Abstract: An evaluating apparatus arranged to evaluate an item-transport system having a flow path. The apparatus includes one or more position markers adjacent the path and an evaluating device for sensing the markers and conditions of the transport system. The evaluating device has at least one evaluation sensor configured to (A) sense conditions of the transport system and (B) produce evaluation-sensor data based on the sensed conditions. The evaluating device also has a position-marker sensor configured to sense the position markers and produce position-marker data. The apparatus further includes a distance meter configured to produce distance data and at least one computing device configured to determine a particular location at which the evaluating device was along the path of the item-transport system when a particular condition of the item-transport system was sensed based on the evaluation-sensor data, the position-marker data, and the distance data.

Abstract: A self-illuminating handle assembly for a release mechanism of an emergency egress system for a vehicle. The handle assembly includes a sensor for sensing a predetermined condition and providing a sensor signal in response thereto, and a sensor-activated switch assembly for causing the handle assembly to self-illuminate in response to the sensor signal. The sensor could be a so-called tilt sensor for sensing when the vehicle orientation is tilted beyond a threshold tilt orientation, or an acceleration sensor (accelerometer) for sensing when the vehicle has undergone an acceleration or deceleration beyond a threshold, indicative of a crash or the vehicle having been exposed to an explosion.

Abstract: An event warning system is provided. The innovation can provide real time, personalized and meaningful alert warnings to either or both a machine operator/driver and pedestrians who are in harm's way, or are potentially approaching harm's way. Different from generic warnings such as backup alarms and flashing lights, the innovation's personalized alarm and notification functionality minimizes alarm complacency and maximizes their effectiveness.

Abstract: A method and handheld electronic device for detecting and providing notification of a device drop are provided. In accordance with one embodiment, there is provided a method for detecting and providing notification of a device drop on an electronic device, comprising: measuring acceleration using an accelerometer of the electronic device; monitoring for and detecting freefall events in accordance with the acceleration measurements; and issuing an alert when a freefall event is detected.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a circuit and method for activating an electronic device from a low power state. The activation circuit comprises: a first accelerometer located in the device to detect a movement of the device along a specific axis; a second accelerometer which is activated upon receiving a movement signal from the first accelerometer indicating a movement of the electronic device along the specific axis; an input device; and a monitoring circuit connected to the input device and an output of the second accelerometer, the monitoring circuit providing power to the input device when the second accelerometer indicates movement of the device that surpasses a threshold and then generating an activation signal to operate the electronic device in a higher power state utilizing a notable signal received from the input device.

Abstract: The all-directional fall sensor of the present invention includes a first casing defining a first interior space filled with a liquid and a floater buoyed by the liquid inside the first casing. The floater includes an indicator having indicative materials therein. The indicator includes a body defining a chamber, which is divided into at least a first portion and a second portion with a first sealing member located therebetween. The indicative materials are contained in the second portion of the chamber and are sealed therein with the first sealing member. When the all-directional fall sensor is applied with a force, the first sealing member would be dislocated and thus the indicative materials are dispersed within the chamber.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide for the selective prevention of data transfer from a medical device to allow the patient to have privacy when desired. These systems and methods provide medical devices that can be instructed in various ways to stop recording data and/or transmitting data to external devices and systems. These systems and methods also provide external repeater devices that can also be instructed in various ways to stop recording data being received, stop forwarding data that is being or has already been received, and/or to stop soliciting data from the medical device. These systems and methods also provide for a blocking device that may be separate from the medical device and repeater to provide instruction to the medical device and/or repeater to prevent data transfer such as by stopping the recording or transmission of data.

Abstract: In a method for detecting free fall, a first acceleration parallel to a first axis, a second acceleration parallel to a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, and a third acceleration parallel to a third axis perpendicular to the first axis and to the second axis are measured. A sum of a first value of the first acceleration, a second value of the second acceleration, and a third value of the third acceleration is calculated, and the free fall is detected as a function of the sum.

Abstract: A method changes the state of an electronic device to a second state from a first state, where the electronic device includes an input portion for interaction with an object. The method includes the steps of: monitoring at least one sensor having a detection range at least partially disposed near the input portion, determining whether the object is within the detection range of the sensor, determining movement characteristics of the object when the object is detected, determining if the movement characteristics of the object put the object on a path to contact the input device, and changing the state of the electronic device from the first state to the second state when the object is on a path to contact the input device.

Abstract: A drop sensor detects a drop of a device. When the drop of the device is detected, a sub CPU allows a counter to count a drop time. When the device drops for a predetermined time or more, the sub CPU controls a regulator so that the regulator forcibly disconnects an electric power to be supplied to a hard disc, and writes a drop occurrence flag into a nonvolatile memory. When the power supply is again turned on, a main CPU allows a display section to display information indicating that the power supply is disconnected due to the drop of the device.

Abstract: A system and method for safing vehicle sensors includes two safety systems, each with a primary sensor for monitoring vehicle motion and activating its corresponding safety system in response to certain vehicle motions. Each sensor may act as a safing sensor for the other in the event that activation of a safety system is indicated by the primary sensor. Each sensor may also monitor the other prior to such an event, to detect a sensor malfunction before that sensor is needed to active a safety system.

Abstract: A method of providing a safety warning light for a traveler over a period of months of intermittent travel, that makes use of a battery operated lighting apparatus that provides light when motion and darkness are detected and that when still or in daylight uses, on average, less than 4 milliamps of power. The lighting apparatus is used over the period of months without activating any switch prior to use or deactivating any switch after use.

Abstract: A theft prevention system for protecting portable electronic devices is disclosed. An acceleration sensor detects the acceleration of a portable electronic device, and a controller analyzes this acceleration to determine whether a theft condition is present. If so, an alarm can be initiated. The theft prevention system can include a filter for attenuating irrelevant acceleration frequencies and isolating those representative of theft, and comparison hardware/software for determining whether the detected acceleration matches a known acceleration profile characteristic of theft. Various parameters of the theft prevention system can also be set by a user through mechanisms such as a graphical user interface.

Abstract: A mobile media device may preemptively switch from a terrestrial video signal of a simulcast to a mobile video signal of the same simulcast upon detecting displacement motion. In one example, an apparatus includes a display configured to display video data, and a signal selection unit configured to determine whether the apparatus is moving, wherein the signal selection unit is configured to cause the display to display video data from a terrestrial signal of a simulcast broadcast when the apparatus does not detect displacement motion, and wherein the signal selection unit is configured to cause the display to display video data from a mobile signal of the simulcast broadcast when the signal selection unit detects displacement motion. In this manner, the apparatus may avoid loss of data from the terrestrial video signal that may be caused while moving.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for recognizing an activity of daily living (ADL). The apparatus includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader for reading the information of an RFID tag to recognize a motion object, a motion detector attached on a moving subject for acquiring acceleration information and recognizing a motion characteristic, and a controller for receiving information on the motion object from the RFID reader and information on the motion characteristic from the motion detector and then recognizing an ADL.

Abstract: Techniques are described that may be implemented in a portable electronic device to provide automatic detection of transit stops made by mass transit system vehicle in which a user of the device is a passenger. In an implementation, the portable electronic device includes an inertial sensor assembly to sense motion of the vehicle and generate a signal indicative of the vehicle motion. The inertial sensor assembly signal is used to detect the occurrence of a transit stop made by the vehicle. The portable electronic device can then display a prompt in response to detection of the transit stop. In embodiments, other measured data (e.g., elapsed time from a prior event, location information, direction, sound, and so on) may be used to verify the occurrence of the transit stop.

Abstract: Provided are a fall detecting apparatus and method and an emergency aid system and method using the same. The fall detecting apparatus includes a storing unit configured to store fall data vectors; an angular velocity measuring unit configured to measure an angular velocity value; an acceleration measuring unit configured to measure an acceleration value; an acceleration extracting unit configured to extract a kinetic acceleration value and a gravitational acceleration value by filtering the acceleration value measured by the acceleration measuring unit; and a fall determining unit configured to convert the angular velocity value, which is measured by the angular velocity measuring unit, and the kinetic acceleration value and the gravitational acceleration value, which are extracted by the acceleration extracting unit, into a fall data vector, and determine a use's fall by comparing the converted fall data vector with the fall data vector stored in the storing unit.

Abstract: One or more accelerometers may be coupled to a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, so that the response of the RFID tag indicates the acceleration being sensed by the accelerometer(s). In some embodiments the accelerometers may be powered from the RF energy harvested by the RFID tag from a received RF signal. The sensed acceleration indicated in the response may be used to determine a motion and/or an orientation of an object coupled to the accelerometers.

Abstract: An information communication terminal with a report function for use in the alarm includes the report function for awakening. However, since an operation required to stop the report function is performed in an operation unit, there is a risk that the user who is not in wakefulness makes an operation error. Using the information communication terminal including a sensor capable of detecting that the information communication terminal is shaken, a notification operation at a set time in the report function is controlled. Also, a control unit of the information communication terminal performs various kinds of control for the notification operation by partitioning vibration information detected by this sensor according to various patterns.

Abstract: An apparatus and method comprising of a remote microphone attached to a portable radio such as those carried by Firefighters and other First Responders and equipped with automatic motion sensing and Emergency Alert capabilities which becomes activated when such Firefighters and other First Responders are unconscious or immobilized. The invention incorporates a motion sensing component, such as a Solid State Accelerometer, and an orientation sensing component, such as a Solid State Gyroscope or a multidirectional Solid State Accelerometer into the radio's remote microphone and is programmed to become activated by the wearer's motionlessness and subsequently activates the Emergency Alert as if the wearer had pressed the Emergency Alert button. The activation may send out an audible distress signal, a radio frequency (RF) distress signal, or both.

Abstract: A device (1) for providing information on positioning of at least one moveable coupling (26) of a marine loading system (2), the system comprising at least one fluid transfer line having a line end fixed to a base (21), and a moveable line end provided with a coupling (26) adapted for connection to a target duct, the coupling or a member immediately neighboring the coupling having at least one means for providing information on the positioning of the coupling (33) either adapted to cooperate directly with a means (34) for providing information on positioning of the base disposed on the base or on a member immediately neighboring the base to provide, on the basis of the information on positioning of the base, information on relative positioning of the coupling directly relative to the base, or adapted to provide information on absolute positioning of the coupling (26) in space, and, the base having a fixed position in space, the device has a calculating means making it possible to calculate on the basis of the

Abstract: Component removal detection may be accomplished by a variety of systems and techniques. In one embodiment, a system for component movement detection may include a payment module, a fuel dispenser, and a movement detection device. The fuel dispenser may receive the payment module and enclose the payment module at a first position defined by a fixed position of the payment module relative to the fuel dispenser. The movement detection device may be communicably coupled to the payment module and may detect a first value at the first position and a second value at a second position of the payment module, where the second position may be different from the first position. Further, the movement detection device may transmit the second value to the payment module, where the payment module may activate a security measure based upon a difference in the first and second values greater than an adjustable absolute limit.

Abstract: A circuit for transmitting a RFID signal while conserving the battery power for a circuit in continuous operation is disclosed herein. The circuit includes a RFID component, a microprocessor, an accelerometer and a battery. The battery preferably has no more than 225 milliamp hours of power. The accelerometer is preferably a multiple axis accelerometer. The circuit is preferably utilized with a device for shot tracking.

Abstract: A mobile device configured to have at least one function disabled when a speed of the mobile device exceeds a threshold. The mobile device includes an output component configured to provide a notification related to disabling the at least one function. The mobile device also includes a first input component configured to promote controlling whether to disable the at least one function.

Abstract: An apparatus and method comprising of a portable radio such as those carried by Firefighters and other First Responders and equipped with automatic motion sensing and Emergency Alert capabilities incorporated within the body of said portable radio which becomes activated when such Firefighters and other First Responders are unconscious or immobilized. The invention incorporates a motion sensing component, such as a Solid State Accelerometer interfaced with an orientation component, such as a Solid State Gyroscope, or a multidirectional solid State Accelerometer incorporated within the body of said portable radio and programmed to be activated by the wearer's motionlessness and subsequently provides the Emergency Alert as if the wearer had pressed the Emergency Alert button. The activation may send out an audible distress signal, a radio frequency (RF) distress signal, or both.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to detecting seismic movements and providing at least one alarm notification based on the detected seismic movement. Particularly, a sensor device, which may be positioned in a subterranean part of a structure, may detect a seismic movement. The sensor device may make a determination as to whether the received seismic movement is greater than a predetermined threshold. If the seismic movement is greater than a predetermined threshold, the sensor device may transmit an alarm notification to one or more alarm devices, which may be located within the structure, indicating the seismic movement. The alarm device(s) may provide an alarm, notifying people in the structure of the seismic movement. This may provide an opportunity for the people to leave the structure before the seismic movement reaches the structure.

Abstract: A multi-purpose alarm operates in a motion-detected alarm mode and a motion-expected alarm mode. In the motion-detected alarm mode, when the multi-purpose alarm is touched or moved, an alarm is issued. In the motion-expected alarm mode, when the multi-purpose alarm has not been touched or moved for a period of time, an alarm is issued. The multi-purpose alarm employs an accelerometer to sense the presence or absence of movement and is attachable to an object being monitored through various attachment means including a spring clamp, an adhesive, and a magnet.

Abstract: An activity monitor which can be pre-programmed at the factory, the doctors office or the pharmacist, or that can be programmed by the user. The activity monitor is affixed to a medicine bottle or container and activity associated with the bottle or container, such as movement, opening, volume changes, etc. are monitored in view to the schedule. If the schedule indicates that a dose of medicine should be taken at a particular time, but the monitored activity does not determine that the medicine has been taken, an alert signal will be issued to alert the user that it is time to take the medicine. In addition, if the monitored activity indicates that the medicine bottle has been opened prior to a scheduled time, then a tamper alert can be triggered.

Abstract: A system includes a first accelerometer and a second accelerometer that are coupled to a processor. The processor is configured to receive input from the accelerometers, calculate a displacement of the first accelerometer and a displacement of the second accelerometer, and refresh a video display unit as a function of the displacement of the first accelerometer and the displacement of the second accelerometer.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus with an active posture control function includes a body assembly, an accelerometer, a driving device and a controller. The body assembly includes a first body and a second body pivotally connected to the first body. The accelerometer mounted on the body assembly senses acceleration of the body assembly to output an acceleration signal. The driving device mounted on the body assembly drives at least one of the first body and the second body. The controller, mounted on the body assembly and electrically connected to the accelerometer and the driving device, receives the acceleration signal, judges whether the acceleration signal is higher than a predetermined level, and controls the driving device to adjust an included angle between the first body and the second body when the acceleration signal is higher than the predetermined level.

Abstract: A remote control includes at least one spring motion switch and an electrical circuit to control remote control functions when the remote control is moved. In one embodiment, the motion switch activates keyboard back-lighting. A single spring motion switch may be used or two spring motion switches may be positioned approximately orthogonally, for example, a first spring motion switch to activate on motion along the remote control's length L, and a second spring motion switch to activate on motion along the remote control's width W. One simple and inexpensive motion switch is a cantilevered spring. The remote control according to the present invention with back-lighting activated by remote control motion is particularly useful when viewing a video or listening to music in low light.

Abstract: An energy-saving driving promotion system includes: a vehicle state detecting device; a current value calculating device that calculates a current value associated with an accelerator operation amount or a vehicle drive power; a recommended value calculating device that calculates a recommended value associated with the accelerator operation amount or the vehicle drive power; an indicator device that indicates a relationship between the calculated recommended value and the calculated current value; and an acceleration intention determining device that determines whether a driver intends to accelerate. If the acceleration intention determining device determines that the driver intends to accelerate, the recommended value calculating device calculates a larger recommended value when the acceleration intention determining device determines that the driver intends to accelerate than when the acceleration intention determining device determines that the driver does not intend to accelerate.

Abstract: An activity monitor is provided that reduces the amount of power consumed during a monitoring operation.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a motion detecting device is configured to detect whether one or more movement events have occurred. The motion detecting device can include: (a) a processing module configured to run on a computational unit; and (b) a sensing device having: (1) one or more pressure sensors configured to provide two or more pressure measurements; and (2) a transmitter electrically coupled to the one or more pressure sensors and configured to transmit the two or more pressure measurements to the computational unit. The processing module is configured to use the two or more pressure measurements to determine whether the one or more movement events have occurred. The sensing device can be configured to be placed in at least one of ductwork of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system or an air handler of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A circuit for transmitting a RFID signal while conserving the battery power for a circuit in continuous operation is disclosed herein. The circuit includes a RFID component, a microprocessor, an accelerometer and a battery. The battery preferably has no more than 225 milliamp hours of power. The accelerometer is preferably a multiple axis accelerometer. The circuit is preferably utilized with a device for shot tracking.

Abstract: There is disclosed a vehicle seat provided with a system for facilitating relieving of fatigue of an occupant on the vehicle seat, the vehicle seat including a seat back, the system comprising an occupant's body-motion promoting means 6 provided in an interior of the seat back 1 for repeatedly locally pressing the occupant on the vehicle seat, to thereby promote blood circulation of the occupant, a lateral acceleration sensor 8 provided in the interior of the seat back 1 for detecting accelerations that are applied in right and left lateral directions relative to a vehicle, and an acceleration-distinction control circuit provided in the interior of the seat back 1 for causing the body-motion promoting means 6 to be maintained in a drivable state according when an acceleration detected by the lateral acceleration sensor 8 is in a predetermined value range, for causing drive of the body-motion promoting means to be once stopped when the lateral acceleration becomes an excessive value exceeding an upper limit of

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing security to a user of an electronic device are provided. An electronic device can be configured to enter a prevention mode in response to detecting a force that exceeds a predetermined threshold, thereby providing security. Embodiments are described wherein the device, upon entering a prevention mode, may transmit a security transmission, in the form of a telephone call or an e-mail. This security transmission, when received by a security entity, can lead to the security entity dispatching an officer to the device's location, or to the security entity placing a telephone call to the device's owner, thereby providing security. Embodiments are also provided whereby the device, upon entering a prevention mode, may enter a lock-down mode. When in lock-down mode, the device may become inaccessible by any user, or alternatively may be accessed only if a security password is provided by the user.

Abstract: An electronic device with an alert system is disclosed. The electronic device includes a global positioning system (GPS) module and a central processing unit (CPU). The GPS module is capable of determining two velocities on two locations. The CPU is capable of computing a rate of change in velocity derived by dividing a change in velocity between the two locations into the time elapsed between the two locations. The CPU sends an alert message when the rate of change in velocity is beyond a preset value.

Abstract: A garment with light signal indicating system is disclosed. The garment comprises a body portion, a plurality of light-emitting assemblies, a battery assembly, a circuit control device and at least one motion sensor, wherein the circuit control device includes a microcontroller and an electric wire which is in electrical communication with the light-emitting assemblies and the battery assembly for conducting power to the light sources from the battery, such that the activation of the light-emitting assemblies can be controlled by an output signal from the motion sensor to the microcontroller when a movement of the motion sensor is detected.

Abstract: An evaluating apparatus arranged to evaluate an item-transport system having a flow path. The apparatus includes one or more position markers adjacent the path and an evaluating device for sensing the markers and conditions of the transport system. The evaluating device has at least one evaluation sensor configured to (A) sense conditions of the transport system and (B) produce evaluation-sensor data based on the sensed conditions. The evaluating device also has a position-marker sensor configured to sense the position markers and produce position-marker data. The apparatus further includes a distance meter configured to produce distance data and at least one computing device configured to determine a particular location at which the evaluating device was along the path of the item-transport system when a particular condition of the item-transport system was sensed based on the evaluation-sensor data, the position-marker data, and the distance data.

Abstract: A method and a control device for triggering passenger protection devices are provided, the passenger protection devices being triggered as a function of a first acceleration signal and/or a driving dynamics signal. The acceleration signal is corrected by an offset by a comparison with the driving dynamics signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating an alarm signal upon detecting movement of an object over a time that is greater than a field settable allowed movement time. The method includes the steps of locating a housing with respect to the object, setting the allowed movement time for the object, monitoring the movement of the housing, detecting a movement that exceeds the allowed movement time of the housing, generating an alarm signal, and transmitting by wireless transmission the alarm signal to a remote receiving station. Setting the movement time for the object is achieved by the following steps: powering the apparatus while depressing a tamper switch, initiating a time counter, moving the object an acceptable distance, releasing the tamper switch, stopping the time counter, and reading the allowed movement time from the time counter.

Abstract: A technique for preventing damage to a portable device includes detecting movement of a portable device and determining whether a port of the portable device is attached to an external device. When the external device is attached to the port, a notification is provided to a user of the portable device that the external device requires detachment from the portable device (e.g., assuming that the notification is not masked).

Abstract: A device for protecting an electronic apparatus includes: a motion-detection device, for supplying at least one alert signal in response to conditions of motion of the protection device; a counter; a first logic circuit, for incrementing the counter in the presence of a first value of the alert signal, in a first operating condition; and a second logic circuit, for generating a protection signal on the basis of a count value of the counter. In addition, the first logic circuit is configured for decrementing the counter in the presence of a second value of the alert signal, in the first operating condition.

Abstract: In a handheld electronic device, a motor is controlled to adjust, according to input received at a user-input element of the device, an angle of rotation of a camera module about a rotation axis of the camera module. The camera module is partially embedded in a housing of the device. An image sensor is embedded in the camera module and senses an image in a field of view that is centered around a line of sight. The line of sight is perpendicular to the rotation axis. An orientation of the housing relative to a direction of gravity is sensed, and the motor is controlled to rotate the camera module and hence the line of sight about the rotation axis to achieve a particular angle between the line of sight and the direction of gravity.

Abstract: A method for setting a safety threshold that triggers the sending, by an acceleration or movement sensor device (20), of a safety signal that causes a safety movement of a motorized screen (11) used as a closure or as a sunshade or for privacy, said method comprising the following steps: manual shaking of the screen, recording of a signal produced by a sensor means (33) during the manual shaking step, and determination of the safety threshold from this recording.

Abstract: A composite sensor for detecting angular velocity and acceleration includes an angular velocity detecting element, an acceleration detecting element, an angular velocity signal processing IC, an acceleration signal processing IC, and a housing. The housing is formed of a multilayered circuit board and accommodates the angular velocity detecting element, the acceleration detecting element, the angular velocity signal processing IC, and the acceleration signal processing IC. The housing connects the angular velocity detecting element electrically to the angular velocity signal processing IC, and also connects the acceleration detecting element electrically to the acceleration signal processing IC.

Abstract: A method and handheld electronic device for detecting and providing notification of a device drop are provided. In accordance with one embodiment, there is provided a method for detecting and providing notification of a device drop on an electronic device, comprising: measuring acceleration using an accelerometer of the electronic device; monitoring for and detecting freefall events in accordance with the acceleration measurements; and issuing an alert when a freefall event is detected.

Abstract: Monitoring systems with predictive failure analysis technology (e.g., Self Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology (S.M.A.R.T)) operate on the basis of correlations between the hard disk's mechanical and electronic characteristics. Using wavelet transforms to analyze electrical signals from the hard disks can help better determine changes in values and trends in various hard disk characteristics. Using wavelet transforms allows for thorough and deeper analysis of the electrical signals from the hard disks. Wavelet analysis can be performed on the electrical signal to extract time and frequency information associated with the low and high frequency components. Analyzing the extracted components of the electrical signal can indicate a presence and position of one or more mechanical defects on the hard disk.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a motion classification device 14 comprising sensor means 141 for monitoring movements of a targeted object, said sensor means 141 being operable to output motion signals based on said monitored movements, a processing means 147 for processing said motion signals, said processing means being operable to compare said processed motion signals with a set of predetermined values such that an event of said targeted object 12 being moved from a first mode of operation to a second mode of operation can be detected by determining the difference between said processed motion signals and said set of predetermined values.