Abstract: A system and method for summarizing video feeds correlated to identified speakers. A transcriber system includes multiple types of reasoning logic for identifying specific speakers contained in the video feed. Each type of reasoning logic is stored in memory and may be combined and configurable to provide an aggregated speaker identification result useful for full or summarized transcription before transmission across a network for display on a network-accessible device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the continuous production of low thermal conductivity endless filament yarns with a compact, homogeneous structural morphology. The presently disclosed methods utilize safe and recyclable ionic liquids to produce carbon fiber precursors from cellulose. The fibers are produced by the carbonization of cellulose carbon fiber precursors. The precursor fiber filaments have an increased tear resistance with simultaneously sufficient elongation, a round or crenulated cross-section, and homogeneous fiber morphology. The filament yarns exhibit performance characteristics similar to those produced from traditional viscose rayon. The resulting fibers are especially suited for aerospace applications in composite materials used at the limits of high temperatures, for instance in structures found in rocket nozzles or atmospheric reentry heat shields on spacecraft.

Abstract: A flow of air induces vibration of a tip of an airflow sensor. A cantilever coupled to the tip vibrates as the tip is displaced, and a piezoelectric element associated with the cantilever generates an electrical signal in response to mechanical stress or strain induced by vibration of the cantilever. A control element that is in communication with the piezoelectric element of the cantilever receives the electrical signal and derives at least one parameter indicative of the flow of air sensed by the sensor. The control element communicates or otherwise transmits an output signal that is indicative of the parameter to an output device to display sensor data to a user as desired.

Abstract: A computer system may track the user's eye gaze on a display device over time using an eye tracker. When the computer system detects a risk associated with a graphical object and determines that the user's gaze is close to the graphical object, it may display a warning message indicating the risk. The computer system may display the warning message at a location that corresponds to the graphical object associated with the risk. Furthermore, when the computer system detects a risk and determines that the user's gaze is not at the graphical object that needs the user's immediate attention, it may display a warning message near the user's current gaze to notify the user. If desired, the warning message may be hidden based on the user's gaze, such as when the user moves his gaze away from the detected risk.

Abstract: An optical filter has a layer of silicon film deposited onto a metallic substrate surface at a silicon film thickness corresponding to a wavelength of light to be filtered from incoming light. The critical coupling of light to the optical cavity formed by the silicon film on metal surface results in a strong and near perfect absorption of the light at a resonance wavelength and strong absorption in the wavelength region near the peak absorption wavelength. Other wavelengths of the incoming wave are reflected by the device so the spectral content of light is changed. By controlling the thickness of the silicon film and/or other factors, such as the extent to which the silicon film is annealed or the type of metal beneath the silicon film, the wavelength of the light absorbed by the silicon film can be precisely controlled.

Abstract: A cutting blade for use in a lawnmower or other cutting device has a contoured leading edge profile that forms a series of protrusions and contoured notches. Each contoured notch has a surface that is smooth and contoured such that air is funneled through the contoured notch by the adjacent protrusions, thereby causing the air to form vortices at the surface of the blade. The formation of the vortices helps the airflow to adhere to the blade surface rather than separate from it, thereby creating a more laminar streamlined flow that merges with air flowing over the opposite side of the blade at the trailing edge. By preventing the airflow from separating from the blade surface over a substantial portion of the blade, turbulence is significantly reduced. Thus, noise generated by the blade is significantly reduced as well. In addition, the blade experiences less drag, and the performance of the blade and lawnmower is generally increased.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining whether and/or when a patient is taking his or her medication and, when appropriate, providing reminders and/or alerts to the patient to improve adherence to a medication regimen. In some embodiments, a medication container is provided that includes a capacitance sensor for sensing the contents of the medication container (e.g., pill count or quantity of liquid medication). The capacitance sensor may include interleaved or interdigitated electrodes oriented vertically, horizontally, or angularly (e.g., diagonally) relative to an axis of the medication container. Reminders and/or alerts to the patient may be triggered based at least in part on the contents of the medication container, when a cap of the container was last opened and/or closed, the location of the medication container, and/or the container's surroundings.

Abstract: Methods for the extraction of intracellular contents from biomass, in particular from algae, are described. The pH level of the algae cell culture is modified and mixed with a surfactant or a combination of surfactants. The algal culture may be subjected to low pressurization using air, inert gas or a gas mixture. Separation of the lipid contents from the treated algae culture is accomplished with an organic solvent or a mixture of organic solvents. The algal debris may be collected at the bottom of the aqueous phase while the biomass is concentrated in the solvent layer.

Abstract: A silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) device is provided with a SiPM matrix fabricated on a substrate, a bias power supply connected to the SiPM matrix, and a compensation circuit coupled to the bias power supply. The bias power supply provides a bias voltage to the SiPM matrix. The compensation circuit can adjust the bias voltage applied to the SiPM matrix in response to temperature changes at the substrate. The compensation circuit includes a resistor fabricated on the substrate with the SiPM matrix. The resistor can have a resistance that varies in response to temperature changes at the substrate.

Abstract: A silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) device is provided with a SiPM matrix and a temperature compensation circuit fabricated on a substrate. The temperature compensation circuit can include a temperature sensor, a bias adjustment circuit and a current source. The current source can provide a current to the temperature sensor and the temperature sensor can provide a temperature dependent signal to the bias adjustment circuit. The bias adjustment circuit can adjust a bias voltage provided to the SiPM matrix in response to the signal from the temperature sensor in order to maintain a predefined overvoltage value at the SiPM matrix.

Abstract: An object redirection system may generate a high-resolution three-dimensional map of a surface of a target. Based on the map, the system may identify locations on the target's surface and direct energetic pulses toward the target at the locations. The system may continuously update the map of the target and continue emitting pulses at the target with reference to the map in order to achieve a desired velocity of the target within a desired timeframe.

Abstract: A fiber optic directional sensor has a substantially hemispherical dome surface and a substantially flat surface. The sensor is formed from a plurality of optical fibers fused to one another, and each optical fiber extends from the dome surface to the flat surface. One end of each optical fiber is substantially perpendicular to the sensor's dome surface, and the opposite end of the fiber is substantially perpendicular to the sensor's flat surface such that an end face of the fiber is substantially tangent to the dome surface, and another end face of the fiber is substantially tangent to the flat surface. The sensor further includes an optical element which expands the field of view of the sensor and chromatically controls the incoming light. Using the sensor, light from projectiles, such as missiles, bullets, and other weaponry, can be detected, and the locations of the projectiles can be determined.

Abstract: A high-Q factor resonator includes a solenoid having an embedded capacitor assembled in a machinable high-frequency dielectric printed circuit board (“PCB”), or other substrate. The solenoid comprises a plurality of surface conductors positioned on upper and lower surfaces of the PCB. The solenoid further comprises a plurality of conductive vias extending through the PCB between the surface conductors, and at least two aligned vias are separated by a capacitive gap. A liquid crystal dielectric is embedded within the capacitive gap in order to control the capacitance. Accordingly, a tunable capacitive filter is achieved by changing the dielectric permittivity of the liquid crystal. In one example, a nematic liquid crystal is sealed in the capacitive gap and has its permittivity changed with a low frequency bias to tune the capacitor.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for the chemical synthesis of micro-quantities of oligonucleotides or other chemical molecules. The system includes a reusable glass micro-reactor containing a paramagnetic solid support, a magnet, an electronic drive controller and an optical spectroscopy system capable of driving a plurality individual reactors. The system utilizes the electroosmotic movement of reactants through microfluidic channels. Spectrophotometric monitoring of the reaction products allows for the real-time determination of synthesis yield.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically quantifying mobility of a person performing a mobility diagnostic procedure. In one exemplary embodiment, the system measures a posture change test procedure with integrated inertial, location, and navigation type sensors found in a mobile computing device worn by a patient during the posture change test procedure, such as a timed-up-and-go (TUG) procedure. The measurements captured during the posture change inform a health care provider about the mobility of a patient. For example, a determination about the likelihood of the patient experiencing a fall can be assessed from measurable parameters produced from the inertial, location, and navigation-type sensors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the continuous production of low thermal conductivity endless filament yarns with a compact, homogeneous structural morphology. The presently disclosed methods utilize safe and recyclable ionic liquids (IL) to produce carbon fiber precursors from cellulose. The fibers are produced by the carbonization of cellulose carbon fiber precursors. The precursor fiber filaments have an increased tear resistance with simultaneously sufficient elongation, a round or crenulated cross-section, and homogeneous fiber morphology. The filament yarns exhibit performance characteristics similar to those produced from traditional viscous rayon. The resulting fibers are especially suited for aerospace applications in composite materials used at the limits of high temperatures, for instance in structures found in rocket nozzles or atmospheric reentry heat shields on spacecraft.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include one-step synthesis to prepare a hypergolic green Fuel (HGF) propellant from 2-Hydroxyethylhydrazine (HEH) via a “one-step synthesis method”. In addition, embodiments of the present disclosure include fully nitrated HGF and partially nitrated HGF and formulations containing Hydroxyethylhydrazinium Nitrate (HEHN) and acetone, where the HEHN is produced independently.

Abstract: A system for eye movement and pupil size change matching for user authentication includes an ocular sensor that is configured to sense eyes of a user and collect data indicative of the user's eye movement and pupil size changes. When a user's eyes are detected, the logic analyzes data collected by the ocular sensor in order to determine whether the sensed data match data extracted from a template defined by the eye movement and pupil size changes of an authorized user. If so, the user is authenticated and is permitted to access at least one restricted resource. As an example, the user may be permitted to access an application or sensitive data stored on a computer system or to access a restricted area, such as a room of a building.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining whether and/or when a patient is taking his or her medication and, when appropriate, providing reminders and/or alerts to the patient to improve adherence to a medication regimen. In some embodiments, a medication container is provided that includes a capacitance sensor for sensing the contents of the medication container (e.g., pill count or quantity of liquid medication). The capacitance sensor may include interleaved or interdigitated electrodes oriented vertically, horizontally, or angularly (e.g., diagonally) relative to an axis of the medication container. Reminders and/or alerts to the patient may be triggered based at least in part on the contents of the medication container, when a cap of the container was last opened and/or closed, the location of the medication container, and/or the container's surroundings.

Abstract: An image capture system comprises a plurality of cameras and a camera mount. The camera mount has a curved portion, and the plurality of cameras are secured to the curved portion. The cameras are oriented radially inward relative to the curved portion of the camera mount, such that the lines of sight of the cameras intersect. Images are captured substantially simultaneously with the plurality of cameras. The captured images are stitched together to form a collective image. The image capture system may be positioned in an aerial vehicle to provide overhead views of an environment, and captured images may be transmitted to a remote location for viewing in substantially real time. A remote user may indicate a region of interest within the collective image, and the image capture system may render a portion of the collective image in accordance with the user's indications.