Disclosed are devices, systems, apparatus, methods, products, and other implementations, including a control system that includes a receiving structure to receive a plurality of modular devices, with one or more of the plurality of modular devices being coupled into respective locations on the receiving structure and with each of the one or more of the plurality of modular devices configured to transmit a short-range communication in response to receiving a respective stimulus by the each of the one or more of the plurality of modular devices. The control system further includes a communication module to communicate with the one or more of the plurality of modular devices coupled to the receiving structure, and a controller configured to perform a respective operation in response to receiving a short-range message from a respective one of the one or more of the plurality of modular devices.

A communication apparatus capable of increasing reliability of signal transmission is provided.

A communication apparatus 1 includes a manipulating unit 10, a power generating unit 20 that generates electric power using force externally applied via the manipulating unit 10, a transmitting unit 40 transmitting a signal, and a control unit 60 that causes, when the manipulating unit 10 is manipulated, the transmitting unit 40 to transmit the signal with priority over another process other than the transmission of the signal using first electric power which is part of the electric power generated by the power generating unit 20 and then performs the other process using second electric power other than the first electric power among the electric power generated by the power generating unit 20.

Techniques are described for detecting the presence or absence of certain molecules, analytes, or substances present in the oral cavity or characteristics of the saliva in the oral cavity. In particular, aspects of the invention disclose a systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer-readable media for detecting bio-markers.

Methods, apparatuses, systems, and computer-readable media for communicating via an electronic device for use in a mouth environment of an animal and resistant to damage from bodily fluids and pressure. The device can be anchored to a tooth or a teeth of the mandible, or implanted in (or attached to an implant in) the maxilla or mandible. The device includes: a power device, which can power the apparatus, a memory storage device, which can store and recall data; a communications subsystem, which communicates with one or more remote devices; an output device, which creates stimulus directly or indirectly observable in the mouth environment; an input device, which can create signals according to activity in the mouth environment and can send them to the memory storage device and/or processor; and a processor coupled to the memory storage device, the communication subsystem, the output device and the input device.

Disclosed are devices, systems, apparatus, methods, products, and other implementations, including a control system that includes a receiving structure to receive a plurality of modular devices, with one or more of the plurality of modular devices being coupled into respective locations on the receiving structure and with each of the one or more of the plurality of modular devices configured to transmit a short-range communication in response to receiving a respective stimulus by the each of the one or more of the plurality of modular devices. The control system further includes a communication module to communicate with the one or more of the plurality of modular devices coupled to the receiving structure, and a controller configured to perform a respective operation in response to receiving a short-range message from a respective one of the one or more of the plurality of modular devices.

A rectifier circuit rectifies power generation voltage of a piezoelectric element to generate DC voltage and supplies the power generation voltage to a load. Upon termination of a process started upon reception of the DC voltage supplied from the rectifier circuit, the load sets a discharge switch to a conduction state using an output port signal. The electric charge remaining in the piezoelectric element is reset to zero by the discharge switch.

Embodiments include an implant and a method of operating the implant. The implant includes a receiver that receives first ultrasound signals emitted by an external transmitting unit of a further apparatus. The receiver includes a piezoelement, which is excited by the first ultrasound signals at a first resonance frequency (f1) and therefrom converts the mechanical energy transferred with the first ultrasound signals into electrical energy. In embodiments of the invention, the piezoelement is additionally excited at a second resonance frequency (f2), which differs from the first resonance frequency (f1), and at the second resonance frequency (f2) operates as a transmitter to transmit second ultrasound signals.

A remote controller 101 includes: an operation unit 11; a power generating unit 12 that generates electric power by operation on the operation unit 11; a signal generating unit 13 that operates by using the electric power generated by the power generating unit 12 and is able to output a signal of a kind corresponding to the content of each operation on the operation unit 11; a storage unit 15 that operates by using the electric power generated by the power generating unit 12 and nonvolatilely stores the content of an output signal of the signal generating unit 13; and a transmission control unit 14 that operates by using the electric power generated by the power generating unit 12 and transmits a wireless signal including information corresponding to the content of the output signal stored in the storage unit 15 when the operation on the operation unit 11 satisfies a predetermined condition.

A piezoelectric device is connected in parallel with a diode, and outputs a power generation voltage when depressed. When the power generation voltage exceeds a first threshold voltage, a load switch control circuit makes a load switch be conductive, and when the generated voltage becomes lower than a second threshold voltage, the load switch is cut off. Further, when depression is released, the piezoelectric device is discharged by the diode such that the amount of charge remaining in the piezoelectric device becomes zero.

An operation device includes an operation unit, a power generation element that generates power according to an operation of the operation unit, a battery that supplies power, and a communication unit that transmits an operation signal corresponding to the operation unit that has been operated. The communication unit transmits the operation signal by use of power supplied from the battery, in a case where a residual quantity of the battery is a predetermined residual quantity or larger. The communication unit transmits the operation signal by use of power generated by the power generation element, in a case where the residual quantity of the battery is smaller than the predetermined residual quantity.