An intelligent umbrella system, comprises one or more shading elements; a support assembly, coupled to the one or more shading elements, to provide support for the one or more shading elements; and a base assembly, coupled to the support assembly, to provide contact with a surface. The intelligent umbrella also includes one or more microphones to capture spoken or audio commands; one or more processors; one or more memory modules; and one or more wireless communication transceivers. The intelligent umbrella system includes computer-readable instructions stored in the one or more memory modules that are executed by the one or more processors to convert the captured audio commands into audio files; and perform voice recognition on the converted audio files to generate instructions or commands based, at least in part, on the converted audio files.

A base includes an expandable central chamber which, in the expanded state, forms a sleeve with an end open to the top for receiving a rod, a base element and at least one expandable connecting chamber connecting the central chamber to the base element.

An intelligent umbrella, includes a shading expansion assembly, a support assembly, coupled to the shading expansion assembly, to provide support for the shading expansion assembly and a base assembly, coupled to the support assembly, to provide contact with a surface. The intelligent umbrella may further comprise one or more wireless communication transceivers, one or more microphones to capture audible commands, one or more memory modules, one or more processors, and computer-readable instructions stored in the one or more memory modules are executed by a processor to convert the captured audible commands into one or more audio files and perform noise reduction or noise cancellation on the one or more audio files to generate one or more noise-reduced audio files.

The umbrella cooperates with a software application adapted to run on a mobile communications device wirelessly synced to the umbrella. The umbrella includes a communications module adapted to transmit a wireless beacon signal in response to the detection of movement of the umbrella. The software application detects the beacon signal when the smartphone is within range of the umbrella and generates an alert when the beacon signal is no longer being received, indicating that the smartphone is no longer within range and the umbrella has been forgotten. In one embodiment, the GPS application on the smartphone is cause to generate a location update signal in response to detection of the beacon signal such that the software application can run continuously in the background on the smartphone to ensure timely range entry and exit notifications

A restraint device is for an animal. The restraint device may include a base attached to a ground, a shaft supported in the base, and a rotatable attachment point on the shaft for a leash for the animal. The shaft is flexible so that it is able to absorb force from the leash. The restraint device may include a platform configured to wrap around the base to provide stability for the base.

The umbrella cooperates with a software application adapted to run on a mobile communications device wirelessly synced to the umbrella. The umbrella includes a communications module adapted to transmit a wireless beacon signal in response to the detection of movement of the umbrella. The software application detects the beacon signal when the smartphone is within range of the umbrella and generates an alert when the beacon signal is no longer being received, indicating that the smartphone is no longer within range and the umbrella has been forgotten. In one embodiment, the GPS application on the smartphone is cause to generate a location update signal in response to detection of the beacon signal such that the software application can run continuously in the background on the smartphone to ensure timely range entry and exit notifications.

A solar-powered umbrella has a cap structure that is connected by hinges to struts. The struts are relatively rigid and positioned above the umbrella shade and house solar panels. When the umbrella is opened and closed, the struts rotate via the hinges from an open to closed position. When the solar panels are exposed to the sun, light is converted to electrical energy to charge a rechargeable battery. The battery supplies power to one or more USB ports. A user can recharge an electronic device (e.g., smartphone or tablet computer) by connecting to a port of the umbrella using a cable.

An apparatus for anchoring an umbrella including a container base and a cylindrical male attachment member medially attached and upwardly extended from a flattened middle portion of the container base. The cylindrical male attachment member has an inner threaded cavity. An umbrella shaft has an umbrella canopy attached to a top end and a threaded exterior portion disposed proximal a bottom end. The threaded exterior portion of the umbrella shaft is selectively threadable engageable with the inner threaded cavity of the cylindrical male attachment member. A hook is attached to the umbrella shaft proximal the top end, and a shovel is removably attachable to the hook. The inner chamber of the container base is fillable with a weighty substance that can include, but not be limited to, sand.

A solar charger for devices is designed to be installed in a public space so that users can recharge their mobile devices. The charger has a securing column, a photovoltaic solar panel housed in the upper part of the securing column, a battery connected to the photovoltaic solar panel, a charge controller connected to the battery and to the photovoltaic solar panel, at least one module for connecting to a mobile device, which is accessible to users and connected to the charge controller, and means for securing to the ground, configured to keep the solar charger fixed to the ground.

A holding arrangement for holding an umbrella in a position to keep rain off a user while user is attending to matters in a vehicle with the vehicle door open, the holding arrangement is configured to be mounted to a vehicle door comprising a movable portion and a mountable portion, the movable portion including a securing arrangement for securing the holding arrangement to an umbrella the movable portion comprising engaging formations configured for convenient removably engaging with complementary engaging formations on the associated mountable portion.