1968 results about "Home use" patented technology

A system and method consisting of networked modular sensors and a data processing/display system to detect, process, manage and present both real-time and historic electrical energy usage data (metrics, statistics, etc), additionally allowing the intelligent management of energy usage through consumer education as well as both manual and automated usage controls.

Wherein sensors are integrated into the standardized form-factor components typical of household and commercial electrical interfaces, such as circuit breakers, wall outlets, light switches, plug ends, power strips, etc, additionally allowing integration with appliances or other load devices and being capable of processing data;

Wherein sensors and the associated processing, display and management systems are capable of communicating with each other.

A multimedia service apparatus and method for multimedia service providers outside home to UPnP devices inside home using a home gateway and a service gateway platform is provided. In the multimedia service apparatus and method, the home gateway and the service gateway platform such as an open service gateway initiative (OSGi) service platform are used inside a home so that the multimedia service providers outside home can provide a multimedia content on a home network to a universal plug and play (UPnP) audio/video (AV) MediaRenderer following a UPnP AV structure based on UPnP, to reproduce or store the multimedia content in a UPnP AV MediaServer. The multimedia service apparatus includes: a UPnP AV (audio/video) device connected to a home network by the multimedia service provider of an external network; and a gateway device providing a multimedia service to the UPnP AV device using the service gateway platform.

The invention relates to an electronic assembly (1) with information on the operation of household appliances, for providing the user with information on the operation of at least two different models of household appliances and thereby forming at least one first pattern (2A) and at least a second pattern (2B), said assembly comprising: - a universal connection base(10) to be mounted either on said at least one first pattern (2A) or said at least one second model (2B), said base comprising: at least a first sensor for giving information of operation of said first model (2A) and at least a second sensor for giving operation information of said second model (2B), an electronic assembly for processing signals which may come from the first sensor and the second sensor, - at least two adapter modules. - Household Appliances.

A small and cost effective sewage treatment system intended for unattended use in individual homes, small industries or businesses in locations where a central sewage treatment plant is not available. The sewage treatment system comprises a conventional septic tank which drains into a smaller aerated holding tank, a pump to transfer effluent from the holding tank into a disinfecting chamber, a regenerative heat exchanger used to raise the temperature of the effluent while being aerated in the holding tank, means for pumping the effluent at a controlled rate through a microwave field, and a conventional drain field used to release the disinfected water into the surrounding soil. Operation of this system is fully regulated by a micro-controller, thereby eliminating the need for human intervention during normal use. This invention also incorporates electronic means for detecting various fault conditions which may impede effective disinfection, means for diagnosing what part of the system is at fault, means for reporting the fault and diagnose to a central municipal location via a telephone or transponder system, an emergency battery backup system, and means for reverting system operation to that of a conventional septic tank and drain field system is case of a total power failure (both A/C and DIC) or water pump failure. Conventional household alternating current or a battery recharged via a wind generator or solar cells may power the sewage treatment system.

A method provides a ventilation control compliant with an adopted ventilation standard for efficient energy usage and conservation of energy resources. The method includes operating a home energy system to generate solar energy within a daily active period and draw fresh air from an ambient region, setting a daily ventilation period as a fractional period of a day, the ventilation period being coincident with the active period during a heating period for the home or a time period after the active period during a cooling period for the home, determining a target volume, determining a flow rate for delivering the fresh air during the ventilation period, performing ventilation in the ventilation period to deliver the fresh air into the home using the flow rate, and monitoring an accumulated total ventilation volume of the delivered fresh air until the accumulated total ventilation volume is within a vicinity of a target volume.

An automated system and method for passive testing of alcohol and drug abuse. The system enters a participant or subject into the system who is to be monitored during a probationary or other program for alcohol or drug abuse offenders. The system provides a drug testing home device or a drug testing kiosk device for use by the participant. The system enrolls the biometrics information of the participant into the computer system (e.g., finger print, voice, image, volatile compound organic gas level, and pH level). When the participant is to be tested in accordance with a testing schedule, the system validates these same biometrics of the participant, conducts the test, and then analyzes the test information for determining if the participant has been using alcohol or other drugs and should be subjected to a confirming urinalysis exam.

An apparatus and method that controls access to a dwelling is provided. An image capturing device captures an image representing an individual attempting to access the dwelling. An access database includes data identifying individuals known to a user and access level data associated with each individual known to the user, the data identifying individuals known to the user including image data representative of the individual. A controller receives the captured image data from the image capturing device and determines a level of access associated with the individual attempting access by comparing the captured image data with the image data representative of individuals stored in the access database. Upon determining that the access level indicates that access should be granted, the controller controls a locking mechanism to move from a first locked position to a second unlocked position enabling access to the dwelling.

A remote device having an electrical appliance control function and an electrical appliance control system are provided. The remote device includes an appliance communication module for communicating with an electrical appliance which is used by a user inside or outside home using power; a network communication module for supporting communication with outside to obtain user set optimal control data which controls the electrical appliance to operate in some other mode than an operation mode basically provided by a manufacturer of the electrical appliance; and a control part for controlling the electrical appliance based on the user set optimal control data. Hence, user's convenience can be promoted by allowing the user to control the electrical appliance on the optimal condition.

A skin treatment device for home use is provided herein. The device has enhanced safety features and improved operation efficiency. RF energy is delivered under strict control to a relatively small and well localized volume of the skin, avoiding excessive heating of the skin surface. Surface heating is monitored both by direct temperature measurement and by movement monitoring of the device to ensure proper use and prevent skin overheating and the pain associated therewith.

The present invention 10 discloses a portable bed device comprising a horizontal bottom 26 surrounded by vertical walls 28 with an open top forming a tub 32 for holding water therein in order to wash a person. The tub 32 has a removable side panel 42 incorporated into at least one sidewall wherein a latching mechanism 44 is used to attach the removable side panel to the tub 32. An adjustable backrest/footrest 38 is provided in order to rest the patient's head thereon wherein the backrest/footrest element is attached by tongue 39 and groove 40 fastening means to the sidewalls of the tub 32. A headrest 48 may also be removably attached to the backrest/footrest element. A means for introducing water into the tub 32 comprises a flexible inlet conduit 18 and a flexible outlet conduit 20 wherein water may be supplied from a conventional household showerhead and diverted back for discharge into, for example, the shower or tub 33 itself The patient may be washed using the showerhead 36 attached to the end of the inlet line 18. The tub 32 may be placed onto a gurney 16 when it is not feasible to bathe the patient in the bed.

An electric power generating system is arranged such that the system efficiency approaches 100%. In the context of this special arrangement, system efficiency is defined as the electrical energy produced divided by the amount of heat energy allocated to its production. All heat energy that is not converted to electric energy is completely used by an associated household. However, high efficiency requires that heat usage by the household is not increased as a result of this arrangement. Unlike most electric power generation, heat is not wasted, so there is no inefficiency.

The motor vehicle includes an electric generator driven by a heat engine, with an optional natural gas connection to the household. The heat from the exhaust and the engine coolant is connected to household devices that make full use of that heat. As needed, operation of the heat engine is regulated such that heat discharge rate does not exceed the rate at which household devices can use that heat. Generated electricity charges vehicle batteries, with surplus going to the household and to the public utility.

Described herein are various embodiments of an oxygen concentrator system that includes a home oxygen concentrator system couplable to a portable oxygen concentrator system.

The invention relates to an ankle rehabilitation training device with single degree of freedom, comprising a stand. The ankle rehabilitation training device with single degree of freedom is characterized in that a motor-driven mechanism is mounted in the middle bottom of the stand, a rotating shaft driven by the motor-driven mechanism is vertically arranged on the upper surface of the stand, and the upper end of the rotating shaft is fixedly connected with the middle of an inclined disc. The device provided by the invention only has one degree of freedom, the rotating shaft rotates to drive amoving platform to continuously wing relative to an axis, and feet of a patient are placed on the moving platform so as to realize the plantar flexion, the back extension, the inwards turning and outwards turning motions of the ankle joints, and meanwhile, the device also has the advantages of simple structure, convenience in control, small size and low price and is suitable for home use.

A configurable switch matrix assembly with button assembly is disclosed for keypads used in devices such as primary control points for automation systems in homes vehicles, or commercial environments. The configurable switch matrix assembly preferably includes a frame for supporting a plurality of positionable cross members and optionally a baffle. The cross members and frame each preferably include cantilevers which can be deflected by pressing the button assemblies to activate switches associated with the keypad. Dynamic status lights and back lights may provide illumination of varying colors and intensities. Button labels may be easily replaced in the button assemblies. Button assemblies of different sizes and shapes may be easily attached to the configurable switch matrix assembly in various configurations without the need for different attaching devices for each situation and/or environment.

Home use of sensors has been limited to rudimentary devices such as using a thermometer or sensors installed in homes by third party for security. An affordable sensor with advanced capabilities as used in commercial applications has not been possible. Smartphone or smart tablets, with advanced computing ability, has not been a platform for sensor communications though the capability exists. Recent products such as the iCelsius convert the iPhone into a data logger for measuring temperature and relative humidity. However, these sensors are tethered to the device and not wireless. A cost effective sensor solution for consumer application with remote monitoring capability is now possible using WiFi based wireless sensors that will work with the smart phones and the cloud based computing on the internet; such an integration of these three platforms in such a way that the user does not have to intervene to make it all work seamlessly is the purpose of this invention.

An adjustable headrest that provides both support and comfort to the user and one that can be used in connection with furniture including household and office furniture and also in connection with various types of passenger vehicles. The headrest includes slide means for permitting easy height adjustment of the headrest and also includes locking means for securely locking the headrest in a desired elevated position. Further, the headrest includes easily adjustable, wing-like, side-support members that are pivotally connected to a centrally located, vertically adjustable head support member by means of constant torque hinges and also includes easily adjustable chin support members that are pivotally connected to the side support members by means of constant torque hinges.

The invention relates to a user access control method comprising the following steps: a home base station sends information to a home base station gateway, wherein the information includes the information on the measurement of surrounding cells by user equipment (UE) and the non-access stratum (NAS) information which is sent to a core network node by the UE; the home base station gateway analyzes the NAS information so as to obtain the user identification contained in the NAS information; the home base station gateway compares the user identification and a user group list and decides if the UE is allowed to be accessed; and the home base station gateway sends the response of NAS information to the home base station and informs the home base station of the UE access indication. The invention simplifies the complexity of a home node B (HNB), improves the safety performance of the HNB and enables the user to reside in the HNB under the condition of the coverage of a micro cell nearby or reside in the micro cell.