Abstract: Systems, methods, and techniques for determining optimal safe driving behaviors and optimal safety thresholds of the various parameters for particular routes are disclosed. Historical driver data for a plurality of drivers operating vehicles over various routes during different contextual situations and/or different combinations of conditions along the routes is analyzed to determine respective, relative weightings/contributions of various parameters towards driving safety. Data indicative of a particular driver's behavior along a particular route during a particular set of conditions or contexts is obtained and compared to the analysis results to thereby determine or assess the driver's safety performance. The driver's safety performance may be evaluated in real-time, e.g.

Abstract: Vehicles may have the capability to navigate according to various levels of autonomous capabilities, the vehicle having a different set of autonomous competencies at each level. In certain situations, the vehicle may shift from one level of autonomous capability to another. The shift may require more or less driving responsibility from a human operator. Sensors inside the vehicle collect human operator parameters to determine an alertness level of the human operator. An alertness level is determined based on the human operator parameters and other data including historical data or human operator-specific data. Notifications are presented to the user based on the determined alertness level that are more or less intrusive based on the alertness level of the human operator and on the urgency of an impending change to autonomous capabilities. Notifications may be tailored to specific human operators based on human operator preference and historical performance.

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: 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: 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.

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: 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: Methods and systems for monitoring use, determining risk, and pricing insurance policies for a vehicle having autonomous or semi-autonomous operation features are provided. According to certain aspects, vehicle operation safety may be enhanced. An environmental or weather condition (e.g., hail, storm, wind) may be identified that presents a hazard to an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle. With the customer's permission, when it is determined that the vehicle is parked in an unprotected location, a protected or covered location to park the vehicle may be identified, a route to that location may be determined, and the vehicle may be directed to travel automatically to the protected location under the operation of autonomous operation features. Insurance discounts or cost savings may be provided to risk averse insurance customers based upon the self-parking functionality that will reduce or mitigate damage to insured vehicles caused by adverse conditions, falling trees or power lines, hail, etc.

Abstract: A computer system is used to host a virtual reality universe process in which multiple avatars are independently controlled in response to client input. The host provides coordinated motion information for defining coordinated movement between designated portions of multiple avatars, and an application responsive to detect conditions triggering a coordinated movement sequence between two or more avatars. During coordinated movement, user commands for controlling avatar movement may be in part used normally and in part ignored or otherwise processed to cause the involved avatars to respond in part to respective client input and in part to predefined coordinated movement information. Thus, users may be assisted with executing coordinated movement between multiple avatars.

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, the operating status of the features, the identity of a vehicle operator, risk levels for operation of the vehicle by the vehicle operator, or damage to the vehicle may be determined based upon sensor or other data. According to further aspects, decisions regarding transferring control between the features and the vehicle operator may be made based upon sensor data and information regarding the vehicle operator. Additional aspects may recommend or install updates to the autonomous operation features based upon determined risk levels. Some aspects may include monitoring transportation infrastructure and communicating information about the infrastructure to vehicles.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for determining a quality of driving of a vehicle is presented. Information indicating at least one driving condition may be received from at least one driving condition information indicating device. The at least one driving condition may be different from each of a plurality of driving metrics, and may affect a relationship between the quality of driving and at least one of the plurality of driving metrics. Information indicating the at least one driving metric may be received. At least one indication of the quality of driving of the vehicle may be determined based on the information indicating the at least one driving metric and the received information from the at least one driving condition information indicating device. The at least one indication of the quality of driving may be provided to at least one of the driver, a driving instructor, or an insurance provider.

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. According to certain aspects, a computer-implemented method for generating or updating usage-based insurance policies for autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles may be provided. A request to generate an insurance quote may be received via wireless communication, and with the customer's permission, risk levels associated with intended usage by the customer of an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle may be determined. An insurance policy may be adjusted based upon the risk levels and the intended vehicle usage. The insurance policy may then be presented on the customer's mobile device for review and approval. In some aspects, the vehicle may be rented, and the intended vehicle usage is measured in distance or duration of vehicle operation. Insurance discounts may be provided to risk averse vehicle owners based upon low risk levels.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for dynamically protecting transportable articles in vehicles. A system for dynamically protecting a transportable article in a vehicle may include one or more processors and non-volatile memory storing instructions. The instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the system to determine at least one of a characteristic or a trait of the transportable article; detect, based on sensed data, an emergency condition; select one or more article protection components based on (i) the at least one of the characteristic or the trait of the transportable article, and (ii) the detected emergency condition; and in response to detecting the emergency condition, deploy the selected one or more article protection components to protect the transportable article.

Abstract: Vehicles may have the capability to navigate according to various levels of autonomous capabilities, the vehicle having a different set of autonomous competencies at each level. In certain situations, the vehicle may shift from one level of autonomous capability to another. The shift may require more or less driving responsibility from a human operator. Sensors inside the vehicle collect human operator parameters to determine an alertness level of the human operator. An alertness level is determined based on the human operator parameters and other data including historical data or human operator-specific data. Notifications are presented to the user based on the determined alertness level that are more or less intrusive based on the alertness level of the human operator and on the urgency of an impending change to autonomous capabilities. Notifications may be tailored to specific human operators based on human operator preference and historical performance.

Abstract: A system for transmitting and receiving wireless signals through a physical barrier, such as walls or windows, to wireless computing devices that are located internal to a structure that is formed in part by the physical barrier. The wireless signals are millimeter waveforms with gigahertz frequencies that are communicated with 5G communication protocols by one or more remote base station nodes located external to the physical barrier. One or more external antennas are configured to communicate RF wireless signals with HMA waveforms to remote wireless base station. In one or more embodiments, the RF wireless signals are amplified and communicated bi-statically through the window barrier between customer premises equipment and an authorized remote wireless base station.

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: In a computer-implemented method of assessing driving performance using route scoring, driving data indicative of operation of a vehicle while the vehicle was driven on a driving route may be received. Road infrastructure data indicative of one or more features of the driving route may also be received. A route score for the driving route may be calculated using the road infrastructure data, and a driving performance score for a driver of the vehicle may be calculated using the driving data and the route score for the driving route. Data may be sent to a client device via a network to cause the client device to display the driving performance score and/or a ranking based on the driving performance score, and/or the driving performance score may be used to determine a risk rating for the driver of the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system facilitate efficient creation of virtual places and provide tools for using the virtual places. The virtual places include a virtual real estate listing, newsworthy place and a virtual box seat. Tools are provided including an automatic declutter tool and a staging tool.

Abstract: Active comfort controlled bedding systems and processes of operating the bedding systems generally include a variable firmness control. The active comfort controlled bedding system can include a control unit in electrical communication with a signal generating layer configured to generate heat and alter a firmness property of at least one viscoelastic foam layer, wherein the amount of heat is based on a decrease of the glass transition temperature as a function of the percentage of humidity in the environment. In other embodiments, the bedding system is provided with at least one foam layer comprising a phase change material stratified in a foam structure of the at least one foam layer; and the at least one foam layer is heated to a temperature greater than a melt temperature of the paraffin wax to soften the at least one foam layer. In other embodiments, ambient humidity conditions can be changed.

Abstract: Compressible mattress assembly packages and processes for packaging a compressible mattress assembly for a bed in a box application generally include the addition of a humidifying agent within the package. The humidifying agent provides moisture within the package, which allows the compressed mattress to effectively recover to its uncompressed state when unpackaged with minimal or no defects.