Abstract: A joint actuator assembly includes a motor, a rotating driving member driven by the motor for driving a driven component, and a transmission assembly located between the motor and the rotating driving member that provides speed reduction from the motor to the rotating driving member. The rotating driving member comprises a magnetic coupling including a plurality of magnetic elements that are configured to magnetically couple with an opposing magnetic coupling of the driven component. The actuator and driven component may be combined into a mobility device including a magnetic coupling system having a first magnetic coupling on the actuator that magnetically couples to a second magnetic coupling on the driven component. The magnetic coupling system includes plurality of magnetic elements located as part of one or both of the first and second magnetic couplings. The first and second couplings have opposing mating surfaces that join together in a coupled position.

Abstract: A secondary display may be integrated into a form factor of an information handling system having a primary display in a manner that synchronizes movement of the secondary display with the primary display. The secondary display may move from a closed position to an open position along with moving of a primary display from a closed to an open position. A rack and pinion mechanism may synchronize the secondary display with the primary display through a first and second primary pinion coupling a primary shaft of the primary display to a rack. A secondary pinion may couple a secondary shaft of the secondary display to the rack. Movement of the secondary display may be synchronized with movement of the primary display through the rack and pinions.

Abstract: A fingerprint reader/power button system includes a base member defining base leg apertures extending into the base member. A spring member engages the base member to provide a spring force that is directed away from the base member. Spring legs on the spring member define respective spring leg apertures that are located adjacent respective base leg apertures. A support member engages the spring member and includes support legs that are configured to extend through the spring leg apertures and into the base leg apertures. A power actuator element connected to the support member is configured to engage a power actuator engagement element when an actuation force on the support member overcomes the spring force. A fingerprint reader connected to the support member is configured to read a fingerprint from a finger that engages a fingerprint reader surface on the fingerprint reader.

Abstract: A self-laminating rotating cable marker label is constructed of a transparent film having a first adhesive area, an adhesive-free smooth area, and a second adhesive area. A print-on area forms one side of the transparent film, the print-on area adapted to receive indicia identifying the cable about which the marker label is applied. A perforation extends across the transparent film providing a line of separation of the transparent film. When wrapped around a cable, the second adhesive area overlies the print-on area such that the cable identifying indicia is visible through the transparent second adhesive area. As the transparent film is wrapped around the cable, the first adhesive area adheres to the cable. The remainder of the transparent film is rotated, breaking the perforation, whereby the smooth area of the film in contact with the cable provides smooth rotation of the label around the cable.

Abstract: A fingerprint reader/power button system includes a base member defining base leg apertures extending into the base member. A spring member engages the base member to provide a spring force that is directed away from the base member. Spring legs on the spring member define respective spring leg apertures that are located adjacent respective base leg apertures. A support member engages the spring member and includes support legs that are configured to extend through the spring leg apertures and into the base leg apertures. A power actuator element connected to the support member is configured to engage a power actuator engagement element when an actuation force on the support member overcomes the spring force. A fingerprint reader connected to the support member is configured to read a fingerprint from a finger that engages a fingerprint reader surface on the fingerprint reader.

Abstract: A joint actuator assembly includes a motor, a rotating driving member driven by the motor for driving a driven component, and a transmission assembly located between the motor and the rotating driving member that provides speed reduction from the motor to the rotating driving member. The rotating driving member comprises a magnetic coupling including a plurality of magnetic elements that are configured to magnetically couple with an opposing magnetic coupling of the driven component. The actuator and driven component may be combined into a mobility device including a magnetic coupling system having a first magnetic coupling on the actuator that magnetically couples to a second magnetic coupling on the driven component. The magnetic coupling system includes plurality of magnetic elements located as part of one or both of the first and second magnetic couplings. The first and second couplings have opposing mating surfaces that join together in a coupled position.

Abstract: A joint actuator assembly for a legged mobility device includes a motor that drives a joint connector for driving a joint of the mobility device, and a three-stage transmission of speed reduction to result in a high torque, low speed output. The first stage may include a small sprocket mechanically connected to the output shaft of the motor, and a large sprocket driven by a cable chain to provide the first speed reduction. The second stage may include a small central helical gear mechanically connected to the first stage output, and two opposing larger first and second outer helical gears that mesh with the central gear to provide the second speed reduction. The third stage may include a cable reel assembly including an output reel and a cable element that interconnects the output of the second stage and the output reel to provide the third speed reduction.

Abstract: A joint actuator assembly incudes a motor, a rotating driving member driven by the motor for driving a driven component, and a transmission assembly located between the motor and the rotating driving member that provides speed reduction from the motor to the rotating driving member. The rotating driving member includes a magnetic/electrical coupling comprising a magnetic coupling component configured to magnetically couple with an opposing magnetic coupling of the driven component, and an electrical element configured to provide an electrical connection to an opposing electrical element of the driven component. The actuator and driven component may be combined into a mobility device including a magnetic/electrical coupling system comprising a first magnetic/electrical coupling on the actuator assembly that magnetically and electrically couples to a second magnetic/electrical coupling on the driven component.

Abstract: A self-laminating rotating cable marker label is constructed of a transparent film having a first adhesive area, an adhesive-free smooth area, and a second adhesive area. A print-on area forms one side of the transparent film, the print-on area adapted to receive indicia identifying the cable about which the marker label is applied. A perforation extends across the transparent film providing a line of separation of the transparent film. When wrapped around a cable, the second adhesive area overlies the print-on area such that the cable identifying indicia is visible through the transparent second adhesive area. As the transparent film is wrapped around the cable, the first adhesive area adheres to the cable. The remainder of the transparent film is rotated, breaking the perforation, whereby the smooth area of the film in contact with the cable provides smooth rotation of the label around the cable.

Abstract: A method of controlling a mobility device and related device including at least one drive component that drives at least one joint component is described. The control method may include executing a control application with an electronic controller to perform: receiving sensor information from sensors corresponding to a state and/or mode of the mobility device; analyzing the sensor information and determining a control mode of operation based on the sensor information; generating a control signal to output an alert via electronic indicators corresponding to the determined control mode; and controlling at least one drive component of the mobility device to selectively configure and modulate at least one joint component in accordance with the determined control mode of operation. Different alerts may be outputted by the electronic indicators depending on the nature or severity of the alert condition, accompanied by respective device control operations in accordance with the alert condition.

Abstract: A store checkout verification system is disclosed, including at least one remote server, an integrated autonomous checkout system, at least one checkout verification system including a visual indicator, and at least one beacon. The at least one checkout verification system includes a hand-held tallying device including a scanner, memory, and a hand-held tallying device program encoded in the memory of the hand-held tallying device for recording a tally of items scanned with the scanner. The payment module includes a payment module program configured to receive a price corresponding to the tally and direct an electronic payment from an account associated with a user to a merchant in response to an instruction provided by the user. The checkout verification system activates the visual when the payment module has confirmed the electronic payment and the hand-held tallying device is within the predetermined distance of the at least one beacon.

Abstract: An integrated autonomous checkout system is disclosed, including a hand-held tallying device, an identity authentication module, and a payment module. The hand-held tallying device includes a scanner, memory, and a hand-held tallying device program encoded in the memory for recording a tally of items scanned with the scanner. The hand-held tallying device is in communication with at least one remote server. The identity authentication module includes an identity authentication module program configured to verify an identity of a user as a first authentication factor. The payment module includes a payment module program configured to receive a price corresponding to the tally and direct an electronic payment from an account associated with the user to a seller in response to an instruction provided by the user. The payment module includes a second authentication factor different from the first authentication factor.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for a computing system, including a first hinge bracket including a hinge shaft, the first hinge bracket coupled to a first body of the computing system; a second hinge bracket coupled to the hinge shaft, the second hinge bracket coupled to a second body of the computing system; friction disks positioned on the hinge shaft, the friction disks configured to exert a torque on the hinge shaft; an adjustment nut coupled to the hinge shaft, the adjustment nut configured to exert a force on the friction disks; a first spring clutch coupled to the adjustment nut, the first spring clutch configured to control a positioning of the adjustment nut relative to the friction disks; a first shape memory alloy (SMA) wire coupled to the spring clutch, wherein, upon energization, a length of the first SMA wire is adjusted to change the positioning of the adjustment nut.

Abstract: A portable information handling system rotationally couples housing portions with a hinge having an adjustable friction device that adjusts a torque resisting rotation of the housing portions between alternate settings by sending an electronic pulse to an electropermanent magnet. For instance, activation of a magnetic field pulls a lever that compresses compression discs coupled to a hinge axle to increase torque, such as to hold the housing portions in position. An electronic pulse deactivates the magnetic field when an end user desires to rotate the housing portions, such as may be indicated by an end user touch at a housing portion.

Abstract: An integrated functional electrical stimulation (FES) system includes a component of a mobility assistance device, and an FES system mounted within the component. The FES system includes an FES stimulator that is embedded within the component, and a plurality of FES jacks that are electrically connected to the FES stimulator and are located on the component. The FES jacks are configured to receive a plurality of FES electrodes, and an electrical stimulation output from the FES stimulator is conducted through the FES jacks to the FES electrodes. In a wireless embodiment, the FES stimulator is configured to wirelessly transmit a control signal for applying an electrical stimulation output to the plurality of FES electrodes, and the FES jacks are eliminated. The FES stimulator may be embedded within a back portion of the hip component of an exoskeleton device, and in the wired embodiment the FES jacks are located on wing portions of the hip component.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for a computing system, including a first hinge bracket including a hinge shaft, the first hinge bracket coupled to a first body of the computing system; a second hinge bracket coupled to the hinge shaft, the second hinge bracket coupled to a second body of the computing system; friction disks positioned on the hinge shaft, the friction disks configured to exert a torque on the hinge shaft; an adjustment nut coupled to the hinge shaft, the adjustment nut configured to exert a force on the friction disks; a first spring clutch coupled to the adjustment nut, the first spring clutch configured to control a positioning of the adjustment nut relative to the friction disks; a first shape memory alloy (SMA) wire coupled to the spring clutch, wherein, upon energization, a length of the first SMA wire is adjusted to change the positioning of the adjustment nut.

Abstract: A keyboard translates key inputs to a touchscreen display disposed under the keyboard with the keys biased away from the touchscreen display by an elastic material that engages with the touchscreen display. The elastic material couples the keys to a lattice held within a frame and having a height of less than the frame. The keys extend to an input position if the lattice presses against the touchscreen display, such as by being held in place with magnetic attraction. The keys retract to within the lattice if the lattice is raised relative to the touchscreen display, the elastic material biasing the lattice upward away from the touchscreen display.

Abstract: A portable information handling system rotationally couples first and second housing portions with a multi-axis hinge and disposes a flexible display over the first and second housing portions supported by a first sliding support over the first housing portion and a second sliding support over the second housing portion. An actuator interfaced with the multi-axis hinge translates hinge axis rotation into lateral movement of the sliding supports to adjust sliding support positions relative to flexible display positions as the flexible display folds around the hinge inner circumference.

Abstract: A self-laminating rotating cable marker label is constructed of a transparent film having a first adhesive area, an adhesive-free smooth area, and a second adhesive area. A print-on area forms one side of the transparent film, the print-on area adapted to receive indicia identifying the cable about which the marker label is applied. A perforation extends across the transparent film providing a line of separation of the transparent film. When wrapped around a cable, the second adhesive area overlies the print-on area such that the cable identifying indicia is visible through the transparent second adhesive area. As the transparent film is wrapped around the cable, the first adhesive area adheres to the cable. The remainder of the transparent film is rotated, breaking the perforation, whereby the smooth area of the film in contact with the cable provides smooth rotation of the label around the cable.

Abstract: A portable information handling system rotationally couples first and second housing portions with a multi-axis hinge and disposes a flexible display over the first and second housing portions supported by a first sliding support over the first housing portion and a second sliding support over the second housing portion. An actuator interfaced with the multi-axis hinge translates hinge axis rotation into lateral movement of the sliding supports to adjust sliding support positions relative to flexible display positions as the flexible display folds around the hinge inner circumference.