Abstract: To utilize a shared vehicle, a user can request access to the vehicle, which results in the generation of a virtual key. The virtual key is provided to a plurality of different devices, such as a vehicle device at the vehicle, and a user device in the possession of the user. Access to the vehicle can be granted and maintained by verification of the virtual key against data from an identification device at the vehicle, or from the user device. In this way, multiple options for vehicle access are available to the user, which increases flexibility and user-friendliness.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method and apparatus for the modulation of an acoustic field for providing tactile sensations. A method of creating haptic feedback using ultrasound is provided. The method comprises the steps of generating a plurality of ultrasound waves with a common focal point using a phased array of ultrasound transducers, the common focal point being a haptic feedback point, and modulating the generation of the ultrasound waves using a waveform selected to produce little or no audible sound at the haptic feedback point.

Abstract: A method and system of determining whether a stationary vehicle is a blocking vehicle to improve control of an autonomous vehicle. A perception engine may detect a stationary vehicle in an environment of the autonomous vehicle from sensor data received by the autonomous vehicle. Responsive to this detection, the perception engine may determine feature values of the environment of the vehicle from sensor data (e.g., features of the stationary vehicle, other object(s), the environment itself). The autonomous vehicle may input these feature values into a machine-learning model to determine a probability that the stationary vehicle is a blocking vehicle and use the probability to generate a trajectory to control motion of the autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: A vessel is assigned a unique vessel identifier (620). Before or after the vessel is filled, the vessel identifier is encoded into a machine-readable code that is printed or etched onto the vessel (630; 640). The code may have the property that it can be quickly read by a scanner from a variety of different angles and vessel orientations. When the vessel is sold to a user, the user may scan the machine-readable code (or a different code placed on a label associated with the vessel) using a smartphone (710), and the unique vessel identifier is linked to a user account associated with the user (740). Later, when the user places the empty vessel in the recycling stream, a scanner or camera placed in the recycling facility scans or captures the machine-readable code on the vessel and extracts the vessel identifier from the code (810; 820).

Abstract: Low waste methods for three-dimensional printing techniques are provided. A method includes performing a preceding additive infusion process including: solubilizing an additive into a medium in a supercritical fluid state; contacting a preceding material with the medium to infuse a portion of the additive into the preceding material to form a preceding additive-infused material; and separating remaining additive from the medium. Further, the method includes performing at least one succeeding additive infusion process including: solubilizing the remaining additive and, optionally, additional additive, into the medium in a supercritical fluid state; and contacting a succeeding material with the medium to infuse at least a portion of the remaining and additional additive into the succeeding material to form a succeeding additive-infused material, wherein the medium from the preceding additive infusion process is reused in the at least one succeeding additive infusion process.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns methods for estimating the breeding value of plants for the purpose of producing doubled haploid, for example, to identify selection candidates having high breeding values.

Abstract: A digital signal generation assumes that a base frequency (the frequency with which the primitive phase angles are specified relative to) is equal to the carrier frequency for all relevant times. But this causes errors in the digital signals output to each array element transducer. Thus, it is necessary for the development of a signal generation system that is capable of producing a digital signal using the free selection of amplitude and phase. This is used to produce a substantially error-free signal that preserves the amplitude and phase relative to a constant base frequency while allowing the carrier frequency to vary.

Abstract: A phased array of ultrasonic transducers may create arbitrary fields that can be utilized to manipulate fluids. This includes the translation of drops on smooth surfaces as well speeding the evaporation of fluids on wetted hands. Proposed herein is the use airborne ultrasound focused to the surface of the hand. The risk is that coupling directly into the bulk of the hand may cause damage to the cellular material through heating, mechanical stress, or cavitation. Using a phased array, the focus may be moved around, thus preventing acoustic energy from lingering too long on one particular position of the hand. While some signaling may penetrate into the hand, most of the energy (99.9%) is reflected. Also disclosed are methods to couple just to the wetted surface of the hand.

Abstract: An air data system with a digital interface includes least one air data component, a receiving system and at least one digital connection. The at least one digital connection is between the receiving system and the air data component. A method for transmitting data in an air data system with a digital interface includes measuring at least one air data parameter with at least one air data component. The method includes generating a digital signal representative of the at least one air data parameter with the at least one air data component, sending the digital signal to a receiving system, and processing the at least one air data parameter with the receiving system.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method and apparatus for the modulation of an acoustic field for providing tactile sensations. A method of creating haptic feedback using ultrasound is provided. The method comprises the steps of generating a plurality of ultrasound waves with a common focal point using a phased array of ultrasound transducers, the common focal point being a haptic feedback point, and modulating the generation of the ultrasound waves using a waveform selected to produce little or no audible sound at the haptic feedback point.

Abstract: A respiratory treatment apparatus configured to provide a flow of breathable gas to a patient, including a breathable air outlet, an outside air inlet, and an pneumatic block module, wherein the pneumatic block module includes: a volute assembly including an inlet air passage, a mount for a blower and an outlet air passage; the blower being mounted in the mount such that an impeller of the blower is in a flow passage connecting the inlet air passage and the outlet air passage; a casing enclosing the volute assembly, wherein air passages within the casing connect air ports on the volute assembly, wherein the inlet air passage of the volute assembly is in fluid communication with the outside air inlet and the outlet air passage of the volute assembly is in fluid communication with the air outlet.

Abstract: A system providing various improved calibration techniques for haptic feedback is described. An acoustic field is defined by one or more control points in a space within which the acoustic field may exist. Each control point is assigned an amplitude value equating to a desired amplitude of the acoustic field at the control point. Because complete control of space is not possible, controlling the acoustic field at given points yields erroneous local maxima in the acoustic field levels at other related positions. In relation to mid-air haptic feedback, these can interfere in interactions with the space by creating secondary effects and ghost phenomena that can be felt outside the interaction area. The level and nature of the secondary maxima in the acoustic field is determined by how the space is controlled. By arranging the transducer elements in different ways, unwanted effects on the acoustic field can be limited and controlled.

Abstract: The present systems, devices, and methods relate to managing shared vehicle access. Vehicle access can be provided to a candidate user based on whether the user is included in a list of at least one user associated with a respective virtual key. Virtual keys can be created, or lists of at least one user can be updated to include the candidate user, to in turn provide vehicle access. Virtual keys can be stored in a plurality of virtual key slots, with vehicle access being provided based on a virtual key stored in an active key slot. Status reports can be sent to a reservation management device, for updating virtual keys or lists of at least one user.

Abstract: The present systems, devices, and methods relate to managing shared vehicle access. Vehicle access can be provided to a candidate user based on whether the user is included in a list of at least one user associated with a respective virtual key. Virtual keys can be created, or lists of at least one user can be updated to include the candidate user, to in turn provide vehicle access. Virtual keys can be stored in a plurality of virtual key slots, with vehicle access being provided based on a virtual key stored in an active key slot. Status reports can be sent to a reservation management device, for updating virtual keys or lists of at least one user.

Abstract: The present systems, devices, and methods relate to managing shared vehicle access. Vehicle access can be provided to a candidate user based on whether the user is included in a list of at least one user associated with a respective virtual key. Virtual keys can be created, or lists of at least one user can be updated to include the candidate user, to in turn provide vehicle access. Virtual keys can be stored in a plurality of virtual key slots, with vehicle access being provided based on a virtual key stored in an active key slot. Status reports can be sent to a reservation management device, for updating virtual keys or lists of at least one user.

Abstract: The present systems, devices, and methods relate to managing shared vehicle access. Vehicle access can be provided to a candidate user based on whether the user is included in a list of at least one user associated with a respective virtual key. Virtual keys can be created, or lists of at least one user can be updated to include the candidate user, to in turn provide vehicle access. Virtual keys can be stored in a plurality of virtual key slots, with vehicle access being provided based on a virtual key stored in an active key slot. Status reports can be sent to a reservation management device, for updating virtual keys or lists of at least one user.

Abstract: A digital magazine server generates a digital magazine for user based on a received request for the digital magazine identifying one or more topics. The digital magazine server applies one or more machined trained models to obtained content items to select content items for the topic. A hierarchy of the topics included in the received request may be determined by the digital magazine server and used by the trained models to select content items. When generating the digital magazine, the digital magazine server also includes one or more editorial content items that are manually selected. The digital magazine serer may reposition one or more content items selected by the trained models to include an editorial content items.

Abstract: A multi-segment oblique flying wing aircraft which has three distinct segments including two outer wing segments and a central wing segment. The central segment may be thicker in the vertical direction and adapted to hold pilots and passengers. The outer wing segments may be substantially thinner and may taper as they progress outboard from the wing center. The multi-segment oblique flying wing aircraft be adapted for rotating into a high speed flight configuration, or may be adapted for take-off and cruise at a constant angle. In an extreme flight case, the central wing segment may rotate to a local sweep of ninety degrees.

Abstract: A concealed amalgamated neutralizer device covertly combines neutralizer material of inert materials such as calcium carbonate or silicates with common energetic material for the prevention of malicious use of the energetic material. The concealed amalgamated neutralizer device may vary in shape, size, and color and is therefore adaptable to varying methods of containment. The neutralizer material mimics the energetic material without detection. Upon disassembly of the concealed amalgamated neutralizer device, the neutralizer material is mixed with and neutralizes the energetic material rendering the energetic material useless. A container is provided which has a bottom section having an interior surface including a plurality of integrally formed recesses that are filled with the energetic material which allow manipulation of flash direction and intensity upon detonation.