Abstract: Antenna systems and related methods are disclosed. An antenna system includes an antenna controller configured to operably couple to an array of electromagnetic (EM) scattering elements. The controller is configured to determine a performance parameter of the antenna system for a plurality of different combinations of different spatial holographic phases and effective mode indices having different modulation patterns corresponding thereto, and select one of the modulation patterns based on the performance parameter corresponding thereto. A method includes storing data indicating a modulation pattern determined based on a spatial holographic phase and an effective mode index for each of a plurality of different main beam angles from the antenna, and controlling the antenna to operate with a main beam pointed in each of the plurality of different main beam angles by controlling the antenna to operate in each modulation pattern corresponding to the plurality of main beam angles.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for generating a vehicle-to-vehicle traffic alert and updating a vehicle-usage profile. Various aspects include detecting, via one or more processors associated with a first vehicle, that an abnormal traffic condition exists in an operating environment of the first vehicle. An electronic message is generated and transmitted wirelessly, via a vehicle-mounted transceiver associated with the first vehicle, to alert a nearby vehicle of the abnormal traffic condition and to allow the nearby vehicle to avoid the abnormal traffic condition. The first vehicle receives telematics data regarding operation of the nearby vehicle after the nearby vehicle received the electronic message, and transmits the telematics data to a remote server for updating a vehicle-usage profile associated with the nearby vehicle.

Abstract: A multi-user virtual reality universe (VRU) process receives input from multiple remote clients to manipulate avatars through a modeled 3-D environment. A VRU host models movement of avatars in the VRU environment in response to client input, which each user providing input for control of a corresponding avatar. The modeled VRU data is provided by the host to client workstations for display of a simulated environment visible to all participants. The host maintains personalized data for selected modeled objects or areas that is personalized for specific users in response to client input. The host includes personalized data in modeling the VRU environment. The host may segregate VRU data provided to different clients participating in the same VRU environment according to limit personalized data to authorized users, while all users receive common data.

Abstract: A system for movement-based device control is presented. The system may include a control device configured to generate a control signal corresponding to at least one movement associated with the control device. The system may also include a target subsystem located remotely from the control device. The target subsystem may be configured to change from operating in a manually-controlled mode to operating in a remotely-controlled mode in response to receiving a mode change signal from the control device. The target subsystem may also be configured to receive the control signal from the control device when operating in the remotely-controlled mode. The target subsystem may additionally be configured to determine, based on the control signal, at least one control command. The target subsystem may further be configured to cause the control command(s) to be executed so that the target subsystem is controlled according to the control command(s).

Abstract: A system and method for determining a vehicle insurance premium for a period of time based at least in part on collected vehicle operation data, the system comprising: a mobile device, comprising: one or more sensors associated with the mobile device and configured to automatically collect vehicle operation data during a data collection session; a processor; a non-transitory storage medium; a display; a transmitter; and a set of computer readable instructions stored in the non-transitory storage medium and when executed by the processor configured to allow the mobile device to collect vehicle operation data and transmit the collected vehicle operation data; and a remote processing computer, comprising: a server that receives collected vehicle operation data; a database that stores collected vehicle operation data; and a rating engine that determines a vehicle insurance premium based at least in part on collected vehicle operation data.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring use, determining risk, and pricing insurance policies for a vehicle having one or more autonomous or semi-autonomous operation features are provided. According to certain aspects, a computer-implemented method for operating an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle may be provided. With a vehicle owner's permission, a vehicle operator identity may be determined; and operating data regarding the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle may be received from one or more vehicle-mounted sensors. Based upon the received operating data, (i) autonomous operation risk levels associated with autonomous vehicle operation; and (ii) operator risk levels associated with autonomous vehicle operation by the vehicle operator may be determined. Based upon a comparison of the autonomous operation versus vehicle operator risk levels, the autonomous features may be engaged if it is safer for the vehicle to travel autonomously.

Abstract: An alert may be triggered to notify a pedestrian of the current operational mode of a nearby vehicle. For instance, a vehicle may operate in an autonomous or manual mode, and may occasionally switch from one mode to the other. A pedestrian who may be unaware of the current operational mode of a nearby vehicle may notice the alert and proceed accordingly. In one embodiment, an indication of the current operational mode of the nearby vehicle may be transmitted to an electronic device associated with the pedestrian. The device may generate a notification to the pedestrian based on the current operational mode. In an additional or alternative embodiment, the alert may be transmitted by the vehicle externally to be visible or audible to the pedestrian. In some embodiments, the alert may be triggered only for particular operational modes (e.g., only for autonomous or only for manual).

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring use, determining risk, and pricing insurance policies for a vehicle having one or more autonomous or semi-autonomous operation features are provided. According to certain aspects, with the customer's permission, a vehicle operator in an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle may be determined by a sensor disposed within the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle or a mobile computing device associated with the vehicle operator. A determination may be made as to whether the vehicle operator is authorized to operate the vehicle based upon the determined identity of the vehicle operator; and if the vehicle operator is not authorized, an alert may be generated and/or the vehicle may be caused to not operate. Alternatively, autonomous operation features may be automatically engaged to automatically drive the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle to a safe location when the operator is not authorized. Insurance discounts may be provided based upon the anti-theft functionality.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides system and methods for optimizing the tuning of impedance elements associate with sub-wavelength antenna elements to attain target radiation and/or field patterns. A scattering matrix (S-Matrix) of field amplitudes for each of a plurality of modeled lumped ports, N, may be determined that includes a plurality of lumped antenna ports, Na, with impedance values corresponding to the impedance values of associated impedance elements and at least one modeled external port, Ne, located external to the antenna system at a specified radius vector. Impedance values may be identified through an optimization process, and the impedance elements may be tuned (dynamically or statically) to attain a specific target radiation pattern.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for operating an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle may include identifying a vehicle operator and retrieving an associated vehicle operator profile. Operating data regarding operation of the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle may be received that includes data from sensors disposed within the vehicle. When a request to enable an autonomous operation feature is received, (i) autonomous operation risk levels associated with vehicle operation by the autonomous operation feature based upon the received operating data, and (ii) operator risk levels associated with vehicle operation by the vehicle operator based upon the vehicle operator profile are determined. Autonomous operation feature enablement may be allowed based upon a comparison of (i) autonomous operation risk levels with (ii) operator risk levels.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring the use of a shared vehicle are described. In various aspects, telematics data regarding operation of a shared vehicle is collected from one or more sensors, where the shared vehicle is associated with a shared vehicle operator and a shared vehicle stakeholder. One or more processors determine whether a driving event has occurred based upon the telematics data, where the driving event is indicative of improper usage of the shared vehicle by the shared vehicle operator. The one or more processors generate a notification regarding the driving event. The notification includes a driver rating determined from the telematics data regarding operation of the shared vehicle by the shared vehicle operator. The notification is transmitted, via a network, to the shared vehicle stakeholder for presentation to the shared vehicle stakeholder.

Abstract: A system and computer-implemented method for processing large amounts of sensor data, in which anomalous data is identified and transmitted in real time to a remote location for processing, and non-anomalous data is stored locally for later transmission during an off-peak time. In an insurance implementation, a local device receives sensor data, and identifies and transmits the anomalous data, while a remote server receives and analyzes the transmitted anomalous data, and based at least thereon, recommends an insurance premium. The insurance premium may be for vehicle, property, or health or life insurance. The anomalous data may be defined objectively or subjectively, and may be identified by an artificial intelligence tool. The remote server may generate a report, which may include a score, and transmit the report to the local device for display. The remote server may base the report and the insurance premium on the combined anomalous and non-anomalous data.

Abstract: A system and computer-implemented method for processing large amounts of sensor data, in which anomalous data is identified and transmitted in real time to a remote location for processing, and non-anomalous data is stored locally for later transmission during an off-peak time. In an insurance implementation, a local device receives sensor data, and identifies and transmits the anomalous data, while a remote server receives and analyzes the transmitted anomalous data, and based at least thereon, recommends an insurance premium. The insurance premium may be for vehicle, property, or health or life insurance. The anomalous data may be defined objectively or subjectively, and may be identified by an artificial intelligence tool. The remote server may generate a report, which may include a score, and transmit the report to the local device for display. The remote server may base the report and the insurance premium on the combined anomalous and non-anomalous data.

Abstract: A system and computer-implemented method for processing large amounts of sensor data, in which anomalous data is identified and transmitted in real time to a remote location for processing, and non-anomalous data is stored locally for later transmission during an off-peak time. In an insurance implementation, a local device receives sensor data, and identifies and transmits the anomalous data, while a remote server receives and analyzes the transmitted anomalous data, and based at least thereon, recommends an insurance premium. The insurance premium may be for vehicle, property, or health or life insurance. The anomalous data may be defined objectively or subjectively, and may be identified by an artificial intelligence tool. The remote server may generate a report, which may include a score, and transmit the report to the local device for display. The remote server may base the report and the insurance premium on the combined anomalous and non-anomalous data.

Abstract: A system and computer-implemented method for processing large amounts of sensor data, in which anomalous data is identified and transmitted in real time to a remote location for processing, and non-anomalous data is stored locally for later transmission during an off-peak time. In an insurance implementation, a local device receives sensor data, and identifies and transmits the anomalous data, while a remote server receives and analyzes the transmitted anomalous data, and based at least thereon, recommends an insurance premium. The insurance premium may be for vehicle, property, or health or life insurance. The anomalous data may be defined objectively or subjectively, and may be identified by an artificial intelligence tool. The remote server may generate a report, which may include a score, and transmit the report to the local device for display. The remote server may base the report and the insurance premium on the combined anomalous and non-anomalous data.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides system and methods for optimizing the tuning of impedance elements associate with sub-wavelength antenna elements to attain target radiation and/or field patterns. Both static and variable (tunable) antenna systems may be manufactured. Static embodiments may be entirely passive in some embodiments. A scattering matrix (S-Matrix) of field amplitudes for each of a plurality of modeled lumped ports, N, may be determined that includes a plurality of lumped antenna ports, Na, with impedance values corresponding to the impedance values of associated impedance elements and at least one modeled external port, Ne, located external to the antenna system at a specified radius vector. Impedance values may be identified through an optimization process, and the impedance elements may be tuned (dynamically or statically) to attain a specific target radiation pattern.

Abstract: A method for managing a multi-user animation platform is disclosed. A three-dimensional space within a computer memory is modeled. An avatar of a client is located within the three-dimensional space, the avatar being graphically represented by a three-dimensional figure within the three-dimensional space. The avatar is responsive to client input commands, and the three-dimensional figure includes a graphical representation of client activity. The client input commands are monitored to determine client activity. The graphical representation of client activity is then altered according to an inactivity scheme when client input commands are not detected. Following a predetermined period of client inactivity, the inactivity scheme varies non-repetitively with time.

Abstract: A determined object wave can be approximately formed by applying a modulation pattern to metamaterial elements receiving RF energy from a feed network. For example, a desired object wave at a surface of an antenna is selected to be propagated into a far-field pattern. A computing system can compute an approximation of the object wave by calculating a modulation pattern to apply to metamaterial elements receiving RF energy from a feed network. The approximation can be due to a grid size of the metamaterial elements. Once the modulation pattern is determined, it can be applied to the metamaterial elements and the RF energy can be provided in the feed network, causing emission of the approximated object wave from the antenna.

Abstract: A method includes receiving vehicle sensor data from a second vehicle via one or more wireless signals. The vehicle sensor data is collected by a sensor that is located on or in the second vehicle and configured to sense an environment external to the second vehicle. The vehicle sensor data is received at an electronic processing system, and stored in a memory. A set of one or more characteristics of the environment external to the first vehicle is determined by processing the stored vehicle sensor data, and a risk indicator is determined based on the set of one or more characteristics, a risk indicator. An insurance rating for an insurance policy associated with the first vehicle is determined based on the risk indicator.

Abstract: Empirically modulated antenna systems and related methods are disclosed herein. An empirically modulated antenna system includes an antenna and a controller programmed to control the antenna. The antenna includes a plurality of discrete scattering elements arranged in a one- or two-dimensional arrangement. A method includes modulating operational states of at least a portion of a plurality of discrete scattering elements of the antenna in a plurality of different modulation patterns. The plurality of different modulation patterns includes different permutations of the discrete scattering elements operating in different operational states. The method also includes evaluating a performance parameter of the antenna responsive to the plurality of different empirical one- or two-dimensional modulation patterns. The method further includes operating the antenna in one of the plurality of different one- or two-dimensional empirical modulation patterns selected based, at least in part, on the performance parameter.