Abstract: In an embodiment, movement-data is gathered with one or more sensors (e.g., accelerometers, GPS receivers, etc.) during a driver's driving session. A score may be calculated for the driving session, and the driver's progress is evaluated by a driver-evaluation system. A driving session report or graphical user-interface (GUI) is generated with a computer processor and displayed at a display device. The displayed report or GUI includes a graphic representing the driver's progress relative to historical data.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring use, determining risk, and pricing insurance policies for a vehicle having autonomous or semi-autonomous operation features are provided. In certain aspects, with the customer's permission, a computer-implemented method for updating an autonomous operation feature may be provided. An indication of a software update associated with the autonomous operation feature may be received, and several autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles having the feature may be identified. The update may be installed within the several vehicles, such as via wireless communication. Also, a change in a risk level associated with the update to the autonomous operation feature may be determined, and an insurance discount may be determined or adjusted.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of enhancing safe vehicle operation may include, one or more processors, (1) determining a preferred parking spot for an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle; (2) determining a route to the preferred parking spot from a driver drop off point; and (3) causing the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle to travel from the driver drop off point to the preferred parking spot following the route controlled by one or more autonomous operation features. The preferred parking spot may be a covered parking spot, a parking spot in a parking structure, or a parking spot in a residential garage. An autonomous vehicle owner may remotely direct the autonomous vehicle to autonomously return to the driver drop off point, such as via their mobile device. Insurance discounts may be provided to autonomous vehicle owners having the self-parking functionality that mitigates or prevents risk of damage to, or theft of, the vehicle.

Abstract: This application is directed to a firearm that is functional, but is not fully functional as it is incapable of discharging ammunition, e.g., causing ammunition to ignite and discharge a bullet. Related methods, techniques, and approaches are also discussed. In embodiments, the firearm is functional, but not fully functional and it is impractical and/or irreversible to alter the firearm to make it fully functional through replacement of interchangeable parts that correspond to that particular firearm model. In embodiments, the firearm is also identifiable as being less than fully functional, e.g., it is incapable of discharging ammunition.

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: The method, system, and computer-readable medium facilitates monitoring a vehicle operator during the course of vehicle operation to determine whether the vehicle operator is in an emotionally impaired state (e.g., aggressive or agitated) and presenting appropriate stimuli (e.g., music or sound recordings) to the vehicle operator when impairment is detected. The vehicle operator, the environment surrounding the vehicle, or forces acting on the vehicle may be monitored using a variety of sensors, including optical sensors, accelerometers, or biometric sensors (e.g., skin conductivity, heart rate, or voice modulation). When the vehicle operator is determined to be in an emotionally impaired state, stimuli are selected to improve the emotional state of the vehicle operator. The selection is based on sensor data and data regarding prior responses of the vehicle operator to various stimuli. After selection, the stimuli are presented to the vehicle operator while monitoring continues.

Abstract: In a computer-implemented method, data about potential vehicle operator impairment is retrieved. The data is generated by monitoring a vehicle operator, the environment ahead of the vehicle, and/or force in one or more directions. For each of a plurality of trips, an impairment score is generated by analyzing the data about potential vehicle operator impairment, and determining whether the vehicle operator was impaired during the trip by comparing the impairment score to a threshold value. A specific time period during which the vehicle operator tends to be most impaired is determined based on the determinations of whether the vehicle operator was impaired. Recommendations to reduce operator impairment of the vehicle operator are identified and communicated to the vehicle operator.

Abstract: Systems and methods of virtual world interaction, operation, implementation, instantiation, creation, and other functions related to virtual worlds (note that where the term “virtual world” is used herein, it is to be understood as referring to virtual world systems, virtual environments reflecting real, simulated, fantasy, or other structures, and includes information systems that utilize interaction within a 3D environment). Various embodiments facilitate interoperation between and within virtual worlds, and may provide consistent structures for operating virtual worlds. The disclosed embodiments may further enable individuals to build new virtual worlds within a framework, and allow third party users to better interact with those worlds.

Abstract: The method, system, and computer-readable medium cause the monitoring of a vehicle operator during the course of vehicle operation to determine whether the vehicle operator is impaired and causes a mitigating response when an impairment is determined to exist. The vehicle operator, the environment surrounding the vehicle, or forces acting on the vehicle may be monitored using a variety of sensors, including optical sensors, accelerometers, or biometric sensors (e.g., skin conductivity, heart rate, or voice modulation). When the vehicle operator is determined to be impaired, an alert or other mitigating response is implemented, based on the sensor data. In some embodiments, mitigating actions may be taken to avoid vehicle operator impairment. In further embodiments, a training period may be used to generate a profile for the vehicle operator. In yet further embodiments, information regarding multiple types of impairments may be used to determine and implement an appropriate mitigating response.

Abstract: A data analysis method and computer system electronically mines potential intellectual property related to enterprise business needs. The method and system may utilize various text mining techniques to perform associative discovery, where existing enterprise documents or data are harvested and correlated with the latest industry trends in order to inspire new insights and stimulate the discovery of new or potential intellectual property. In one aspect, an area of interest may be identified. After which, identifiers associated with the area of interest, e.g., keywords and/or linking terms, may be determined. An enterprise database may be searched using the identifiers. The documents flagged by the search may be ranked with respect to their relevance to the area of interest based upon which and/or how many identifiers are contained within each respective document. The identification of highly relevant documents associated with an area of interest may lead to discovery of intellectual property.

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: The invention provides a liquid sampler for the automated sampling of liquids at dedicated pre-determined intervals. The liquid sampler includes a liquid inlet connectable to a liquid circuit containing a liquid to be sampled, a sampling reservoir for collecting a liquid sample, and a sampling pump connected to the liquid inlet, operable to extract a discrete amount of liquid from the liquid inlet and to discharge the discrete amount of liquid into the sampling reservoir.

Abstract: A multi-instance, multi-user animation platform includes a plurality of modeled parallel dimensions in a computer memory. Each of the parallel dimensions may be an independent model of a physical, three-dimensional space having corresponding features such that the parallel dimensions are recognizable as counterparts to each other. Avatars are located within corresponding ones of the parallel dimensions so as to prevent over-population of any one of the parallel dimensions by avatars. Avatars are animated within different ones of the parallel dimensions using input from respective users to provide virtual-reality data. A common space is modeled in the computer memory configured in relation to the plurality of parallel instances so that an object located inside the common space is visible from viewpoints located inside each of the plurality of parallel instances. Remote clients may output an animated display of a corresponding one of the parallel dimensions and avatars therein.

Abstract: Surface scattering antennas with lumped elements provide adjustable radiation fields by adjustably coupling scattering elements along a waveguide. In some approaches, the scattering elements include slots in an upper surface of the waveguide, and the lumped elements are configured to span the slots provide adjustable loading. In some approaches, the scattering elements are adjusted by adjusting bias voltages for the lumped elements. In some approaches, the lumped elements include diodes or transistors.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices that provide a therapeutic solution to alleviate the pain and discomfort of phantom limb syndrome are disclosed. The methods and systems of the present invention generally comprise capturing data from recording devices operably coupled to a processor and/or computing device, the recording devices configured to capture data associated with intact portions of a missing limb, one or more intact limbs and/or portions of the environment surrounding the missing limb, identifying the data captured, generating a three-dimensional virtual image of the missing limb and the surrounding environment from the data captured, and displaying the three-dimensional virtual image and the portions of the surrounding environment to the amputee such that the missing limb appears intact. The present invention advantageously provides a therapeutic and more immediate solution to alleviate the pain and discomfort from phantom limb syndrome.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for providing vehicular alerts. In various aspects, a vehicle environment may be monitored using one or more sensors associated with a vehicle located in the vehicle environment. One or more pedestrians or cyclists within the vehicle environment may be identified based upon sensor data obtained from the one or more sensors. At least one of the pedestrians or cyclists may be determined to meet predetermined alert criteria based upon the sensor data. An alert indicating a presence of the pedestrians or cyclists may be generated and presented to an output device associated with the vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for monitoring the use of a vehicle by multiple users. In various aspects, telematics data regarding operation of the vehicle may be collected by one or more sensors associated with a vehicle. The telematics data may be associated with a vehicle operator and also used to determine that a driving event has occurred. The driving event may indicate improper usage of the vehicle by the vehicle operator. A notification of the driving event may be generated and transmitted, via a network, to an interested party associated with the vehicle for presentation to the interested party.

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: Disclosed are antenna systems, wireless antenna controllers, and related methods. An antenna system includes a configured to receive an electromagnetic (EM) signal and propagate the EM signal as an EM reference wave. The antenna system also includes a tunable EM scattering elements, and a wireless controller. A wireless antenna controller includes an EM emitter configured to emit EM radiation to EM filters. The EM filters are configured to pass different sub-ranges of a frequency range of the EM radiation to the tunable EM scattering elements. A method includes wirelessly controlling the tunable EM scattering elements to deliver a different information streams to different far-end locations. A method includes controlling the EM emitter to modulate frequency content of the EM radiation to cause the tunable EM scattering elements to operate collectively according to different modulation patterns.

Abstract: Disclosed are antenna systems and related methods. An antenna system includes one or more feeds configured to receive an electromagnetic (EM) signal and propagate the EM signal as an EM reference wave. The antenna system also includes a plurality of tunable EM scattering elements spaced at sub-wavelength distances, and a controller operably coupled to the plurality of tunable EM scattering elements. A method includes operating the plurality of tunable EM scattering elements in at least two different operational states to selectively scatter the EM reference wave as a radiated wave, and modulating the radiated wave over time to deliver a plurality of different information streams to a plurality of different far-end locations by modulating the plurality of tunable EM scattering elements between the plurality of different operational states over time.