Abstract: A polymer masonry unit (PMU) and methods and systems for forming PMUs are presented. In embodiments, a PMU may be made from a PMU mixture of a polymer, a quarry byproduct, such as a limestone aggregate, and water. The PMU may be ambient-dried to become a brick unit. The proportions of the PMU mixture may include 1-10% polymer, 80-90% quarry byproduct, and 1-10% water. The process for making a brick using the PMU of embodiments may avoid a kiln-firing process, which is costly, creates waste, and consumes significant energy. Furthermore, the PMU mixture may be formulated to enable the PMU mixture to be extruded from an extruder, enabling a system for making bricks to take advantage of the extrusion method, which can be very efficient and cost-effective for making bricks, and which is currently not possible with existing techniques and systems.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a vehicle. One example system includes a deceleration actuator coupled to a first wheel of the vehicle and an electronic processor communicatively coupled to the deceleration actuator. The electronic processor is configured to receive a vehicle park command. The electronic processor is configured to, responsive to receiving the vehicle park command, determine a maximum holding pressure threshold. The electronic processor is configured to determine a requested braking pressure for the deceleration actuator. The electronic processor is configured to determine whether the requested braking pressure exceeds the maximum holding pressure threshold. The electronic processor is configured to, responsive to determining that the requested braking pressure does not exceed the maximum holding pressure threshold, control the deceleration actuator to apply, to the first wheel during a hold time, a holding braking pressure equivalent to the requested braking pressure.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a first user input comprising a wake word associated with an assistant xbot from a first client system, setting the assistant xbot into a listening mode, wherein a continuous non-visual feedback is provided via the first client system while the assistant xbot is in the listening mode, receiving a second user input comprising a user utterance from the first client system while the assistant xbot is in the listening mode, determining the second user input has ended based on a completion of the user utterance, and setting the assistant xbot into an inactive mode, wherein the non-visual feedback is discontinued via the first client system while the assistant xbot is in the inactive mode.

Abstract: An audio playback device detects via an acoustic sensor of an audio playback device, ambient noise surrounding the audio playback device. The audio playback device updates an equalization filter based on the detected ambient noise, wherein the equalization filter adjusts one or more acoustic parameters of content presented by the audio playback device. The audio playback device adjusts a leakage control parameter based on the detected ambient noise, wherein the leakage control parameter adjusts an amount of leakage of content presented by the audio playback device. The audio playback device applies the equalization filter and the adjusted leakage control parameter to audio content. The audio playback device provides, via one or more acoustic speakers, the audio content to a user.

Abstract: An audio playback device detects via an acoustic sensor of an audio playback device, ambient noise surrounding the audio playback device. The audio playback device updates an equalization filter based on the detected ambient noise, wherein the equalization filter adjusts one or more acoustic parameters of content presented by the audio playback device. The audio playback device adjusts a leakage control parameter based on the detected ambient noise, wherein the leakage control parameter adjusts an amount of leakage of content presented by the audio playback device. The audio playback device applies the equalization filter and the adjusted leakage control parameter to audio content. The audio playback device provides, via one or more acoustic speakers, the audio content to a user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sensing wheel torque of a highly automated driving (HAD) vehicle includes a wheel hub configured to rotate around a rotation axis as the vehicle moves and a brake caliper, including a brake pad, configured to apply a caliper force to the wheel hub. A reaction carriage is interconnected with the brake caliper and is configured to have a reaction force applied to it when the brake caliper applies the caliper force to the wheel hub. The wheel torque sensor includes a hydraulic chamber having a hydraulic fluid and a pressure sensor, interconnected with the hydraulic chamber, that senses pressure applied to the hydraulic fluid in response to the reaction force.

Abstract: A dual tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) and wheel torque sensor system generates a single wireless signal containing both tire pressure data and wheel strain data. The wheel strain data is functionally related to wheel torque. The dual sensor has a transceiver that generates the wireless signal for a remote controller. A body of the dual sensor is positioned on the interior of the wheel under the tire, near the valve stem. The wheel torque is used to control braking, propulsion or steering of a Highly Automated Driving (HAD) vehicle, and to improve vehicle stability control and vehicle diagnostics.

Abstract: A cooktop ventilation appliance or system for providing ventilation for a domestic cooking appliance, includes a housing configured to communicate with a ventilation device to convey air from an environment around the domestic cooking appliance into the housing, and a smoke detection and alarm system including at least one sensor configured to detect a density of particles in the air conveyed by the ventilation device, and a control unit in communication with the at least one sensor. The control unit is configured to compare the density of particles detected by the at least one sensor to a predetermined threshold particle density at a given air speed of the air being conveyed and activate an alarm if the density of particles detected by the at least one sensor exceeds the predetermined threshold particle density for the given air speed.

Abstract: A system includes an electronic device comprising: a processor; an exercise tracker stored on a tangible memory, the exercise tracker configured to analyze an exercise routine of the user and to identify at least one drag portion of the exercise routine, the drag portion of the exercise routine corresponding to an increased exertion from the user; and a song manager stored on the tangible memory, the song manager configured to instruct a music player to play a power song associated with the user such that the power song is played for the user for at least a portion of a time the user spends in the drag portion of the exercise routine. The power song is correlated with increased exertion from the user. Without playing the power song, the drag portion of the exercise routine corresponds to a reduced exertion as compared to the increased exertion.

Abstract: A dual tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) and wheel torque sensor system generates a single wireless signal containing both tire pressure data and wheel strain data. The wheel strain data is functionally related to wheel torque. The dual sensor has a transceiver that generates the wireless signal for a remote controller. A body of the dual sensor is positioned on the interior of the wheel under the tire, near the valve stem. The wheel torque is used to control braking, propulsion or steering of a Highly Automated Driving (HAD) vehicle, and to improve vehicle stability control and vehicle diagnostics.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sensing wheel torque of a highly automated driving (HAD) vehicle includes a wheel hub configured to rotate around a rotation axis as the vehicle moves and a brake caliper, including a brake pad, configured to apply a caliper force to the wheel hub. A reaction carriage is interconnected with the brake caliper and is configured to have a reaction force applied to it when the brake caliper applies the caliper force to the wheel hub. The wheel torque sensor includes a hydraulic chamber having a hydraulic fluid and a pressure sensor, interconnected with the hydraulic chamber, that senses pressure applied to the hydraulic fluid in response to the reaction force.

Abstract: A system includes an electronic device comprising: a processor; an exercise tracker stored on a tangible memory, the exercise tracker configured to analyze an exercise routine of the user and to identify at least one drag portion of the exercise routine, the drag portion of the exercise routine corresponding to an increased exertion from the user; and a song manager stored on the tangible memory, the song manager configured to instruct a music player to play a power song associated with the user such that the power song is played for the user for at least a portion of a time the user spends in the drag portion of the exercise routine. The power song is correlated with increased exertion from the user. Without playing the power song, the drag portion of the exercise routine corresponds to a reduced exertion as compared to the increased exertion.

Abstract: The disclosure includes a system including media assets and an access system. The media assets include standard media and restricted media. The restricted media is different from the standard media. The access system receives an accessory identifier from a client device communicatively coupled to an accessory associated with the accessory identifier. The access system further authorizes access for the client device to the restricted media based at least in part on the accessory identifier. The standard media is accessible to the client device regardless of the access system receiving the accessory identifier. The restricted media is not accessible to the client device when the access system has not received the accessory identifier.

Abstract: The disclosure includes a system including media assets and an access system. The media assets include standard media and restricted media. The restricted media is different from the standard media. The access system receives an accessory identifier from a client device communicatively coupled to an accessory associated with the accessory identifier. The access system further authorizes access for the client device to the restricted media based at least in part on the accessory identifier. The standard media is accessible to the client device regardless of the access system receiving the accessory identifier. The restricted media is not accessible to the client device when the access system has not received the accessory identifier.

Abstract: A mass port configured to tune a frequency response of an audio reproduction device is disclosed. The mass port includes a head portion and an insertion portion coupled to the head portion. The head portion includes a sealing structure on a rear side. The head portion is configured to attach to a rear plate of a driver at the sealing structure. The insertion portion is configured to be inserted into a speaker port on the rear plate of the driver. The head portion and the insertion portion include an air slot that runs through the head portion and the insertion portion.

Abstract: A mass port configured to tune a frequency response of an audio reproduction device is disclosed. The mass port includes a head portion and an insertion portion coupled to the head portion. The head portion includes a sealing structure on a rear side. The head portion is configured to attach to a rear plate of a driver at the sealing structure. The insertion portion is configured to be inserted into a speaker port on the rear plate of the driver. The head portion and the insertion portion include an air slot that runs through the head portion and the insertion portion.