A robot according to the present disclosure comprises: a microphone; a camera disposed to face a predetermined direction; and a processor configured to: inactivate driving of the camera and activate driving of the microphone, if a driving mode of the robot is set to a user monitoring mode; acquire a sound signal through the microphone; activate the driving of the camera based on an event estimated from the acquired sound signal; confirm the event from the image acquired through the camera; and control at least one constituent included in the robot to perform an operation based on the confirmed event.

A system that includes an electronic baton device with motion and capacitive sensors. The system includes a processor and non-tangible computer readable media having stored programming instructions thereon that, when executed, cause the processor to receive sensor data from the motion and capacitive sensors, and determine an exchange zone to exchange the baton device between an incoming runner and an outgoing runner of a relay, based on the sensor data. The processor determines relay race metrics for each athlete of the relay team, baton metrics associated with each athlete, a usage efficiency in the exchange zone, and a baton transition metrics. The processor selectively displays on a display device the relay race metrics for each athlete, the determined baton metrics, the determined usage efficiency in the exchange zone, and the determined baton transition metrics in one or more selected graphical user interfaces.

Provided are a skeletal structure correction apparatus and a skeletal structure correction method for assessing risks to a musculoskeletal system of a worker. The skeletal structure correction method quantitatively determines an analysis time and uncertain body motions by providing an assessment tool for significantly reducing the workload of ergonomic/industrial engineering experts investigating the risks to the musculoskeletal system.

A monitoring system a user activity sensor to determine patterns of activity based upon the user activity occurring over time.

A posture measuring device, an intelligent cushion and an intelligent seat are disclosed. The sitting posture measuring device comprises two fiber optic sensors; a signal processing unit electrically connected to the two fiber optic sensors respectively; and a power supply unit electrically connected to the signal processing unit. The sitting posture measuring device further comprises a prompting unit and/or a wireless communications unit electrically connected to the signal processing unit. The two fiber optic sensors are configured from left to right or from front to back. The fiber optic sensors detect changes in optical signals generated from changes in surface pressure on the sensors, and the signal processing unit analyzes a posture of a user on the basis of changes in optical signals generated from changes in surface pressure on the sensors.

Apparatus and methods are described including identifying that a subject suffers from sleep apnea. Positive airway pressure (PAP) is applied to the subject via a mask placed on a face of the subject. A respiratory-related parameter of the subject is sensed, while the mask is on the face of the subject, and a need of the subject for respiratory support is assessed, responsively to the respiratory-related parameter. In accordance with the assessed need, the mask is configured to regulate the PAP provided to the subject's face. Other applications are also described.

A system for monitoring medical conditions including pressure ulcers, pressure-induced ischemia and related medical conditions comprises at least one sensor adapted to detect one or more patient characteristic including at least position, orientation, temperature, acceleration, moisture, resistance, stress, heart rate, respiration rate, and blood oxygenation, a host for processing the data received from the sensors together with historical patient data to develop an assessment of patient condition and suggested course of treatment, including either suspending or adjusting turn schedule based on various types of patient movement. Compliance with Head-of-Bed protocols can also be performed based on actual patient position instead of being inferred from bed elevation angle. The sensor can include bi-axial or tri-axial accelerometers, as well as resistive, inductive, capacitive, magnetic and other sensing devices, depending on whether the sensor is located on the patient or the support surface, and for what purpose.

A seat cushion is provided. The seat cushion includes an upper pad, a lower pad, a support structure, a plurality of optical modules, and a processor. The upper pad includes a plurality of transparent areas. The lower pad is provided with a plurality of grooves to accommodate the optical modules. The support structure is connected between the upper pad and the lower pad. The optical modules are located below the upper pad and are disposed corresponding to the transparent areas. The optical modules respectively transmit sense signals and respectively receive feedback signals corresponding to the sense signals. The processor is coupled to the optical modules and is configured to collect optical signals.

The invention provides a multi-sensor system that uses an algorithm based on adaptive filtering to monitor a patient's respiratory rate. The system features a first sensor selected from the following group: i) an impedance pneumography sensor featuring at least two electrodes and a processing circuit configured to measure an impedance pneumography signal; ii) an ECG sensor featuring at least two electrodes and an ECG processing circuit configured to measure an ECG signal; and iii) a PPG sensor featuring a light source, photodetector, and PPG processing circuit configured to measure a PPG signal. Each of these sensors measures a time-dependent signal which is sensitive to respiratory rate and, during operation, is processed to determine an initial respiratory rate value. An adaptive digital filter is determined from the initial respiratory rate. The system features a second sensor (e.g. a digital 3-axis accelerometer) that attaches to the patient's torso and measures an ACC signal indicating movement of the chest or abdomen that is also sensitive to respiratory rate. This second signal is processed with the adaptive filter to determine a final value for respiratory rate.

An electronic system for bioimpedance signal acquisition, comprises: a current signal injection module configured for generating a current signal to be applied to a subject; a bioimpedance signal measurement module configured for measuring a bioimpedance signal based on a voltage generated by the current signal; a data quality detection module configured for detecting an AC or a DC level of the measured bioimpedance signal and detecting whether the AC or DC level is within or outside an AC reference value range and a DC reference value range, respectively; and a signal adaptation module configured for modifying at least one parameter of the current signal injection module or the bioimpedance signal measurement module based on said detection of the AC or DC level in relation to the AC reference value range and the DC reference value range, respectively.