A metal detector may interface with a smartphone, tablet, or another similar device. The smartphone display may provide enhanced ways to provide information about received signals from the metal detector's coils. A smartphone's sensors, such as GPS, may also provide additional functionality to the metal detector.

In a liquid level monitor for use with a liquid container of a liquid-consuming device, a light source transmits a light beam into the liquid container at a non-normal angle of incidence respective to a wall of the liquid container. A photodetector is positioned in the path of one of (i) the light beam after passing through the liquid container when the light beam is not refracted by liquid in the liquid container and (ii) the light beam after passing through the liquid container when the light beam is refracted by liquid in the liquid container. In another approach, the sensor for detecting empty includes a vibrator and a vibration sensor, and an electronic processor is programmed to determine whether the liquid container is empty of liquid based on the detected vibration of the liquid container.

A water monitoring device monitors and maintains swimming pool chemistry. The device mixes reagents with water in flowcells. The water chemistry is detected by measuring the light transmitted through the flowcells. The water monitoring device can communicate with computers, servers and mobile computing devices which can store and display the water chemistry information. The reagents can be stored in a replaceable reagent cartridge which can provide reagents for water testing and can be replaced when the reagents need to be replenished.

A method, system, device, or apparatus for notifying a device of a greater number of safety events associated with the first user. The method includes retrieving safety events associated with a first user of a first electronic device and determining a frequency of safety events. The method includes retrieving safety events associated with a second user of a second electronic device and determining a frequency of safety events. The method includes comparing the frequency of safety events associated with the first user and the number of safety events associated with the second user and determining that there is a greater frequency of safety events associated with the first user than with the second user for the period of time. The method includes determining a cause of the greater frequency of safety events associated with the first user.

A doorbell system includes a doorbell located within a wireless local area network (WLAN) and communicatively connected to a wireless wide area network (WAN), a number of user devices communicatively connected to the WAN, and a controller. The doorbell includes an activation element and a monitoring element. The controller is configured to receive an indication of a user engaging the activation element of the doorbell and to select at least one of the user devices for display of an alert based on a priority status of the user devices. The system may alter or update the priority status of the user devices based on a user-dependent parameter of the priority devices, such as the users' schedules, sleep status, geo-location, or status as a caregiver.

A doorbell system includes a doorbell located within a wireless local area network (WLAN) and communicatively connected to a wireless wide area network (WAN), a number of user devices communicatively connected to the WAN, and a controller. The doorbell includes an activation element and a monitoring element. The controller is configured to receive an indication of a user engaging the activation element of the doorbell and to select at least one of the user devices for display of an alert based on a priority status of the user devices. The system may alter or update the priority status of the user devices based on a user-dependent parameter of the priority devices, such as the users' schedules, sleep status, geo-location, or status as a caregiver.

An apparatus and method for processing data between neighbors are provided. The apparatus may include the first and second communication devices. The first communication device in a first space includes a first processor that receives and processes information on a state of a first neighbor from an input interface and transmits a resultant state of the first neighbor to a display unit. The second communication device, in a second space spatially separated from the first space, includes a communication unit that communicates data with the first communication device, and a display unit that simultaneously displays the resultant state of the first neighbor transmitted from the first communication device. The resultant state of the first neighbor represents a degree of tolerance by the first neighbor over noise travelling between floors. The present invention provides an apparatus and method for processing data between spatially apart neighbors in order to prevent neighborly dispute over noise travelling between floors commonly occurring in multi-unit dwellings such as apartments in a mutually considerate, communicative and friendly manner.

In a communication system comprising a first communication apparatus and a second communication apparatus, the first communication apparatus transmits a first notification for connection processing in short-range wireless communication during an operation in a first power mode, and transmits a second notification, different from the first notification, for the connection processing in the short-range wireless communication during an operation in a second power mode in which power is saved more than in the first power mode. The second communication apparatus starts, if the first notification is received, the connection processing at an arbitrary timing, and starts, if the second notification is received, the connection processing at a timing restricted as compared to the case in which the first notification is received.

An apparatus and method for processing data between neighbors are provided. The apparatus may include the first and second communication devices. The first communication device in a first space includes a first processor that receives and processes information on a state of a first neighbor from an input interface and transmits a resultant state of the first neighbor to a display unit. The second communication device, in a second space spatially separated from the first space, includes a communication unit that communicates data with the first communication device, and a display unit that simultaneously displays the resultant state of the first neighbor transmitted from the first communication device. The resultant state of the first neighbor represents a degree of tolerance by the first neighbor over noise travelling between floors. The present invention provides an apparatus and method for processing data between spatially apart neighbors in order to prevent neighborly dispute over noise travelling between floors commonly occurring in multi-unit dwellings such as apartments in a mutually considerate, communicative and friendly manner.

A water monitoring device monitors and maintains swimming pool chemistry. The device mixes reagents with water in flowcells. The water chemistry is detected by measuring the light transmitted through the flowcells. The water monitoring device can communicate with computers, servers and mobile computing devices which can store and display the water chemistry information. The reagents can be stored in a replaceable reagent cartridge which can provide reagents for water testing and can be replaced when the reagents need to be replenished.