TOPROAD Mini Wireless Speakers Waterproof Shower Sucker Bluetooth Speaker enceinte Hands-free with Mic Subwoofer Caixa de som
- Portable Bluetooth Speaker,built-in bluetooth 4.0 wireless transmission, working distance up to 10 meters.
- Compatible with all Bluetooth devices such as smart phones, tablet PCs, iPOD ...
- Built in Lithium Battery, support rechargeable battery 800 mAh
- Support hands-free when answer calling with microphone.
- Support Strong suction cup
- Support IPX5 Waterproof version
- Accessory for tablet pc/laptop/computer/mobilephone and other bluetooth device
Product name: F012 Bluetooth Speaker
Bluetooth version: 4.0
Loudspeaker Output power: 4ohm 3W
Frequency response range: 100Hz-20KHz
Signal to noise: 85+/-2db
Charging voltage: DC 5V
Working voltage: DC 3.3-4.5V
Built in li-on battery: 800mAh
Transmission distance: 10 meters
Specific function: IPX5 Waterproof, shockproof, Dustproof, Scratchproof
Functions: Bluetooth, Handsfree, Waterproof
1 x Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker
1 x USB cable
1 x User manual
Notes: This price is not contain a retail box
Note : If you will buy more than 2 pieces , we will send below retail box . Thank you .
We accept payments via Credit Card and PayPal.


Do you know what a cyborg is? If your mind gets swept up in science fiction movies, you most likely think of cyborgs as sort of half-human, half machine characters (these characters are typically cleverly used to touch on the human condition). You can get some really fantastic cyborgs in Hollywood.
But the truth is that, technically, anybody who wears a pair of glasses could be viewed as a cyborg. The glasses, after all, are a technology that has been integrated into a biological process.
These technologies usually add to the human condition. Which means, if you’re wearing an assistive listening device, such as a hearing aid, you’re the coolest type of cyborg in the world. And the best thing is that the technology doesn’t stop there.
Hearing loss drawbacks
There are absolutely some disadvantages that come with hearing loss.
When you go to see a movie, it can be hard to follow along with the plot. Understanding your grandkids is even more difficult (some of that is due to the age-gap, but mostly, it’s hearing loss). And this can affect your life in very profound (often negative) ways.
Left untreated, the world can become pretty quiet. This is where technology comes in.
How can technology help with hearing loss?
Broadly speaking, technology that helps you hear better is lumped into the category of “assistive listening devices”. That sounds rather technical, right? The question may arise: exactly what are assistive listening devices? Where can I buy assistive listening devices? Are there challenges to using assistive listening devices?
These questions are all normal.
Typically, hearing aids are what we think of when we think about hearing aid technology. Because hearing aids are an essential part of treating hearing loss, that’s reasonable. But they’re also just the start, there are numerous types of assistive hearing devices. And, used correctly, these hearing devices can help you more completely enjoy the world around you.
What kinds of assistive listening devices are there?
Sometimes called a “hearing loop,” the technology behind an induction loop sounds pretty complicated (there are electromagnetic fields involved). Here’s what you need to know: people with hearing aids can hear more clearly in places with a hearing loop which are normally well marked with signage.
Basically, hearing loops utilize magnetic fields to make a speaker’s voice more clear. Here are some examples of when an induction loop can be helpful:
- Venues that tend to be noisy (such as waiting rooms or hotel lobbies).
- Presentations, movies, or other events that depend on amplification.
- Places with bad acoustic qualities like echoes.
These FM systems are similar to a walkie-talkie or radio. A transmitter, typically a speaker or microphone, and a receiver, like a hearing aid, are required for this type of system to work. Here are a few situations where an FM system will be helpful:
- Conferences, classrooms, and other educational events.
- Whenever it’s hard to hear due to a noisy environment.
- Courtrooms and other government or civil places.
- Anybody who wants to listen to amplified sound systems (this includes things like a speaker during a presentation or dialogue during a movie).
There are similarities between an infrared system and an FM system. You have an amplifier and a receiver. With an IR system, the receiver is often worn around your neck (kind of like a lanyard). IR hearing assistance systems are ideal for:
- Scenarios where there’s one primary speaker at a time.
- People with hearing aids or cochlear implants.
- Inside settings. Bright sunlight can interfere with the signals from an IR system. Because of this, indoor settings are usually the best ones for this type of technology.
Personal amplifiers are like less specialized and less powerful versions of a hearing aid. They’re generally composed of a speaker and a microphone. The microphone picks up sounds and amplifies them through a speaker. Personal amplifiers might seem like a confusing solution since they come in various styles and types.
- Your basically putting a very loud speaker right inside of your ear so you need to be careful not to further damage your hearing.
- For best results, consult us before using personal amplifiers of any kind.
- These devices are good for individuals who have very mild hearing loss or only need amplification in select situations.
Phones and hearing aids don’t always get along very well. Sometimes you have feedback, sometimes things become a little garbled, sometimes you can’t get the volume quite right.
One option for this is an amplified phone. These devices allow you to have control of the volume of the phone’s speaker, so you can make it as loud or quiet as you need, depending on the circumstance. Here are some things that these devices are good for:
- Individuals who only have a difficult time hearing or understanding conversations on the phone.
- People who don’t have Bluetooth enabled devices, like their phone or their hearing aid.
- Households where the phone is used by several people.
When something happens, these devices (sometimes called signalers or notification devices) use loud noises, vibrations, and blinking lights to get your attention. For example, when the doorbell dings, the phone rings, or the microwave bings. This means even if you aren’t wearing your hearing aids, you’ll still be aware when something around your home or office needs your consideration.
Alerting devices are a good solution for:
- When alarm sounds like a smoke detector could create a hazardous situation.
- Anyone whose hearing is totally or nearly totally gone.
- Home and office spaces.
- Individuals who periodically remove their hearing aids (everyone needs a break sometimes).
So the link (sometimes discouraging) between your hearing aid and phone comes to the front. When you hold a speaker up to another speaker, it causes feedback (sometimes painful feedback). This is essentially what occurs when you hold a phone speaker up to a hearing aid.
A telecoil is a way to bypass that connection. It will connect your hearing aid to your phone directly, so you can hear all of your conversations without noise or feedback. They’re good for:
- People who have hearing aids.
- Those who do not have access to Bluetooth hearing aids or phones.
- Individuals who use the phone often.
Closed captions (and subtitles more generally) have become a normal way for people to enjoy media nowadays. You will find captions just about everywhere! Why? Because they make what you’re watching a bit easier to understand.
When you have hearing loss, captions can work in conjunction with your hearing aids, helping you understand mumbled dialogue or making sure you can hear your favorite show even when there’s distracting conversation near you.
What are the advantages of using assistive listening devices?
So, now your greatest question may be: where can I buy assistive listening devices? That’s a good question because it means you’ve recognized how all of these technologies can be advantageous to those who have hearing loss.
Obviously, every person won’t be benefited by every kind of technology. If you have a cell phone with easy-to-use volume control, you might not require an amplifying phone, for example. A telecoil might not even work for you if you don’t have the right type of hearing aid.
The point is that you have options. After you begin customizing your journey toward being an awesome cyborg, you will be ready to get the most out of your life. It’s time to get back into that conversation with your grandkids.
Hearing Assistive Technology can help you hear better in some situations but not all. If you want to hear better, call us today!


15. Packet Distributor Library
The DPDK Packet Distributor library is a library designed to be used for dynamic load balancing of traffic while supporting single packet at a time operation. When using this library, the logical cores in use are to be considered in two roles: firstly a distributor lcore, which is responsible for load balancing or distributing packets, and a set of worker lcores which are responsible for receiving the packets from the distributor and operating on them. The model of operation is shown in the diagram below.
15.1. Distributor Core Operation
The distributor core does the majority of the processing for ensuring that packets are fairly shared among workers. The operation of the distributor is as follows:
- Packets are passed to the distributor component by having the distributor lcore thread call the “rte_distributor_process()” API
- The worker lcores all share a single cache line with the distributor core in order to pass messages and packets to and from the worker. The process API call will poll all the worker cache lines to see what workers are requesting packets.
- As workers request packets, the distributor takes packets from the set of packets passed in and distributes them to the workers. As it does so, it examines the “tag” – stored in the RSS hash field in the mbuf – for each packet and records what tags are being processed by each worker.
- If the next packet in the input set has a tag which is already being processed by a worker, then that packet will be queued up for processing by that worker and given to it in preference to other packets when that work next makes a request for work. This ensures that no two packets with the same tag are processed in parallel, and that all packets with the same tag are processed in input order.
- Once all input packets passed to the process API have either been distributed to workers or been queued up for a worker which is processing a given tag, then the process API returns to the caller.
Other functions which are available to the distributor lcore are:
Of these the most important API call is “rte_distributor_returned_pkts()” which should only be called on the lcore which also calls the process API. It returns to the caller all packets which have finished processing by all worker cores. Within this set of returned packets, all packets sharing the same tag will be returned in their original order.
NOTE: If worker lcores buffer up packets internally for transmission in bulk afterwards, the packets sharing a tag will likely get out of order. Once a worker lcore requests a new packet, the distributor assumes that it has completely finished with the previous packet and therefore that additional packets with the same tag can safely be distributed to other workers – who may then flush their buffered packets sooner and cause packets to get out of order.
NOTE: No packet ordering guarantees are made about packets which do not share a common packet tag.
Using the process and returned_pkts API, the following application workflow can be used, while allowing packet order within a packet flow – identified by a tag – to be maintained.
The flush and clear_returns API calls, mentioned previously, are likely of less use that the process and returned_pkts APIS, and are principally provided to aid in unit testing of the library. Descriptions of these functions and their use can be found in the DPDK API Reference document.
15.2. Worker Operation
Worker cores are the cores which do the actual manipulation of the packets distributed by the packet distributor. Each worker calls “rte_distributor_get_pkt()” API to request a new packet when it has finished processing the previous one. [The previous packet should be returned to the distributor component by passing it as the final parameter to this API call.]
Since it may be desirable to vary the number of worker cores, depending on the traffic load i.e. to save power at times of lighter load, it is possible to have a worker stop processing packets by calling “rte_distributor_return_pkt()” to indicate that it has finished the current packet and does not want a new one.


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|January 18, 2021|
Inland growth reflected in new Area Code
INLAND EMPIRE (INT) - The regions Metro Area is about to gain a new telephone area code while keeping an old one.
Long-time residents remember how telephone area codes were split, new ones added and others shifted to different geographic areas.
The State Public Utilities Commission wants to give folks in area 909 an added designation of 840 as 909 is running out of numbers.
Beginning February 23, 2021, consumers requesting new or additional telephone numbers may be assigned telephone numbers with either the new 840 area code or the original 909 area code, depending on available telephone number inventory.
The switch-over starts January 23rd with an area code overlay and it can be a bit confusing. It does not require customers to change their existing area code and telephone number but does require customers with the 909 or 840 area codes to dial 1 plus the three-digit area code plus the seven-digit telephone number for all calls to and from telephone numbers with the 909 and 840 area codes, including local calls.
If callers do not use the new dialing procedure, the call will not be completed, and a recording will instruct the caller to hang up and dial again using the area code.
The new dialing procedure will not change existing 909 phone numbers or the cost of the call.
Consumers can still dial three digits to reach 9-1-1. Other three-digit codes, such as 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711, and 811, can also be dialed with just three digits where they are available.
The 909 area code serves the cities of Big Bear Lake, Calimesa, Chino, Chino Hills, Claremont, Colton, Diamond Bar, Eastvale, Fontana, Grand Terrace, Highland, Industry, La Verne, Loma Linda, Montclair, Ontario, Pomona, Rancho Cucamonga, Redlands, Rialto, San Bernardino, San Dimas, Upland, Walnut and Yucaipa. The new 840 area code will serve the same geographic area.
Story Date: January 8, 2021


Decrease the risk of water damage to your radio due to inclement weather, over-spray from fire hoses or splashes. CMC's Water Radio Harness has been re-designed to take advantage of the watertight security of the Aqua Pac waterproof radio bag. The Aqua Pac bag attaches to a modified version of our CMC Rescue Radio Harness providing the same level of security and wearing comfort.
- Colour black
- Weight: 108 g
- Fits most radios up to 5 x 4 x 20 cm including antenna length.
- Clear viewing window
- Please note that it is the Aquapac waterproof bag only supplied
- CMC Rescue Radio Harness not supplied


FSL is honoured to have Linksys as our Main Sponsor for this season!
They have generously put up 2 router models as prizes for the top 2 teams.
SUPERCHARGED WORK AND PLAY WITH NEXT-GEN AC WI-FI ROUTER
Designed as a dual-purpose home office and entertainment Wi-Fi router, the MAX-STREAM AC5400 MU-MIMO Gigabit Wi-Fi Router (EA9500) delivers Wi-Fi to multiple users on multiple devices at the same time and same speed.
Featuring MU-MIMO (Multi-User, Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output) technology, this Next-Gen AC Router treats your devices–PCs, Smart TVs, streaming devices, smartphones–as if each has its own dedicated router. Working in your home office, you’ll enjoy lag-free videoconferencing and fast file transfer, even while the rest of the family is streaming 4K or HD media in the living room.
Click to find out more http://www.linksys.com/sg/p/P-EA9500/
Years in the making, the WRT1900AC is the best router in its class. At speeds of 1.9 Gbps, it delivers unmatched performance for the most demanding networks.
Equipped with the industry’s first four-antenna configuration and professional-grade 1.3 GHz dual-core CPU, the WRT1900AC provides exceptional signal strength and range.
Read more about the product here http://www.linksys.com/sg/p/P-WRT1900AC/
Linksys, the worldwide leader in home networking that transforms how people connect, communicate and collaborate.
We’ve been pioneering connectivity since 1988, helping you connect at home, on the job, and on the go. Simplify control of your home, entertainment, security, and Internet access with Linksys products.
Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/LinksysSG/


Professional DJ equipment (passive and self-powered speaker boxes, amplifiers, microphones, headphones, sound cards, DJ controllers and CD machines),
Public Address (PA) equipment (for churches and prayer services, restaurants, retail stores, etc), megaphones,
Loudspeakers, flares, driver units,
Spare parts & accessories (capacitors, resistors, ICs, multimeters, batteries, cables, etc),
Car audio (decks, amplifiers, speakers, crossovers, installation accessories),
Computer accessories (including mice, keyboards, webcams, flash drives, wireless adapters, routers, ethernet cables, computer speakers, etc),
Portable radios, cordless phones, voice recorders, CD/cassette players and TV/FM antennas.


Setting your Linksys Smart Wi-Fi Router to Bridge Mode is applicable when you want to: Connect two (2) routers with the capability of sharing the network resources. Use the router as an additional access point on an existing network. Connect the router to a modem/router from your Internet Service Provider (ISP)
Apr 23, 2020 Using Netgear router as a Bridge - Verizon Fios Community I am using the verizon router as the starting point for my internet connection (i turned of the wifi on the verizon router, but you don't have to). Then i just used a network cable and plug one end into one of the 4 open lan ports on the back of your verizon router, and the other end, plug into the Internet Input port on the back of your HOWTO: Use Linksys WRT54G as a wireless ethernet bridge Feb 13, 2005 Can I Bridge the Actiontec MI424WR Rev. I FiOS router Jan 27, 2017
Dec 26, 2011 · I have just received my 2 new cheap wrt54g2 routers. I already have a router with dhcp in my network, so I just need this routers to connect wired net and wireless. Is there any way to use this routers as a bridge? Earlier I used asus router, with disabled dhcp and lan cable connected to one of lan ports.
Position a Second Router. When you set up a new router, place it near a Windows PC or another … What is a bridge mode in a router? - Quora “Bridge mode” is when the router connects multiple 802.3 (Ethernet) LANs. This is the simplest mode of operation, where the router does a store-and-forward operation with little change to the traffic. A common alternative is “Access Point” mode, w
Steps to Configure D-Link Wireless Router in Bridge mode How do you bridge two Dlink wireless routers? A simple change in the setup page will turn your Dlink router into bridge mode. To do it, follow the step by step instructions with pictures provided below. Enable Bridge mode: Type 192.168.0.1 on the Browser address bar, and press the enter key.
“There is a downside to using a wireless bridge in repeater mode and WDS mode. If the secondary router retransmits the wireless signal (instead of connecting client computers with a wire), the You can also use the WiFi network of the main router independently. Disconnect the secondary router from the computer. And place it in the area of the house where it will work as an access point. Wireless Bridge Mode. You can also connect two routers in bridge or wireless neutral mode. It is useful if you are going to place one far away from Steps to Configure D-Link Wireless Router in Bridge mode How do you bridge two Dlink wireless routers? A simple change in the setup page will turn your Dlink router into bridge mode. To do it, follow the step by step instructions with pictures provided below. Enable Bridge mode: Type 192.168.0.1 on the Browser address bar, and press the enter key. Oct 01, 2017 · Wireless Bridge Mode on the ASUS Router . #netvn Thanks for watching, don't forget like and subscribe at https://goo.gl/LoatZE. Jan 07, 2019 · This video is all about using an old router as a Wifi Repeater, Wifi Extender, Wifi Access Point and a network switch. Over time you might have changed your wifi router into a new one and you will


Simply network added values! tap2.cloud is more than just a digital nameplate: HK SYSTEMS makes product identification smart and digital, opening up a whole world of new possibilities in demanding industrial environments. In close cooperation, the partner companies HK SYSTEMS, Hoffmann + Krippner and Connect One have developed a system within the technology network to offer your customers and especially their customers considerable added value.
What is tap2.cloud?
With tap2.cloud, you tag and identify your machines and devices using RFID/NFC technology. The transponder is integrated directly into your operator front and can be read quickly and easily via an NFC-enabled smartphone. In combination with the innovative Connect One® Cloud, the system even meets the special requirements of a digital nameplate according to DIN SPEC 91406. This allows you to manage all nameplates securely and in real time, and retrieve statistics at any time.
To enable customers or service technicians to quickly access information such as operating instructions or warranty information, we have developed the Connect One® app. In the web app, the desired information is individually linked and presented in an appealing and user-friendly design. Many other services, such as the linking of a spare parts store, can also be offered. The app opens via the browser and requires no prior installation.
tap2.cloud for Industry 4.0
We digitize your nameplates and make hard-to-decipher paper plates a thing of the past. With tap2.cloud, we create a future-proof and resource-saving solution for all industries. Automatic multilingual information that can be retrieved on a daily basis replaces time-consuming paper documentation that accompanies products.
Want to learn more about tap2.cloud?
Convince yourself of the many possible uses of tap2.cloud and request your free sample.
Read more in our technical article “tap2.cloud from HK SYSTEMS: More than a digital nameplate”.


STAR-X 55-Inch 4K UHD Smart LED Tv With Built In Receiver 55UH640V Tanzania, One Year Warranty
Model Number: 55UH640V
Size: 55 inch
About this item
Resolution: ULTRA HD 4K Android Smart Led Tv (3840*2160) | With built in receiver | DTV : DVB_T/T2, DVB_C, DVB_S/S2 | DDR : 1.5G | eMMC FLASH :8GB.
Connectivity: 1 HDMI Ports to connect set top box, Blu Ray players, gaming console | 1 USB Ports to connect hard drives and other USB devices | 1 VGA Slot to connect your Laptop/PC | 1 Headphone Jack | 2 AV Input Slot | 1 RF Slot.


Laser Light ™ Communications, LLC
Laser Light is a new approach to a proven business model – global data transport – offering higher security, lower underlying costs, on a dynamic, automated, advanced operating platform as an alternative to legacy transport networks. Never before has there been a viable alternative with equivalent service capabilities to legacy fiber networks - subsea, buried, aerial. Never before has security-conscious businesses, institutions, or government had an option to “fly” over the oceans, and avoid national boundaries, rather than being tied to costly legacy, physical infrastructure – vulnerable to cuts, tapping, and round about fixed routes, a true “Direct Connection”. Laser Light's HALO Global Network is an evolution in global data transport, offering highest level of security, lowest cost, “greenest footprint” whilst equivalent to any legacy transport network service.
CITE™, Inc. is developing a privately financed, owned & operated, but publicly available advanced test facility - the Center for Innovation, Testing & Evaluation (CITE). CITE will serve as an open operating test, evaluation and commercialization facility for next-generation innovations and technologies. It will provide a proving ground for technologies arising from federal laboratories, universities, not-for-profit technology centers, federal departments and agencies, and the private sector. The facility will be designed to allow new technologies to integrate into the nation's urban, suburban and rural "legacy infrastructure," and provide detailed measurable results on their impact to the economy and its many sectors, e.g., energy, transportation, telecommunications, security, and agriculture.
Pegasus Global Strategic Solutions, LLC
Pegasus Global Strategic Solutions LLC ("Pegasus") is a Department of Defense recognized Prime Vendor with proven success in design, development, test and evaluation of highly sophisticated technologies. Pegasus has extensive experience in supply chain logistics, advanced manufacturing and system deployment. Pegasus maintains a global network of strategic partners and vendors forming a highly qualified team, internationally recognized in the areas of defense, telecommunications and aerospace. Past projects include counter RC-IED, advanced wireless testing, alternative energy systems, autonomous vehicle development and intelligent systems.


Email Encryption Tools
Tools for encrypting files for e-mail
In the event that you have a legitimate business need to send confidential information in an email to an associate outside of the University, Information Security policy requires the email be encrypted. To encrypt email, follow these steps.
Q & A:
Can the recipient reply to the email?
Yes - once the email has been opened, there is a reply option in the email portal
Can I send secure messages from my mobile device?
Yes - you can send messages from your mobile device using the Outlook client or the Outlook mail app.
What happens if the sender fails to encrypt an email containing sensitive data?
Can an associate outside UT Tyler initiate a secure message?
Yes! Provide the sender with the link below. They will be prompted to register and set up a password. After providing their credentials to access the portal, the sender can compose an email, attach files and send them securely.
If you have questions about using encryption, please email: email@example.com


- a first vibration motor mounted on a first side of the vibration alert accessory
- a second vibration motor mounted on a second side of the vibration alert accessory
- an orientation component that indicates an orientation of the vibration alert accessory
- a communication interface
- a controller coupled to the communication interface, orientation component, and first and second vibration motors
- wherein the communication interface receives an alert message indicating a vibration pattern and the controller controls the vibration motor to perform the vibration pattern
- and wherein, the alert message including an indication of an alerting location to which the user's attention is to be drawn, the vibration alert accessory indicates a direction of the alerting location from a present location by vibrating the first and second vibration motors at different magnitudes based on the orientation of the vibration alert accessory as indicated by the orientation component.
Mobile vibratory alert device, system, and method
Updated Time 12 June 2019Patent Registration Data
27 August 2015
11 December 2018
TRACTOUCH MOBILE PARTNERS, LLC
Original Assignee (Applicant)
BORRAS, JAIME A.,BENDECK, MAURICIO,EDWARDS, ALAIN
BORRAS, JAIME A.,BENDECK, MAURICIO,EDWARDS, ALAIN
This patent contains figures and images illustrating the invention and its embodiment.
A method and apparatus for providing vibration alerts to a user of a communication device uses a vibration alert application executing on the communication device that analyzes messages received by the communication device to select a corresponding vibration pattern to be used in alerting the user. An indication of the vibration pattern is transmitted to a vibration alert accessory that is associated with the communication device. The vibration alert accessory controls a vibration motor to perform the indicated vibration pattern.
1. A vibration alert accessory, comprising:
a first vibration motor mounted on a first side of the vibration alert accessory; a second vibration motor mounted on a second side of the vibration alert accessory; an orientation component that indicates an orientation of the vibration alert accessory; a communication interface; a controller coupled to the communication interface, orientation component, and first and second vibration motors; wherein the communication interface receives an alert message indicating a vibration pattern and the controller controls the vibration motor to perform the vibration pattern; and wherein, the alert message including an indication of an alerting location to which the user's attention is to be drawn, the vibration alert accessory indicates a direction of the alerting location from a present location by vibrating the first and second vibration motors at different magnitudes based on the orientation of the vibration alert accessory as indicated by the orientation component.
11. A vibration alert accessory, comprising:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
The present disclosure relates generally to mobile communication and more particularly to vibratory alerting in response to reception of a message in environments where a user's hearing and/or tactile sense may be degraded due to hearing protection, loud ambient noise levels, or both.
Mobile communication devices are in widespread usage, particularly in the form of “smart” cellular telephone devices. It is common for such devices to have a “silent” ring mode where, upon receiving a message, or an indication of an incoming phone call, a vibration motor is activated to cause the device to vibrate. Typically in such cases no audible alert (i.e. ringing) is used, although both can be used together if selected by the user of the device.
A common design goal with such devices is, generally, to reduce their size and weight, subject to other design choices such as, for example, display size. This tends to limit the efficacy of vibration devices, leading to people not noticing when the device is vibrating under many conditions. For example, a smartphone carried in a user's pocket while operating a motor vehicle in traffic can result in insufficient vibration and distraction such that the user may not notice the smartphone vibrating in response to an incoming phone call. In louder environments, such as construction sites, where communication can be crucial at times, the vibrations of machinery and construction activities can mask the vibration of a typical smartphone vibration motor completely so that the user does not get alerted to incoming communications.
Accordingly, there is a need for a method and apparatus for providing vibratory alerts in a way that overcomes the masking effects of ambient conditions without interfering with the generally desirable design goals of mobile communication devices.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
In the accompanying figures like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views, together with the detailed description below, and are incorporated in and form part of the specification to further illustrate embodiments of concepts that include the claimed invention and explain various principles and advantages of those embodiments.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a vibratory alert system in accordance with some embodiments.
FIG. 2 is a block schematic diagram of a communication device and a vibration alert accessory in accordance with some embodiments.
FIG. 3 is a graph chart of a several exemplary vibration patterns to be used by a vibration alert accessory in accordance with some embodiments.
FIG. 4 is a table for storing vibration pattern identifiers and a corresponding vibration pattern data for use by a vibration accessory in accordance with some embodiments.
FIG. 5 is system diagram of a push to vibrate alert system in accordance with some embodiments.
FIG. 6 is a system diagram showing geo-fencing of a vibration alert application in accordance with some embodiments.
FIG. 7 is a message analysis diagram for a vibration alert application used in a communication device in accordance with some embodiments.
FIG. 8 is a flow chart of a method of analyzing messages received by a communication device using a vibration alert application in accordance with some embodiments.
FIG. 9 is a graph chart showing vibration patterns using different magnitudes of vibration in accordance with some embodiments.
FIG. 10 is a system diagram of a vibration alert system that provides orientation and guidance to a user in accordance with some embodiments.
FIG. 11 is a system diagram of an alert system for logging alerting activity and user acknowledgements of users associated with an organization in accordance with some embodiments.
Those skilled in the field of the present disclosure will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.
The apparatus and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. The details of well-known elements, structure, or processes that would be necessary to practice the embodiments, and that would be well known to those of skill in the art, are not necessarily shown and should be assumed to be present unless otherwise indicated.
Embodiments as disclosed herein solve the problems associated with the prior art by use of a vibration accessory that can be coupled to a communication device that includes a vibration alert application. The vibration accessory, being separate from the communication device and not subject to size constraints used in the design of the communication device by the manufacturer of the communication device uses a much stronger vibration motor that that used in communication devices to generate vibrations having substantially more amplitude than is possible with conventional vibration motor used in communication devices. Some embodiments include a vibration alert system that comprises a vibration accessory having a local wireless interface circuit, a controller coupled to the local wireless interface circuit, a memory coupled to the controller, and a vibration motor controlled by the controller. The system further includes a communication device having a local wireless interface circuit that establishes a local wireless link with the local wireless interface circuit of the vibration accessory, and a wide area radio communication transceiver. The communication device receives messages over the wide area radio communication transceiver and transmits alert messages to the vibration accessory via the local wireless link. The vibration accessory, in response, controls the vibration motor according to a vibration pattern selected from a plurality of vibration patterns where the vibration pattern is selected based on a category of the alert message transmitted to the vibration accessory by the communication device.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a vibratory alert system 100 in accordance with some embodiments. The system includes a communication device 102 and a vibration alert accessory 104. The communication device is capable of communicating, via radio signals, with a communications infrastructure 106 such as a cellular network or other wide area radio communications network (e.g. trunked two-way radio) using an appropriate wide area radio channel 110 with a wide area radio transceiver contained in the communication device 102. The communication device 102 can be a smartphone, or similar communication device that is capable of storing and executing program code (i.e. software). In some embodiments the communication device can be a portable two-way radio device (i.e. uses a half-duplex, “always on” communication modality). In general, the communication device contains circuitry to perform conventional communication and computation functions, and input and output functions, as is common in communication devices presently offered for sale.
The communication device 102 contains a vibration alert application 112, which is a program that can be instantiated and executed by the communication device 102, and causes the communication device 102 to perform functions, operations, and behaviors in accordance with the teachings herein. The communication device 102 and the vibration alert accessory 104 are communicatively linked. In some embodiments the link 108 can be a wired link, such as through an audio jack or port of the communication device 102, a serial connection such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB), or other similar wired connections. Using an audio port wired connection, the communication device 102 can generate audio signals of certain frequencies as control signals that can be decoded by the vibration alert accessory 104.
In some embodiments the link 108 can be achieved using a local wireless radio protocol, such as, for example, a wireless link in accordance with the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) specification no. 802.11 (known in industry as “WiFi”), or 802.15 (e.g. the protocol commonly known by the tradename “BlueTooth”), or other similar low power, low range radio communication protocols. The vibration alert accessory 104 can have an identifier that is shared with the communication device 102 so that the communication device 102 and vibration alert accessory 104 can identify each other in wireless communications. The identifier can be, for example, the media access control (MAC) address of each device's respective network interface circuit, as is known.
Because the vibration alert accessory 104 is not subject to the design constraints (e.g. low weight, thin or small volume) of the communication device 102, it uses a more robust vibration system than can be placed in communication devices, which obviates the need for a larger communication device 102 that does incorporate such a vibration system. Accordingly, the vibration alert accessory 104 can produce vibrations having amplitude on the order of 5-10 times or more than that of a typical vibration motor used in communication devices. The vibration alert accessory 104 can include a clip 105 on an external portion of a housing of the vibration alert accessory 104 so that it can be clipped onto a user's clothing in a place that will help ensure the user/wearer feels vibrations produced by the vibration alert accessory 104. Other form factors can be employed as well, where, for example, the vibration alert accessory can be formed into a helmet or as a bracelet or anklet, for example.
Briefly, the communication device 102, upon receiving a message (i.e. call alert, voice communication, short message system or “text” message, etc.), transmits an alert message to the vibration alert accessory 104 over link 108 (either wired or wireless). In some embodiments the communication device 102 analyzes the received message to determine a category or other classification of the message and selects or indicates a corresponding alert pattern to be used by the vibration alert accessory 104, and indicates the category in the alert message sent via link 108. The vibration alert accessory 104, upon receiving the vibration alert message, carries out the vibration alert in accordance with the indicated category or classification, using the corresponding vibration pattern. The different vibration patterns allow the user to determine the general nature of the incoming message received by the communication device 102 without having to look at the communication device 102. In some embodiments the vibration alert message can indicate an immediate emergency, prompting the user to take action. In some embodiments the vibration alert accessory 104 can include a user input means, such as a button 107, to indicate that the user has detected the alert. The vibration alert accessory 104 can, upon receiving such user input, can transmit an indication of the input to the communication device 102 so that the vibration alert application can make note that the user has acknowledged the alert. The communication device 102 can, in response, transmit an indication of the user's acknowledgement of the alert to an administrator server 114 or other similar entity to record the user's acknowledgment of the alert. The administrative server 114 can be a backend server operated by an entity with which the user of the communication device 102 is associated, and can be connected to the wide are radio communications network 106 via a wide area data network 116 such as, for example, the Internet. In another embodiment, the vibration pattern is preselected by the user according to its level of priority and per contact name or groups of contacts.
FIG. 2 is a block schematic diagram 200 of a communication device 204 and a vibration alert accessory 202 in accordance with some embodiments. The communication device 204 includes general computing circuitry that can operate an operating system such as, for example, that known by the trade name “Android,” by Google, Inc. The computing circuitry can include internal memory and connector means for accepting external memory such as, for example, a memory card. Accordingly, the communication device 204 can execute a vibration alert application 203 that can be installed in the communication device 204. The application 203 allows the communication device 204 to interact with the vibration alert accessory 202 over a communication channel 212, which can be wired or wireless. The vibration alert accessory 202 includes a battery 206 for providing power to circuitry in the vibration alert accessory 202, including a communication interface 210, a controller 208, a vibration motor 216 and a motor driver circuit 214. The controller includes memory that contains vibration pattern data 209. When the communication device 204 receives a communication intended for the user of the communication device 204, it transmits a vibration alert message to the vibration alert accessory 202 over the communication channel 212. The vibration alert message is received by the communication interface 210 and provided to the controller 208. The controller can determine which of a plurality of vibration patterns to use, based on the contents of the vibration alert message, and select an appropriate or corresponding pattern from the vibration pattern data 209. The patterns can specify variations in magnitude of the vibrations, as well as variations in time (e.g. duty cycle). Once the vibration pattern is selected, the controller 208 controls the driver circuit 214 to cause the motor 216 to create vibration in accordance with the selected pattern. The vibration motor 216 can employ an eccentric cam which, upon being rotated by the motor, creates vibration, as is known. The vibration alert accessory 202 can also include a user input means, such as a button 218 to acknowledge the vibration alert. Upon pressing the button 218, the controller 208 can control the driver 214 to cease rotation of the vibration motor 216 to conserve battery energy. In some embodiments, upon the user acknowledging the alert by, for example, pressing the button 218, the controller 208 can generate an acknowledgment message that is sent to the communication device 204 over the communication channel 212 for use by the vibration alert application 203. In some embodiments the acknowledgement occurs when the user answers the voice call or text using the communication device 204. Thus, input via the button 218, or operation of the communication device 204, in response to a vibration alert, can be taken by the application 203 as an acknowledgement of the alert. If the user answers the call or otherwise operates the communication device in response to the alert, the application 203 will send a message to the vibration alert accessory 202 to cease the vibration alert.
The battery 206 can be a rechargeable battery that can be removed and charged in a separate charger, or charged by connecting the vibration alert accessory 202 to a charger, either by wire or by wireless coupling (e.g. inductive charging). In some embodiments, the battery can consist of multiple non-rechargeable alkaline cells. The controller 208 can periodically send battery status messages to the vibration alert application 203 to be displayed on the communication device 204 so that the user can see the charge remaining in the battery 206.
FIG. 3 is a graph chart 300 of several exemplary vibration patterns to be used by a vibration alert accessory in accordance with some embodiments. The horizontal axis 302 represents time, increasing to the right, and the vertical axis 304 represents vibration magnitude, increasing toward the top. The magnitude can be expressed in terms of acceleration relative to Earth gravity, g. A typical smartphone vibration motor can produce an acceleration of about one g. In some embodiments, the vibration motor of the vibration alert accessory can produce an acceleration of at least five g, meaning five times more acceleration than Earth gravity. The magnitude of the vibrations, for rotary-based vibration motors, is dependent on the mass of the eccentric cam and the rotational velocity at which the vibration motor spins the eccentric cam.
In some embodiments the vibratory system can include a mass that is linearly oscillated back and forth along an axis. For example, a toroidal permanent magnet can be mounted on a rod with biasing springs on either side to urge the toroidal magnet into a center of the rod. Windings of opposing polarities can be wound around respective halves of the rod, allowing the toroidal magnet to move inside the windings. By passing current through one of the windings a magnetic field is created that causes the toroidal magnet to move. Thus, by varying the magnitude of the current, that magnitude of the magnetic force acting on the toroidal magnet can be varied, allowing different magnitude (i.e. force) of the vibration of the toroidal magnet. By alternating the energizing of the coils, the toroidal magnet can be thus caused to oscillate back and forth on the rod in a way that allows independent control of magnitude and frequency of the oscillations.
Four exemplary vibration patterns, 306, 308, 310, 312, 313 are shown. Many other such patterns can be formed in accordance with the teachings herein. The patterns can be periodic, and repeated one or more times by the vibration alert accessory. In exemplary pattern 306 during a first portion 314 a series of pulses 318 occur where, in each pulse, the vibration motor is turned from an off state to an on state at a selected amplitude. Then during a second portion 316 no pulses occur and the vibration motor remains off. The pattern can repeat portions 314 and 316. In some embodiments the vibration pattern can be repeated for a preselected period of time or until a user input is received indicating acknowledgement of the vibration alert. The number of pulses can be varied for other patterns to be used for other alerts. For example, a user can give priority to various contacts in an address book on the user's communication device. Contacts can be given a priority from 1 to 4, which can correspond to vibration patterns using 1 to 4 pulses in portion 314. Pattern 308 shows an example of a pattern similar to that of pattern 306, but with more pulses having shorter duration per pulse, and possibly at a different amplitude. Pattern 310 shows an example of one long pulse followed by an off period. Pattern 312 utilizes ramp up 322 and ramp down 324 segments, and a constant amplitude portion 325. During the ramp up and ramp down segments 322, 324 the vibration amplitude increases over time and decreases over time, respectively. In pattern 313 the vibration is continuous, but the magnitude is periodically varied from times of relatively high magnitude 326 and times of relatively lower magnitude 328. Other patterns can exist that change over time. For example, a vibration alert can start with a relatively low magnitude and ramp up in magnitude until receiving an acknowledgement input from the user. Likewise, patterns can be mixed; for example, a ramp can be followed by a series of pulses.
As mentioned various combinations of pulse length, ramp length, amplitude, and pattern period can be used to create unique vibration patterns, which can be assigned to different categories of incoming messages. Both the duty cycle and vibration magnitude can be modulated in various ways to create unique patterns that can be discerned though tactile sensation by a user wearing the vibration alert accessory. In some embodiments the vibration alert application on the communication device can allow a user to select vibration patterns for various categories (a particular contact in the user's address book can be considered to be a category). In some embodiments the vibration alert application on the communication device can allow a user to create vibration patterns which can be stored and assigned to a category by the user.
FIG. 4 is a table 400 for storing vibration pattern identifiers and corresponding vibration pattern data for use by a vibration accessory in accordance with some embodiments. The table 400 can be stored, for example, in the vibration alert accessory, and can included preset patterns as well as user-specified patterns. In some embodiments the table 400 is stored only in the communication device, and upon receiving a message, the communication device can send the vibration pattern data to the vibration alert accessory in the alert message. Each entry in the table includes a vibration pattern identifier 402 and corresponding vibration pattern data 404. The vibration pattern data can be used by the controller of the vibration alert accessory to drive the motor so that it vibrates in correspondence to the vibration pattern data. In some embodiments when the communication device receives a message, the communication device can determine the vibration pattern to be used and send only the vibration pattern identifier in the alert message. The vibration alert accessory can then use the vibration pattern identifier to locate the corresponding vibration pattern data in the table 400. In some embodiments the table 400 can include preset patterns 406 that are programmed into the table upon manufacture of the vibration alert accessory, as well as user specified or created patterns 408.
FIG. 5 is system diagram of a push to vibrate alert system 500 in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments a vibration alert application program can provide a “push to talk” (PTT) functionality. In some embodiments the communication devices can be designed to have a dedicated PTT button that is mechanically actuated by a user to activate transmission, as is well known. PTT functionality allows a user at a first communication device 502 using the vibration alert application 504 to provide an input such as, for example, a “press” or touch input at graphical representation of a button 506. Alternatively, a PTT button can be provided on the device 502, in accordance with conventional two-way radio communication. Upon pressing the graphical button 506, or the mechanical PTT button when the first communication device 502 is designed as a portable two-way radio device, the first communication device 502 turns on its microphone to receive speech from the user of the first communication device 502, which is transmitted in real, or near-real time to a second communication device 514. The speech signal can go from the first communication device 502 to a communication system 510, as indicated by signal 508. The communication system 510 re-transmits the signal to the second communication device 514 as indicated by signal 512. As the signal 512 is being received at the second communication device 514 the second communication device plays the received speech over a loudspeaker or other audio component of the second communication device 514. The second communication device 514, while receiving the signal 512, can also record the signal to allow some playback of the content of the signal 512. Under normal conditions the volume of the loudspeaker of the second communication device 514 is loud enough to be heard by a user of the second communication device 514 (assuming the user is near enough) without having to hold the second communication device 514 to the second user's ear (e.g. like a phone). The second communication device 514 can produce a conventional audible alert, however, since the user may be located in a noisy area, or may be wearing hearing protection. The second communication device 514 can send an alert message 518 to an associated vibration alert accessory 522, indicating a vibration pattern. The second communication device 514 can also provide a visual alert 516 to further indicate the incoming message. In some embodiments, when the first and second communication devices are near enough to each other, they can signal each other directly, without need for the infrastructure of the communication system 510.
In some embodiments the communication devices 502, 514 can include a message analyzer function that analyzes the content of the message to determine if there is an indication of a special condition that requires a special alert. For example, if the received message is a speech message, as in a PTT voice signal, the message analyzer can include a voice analyzer that determines whether the speaker's voice indicates stress or commands. For example, the user of the first communication device 502 can see a condition which presents an imminent threat to the user of the second communication device 514, and using the PTT function can yell “LOOK OUT!” The emphatic nature of the speech can be detected by the message analyzer of the second communication device 514 and in response, the second communication device 514 can send an alert message 518 to the vibration alert accessory that corresponds to an imminent danger so that the user of the second communication device 514 can survey the situation and take appropriate action. In some embodiments the message analyzer can examine the contents of a received text message for code words or commands that require special alerts, and indicate such in the alert message sent to the vibration alert accessory.
FIG. 6 is a system diagram showing geo-fencing 600 of a vibration alert application in accordance with some embodiments. A communication device 601 is shown in a first location 602 that is out of a geo-fenced region 606. The geo-fenced region 606 is a geographically defined region, such as, for example, a construction site. Outside of the geo-fenced region the vibration alert application can be configured to not send alert messages to the associated vibration alert accessory. The geo-fenced region can be defined by a location coordinate and a distance (i.e. defining a circle where the distance is the radius of the circle). In some embodiments the geo-fenced region 606 can be defined by a polygon having a plurality of vertices, each defined by a coordinate location. The coordinates can be given, for example, in latitude and longitude. The communication device 601 can include a satellite positioning receiver to receive positioning signals 612 from positioning satellites 610 to determine its location, as is known. For example, the vibration alert application on the communication device 601 can request location updates from the satellite positioning receiver, and compare the present location of the communication device 601 to the geo-fenced region 606. When the communication device 601 moves from position 602, as indicated by arrow 604, to position 608 inside the geo-fenced region 606, the vibration alert program can determine that the communication device 601 is in the geo-fenced region 606 and commence sending alert messages to the vibration alert accessory. If the communication device 601 is then moved out of the geo-fenced region 606, the vibration alert application can detect that the communication device 601 is out of the geo-fenced region and cease sending alert messages. By essentially turning on alert messaging only in selected geo-fenced regions, battery life of the vibration alert accessory can be prolonged. In some embodiments, entry and exit into and out of geo-fenced regions can be recorded by the vibration alert application.
FIG. 7 is a message analysis diagram 700 for a vibration alert application 702 used in a communication device in accordance with some embodiments. As a message 704 is received by the vibration alert application 702, some initial processing can be performed at block 706 to determine what kind of message is being received. The message can be, for example, a voice message such as a PTT message containing speech, or the message can be text. Furthermore, other types of messages can be received, such as, for example, incoming phone call pages from a cellular phone network. For the purpose of discussion here, the example of FIG. 7 addresses voice and text messages, and those skilled in the art will understand that the same principles can be adapted to other types of messages.
A voice message 708 is analyzed by a voice analyzer function 712, which can look for voice characteristics that indicate, for example, stress in the speaker's voice, an indication of imminent danger, or other conditions that can dictate that special alerting is used. Once analyzed, an appropriate alert (i.e. vibration pattern) is selected by alert selection function 714. The alert selected can correspond to a category of the received message, such as who it is from, whether it is work related or personal related, or a special alert type, and so on. The alert selection function 714, upon selecting an appropriate alert, forms an alert message that is provided to the transceiver 720 for transmission to the vibration alert accessory, which implements a vibration pattern in correspondence with that selected by the alert selection function 714.
Likewise, a text message 710 can be analyzed by a text analyzer 716, which can look at the source of the text message, as well as the content of the text message. Generally the source of the text message will dictate the category of the alert unless some special words or a code appear in the text massage that dictate a special alert be used. Once the text message is analyzed, an alert selection function 718 selects the appropriate vibration pattern to be used in alerting the user and forms an alert message which is provided to the transceiver 720 for transmission to the vibration alert accessory.
FIG. 8 is a flow chart 800 of a method of analyzing messages received by a communication device using a vibration alert application in accordance with some embodiments. At the start 802, the vibration alert application is executing on the communication device, and has verified that the vibration alert accessory is present and has established a link with the vibration alert accessory. In step 804 the method 800 commences monitoring signals (messages) received at the communication device. When a message is received, the method 800 proceeds to step 806 where the message is analyzed based on its type, source, and possible content. For example, if the message received indicates a stress situation, such as if the message is a voice message and the speaker appear to be shouting then a special alert type may be indicated. In step 808 the method 800 can look for other conditions, such as the presence of commands or code words in the message (text or voice). In step 810 the method 800 selects and sends the appropriate alert and vibration pattern for the alert to the vibration alert accessory. In step 812 the method can allow the user to acknowledge the alert by, for example, pressing an acknowledgement button on the vibration alert accessory while it is vibration or playing the selected vibration pattern. The method 800 can be modified in accordance with other teachings disclosed herein, such as by, in step 804, determining a location of the communication device and only proceeding when the communication device is located within a designated geo-fenced alerting region. Likewise, the method 800 can be set to commence only during specified times, such as during work hours.
FIG. 9 is a graph chart 900 showing vibration patterns using different magnitudes of vibration in accordance with some embodiments. The vertical axis 902 represents vibration magnitude, increasing in the upwards direction. Magnitude can be expressed, for example, as the force generated by the rotation of the eccentric mass by the vibration motor, which can be controlled by the rotational velocity (expressed in revolutions per minute, for example). Since the vibration alert accessory can use a larger vibration motor than is used in portable communication devices, the magnitude of the vibrations produced by the vibration alert accessory are much larger, up to an order of magnitude larger in some cases. The horizontal axis 904 represents time, increasing to the right. The vibration pattern can commence for a first interval 914 at a first magnitude 908. At the end of interval 914, the amplitude can be lowered to magnitude 910 for a second interval 916 rather than ceasing vibration (e.g. as in FIG. 3). The different magnitudes 908, 910 can be repeated in first and second intervals 914, 916, respectively. In interval 918 the magnitude can be ramped down by slowing the vibration motor to a halt. Thus, chart 900 shows an example of modulating the vibration magnitude over time where the magnitude is varied between non-zero values (i.e. the motor is not turned off, as in pulsing patterns).
FIG. 10 is a system diagram of a vibration alert system 1000 that provides orientation and guidance to a user, in accordance with some embodiments. A vibration alert accessory 1001 is employed in a form factor that allows a user to perceive direction and orientation, such as, for example, in a helmet. The vibration alert accessory 1001 includes a controller 1002 that is coupled to a communications interface 1004, which can be a local wireless network radio communications interface (e.g. IEEE 802.11 or 802.15). The controller 1002 can receive messages from an associated communication device 1016 via signals 1018 received by the communications interface 1004. The controller 1002 is further coupled to orientation components 1006 which can include an electronic compass 1008 and a tilt sensor 1010. The compass can be oriented in a known orientation with respect to the apparatus (i.e. helmet) in which it is mounted so as to allow the controller to determine the direction in which the apparatus in oriented (i.e. in which direction the user is looking). The tilt sensor 1010 can comprise a three dimensional array (i.e. three mutually perpendicular axes) of micro-electromechanical switches having various resistances so as to indicate the direction of gravity and other acceleration, and therefore the tilt orientation of the apparatus in which the vibration alert accessory 1001 is disposed can be determined. The communication device 1016 can include location determining components (e.g. satellite positioning receiver system), so that the location of the user can be determined. The controller 1002 is further coupled to a plurality of vibrator motors, including a first vibrator motor 1014 and a second vibrator motor 1012. The first vibrator motor 1014 can be mounted on a right side of the apparatus in which the vibration alert accessory 1001 is housed, and the second vibration motor can be mounted on a left side of the apparatus in which the vibration alert accessory 1001 is housed. Thus, the user can not only be alerted as to an imminent danger, but also the orientation of the danger relative to the user's present position and orientation. The communication device 1016 can receive messages 1020 indicating such a danger or other situation to which the user's attention is to be drawn. The message 1020 can include location information indicating a location of the danger or other thing to which the user's attention is to be drawn. The communication device 1016 can form an alert message 1018 that is sent to the vibration alert accessory 1001. The alert message 1018 can indicate the location of the danger (i.e. coordinates), as well as the user's present position as determined by the communication device 1016, which can be used by the controller 1002 to determine the user's orientation with respect to the danger and the direction of the danger from the user's position. Accordingly, the controller can then activate the vibration motor closest to the direction of the danger to indicate to the user the direction of the danger. This process can be ongoing as the user changes position and orientation, the controller can adjust the vibration of the plurality of the vibration motors accordingly, increasing and decreasing the vibration amplitude of each vibration motor in correspondence with their orientation to the danger. That is, the vibration motor 1012, 1014 closest to the direction of the danger can have the highest vibration magnitude, while the vibration motor 1012, 1014 farthest from the direction of the danger can have the smallest, or no vibration magnitude, and this can be changed based on position, location, and orientation input from the communication device 1016, and the orientation components 1006. The communication device 1016 can periodically or continuously update the vibrational alert accessory as to the user's present position so that the controller can, in real time, adjust the vibrations of the first and second vibrator motors 1012, 1014 to indicate the orientation of the thing to which the user/wearer's attention is to be drawn is located with respect to the user's present position and orientation. Such alerting can be used, for example, in construction sites, firefighting settings, military settings, and so on. For example, a person in need of medical attention can activate a medical alert which results in the person's location being transmitted to an on-site medic. The medic's headgear, using directionally oriented vibration of vibration motors such as vibration motors 1012, 1014, can be silently directed to the person in need of aid. The identification and location of the situation to which attention is to be drawn can be determined, for example, by on-site personnel who can use their respective communication device to enter information indicating the direction, and/or location of the danger. That information can be then propagated to a plurality of others in the vicinity of the danger for use in vibration alerting to indicate orientation, location, and so on. Likewise, the multiple vibration motors 1012, 1014 (and others, if present), can be used to guide the user in conditions where visibility may be compromised. For example, the position and orientation of the user can be used to alert the user towards the direction of an exit from a building in a firefighting situation.
FIG. 11 is a system diagram of an alert system 1100 for logging alerting activity and user acknowledgements of alerts by users associated with an organization in accordance with some embodiments. A plurality of users such as a first user 1102 and a second user 1104 are associated with an organization (e.g. a construction operation, public safety, military, security, etc.). The users 1102, 1104 can be located within a region 1106 that can be, in some embodiments, a geo-fenced region, although it is not necessary that the user's be in a geo-fenced region in all embodiments. An administration entity 1108 can operate in a supervisory role and provide alerts to user 1102, 1004, etc. in region 1106, or which are otherwise affiliated with the organization. For example, an alert message 1110 can be provided 1112 to the administration entity 1108 for propagation to the users. The alert can indicate some urgent matter as described with reference to previous figures. The administrative entity 1108 can send a message through a network 1114 to a wide area radio communications site 116, which can transmit the message to the users. Thus a transmitted message 1118 can be received by user 1102. The transmitted message can include information, as well as an indication of a preferred alert pattern to be used. The communication device used by a user receiving the message 1118 can process the message upon receiving it, and determine what form of alerting to use. When a strong vibration alert is needed (e.g. for urgent messages), the user's communication device will enable an associated vibration alert accessory to create a vibratory alert. In response, user 1102 can respond to the message by reading or listening to the user's communication device, or by simply pressing a button at the vibration alert accessory. Once the user acknowledges the alert (e.g. by pressing a button, answering a call, etc.). The user's acknowledgement indicates the user received the alert. An acknowledgment message 1120 can then be generated by each user who has acknowledged the message as received, and sent back to the administration entity 1108. The alerts may or may not be vibration alerts. In some embodiments, for non-urgent alerts, the communication device used by a user can generate an audible alert and/or a low magnitude vibration alert. If the user does not acknowledge the alerting by the communication device within a preselected period of time, the communication device can then form a vibration alert message that is transmitted to the vibration alert accessory associated with the communication device and worn or carried by the user. By avoiding using the vibration alert accessory for non-urgent alerts in this manner, battery life of the vibration alert accessory can be prolonged. The user can acknowledge the alert at either the communication device or the vibration alert accessory, and an acknowledgement message can be transmitted back to the administration entity.
The administration entity 1108 can maintain a record 1122 of all alerts and individual acknowledgements received. For example, a column 1124 can correspond to the first user 1102, and a second column 1126 can correspond to the second user 1104. In each column a record can be kept of, for example, an alert being sent 1128, along with a time stamp 1130 indicating when the alert was sent. Similarly an acknowledgment entry 1134 can indicate that the user acknowledged the alert (with or without a timestamp and with or without the acknowledging user's location). In the event that user does not acknowledge an alert, the administrative entity 1108 can send a message to user's nearby the non-acknowledging user to interact with the non-acknowledging user, which can prompt the non-acknowledging user to then acknowledge the alert, or prompt those checking on the non-acknowledging user to seek assistance if, for example, the non-acknowledging user is in need of assistance.
The records 1122 can be used, in some embodiments, to reduce insurance costs. Since the organization can show alerting and acknowledgement compliance, the organization may be entitled to a discount on liability insurance. The record 1122 can also be used to show compliance with regulations, such as when the vibration alert device is disposed in a safety article (e.g. high visibility vest, hard hat/helmet, etc.), indicating, by the acknowledgements, that the users are using their safety gear in which the vibration alert accessory is disposed.
Embodiments such as those disclosed herein provide the benefit of providing tactile alerting that is more likely to be sensed by a user when, for example, wearing heaving work clothing, or in locations where there is substantial acoustic noise that would tend to mask the vibration alert of conventional communication devices. For example, heavy equipment on construction sites generate vibrations that can propagate acoustically and through the ground so as to be felt by persons in proximity to such equipment and machines. A communication device carried, for example, in a pocket, and set on “silent mode” to vibrate in response to incoming messages and calls can go undetected due to the ambient conditions masking the vibration of the communication device. A vibration alert accessory, however, can use a stronger vibration means than is found in communication devices, and can be paired with a communication device to provide high magnitude vibrations that are more likely to be sensed by the user. As such, the design goals of mobile communication devices such as small overall volume/size, and weight can be accommodated while still accomplishing alerting and notification in conditions that tend to mask the vibration/notification built into the mobile communication device. Furthermore, by analyzing incoming messages by source and content, special alerting can be used when necessary to draw users' attention dangers or other messages that require urgent attention.
In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present teachings.
The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued.
Moreover in this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,”“comprising,”“has”, “having,”“includes”, “including,”“contains”, “containing” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises . . . a”, “has . . . a”, “includes . . . a”, “contains . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains the element. The terms “a” and “an” are defined as one or more unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. The terms “substantially”, “essentially”, “approximately”, “about” or any other version thereof, are defined as being close to as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, and in one non-limiting embodiment the term is defined to be within 10%, in another embodiment within 5%, in another embodiment within 1% and in another embodiment within 0.5%. The term “coupled” as used herein is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly and not necessarily mechanically. A device or structure that is “configured” in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in ways that are not listed.
It will be appreciated that some embodiments may be comprised of one or more generic or specialized processors (or “processing devices”) such as microprocessors, digital signal processors, customized processors and field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and unique stored program instructions (including both software and firmware) that control the one or more processors to implement, in conjunction with certain non-processor circuits, some, most, or all of the functions of the method and/or apparatus described herein. Alternatively, some or all functions could be implemented by a state machine that has no stored program instructions, or in one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), in which each function or some combinations of certain of the functions are implemented as custom logic. Of course, a combination of the two approaches could be used.
The use of “software,” and other references to code herein, are to be construed as referring to the physical configuration of a physical media, such as, for example, electronic media (both active and passive), optical media, magnetic media, and so on, which can be read (i.e. transferred) to electronic media in a processor or other computational structure for logic operations to produce output that is also used to configure physical media and/or drive other circuitry connected to the processor, accordingly. The physical configuration of the media is specified by design to cause the processor to provide an output according to its physical design as a collection of circuitry and circuit components. As such, any reference to software or other code is not to be construed as referring to any abstract idea which generally merely describes the intended function of the actual software. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, however, that software can be designed in a wide variety of alternative implementations to achieve the same general functions.
An embodiment can be implemented as a computer-readable storage medium having computer readable code stored thereon for programming a computer (e.g., comprising a processor) to perform a method as described and claimed herein. Examples of such computer-readable storage mediums include, but are not limited to, a hard disk, a CD-ROM, an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory), an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) and a Flash memory. Further, it is expected that one of ordinary skill, notwithstanding possibly significant effort and many design choices motivated by, for example, available time, current technology, and economic considerations, when guided by the concepts and principles disclosed herein will be readily capable of generating such software instructions and programs and ICs with minimal experimentation.
The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description as part of the original disclosure, and remain so even if cancelled from the claims during prosecution of the application, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter. Furthermore, subject matter not shown should not be assumed to be necessarily present, and that in some instances it may become necessary to define the claims by use of negative limitations, which are supported herein by merely not showing the subject matter disclaimed in such negative limitations.
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Imaging electronics are a key part of how well an imaging system works. This system has many parts, such as software, a camera, cables, a capture board, etc. So, it’s important to understand a camera sensor and how it works because it’s an important part of a camera or imaging system. However, two cameras with the same sensor can have different performances and properties because of how the electronics are connected. In the past, phototubes like Plumbicons and Vidicons were used as image sensors in cameras. Now, there are two kinds of image sensors: CCD and CMOS. CMOS Image sensor test is made of semiconductors and is used to turn optical images into digital signals. They are found in many digital cameras and other optical devices.
What is CMOS Sensor?
A CMOS sensor, or complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor sensor, is an electronic chip that changes photons into electrons for digital processing. Most digital cameras, digital video cameras, and CCTV use these sensors to take pictures. You can also find these chips in scanners, telescopes, and barcode readers for looking at the stars. Because CMOS is cheap to make, it is possible to make low-cost consumer devices.
The photoelectric effect is how the CMOS sensor changes the photons into electrical energy. CMOS sensors don’t work like CCD sensors because they can change electric charge into voltage right in the pixels. CMOS sensors are now available with high frame rates and great image quality. They are used in high-performance industrial cameras because of this.
CMOS Sensor Working
In a camera system, the image sensor gets light that is focused by a lens. Depending on the type of image sensor, such as a CCD or CMOS image sensor test, the camera system will send either a digital signal or a voltage to the next phase.
Photons are turned into electrons, which are then turned into a voltage and then into a digital value by an on-chip ADC (Analog to Digital Converter).
The parts used and how they are put together will differ depending on who makes the digital camera. The main purpose of this design is to turn light into a digital signal, which can then be looked at to trigger further improvements or actions that the user has set up.
Consumer cameras have extra parts like LCDs, switches, and control knobs that let you store the image in memory. On the other hand, machine vision cameras don’t have these extra parts.
Types of CMOS Sensor
Active Pixel Sensor:
An active Pixel Sensor is a kind of image sensor made up of many small sensors called “pixels.” Every pixel in this type of sensor comprises an amplifier and a photodetector. The CMOS APS is the most well-known active pixel sensor (APS) because it can be used in many great ways in DSLRs, digital cameras, etc.
The CMOS process is used to make this sensor called CMOS APS. This kind of sensor is similar to a CCD or Charge Coupled Device because they are also called active pixel image sensors and active pixel sensor imagers.
Passive Pixel Sensor:
Every passive pixel in these sensors is made up of an access transistor and a photodiode. This sensor’s pixels are set up in a two-dimensional structure. The access enable wire is shared by pixels in the same row, and the output wire is shared by pixels in the same column.
CMOS Sensor IC:
The OV7670 camera sensor module is the CMOS sensor IC that is used the most. This small CMOS image sensor test with a low voltage is very sensitive. It is used to capture and process the image. Different manufacturers do this module with pins that are set up in different ways. The OV7670 IC gives you full-frame and windowed 8-bit images in different formats.


ASLogger is a reliable, easy-to-use, easy-to-configure call recording and call logging software solution designed for small to large business environments. ASLogger Call Recording and Call Logging software is powerful, scalable, affordable, and a customizable solution for inbound and outbound calls.
Our Call Recording and Call logging software has the ability to record multiple line types such as analog, proprietary digital PBX, T1/E1, ISDN, PRI, BRI, and VoIP lines. We are a team of developers with strong experience in designing call recording software more than 10 years and developed a recording solution to meet requirements for a variety of industries......
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World’s leading trade fair and conference for electronics
The exhibitor target group includes companies that offer products and services used in the development, quality control, maintenance and repair of electronic assemblies, devices and machinery. Relevant sectors: electrical engineering, electronics, retail trade (distributors), telecommunications, mechanical engineering, service providers, software technology, data processing. As a visitor target group the developers and designers of application-orientated electronic circuits and products are addressed.
Talk to one of our team about your specific inspection needs.


Technology solutions are the latest tools that entrepreneurs can use to operate their businesses wiser. These solutions can help improve campaign performance and improve operations. Businesses can use technology to market upon various media channels and one of the striking, advertise in print, and make blog posts.
Some technological solutions require a certain quantity of personalization to make all of them work together. Yet , most technology solutions are created to be implemented conveniently.
A technology https://geotechsolutions.net/2022/03/14/online-data-room-services-services-for-businesses-looking-to-maintain-a-competitive-edge/ method can help an organization transform internal and external business operations. It can also provide a road map to reach the desired end result. This type of provider can be valuable with regards to companies that face complicated business complications.
The services of a technology alternatives provider may include consulting, IT outsourcing, and technology production. Their products can range from software to hardware, and can be used both equally internally and out of doors of any organization.
Businesses can benefit from these kind of services because they save time and money. They will also ensure that their staff have quick access to info, which assists them to work more efficiently.
Technology solutions could also help businesses improve communication. Communication application can allow those to discuss tasks and strategies with their team members and management. Furthermore, a lot of systems allow them to assign tasks to their staff remotely.
Technology solutions is cybersecurity. Security software help keep electronic content material safe and comply with regulating standards. Additionally , they can keep employees up-to-date with safety criteria.


Our Prepaid Cell Phone Providers
Sparkles Wireless is an independent wireless communications store, and we're authorized to set up prepaid cell phone service with a wide variety of providers. This allows us to provide you with the service that's best for you considering your mobile phone needs, lifestyle, and budget.
Unlike company-owned stores, we're under no pressure to push you toward any particular provider's products or services, nor to sell you services that you don't need and will never use. That's just another reason why we're your best choice for cell phones and wireless data services in the College Point, New York area.
Some of the providers we work with include:
Primary wireless providers are those with their own networks and towers. Prepaid services purchased from primary providers are typically identical to the services those companies provide to their contract customers, except for the pricing and terms. Because of their extensive networks and excellent coverage, prepaid service from primary providers tends to cost a bit more; but for people who travel a lot, the better coverage is worth the few bucks a month extra.
Our primary wireless providers include:
AT&T is a primary provider of wireless services throughout the United States. They own their own wireless network, and also have a roaming agreement with T-Mobile. This means that if you have an AT&T phone and service, you should be able to use at least voice and text services anywhere there is either an AT&T or a T-Mobile signal.
AT&T offers both phone and dedicated mobile broadband plans and uses GSM phones and devices. They do not, however, provide support for BlackBerry or Android data features on prepaid accounts.
T-Mobile is a primary provider of wireless services throughout the United States and owns its own wireless network. They also have a roaming agreement with AT&T, which means that if you have a T-Mobile Prepaid phone and service, you should be able to use at least voice and text services anywhere there is either a T-Mobile or an AT&T signal.
T-Mobile offers both phone and dedicated mobile broadband plans and uses GSM phones and devices. They also provide full support for all voice, text, and data features on T-Mobile-branded BlackBerry and Android phones.
Boost Mobile is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sprint Nextel, a primary provider of wireless services in the United States. Sprint Nextel operates two wireless networks: one using the CDMA standard, and the other using the iDen standard. Most Boost phones use the CDMA standard, but Boost phones with walkie-talkie capabilities use the iDen standard.
Boost Mobile provides voice and data services, including support for selected Android and BlackBerry phones. They do not offer dedicated mobile broadband plans.
MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) Providers
MVNO providers don't own their own networks. Instead, they lease blocks of airtime on primary providers' networks at wholesale prices, and re-sell the service to their own customers. Services and coverage provided by MVNOs typically are comparable to those offered by the primary networks they piggyback on, except that a primary provider's roaming agreements usually don't carry over to MVNOs.
Prepaid wireless service with an MVNO tends to be less expensive than service from a primary provider, but there may be more gaps in coverage because of the lack of roaming ability. Still, for people who usually stay within an area where there's good coverage, MVNOs can offer great service for a great price.
Some of our MVNO wireless providers include:
H2o Wireless is an MVNO that uses AT&T's network. They're somewhat unique in that they're the only prepaid service that supports iPhones without their needing to be unlocked first. H2o also offers dedicated mobile broadband plans.
H2o uses GSM phones and devices and supports the data features of Android phones and iPhones (but not BlackBerry phones). The company also offers dedicated wireless mobile broadband services.
Virgin Mobile is an MVNO that operates on Sprint's national network. The company offers a wide variety of prepaid cell phone plans and dedicated mobile wireless plans.
SIMPLE Mobile is an MVNO that uses T-Mobile's network. The company offers both cell phone service and dedicated mobile broadband plans, and supports the data capabilities of Android and BlackBerry smart phones.
SIMPLE Mobile doesn't sell phones. To use SIMPLE Mobile services, you purchase a supported T-Mobile phone and a SIMPLE Mobile SIM card. Most T-Mobile phones are supported by SIMPLE Mobile.
Different Kinds of Wireless Internet Plans
1. Add-On Service to a Smart Phone Account
Many smart phones are able to provide Internet connectivity to computers using either a cable or the phone's internal Wi-Fi radio. This is commonly called "tethering," back from the days when the only way to use a cell phone to provide Internet service to a computer was to "tether" the two together with a cable.
Although it's still possible to tether a computer to a cell phone using a cable, most modern smart phones have the ability to be used as wireless "hot spots." The way this works is that the phone accesses the Internet over the provider's service and shares it as a Wi-Fi hot spot, to which you wirelessly connect your computer just like you would to any other hot spot.
Some prepaid cell phone providers offer the ability to use your smart phone's hot spot service for an additional monthly fee, which usually is less than what it would cost to buy dedicated wireless Internet service, making this a good option for many users who only occasionally need this functionality. But because there's usually a cap on how much bandwidth you can use, it's not a good solution as a full-time Internet connection.
2. Dedicated Wireless Internet Service
Dedicated wireless Internet requires a special device that accesses a cell provider's network, but doesn't make or receive phone calls. Its only purpose is to provide Internet access to computers.
Some of the dedicated mobile Internet connection devices are designed to be used by a single laptop computer, and simply plug into the computer's USB port. Many users prefer these devices because they're small, easy to pack in a pocket or laptop bag, and simple to use. They can be used on multiple computers, but only one at a time, and each computer must have the connection software installed.
Another kind of dedicated connection device is commonly called a "mobile hot spot" or a "Mi-Fi device." These devices obtain an Internet connection from the wireless provider and share it as a Wi-Fi hot spot Most of these devices can serve up to five computers at a time.
Although Mi-Fi devices are a little more expensive than USB-type devices, many people like them because no software is required, as many as five computers can use the service simultaneously, and any Wi-Fi equipped computer or device can connect to them -- exactly like they would connect to any other Wi-Fi connection.
Please contact us to learn more about any of our quality products and services.


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Texting is quickly becoming the way customers prefer to communicate with you. Introducing the Autobytel suite of texting solutions.
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Revolutionizing your business to help you sell more cars.
One of the biggest successes we've had with Autobytel Mobile is the ability for our sales team to connect with customers and answer questions early on in the buying process, while capturing names and phone numbers via text message conversations to generate additional sales opportunities for our team.
Recently, we made a sale that generated over $8,000 gross using Autobytel TextLeads. In addition to sales leads, we've gotten plenty of service business too. The ROI is so significant, we're going to implement other Autobytel Mobile products into our store operations.
One of the biggest reasons we added Autobytel TextLeads and TextShield to begin with was to be compliant with the TCPA. Our ROI is an added bonus. We're very pleased with the products and look forward to an ongoing relationship with Autobytel.
Ed Morse Honda launched the Autobytel mobile web and text message lead services in early 2014. Almost immediately after switching to Autobytel's mobile website platform, our Honda location enjoyed a significant increase in contact conversion. These opportunities translate to more sales and fixed operations business for our Honda dealership. The level of service provided by the Autobytel team was second to none. From implementation, to day-to-day changes, additions and integrations, the Autobytel team is quick to respond - not only in assisting us, but also by proactively offering us suggestions to make our mobile site more powerful each month.
Texting is a powerful way to communicate with car shoppers and Autobytel's text message lead platform (TextShield) allows shoppers on my new responsive web site to connect with my sales and service staff in a very personal medium. Their text response tool works great for desktop, tablet and mobile users and generates high quality leads that help my team sell more cars.