Methods and apparatus to count people are disclosed. Example people counting apparatus disclosed herein include a difference calculator to calculate a degree of similarity between a first characteristic dataset and a second characteristic dataset representative of face detections in images. Disclosed example people counting apparatus also include a limiter to store the first characteristic dataset and the second characteristic dataset in a plurality of characteristic datasets associated when the degree of similarity does not satisfy a threshold, and to store the first characteristic dataset in the plurality of characteristic datasets and discard the second characteristic dataset when the degree of similarity satisfies the threshold to limit a number of stored characteristic datasets. Disclosed example people counting apparatus further include a comparator to compare the plurality of characteristic datasets to each other to determine a number of unique faces in an environment during a first period of time.

An electronic talking stick has a body having an outer casing, of a size to fit in a user's hand, a power supply powering circuitry within the body, an electronic timer operable within the body, an on/off switch, and an alert mechanism adapted to cause a user-noticeable alert at specific times according to the timer. Upon applying power by the on/off switch, the timer begins to count down from a pre-programmed time, wherein the alert mechanism generates a timed-out alert when the timer reaches zero, and wherein removing power from the circuitry resets the timer.

An electronic talking stick has a body having an outer casing, of a size to fit in a user's hand, a power supply powering circuitry within the body, an electronic timer operable within the body, an on/off switch, and an alert mechanism adapted to cause a user-noticeable alert at specific times according to the timer. Upon applying power by the on/off switch, the timer begins to count down from a pre-programmed time, wherein the alert mechanism generates a timed-out alert when the timer reaches zero, and wherein removing power from the circuitry resets the timer.

An electronic interval timer in a regular dodecahedron case is described. The timer is set by orienting the timer so that a face with a time desired is face up. The timer is free of buttons, switches, and electronic displays. It is sealed for ruggedness and water-resistance, and free of a battery door and any moving parts, except for two speakers on opposing faces. The timer indicates start and end of set time intervals with unique speech announcements or tones. Two time intervals may run concurrently by orienting the timer to a second time while the first is running. A time interval may be selected by rotating to multiple faces where the time interval desired is the sum of the times on the faces. A timer mode may be programmed via an orientation sequence. Taps may be used to request a time remaining announcement or to set volume. Functions include a stopwatch. Waterproofing is achieved by a gap in a speaker shelf that admits air but not water.

A contact-point timer switch having an explosion-proof structure is provided. A defrosting timer for a refrigerator includes: contact points; a contact-point move mechanism that moves at least one contact point of the contact points, and makes the contact point contact another contact point in order to electrically connect the contact points; and a first case and a second case, while being in a stacked state, inside which stores the contact points and the contact-point move mechanism. In a first-case-side facing part of the first case, which faces the second case, and a second-case-side facing part of the second case, which faces the first case, there are provided raised bottom parts, which are raised toward an opposite-side facing part, in an area being free from overlap with the contact points and the contact-point move mechanism in a view from a stacking direction of the first case and the second case.

A contact-point timer switch having an explosion-proof structure is provided. A defrosting timer for a refrigerator includes: contact points; a contact-point move mechanism that moves at least one contact point of the contact points, and makes the contact point contact another contact point in order to electrically connect the contact points; and a first case and a second case, while being in a stacked state, inside which stores the contact points and the contact-point move mechanism. In a first-case-side facing part of the first case, which faces the second case, and a second-case-side facing part of the second case, which faces the first case, there are provided raised bottom parts, which are raised toward an opposite-side facing part, in an area being free from overlap with the contact points and the contact-point move mechanism in a view from a stacking direction of the first case and the second case.

A wireless device comprising a processor and an internal clock is disclosed, the processor is configured to: run a timer using the internal clock, wherein the timer starts when a first clock-time is acquired from an external source; and when the timer expires, request a second clock-time from a second external source.

A timer measurement device includes a signal output unit, an operation input unit and a processor. The processor stores ordered time settings including at least respective timer values. When an elapsed time that is measured by using a clock signal output by the signal output unit reaches a timer value of a time setting selected from the time settings, the processor resets the elapsed time, and switches the selected time setting to a next time setting among the ordered time settings. If the operation input unit receives a predetermined change command during, the measurement of the elapsed time for the timer value of the selected time setting, the processor performs, in response to the change command, a change processing which changes a remaining time with respect to the elapsed time for the timer value of the selected time setting.

A timer measurement device includes a signal output unit, an operation input unit and a processor. The processor stores ordered time settings including at least respective timer values. When an elapsed time that is measured by using a clock signal output by the signal output unit reaches a timer value of a time setting selected from the time settings, the processor resets the elapsed time, and switches the selected time setting to a next time setting among the ordered time settings. If the operation input unit receives a predetermined change command during, the measurement of the elapsed time for the timer value of the selected time setting, the processor performs, in response to the change command, a change processing which changes a remaining time with respect to the elapsed time for the timer value of the selected time setting.

A clip member that attaches to the actuator of a flip switch timer for a toggle switch to allow the flip switch timer to actuate a decorator switch between on and off positions. The clip member may include a connector or fastener including a pair of arms having clips for engaging a slot on the actuator. A lever arm on the switch engages the raised end of a decorator switch when the actuator, and thus the clip member, are moved linearly within the flip switch timer.