Abstract: The disclosed microfluidic valves may include a valve body having at least one cavity therein, a gate transmission element separating the cavity into an input gate terminal and an output gate terminal, a gate port configured to convey drive fluid into the input gate terminal, and a fluid channel. The gate transmission element may include a flexible membrane and a plunger coupled to the flexible membrane. The gate transmission element may be configured to move within the cavity to inhibit a subject fluid flow from an inlet port to an outlet port of the fluid channel upon pressurization of the input gate terminal, and to allow subject fluid flow from the inlet port to the outlet port upon depressurization of the input gate terminal. Various other related systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electronic display includes a display panel that operates in a single display mode to provide a single display, or a dual display mode to provide two displays separated by an inactive region. The electronic display includes the display panel and a panel driver. The display panel includes a left pixel region, a right pixel region, and a middle pixel region between the left and right pixel regions. In the single display mode of the electronic display, the panel driver provides first gate signals generated from first input data to the left, right, and middle pixel regions. In a dual display mode, the panel driver provides second gate signals generated from second input data to the left and right pixel regions. The first input data has a first resolution that is larger than a second resolution of the second input data.

Abstract: A lens includes a substrate with optically anisotropic molecules arranged in helical configurations between first and second surfaces. A first portion of the substrate includes a first helical structure having a first phase and a second helical structure adjacent to the first helical structure having a second phase. A difference between the first and second phases corresponds to a first phase difference. A second portion includes a third helical structure having a third phase and a fourth helical structure adjacent to the third helical structure having a fourth phase. A difference between the third and fourth phases corresponds to a second phase difference. A third portion includes a fifth helical structure having a fifth phase and a sixth helical structure adjacent to the fifth helical structure having a sixth phase. A difference between the fifth and sixth phases corresponds to a third phase difference.

Abstract: In particular embodiments, a computing system may display a virtual-reality scene on a device worn by a user. The system may capture an image of a physical environment surrounding the user and detect an object of interest in the image. The system may determine, based on the detected object, that one or more alert criteria are satisfied. The system may generate depth measurements of at least the object. The system may generate, based on the depth measurements, a model representing the object. The system may render, based on a viewpoint of the user and the model, an output image depicting a visualization of the object. The system may display the output image on the device worn by the user in response to the determination that the one or more alert criteria are satisfied.

Abstract: An in-ear device comprises a transducer section, a front volume section, and a rear volume section. The transducer section includes a frame and piezoelectric actuators coupled to the frame. The piezoelectric actuators are configured to generate an acoustic pressure wave. The transducer section includes a first side and a second side, the second side being opposite the first side. The front volume section is coupled to the first side to form a front cavity, the front volume section including an aperture from which the generated acoustic pressure wave exits the front volume section towards an ear drum of a user. The rear volume section is coupled to the second side to form a rear cavity. The transducer section, the front volume section, and the rear volume section are configured to fit entirely within the ear canal.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward systems and methods for ranking media effects. For example, systems and methods described herein enable a user to select and apply one or more media effects to a media communication such as a digital photograph or video. Systems and methods described herein identify and rank media effects based on characteristics associated with the user and the user's client-computing device. Furthermore, systems and methods described herein automatically present the top-ranked media effects to the user such that the user can easily select and apply one or more media effects that are tailored specifically to the user.

Abstract: The disclosed computing device may include electronic components, at least one of which is a processor. The computing device may also include a heat sink thermally coupled to the electronic components, as well as a temperature sensor that determines the current temperature inside the computing device. The computing device may further include a controller. The processor may generate a load schedule for the electronic components based on the current temperature inside the computing device. This load schedule ensures that a maximum temperature for the heat sink is not exceeded even when the total system power load exceeds, for a short period of time, the maximum sustainable power level the heat sink can dissipate. The controller may then load the electronic components according to the generated load schedule. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a video room system that can efficiently and flexibly generate and facilitate video rooms for video chatting between participant devices by prioritizing video streams to provide to participant devices based on performance parameters. For example, the video room system can provide different video room streams to different participant devices based on the performance parameters of the participant devices. In addition, the video room system can customize or tailor video room streams based on identifying dominant speaker devices, determining connections between participant devices as indicated by a social graph of a social networking system, and/or based on join methods utilized by participant devices to join a video room.

Abstract: A communication system establishes a communication session with a communication device via a network and captures, via one or more cameras, a local area within a field of view of the one or more cameras. The local area includes one or more audio sources. The communication system receives, from the communication device, a selection of a respective audio source from the one or more audio source in the local area. The selection indicates that audio originating from the respective audio source is to be prioritized over other audio sources in the local area. The communication system tunes one or more microphones based on a depth of the respective audio source relative to the communication system to optimize reception of audio originating at the respective audio source by the one or more microphones.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable media can establish a plurality of connections to a server, wherein each connection is associated with a respective content item of a plurality of content items. A plurality of data requests are transmitted to the server using the plurality of connections, wherein each data request is associated with one content item of the plurality of content items. Processing of data received on a first connection of the plurality of connections is delayed, the first connection being associated with a first data request of the plurality of data requests and a first content item of the plurality of content items, in order to cause the server to pause data transmissions responsive to the first data request.

Abstract: A beam scanner of a projector-based near-eye display includes a prismatic element with a reflective polarizer and a quarter-wave waveplate (QWP). The beam-folding prismatic element receives a polarized light beam from a light source and couples the beam to a tiltable reflector, e.g. a 2D tiltable MEMS reflector, for angular scanning the beam. The light beam impinging onto the tiltable reflector is separated from the light beam reflected from the tiltable reflector by polarization. The polarization-based separation is achieved by causing the light beam to propagate through the QWP before and after impinging onto the tiltable reflector. Upon double propagation of the light beam through the QWP, the beam changes its polarization to an orthogonal polarization, which enables its separation from the impinging beam. The beam scanner may receive multiple light beams from multiple light sources. A projector and a near-eye display based on such beam scanners are also disclosed.

Abstract: A scanning projector for a display apparatus includes a first scanning reflector configured to steer a light beam in a first plane, a second scanning reflector configured to steer the light beam received from the first scanning reflector in a second plane, and beam relay optics configured to relay a first pupil defined at the first scanning reflector to a second pupil defined at the second scanning reflector, and to relay the second pupil to an output pupil of the scanning projector. The beam relay optics may include a concave reflector and a polarization beam splitter coupled to a scanning reflector in a triple pass configuration.

Abstract: A speaker assembly presents audio content to an ear canal of a user. A speaker of the speaker assembly generates positive and negative acoustic pressure waves. A first vent assembly of the speaker assembly ports the positive acoustic pressure waves to an entrance of the ear canal of the user, whereas a second vent assembly ports the negative acoustic pressure waves to an area behind a pinna of the user. The first and second vent assembly are configured to provide improved audio content playback to the user.

Abstract: A self-calibrating display can detect and compensate for binocular disparity or other visual imperfection of the display. The display includes a pair of projection units for projecting test light carrying test images through waveguides, which are normally used to carry images to left and right eyes of a user. A detection unit detects the test light propagated through the waveguides, and extracts the test images. Position of reference features in the detected test images may be used to determine binocular disparity, and luminance and color distribution across the test images may be used to determine the illumination and color uniformity of the images displayed to the user. After the visual defects have been detected, they may be reduced or compensated for by pre-emphasizing or shifting images to be displayed to the left and right eyes of the user.

Abstract: A display comprises a matrix comprising a plurality of N rows divided into a plurality of M columns of cells, each cell including a light emitting device; a scan driver providing a plurality of N scan line signals to respective rows of said matrix, each for selecting a respective row of the matrix to be programmed with pixel values; and a data driver providing a plurality of M variable level data signals to respective columns of the matrix, each for programming a respective pixel within a selected row of the matrix with a pixel value. A pulse driver provides a plurality of N driving signals to respective rows of the matrix, each driving signal comprising successive sequences of pulses enabling the cells to emit light according to their programmed pixel values during respective sub-frames of successive frames to be displayed.

Abstract: A device is provided. The device includes a first lens assembly controllable to switch between a first plurality of optical powers. The first lens assembly includes a plurality of directly optically coupled lenses. The device also includes a second lens assembly controllable to switch between a second plurality of optical powers that are the opposite of the first plurality of optical powers. The device further includes a half-wave plate disposed between the first adaptive lens assembly and the second adaptive lens assembly.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are described that enable users to interact and share content through a social network application and/or service with other users. In some examples, a social networking system determines that at least two applications are installed on a device and are both useable to share content between a first account and one or more contact accounts. The social networking system may detect an event that causes a change in a badge count, may determine which of the applications to use to display the change, and may output the badge count change to the determined application(s).

Abstract: A fluidic device controls fluid flow in channel from a source to a drain. In some embodiments, the fluidic devices comprise a gate, a channel, and an obstruction. The gate comprises at least one chamber whose volume increases with fluid pressure. A high-pressure state of the gate corresponds to a first chamber size and a low-pressure state of the gate corresponds to a second chamber size that is smaller than the first chamber size. The obstruction controls a rate of fluid flow within the channel based on the fluid pressure in the gate. The obstruction induces at most a first flow rate of fluid in the channel in accordance with the low-pressure state of the gate, and at least a second flow rate of the fluid in the channel in accordance with the high-pressure state of the gate.

Abstract: Data center switches are described. A rack of a data center can include several switches to implement a network topology. The switches can include ports on their fronts and sides such that cables can be coupled with these side ports to implement the network topology.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a virtual space for multiple devices can include a first device having at least one sensor configured to acquire a spatial information of a physical space of the first device. The first device may include at least one processor configured to establish, according to the acquired spatial information, a virtual space corresponding to the physical space, that is accessible by a user of the first device via the first device. The at least one processor may further be configured to register a second device within the physical space, to allow a user of the second device to access the virtual space via the second device.

Abstract: The disclosed projector device may include (1) a first monochromatic emitter array having a plurality of emitters of a first color disposed in a two-dimensional configuration and (2) a second monochromatic emitter array having a plurality of emitters of a second color disposed in a two-dimensional configuration. The first and second monochromatic emitter arrays may be configured to emit images of the first and second colors into a waveguide configuration, and the first color may be different than the second color. Associated display systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems for overlaying a coverage area of a cellular wireless network with a coverage area of a sectorization base station are disclosed. One method includes providing, by a plurality of cellular base stations, wireless access to a plurality of wireless devices over a coverage area, providing, by a sectorization base station, wireless communication to the plurality of wireless devices over at least the coverage area, each sector of a plurality of antennas of the sectorization base station operates to cover a selectable coverage area as determined by a width of a beamforming pattern, identifying locations of each of the plurality of wireless devices, and selecting beamforming parameters of the beamforming pattern based at least on the locations of the plurality of wireless devices, wherein the selected beamforming parameters control at least a sector selection and the width of the beamforming pattern of the sector.

Abstract: A depth camera assembly (DCA) optimizes illumination and image capture of a local area to generate depth information of the local area. The DCA determines depth information for a first portion of the local area viewable at a first pose. The DCA is moved from the first pose to a second pose, where a second portion of the local area is viewable and overlaps with the first portion. The overlapping region is not illuminated by the DCA. A non-overlapping portion of the second portion is illuminated, captured, and depth information determined.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide techniques for promoting and providing subscribed content via a messaging platform. An article may be viewed via a social networking service (such as in a social network's news feed), or on a partner website integrated with the social networking service and/or messaging service. When opening the article (e.g., in a web-based view), a banner may be displayed in association with the article indicating that the article could have been received as part of a messaging-based subscription service. The banner may include a control to subscribe to the publisher with the messaging service. Topics related to an article may be suggested in the message thread for the subscription, with the selection of a topic retrieving additional articles from that publisher related to that topic. These additional articles may be selected using social networking topic determination.

Abstract: Methods for providing contextual information about communication devices and/or services. Profile information indicating a user's communication devices and/or services is stored. When profile information or a message log is displayed, the user may identify a communication device and/or service. A query inquires whether the user would like contextual information. The contextual information may be obtained from a gateway in a data network or a telecommunications manager in a telecommunication network. The contextual information is displayed. Profile information about a user's communicating partner may be stored. When the user makes an effort to communicate with the partner, a check may be made of the partner's profile information for a preferred communication device and/or service. If the user does not have a communication device and/or service corresponding to that of the communicating partner, a query may inquire whether the user would like contextual information.

Abstract: A waveguide coupler may be coupled to a multi-beam light source, such as an array of superluminescent light-emitting diodes. The waveguide coupler includes a substrate having an end facet and a surface, e.g. a top flat surface, adjoining the end facet. At least one tilted reflector is supported by the substrate. A plurality of waveguides supported by the substrate extend between the end facet and the at least one tilted reflector. The at least one tilted reflector is configured to redirect light propagating in the plurality of waveguides to the surface of the substrate. In this manner, the waveguide coupler may provide an array of surface emission points on a substrate. All the surface emission points are disposed in one plane and may be suitably configured for subsequent joint collimation for use e.g. in a scanning projector display.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer readable media are configured to receive a uniform resource locator. A time and one or more features associated with the uniform resource locator can be provided to a first machine learning model. A prediction relating to a quantity of views the uniform resource locator achieves by the time can be received from the first machine learning model.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are techniques for improving the light emitting efficiency of micro light emitting diodes. According to certain embodiments, micro-LEDs having small physical dimensions are fabricated on III-nitride materials with semi-polar crystal lattice orientations to reduce the surface recombination of excess charge carriers that does not generate photons and to reduce the polarization induced internal field that may cause energy band shift and aggravate the Quantum-Confined Stark Effect, thereby increasing the peak quantum efficiencies and/or reducing the peak efficiency current density of the micro-LEDs.

Abstract: A head-mounted display device for providing augmented reality contents to a wearer includes a light projector, and eye tracker, and a beam steerer. The light projector is configured to project light for rendering images based at least on the augmented reality contents. The eye tracker is configured to determine a position of a pupil of an eye of the wearer. The beam steerer is configured to change a direction of the light from the light projector based on the position of the pupil.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes accessing a distortion mesh defined in a 3D space by a plurality of mesh coordinates that are respectively associated with a plurality of predetermined points in a screen representation, where each mesh coordinate specifies a trajectory for a ray cast from the associated predetermined point into the 3D space; determining a sampling point within the screen representation; selecting a set of mesh coordinates from the plurality of mesh coordinates based on proximities between the sampling point and the predetermined points associated with the set of mesh coordinates; computing a sampling trajectory for the sampling point based on the selected set of mesh coordinates; casting a ray into the 3D space using the sampling trajectory; computing an intersection location between the cast ray and an object in the 3D space; and determining a color value for the sampling point based on the intersection location.

Abstract: A content review system for an online system automatically determines if received content items to be displayed to users violate any policies of the online system. The content review system generates a semantic vector representing the semantic features of a content item, for example, using a neural network. By comparing the semantic vector for the content item with semantic vectors of content items previously determined to violate one or more policies, the content review system determines whether the content item also violates one or more policies. The content review system may also maintain templates corresponding to portions of semantic vectors shared by multiple content items. An analysis of historical content items that conform to the template is performed to determine a probability that received content items that conform to the template violate a policy.

Abstract: A mechanical eyeball includes an outer housing shaped as an ocular surface configured to rotate about a first rotational axis and a second rotational axis that intersect at a fixed center point. The outer is housing is coupled to a mechanical assembly, and the mechanical assembly is contained within a volume associated with the mechanical eyeball. The mechanical assembly can include a stationary gear train and rotatable components that rotate relative to the gear train. The rotatable components are configured to cause rotation of the outer housing about one or more rotational axes. The volume may be substantially the same volume of a human eye. The mechanical assembly is coupled to one or more drivers configured to actuate rotation of the outer housing.

Abstract: A camera captures image data at a target frame rate. The camera includes a sensor and a controller. The sensor is configured to detect light from a local area and includes a plurality of augmented pixels. Each augmented pixel comprises at least a first and a second gate. The first gates are configured to store a first plurality of image frames as first image data according to a first activation pattern. The second gates are configured to store a second plurality of image frames as second image data according to a second activation pattern. The controller reads out the image data to generate a first image from the first image data and a second image from the second image data. The first and second images may be used to reconstruct a combined set of image frames at the target frame rate with a reconstruction algorithm.

Abstract: A head-mounted display device for providing augmented reality contents to a wearer includes a first light projector and a first Fresnel combiner. The first light projector is configured to project light for rendering images based at least on the augmented reality contents. The first Fresnel combiner is configured to combine the light from the first light projector and light from an outside of the head-mounted display device for providing an overlap of the rendered image and a real image that corresponds to the light from the outside of the head-mounted display device.

Abstract: In an example of the described techniques, a wireless communication system includes first memory, second memory, a direct memory access (DMA) controller, an encryption engine in-line between the DMA controller and the second memory, a first microprocessor, and a second microprocessor. The first microprocessor communicates with other systems that generate application data to be wirelessly transmitted. The application data to be wirelessly transmitted is stored in the second memory and programs the DMA controller to transfer packets of the application data to the first memory from the second memory. The encryption engine receives the packets of the application data from the DMA controller, encrypts the packets to generate encrypted application data packets, and outputs the encrypted application data packets for storage to the first memory.

Abstract: A wearable magnetic sensor system includes a wearable article that spatially arranges magnetic sensor components around a user's torso to obtain magnetic sensor data used for body pose tracking. The wearable magnetic sensor system includes magnetic sensor components that sense a magnetic field generated by a magnetic transmitter. One or more wearable articles spatially arrange the magnetic sensor components at different locations on a body of the user, such as the arms and torso. The one or more wearable articles include a transmitter attachment mechanism for affixing the magnetic transmitter at, e.g., a torso of the user, and receiver attachment mechanisms for affixing the magnetic sensor components at, e.g., locations of the body other than the torso. The magnetic sensor components are spatially arranged at different locations on the user's body so as to maximize tracking accuracy and minimize interference between the magnetic sensors and the transmitter.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes retrieving a media content item for display on a projectable surface. The method includes sending, to an interaction device including a projector and a camera, instructions causing the camera to capture one or more images of the projectable surface, receiving the one or more images from the interaction device, and determining one or more attributes of the surface based on the one or more images. The method also includes modifying the media content item based at least in part on the one or more attributes of the projectable surface and sending, to the interaction device, the modified media content item and instructions causing the projector to project the modified media content on the projectable surface.

Abstract: An artificial reality system includes a head mounted display (HMD) and a physical overlay engine that generates overlay image data, referred to herein as a physical overlay image, corresponding to the physical objects in a three-dimensional (3D) environment. In response to an activation condition, a rendering engine of the artificial reality system renders the overlay image data to overlay artificial reality content for display on the HMD, thereby apprising a user of the HMD of their position with respect to the physical objects in the 3D environment.

Abstract: The disclosed touch-simulation apparatus includes (1) a set of opposing surfaces and (2) an electric actuator assembly coupled between the set of opposing surfaces, wherein (A) the electric actuator assembly includes an actuator layer and (B) a set of mechanical amplifiers coupled between opposing sides of the actuator layer and the set of opposing surfaces. Various other apparatuses, systems, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a method includes starting an application as a first process within a user space of an operating system. The application instantiates a data storage system associated with the operating system. The method also includes starting a block device service as a second process within the user space of the operating system, the block device service being configured to manage a persistent storage device of the computing device. In addition, the method includes receiving, by a kernel of the operating system, a system call request from the application to communicate with the block device service, the system call request is generated by the application using the data storage system and comprises an access request to access the persistent storage device. The method further includes providing the application, in response to the system call request, access to the block device service through the IPC channel.

Abstract: In a waveguide display, a first projector is configured to generate display light for a first field of view (FOV) of a display image. A first input coupler is configured to couple the display light for the first FOV into a visibly transparent substrate. A first set of gratings is configured to couple the display light for the first FOV out of the substrate at a first two-dimensional array of locations of the substrate. A second projector is configured to generate display light for a second FOV of the display image different from the first FOV. A second input coupler is configured to couple the display light for the second FOV into the substrate. A second set of gratings is configured to couple the display light for the second FOV out of the substrate at a second two-dimensional array of locations of the substrate.