Abstract: A risk regression system can computationally determine aggregate risk values for each of a plurality of routes for each transport request of an on-demand transportation service. The aggregate risk values can be based on fractional risk quantities determined through, for example, autonomous vehicle logs form autonomous vehicles operating throughout a given region. Based on the aggregate risk values, the risk regression system can facilitate vehicle matching between autonomous vehicles and human-driven vehicles.

Abstract: In some embodiments of a prosthetic or orthotic ankle/foot, a prediction is made of what the walking speed will be during an upcoming step. When the predicted walking speed is slow, the characteristics of the apparatus are then modified so that less net-work that is performed during that step (as compared to when the predicted walking speed is fast). This may be implemented using one sensor from which the walking speed can be predicted, and a second sensor from which ankle torque can be determined. A controller receives inputs from those sensors, and controls a motor's torque so that the torque for slow walking speeds is lower than the torque for fast walking speeds. This reduces the work performed by the actuator over a gait cycle and the peak actuator power delivered during the gait cycle.

Abstract: A system for securely updating an electronic transaction card held by an account holder with an additional account and/or account data. A dynamic transaction card may be securely updated with an additional account by using pre-stored shell data and/or inactive data, whereby the pre-stored shell data may be populated using data received from an issuer system and/or the inactive data may be activated via an activation signal received from an issuer system. A backend server may determine, via a fraud determination, expiration determination, and/or user-request, that new account data should be transmitted to an account holder. The dynamic transaction card may receive the data associated with a notification, update a display, instruct an EMV applet to use a key associated with a received EMV key identifier for signatures, and/or update any additional data stored on the dynamic transaction card.

Abstract: A computing device and a method for controlling narration. The computing device comprises a display device displaying a visual user interface including textual information and an electronic processor configured to map the textual information to an implicit audio narration, wherein mapping textual information to the implicit audio narration has a scalable level of precision to the textual information depending on the visual user interface, and the electronic processor further configured to output the implicit audio narration.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided, which facilitate operations planning, dispatch, regulation control, and autonomous control performance. The disclosure also facilitates systems and methods for utilization of synthetic primary frequency response, synthetic inertia, regulation and load following/ramping reserve capabilities from Demand Response and Distributed Energy Resources for balancing demand and supply and maintaining frequency levels across a power grid.

Abstract: A food processor including a reversible motor disposed in a base for generating a rotational force, a processor container removably attached to the base, a spindle rotated by the reversible motor when energized, and a slicing disc rotatably coupled to the spindle, the slicing disc having a radially extending slicing blade formed on one side thereof configured to perform a slicing operation and a plurality radially extending shredding blades disposed oppositely to the slicing blade on the slicing disc configured to perform a shredding operation. The slicing disc is automatically rotated in a first direction by the motor when the first and third discrete positions are selected on a slice selector disc corresponding to the slicing and dicing operations and automatically rotated in a second direction by the motor when the second discrete position is selected on the slice selector disc corresponding to the shredding operation.

Abstract: Vehicle ride can be improved using perception based suspension control on a vehicle. A computing system on the vehicle may receive a map of a road surface. The computing system may identify a trajectory of the vehicle relative to the road surface, and determine if a deformation exists in a track of one of the vehicle tires. The deformation may include a depression and/or a raised portion from the road surface. The computing system may calculate an adjustment to make to one or more suspension system components to negate or minimize the effects of the vehicle traveling over the deformation or roughness of the road, and may send an instruction to adjust the suspension components accordingly. Additionally, or alternatively, the computing system may determine that the deformation may be avoidable, in whole or in part, and may cause the vehicle to maneuver around the deformation.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and computer program product are described that determine a subset of users from a predefined distribution list based on a common characteristic of members of the subset. A common characteristic may be the fact that members of the subset have been determined to be proximate the source user's device. The source user may communicate (e.g., share content) with members of the identified subset through selection of the distribution list, while non-members of the subset would be excluded from the communication.

Abstract: A method of forming a III-Nitride based device comprising: (a) depositing first layers by MOCVD on a substrate, wherein the first layers comprise device layers of III-Nitride material; and (b) depositing epitaxial second layers over the first layers by at least one of sputtering, plasma deposition, pulsed laser deposition, or liquid phase epitaxy, wherein the second layers comprise III-Nitride material and define at least partially a tunnel junction.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of providing an on demand translation service is provided. A subscriber may be charged a reduced fee or no fee for use of the on demand translation service in exchange for displaying commercial messages to the subscriber, the commercial messages being selected based on subscriber information. A multimedia signal including information in a source language may be received. The information may be obtained as text in the source language from the multimedia signal. The text may be translated from the source language to a target language. Translated information, based on the translated text, may be transmitted to a processing device for presentation to the subscriber. The received multimedia signal may be sent to a multimedia device for viewing.

Abstract: A seatbelt retractor includes a base, a spool, a cylinder, a transfer plate, and a cylinder lock. The spool is rotatably coupled to the base and has a piston portion. The cylinder is engaged with the piston portion and therewith defines a chamber. The piston portion is movable from a first position to a second position. The transfer plate is translateably disposed in the first chamber. The cylinder lock in a first condition rotatably fixes the cylinder to the base. Damping fluid is in the chamber.

Abstract: The present invention provides multilayer polymer films, materials and coatings which exhibit robust underwater superoleophobicity and have remarkable structural functional tolerance to a broad range of physical, chemical, and environmental challenges encountered by surfaces deployed in aqueous or aquatic environments. These materials can be fabricated on surfaces of arbitrary shape, size, and composition and provide straightforward means to manipulate surface chemistry and fine-tune other useful features of the interfacial behavior (e.g., underwater oil-adhesiveness). These materials address key obstacles to the application of non-wetting surfaces and anti-fouling ‘super-phobic’ materials in practical, real-world scenarios.

Abstract: A personal equipment suspension system with active support to the lumbar region includes a belt to surround the user's waist and a frame supported on the belt with a resilient membrane of synthetic elastomeric crystalline material in tension on the frame to be interposed between the belt and the user. The frame includes spaced ends and the membrane is a lattice in tension between the spaced ends. In one embodiment, the system is a support belt. In another, it is load bearing such as a backpack configuration. In another, it includes stanchions to support a body armor vest.

Abstract: In some embodiments, systems and methods are provided that limit the change in temperature and/or control a temperature of a product during delivery. Some embodiments provide systems to limit temperature changes, comprising: an evaporative product cooling system comprising: a product cavity that supports a product while the product is transported to a delivery location, wherein the product cooling system comprises an interior wall defining the product cavity, an exterior wall, an evaporative cavity between the interior and exterior walls, a coolant dispensing system, at least one evaporative opening, and a temperature sensor; and a temperature control circuit configured to receive temperature data from the temperature sensor while the product is in transit, determine that a temperature of the product is greater than a transport temperature threshold, and autonomously activate the coolant dispensing system to release evaporative coolant into the evaporative cavity while the product is transported.

Abstract: A bushing is disclosed for pivotally mounting a damper in ductwork of the type generally used with heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. The bushing is a circular shaped member of silicone rubber material, which is particularly configured and dimensioned to provide an airtight fit with the ductwork to prevent loss of conditioned air at the pivot location, without compromising the rotational capability of the damper to alter the direction of the conditioned air. The bushing is dimensioned to be inserted into the ductwork and includes a peripheral groove which receives the ductwork in a manner which compresses the inner surface of the groove to provide the airtight seal. The bushing also includes a longitudinally tapered square central opening, which opening is dimensioned to engageably receive the damper pivot rod snugly to provide additional sealing at the interface between the bushing and the pivot rod.

Abstract: A system for compressing an input data stream to create a compressed output data stream is provided. The system comprises a memory storing a hash table comprising hash entries each comprising a hash value of an associated subset of following data items of an input data stream and a pointer to a memory location of the associated subset. A processor coupled to the memory executes operations while instructing an SIMD engine to execute concurrently one or more of the operations for consecutive subsets: calculate the hash value for each subset, search the hash table for a match of each calculated hash value and update the hash table according to the match result. The processor then updates the compressed output data stream according to the match result and a comparison result depending on the match result and operations for the plurality of associated subsets to create the compressed output data stream.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are described herein for controlling stiffness associated with a connector connecting two or more components of a model, including, but not limited to, receiving user input of a scaling factor and adjusting the stiffness associated with the connector by adjusting a bending moment of inertia of a patch of one of the two or more components based on the scaling factor. The connector contacts the one of the two or more components at the patch.