Abstract: The present disclosure includes prosthetic devices, including implants for joints and external prosthetics. The prosthetic devices allow for full articulation of the joint, while absorbing impact of the components during normal use that will reduce wear on the device components and prolong life. The device may include a bone implantable component and a bearing component having an articulation surface that is sized and shaped to substantially mate with at least a portion of the bone implantable component and a damping mechanism that includes a contact member disposed at least primarily inside a cavity; a biasing member biasing the contact member toward an upper aperture of the cavity and means for capturing the contact member within the cavity.

Abstract: A rebar support chair has a housing with first and second opposed boundary walls spaced apart from one another and defining a cavity therebetween, an attachment portion having a seat for supporting rebar, a dampening member, and a force dispersion member inside the cavity. The attachment portion transfers forces between the rebar and housing. The force dispersion member moves in response to vibration of the attachment portion, and movement of the force dispersion member corresponds with compression and decompression of the dampening member. Another rebar support chair has a housing defining a cavity, an attachment portion for supporting rebar, a dampening member, and a force dispersion member in the cavity. The attachment portion transfers forces between the rebar and housing. The force dispersion member moves from a rest position in response to vibration of the attachment portion, and the dampening member biases the force dispersion member toward the rest position.

Abstract: Embodiments of transparent ceramic particles are described. A particle includes an outer shell having an outer surface and an inner surface forming a hollow core; and a response unit housed inside the hollow core.

Abstract: A force transfer system includes a body and an article. The article includes a first portion forming a first lateral axis and a second portion forming a second lateral axis, the axes being offset. An intermediate member is disposed between the first portion and the second portion, and holds the second portion to the first portion. A stimulus received by the first portion causes a temporary alteration of the intermediate member from an initial condition, the alteration of the intermediate member thereby causing a change in a characteristic of the second portion. The intermediate member subsequently returns to the initial condition, thereby causing a change in a characteristic of the first portion, which is influenced by the change in the characteristic of the second portion. The change in the characteristic of the first and second portions prevents at least a portion of the stimulus from reaching the body.

Abstract: A SPEC particle driver is operable with an input for a current-essential display having activated and deactivated states. The driver has a current switching mechanism (CSM), a power return system (PRS), and a processor. The CSM is in electrical communication with the SPEC particle for changing a direction of current received by the SPEC particle between first and second directions. The PRS is in electrical communication with a power source for storing energy received therefrom, and in electrical communication with the CSM and the SPEC particle for providing current thereto. When the input signals for the activated state, the processor causes the SPEC particle to receive current from the power source in the first direction and present a first appearance. When the input signals for the deactivated state, the processor causes the SPEC particle to receive current from the PRS in the second direction and present a second appearance.

Abstract: A lighted door system includes a door having a frame defining a hinge side, an opposite distal side, a top, and a bottom. The frame has a front face, a back face, and inside face, an outside face, and a groove formed in at least one of the front face, the back face, the inside face, and the outside face. At least one lighting device is coupled to the door frame. The at least one lighting device includes a housing and a flange extending from the housing. The flange is received into the groove in the door frame to couple the at least one lighting device to the door frame.

Abstract: An apparatus for receiving a package delivered by an unmanned aerial vehicle comprises a collapsible package receiver adapted to be movably coupled to a building. The collapsible package receiver is configured to be placed from a collapsed position to a pop-out position to receive the package from the unmanned aerial vehicle. The apparatus has a memory associated with the package receiver which stores computer-readable instructions. A processor is configured to execute the instructions to: (a) determine a characteristic of the package delivered by the unmanned aerial vehicle to the package receiver; and (b) notify a user of the delivery of the package.

Abstract: A cooking assistive device comprises a portable housing configured to be disposed on or proximate a food item. The device includes a plurality of sensors situated within the housing, a dispenser, and a utensil holder. The device has a memory storing computer-readable instructions, and a processor. The processor is configured to execute the instructions to: (a) obtain a wireless input from a mobile device; (b) access data stored in a remote database; (c) obtain a reading from at least one of the plurality of sensors; and (d) cause the dispenser to dispense a substance in response to the reading.

Abstract: A user instrument for engaging in a transaction includes a graphically encoded icon having a static portion, and an intrinsic portion comprising an area of stimuli-responsive material defining a first machine-readable indicia. At least a portion of the stimuli-responsive material transforms from a first state to a second state in response to a trigger. The transformation from the first state to the second state of the portion of the stimuli-response material results in a second machine-readable indicia. The transformation of the stimuli-responsive material from the first state to the second state is semi-irreversible. The second machine-readable indicia comprises information to permit or deny the user to engage in a second transaction via the user instrument.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printer for providing additive material to an object in need thereof includes a non-transitory computer memory; a processor in data communication with the computer memory; a material reservoir; an output device in communication with the material reservoir; a scanning device for obtaining existing contour information about the object; and a contour database accessible by the processor which has contour information about the object. The scanning device is in data communication with the processor. Programming causes: (1) the scanning device to obtain the existing contour information; (2) the computer memory to store the obtained existing contour information; and (3) the processor to create a print file based on data from each of: (a) the obtained existing contour information, and (b) the contour database. Further programming selectively actuates the output device, utilizing the print file, to apply the material from the material reservoir to the object in need thereof.

Abstract: A method of converting a static display to a dynamic display includes providing a static display and removing a portion of the display to form a cutout area. A dynamic display sheet is positioned at the cutout area. The dynamic display sheet includes a first layer comprising a plurality of three-dimensional static programmable electrochromic (SPEC) particles; a second layer comprising a positively charged conductive sheet; a third layer comprising a negatively charged conductive sheet; a laminate layer; and a control element comprising a processor for activating the SPEC particles to switch from a first to a second colored state; wherein the second and third layers are respectively positioned on either side of the first layer, and the laminate layer encompasses the first, the second, and the third layers. The dynamic display sheet is activated to cause the SPEC particles to selectively flash between the first and second colored states.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes intelligent gesture controlled security systems. A security system acts as a gateway between a user and a restricted area, whether physical or electronic. One gesture controlled security system includes a camera capable of monitoring a real time gesture, a memory operable to store data, a locking assembly having a locked state and an unlocked state, and a processor communicatively coupled to the memory, the locking assembly, and the camera. The processor is operable to utilize the camera to detect a gesture, store the detected gesture in the memory, compare the detected gesture to a stored gesture, and only upon determining that the real time gesture is within a predetermined threshold of the stored gesture, causing the locking assembly to change from the locked state to the unlocked state.

Abstract: An apparatus for selectively viewing a projection includes a first pane having a top margin and a bottom margin, an angled panel having a top edge and a bottom edge, wherein one of the top edge and the bottom edge is situated proximate the first pane; and a projector configured to project onto one of the first pane and the angled panel. The first pane and the angled panel are spatially connected by a rim at the top and bottom margins of the first pane and the top and bottom edges of the angled panel.

Abstract: Items of headwear are disclosed. An item of headwear has a battery, and an information portal. The information portal includes an input device, a human interface device, and a content providing system. The content providing system has non-transitory computer memory with a program with instructions for receiving information from the input device, and relaying the information to the human interface device. The content providing system further includes a processor, an output device, and a networking device.

Abstract: A system for proactively adjusting to impact forces has first and second walls spaced apart from one another to define a stationary enclosed cavity therebetween; a movable member inside the enclosed cavity; an actuator; a proximity sensor; computer memory; a processor in data communication with the actuator, the proximity sensor, and the computer memory; programming causing the processor to determine a potential impact location on at least one of the first and second walls using data obtained from the proximity sensor; and programming causing the processor to activate the actuator based on the potential impact location, activation of the actuator causing the movable member to move inside the enclosed cavity prior to receiving the impact forces.

Abstract: Flexible sensor systems and sensor mounting devices and methods are disclosed. A sensor-mounting device includes an elongate tubular body made of foam so as to be flexibly manipulatable. The body has a bore extending between front and rear ends in a longitudinal direction. A sensor is located within the bore of the tubular body. Situated within the bore of the body is an inner tube having a central bore. The sensor is protected by and located within the central bore of the inner tube. The inner tube is more rigid than the body and allows the sensor system to be poseable and fixable into many non-permanent positions.

Abstract: A window system for dissipating impact forces happening upon a window includes first and second window panes spatially separated and surround by a window frame; and tubing positioned between the first and second window panes around a perimeter of the window. A waveform energy having a fundamental frequency is received by one of the first and second window panes and is partially transferred to the tubing. The tubing attenuates the impact of the energy on the window.