Various arrangements for handling a potential security situation using a home automation system are presented. A biometric measurement of a user may be received. The biometric measurement of the user may exceed a defined threshold value for the biometric measurement. A security alert from a home automation device in wireless communication with the home automation host system may be received. If the biometric measurement is associated with the security alert, a security response action may be performed.

An example distance measuring apparatus is provided. The example apparatus may include a housing having an aperture, a reel assembly, a measuring tape, a touch control, an audio output device, an audio input device, and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry may be configured to receive a touch control signal and initiate a measurement acquisition session, receive verbal measurement audio data from the audio input device, perform a speech recognition analysis on the verbal measurement audio data to determine measurement data, and store the measurement data in a memory device.

An example distance measuring apparatus is provided. The example apparatus may include a measuring tape with distance measurement indicia, a camera, and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry may be configured to cause the camera to capture an image of the measuring tape, and determine a measurement by analyzing the captured image. The measurement may be determined based on the distance measurement indicia of the measuring tape within the image at a measurement position. The processing circuitry may be further configured to store the measurement in a memory device.

A measuring device having a flange extending from a rule portion at one end and an ergonomic module on the other end. The ergonomic module has side surfaces which angle at the same angle as side edges of the flange to permit the measuring device to be supported on the side surfaces during use. A magnet may be encapsulated in the ergonomic module for supporting the measuring device when not in use. A thumb depression is formed in the ergonomic module to facilitate use by the user.

There is provided a method for controlling a small-sized adjustable measuring force measurement device capable of appropriately setting the origin. A central control unit changes an operation mode to an origin setting mode in response to predetermined mode changing operation. The central control unit sets a counter value of an encoder to zero as an origin when a measuring force detecting means detects that a movable member is brought into contact with an object to be measured at a predetermined pressure in the origin setting mode.

Disclosed is a system and method for using a digital measuring device to install a structure. For example, the system can be used to install hurricane shutters over a window or door of a dwelling. Alternatively, the system can be used to install decorative shutters, shelving, or window treatments. Other example will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. The present system is beneficial in any situation where taking accurate measurements is critical to the proper installation of a structure. The system employs a digital measuring device that wirelessly communicates with a mobile computing device. In one embodiment, the measuring device is a tape measure and the mobile computing device is a phone or table computer. The mobile computing device is preferably used to demonstrate to the user what measurements need to be taken. After the user takes the required measurements, the accuracy and sufficiency of the measurements are thereafter confirmed via the mobile computing device.

A measuring system (15) includes a measuring arm receiving unit (18) mounted on the housing (49) or on an axial pin (30) connected to the housing (49) for conjoint rotation so as to be rotatable or pivotable about the axis of rotation (D). A measuring arm (16) can be arranged on the measuring arm receiving unit (18). A motor unit (24) generates a motor torque about the axis of rotation (D) on the measuring arm receiving unit (18). The measuring arm unit (18) is mounted by a ball bearing guide unit (39) to be rotatable about the axis of rotation (D) in the peripheral direction and displaceably along the axis of rotation (D) in the axial direction A. An axial position of the measuring arm unit (18) in the axial direction is defined with the aid of a magnetic axial bearing device (46) and is maintained during operation.

A measuring system (15) includes a measuring arm receiving unit (18) mounted on the housing (49) or on an axial pin (30) connected to the housing (49) for conjoint rotation so as to be rotatable or pivotable about the axis of rotation (D). A measuring arm (16) can be arranged on the measuring arm receiving unit (18). A motor unit (24) generates a motor torque about the axis of rotation (D) on the measuring arm receiving unit (18). A rotary angle specifying the rotary angle position of the measuring arm receiving unit (18) about the axis of rotation (D) is detected by a measuring device (67) having a scale part (68) and a detection unit (69). The scale part (68) is arranged in the form of a circular arc, annularly, or in the form of a disc about or coaxially with the axis of rotation (D).

An inductive position detector (IPD) for stylus position measurement in a scanning probe comprises a coil board configuration located along a central axis in the probe with a motion volume extending on opposite sides of the coil board configuration. The coil board configuration includes N top rotary sensing coils (RSCs) and a top axial sensing coil configuration (ASCC), and N bottom RSCs and a bottom ASCC. A pair of stylus-coupled conductive disruptors move along Z (axial) and X-Y (rotary) directions in the motion volume. A generating coil (GC) of the coil board configuration generates a changing magnetic flux (e.g., encompassing all or at least part of the disruptors), and coil signals indicate the disruptors and/or stylus positions. Areas of the conductive disruptors may be larger than an area of the generating coil in some implementations, and the conductive disruptors may each comprise a plurality of concentric conductive loops, spirals, etc.

Smart Scale Ruler is an electronic architect's scale having a triangular shaped ruler body. The Smart Scale Ruler has a changeable electronic display for displaying a custom or the desired scale of any unit of length, for a document or plan. A set of depressible buttons function as the inputs for the value of the reference point a user wishes to base the custom scale off of, as well as different settings for the device, in order to display the correct scale on the electronic display.