally and visually recognizable, and at least a part of the first and the second display parts are displayed through the four or more display windows as pattern data.

Abstract: A non-resistive contact sensor assembly includes an electric field sensor device, including a dielectric component for receiving an electrical signal from an object of interest and a signal processing component for processing the electrical signal, a voltage regulator for controlling voltage to the dielectric component and the signal processing component, and a common ground reference for the dielectric component and the signal processing component.

Abstract: A conveyance seat includes: a seating sensor structure including a pressure-sensing portion that is used to detect a pressure, the seating sensor structure being arranged inside a seat pad of the conveyance seat through integral foam-molding. The seating sensor structure is formed by laminating the pressure-sensing portion, a second sheet-shaped member and a first sheet-shaped member in this order from a seating face side. The first sheet-shaped member has a higher stiffness than the seat pad. The second sheet-shaped member has a lower stiffness than the first sheet-shaped member.

Abstract: A non-resistive contact sensor assembly includes an electric field sensor device, including a dielectric component for receiving an electrical signal from an object of interest and a signal processing component for processing the electrical signal, a voltage regulator for controlling voltage to the dielectric component and the signal processing component, and a common ground reference for the dielectric component and the signal processing component.

Abstract: A sensor for an intrusion detection fence of a taut wires type and a method implemented in its operation, wherein the sensor is a multi-axes accelerometer that is installed on the sensors' pole of the fence while inclined relative to the fence taut wire unto which it is connected, and the sensor is connected to fence taut wire via a movement converting means such that from an instant of loading the taut wire as happens when an intrusion attempt through it occurs, the movement converting means converts the movement of the taut wire unto a rotational movement of the sensor that is amenable to be sensed in at least two axes.

Abstract: The present relates to a system for providing vibration feedback to at least one foot. The system comprises at least one rigid surface for receiving the at least one foot, one vibrotactile actuator for each of the at least one rigid surface, and a suspension mechanism. The vibrotactile actuator is installed underneath the corresponding rigid surface and provides vibration feedback there through. The suspension mechanism supports the at least one rigid surface.

Abstract: Improvements in a bed pre exit patient monitor to determine when a patient has moved to an edge of a bed prior to the patient leaving the bed by measuring load on a single wheel by slightly lifting the wheel with load sensing rods that measure the wheel load. A variety of different alarm signals are used signal to warn a care giver. The device is self-contained, self-secures and removes itself from a variety of different diameter wheels. The device can auto calibration when the wheel is initially lifted and also calibrate when a patient is resting on a bed. The monitoring establishes a threshold load without a patient and with a patient to allow the software to determine when the on an edge of a bed and also when a patient has completely left the bed. Software filtering rejects patient movement to prevent false alarms.

Abstract: A system to display remaining payload weight for a truck is provided. The system comprises one or more sensors located on a machine, a computing module operably coupled to the one or more sensors, and a comparing module operably coupled to the computing module. Further, the system includes a monitor coupled to the comparing module and the computing module. The monitor displays a remaining payload weight for the truck, with color. A first background color is used when the remaining payload weight is above a tolerance range. A second background color is used when the remaining payload weight is within the tolerance range. A third background color is used when the remaining payload weight is below the tolerance range.

Abstract: The disclosed systems and methods allow the weight and relative position of an object on a weighing surface to be simultaneously determined using a circuit that does not require pre-programmed tables and that can be used in an analog or digital environment. One example system includes first, second, third, and fourth load cells having respective first, second, third, and fourth strain gauges. The strain gauges are configured to measure strain at the load cells caused by the object on the weighing surface. The system also includes circuitry configured to simultaneously determine weight and position of the object on the weighing surface, and a display that reports the weight of the object, a longitudinal position of the object, and a lateral position of the object.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a portable monitor for use by elderly/infirm individuals that desires a significant degree of independence but recognizes that their ability to handle many situations by themselves is or will become substantially attenuated. In one embodiment, the portable monitor includes: (a) a sensor system that receives data reflecting environmental and personal aspects associated with the monitored individual from various sensors, (b) a user interface that allows the monitored individual to interact with the monitor; (c) a communication interface that provides for the ability to communicate with a third party if the monitored individual is or is likely to enter into a situation in which assistance is likely needed; and (d) a processing system for processes data produced by sensor system and data input from the user interface to determine if the monitored individual is in a situation or likely is in a situation in which assistance is likely needed.

Abstract: A tamper-resistant purse includes a bag having a front surface, a rear surface, two opposing side edges, a lower surface and an open top in communication with an interior chamber. The open top is selectively enclosed with a foldable flap having a Hall-effect switch that changes states whenever the flap is opened. Extending from the bottom surface of the bag are a plurality of feet each having a pressure-sensitive switch therein. The pressure-sensitive switches and the Hall-effect switch are electrically connected to an alarm circuit including both audible and visual alarms. A strap is connected to a pair of detection switches that engage whenever a predetermined amount of force is applied to the strap. Accordingly, if the purse is moved, snatched or opened, the alarm is activated to alert those nearby of a potential theft.

Abstract: A collecting unit collects detection information of human bodies present in plural rooms. The calculating unit calculates movement probabilities at which at least one of individual persons moves from one of two rooms to the other and from the other room to the one room, based on a time difference between human body detections for two rooms and a parameter depending on a movement distance between the two rooms. An updating unit calculates, for each of the rooms, first and second movement probabilities of each of the individual persons, each being a movement probability from the room to each of the other rooms and being a movement probability from each of the other rooms to the room, and updates the in-room probability of each of the individual persons for each of the rooms based on the first and second movement probabilities.

Abstract: An occupant support comprises an occupant support structure which includes an occupant position monitoring system comprising a sensor for producing a sensor output signal as a function of occupant position on the occupant support structure, and an alarm state selector for enabling or disabling an alarm. A controller receives the sensor output signal and produces a controller output signal for commanding the alarm and a nonalarm device such that such that when the alarm is disabled the controller output signal governs operation of the nonalarm device but not operation of the alarm device and when the alarm is enabled the controller output signal governs operation of the nonalarm device and the alarm device.

Abstract: A bed includes a frame, a controller coupled to the frame, and a patient position detection system coupled to the frame and coupled to the controller. The patient position detection system has multiple modes of operation of varying sensitivities for determining whether a person supported on the frame has moved by a sufficient amount to activate an alarm. The frame includes a plurality of barriers. An alert light is coupled to one of the barriers.

Abstract: An approach for providing notifications to caregivers based on the detected presence of a child in a car seat is described. Physical presence of an object within a car seat is detected. A determination is made that a proximity threshold between a mobile device and the car seat is satisfied based on the presence information, range information associated with the mobile device, or a combination thereof. A notification message is generated in response to the detected physical presence of the object to indicate the presence of the object in the car seat based on the determination. Initiation of the transmission of the notification message to a mobile device within a predetermined proximity of the car seat is performed.

Abstract: An appliance warning system comprises a floor pad for location on or adjacent a device such that a user must stand on the floor pad in order to normally use the device. The floor pad has at least one switch movable between an open position when no weight pressure is detected on the floor pad and a closed position when the switch is activated by weight pressure detected on the floor pad. A transmitter is provided for transmitting a signal depending upon whether the switch is in the open or closed position. A warning device is activated when the switch has been in the open position for a preselected period of time after having been in the closed position.

Abstract: Apparatus for counteracting a suicide attempt of a person trying to hang himself from a cord extended over the top edge of a door which door has an inside upper surface facing the interior of the room, the apparatus including an elongated pressure sensor mountable on that inside upper surface of the door, the sensor having an exposed surface facing away from the inside surface of the door, that exposed surface being responsive to a force applied thereagainst by a segment of a cord when it is draped over the top of the door and hanging downward adjacent the inside surface, and the apparatus being adapted to forward an alarm signal indicating the sensing of the force by the cord, and an electrical controller to forward an alarm signal indicating that the sensor has sensed the downward force.

Abstract: A computer-based method for displaying an implement payload weight to an operator of a vehicle is provided. The method includes calculating an implement payload weight at a lift position, displaying, at a first location on a monitor, the calculated implement payload weight, determining an accuracy of the calculated implement payload weight, and displaying, at a second location on the monitor proximate to the first location, an accuracy indicator based on the accuracy of the calculated implement payload weight.

Abstract: A system includes a camera, a weigh-in-motion scale, and a processor. The camera is configured to capture one or more images of a vehicle as the vehicle goes over the weigh-in-motion scale. The weigh-in-motion scale is configured to generate one or more weight measurements of the vehicle as the vehicle goes over the weigh-in-motion scale. The processor is operatively coupled to the camera and the weigh-in-motion scale. The processor is configured to determine an acceleration of at least a portion of the vehicle based at least in part on the one or more images of the vehicle. The processor is also configured to adjust at least one of the one or more weight measurements based on the acceleration.

Abstract: A hospital bed has a bed exit alarm system including an audible alarm that sounds when an alert condition is detected, such as when a patient exits the bed or moves toward exiting the bed. The bed exit alarm system includes at least one user input that is used to enable the bed exit alarm system and a bed exit alarm silence input that stops the audible alarm from sounding or that prevents the alarm from sounding. The bed exit alarm system is configured such that after the bed exit alarm silence input is used, the bed exit alarm system is re-enabled automatically without any action by a caregiver in response to one or more sensors sensing that the patient is, once again, supported on the bed.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the holding torque of a brake in a material handling system is disclosed. The material handling system may include a bridge, a trolley, and a hoist, each driven along a different axis by a motor. A brake is operatively coupled to the motor to prevent unwanted motion of the motor. A motor controller is coupled to each motor which controls operation of the motor and its corresponding brake. The motor controller generates a torque command to the motor while keeping the brake set. The initial torque command is less than the holding torque of the brake. The torque command is incremented until motion is detected on the motor. The torque value when motion is detected is stored in the motor controller and displayed to an operator.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a novel approach of utilizing a collection bin for a side loading waste collection vehicle. The collection bin includes a weighing system with a processor for measuring the weight of material collected from each waste container and associating this weight with appropriate data, such as the owner of the waste container.

Abstract: A weighing device having a plurality of digital weighing cells (164), each including a sensor connected to a force transmission unit (163), each generating a digital measurement value corresponding to a transmitted force at a measurement time point, and including a data processing device that converts the digital measurement values to transmission units configured to be transmitted over a data communications line (20) to a central control unit (18) connected to all weighing cells for analysis of the transmission units. The central control unit (18) calculates a digital combination value based on the transmission units originating from the various weighing cells (164), the combination value representing a weight force with which the weighing device (16) is loaded at a weighing time point. The conversion of the measurement values to transmission units involves a pairing of each converted measurement value with a time value.

Abstract: A seat has an occupant detecting function and is installed in a vehicle. The seat includes a seating portion, a capacitance sensor, a controller, and a supporting member. The seating portion is adapted to support buttocks and thighs of an occupant of the vehicle. The seating portion includes a seat cushion therein. The capacitance sensor is attached to the seating portion. The controller is installed to the seating portion and configured to apply a voltage to the sensor and to detect a value of an electric current, which passes through the sensor because of the voltage. The supporting member supports the controller from a lower side thereof in a vertical direction, such that the controller is rotatable about the supporting member when the seating portion is pressed by the occupant.

Abstract: A patient table system for medical applications is provided. The table system comprises: a table top; at least one sensor configured to measure information representative of a pressure exerted by a patient on the table top when the patient is in a lying position; and a safety detector configured to compare the measured information with reference data of the table top mechanical resistance and to provide an alert depending on the result of the comparison.

Abstract: An electronic balance for clearly indicating the degree of precision to a target weight value is provided. A signal converter (2) converts an electronic signal outputted from a weight detecting circuit (1) into a digital signal. A computing section (3) converts the digital signal into a measured weight value Wx, reads a target weight value Wd (=W0±?W) determined by a target center value W0 and a tolerance ±?W inputted from a weight setting unit (5) through an interface (4), compares the measured weight value Wx and the target weight value Wd to obtain a difference, and transmits a signal for flashing or turning on the character display corresponding to the difference and the measured weight value Wx to a display unit (6) and transmits a sound signal to a buzzer (7).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (100) for detecting the passing of individuals in the form of a mat including: a printed circuit board (104), one of the surfaces which supports a plurality of contactors designed to change state under the pressure exerted by a foot or a wheel, and at least one of the surfaces of which supports at least one electronic component (112) not subject to any pressure from said foot: and for the or each surface supporting at least one electronic component (112), a protective layer (106) attached to said surface and incompressible under the weight of individuals/trolleys, the or each electronic component (112) being recessed in a hole (110) in said incompressible protective layer (106).

Abstract: An occupant detection system including an electrostatic sensor, a determination section and a heater is disclosed. The electrostatic sensor includes an electrode arranged inside a seat of a vehicle and configured to generate a weak electric field. The electrostatic sensor outputs an output value associated with the weak electric field. The determination section supplies voltage to the electrode, and performs an occupant determination to determine an occupant on the seat based on the output value of the electrostatic sensor. The heater is inside the seat, and is arranged in parallel with or on a lower side of the electrode. Before performing the occupant determination, the determinations section determines whether or not the heater has a disconnection fault based on the output value of the electrostatic sensor.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for monitoring and displaying occupancy of a seating area, such as a theater. In a seating area there are chairs for use by patrons. There is a system and method for determining and communicating occupancy information to a display corresponding to the chairs in the seating area. On each chair there is affixed a wireless sensing device that detects when a patron has sat in the chair. When a patron sits in the chair, the wireless sensing device sends an occupied signal to an occupancy monitoring computer system. The occupancy monitoring system changes the status of the corresponding chair to occupied and updates the output on the display available for viewing by all patrons. When the occupied state of the chair changes, the wireless sensing device updates the occupancy status at the occupancy monitoring system.

Abstract: A portable dispensing device is provided having a container configured to be moved to a plurality of locations. An access point at an opening of the container controls access into and out of the container. A scale is coupled to a bin within the container and is configured to measure a weight of the bin and contents of the bin. A computing device is in electrical communication with the access point and the scale and configured to allow or deny access to the container as well as receive the measured weight from the scale to determine a number of items in the bin. The computing device further associates an item removed from the bin with the individual or credits an item returned to the bin with the individual when the individual exits the container.

Abstract: A method of detecting gross weight overload of a vehicle comprising the steps of positioning one or more ultrasonic sensors on the vehicle so that said sensors measure the distance to a ground surface, using the sensors to measure height above the ground surface of the vehicle in a non-overloaded condition, adding known weights to the vehicle until maximum gross vehicle weight (GVW) is attained, ascertaining height above the ground surface at this gross vehicle weight (GVW), and continuously measuring height of the ground surface and collecting height above the ground surface data to establish when an overload condition occurs.

Abstract: A suicide prevention door kit has a movable upper segment having a top surface and a mechanism. The movable upper segment is supported by the mechanism. The mechanism is configured to transition between a loaded state and a triggered state. The top surface is approximately horizontal in the loaded state and sloped in the triggered state. The suicide prevention door kit further comprises a switch in communication with the mechanism. The switch is configured to cause the mechanism to transition from the loaded state to the triggered state.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein are directed to weight monitoring systems for recovering, processing, monitoring, and managing various commodities or products stored in a container.