Abstract: Example implementations may relate to a robotic system configured to provide feedback. In particular, the robotic system may determine a model of an environment in which the robotic system is operating. Based on this model, the robotic system may then determine one or more of a state or intended operation of the robotic system. Then, based one or more of the state or the intended operation, the robotic system may select one of one or more of the following to represent one or more of the state or the intended operation: visual feedback, auditory feedback, and one or more movements. Based on the selection, the robotic system may then engage in one or more of the visual feedback, the auditory feedback, and the one or more movements.

Abstract: Mitigating the reality gap through optimization of one or more simulated hardware parameters for simulated hardware components of a simulated robot. Implementations generate and store real navigation data instances that are each based on a corresponding episode of locomotion of a real robot. A real navigation data instance can include a sequence of velocity control instances generated to control a real robot during a real episode of locomotion of the real robot, and one or more ground truth values, where each of the ground truth values is a measured value of a corresponding property of the real robot (e.g., pose). The velocity control instances can be applied to a simulated robot, and one or more losses can be generated based on comparing the ground truth value(s) to corresponding simulated value(s) generated from applying the velocity control instances to the simulated robot. The simulated hardware parameters and environmental parameters can be optimized based on the loss(es).

Abstract: A smoke inhalation apparatus may include a cartridge comprising a release device configured to release a substance, a light device configured to simulate burning of a tip of a cigar or cigarette, a controller operatively and communicatively coupled to the release device and the light device, and a power source configured to provide power to the cartridge, the controller, and the light device. The light device may be configured to vary a level of intensity of light emitted based on an amount of airflow between the inlet hole and the outlet hole.

Abstract: An ophthalmic laser system uses a non-confocal configuration to determine a laser beam focus position relative to the patient interface (PI) surface. The system includes a light intensity detector with no confocal lens or pinhole between the detector and the objective lens. When the objective focuses the light to a target focus point inside the PI lens at a particular offset from its distal surface, the light signal at the detector peaks. The offset value is determined by fixed system parameters, and can also be empirically determined by directly measuring the PI lens surface by observing the effect of plasma formation at the glass surface. During ophthalmic procedures, the laser focus is first scanned insider the PI lens, and the target focus point location is determined from the peak of the detector signal. The known offset value is then added to obtain the location of the PI lens surface.

Abstract: A magnetic positioning system and related method for automated or assisted eye-docking in ophthalmic surgery. The system includes a magnetic field sensing system on a laser head and a magnet on a patient interface to be mounted on the patient's eye. The magnetic field sensing system includes four magnetic field sensors located on a horizontal plane for detecting the magnetic field of the magnet, where one pair of sensors are located along the X direction at equal distances from the optical axis of the laser head and another pair are located along the Y direction at equal distances from the optical axis. Based on relative magnitudes of the magnetic field detected by each pair of sensors, the magnetic field sensing system determines whether the patient interface is centered on the optical axis. The system controls the laser head to move toward the patient interface until the latter is centered on the optical axis.

Abstract: Systems and methods of dynamically charging coal in coke ovens related to the operation and output of coke plants including methods of automatically charging a coke oven using a charging ram in communication with a control system to increase the coke output and coke quality from coke plants. In some embodiments, the control system is capable of moving the charging ram in a horizontal first direction, a horizontal second direction and a vertical third direction while charging coal into the oven. In some embodiments, the coal charging system also includes a scanning system configured to scan an oven floor to generate an oven floor profile and/or oven capacity. The scanning system used in combination with the control system allows for dynamic leveling of the charging ram throughout the charging process. In some embodiments, the charging ram includes stiffener plates and support members to increase the mechanical strength of the charging ram and decrease the sag of the charging ram at a distal end.

Abstract: Bacteria, cancer cells, fungus and other harmful cells located beneath the surface of a mammal body can be effectively destroyed by passing an electrical current through the area to be treated. Electrodes are positioned on either side of the area to be treated, for example, gums, fingers, arms, legs, feet and torso, and an electric current is caused to flow between the electrodes and through the area to be treated. The electric current will destroy the bacteria, cancer cells, fungus or other harmful cells.

Abstract: Methods and systems for depth sensing are provided. A system includes a first and second optical sensor each including a first plurality of photodetectors configured to capture visible light interspersed with a second plurality of photodetectors configured to capture infrared light within a particular infrared band. The system also includes a computing device configured to (i) identify first corresponding features of the environment between a first visible light image captured by the first optical sensor and a second visible light image captured by the second optical sensor; (ii) identify second corresponding features of the environment between a first infrared light image captured by the first optical sensor and a second infrared light image captured by the second optical sensor; and (iii) determine a depth estimate for at least one surface in the environment based on the first corresponding features and the second corresponding features.

Abstract: A weapon mountable illumination device configured to mount to existing firearm mounting rails to provide illumination of potential targets while mitigating problems associated with snagging, and shadow casting. It is an aspect of the present invention to provide a rapidly mountable device to provide increased lighting capability while obviating the need to remove back up iron sights.

Abstract: A segmented switchable mirror vehicle headlamp includes a light source, a switchable electrochemical film having a plurality of segments, and a controller electrically coupled with each segment of the plurality of segments, such that each segment of the plurality of segments is individually controllable for switching between a substantially transparent state and a substantially reflective state. The plurality of segments include a low-beam array of segments configured for providing a low-beam light distribution from the light source, and a high-beam array of segments configured for providing a high-beam light distribution from the light source. The controller is configured for switching the low-beam array of segments and the high-beam array of segments between the substantially transparent state and the substantially reflective state for controlling the low-beam light distribution and the high-beam light distribution, respectively.

Abstract: A method and system for optimizing structural parameters of an electromagnetic device is described that includes performing operations. The operations include performing a time-forward simulation of a field response in a simulated environment describing the electromagnetic device and extracting decomposition components from the field response to compute a loss value. The operations further include backpropagating the loss value backwards in time using the decomposition components to determine an influence of changes in the structural parameters of the electromagnetic device on the loss value. The operations further include generating a revised description of the electromagnetic device by updating the structural parameters to reduce the loss value.

Abstract: A communication device is provided that estimates one or more disturbance values associated with one or more components of the communication device, and adjusts the communication device to change a received power of the output signal. The communication device includes a transmitter having a seed laser configured to provide an amount of bandwidth for an output signal, an Erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) configured to increase an amplitude of the output signal, and a single mode variable optical attenuator (SMVOA) configured to decrease the amplitude of the output signal.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for performing convolutional computations using an optical system. In some aspects computations for a neural network are performed in a digital domain using electronic circuitry, the neural network including a convolutional layer. Input data for the convolutional layer of the neural network is obtained, and a convolution or correlation computation on the input data in an analog domain using an optical correlator module is performed to generate an optical correlator module output. Based on the optical correlator module output, data is processed through additional layers of the neural network in the digital domain using the electronic circuitry.

Abstract: Compositions suitable for application to plants and seeds comprising dried Chlorella cells are disclosed. Methods of preparing and applying compositions of dried Chlorella cells to plants and seeds to enhance at least one characteristic of a plant are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer-readable storage devices, for enhanced object discrimination by robots are described. In some implementations, a robot obtains image data from a camera of the robot, where the image data indicates a detected object. The robot classifies the object as having a particular object type based on the image data. The robot evaluates a current state of the object that includes a predetermined set of object state characteristics. The robot determines that a software application of the robot has indicated (i) an object type and (ii) one or more object state criteria that satisfy the current state of the detected object. The robot provides to the software application data indicating detection of the object and a position of the object.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and computer-readable media for determining and utilizing human corrections to robot actions. In some implementations, in response to determining a human correction of a robot action, a correction instance is generated that includes sensor data, captured by one or more sensors of the robot, that is relevant to the corrected action. The correction instance can further include determined incorrect parameter(s) utilized in performing the robot action and/or correction information that is based on the human correction. The correction instance can be utilized to generate training example(s) for training one or model(s), such as neural network model(s), corresponding to those used in determining the incorrect parameter(s). In various implementations, the training is based on correction instances from multiple robots. After a revised version of a model is generated, the revised version can thereafter be utilized by one or more of the multiple robots.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for managing a wagering system. In one exemplary embodiment, state information of a live event such as a sports game may be received in real time. During the event, a plurality of possible future states of the event and their associated probabilities (and odds) may be determined based on the state information, historical information, and current in-game information. A betting market is created for betting on the possible future states at determined odds. The betting market is closed, and winning and losing bets are resolved based on updated state information.