Abstract: A communication light device for vehicles having a number of light sources, having an elongated optical unit for generating a light signature, having a control unit for controlling the number of light sources such that a locally and/or temporally variable light emission and/or illuminated area is generated in the longitudinal extent of the elongated optical unit, wherein the communication light device is designed as a body styling part that is arranged on an exterior of the vehicle body and extends in the horizontal direction all the way along a front end and/or all the way along a rear end of the vehicle and/or all the way or partially along a longitudinal side of the vehicle.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to determining whether a vehicle should continue through an intersection. For example, the one or more of the vehicle's computers may identify a time when the traffic signal light will turn from yellow to red. The one or more computers may also estimate a location of a vehicle at the time when the traffic signal light will turn from yellow to red. A starting point of the intersection may be identified. Based on whether the estimated location of the vehicle is at least a threshold distance past the starting point at the time when the traffic signal light will turn from yellow to red, the computers can determine whether the vehicle should continue through the intersection.

Abstract: The system and method for wireless water leak detection provides for manual prevention of external action, such as an external alarm and/or valve shut-off, if a leak sensor can be reached by a respondent within a pre-set time threshold. Upon detection of a leak by a leak sensor, a local alarm, such as an audible alarm or the like, is initiated. Additionally, at the time of detection, a first time is recorded. A first alarm signal is transmitted from the leak sensor to a base station. The first alarm signal includes data representative of the recorded first time. If manual input is not received by the leak sensor within a pre-set time threshold measured from the first time, then the base station transmits a second alarm signal to at least one external device, and may further wirelessly transmit a shut-off signal to a valve controller for closing an associated valve.

Abstract: A method for estimating actuator parameters for an actuator, in-situ and in real-time, may include driving the actuator with a test signal imperceptible to a user of a device comprising the actuator during real-time operation of the device, measuring a voltage and a current associated with the actuator and caused by the test signal, determining one or more parameters of the actuator based on the voltage and the current, determining an actuator type of the actuator based on the one or more parameters, and controlling a playback signal to the actuator based on the actuator type.

Abstract: Described herein are embodiments for reducing haptic vibrations for electronic devices. Embodiments of an oscillation reduction scheme learned offline are disclosed for minimizing the acceleration for a haptic vibrator. A pattern and braking generation module outputs a pattern signal for amplification and then for driving the haptic vibrator. An accelerometer measures acceleration induced by vibration from the haptic vibrator. The pattern and braking generation module adjusts the pattern signal based on the measured acceleration to identify an optimal amplitude for a braking signal at each time frame. Such a closed-loop braking optimization process may be implemented to achieve an optimal or desired braking scheme for enhanced user haptic feedback.

Abstract: A method may include receiving, by a transducer driving system, a first signal for driving an amplifier that drives an electromagnetic load and receiving, by the transducer driving system, a second signal driven by the amplifier in order to control a feedback loop of the transducer driving system. The method may also include detecting unexpected spectral content in the second signal, declaring an indicator event based on the detected unexpected spectral content, determining whether the indicator event occurs in an undesired pattern, and in response to the indicator event occurring in the undesired pattern, modifying a behavior of the transducer driving system.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods are provided for determining vehicle driver distractions. More particularly, apparatuses, systems and methods are provided for determining distracted drivers associated with vehicle driving routes based on postures of vehicle occupants.

Abstract: A system and method for programming a new key fob. Some embodiments include a programmable remote transmitter, designed, and programmed to perform single or multiple operations, optionally incorporated into a custom-made base that attaches to a smart phone case or other mobile devices. The remote transmitter is designed and activated via secured programming provided by an application on the user's mobile device, without the intervention of car dealers, locksmiths or using difficult manual processes. The remote transmitter can be attached to smart phones, mobile devices, or other suitable surfaces (e.g., a briefcase or a vehicle's dashboard) for safekeeping and accessibility.

Abstract: A method to correct a haptic output, the method including sending, at a device, a reference tactile signal to a haptic actuator and recording, using a sensor associated with the haptic actuator, an output signal from the haptic actuator. This output signal could be provided, along with the reference tactile signal to an engine at the device, which could be used to determine regions of perceptual distortion from the output signal and the reference tactile signal. Specifically, a perceptual similarity measure could be determined which could be used to generate an adapted signal to reduce and equalize the perceptual distortion, where the adapted signal could be provided to the haptic actuator to control adaptation or equalization of distortions.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method, computer system, and computer program product for recovering power from haptic feedback is provided. The present invention may include identifying one or more haptic devices and one or more power recovery devices associated with a user; dynamically monitoring a position and distance of the one or more haptic devices and the one or more power recovery devices; predicting how much power can be recovered by the one or more power recovery devices from haptic feedback generated by the one or more haptic devices based on the position and distance; and change a direction of haptic feedback based on the prediction, position, and distance.

Abstract: The wrist rest may include a base structure; at least two flexible supports extending from the base structure; a vibration assembly supported on the at least two flexible supports in a manner such that the vibration assembly may be spaced apart from the base structure; and a cushion assembly including a cushion disposed over the vibration assembly in a manner so as to conceal the vibration assembly between the base structure and the cushion. The cushion may be secured to the base structure. The at least two flexible supports may be configured to isolate the base structure from a vibrating motion of the vibration assembly. A surface of the vibration assembly directed towards the cushion assembly may move relative to a corresponding surface of the cushion assembly in a manner so as to allow the vibration motion of the vibration assembly to be sensed through the cushion.

Abstract: Security systems and methods configured for use with an item of merchandise for retail display are provided. For example, a security system includes a sensor configured to be electrically connected to an internal power source of an item of merchandise and an alarm module configured to communicate with the sensor. The sensor is configured to receive power from the internal power source for performing one or more security functions, and the alarm module is configured to generate a security signal in response to a security event.

Abstract: An example operation includes one or more of determining, by one or more sensors of a transport, that the transport is unsafe to operate, providing, by the one or more sensors, sensor data related to the unsafe operation to a server, receiving, from the server, transport operating parameters, and operating the transport within the transport operating parameters. The transport operating parameters limit transport functionality and are in proportion to the sensor data.

Abstract: A tactile sensation providing apparatus includes a linear resonant actuator; and circuitry configured to provide a pulse wave to the linear resonant actuator as a driving signal. The circuitry is further configured to, when a frequency of the pulse wave is smaller than a resonance frequency of the linear resonant actuator, set a pulse width of the pulse wave at a value smaller than a half of a reciprocal of the frequency of the pulse wave.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed to validate data communicated by a vehicle. An example apparatus an anomaly detector to, in response to data communicated by a vehicle, at least one of compare an estimated speed with a reported speed or compare a location of the vehicle with a reported location. The apparatus including the anomaly detector further to generate an indication of the vehicle in response to the comparison. The apparatus further includes a notifier to discard data sent by the vehicle and notify surrounding vehicles of the data communicated by the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method and apparatus for the modulation of an acoustic field for providing tactile sensations. A method of creating haptic feedback using ultrasound is provided. The method comprises the steps of generating a plurality of ultrasound waves with a common focal point using a phased array of ultrasound transducers, the common focal point being a haptic feedback point, and modulating the generation of the ultrasound waves using a waveform selected to produce little or no audible sound at the haptic feedback point.

Abstract: A multimodal haptic feedback interface installed with a multimode haptic patch stimulates a skin area of a user to provide a haptic feedback including first and second haptic-feedback components to be sensed under static tactile sensing and dynamic tactile sensing, respectively. The patch is mounted with mechanical actuators, electrostimulation electrodes and thermoelectric pellets. The actuators generate a two-dimensional pattern of pressure on the skin area for generating the first haptic-feedback component. The electrostimulation electrodes electrically stimulates the skin area, causing the user to feel a vibration or pressure for generating the second haptic-feedback component. The actuators and electrostimulation electrodes are optimized only for static tactile sensing and dynamic tactile sensing, respectively, reducing an implementation cost while optimized for accuracy in haptic feedback generation.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and product for automatic accident detection. The method comprising: obtaining readings from a mobile device of a user carried thereby and not affixed to a vehicle in which the user is riding; determining, based on the readings obtained from the mobile device, that the user is riding in the vehicle; obtaining data from the mobile device of the user; and determining automatically, based on the data obtained from the mobile device, that the vehicle was involved in an accident.

Abstract: A vehicular control system includes a first communication device disposed at a first vehicle, a second communication device disposed at a second vehicle, a camera disposed at the second vehicle, and an electronic control unit (ECU) of the second vehicle. The vehicular control system determines a potential collision between the first vehicle and the second vehicle based at least in part on (i) a wireless communication received at the second communication device from the first communication device and provided to the ECU of the second vehicle and/or (ii) processing at the ECU of image data captured by the camera disposed at the second vehicle. Responsive to determination of the potential collision between the first vehicle and the second vehicle, the vehicular control system controls (i) braking of the second vehicle and/or (ii) steering of the second vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for providing prescriptive analytics in an industrial process wherein a machine tap collects raw performance data from a machine, a machine user interface collects context data on operation of the machine, a server aggregates the performance data and context data, and an analytics engine analyzes the performance data and context data and generates analytics data. An alert engine compares the performance data, context data, and analytics data against a trigger definition, creates an alert if the trigger definition is satisfied, and sends the alert to a remote device to provide prescriptive guidance for improving process performance.