Abstract: This application describes methods and devices for controlling the firmness of a substrate. In response to detecting the presence of a subject on the substrate, one method includes setting the firmness of the substrate to a base firmness equalized with atmospheric pressure. In response to receiving a request to modify the firmness of the substrate from the base firmness to a requested firmness, the method further includes setting the firmness of the substrate to the requested firmness. In response to detecting the absence of the subject, the method further includes restoring the firmness of the substrate from the requested firmness to the base firmness.

Abstract: There is disclosed active acoustic filter systems and methods. A processor is disposed within a housing configured to interface with a user's ear. A memory stores data defining one or more locations and a respective set of location-based processing parameters associated with each of the one or more locations. A personal computing device external to the housing is coupled to the processor via a first wireless communications link. The personal computing device determines a current location of the active acoustic filter system. The processor generates digitized processed sound by processing digitized ambient sound in accordance with a set of location-based processing parameters retrieved from the memory, the retrieved set of location-based processing parameters associated with the current location of the active acoustic filter system as determined by the personal computing device.

Abstract: Electromechanical systems using magnetic fields to induce eddy currents and generate lift are described. Magnet configurations which can be employed in the systems are illustrated. The magnet configuration can be used to generate lift and/or thrust. Arrangements of hover engines, which can employ the magnet configurations, are described. Further, vehicles, which employ the hover engines and associated hover engines are described.

Abstract: A power conversion and distribution system. In one embodiment low voltage source components convert a high voltage AC power source to a relatively low voltage supply and provide a direct current output. First superconductor wires carry current from the low voltage source components to a load, and second superconductor wires carry current from the load to the low voltage source components. Individual ones of the first wires are grouped with individual ones of the second wires so that wires connected to carry current in opposite directions are in such sufficiently close proximity that additives of self-fields generated by individual ones of the wires during power transmission result in reduction of the magnetic fringe field generated, thereby increasing the current carrying capacity of the wires.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a protective stretchable material and a garment made therewith. The protective stretchable material comprises a first protective fabric, and a second protective fabric partially superposing the first protective fabric. The protective stretchable material further comprises a stretchable structure. The first and second protective fabric are affixed to the stretchable structure in such a manner as to allow movement of the first protective fabric with respect to the second protective fabric while remaining partially superposed upon stretching of the stretchable structure.

Abstract: A dynamically evolving cognitive architecture system based on third-party developers is described. A system forms an intent based on a user input, and creates a plan based on the intent. The plan includes a first action object that transforms a first concept object associated with the intent into a second concept object and also includes a second action object that transforms the second concept object into a third concept object associated with a goal of the intent. The first action object and the second action object are selected from multiple action objects. The system executes the plan, and outputs a value associated with the third concept object.

Abstract: An alarm clock is mounted above a bed and uses a thermal sensor to identify the location of each person sleeping in the bed and to direct light and sound to only one of them for the purpose of selectively waking only that individual. A platform is driven to scan across the bed, and has an infrared sensor creating a temperature profile with a thermal signature indicating the position of each occupant. Platform electronics generate a narrow beam LED light, and an array of ultrasonic speakers serves as a parametric speaker producing a narrow sound beam heard only by the targeted sleeper. At a preset time the alarm is triggered and the platform is pointed at the targeted sleeper identified by his or her infrared thermal signature. The LED light is driven from low to high to simulate dawn. Following maximum brightness, the parametric speaker emits a wake-up audio.

Abstract: The purposes of the devices described herein are to provide an LED lighting device capable of efficiently and economically emitting light having a selectable color temperature or a warm-on-dim feature when driven with AC power and to provide LED lighting devices which have an improved power factor and a reduced total harmonic distortion when powered with AC power.

Abstract: A jig device holding a work piece is used with a milling machine that cuts from the work piece a prosthesis having a surface essentially free of defects. The jig device is inserted repeatedly into the machine in the same predetermined location, even upon inverting the jig device. This maintains the spatial relationship between the jig device and milling so, at start up, they are always in the same exact spatial relationship. The milling machine partially cuts through a first side of the work piece to form in the work piece a cavity having a surface part corresponding to at least a portion of the prosthesis being made. The jig device is then removed from the machine, inverted and reinserted into the machine at the same predetermined location. A support material is placed in the cavity prior to reinserting the jig device. Upon reinserting the jig device, the machine precisely cuts through an opposed side of the work piece to form within the work piece a prosthesis having a surface essentially free of defects.

Abstract: A method (and system for practicing the method) for processing and reporting a characteristic of a resource for a domain (e.g., weather forecast for a flight route). A request is sent to a server for customized data for the resource, preferably containing at least a unique application identifier. Customized data is received from the server, wherein said data contain a plurality of customized conditional result values of characteristics of the resource at a multiplicity of domain values, generated using values of the characteristics of the resource at various domain values and conditionals specific to the application identifier.

Abstract: In one example, this disclosure describes a method including receiving, at a central controller of an air mattress system, a plurality of air pressure value, determining a plurality of average values using the plurality of the received air pressure values, calculating a difference value between a first one of the plurality of average values and a second one of the plurality of average values, comparing the difference value to a threshold value, determining, based on the comparison, whether a user of the air mattress system moved.

Abstract: A seat monitoring system comprises a first layer of one or more fluid bladders packaged within a seat, a pump in fluid communication with the first layer, the pump operable to increase fluid pressure of each bladder within the first layer, an array of one or more sensors in fluid communication with the first layer and operative to sense pressure and pressure changes within each bladder within the first layer and a controller configured to: collect pressure data; determine from the pressure data a monitored parameter relevant to a subject in the seat; and change an aspect of the seat based on the monitored parameter. Methods of using the seat monitoring system can include determining a drowsiness threshold and altering a user that he or she is getting drowsy.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for providing an alert regarding mobile device location is provided. The method includes obtaining location data corresponding to locations of a mobile device over a period of time. A location pattern is determined based on the location data. The current location of the mobile device is detected at a time based on the determined pattern, and an alert is provided regarding the current location of the mobile device. A system for providing alerts regarding mobile device location is also provided.

Abstract: System and method for determining when to initiate radio signal measurements to determine mobile device location. The method includes determining a plurality of locations of one or more mobile devices based on radio signal measurements. Acceleration of the one or more mobile devices between the plurality of locations is determined based on sensor measurements. A first location of a particular mobile device is determined and acceleration is measured by the particular mobile device. It is determined when to initiate radio signal measurements by the particular mobile device to determine a second location of the particular mobile device based on the measured acceleration of the particular mobile device, the determined plurality of locations of the one or more mobile devices, and the determined acceleration of the one or more mobile devices. Radio signal measurements are initiated by the particular mobile device to determine the second location of the particular mobile device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for obtaining the location of a caller during an emergency or other telephone call. Before or during a call, a phone system can obtain from one or more sources a subscriber access line identity associated with a subscriber location record that includes a subscriber access line identity attribute and a subscriber location attribute. A phone system can send a query that includes the subscriber access line identity to a subscriber location query system that returns a subscriber location record or a subscriber location to the phone system. The phone system can then display the caller location information to a phone system, an agent or operator so that emergency services can be quickly and accurately dispatched. Using similar procedure and a memory, phone systems can also determine if a subscriber phone has or is changing location. Methods for testing the emergency call capabilities of a subscriber access line.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for determining whether a first image contains at least a portion of a second image, includes: dividing set first image into multiple image regions; for a particular image region of the multiple image regions, determining a particular set of feature points associated with the particular image region; and attempting to match feature points in the particular set of feature points with second feature points associated with the second image to determine whether the particular image region of the first image contains at least a portion of the second image, wherein the first image is considered to contain at least a portion of a second image when the particular image region of the first image contains at least a portion of the second image.

Abstract: A thermoplastic filament adapted for use in a fused filament fabrication (FFF) printer which has a plurality of segments wherein each pair of adjacent segments is compositionally different and is arranged in a specific order. Also, a method for printing a three-dimensional (3D) article by printing such a filament in a fused filament fabrication (FFF) printer, wherein the fused filament fabrication (FFF) printer carries out a pattern of printing synchronized with the order of the segments in such a filament. Further, a method and device for fabricating such thermoplastic filaments.

Abstract: An easy-to-use, installation-free water leak warning device having a sturdy hollow body enclosing essential functioning elements including a power source, an amplifier, a speaker, and portions of two electrodes. The water leak warning device is preferably small in size and may be placed at potential water leak or flooding spots. The essential functioning elements are operatively connected with conductive material so that when leaked water flows to where the device is located, an audible signal can be emitted to alert the user of the device to prevent further leakage and mitigate any damage.