Abstract: Techniques and devices for holding and releasing virtual objects on a display based on input received from one or more handheld controllers are described herein. In some instances, a handheld controller includes one or more sensors, such as proximity sensors, force sensors (e.g., force resisting sensors, etc.), accelerometers, and/or other types of sensors configured to receive input from a hand of a user gripping the handheld controller. Hardware, software, and/or firmware on the controller and/or on a device coupled to the controller (e.g., a game console, a server, etc.) may receive data from these sensors and generate a representation of a corresponding gesture on a display, such as a monitor, a virtual-reality system, and/or the like.

Abstract: A dialogue management system applies hierarchical classifiers and other natural language processing to dialogue input, and determines whether performance of an action is likely to occur. The dialogue management system may process dialogue input to assess a dialogue participant's current position in various hierarchies or other classification schemes associated with performance of a desired action. The system may then present results of the assessment to another dialogue participant or provide the results to another system. In some embodiments, the dialogue management system may automatically generate responses or questions designed to engage a dialogue participant and cause the participant to progress through the levels of a hierarchy toward performance of a desired action.

Abstract: A method for operating the 3D printing tool includes positioning a first material distribution barrel within a first barrel orifice, where a first barrel tip is disposed at a first end of the first material distribution barrel. The method further includes positioning a second material distribution barrel within a second barrel orifice, where a second barrel tip is disposed at a first end of the second material distribution barrel. The method further includes dispensing building material from the first material distribution barrel when the first material distribution barrel is substantially vertically oriented and a second material distribution barrel is oriented at an angle from the vertical.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for using particles (e.g, microparticulate, nanoparticulate; magnetic, non-magnetic) comprising surfaces comprising capture moieties as described herein, to remove an interference as described herein, or enrich biomarkers, especially antibodies, prior to a diagnostic test, or to be isolated and used for prophylactic or therapeutic purposes.

Abstract: A constant density heat exchanger is provided. The constant density heat exchanger includes a housing extending between a first end and a second end and defining a chamber having an inlet and an outlet. A first flow control device is positioned at the inlet of the chamber and movable between an open position in which a working fluid is permitted into the chamber and a closed position in which the working fluid is prevented from entering the chamber. A second flow control device is positioned at the outlet of the chamber and movable between an open position in which the working fluid is permitted to exit the chamber and a closed position in which the working fluid is prevented from exiting the chamber. A heat exchange fluid imparts thermal energy to the volume of working fluid held at constant density within the chamber by the first and second control devices.

Abstract: A capacitive sensing system is adapted for noninvasive measurement of blood pulse (hear rate). A capacitive sensor is located near a skin pulse point exhibiting pulse displacement of skin tissue from vascular pulsation (for example, the temple area of the head), and includes a sensor electrode disposed over and spaced from the skin pulse point, such that the distance between sensor electrode and the skin pulse point cycles between a proximal and a distal displacement distance based on vascular pulsation.

Abstract: A control device associated with an autonomous vehicle detects that an emergency personnel is altering traffic on a road using an emergency-related hand signal to divert the traffic from a road anomaly, such as a road accident. The control device determines an interpretation of the emergency-related hand signal. The control device determines a proposed trajectory for the autonomous vehicle according to the interpretation of the emergency-related hand signal. In certain embodiments, the control device may navigate the autonomous vehicle according to the interpretation of the emergency-related hand signal. In certain embodiments, the control device may transmit the proposed trajectory to an oversight server for confirmation. In certain embodiments, the oversight may confirm or override the proposed trajectory.

Abstract: A control device associated with an autonomous vehicle detects that a construction worker is altering traffic on a road using a construction zone-related hand signal to divert the traffic from a construction site. The control device determines an interpretation of the construction zone-related hand signal. The control device determines a proposed trajectory for the autonomous vehicle according to the interpretation of the construction zone-related hand signal. In certain embodiments, the control device may navigate the autonomous vehicle according to the interpretation of the construction zone-related hand signal. In certain embodiments, the control device may transmit the proposed trajectory to an oversight server for confirmation. In certain embodiments, the oversight may confirm or override the proposed trajectory.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle includes audio sensors configured to detect audio in an environment around the autonomous vehicle and to generate audio signals based on the detected audio. A processor in the autonomous vehicle receives the audio signals and compares a time domain or frequency domain representation of the audio signals to a corresponding representation of a known emergency vehicle siren. The comparison causes the processor to output a first determination indicating whether the audio signals are indicative of an emergency vehicle siren. The processor also applies a trained neural network to the audio signals that causes the processor to output a second determination indicating whether the audio signals are indicative of the emergency vehicle siren. If the first determination or the second determination indicates presence of an emergency vehicle siren in the environment around the autonomous vehicle, the autonomous vehicle is caused to perform an action.

Abstract: A control device associated with an autonomous vehicle detects that a person is altering traffic on a road using a hand signal. The control device determines an interpretation of the hand signal. The control device determines a proposed trajectory according to the interpretation of the hand signal. The control device transmits the proposed trajectory to an oversight server. The oversight server determines whether the hand signal is in use to alter the traffic. The oversight server also determines whether the proposed trajectory causes the autonomous vehicle to go out of a pre-mapped area where the autonomous vehicle is able to autonomously travel. In response to determining that the hand signal is in use and that the proposed trajectory does not cause the autonomous vehicle to go out of the pre-mapped area, the oversight server transmits an instruction that indicates to perform the proposed trajectory to the control device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for 3D printing use a 3D printing device defined by a polar coordinate frame including an r-axis, a z-axis, and a rotational theta axis. The device includes a base, a rotatably attached printing stage is rotatably attached, a z-axis aligned pair of towers, an r-axis aligned rail slidably coupled to the towers, a print head slidably disposed on the rail, a printing tool coupling component (“master”) joined to the print head, and a rotatable tool carousel with bays housing printing tools, each including a printing tool body (“slave”). The slave may be coupled with and locked to or unlocked from the master to form a coupled tool assembly through a mechanical actuation assembly. With the coupled tool assembly, a printing tool is removable from a respective bay when the coupled tool assembly moves along the r-axis in a direction opposite from the rotatable tool carousel.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle (AV) includes features that allows the AV to comply with applicable regulations and statues for performing safe driving operation. An example system for an AV includes a communications gateway device. The communications gateway device includes a plurality of modules each configured for different communication mediums or applications. In particular, the plurality of modules includes a first module for communicating with a remote computer. Via the first module, vehicle operational data is reported to the remote computer, and instructional data is received from the remote computer. The modules further include a second module for communicating with devices located within a vicinity external to the vehicle, and a third module configured to communicate with subsystems located within the vehicle. The example AV system includes a second communications gateway device that is configured to be redundant.

Abstract: An energy conversion apparatus may include an engine assembly, such as a monolithic engine assembly. The engine assembly may include a first monolithic body segment and a plurality of second monolithic body segments directly coupled or directly couplable to the first monolithic body segment. The first monolithic body segment may define a combustion chamber and a recirculation pathway in fluid communication with the combustion chamber. The recirculation pathway may be configured to recirculate combustion gas through the combustion chamber. The plurality of second monolithic body segments may respectively define at least a portion of a piston chamber and a plurality of working-fluid pathways fluidly communicating with the piston chamber.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle (AV) includes features that allows the AV to comply with applicable regulations and statues for performing safe driving operation. Example embodiments disclosed herein provide enhanced high-precision operation of an AV in low-speed environments, such as a toll booth facility or heavy traffic. One example method disclosed herein includes a control computer identifying a starting point of the toll booth facility on the roadway and a plurality of toll lanes associated with the toll booth facility; selecting a particular toll lane; determining a trajectory for the AV that extends through the particular toll lane; and in response to the autonomous vehicle arriving at the starting point for the toll booth facility, transmitting, over a subsystem interface to one or more drive subsystems of the AV, instructions configured to cause the drive subsystems to operate together to cause the AV to travel according to the trajectory.

Abstract: A 3D printing tool and assembly for dispensing multiple materials includes a barrel holder assembly having at least two barrel orifices extending from a top end of the barrel holder assembly through to a bottom end of the barrel holder assembly, where at least one of the at least two barrel orifices is oriented at an angle from the vertical. A method for operating the 3D printing tool includes positioning a first material distribution barrel within a first barrel orifice, where a first barrel tip is disposed at a first end of the first material distribution barrel. The method further includes dispensing building material from the first material distribution barrel when the first material distribution barrel is substantially vertically oriented and a second material distribution barrel is oriented at an angle from the vertical.

Abstract: A computing system includes: processor(s), memory(s), storage device(s), and network interface(s) configured to communicate with data source(s) and remotely located computing device(s). The network interface(s) receives data regarding a digital product catalog representation of products from the data source(s). The processor(s): generates a respective score for the digital product catalog representation for each respective product, the score indicative of adherence of the digital product catalog representation for each respective product to at least one criterion; stores the respective score for the digital product catalog representation for each respective product using the at least one storage device; and identifies which products provide the greatest opportunity for sales improvement by improving adherence of the digital product catalog representation to the at least one criterion.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle (AV) includes features that allows the AV to comply with applicable regulations and statues for performing safe driving operation. An example method for operating an AV includes receiving, from a sensor located on the AV, sensor data that captures a road sign located at a distance from the AV that is operating on a roadway; obtaining, from the sensor data, roadway information indicated by the road sign that corresponds to a segment of the roadway associated with the road sign that is ahead of a current position of the AV on the roadway; determining trajectory-related information for the AV for the distance that is based on the roadway information obtained from the sensor data; and causing the AV to travel in accordance with the trajectory-related information until a determination that the AV has arrived within the segment of the roadway associated with the road sign.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for dynamic renewable runtime resource management in response to flexible resource allocations by a processor. In embodiments, a method includes: calculating, by a processor of a system, a resource consumption value of a first workload by aggregating allocation values of persistent resources currently allocated to the first workload by the processor; determining, by the processor, that the resource consumption value of the first workload is greater than a predefined resource allocation target for the first workload; and temporarily adjusting, by the processor, a renewable runtime resource target of the first workload from an initial target value to a temporary target value based on the resource consumption value.

Abstract: A respiratory mask for continuous positive airway pressure treatment includes a cushion adapted to be positioned against the face of a patient. The cushion is configured in a gasket arrangement around an entrance to the airways of the patient. The cushion is constructed from a polyurethane foam and has a thickness of greater than about 5 mm.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle (AV) includes features that allows the AV to comply with applicable regulations and statues for performing safe driving operation. An example method for operating the AV includes determining a trajectory related information of a vehicle operating on a roadway on which the AV is operating; receiving sensor data of a first area that includes the vehicle; determining an additional trajectory related information for the AV by comparing the trajectory related information of the vehicle to a current trajectory related information of the AV, wherein the additional trajectory related information is based on a category to which the vehicle belongs, and wherein the additional trajectory related information allows the AV to maintain at least a distance between the AV and the vehicle; and causing the AV to operate in accordance with the additional trajectory related information.