A wheelchair cushion comprises a dual stiffness fluid. A cushion also comprises an ability to adjust fluid volume.

A reverse coil head coil and innerspring has a generally cylindrical and helical wire form coil body and opposing coil ends which terminate on opposite sides of a reference plane that passes through the coil body. The reverse coil head coils are interconnected in a matrix to form an innerspring wherein only one terminal end of each coil is located at a perimeter of the innerspring. Variations in the number and pitch of helical turns of the coil body are also disclosed.

A furniture system (400) includes a furniture back (408) having a back front surface (410). A desk (414) having an upper work surface (434) extends forwardly from an upper central portion of the front back surface (410). The system (400) also includes a pair of bases (426) with a pair of seats (424) positioned above the bases (426). A spatial interior area (427) exists between lateral sides of the seats (424), and the desk (414) is centered laterally between the seats (424). The furniture system (400) is movable between sitting configurations and sleeping configurations.

A portable playpen which can be erected, collapsed and carried while holding a baby, includes a framework supporting an enclosure for a child. The framework has a generally pyramidal structure when it is erected.

Play yards and methods of operating the same are disclosed. A disclosed example includes a collapsible upper frame, a collapsible lower frame, and posts to support the upper frame above the lower frame. The posts include respective tracks. The example also includes a foldable, frameless enclosure operatively coupled to the upper frame, the lower frame and the posts. The enclosure has a plurality of sides and a bottom to define an enclosure volume. The enclosure also has a plurality of corner beads dimensioned for receipt in a respective one of the tracks to secure the enclosure to the posts.

A foldable bed may include a first bed unit and a second bed unit. The first bed unit has a first bed frame and a second bed frame. Underneath the first and second bed frames are restorable leg and rear leg, so the first bed unit can be safely disposed on the ground. One side of the first and second bed frame has a first joint mechanism. The second bed unit has a first bed frame and a second bed frame, which are supported by a supporting leg, so the second bed unit can be safely disposed on the ground. A long slot on the first bed frame and second bed frame is provided for a securing unit to insert to connect with a connecting hole of the first joint mechanism, so the first bed unit and second bed unit can be connected as a foldable sofa bed.

The present invention relates to a functional table for patient transportation, including: a patient supporter which supports a patient laid thereon and allows the patient to be horizontally slidably transported, with its both sides being changed in their angle with respect to a vertical axis of the patient; a support frame which is located in the central bottom of the patient supporter and allows the patient supporter to be vertically moved; a base frame which is connected to the bottom of the support frame and supports the whole of functional table; and at least three transporting wheels which are connected to the base frame and allow the functional table to be freely moved.

A patient handling device, such as a bed, stretcher, cot, or the like, includes a deck on which a patient may lie and which is surrounded by siderails. Control panels may be mounted on the siderails in a staggered fashion to improve the ease of accessing the control panels. A handle assembly may be included near the top of the Fowler section of the deck which allows a pair of handles to be squeezed independently for manual pivoting of the Fowler section. Squeezing one handle does not increase the force required to subsequently squeeze the other handle. The pivoting of the Fowler section may also be carried out automatically through an electrical actuator. The raising of the deck may be carried out through an electrical pump that pumps hydraulic fluid, and which may be activated near the top end of the stroke of a reciprocating pedal.

An acupressure pillow includes pressure members that are interconnected by an elastic member and arranged so that, when the user rests a body part (e.g., head or neck) on the pillow between the pressure members, the pressure members automatically adjust to accommodate the body part and produce pressure on the body part due at least in part to the elastic member, which biases the pressure members toward one another. Thus, the pressure exerted on the body part may have different vector components, including some pressure produced essentially perpendicular to the pillow surface on which the body part rests and some pressure produced at other angles due to the shape of the pressure members and the inward force on the pressure members produced by the elastic member.

The portable head support device of the present invention provides comfortable support for a user's head while the user is in a sitting potion. The pillow or cushion has a v-shape on the top where a user's chin can rest so that the head cannot fall forward or sideways but will stay in a comfortable and upright position. The pillow is held in place by hook and loop fasteners located on the pillow and, for instance, on straps extending from behind the user's back and over the shoulders or wraparound supports wrapped around standard seat belts. The head support can be used in child car seats to keep a child's head in a safe and stable position while they sleep.

Drainable hammocks with an arrangement of drainage paths in the fabric of the hammock bed are disclosed, wherein the drainage paths are openings in the fabric of the hammock bed. In one example, the openings are formed by grommets that are positioned in the fabric of the hammock bed. A method of operation of the drainable hammocks includes, but is not limited to, the steps of water impinging the uppermost surface of the hammock bed, water flowing due to gravity from the high points in the hammock bed to the low points in the hammock bed, and water exiting the hammock bed through the drainage paths and onto the ground below.

An electric bed has a bed frame, multiple boards, and a motor structure. The bed frame comprises a lower bed frame and an upper bed frame, and the upper bed frame and the lower bed frame are connected by a connecting structure. The multiple boards are hinged, and at least one board is fixed onto the upper bed frame. The motor structure comprises a connecting rod, a slide bar, and a horizontal pushing motor system. The connecting rod has one end hinged with the first board of the multiple boards. The slide bar extends in the width direction of the bed frame and is arranged in a sliding chute in the length direction of the bed frame, so that it can slide along the length direction of the bed frame.

The present invention is directed to a pillow for supporting and enclosing a portion of the head of a user, the ears in exemplary use. The pillow includes a fabric shell, which in turn encompasses padding of soft compliant material. A pivotable frame is disposed within the shell. In one embodiment, the pivotable frame includes unitary semi-rigid leg, flexible substantially along its entire length. In an alternate embodiment, the pivotable frame includes of a length of a plurality of interconnected leg and joint sections. Each of the joints is connected with two legs and defines a pivot about which the legs rotate, whereby the user can manipulate the pillow from an open state to an enclosed state around a portion of his or her head.

An infant care accessory comprising a combination diaper bag and changing mat. The accessory comprises a body having a two side panels and a center panel. When the side panels are upright, the body forms a diaper bag. When the side panels are opened flat with the center panel, the body forms a diaper changing mat. The inside surface of the body is made of fluid impermeable material, and a fluid barrier is positioned along the center panel. The fluid barrier may be a strip of absorbent material. When a baby is placed lengthwise on the opened out body with the center panel positioned at about the baby's waist, urine and other body fluids will be blocked or absorbed by the fluid barrier and will not travel up under the baby's back and head. A removable accessory pouch may be included for carrying diapers, lotion, powder, and other changing essentials.

A universally adjustable pillow for use in healthcare and/or therapy includes a base board (1), and pillows for, respectively, right lateral recumbency (4), supine recumbency (2), left lateral recumbency (5) and for the neck (3) that are arranged on said base board (1). The pillows for left and right lateral recumbency (5,4) each include an external cushion, a mechanism enabling adjustment to fit vertebral curvature (52, 42), a mechanism enabling adjustment to inhibit too great an angle of lateral tilt (53, 43) and height adjustment members (51, 41). The longitudinal axes of the pillows for left and right lateral recumbency (5, 4) are set an angles α and β to the longitudinal axis of the pillow for supine recumbency (2).

Disclosed is a bed clothing system that has a bottom sheet and top sheet attached together at the corners of the foot end of the bed clothing system. At the foot end of the bed clothing system on the corners, where the top and bottom sheets are attached, a stretchable piece of material is disposed in a vertical direction so that the bed sheet system is able to accommodate to any size and thickness of a mattress, while also remaining securely fixed on a mattress.

A movable privacy screen includes a plurality of privacy screen segments that are attachable to a bed or gurney. The plurality of screen segments include at least first and second screen segments. Each of the first and second screen segments include a first support pole, a second support pole and a coupler. The first support pole has a variable length to permit the first support pole to move between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The second support pole has a variable length to permit the second support pole to move between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The coupler movably couples the first and second support poles to the bed in a spaced relation to permit the first and second support poles to move between an upstanding use position and a lowered storage position. A fabric-like screen member is coupled to each of the first and second support poles. The fabric-like screen member is sized to extend between the first and second support poles, and is movable between a raised use position and a lowered storage position.

A bed with an integral toilet includes a frame, a mattress and a support for supporting the mattress on the bed frame. The mattress and support define an opening extending through the mattress and support. A robotic system removes and replaces a cushion for filling the opening and for replacing the toilet in alignment with the opening. An integral bidet, a source of clean water, a nozzle, a variable speed pump and mechanism for connecting a source of water to the bidet are included. A second opening in a lower portion of the toilet is connected to a waste storage tank. An odor eliminator is provided and a remote control allows a patient to control the unit.

A medical examination table includes a seat, a compartment below the seat, a first extension, a second extension, a lift mechanism, a base, and a storage section formed in the base. The first extension is configured to be stored in the compartment, and is further configured to project outward relative to the seat when in an extended configuration of the first extension. The second extension is configured to be stored in the compartment with the first extension, and is further configured to project outward relative to the first extension when in an extended configuration of the second extension. The lift mechanism is configured to raise and lower the seat, the compartment, and the first and second extensions. The base is coupled to the lift mechanism.

A patient support includes a frame, a patient support surface supported at the frame, a display incorporated into the frame, and a user interface incorporated into the frame. The patient support frame includes a controller incorporated into the frame, which has a plurality of prompts stored therein. The user interface is in communication with the controller and may be used to select a selected prompt from the plurality of prompts stored in the controller. When a prompt is selected, the controller generates a display image or text associated with the selected prompt at the display in response to a passage of time or an input to provide a visual prompt to the user.

Person support apparatuses with selectively coupled foot sections are disclosed. In one embodiment, the person support apparatus includes a base frame, a primary support frame supported on the base frame, and a foot section coupled to the primary support frame. The person support apparatus also includes a carriage that is freely translatable between a head end of the primary support frame and a foot end of the primary support frame, the carriage comprising a torso portion and a seat portion having a thigh segment and a gluteal segment. The person support apparatus further includes a selectable trunnion that selectively and severally couples the foot section to the primary support frame and the thigh segment of the seat portion.

A patient support apparatus having a support table, a transfer plate, which is disposed movably in relation to the support table in a direction and on which a patient is supported for a surgical intervention and/or a medical imaging examination, and a surgical head restraint unit, which is disposed on the transfer plate is provided. The patient support apparatus includes a position monitoring apparatus for monitoring and/or checking a position of the surgical head restraint unit.

A support pillow includes a flexible outer sleeve and a deformable inner cushion positioned wholly inside the outer sleeve. Both the outer sleeve and inner cushion are elongate. The outer sleeve is longer than the inner cushion and defines a pair of free end portions extending beyond the inner cushion. The inner cushion is moveable inside the outer sleeve such that the length of each of the free end portions is adjustable. A gripping device can be moved along each end portion to close the outer sleeve around the inner cushion and fix the length of the free end portion extending beyond the inner cushion. The free end portions extend far enough to enable a user to connect the end portions together to fix the support pillow in a desired shape.

A cellular cushion includes a base, a plurality of hollow cells, and support material. The base includes at least a first layer and a second layer. The plurality of hollow cells are coupled to, and extend outward from, only one of the first layer and the second layer. Each of the plurality of cells extends from a root defined at only one of the first layer and the second layer outwardly to an outer end. The plurality of cells are coupled together in flow communication via a plurality of channels extending between the cells. The support material is inserted within at least one of the hollow cells. The second layer coupled to the first layer such that the support material is between an inner surface of said at least one of the hollow cells and the second layer.

An enclosure for protecting an infant from smothering by a parent while feeding features one or more load bearing elements supported above a significant portion of an infant's upper body half, an infant supporting bottom surface, and a removable access panel to provide access to the infants face for feeding.

A modular wall includes a plurality of inter-connectable and interchangeable wall modules. At least one of the wall modules includes a recessed, extendable piece of furniture, such as a bed, desk, table, work surface or chair. When in a closed configuration, the furniture folds into or otherwise resides within a recessed pocket in the modular wall. When in the closed configuration, the outer surface of the furniture forms an exterior surface of the wall module; thereby, concealing the furniture seamlessly into the modular wall. The exterior surface can comprise one or more exterior interchangeable tiles.

Technologies for communicating roadway information includes a plurality of roadway markers configured to propagate communications amongst each other. To do so, each roadway marker is configured to transmit communications to one or more other roadway markers. The communications may include sensor data generated by a sensor of a roadway marker. One or more roadway markers may transmit the sensor data to a roadway controller. Additionally or alternatively, the communication may include an alert message. A roadway marker may include a local alert device and be configured to activate the alert device in response to receiving an alert message. Additionally, one or more roadway markers may communicate with a roadway controller, a roadway traffic device, and/or an in-vehicle computing system of a vehicle to propagate roadway marker sensor data and/or alert messages. The roadway controller may be configured to control the roadway traffic devices, roadway makers, and/or communicate with remote computing devices.

A method for reducing noise at a wellsite includes transmitting a plurality of first signals from a variable frequency drive (VFD) to an alternating current (AC) induction motor. A timing of a plurality of second signals is varied to control transistors in an inverter of the VFD, thereby reducing harmonic distortion of the first signals output from the VFD. The timing is varied based at least partially upon an estimation of the harmonic distortion.

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, systems and methods for sensing and communicating sensed downhole parameters using a hybrid micro-structured fiber optic cable are provided. The micro-structured fiber optic cable may be used to communicate and/or amplify sensor signals indicative of the sensed downhole parameters. These sensed downhole parameters may include one or more of a downhole temperature, pressure, magnetic field, electromagnetic energy, radioactivity, telemetry signal, or some other downhole measurement. The micro-structured fiber optic cable may include opto-electronic circuitry built into the internal structure of the cable for modulating the optical signal based on the sensed parameters. The opto-electronic circuitry may include diodes, triodes, and other components that are communicatively coupled to external sensors used to measure downhole parameters. The opto-electronic circuitry may include an internal sensor in the form of a functional material disposed within the micro-structured fiber optic cable for measuring downhole parameters.

A system includes an optical fiber and an interrogator to provide source light to the optical fiber. The system also includes a receiver coupled to the optical fiber. The receiver includes at least one fiber optic coupler that receives backscattered light and that produces optical interferometry signals from the backscattered light. The receiver also includes photo-detectors that produce an electrical signal for each of said optical interferometry signals. The system also includes at least one digitizer that digitizes the electrical signals. The system also includes at least one processing unit that calculates I/Q data from the digitized electrical signals, corrects the I/Q data based on ellipse fitting, determines phase values based on the corrected I/Q data, and determines distributed sensing parameter values based on the phase values.

A method for controlling a refrigerator may comprise controlling at least one of a temperature and humidity of at least one storage area of the refrigerator based on first storage information, receiving, from a second refrigerator different from the refrigerator, second storage information of the second refrigerator, and controlling at least one of the temperature and the humidity of the at least one storage area of the refrigerator based on the received second storage information.

A method includes optically interacting a bulk material or powder stored in a hopper with an integrated computational element (“ICE”) configured to detect a characteristic of the bulk material or powder. The method also includes generating an output signal corresponding to the characteristic of the bulk material or powder, and receiving and processing the output signal with a signal processor to yield a value for the characteristic of the bulk material or powder. Also, the method includes transmitting a message flagging the hopper when it is determined that the bulk material or powder is not suitable for usage.

A method includes optically interacting a bulk material or powder stored in a storage bin with an integrated computational element (“ICE”) configured to modify an electromagnetic radiation according to a characteristic of the bulk material or powder. The method also includes detecting the modified electromagnetic radiation with a detector, and producing an output signal correlated to a value for the characteristic of the bulk material or powder, and receiving and processing the output signal with a signal processor to yield a value for the characteristic of the bulk material or powder. Also, the method includes transmitting a message flagging the storage bin when it is determined that the bulk material or powder is not suitable for continued storage. The bulk material or powder includes a dry cement or a dry cement component.

An input device according to an embodiment includes a vibration element, an acquisition unit, and an element controller. The vibration element causes an operation surface to vibrate. The acquisition unit acquires information on at least one of a traveling state and a traveling environment of the moving body. The element controller causes the vibration element to vibrate at a vibration strength according to at least the one of the traveling state and the traveling environment.

A piece of jewellery, wherein the jewellery comprises at least one tag or chip programmed with at least a unique identification code, and a tag reader is configured to read the tag or chip when the tag reader and the piece of jewellery touch, or come into close contact and, display a message or content associated with the unique identification code.

A secure short-distance-based communication and validation system validates users in a validation area. The system may include multiple zones in the validation area and beacons in each zone. A run-time mobile device identifier and keys that may be location-specific, device-specific and time-specific are generated and utilized for secure communication between mobile devices and a zone computer in a zone. The validation area may be in a vehicle, and validation may include deducting a fare.

A wireless access control system may include a remote access wireless communications device and a lock assembly to be mounted on a door. The lock assembly may include a lock, a door position sensor, interior and exterior directional antennas, lock wireless communications circuitry, a touch sensor, and a lock controller. The lock controller may be configured to unlock the lock based upon the touch sensor, determine when the door is closed after being opened based upon the door position sensor, determine whether the remote access wireless device is in an interior or an exterior based upon the directional antennas, switch the lock to the locked position when the door is closed and when the remote access wireless device is in the interior, and not switch the lock to the locked position when the door is closed and when the remote access wireless device is in the exterior.

At the time of setting authority, a management apparatus stores a database in which authority information corresponding to authority to physically drive a drive apparatus, which is a tangible object, using a terminal apparatus, and registration identification information corresponding to a subject that is given the authority are associated, and outputs information representing any of the registration identification information; and a permission apparatus receives and stores the information. At the time of exercising the authority, the terminal apparatus outputs information representing identification information, and the permission apparatus receives the information and, when the identification information corresponds to registration identification information comprised in setting information, outputs information representing authority exercise information required to exercise the authority. The terminal apparatus receives the information representing the authority exercise information and outputs a drive signal corresponding to the authority exercise information. By this drive signal, a drive apparatus, which is a tangible object, is physically driven.

A wireless access control system may include a remote access wireless communications device and a lock assembly to be mounted on a door. The lock assembly may include a lock, a door position sensor, interior and exterior directional antennas, lock wireless communications circuitry, and a lock controller. The lock controller determine whether the lock is manually unlocked, determine when the door is closed after being opened based upon the door position sensor, and determine whether the remote access wireless device is in an interior or an exterior based upon the directional antennas. The lock controller may also switch the lock to the locked position when the door is closed and when the remote access wireless device is in the exterior, and not switch the lock to the locked position when the door is closed and when the remote access wireless device is in the interior.

Apparatuses, methods and computer programs for controlling functions of a vehicle. The apparatus for an information system of a vehicle includes a communication module for communication with a mobile device and a control module for controlling the communication module. The control module obtains a key signal and information about a user profile from the mobile device via the communication module. The user profile includes user settings for functions of the vehicle. The information about the user profile includes data about at least one subset of the user settings. The control module controls a locked state of the vehicle based on the key signal and controls at least one subset of the functions of the vehicle based on the information about the user profile.

An apparatus may include a housing defining a compartment, wherein the housing is configured to accept at least one item within the compartment. The apparatus may also include a member coupled with the housing, wherein the member defines a container, wherein the member is configured to provide access to the compartment in a first state, and wherein the member is further configured to restrict access to the compartment in a second state. The apparatus may further include an electronic lock disposed at least partially within the container, wherein the electronic lock is configured to limit relative movement between the member and the housing in the second state. The apparatus may also include an interface routed between the compartment and the container, wherein the interface is configured to allow control of the electronic lock.

A multi sensor detection and disabling lock system includes detector cases for holding interchangeable detectors that sample for chemical, biological and radiological compounds, agents and elements, with each detector case disposed in or upon the monitored product. The detector case transmits detection information to a monitoring computer terminal and transmits a signal to a lock disabler engaged to the product to lock or disable the product's lock thereby preventing untrained, unauthorized and unequipped individuals from gaining access and entry to the product, and also preventing further contamination of the area. The detection system can be interconnected to surveillance towers scanning detector cases disposed at seaport docks, freight depots and rail terminals for monitoring containers being prepared for shipment or sitting on docks for long periods of time.

The Firearm Alarm is a pressure-plate activated alarm switch to provide a functional and operational response to handguns being handled in a home. The design of the Firearm Alarm allows for mobility and placement in almost any type of setting. The alarm is a high decibel alarm that can access any part of most homes, even through closed doors and walls. The Firearm Alarm also allows for a tiered defense of a firearm such as using it in conjuncture with trigger locks and weapon safes.

A multi-spectral detection device is provided that includes a housing, a bezel spacer, a microphone, an end cap and electro-optical sensors mounted to the end cap. The housing has an inner chamber that holds sensor components. The bezel spacer has a first end and an opposed, second end. The first end of the bezel spacer extends from a first end of the housing. The bezel spacer has a central bezel passage leading to the inner chamber of the housing. The bezel spacer further has at least four side walls. Each side wall is positioned 90 degrees away from an adjacent side wall. A microphone is coupled to each side wall of the bezel spacer in such a manner that each microphone is faced 90 degrees with respect to an adjacent microphone to form a compact acoustic array. The end cap is coupled to the second end of the bezel spacer and the electro-optical sensors are mounted to the end cap.

A ceiling mount intrusion detector with arbitrary direction detection capability is provided. The detector can include a pyroelectric sensor and a unitary Fresnel lens such that the unitary Fresnel lens includes a first piece of a first full Fresnel lens and a second piece of a second full Fresnel lens and such that the first piece and the second piece are spliced together. Due to the dimensions and location of the unitary Fresnel lens relative to the sensor, the sensor can output a signal indicative of an alarm condition when an object passes in front of the lens at any angle relative to the sensor.

A system, method, and device for improving the functioning of security tags for use with merchandise are provided. A security tag device, to be used in conjunction with a tag monitoring device, may be provided with a product. The product may be conductive or may have metallic packaging. The security tag may include a planar dielectric substrate having a first side and an opposing side. An electronic article surveillance (EAS) circuit may be placed on the first side of the planar dielectric substrate. A ferrite sheet having a first side and an opposing side may be coupled to the opposing side of the planar dielectric substrate. A metal backing sheet may be coupled to the opposing side of the ferrite sheet. The planar dielectric substrate may be centered or offset on the ferrite sheet and the ferrite sheet may be centered or offset on the metal backing sheet.

An alarm system including an alarm panel, a sensor operatively connected to the alarm panel and operable to detect alarm events, and a communicator module operatively connected to the alarm panel and operable to capture signals transmitted by mobile devices within a predefined area, extract mobile device identifiers from the signals, and record the mobile device identifiers in an active device identifier list that is maintained in a memory associated with the communicator module.

An approach is disclosed that provides assistance to disabled individuals when utilizing public spaces. In the approach, a wireless message is received at a detector of the system with the wireless message being from a device worn by a disabled individual. The wireless message includes impairment data pertaining to the disabled individual. In addition, reception of the wireless message indicates that the disabled individual has entered a physical area that provides accommodations to disabled individuals. The approach identifies an impairment pertaining to the disabled individual and adjusts a device setting of a device in the physical area based on the identified impairment of the disabled individual.

Disclosed is an intelligent shoe for the blind, which includes a sole and an upper. At least a portion of the sole is provided with multiple pressure sensors for generating pressure sensing signals when the sole is in contact with raised ground surface. The intelligent shoe further includes a storage chip, used to pre-store a signal characteristic of pressure sensing signals generated when the sole is in contact with a blind sidewalk, and a ata processing chip electrically connected to the multiple pressure sensors and the storage chip, used to compare a signal characteristic of pressure sensing signals from the pressure sensors with the pre-stored signal characteristic, and determine that the sole deviates from the blind sidewalk and send a prompt signal in the case that the signal characteristic of the pressure sensing signals from the pressure sensors is inconsistent with the pre-stored signal characteristic.

A patient care system and a corresponding method that provide patient monitoring. The system includes a server, at least one patient communication device, and at least one caregiver communication device. The communication devices send receiving signals and notifications wirelessly to/from the server, and may be adapted to be worn on a user's wrist. Notifications can be sent to the caregiver communication device to notify the user to provide care to a patient in response to a patient request for assistance based on defined conditions, which may be proximity based. The server may track all received and sent notifications and may provide analytics of this information to improve quality of healthcare in a facility.