Abstract: A wearable computing device includes a first side portion and a second side portion that partially extend across a shoulder and rest on a front of a user. The device also includes a neck portion connected to the first side portion and the second side portion. The neck portion includes an outer edge and an inner edge. The neck portion is curved from the first side portion to the second side portion to extend around a portion of a circumference of the neck of the user. The neck portion is also curved from the outer edge to the inner edge to follow a curvature of a spine of the user. The wearable computing device also includes an input device and a mobile processor designed to determine output data based on input data. The wearable computing device also includes an output device designed to output the output data.

Abstract: A vision-assist device may include at least one image sensor for generating image data corresponding to an environment, a user input device for receiving user input regarding one or more physical characteristics of a user, and a processor. The processor may be programmed to receive the image data from the at least one image sensor, receive the user input from the user input device, and adjust an alignment of the at least one image sensor based on the received image data and the user input. Methods for aligning an image sensor are also provided.

Abstract: Coatings and other applications containing a latex with modified surface properties obtainable by methods of adding a water soluble amphiphilic copolymer in a aqueous dispersion of a water-insoluble polymer obtained from ethylenically unsaturated monomers.

Abstract: Vision-assist systems and methods include use of processor(s) and a communicatively coupled feedback device and environmental sensing device upon which generated feedback is based. Machine readable instructions stored on a memory module cause the system to perform the following when executed by the processor(s): record a first metric corresponding to a level of reliance by a user on the feedback device at a first time; record a second metric corresponding to the level of reliance by the user on the feedback device at a second time after the first time; and record an awarded amount of reliance points when the second metric is less than the first metric, indicative of a decrease on a reliance by the user on the vision-assist system. The awarded amount of reliance points corresponds to a percentage by which the second metric decreases compared to the first metric.

Abstract: A cup holder for an associated stroller includes a cup for releasably holding therein an associated drink container and a base detachably connected to the cup. The base includes a mounting member releasably connecting the cup holder to an associated stroller bar and a tightening mechanism separately engaging the associated stroller bar for tightening the base against the associated stroller bar and holding the cup holder at a predetermined location on the associated stroller bar.

Abstract: A selectively reconfigurable apparatus includes a body defining, in a first stable configuration, an enclosed space operable to retain a food item, and configured, once the food item is expelled, to be manually caused to achieve a second stable configuration, wherein the body presents at least one eating utensil, such as a spoon, scoop, and/or spreading knife. In a preferred embodiment, the body is planar and defines a plurality of fold and/or cut lines.

Abstract: Silica-based xerogel microspheres are provided containing pharmaceutically active compounds. These microspheres are robust, release active compounds at predictable rates and may provide such release for relatively long periods of time. Pharmaceutical compositions, methods for delivering medicaments and methods for treatment of disease states or conditions, inter alia, infection or pain, as well as methods for fabrication of such microspheres, are also provided.

Abstract: A system with driving a peripheral device for downloading information over a communication network is installed into an electrical device, which includes a processing unit, an input unit, a display unit and a communication unit. The system has a driving and information-downloading module and a user interface module. Under the operation of the driving and information-downloading module, the electrical device can retrieve and download the information from a predetermined destination and drive a peripheral device, such as a scanner to scan under the command of the user at the same time.

Abstract: An apparatus as well as a method capable of retrieving and driving a peripheral device includes a processing unit, an input unit, a display unit and a communication unit. A retrieving and driving module is first installed in an electrical device. The electrical device along with the retrieving and driving module have a user interface module, a driving module, an information downloading module, an information displaying module. Under the operation of the modules, the electrical device can retrieve and download the information from a predetermined destination. At the same time, the electrical device is able to drive a peripheral device, such as a scanner, to scan under the command of the user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fast image fetching and processing is provided to scan an object more efficiently by a one-touch operation. The method and apparatus allows a one-touch operation to initiate a series of actions previously defined in a configuration file for each function key, including scan, print, facsimile, e-mail or OCR, thereby provide a more user friendly interface for operating the office machine.