Abstract: Some implementations involve receiving, from a first subband domain acoustic echo canceller (AEC) of a first audio device in an audio environment, first adaptive filter management data from each of a plurality of first adaptive filter management modules, each first adaptive filter management module corresponding to a subband of the first subband domain AEC, each first adaptive filter management module being configured to control a first plurality of adaptive filters. The first plurality of adaptive filters may include at least a first adaptive filter type and a second adaptive filter type. Some implementations involve extracting, from the first adaptive filter management data, a first plurality of extracted features corresponding to a plurality of subbands of the first subband domain AEC and estimating a current local acoustic state based, at least in part, on the first plurality of extracted features.

Abstract: A sensing apparatus can be configured to detect an edge of a paper that is received by an automated transaction machine (ATM). The paper can move along a path located inside the ATM, the path having opposite first and second sides. The sensing apparatus can include a light emitter and a light detector on the first side of the path, with the light emitter positioned so that it can emit light across the path to the second side. The light detector can be configured to detect light from the light emitter and can emit a signal corresponding to an amount of detected light. The sensing apparatus can also include a control circuit that can control a flow of power to the light emitter, and the control circuit can also receive the signal emitted by the sensor.

Abstract: Software systems and methods convert algorithms and software codes into time affecting linear pathways (TALPs) via decomposition and convert paired Input/Output (I/O) datasets into TALPs via Value Complexity polynomials. Generated TALPs can be enhanced through merging with other TALPs. TALPs can be grouped by matching the outputs of the TALP-associated prediction polynomials with some set of given criteria into families and cross-families that are useful in a new type of software optimization that allows for output values of grouped TALPs to be modeled, pooled, discretized and optimized to enhance goals or meet user goals.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and processor readable media for distributing digital data and electrical power to a plurality of devices over high-impedance cables are disclosed. Certain embodiments include a gateway device connected to a power source, a first device connected to the gateway device by a cable, the cable being a high-impedance cable having at least two conductive paths, and wherein the first device receives electrical power and digital data from the gateway device via the cable over the same conductive path of the cable, a second device connected to the gateway device by the cable wherein the second device receives power and digital data from the gateway device via the cable over the same conductive path, and wherein the power source provides power to the first and second devices via the cable, and wherein the second device is connected to the gateway device through the first device via a daisy-chain topology.

Abstract: An audio processing method may involve receiving output signals from each microphone of a plurality of microphones in an audio environment, the output signals corresponding to a current utterance of a person and determining, based on the output signals, one or more aspects of context information relating to the person, including an estimated current proximity of the person to one or more microphone locations. The method may involve selecting two or more loudspeaker-equipped audio devices based, at least in part, on the one or more aspects of the context information, determining one or more types of audio processing changes to apply to audio data being rendered to loudspeaker feed signals for the audio devices and causing one or more types of audio processing changes to be applied. In some examples, the audio processing changes have the effect of increasing a speech to echo ratio at one or more microphones.

Abstract: A sensing apparatus can be configured to detect an edge of a paper that is received by an automated transaction machine (ATM). The paper can move along a path located inside the ATM, the path having opposite first and second sides. The sensing apparatus can include a light emitter and a light detector on the first side of the path, with the light emitter positioned so that it can emit light across the path to the second side. The light detector can be configured to detect light from the light emitter and can emit a signal corresponding to an amount of detected light. The sensing apparatus can also include a control circuit that can control a flow of power to the light emitter, and the control circuit can also receive the signal emitted by the sensor.

Abstract: An audio session management method may involve: determining, by an audio session manager, one or more first media engine capabilities of a first media engine of a first smart audio device, the first media engine being configured for managing one or more audio media streams received by the first smart audio device and for performing first smart audio device signal processing for the one or more audio media streams according to a first media engine sample clock; receiving, by the audio session manager and via a first application communication link, first application control signals from the first application; and controlling the first smart audio device according to the first media engine capabilities, by the audio session manager, via first audio session management control signals transmitted to the first smart audio device via a first smart audio device communication link and without reference to the first media engine sample clock.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and processor readable media for distributing digital data and electrical power to a plurality of devices over high-impedance cables are disclosed. Certain embodiments include a gateway device connected to a power source, a first device connected to the gateway device by a cable, the cable being a high-impedance cable having at least two conductive paths, and wherein the first device receives electrical power and digital data from the gateway device via the cable over the same conductive path of the cable, a second device connected to the gateway device by the cable wherein the second device receives power and digital data from the gateway device via the cable over the same conductive path, and wherein the power source provides power to the first and second devices via the cable, and wherein the second device is connected to the gateway device through the first device via a daisy-chain topology.

Abstract: A software enhancement and management system (E&M System) can include two ways to decompose existing software such that new functionality can be added: functional decomposition and time-affecting linear pathway (TALP) decomposition. Functional decomposition captures the inputs and outputs of the existing software's functions and attaches the new algorithmic constructs presented as other functions that receive the outputs of the existing software's functions. TALP decomposition allows for the generation of time-prediction polynomials that approximate time-complexity functions, speedup, and automatic dynamic loop-unrolling-based parallelization for each TALP.

Abstract: Software systems and methods convert algorithms and software codes into time affecting linear pathways (TALPs) via decomposition and convert paired Input/Output (l/O) datasets into TALPs via Value Complexity polynomials. Generated TALPs can be enhanced through merging with other TALPs. TALPs can be grouped by matching the outputs of the TALP-associated prediction polynomials with some set of given criteria into families and cross-families that are useful in a new type of software optimization that allows for output values of grouped TALPs to be modeled, pooled, discretized and optimized to enhance goals or meet user goals.

Abstract: A pump assembly for a dental cleaning appliance includes a positive displacement pump including a fluid chamber and a fluid displacement member which is moveable in a linear direction relative to the fluid chamber, and a drive for actuating the pump to draw fluid into the fluid chamber through a fluid inlet. An energy storage device converts kinetic energy generated during actuation of the pump by the drive into potential energy, and stores the potential energy. A cam is connected to the drive for rotation relative to the fluid displacement member. The cam has a ramp extending about the fluid displacement member which is engaged by a cam follower connected to the fluid displacement member. As the cam moves relative to the fluid displacement member, the cam follower moves along the ramp to actuate the pump to draw fluid into the fluid chamber, and beyond the end of the ramp to enable the energy storage device to use the stored potential energy to actuate the pump to urge fluid from the fluid chamber.

Abstract: Backpacks having lumbar pads as at least one component that has been manufactured using 3D printing or other additive anufacturing technologies. backpack may include 3D manufactured parts including a lumbar pad, shoulder harness, hip belt, or back panel. The component or lumbar pad may include a lattice structure that allows airflow or provides cushioning. The lattice structure may: have multiple layers, include a network of beams and nodes (e.g., that create cells), or be monolithic. The cells may be polygons (e.g., hexagonal) or cells may line up in multiple layers of lattice structure. Cells that line up may have equal numbers of sides. Other embodiments include systems for providing custom backpacks where consumers enter consumer body dimension(s) and the system fabricates a custom backpack or component using the body dimension or desired load capacity, for example, using 3D printing.

Abstract: A noise estimation method including steps of generating gap confidence values in response to microphone output and playback signals, and using the gap confidence values to generate an estimate of background noise in a playback environment. Each gap confidence value is indicative of confidence of presence of a gap at a corresponding time in the playback signal, and may be a combination of candidate noise estimates weighted by the gap confidence values. Generation of the candidate noise estimates may but need not include performance of echo cancellation. Optionally, noise compensation is performed on an audio input signal using the generated background noise estimate. Other aspects are systems configured to perform any embodiment of the noise estimation method.

Abstract: A software enhancement and management system (E&M System) can include two ways to decompose existing software such that new functionality can be added: functional decomposition and time-affecting linear pathway (TALP) decomposition. Functional decomposition captures the inputs and outputs of the existing software's functions and attaches the new algorithmic constructs presented as other functions that receive the outputs of the existing software's functions. TALP decomposition allows for the generation of time-prediction polynomials that approximate time-complexity functions, speedup, and automatic dynamic loop-unrolling-based parallelization for each TALP.

Abstract: A manikin (1) comprising jointed body parts that are configurable to (1) closely mimic natural movement of corresponding body parts of a real baby and/or (2) closely mimic a range of poses or postures of a real baby. The baby manikin (1) includes a neck joint (11) (articulated ball and socket joint), a waist joint (12) (articulated ball and socket joint), a hip joint (13) (double ball and socket joint), two knee joints (14) (pin joints), two ankle joints (15) (articulated ball and socket joints), two shoulder joints (16) (double ball and socket joints), two elbow joints (17) (pin joints), and two wrist joints (18) (articulated ball and socket joints).

Abstract: Systems, methods, and processor readable media for distributing digital data and electrical power to a plurality of devices over high-impedance cables are disclosed. Certain embodiments include a gateway device connected to a power source, a first device connected to the gateway device by a cable, the cable being a high-impedance cable having at least two conductive paths, and wherein the first device receives electrical power and digital data from the gateway device via the cable over the same conductive path of the cable, a second device connected to the gateway device by the cable wherein the second device receives power and digital data from the gateway device via the cable over the same conductive path, and wherein the power source provides power to the first and second devices via the cable, and wherein the second device is connected to the gateway device through the first device via a daisy-chain topology.

Abstract: A monitoring system for monitoring a biological subject including a monitoring device having a housing configured to be attached to or supported by an ear of the subject in use, one or more sensors, the one or more sensors including a photoplethysmogram (PPG) sensor provided in the housing and configured to measure attributes of blood flow within the ear, and a monitoring device processor configured to acquire sensors signals from the one or more sensors and generate sensor data at least partially in accordance with signals from the one or more sensors. A transmitter is provided that transmit the sensor data with one or more processing systems receiving the sensor data, analyzing the sensor data and generating a health state indicator indicative of a health state of the subject.

Abstract: An audio session management method for an audio environment having multiple audio devices may involve receiving, from a first device implementing a first application and by a device implementing an audio session manager, a first route initiation request to initiate a first route for a first audio session. The first route initiation request may indicate a first audio source and a first audio environment destination. The first audio environment destination may correspond with at least a first person in the audio environment, but in some instances will not indicate an audio device. The method may involve establishing a first route corresponding to the first route initiation request. Establishing the first route may involve determining a first location of at least the first person in the audio environment, determining at least one audio device for a first stage of the first audio session and initiating or scheduling the first audio session.

Abstract: A multi-touch touch panel and a method of detecting touches is disclosed. The touch panel comprises at least one hole in an active region of the touch panel, having a selected size for mechanically mounting a respective user input device.

Abstract: A method may involve receiving output signals from each microphone of a plurality of microphones in the environment, each of the plurality of microphones residing in a microphone location of the environment, the output signals corresponding to an utterance of a person. The method may involve determining, based at least in part on the output signals, a zone within the environment that has at least a threshold probability of including the person's location and generating a plurality of spatially-varying attentiveness signals within the zone. Each attentiveness signal may be generated by a device located within the zone. Each attentiveness signal may indicate that a corresponding device is in an operating mode in which the corresponding device is awaiting a command and may indicate a relevance metric of the corresponding device.