Abstract: Described herein are a system and methods for implementing a tool-agnostic device. In examples, the system may determine location and state information using sensors of the tool-agnostic device. Based on this information, the system may communicate with a virtual reality system for display and user interaction with a virtual reality environment. The tool-agnostic device may be removed and re-attached to a number of different tools. The tool-agnostic device allows tracking of a number of different tools without customization or retrofitting each tool. The tool-agnostic device may serve as a safety-shutoff device in addition to tracking tool use and movement. When the system determines that a tool is operating in an unsafe manner the tool-agnostic device may interrupt the power to the tool.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention described herein relate to vacuum cleaners. The vacuum cleaners described herein can include a motor, a lid, a collection receptacle, and at least one support member to permit access to the interior of the vacuum cleaner. Also described herein are vacuum cleaners having a motor, a lid, a collection receptacle, and an accessory holder that can be pivotally mounted to the collection receptacle to permit access to the contents thereof.

Abstract: A system for displaying a simulated room can comprise a projector, a wall structure element, a physical object, and a room customization station. The room customization station can view images of selectable products and allows a selection thereof to be displayed on the wall structure element or the physical object. The projector can display the selectable product(s) on the wall structure element or the physical object. The physical object can be adjustable in size for different selectable product sizes. The system can include a physical accessory placeable in the simulated room to facilitate visualization of how the physical accessory would appear in the simulated room with the selectable product. Further, the room customization station can prevent a portion of the images from being projected onto a physical feature in the simulated room and allow other portions of the images to be projected into a portion of the simulated room.

Abstract: Techniques described herein are directed to a system and methods for enabling a transfer of access rights for an electronic device between users. In embodiments of the system, a first user (e.g., a transferor) may, upon determining that access rights should be granted to a second user (e.g., a transferee), generate a transaction record. The transaction record may then be provided to a registry network, which may verify a digital signature of the transaction record as well as a current ownership status. Upon verification, the transaction record may be written to an ownership registry and a mobile application server may be notified of the transaction. Once notified, the mobile application server may transmit a device key to a user device associated with the transferee. Once the device key has been received at the transferee user device, it may be used to issue commands to the electronic device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for configuring a device for a specific task or set of tasks thereby allowing the device to be used for more than one task or set of tasks while also enabling fine-grain control over how the device may be used. A device's file system can operate with a particular file system based on the task(s) that the device will perform. Further, the device can physically configure itself based on the task(s) that the device will perform.

Abstract: Methods, devices, systems and computer readable media can be configured to facilitate receipt of a unique product identifier. The unique product identifier can correspond to a customized product. In one embodiment, an account identifier is received. The account identifier may correspond to an online account of a consumer purchasing the customized product. In an embodiment, an object associated with the online account is determined. The object may represent a portion of a building. In an embodiment, the object is associated with the customized product.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for mounting an electrically-powered device to a ceiling or other supporting structure. The electrically-powered device can be, for example, a ceiling fan, a ceiling fan with a lighting fixture, or a lighting fixture.

Abstract: Described herein are a system and methods for generating a record of objects, as well as respective positions for those objects, with respect to a user. In some embodiments, a user may use a user device to scan an area that includes one or more objects. The one or more objects may be identified from image information obtained from the user device. Positional information for each of the one or more objects may be determined from depth information obtained from a depth sensor installed upon the user device. In some embodiments, the one or more objects may be mapped to object models stored in an object model database. The image information displayed on the user device may be augmented so that it depicts the object models associated with the one or more objects instead of the actual objects.

Abstract: Described herein are a system and methods for efficiently using depth and image information for a space to generate a 3D representation of that space. In some embodiments, an indication of one or more points is received with respect to image information, which is then mapped to corresponding points within depth information. A boundary may then be calculated to be associated with each of the points based on the depth information at, and surrounding, each point. Each of the boundaries are extended outward until junctions are identified as bounding the boundaries in a direction. The system may determine whether the process is complete or not based on whether any of the calculated boundaries are currently unlimited in extent in any direction. Once the system determines that each of the boundaries is limited in extent, a 3D representation of the space may be generated based on the identified junctions and/or boundaries.

Abstract: A haptic switch can be used to control one or more display screens. In an example embodiment, the haptic switch takes the form of a flooring sample—such as a sample piece or swatch of a flooring material, for example, ceramic tile, wood, or carpet—that is affixed or otherwise mechanically coupled to an electronic sensor, such as a proximity sensor, a touch sensor, or a pressure sensor. The haptic switch is communicatively coupled to a machine, and the machine stores or is otherwise able to access a database that correlates the haptic switch or its included flooring sample to corresponding texture map data that depicts the flooring sample. The haptic switch is thus usable to select its corresponding texture map data and cause the machine to use the selected texture map data in generating video content and displaying the generated video content on one or more display screens.

Abstract: A flame simulator includes a light beam source that projects a beam of light, a flame screen, a light beam mover that imparts movement to at least a part of the light beam source, and a range limiter. The light beam source includes a light source adapted to produce light and at least one light conditioner adapted to act on the light from the light source to produce the beam of light with a color, size and shape that mimics a flame when the beam strikes the flame screen. The range limiter is operatively associated with the light beam source so that the beam of light, when being projected, strikes at least a portion of the flame screen and causes illumination of the flame screen by the beam of light.

Abstract: A composite polymeric film wear layer for application as a surface protection layer to impart lower gloss, higher scratch resistance, wear performance and comfort under foot to hard surface substrates is provided. Hard surface substrate made with the composite as well as methods for application are also provided.

Abstract: Techniques described herein are directed to a system and methods for issuing commands to an electronic device as well as techniques for transferring a device key to a user device associated with a user who has gained authorization to issue commands to the electronic device. In some embodiments, a device key may be conveyed directly from an access device to a user device. In some embodiments, the device key may be conveyed to a user device by a mobile application server which is in communication with the user device upon receiving an indication that an operator of the user device is authorized to issue commands to the electronic device.

Abstract: Techniques described herein are directed to a system and methods for enabling a transfer of access rights for an electronic device between users. In embodiments of the system, a first user (e.g., a transferor) may, upon determining that access rights should be granted to a second user (e.g., a transferee), generate a transaction record. The transaction record may then be provided to a registry network, which may verify a digital signature of the transaction record as well as a current ownership status. Upon verification, the transaction record may be written to an ownership registry and a mobile application server may be notified of the transaction. Once notified, the mobile application server may transmit a device key to a user device associated with the transferee. Once the device key has been received at the transferee user device, it may be used to issue commands to the electronic device.

Abstract: A flame simulator includes a light beam source that projects a beam of light, a flame screen, a light beam mover that imparts movement to at least a part of the light beam source, and a range limiter. The light beam source includes a light source adapted to produce light and at least one light conditioner adapted to act on the light from the light source to produce the beam of light with a color, size and shape that mimics a flame when the beam strikes the flame screen. The range limiter is operatively associated with the light beam source so that the beam of light, when being projected, strikes at least a portion of the flame screen and causes illumination of the flame screen by the beam of light.

Abstract: A system for displaying a simulated room can comprise at least one projector, at least one wall structure element, at least one physical object, and a room customization station. The room customization station can be configured to permit viewing images of selectable products and selecting at least one of the selectable products to be displayed on at least one of the at least one wall structure element or the at least one physical object. The projector(s) can be adapted to display the selectable product(s) on at least one of the at least one wall structure element or the physical object(s). The physical object can be adjustable in size to correspond to different sizes of selectable products. The system can further include at least one physical accessory adapted to be placed in the simulated room to facilitate visualization of how the at least one physical accessory would appear in the presence of the simulated room and the at least one selectable product.

Abstract: A system for mounting an electrically-powered device such as a ceiling fan or other mounted fixture to supporting structure is disclosed. The system includes a mounting bracket having a receiving portion with a first electrical connector and a hangable structure with a mating member configured to be positioned against the receiving portion. The hangable structure includes a second electrical connector configured to become engaged with the first electrical connector as the hangable structure is moved downwardly into position to rest in proper alignment against the receiving portion. Positioning and alignment is accomplished without further manipulation of the hangable structure after engagement of the first and second electrical connectors. This system allows easier installation of the device by preventing gravity-influenced disengagement of the hangable structure from the mounting bracket once the electrical connection is established.

Abstract: A saw machine worktable positioning mechanism includes a pivot shaft, an operating member and a first positioning unit so arranged that operating the operating member can drive the first positioning unit to move a positioning member of the first positioning unit relative to the base of the saw machine in one of two reversed directions to lock the worktable of the saw machine to the base or to unlock the worktable from the base.