256results about "Optical signals" patented technology

A lighting fixture having a lamp and alarm clock with a wake-up cycle and sleep cycle with gradually increasing and decreasing light and sounds. The lighting fixture includes at least one lamp for emitting light in the wake-up cycle and in the sleep cycle. The lighting fixture also includes at least one speaker for emitting sound in the wake-up cycle and in the sleep cycle. The lighting fixture further includes a dimmer switch for dimming the light and wake-up cycle control buttons for setting and controlling a wake-up cycle having a light control button for setting the time when the wake-up cycle control buttons activates the light mode and gradually increases the lamp brightness emitted from the at least one lamp; and sound control buttons for setting and controlling the time when the wake-up cycle control buttons activates the sound mode and gradually increases the sound intensity emitted from the at least one speaker; and sound selection switches for selecting one of multiple pre-set sounds for the sound mode of the wake-up cycle, or for full time operation as background sound.

A mobile terminal is presented, having capability to determine when a user should be stimulated toward an awake state. The terminal includes a receiver for receiving a sleep descriptor signal indicative of at least one sleep characteristic of the user, and also includes a signal processing module for processing the sleep descriptor signal. The signal processing module is arranged to provide, at least partly in response to the sleep descriptor signal, a stimulation signal indicative that the user should be stimulated. The mobile terminal is also usable for communication by the user in the awake state. This invention further includes a method, system, and monitor to be used with the mobile terminal in order to stimulate the user toward an awake state.

In certain embodiments, a radial configuration of time based information and a graphical object representative of an event are displayed together in a graphical user interface. A position of the graphical object relative to the radial configuration of time based information in the graphical user interface is configured to indicate a relationship between the event and the time based information. In certain embodiments, the radial configuration of time based information includes a visual representation of an analog clock face, and the graphical object includes a tab positioned along a perimeter of the analog clock face. In certain embodiments, the radial configuration of time based information includes a visual representation of a timeline spirally disposed about at least one axis point, and the graphical object is positioned along a section of the timeline.

The control method allows execution of various functions in an electronic diary watch, which includes, in a case closed by a crystal, a time-keeping circuit and / or a watch movement powered by an energy source, and a dial on which the time is displayed in a digital and / or analogue manner. A determined number of sensors (C1 to C7) are provided with touch sensitive pads arranged on an inner or outer face of the crystal. These sensors are provided for carrying out the various controls of the method when they are individually activated by a user's finger. In order to consult data or parameters, the method includes a first series of steps consisting in displaying different menus (102 to 106) of the diary function on at least one liquid crystal display by activating at least one sensor (C4, C5) of a group of sensors (C4 to C7), and in selecting the menu or record to be consulted (107 to 111) by activating a validation sensor (C1). In order to enter data, the method includes a second series of steps consisting in activating the validation sensor (C1) for a determined period of time or with a determined application of pressure, entering diary data by activating certain sensors (C2 to C7) each controlling execution of a specific determined function, and validating data entered by action on the validation sensor.

A method for resolving meeting conflicts for an electronic calendar application is disclosed. After receiving a request for setting a first meeting schedule for a first meeting, an electronic calendar application sets a first meeting schedule and a first meeting priority number associated with the first meeting. In response to a request to set a second meeting schedule for a second meeting, and the second meeting schedule conflicts with the first meeting schedule, the electronic calendar application determines whether a second meeting priority number associated with the second meeting is higher than the first meeting priority number associated with the first meeting. If the second meeting priority number is determined to be higher than the first meeting priority number, then the electronic calendar application overrides the first meeting schedule with the second meeting schedule. Next, the electronic calendar application informs a meeting scheduler of that first meeting that the first meeting has been overridden by the second meeting schedule.

Techniques for scheduling a conference among multiple persons include receiving quorum data and location data. Quorum data indicates a quorum for a particular conference. Location data indicates locations of a plurality of persons who satisfy the quorum. A proposed location for the particular conference is determined based on the location data and the quorum data. These techniques allow location data to include presence data that describes a current location of a person or a state of communication of that person; and therefore allow presence data to be used in determining where to conduct a conference and when. For example, an organizer of a meeting and meeting invitees are notified when the people constituting a quorum cross paths at the same location, or are situated at sites that support remote conferencing.

An electronic calendaring and scheduling capability that minimizes storage requirements. Repetitive calendar events are stored as single entries using an expression language. The expression language provides an ability for expressing how often the event recurs. Thus, the days on which the event occurs are computed from an expression stored in a repetitive event. Further, the expression language provides the ability to identify exceptions and to define an infinite number of recurring events from the original recurrent event definition. Events are generated by obtaining a recurrency expression of a first event. The recurrency expression is converted to one or more recurring dates. A beginning date of the first event is also obtained. Using one or more recurring dates and the beginning date, one or more second events are generated in response. The present invention provides the first event and the one or more second events to the users in one or more calendars. The present invention further utilizes a recurrency expression including one or more anti-event expressions. Anti-events have the same format as the recurring event. The anti-event expressions are used to generate one or more exception dates. The exception dates cancel at least one of the recurring dates.

A delivery scheduling system that is configured for scheduling the delivery of an item or service from a sender to an intended recipient. After receiving a signal indicating that, for example, a particular package is to be delivered to an intended recipient, the system attempts to establish interactive contact with the recipient either by direct contact with the recipient, or by leaving the recipient a message to establish direct contact with the system at a convenient time. Upon establishing contact with the recipient, the system allows the intended recipient to schedule delivery of the package. More particularly, the recipient may schedule the package to be delivered: (1) within a particular time window; (2) before or after a particular time of day; or (3) on a particular day.

A method and apparatus for scheduling a conference among multiple persons includes receiving group data that indicates persons in a first group. Availability data is received from a shared database that includes information about availability for a conference of a population of persons that includes the persons from the first group. Quorum data is received that indicates that a quorum for a particular conference includes any one or more persons in the first group and less than all persons in the first group; thus the first group is a called a “representative group.” A proposed time interval that satisfies the quorum based on the group data, the availability data, and the quorum data is determined for the particular conference.

A mobile terminal is presented, having capability to determine when a user should be stimulated toward an awake state. The terminal includes a receiver for receiving a sleep descriptor signal indicative of at least one sleep characteristic of the user, and also includes a signal processing module for processing the sleep descriptor signal. The signal processing module is arranged to provide, at least partly in response to the sleep descriptor signal, a stimulation signal indicative that the user should be stimulated. The mobile terminal is also usable for communication by the user in the awake state. This invention further includes a method, system, and monitor to be used with the mobile terminal in order to stimulate the user toward an awake state.

A notification system that reminds and / or alerts a digital media capture device that a media event that warrants capture is imminent. The notification system is implemented in conjunction with a digital planner such that event reminders are placed in the digital planner of a digital device and alerts are then sent to an associated digital media capture device proximate to the occurrence of the media event. The alerts may be sent to internal digital media capture devices or the alerts may be sent to external digital media capture devices that are remote from the device on which the digital planner is implemented.

The invention concerns a method (200) and system (100) for displaying appointments. The method includes the steps of—in an electronic device (110)—displaying (212) an analog clock face (300) that is divisible into a plurality of time regions (318) in which the plurality of time regions includes at least a portion of an ante meridiem section (320) and a post meridiem section (322), associating (216) a time region with an appointment and marking (222) the time region, including at least a portion of one of the ante meridiem section and the post meridiem section, to indicate visually that the appointment is associated with the time region. The method can further include the step of assigning (220) an icon (324) to the marked time region to indicate the type of appointment associated with the time region.

The disclosure describes an alarm clock and a system for presenting pre-selected information from a website via the internet. The alarm clock includes a snooze button, a visual display, a speaker, a port for connecting to the internet, and a timer device for activating downloading of pre-selected information from a website through the port, and for activating the presentation of the pre-selected information on the visual display and the speaker.

A nightlight is provided for providing therapeutic effects on the human body and mind including promoting relaxation, sleep and wakefulness. The nightlight includes a housing, a light source, a central processor, one or more controls, and a power supply. The light source produces at least three modes having various light properties. The light modes include a sleep readiness mode, a sleep help mode and a wake-up mode. The sleep readiness mode produces light at about 40 lumens and preferably includes only light from the blue and yellow portions of the visible light spectrum. The sleep help mode produces monochromatic light in the blue or green spectrum. Preferably, the light undulates at a frequency of one cycle per second to one cycle per minute at a luminosity of between 5 lumens and 25 lumens. Meanwhile, the wake-up mode produces substantially full spectrum light at approximately 1,600 lumens. The processor and controls allow a person to select and control the various light modes. Moreover, the nightlight may include biological sensors for measuring physiological activity of the body.

The manual control device for executing functions of an electronic watch (1) particularly a diary watch, includes a certain number of sensors (C1 to C7) wherein one touch sensitive pad of each sensor is placed for example on an internal face of the crystal (4). When a user's finger (20) is placed on the watch crystal in a determined zone of the sensitive pad of a sensor to be activated, it causes an electronic circuit (14) of the device to execute an instruction or a function. In a first mode selected by the electronic circuit, at least two sensors are grouped such that the electronic circuit executes the same operation when a finger is placed on the crystal in a determined zone of the sensitive pad of one sensor or the other. However, in a second mode selected by the electronic circuit, each sensor (C1 to C7) activated by the finger (20) provides measuring signals to the electronic circuit (14) for the execution of a different specific operation for each sensor.The sensitive pads of the sensors are distributed on the internal face of the crystal for the purpose of allowing data to be entered into the watch, pre-stored data to be consulted or different function menus to be consulted.

An agent may receive an event from a source calendaring system, wherein the event specifies a person, perhaps including a uniform resource locator, having disparate calendaring system. The disparate calendaring system may use a native event format for coordinating events. The agent may lookup a template to convert the event to a native event. The agent may transmit a message with attributes such as a unique identifier to the disparate calendaring system. If the disparate calendaring system acknowledges the event with a success, the agent may log the occurrence of a success. Agent may transmit additional messages having native events to additional disparate systems.

Methods, systems and machine readable media for operating a calendar in a data processing system. In one exemplary method of managing a calendar, which contains at least one event, said method comprises: making available the calendar in an electronic format; subscribing to said calendar; downloading said calendar from a host electronic device to a subscriber electronic device; and storing said calendar in said electronic format to form a local calendar.

A nightlight provides therapeutic effects on the human body and mind including promoting relaxation, sleep and wakefulness. The nightlight includes a housing, a light source, a central processor, one or more controls, and a power supply. The light source produces at least three illumination modes having various light properties. The light modes include a sleep readiness mode, a sleep help mode and a wake-up mode. The sleep readiness mode produces light at about 40 lumens and preferably includes only light from the blue and yellow portions of the visible light spectrum. The sleep help mode produces substantially monochromatic light in the blue or green spectrum. Preferably, the light undulates at a frequency of one cycle per second to one cycle per minute at a luminosity of between 5 lumens and 25 lumens, which can be selected to automatically decrease by the user. Meanwhile, the wake-up mode produces substantially full spectrum light at approximately 1,600 lumens. The controls allow a person to control the various light modes. Moreover, the nightlight may include biological sensors for measuring physiological activity of the body. The nightlight may be incorporated into a bedside alarm clock which includes numerous features found in a traditional alarm clock such as a display for displaying the time or alarm time. The alarm function may be provided by illumination of one of the three nightlight's illumination modes, which is preferably the wake up mode which may illuminate slowly or substantially immediately to full brightness.

Methods, systems and machine readable media for operating a calendar in a data processing system. In one exemplary method of managing a calendar, which contains at least one event, said method comprises:making available the calendar in an electronic format;subscribing to said calendar;downloading said calendar from a host electronic device to a subscriber electronic device; andstoring said calendar in said electronic format to form a local calendar.

A device for indicating the passage of two or more time intervals is provided. In one embodiment, the device includes a base portion with a user interface and a light portion. The light portion includes three lights of different colors that are disposed in a vertical arrangement above the base portion. The user interface includes a display and a keypad for programming the device with one or more time durations, and for associating one or more of the lights with each time interval. A controller is in communication with the user interface and operatively coupled with the lights to illuminate and turn off each light during its associated interval. The device may include an audio section linked to the controller for further indicating the intervals or transitions therebetween by outputting one or more sounds.

Disclosed embodiments are directed towards a system and method for awakening a user from a period of sleep by applying a stimulus of light for a period determined from a comparative analysis of the user's sleep stage and a desired wake time. One exemplary method includes setting an alarm time and then monitoring motion sensors to detect movements of the user that indicate the user is in a stage of light sleep. When it is determined that the user has entered a stage of light sleep, the alarm time may be compared with the timing of the light stage of sleep. If the alarm time coincides with the sleep stage timing, an alarm comprised of a gradually intensifying stimulus of light can be triggered to awaken the user. In some embodiments, the gradually intensifying stimulus of light can be made to simulate a dawn event of the sun rising.

A multimedia projection alarm clock with integrated illumination is disclosed. It includes a projector module which projects an animated image, an illuminating light source which emits illuminating light of adjustable color and / or brightness, a speaker which outputs music or sound effects, and a control unit which animates a projected image and / or varies an illuminating light with music or sound effects so that an alarm signal featuring a theme of vivid figures with matching backgrounds may be provided. The control unit is also equipped with a simple user interface allowing the user to access handy bedside functions such as the night light easily.

An ethylene-based copolymer for non-crosslinked water supply pipe is provided. The ethylene-based copolymer is prepared using a supported hybrid metallocene catalyst and has a dimodal or broad molecular weight distribution. The ethylene-based copolymer has a high density molecular structure in a low molecular weight and has a low density molecular structure with high content of a comonomer in a high molecular weight. The ethylene-based copolymer has a molecular weight distribution of 5-30 and the distribution of copolymerization of ethylene and C3-20 α-olefin is localized in high molecular weight chains. Accordingly, the ethylene-based copolymer has superior processability, internal pressure creep resistance at high temperatures and environmental stress crack resistance.

An ophthalmic lens having an electronic system is described herein for monitoring the medical condition of the wearer using at least one sensor and at least one problem template. In a further embodiment, the problem template includes a pattern and / or a threshold. In at least one embodiment, the lens works in conjunction with a second lens and / or an external device to monitor for a medical condition or to perform a test protocol of the wearer. Examples of the at least one sensor include an eyelid position sensor system, an eye movement sensor system, a biosensor, a bioimpedance sensor, a temperature sensor, and a pulse oximeter.