Abstract: This disclosure describes charging systems for electrified vehicles. Exemplary charging systems may employ a multi-voltage charging circuit that supports charging of a traction battery pack at both a first voltage level during a first charging condition and a second, different voltage level during a second charging condition. Higher voltage levels may be experienced during the second charging condition as compared to the first charging condition.

Abstract: A current reference operative drive-sense circuit (DSC) includes a current source operably coupled to a load and a voltage-mode analog to digital converter (ADC). When enabled, the current source configured to drive a sinusoidal current reference signal to the load thereby generating a load voltage that is based on the sinusoidal current reference signal and an impedance of the load. The voltage-mode ADC is operably coupled the load and to the current source. When enabled, the voltage-mode ADC configured to perform digital sampling of the load voltage and to generate a digital signal that is representative of the load voltage. In some implementations, one or more processing modules configured to execute operational instructions to process the digital signal that is representative of the load voltage in accordance with determining impedance of the load and/or change of impedance of the load.

Abstract: In a teleconferencing method, a first media stream and a second media stream of a teleconference are received, by processing circuitry of a first device, from a second device. The first media stream includes first audio and the second media stream includes second audio. Default weight information is received from the second device. The default weight information indicates a first audio weight for weighting the first audio and a second audio weight for weighting the second audio. The first audio weight for weighting the first audio and the second audio weight for weighting the second audio are determined based on the default weight information. Mixed audio is generated, by the processing circuitry of the first device, by combining a weighted first audio based on the first audio weight applied to the first audio and a weighted second audio based on the second audio weight applied to the second audio.

Abstract: Robot-assisted package delivery with integrated curbside parking monitoring and curb operations optimization is disclosed herein. An example method includes dispatching a delivery vehicle and delivery robot to a delivery location, the delivery location including a parking location for the delivery vehicle that allows for deployment of the delivery robot on a delivery mission, determining occupancy of the parking location, the delivery vehicle parking at the parking location when the parking location is unoccupied, the delivery robot being deployed upon parking of the delivery vehicle, and instructing the delivery vehicle to remain parked during the delivery mission or to leave the parking location and return at later point in time based on an estimated time of arrival of the delivery robot after the delivery mission.

Abstract: A system and method of detecting and mitigating an erratic vehicle by a host vehicle. The method includes gathering sensor information on a calibratable external region surrounding the host vehicle; analyzing the sensor information to detect a target vehicle traveling in a lane and a movement of the target vehicle in the lane; determining whether the movement of the target vehicle in the lane is erratic; if erratic then designating target vehicle as erratic vehicle; assigning a risk score to the erratic vehicle; and implementing a predetermined mitigating action correlating to the assigned risk score to the erratic vehicle. The mitigating action includes one or more of: warning an operator of the host vehicle, warning a vehicle proximal to the host vehicle, and taking at least partial control of the host vehicle to further distance the host vehicle apart from the erratic vehicle.

Abstract: A security system can be configured to mount to a power outlet. The security system can include an outwardly facing portion configured to face away from the power outlet and an inwardly facing portion having a first electrical prong and a second electrical prong that protrude into the power outlet to mount the security system to the power outlet. The security system can also include a detection system comprising a camera and a motion detector.

Abstract: Flared stents are disclosed, and apparatus and methods for delivering such stents into a bifurcation between a main vessel and a branch vessel. The stent includes a first tubular portion a second flaring portion that may be flared radially outwardly to contact the ostium. The stent may include variable mechanical properties along its length. The stent may be delivered using a catheter including proximal and distal ends, the stent overlying first and second balloons on the distal end. During use, the catheter is advanced through an ostium into the branch to place the stent within the branch. The first balloon is expanded to flare the stent to contact a wall of the ostium, thereby causing the stent to migrate partially into the ostium. The second balloon is expanded to fully expand the stent within the ostium and branch.

Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to controlling an autonomous vehicle to provide indicators to distinguish the autonomous vehicle from other autonomous vehicles in a fleet. The autonomous vehicle includes a vehicle propulsion system, a braking system, a notification system, and a computing system. The notification system outputs an indicator that is perceivable external to the autonomous vehicle. The computing system receives data specifying an identity of a passenger to be picked up by the autonomous vehicle. Moreover, the computing system controls at least one of the vehicle propulsion system or the braking system to stop the autonomous vehicle for passenger pickup. Further, the computing system controls the notification system to output the indicator; a characteristic of the indicator outputted by the notification system is controlled based on the identity of the passenger to be picked up and whether the autonomous vehicle is stopped for passenger pickup.

Abstract: A multi-cell rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) includes a plurality of battery cells organized into battery modules and a first enclosure configured to house the battery modules. The RESS also includes a first vent arranged on the first enclosure and configured to direct air from inside the first enclosure to an environment external to the first enclosure. The RESS additionally includes a second vent arranged on the first enclosure and configured to direct air into the first enclosure from the environment external to the first enclosure. The RESS further includes a phase-change material (PCM) device arranged on the second vent and configured to melt in response to at least one of the battery modules experiencing a thermal runaway event. In combination with the first vent, the PCM generates crossflow ventilation through the first enclosure to cool the battery modules therein and mitigate thermal runaway.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are described for automatically establishing a virtual private network (VPN) based on detecting a connection to a public network. A computing device may detect a connection to a public network. The computing device may determine whether the connection to the public network is secured and/or may determine a quality of that connection. If the connection is unsecure and/or if the quality satisfies a quality threshold, the computing device may establish a VPN session.

Abstract: A cervical pad is provided for absorbing and collecting body fluids. The cervical pad comprises a resilient circular rim configured to span a vaginal opening adjacent the cervical os. A central body portion spans the area defined by the rim. The body portion includes a pad comprising an upper membrane layer, a lower membrane layer sealingly connected to the rim, and a flexible absorbent insert is disposed in a space defines between the inner membrane layer and the outer membrane layer.

Abstract: A well cement composite and a method for making a well cement composite includes a mixture of calcium aluminate cement (CAC) and fly ash cenospheres (CS) in a weight ratio of from 30:70 to 80:20 CAC to CS; sodium metasilicate (SMS) in an amount of from 1 to 10% of the total weight of the mixture of CAC and CS; polymethylhydrosiloxane (PMHS) in an amount of from 0.5 to 6.0% of the total weight of the mixture of CAC and CS; and water in a weight ratio of from 0.5:1.0 to 1.2:1.0 of water to CAC and CS.

Abstract: Provided methods and systems allow dynamic rendering of a reflexive questionnaire based on a modifiable spreadsheet for users with little to no programming experience and knowledge. Some methods comprise receiving a modifiable spreadsheet with multiple rows, each row comprising rendering instructions for a reflexive questionnaire from a first computer, such as a data type cell, statement cell, logic cell, and a field identifier; rendering a graphical user interface, on a second computer, comprising a label and an input element corresponding to the rendering instructions of a first row of the spreadsheet; receiving an input from the second computer; evaluating the input against the logic cell of the spreadsheet; in response to the input complying with the logic cell of the spreadsheet, dynamically rendering a second label and a second input element to be displayed on the graphical user interface based on the logic of the first row.

Abstract: Systems and methods including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory storage devices storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processors and perform acts of receiving, from an extraction, transform, load (ETL) application, a matrix, which can comprise raw feature data; storing the matrix comprising the raw feature data in a standard format in the one or more non-transitory computer readable storage devices; receiving a configuration file over a computer network; storing the configuration file in a standard format in the one or more non-transitory computer readable storage devices; instantiating one or more unifier applications based upon the configuration file; identifying relevant feature data of the raw feature data; storing the relevant feature data in a standardized format in an output file in the one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage devices; and transmitting, over the computer network in real time to a model building system, the output file compri

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for student accountability systems. School buses can be equipped with a bus system that executes a driver application. Students carry student identification (ID) systems that identify the students to the bus system, which in turn reports a geographic location to a student accountability system. The bus system is configured to permit rapid boarding and easy usage by drivers. The student accountability system provides a parent portal and an administrator portal to monitor the students and provide other useful functions.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for increasing an accuracy of anomaly detection in assets such as vehicle components. In one example, a method provides for continuous health monitoring of connected physical assets, comprising adapting thresholds for anomaly detection and root cause analysis algorithms for the connected assets based on an aggregation of new connected data using machine learning; updating and ranking advanced statistical and machine learning models based on their performance using connected data until confirming a best performing model; and deploying the best performing model to monitor the connected physical assets.

Abstract: Systems and methods for limiting functionality of a vehicle are described. In one example, vehicle feature modules may specify vehicle behaviors and vehicle operation is limited according to the specified behaviors. Vehicle actuators may be adjusted to limit vehicle operation according to the specified vehicle behaviors. The vehicle behaviors may apply to powertrain systems, navigation systems, climate control systems, lighting systems and other vehicle systems.