Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes an electric motor, driver circuitry to drive the electric motor, a temperature sensor to detect a temperature of the electric motor, and one or more processors. The one or more processors control the driver circuitry to drive the electric motor according to a predetermined voltage signal to cause the electric motor to stall and generate heat, receive information about the temperature of the electric motor detected by the temperature sensor while the electric motor is stalled, and maintain a temperature of the electric motor below a threshold temperature value while the electric motor is stalled based on the information about the temperature of the electric motor detected by the temperature sensor while the electric motor is stalled.

Abstract: A wearable device can include a wearable band configured to contact a user of the wearable device, an actuator, a sensor, and one or more processors in communication with the actuator and the sensor. The processors can be configured to measure a back electromotive force (“EMF”) of the actuator; determine, based on the measured back EMF, data that describes a contact force between the wearable band and the user; and determine, based on the data that describes the contact force, a quality metric describing a data quality of sensor data collected by the sensor. In some embodiments, the processor(s) can determine, generate sensor output data based on the sensor data and based at least in part on the data describing the contact force between the wearable band and the user. For example, one or more machine-learned models maybe leveraged to generate sensor output data that is compensated for the wearable band being too tight or too loose.

Abstract: Techniques, apparatuses, and systems are described for integrating haptic actuators into accessories for mobile computing device. Current accessory devices and their associated housings lack the necessary space to implement multiple haptic actuators for conveying complex haptic information. The accessory device attached to the mobile computing device provides additional space for integrating haptic actuators, which provide complex haptic information to a user of the mobile computing device. Using the haptic device accessory, the mobile computing device can convey haptic information to a user of the accessory device. In this way, a haptic device accessory can improve the otherwise limited haptic experience for a user of the accessory device.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for using a linear resonant actuator (“LRA”) to determine a type of contact between a device and its surroundings. The LRA may be coupled to an amplifier by one or more switches. The audio amplifier may receive a signal from a microcontroller and transmit the signal the LRA when the switches are closed. When the switches are in an open position, the LRA may be actively sensing for the type of contact. The back EMF may be measured when the switches are open. The measured back EMF waveform may be used to determine the type of contact. When the signal is not being transmitted, the LRA may be passively sensing to determine whether the device was tapped.

Abstract: A wearable device can include a wearable band configured to contact a user of the wearable device, an actuator, a sensor, and one or more processors in communication with the actuator and the sensor. The processors can be configured to measure a back electromotive force (“EMF”) of the actuator; determine, based on the measured back EMF, data that describes a contact force between the wearable band and the user; and determine, based on the data that describes the contact force, a quality metric describing a data quality of sensor data collected by the sensor. In some embodiments, the processor(s) can determine, generate sensor output data based on the sensor data and based at least in part on the data describing the contact force between the wearable band and the user. For example, one or more machine-learned models maybe leveraged to generate sensor output data that is compensated for the wearable band being too tight or too loose.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for using a linear resonant actuator (“LRA”) to determine a type of contact between a device and its surroundings. The LRA may be coupled to an amplifier by one or more switches. The audio amplifier may receive a signal from a microcontroller and transmit the signal the LRA when the switches are closed. When the switches are in an open position, the LRA may be actively sensing for the type of contact. The back EMF may be measured when the switches are open. The measured back EMF waveform may be used to determine the type of contact. When the signal is not being transmitted, the LRA may be passively sensing to determine whether the device was tapped.

Abstract: Subsurface display interfaces and associated systems and methods are provided. In some embodiments, an example method can include: dividing a graphic to be displayed into a plurality of sets of primitives, each primitive of the sets of primitives comprising a rectangle or a line; assigning the plurality of sets of primitives to display frames of a plurality of display frames; and outputting, at a display positioned under a surface and in series, the plurality of display frames.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing an electric circuit directly on a target surface having a three-dimensional shape are provided. In this method, a 3D printing apparatus that can be attached to a target surface is used. In this printing method, two-dimensional information about the shape of the electric circuit to be printed and information about the three-dimensional shape of the target surface are input. Two-dimensional information about the shape of the electric circuit to be printed is adjusted based on the information about the three-dimensional shape of the target surface to generate three-dimensional information about the electric circuit to be printed. Based on this, a tool path for controlling the 3D printing apparatus is generated. An electric circuit can be directly fabricated on a target surface having a three-dimensional shape by the method and apparatus.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for using a linear resonant actuator (“LRA”) to determine a type of contact between a device and its surroundings. The LRA may be coupled to an amplifier by one or more switches. The audio amplifier may receive a signal from a microcontroller and transmit the signal the LRA when the switches are closed. When the switches are in an open position, the LRA may be actively sensing for the type of contact. The back EMF may be measured when the switches are open. The measured back EMF waveform may be used to determine the type of contact. When the signal is not being transmitted, the LRA may be passively sensing to determine whether the device was tapped.

Abstract: Techniques, apparatuses, and systems are described for integrating haptic actuators into accessories for mobile computing device. Current accessory devices and their associated housings lack the necessary space to implement multiple haptic actuators for conveying complex haptic information. The accessory device attached to the mobile computing device provides additional space for integrating haptic actuators, which provide complex haptic information to a user of the mobile computing device. Using the haptic device accessory, the mobile computing device can convey haptic information to a user of the accessory device. In this way, a haptic device accessory can improve the otherwise limited haptic experience for a user of the accessory device.

Abstract: One example aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a sensor fastener that includes at least one attachment member configured to attach the sensor fastener to an interactive object, a housing physically coupled to the at least one attachment member, an inertial measurement unit positioned within the housing, and processing circuitry positioned within the housing and communicatively coupled to the inertial measurement unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for blink detection, tracking, and stimulation. In one implementation, a device can include a sensor configured to receive an input, the input corresponding to perceiving one or more blinks of an eye of a user. The input can be processed to determine a blink rate or an elapsed time interval since a blink of the user. Based on the blink rate or the elapsed time interval, a blink stimulation action directed to the user can be initiated.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for blink detection, tracking, and stimulation. In one implementation, a device can include a sensor configured to receive an input, the input corresponding to perceiving one or more blinks of an eye of a user. The input can be processed to determine a blink rate or an elapsed time interval since a blink of the user. Based on the blink rate or the elapsed time interval, a blink stimulation action directed to the user can be initiated.

Abstract: A medical electrode demonstrates a superior adhesiveness to a patient's skin during medical data acquisition or treatment procedure yet attaining painless electrode removal from the skin when needed. The subject medical electrode is designed with adhesive neutralizer (or remover) solvent fully enveloped in one or several compartments embedded in an adhesive layer of the medical electrode unit. The compartments have a contact with the patient's skin when the electrode is attached thereto. When compressed by a medical personnel, the compartment releases the adhesive remover solvent directly to the skin-adhesive interface, thereby neutralizing (or removing) the adhesive material, thereby easing the electrode removal. The adhesive layer is made from PEO, sodium chloride, and water. The adhesive remover solvent contains isopropyl alcohol. A method of manufacturing the medical electrode is presented.

Abstract: A medical electrode demonstrates a superior adhesiveness to a patient's skin during medical data acquisition or treatment procedure yet attaining painless electrode removal from the skin when needed. The subject medical electrode is designed with adhesive neutralizer (or remover) solvent fully enveloped in one or several compartments embedded in an adhesive layer of the medical electrode unit. The compartments have a contact with the patient's skin when the electrode is attached thereto. When compressed by a medical personnel, the compartment releases the adhesive remover solvent directly to the skin-adhesive interface, thereby neutralizing (or removing) the adhesive material, thereby easing the electrode removal. The adhesive layer is made from PEO, sodium chloride, and water. The adhesive remover solvent contains isopropyl alcohol. A method of manufacturing the medical electrode is presented.