Abstract: The invention describes a depth map generator comprising an array comprising a plurality of individually addressable array elements, wherein an array element comprises a semiconductor emitter or a reflector arranged to reflect light emitted by a semiconductor emitter; a driver realised to switch an array element according to a predefined illumination pattern; a number of image sensors, wherein an image sensor is arranged to detect light reflected from a scene irradiated by the irradiation pattern; and a processing unit realised to compute a depth map of the scene on the basis of a light pattern detected by an image sensor. The invention further describes an irradiation arrangement for use in such a depth map generator; a method of generating a depth map of a scene; and a device comprising such a depth map generator.

Abstract: An illumination module comprises a semiconductor light source and a light guide, which comprises a solid body with essentially parallel entry and exit faces and side faces extending between the entry and exit faces; and wherein the entry face receives light emitted by the semiconductor light source; the exit face is offset from the entry face and the area of the exit face exceeds the area of the entry face; a first side face comprises a uniform plane subtending an angle of inclination to the entry face; a second side face, opposite to the first side face, comprises a plurality of offset sub-faces, each sub-face subtends an angle of inclination relative to the entry face; and the inclined faces are formed so that the direction of light leaving the exit face is essentially the same as the direction of light entering the entry face.

Abstract: Illumination devices, kits that include an illumination device, and methods of using an illumination device are described herein. An example embodiment of an illumination device includes a base, a frame support, a frame, a support arm, a light source, and a switch. The base has first and second ends. The frame is attached to the base and has a frame main body that defines a frame opening. The support arm is releasably attached to the frame and is partially disposed within the frame opening. The support arm has a support arm attachment portion that is sized and configured to releasably attach an electronic device to the support arm. The light source is attached to the frame and has an on state and an off state. The switch is operatively connected to the light source and is adapted to move the light source between the on state and the off state.

Abstract: A scraper assembly of an agricultural row unit includes an inner scraper configured to engage an inner surface of a disc. The scraper assembly also includes a biasing member engaged with the inner scraper and configured to urge the inner scraper toward the inner surface of the disc. In addition, the inner scraper has an engagement feature configured to contact an outer scraper to block translational movement of the inner scraper relative to a frame of the agricultural row unit.

Abstract: A hospital bed may include a support structure, a controller, a pressure source coupled to the controller, and a hospital bed mattress carried by the support structure and having first and second ends, and first and second sides extending between the first and second ends. The hospital bed mattress may include bladders coupled to the pressure source. The bladders extend between the first and second ends and between the first and second sides and configured to provide pressure differential. The controller may be configured to pseudo-randomly adjust an internal pressure of each of the bladders.

Abstract: An inverter system is provided that includes switches that alternate between closed and open states to conduct or block conduction, respectively, of electric current through the switches and switch controllers that control operation of the switches between the closed and open states. In a first operating mode, the controllers control operation of the switches to convert direct current into a single, common phase of an alternating current from a same phase output from each of the switches to power a higher-demand load of a powered system with the single phase of the alternating current. In a second operating mode, the controllers control operation of the switches to convert the direct current into multiple, different phases of the alternating current to power a lower-demand load of the powered system with the multiple, different phases of the alternating current. Each of the switches outputs a different phase of the multiple phases.

Abstract: A method of generating a path for an autonomous driving vehicle (ADV) includes obtaining a plurality of path inputs including a lateral and a longitudinal starting state, a threshold lateral jerk, and a set of static obstacle boundaries with respect to a reference line, obtaining a plurality of path constraints related to the threshold lateral jerk, avoidance of static obstacles, and a threshold lateral velocity, obtaining a cost function associated with a path objective, the cost function comprising first, second, and third terms relating to cumulative lateral distances, to cumulative first order lateral rates of change, and to cumulative second order lateral rates of change, respectively, generating a plurality of planned ADV states as path results based on the plurality of path inputs, the plurality of path constraints, and the cost function and generating control signals to control the ADV based on the plurality of planned ADV states.

Abstract: Disclosed in some examples are methods, systems, and machine-readable mediums A method for satellite communications. A computing device concurrently communicates with two or more satellites of a cluster of satellites in a satellite network. The clusters are dynamically adjusted to achieve a communication objective. This improves satellite communications by increasing that likelihood that the computing device will be in range of a satellite that is useful for achieving the communication objective.

Abstract: A propellant container for a perforating gun includes a lower cap, one or more pieces of propellant positioned within the lower cap, wherein at least one of the one or more pieces of propellant defines one or more through-holes, and an upper cap matable with the lower cap to secure the one or more pieces of propellant within the lower cap. A filler material is present within interstitial spaces between the one or more pieces of propellant.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a vehicle. The methods comprise: generating, by a computing device, a vehicle trajectory for the vehicle that is in motion; detecting an object within a given distance from the vehicle; generating, by the computing device, at least one possible object trajectory for the object which was detected; performing, by the computing device, a collision check to determine that there remains time to react safely to worst-case behavior by the object (the collision check being based on the vehicle trajectory and at least one possible object trajectory); and performing operations, by the computing device, to selectively cause the vehicle to perform an emergency maneuver based on results of the collision check.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for coherently modulating and demodulating coherent optical signals using 5-bit constellations. The 5-bit constellations have improved suitability for short reach optical communications systems. A first 5-bit constellation can be formed from four rings. The first and fourth rings can form quadrature phase-shift keyed four-symbol sub-constellations, and the second and third rings can form phase-shift keyed twelve symbol constellations. Symbols from the third and fourth sub-constellations are arranged to form a square. A second 5-bit constellation can include an inner 16 symbol sub-constellation and an sixteen symbol outer sub-constellation. Each of the symbols of the inner sub-constellation are equally spaced from its nearest neighboring symbols along both the quadrature and in-phase axes. Each of the symbols in the outer constellation has an equal euclidean-distance with its nearest neighboring symbols in the outer sub-constellation.

Abstract: Managing rendering of a graphical user interface is provided. A system receives data packets comprising an input audio signal. The system determines an application identifier and query. The system provides the query to the application to cause the application to generate a second query for transmission to a third-party server, and identify responses to the query. The system intercepts the responses, and generates a keyword based on the responses. The system selects a digital component using the keyword, executes a deduplication process, and determines to add the digital component to the responses. The system constructs a display output using a graphical user interface template that integrates the plurality of responses generated by the application with the digital component, and provides the display output to the computing device for rendering.

Abstract: A tiltable vehicle is configured to transform between an autonomous mode and a rideable mode by pivoting the handlebars and steering column of the vehicle about a pitch axis. In the autonomous mode, the steering column is folded back toward the chassis and a tiltable chassis of the vehicle is prevented from tilting. In the rideable mode, the steering column is unfolded and the chassis is free to tilt. In some examples, a tiltable vehicle includes features beneficial for vehicle-sharing, such as parking devices or a basket. These features may be included on any suitable vehicle and are not limited to use on transforming vehicles.

Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes, a traction battery and a heating unit. The heating unit is disposed within a cargo bed of a vehicle and selectively powered by the traction battery. A heating unit powering method includes powering a heating unit within a cargo bed of a vehicle using a traction battery of the vehicle.