Abstract: A system for performing image-guided surgery includes an instrument having a first portion configured to define a trajectory into the body of a patient, a marker device and a user-interface component. A sensing device receives electromagnetic signals that are reflected or emitted from the marker device, and a processing system, coupled to the sensing device, includes at least one processor configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations that include tracking the position and orientation of the instrument relative to the patient based on the signals received at the sensing device, receiving a signal from the user-interface component of the instrument indicating a user-input event, and saving the trajectory into the body of the patient defined by the first portion of the instrument in response to receiving the signal.

Abstract: The present document relates to methods and apparatus for rendering input audio for playback in a playback environment. The input audio includes at least one audio object and associated metadata, and the associated metadata indicates at least a location of the audio object. A method for rendering input audio including divergence metadata for playback in a playback environment comprises creating two additional audio objects associated with the audio object such that respective locations of the two additional audio objects are evenly spaced from the location of the audio object, on opposite sides of the location of the audio object when seen from an intended listener's position in the playback environment, determining respective weight factors for application to the audio object and the two additional audio objects, and rendering the audio object and the two additional audio objects to one or more speaker feeds in accordance with the determined weight factors.

Abstract: Provided herein are various enhancements for antenna systems and directed radio frequency energy structures. In one example, an apparatus includes an antenna array comprising a plurality of antenna elements formed by waveguide structures embedded within a substrate and positioned about a longitudinal axis of the substrate to form at least two concentric ring arrangements of antenna elements. Apertures of the waveguide structures are configured to emit or receive radio frequency (RF) energy generally along the longitudinal axis. Feed elements are coupled to each of the waveguide structures on an end opposite of the apertures, and configured to couple the RF energy for the antenna array.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a decorative vehicle glass device. The device is comprised of a glass body that can be used as a windshield, window, engine cover, etc. on a vehicle. The glass body is comprised of an internal gas and at least one electrode that produces an alternating current which is transmitted through at least one plasma filament within the glass body. This creates colorful tendrils of light within the glass which resembles the appearance of lightning.

Abstract: A tunable optical filter for a detector is presented including a plate having a top side and a bottom side. The plate has material properties making it transparent to a range of optical frequencies. A transparent metasurface is proximate the top side of the plate. The transparent metasurface is configured to have a transmissive pass band and a stop band. An undercarriage support structure is proximate the bottom side of the plate. The undercarriage support is responsive to photothermal heating. The undercarriage support is configured to deform from the photothermal heating caused by an undesired signal thereby shifting the stop band in frequency toward the undesired signal to block reception of the undesired signal by the detector.

Abstract: A method of post-processing an actuator element is presented. The method begins by receiving a fabricated actuator element including a metallic layer contacting a substrate, sacrificial layer proximate the metallic layer, and a first dielectric layer on the sacrificial layer. The metallic layer has an end proximal to and contacting at least part of the substrate and a distal end extending over the first dielectric layer. A second dielectric is deposited on a portion of the metallic layer at the distal end. And, the sacrificial layer is removed.

Abstract: A tunable optical filter for a detector is presented including a plate having a top side and a bottom side. The plate has material properties making it transparent to a range of optical frequencies. A transparent metasurface is proximate the top side of the plate. The transparent metasurface is configured to have a transmissive pass band and a stop band. An undercarriage support structure is proximate the bottom side of the plate. The undercarriage support is responsive to photothermal heating. The undercarriage support is configured to deform from the photothermal heating caused by an undesired signal thereby shifting the stop band in frequency toward the undesired signal to block reception of the undesired signal by the detector.

Abstract: An actuator element of a MEMS device on a substrate is provided to create large, out-of-plane deflection. The actuator element includes a metallic layer having a first portion contacting the substrate and a second portion having an end proximal to the first portion. A distal end is cantilevered over the substrate. A first insulating layer contacts the metallic layer on a bottom contacting surface of the second cantilevered portion from the proximal to the distal end. A second insulating layer contacts the metallic layer on a portion of a top contacting surface at the distal end. The second portion of the metallic layer is prestressed. A coefficient of thermal expansion of the first and second insulating layers is different than a coefficient of thermal expansion of the metallic layer. And, a Young's modulus of the first and second insulating layer is different than a Young's modulus of the metallic layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a control system (100). The control system (100) is for a host vehicle (10) operable in an autonomous mode and a non-autonomous mode. The control system (100) comprises one or more controllers (110). The control system (100) is configured to receive, when operating in a non-autonomous mode, a mode signal and environment data. The mode signal is indicative of the host vehicle (10) operating in a training mode. The environment data is indicative of a sensed environment of the host vehicle (10) during a first manoeuvre by the host vehicle (10) from a first location to a first navigation goal. In the training mode, the one or more controllers (110) identify a navigable area and output vehicle control data. The navigable area is in a vicinity of the first manoeuvre and is suitable to contain a plurality of possible navigation paths for subsequent navigation of the host vehicle (10), operating in an autonomous mode, to a second navigation goal within the navigable area.

Abstract: A method of post-processing an actuator element is presented. The method begins by receiving a fabricated actuator element including a metallic layer contacting a substrate, sacrificial layer proximate the metallic layer, and a first dielectric layer on the sacrificial layer. The metallic layer has an end proximal to and contacting at least part of the substrate and a distal end extending over the first dielectric layer. A second dielectric is deposited on a portion of the metallic layer at the distal end. And, the sacrificial layer is removed.

Abstract: A modular optical fiber distribution unit and related distribution system is provided. The distribution unit includes a shifted fiber arrangement that allows for modular network assembly. For example, the distribution unit includes a distribution body including a plurality of body optical fibers and a field optical fiber leg including a plurality of field optical fibers including at least one active field optical fiber and at least one inactive field optical fiber. Each active field tether optical fiber is optically coupled to one of the body optical fibers and at least one body optical fiber is not coupled to an active field optical fiber. The positioning of the active and inactive field tether optical fibers in a predetermined manner disclosed herein allows for modular network assembly.

Abstract: An actuator element of a MEMS device on a substrate is provided to create large, out-of-plane deflection. The actuator element includes a metallic layer having a first portion contacting the substrate and a second portion having an end proximal to the first portion. A distal end is cantilevered over the substrate. A first insulating layer contacts the metallic layer on a bottom contacting surface of the second cantilevered portion from the proximal to the distal end. A second insulating layer contacts the metallic layer on a portion of a top contacting surface at the distal end. The second portion of the metallic layer is prestressed. A coefficient of thermal expansion of the first and second insulating layers is different than a coefficient of thermal expansion of the metallic layer. And, a Young's modulus of the first and second insulating layer is different than a Young's modulus of the metallic layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure refers to a method for measuring thickness in any type of carbon fiber component, even in components having parts with different thickness and integrating at least a second material. The method includes measuring with the maximum and minimum real thickness of the component, and measuring with ultrasonic equipment the time that the ultrasound takes to propagate across the component part with maximum and with minimum thickness, calculating a thickness correction value, and calculating an ultrasound test speed from said thickness correction value, said measured times, and said measured maximum and minimum real thickness. Then, the total thickness of each of the parts of the component are measured, using ultrasounds with the same calculated ultrasound test speed, and the thickness correction value is applied to each of the measuring total thickness of each part, to determine a corrected carbon fiber thickness for each part.

Abstract: Methods, computer-readable media, and computing systems for maintaining a well production model. The method includes receiving an update to a parameter of the model of a well, and updating the model based on the update. The method also includes splitting the model into at least two submodels after updating the model, and running the submodels to obtain results. The method further includes determining that the results obtained by running the submodels do not match, and in response to determining that the results obtained by running the submodels do not match, calibrating the model based on the update.

Abstract: A bore scope system includes an HVAC system has at least one duct and at least one vent. An electronic device is provided that has an input and a display. The electronic device is manipulated to observe the display. A camera unit is provided. The camera unit is comprised of a resiliently bendable material. Thus, the camera unit may be manipulated into a selected shape. The camera unit is inserted into the at least one vent and is urged into the at least one duct. Thus, such that the camera unit records an interior of the at least one duct for inspection purposes.

Abstract: An automatic starting system includes a choke or similar apparatus. The apparatus includes at least a choke plate, a choke arm, and a control arm. The choke plate is configured to control a ratio of fuel and air for an engine. The choke arm is fixedly coupled with the choke plate. The control arm adjustably coupled with the choke arm. The control arm and the choke arm cooperate to move the choke plate into multiple positions, which correspond to multiple ratios of fuel and air for the engine.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to detect rugosity in a borehole. Additional activity may include generating a rugosity correction, responsive to detecting rugosity in the borehole, by finding an effective borehole diameter, consistent with the presence of rugosity, for which a simulation of a model of the borehole using the effective borehole diameter generates simulation resistivity measurements that match, within a tolerance, resistivity measurements before execution of a borehole correction algorithm. Additional activity may include applying rugosity correction by generating resistivity logs, using the effective borehole diameter, that are corrected for rugosity and borehole effect. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A bore scope system includes an HVAC system has at least one duct and at least one vent. An electronic device is provided that has an input and a display. The electronic device is manipulated to observe the display. A camera unit is provided. The camera unit is comprised of a resiliently bendable material. Thus, the camera unit may be manipulated into a selected shape. The camera unit is inserted into the at least one vent and is urged into the at least one duct. Thus, such that the camera unit records an interior of the at least one duct for inspection purposes.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to detect rugosity in a borehole. Additional activity may include generating a rugosity correction, responsive to detecting rugosity in the borehole, by finding an effective borehole diameter, consistent with the presence of rugosity, for which a simulation of a model of the borehole using the effective borehole diameter generates simulation resistivity measurements that match, within a tolerance, resistivity measurements before execution of a borehole correction algorithm. Additional activity may include applying rugosity correction by generating resistivity logs, using the effective borehole diameter, that are corrected for rugosity and borehole effect. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A modular optical fiber distribution unit and related distribution system is provided. The distribution unit includes a shifted fiber arrangement that allows for modular network assembly. For example, the distribution unit includes a distribution body including a plurality of body optical fibers and a field optical fiber leg including a plurality of field optical fibers including at least one active field optical fiber and at least one inactive field optical fiber. Each active field tether optical fiber is optically coupled to one of the body optical fibers and at least one body optical fiber is not coupled to an active field optical fiber. The positioning of the active and inactive field tether optical fibers in a predetermined manner disclosed herein allows for modular network assembly.