Abstract: Provided herein are implants and methods for producing implants. In at least one embodiment, the implants include sheet-based, triply periodic, minimal surface (TPMS) portions. According to one embodiment, the TPMS portions include a gyroid architecture that provides for improved osseointegration and mechanical performance over previous implants due to novel ratios of porosity to compressive strength, among other features. In one or more embodiments, the gyroid architecture is organized into unit cells that demonstrate anisotropic mechanical performance along an insertion direction. In various embodiments, the present methods include novel selective laser melting (SLM) techniques for forming the TPMS portions of implants in a manner that reduces defect formation, thereby improving compressive performance and other implant properties.

Abstract: The technology described in this document can be embodied in a computer-implemented method that includes receiving identification information associated with a geographic location. The identification information includes one or more features that affect an acoustic environment of the geographic location at a particular time. The method also includes determining one or more parameters representing at least a subset of the one or more features, and estimating at least one acoustic parameter that represents the acoustic environment of the geographic location at the particular time. The at least one parameter can be estimated using a mapping function that generates the estimate of the at least one acoustic parameter as a weighted combination of the one or more parameters. The method further includes presenting, using a user-interface displayed on a computing device, information representing the at least one acoustic parameter estimated for the geographic location for the particular time.

Abstract: Techniques are described for cognitive analysis for directed control transfer for autonomous vehicles. In-vehicle sensors are used to collect cognitive state data for an individual within a vehicle which has an autonomous mode of operation. The cognitive state data includes infrared, facial, audio, or biosensor data. One or more processors analyze the cognitive state data collected from the individual to produce cognitive state information. The cognitive state information includes a subset or summary of cognitive state data, or an analysis of the cognitive state data. The individual is scored based on the cognitive state information to produce a cognitive scoring metric. A state of operation is determined for the vehicle. A condition of the individual is evaluated based on the cognitive scoring metric. Control is transferred between the vehicle and the individual based on the state of operation of the vehicle and the condition of the individual.

Abstract: A system includes an in-ear acoustic device that is configured to sit at least partially within a user's ear canal and a head-worn electronic device that is supported on a user's body outside of the user's ear canal. The in-ear acoustic device includes a first receiver and a first coil. The head-worn electronic device includes a second coil that is configured to communicate with the first coil via near-field magnetic inductance (NFMI) communication. The head-worn electronic device is configured to transmit a first processed audio signal to the in-ear acoustic device via NFMI communication, and the first processed audio signal is used to drive the first receiver.

Abstract: Various implementations include control mechanisms for managing hearing aid usage. In some cases, an interface with a representation of the hearing aid in space is used to control audio functions in the device. In other cases, directionality of the device is controlled based upon the user's visual focus direction. In additional cases, the operating mode of the device is adjustable based upon the signature of a nearby acoustic signal.

Abstract: Various implementations include systems for processing audio signals. In particular implementations, a system includes at least one microphone configured to capture acoustic signals; a wearable hearing assist device configured to amplify captured acoustic signals from the at least one microphone and output amplified audio signals to a transducer; a voice activity detector (VAD) configured to detect voice signals of a user from the captured acoustic signals; and a voice suppression system configured to suppress the voice signals of the user from the amplified audio signals being output to the transducer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide apparatuses, methods, and systems for projecting images into a projection zone, while having the capability to detect the presence and movement of objects in the projection zone and to interact with those objects, according to programmed interactions. One of the programmed interactions may be to detect objects in the projection zone and avoid projecting light onto them. The capability to detect and avoid objects in the projection zone may allow for the use of high intensity light images including laser light images around people and animals without the risk of eye injury. Another programmed interaction may be to project an illuminated image around people and objects in the projection zone to emphasize their presence and movement.

Abstract: Analysis for convolutional processing is performed using logic encoded in a semiconductor processor. The semiconductor chip evaluates pixels within an image of a person in a vehicle, where the analysis identifies a facial portion of the person. The facial portion of the person can include facial landmarks or regions. The semiconductor chip identifies one or more facial expressions based on the facial portion. The facial expressions can include a smile, frown, smirk, or grimace. The semiconductor chip classifies the one or more facial expressions for cognitive response content. The semiconductor chip evaluates the cognitive response content to produce cognitive state information for the person. The semiconductor chip enables manipulation of the vehicle based on communication of the cognitive state information to a component of the vehicle.

Abstract: An audio enhancement method includes receiving a first plurality of input signals representative of audio captured using an array of two or more sensors, the first plurality of input signals characterized by a first signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), with the audio being the signal-of-interest. The method also includes receiving a second input signal representative of the audio, the second input signal characterized by a second SNR. The second SNR is higher than the first SNR. The method further includes combining the first plurality of input signals and the second input signal to generate one or more driver signals, and driving one or more acoustic transducers using the one or more driver signals to generate an acoustic signal representative of the audio. The driver signals include spatial information derived from the first plurality of input signals, and are characterized by a third SNR that is higher than the first SNR.

Abstract: Vehicle manipulation uses cognitive state engineering. Images of a vehicle occupant are obtained using imaging devices within a vehicle. The one or more images include facial data of the vehicle occupant. A computing device is used to analyze the images to determine a cognitive state. Audio information from the occupant is obtained and the analyzing is augmented based on the audio information. The cognitive state is mapped to a loading curve, where the loading curve represents a continuous spectrum of cognitive state loading variation. The vehicle is manipulated, based on the mapping to the loading curve, where the manipulating uses cognitive state alteration engineering. The manipulating includes changing vehicle occupant sensory stimulation. Additional images of additional occupants of the vehicle are obtained and analyzed to determine additional cognitive states. Additional cognitive states are used to adjust the mapping. A cognitive load is estimated based on eye gaze tracking.

Abstract: Various implementations include systems for processing audio signals. In particular implementations, a process includes receiving an audio signal, wherein the audio signal includes a speech component of the user and a noise component; filtering the audio signal with a self-speech filter that utilizes an intrinsic user vector to filter out the speech component, wherein the intrinsic user vector is determined based on a voice input of the user; and outputting a filtered audio signal in which the speech component of the user has been substantially removed from the audio signal.

Abstract: In some examples, a system may receive, from a user device, a user request for a storage operation related to storage of data at a storage. An update may be added to an update queue to persist the storage operation prior to sending a response to the user device indicating performance of the storage operation. For instance, adding the update to the update queue may include sending a request to cause the update to be added to the update queue based on specifying a type of the storage operation and/or a state to be achieved by the storage operation. Additionally, information about the update may be sent to another processor for adding the update to another update queue managed by the other processor. Subsequently, the update may be obtained from the update queue and processed to perform the storage operation.

Abstract: In some examples, a first computing device may receive, from a second computing device, partition mapping information indicating partitions of a metadata database. The first computing device may be able to communicate with a plurality of metadata nodes, each metadata node maintaining a portion of the metadata database based on the partitioning of the metadata database to distribute the metadata database across the plurality of metadata nodes. The first computing device may determine to send a request to the metadata database based at least on key information. The first computing device may determine, based on the partition mapping information, a first metadata node of the plurality of metadata nodes indicated to maintain a partition of the metadata database corresponding to the key information. The first computing device, may send, to the first metadata node, based on the partition mapping information, a request to perform a database operation.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine and method of starting, the gas turbine engine having a rotor comprising at least a shaft mounted compressor and turbine, with a casing surrounding the rotor. The method comprises an acceleration phase, a bowed-rotor cooling phase, during the acceleration, and a combustion phase. The bowed-rotor cooling phase comprises a time where the rotational speed of the rotor is maintained below a bowed-rotor threshold speed until a non-bowed condition is satisfied, wherein the air forced through the gas turbine engine cools the rotor. The combustion phase occurs after the bowed-rotor cooling phase and upon reaching the combustion speed, wherein fuel is supplied to the gas turbine engine is turned on.

Abstract: In some examples, a first computing device associated with a first site may receive a certificate of a second computing device associated with a second site that is different from the first site. The first computing device may send, to the second computing device, a credential of a user associated with the second site. In addition, the first computing device may send to the second computing device, a certificate of the first computing device. Furthermore, based at least on authentication of the credential of the user by the second computing device, trusted communications may be established between the first computing device and the second computing device.

Abstract: Various aspects include approaches for managing tinnitus in a user. In some particular aspects, a computer-implemented method of managing tinnitus of a user with at least one wearable device includes: actuating, according to a prescribed pattern and using the at least one wearable device: a) an electro-acoustic transducer to provide an audio output to the user, and b) a contact element to apply vibration to a body part of the user, where the prescribed pattern both stimulates the nervous system of the user and delivers a sound to the user, which together mitigate the tinnitus.

Abstract: Techniques for user authentication via in-ear acoustic measurements are disclosed. An in-ear device emits an acoustic signal and detects an otic response to the acoustic signal. A user signature is generated based at least on the otic response to the acoustic signal. The user signature is compared with a reference signature, to determine whether the in-ear device has changed users.

Abstract: A product label printing and checking system, comprising data processing means configured to: control the printing of product labels; control the acquisition and reception of images of the printed labels by an image acquisition device such as an optical scanner; and check the printed labels for defects, wherein each printed label accords with a label format specification for that label, whereby the label has a common layout and comprises printed product-related information located in one or more regions on the label, wherein the data processing means includes a label checking module in which there is provided a reference image of the label, and the checking module is configured so that the acquired images are sequentially compared against the reference image according to pre-determined quality control indicators relating to the expected information content and location in the label regions, and wherein the label is flagged for review or rejection if it is non-compliant.

Abstract: In some examples, in response to an event at the deduplication system, a system accesses item metadata of a backup item that is backed up to a remote object storage system, the item metadata of the backup item including range information indicating a range of identifier values for portion objects of the backup item stored in the remote object storage system. The system issues, based on the range information, requests to obtain respective attribute information of the portion objects of the backup item stored in the remote object storage system. The system determines, based on the attribute information, a name of a given portion object of the backup item already used.

Abstract: Various implementations include systems for processing audio signals. In particular implementations, a system includes at least one microphone configured to capture acoustic signals; a wearable hearing assist device configured to amplify captured acoustic signals from the at least one microphone and output amplified audio signals to a transducer; a voice activity detector (VAD) configured to detect voice signals of a user from the captured acoustic signals; and a voice suppression system configured to suppress the voice signals of the user from the amplified audio signals being output to the transducer.