Abstract: Various embodiments provide an apparatus, method, and/or system by which fiber, e.g., in the form of tow or tow, is used to create a shaped ply by facilitating drawing fiber from a supply along a fiber axis between two sets of pins; moving the pins across the fiber axis to form a fiber web in the desired ply shape; fixing the fiber web to form the shaped ply; and releasing the shaped ply. By enabling formation of shaped plies (including plies with doubly curved surfaces and simultaneous sequences of strategically shaped plies) directly from a single piece of fiber tow, various embodiments discussed herein enable substantial reductions in labor and materials costs that are conventionally associated with construction of composite preforms and accompanying composite products.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for providing interactive striking objects (e.g., drumsticks) and performing actions in response to striking motions of the striking objects are disclosed. In some embodiments, the systems and methods provide an interactive drumstick, which includes a lighting display located at a tip portion of the interactive drumstick, a motion detector contained at least partially within the drumstick, a processor and memory contained at least partially within the drumstick, and an interactive system stored within the memory of the drumstick. The interactive system includes a striking motion module that determines striking motions of the drumstick with respect to a virtual percussion instrument based on accessing information measured by the motion detector, and a display module that causes the lighting display to present a certain type of illumination based on the striking motions determined by the striking motion module.

Abstract: A method and system for automated fabrication of composite preforms. In one implementation, a fabrication apparatus includes a stitching assembly, needle apparatus, motion stage, preform cartridge, CAD/CAM Software, and embedded machine software. The stitching assembly includes an upper portion that supports a stitching mechanism. The stitching mechanism includes at least one needle assembly. The needle assembly may be configured with at least one needle apparatus configured to pass filaments through composite preforms. In one implementation, the stitching assembly is used to stitch layers of the composite preforms using a variety of stitching patterns. The fabrication apparatus may be configured to fold fabric layers of the composite preform before or after stitching two or more layers of the composite preform.

Abstract: A wireless power transmitter includes an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and a controller. The ADC is configured to convert an analog signal associated with a power train to digital values. The controller is configured to cause pulses to be applied to the power train to thereby cause the power train to ring, receive digital values from the ADC acquired while the power train is ringing and after the pulses complete, and, based on an analysis of the digital values of the ringing of the power train, to determine whether a wireless power receiver is present on or near the wireless power transmitter or whether a foreign object is present on the transmitter.

Abstract: The systems and methods of detecting a change in object presence in a magnetic field disclosed herein inject a low amplitude signal near the resonant frequency into the coil until the system comes to equilibrium. At this point the feedback is measured. The feedback signal can be measured as at least one of several signals, for example, but not limited to the voltage on the resonant capacitor, the current in the coil, and the voltage between the resonant capacitor and the coil. A change in the steady state response indicates a change in device presence.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for monitoring and capturing information associated with target subjects, such as babies. For example, the systems and methods provide a capture device, such as a camera, that captures capture time of flight (TOF) data from a target subject. Using the TOF data, the systems and methods, via a display device associated with (e.g., paired to) the capture device, present information about the target subject, such as information indicating movement of the target subject, information indicating a breathing rate of the target subject, information indicating a heart rate of the target subject, and so on.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for monitoring and capturing information associated with target subjects, such as babies. For example, the systems and methods provide a capture device, such as a camera, that captures capture time of flight (TOF) data from a target subject. Using the TOF data, the systems and methods, via a display device associated with (e.g., paired to) the capture device, present information about the target subject, such as information indicating movement of the target subject, information indicating a breathing rate of the target subject, information indicating a heart rate of the target subject, and so on.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for providing interactive striking objects and performing actions in response to striking motions of the striking objects are provided. The interactive system includes a striking motion module that determines striking motions based on accessing information measured by a motion detector, and an action module that provides actions based on the striking motions determined by the striking motion module.

Abstract: A system for wireless power transfer is provided. The system includes a monitoring function to monitor control parameters and an input source that supplies power to a wireless power transmitter, wherein the wireless power transmitter operates with a wireless power receiver to supply a charging current to a load. A controller can be configured to receive the control parameters from the monitoring function and to control an adjustable operating point for the wireless power transmitter which controls the charging current delivered to the load via the wireless power receiver, wherein the controller commands a maximum power operating point for the wireless power transmitter when the input source is detected at or above a predetermined threshold and commands a reduced power operating point for the wireless power transmitter when the input source to the wireless power transmitter is detected below the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for providing interactive striking objects (e.g., drumsticks) and performing actions in response to striking motions of the striking objects are disclosed. In some embodiments, the systems and methods provide an interactive drumstick, which includes a lighting display located at a tip portion of the interactive drumstick, a motion detector contained at least partially within the drumstick, a processor and memory contained at least partially within the drumstick, and an interactive system stored within the memory of the drumstick. The interactive system includes a striking motion module that determines striking motions of the drumstick with respect to a virtual percussion instrument based on accessing information measured by the motion detector, and a display module that causes the lighting display to present a certain type of illumination based on the striking motions determined by the striking motion module.

Abstract: In an example, an integrated circuit includes a communication and control unit. The communication and control unit controls an inverter that applies an alternating current output signal to a transmission coil for reception by a receiver. The communication and control unit causes the inverter to provide a first and second transmit powers to the transmission coil, and the communication unit receives a first and second power received signals from the receiver in response to the first and second transmit powers. The communication and control unit determines a first gain and offset using the first transmit power, the first power. When a third transmit power greater than the second transmit power is transmitted by the transmission coil, the communication and control unit determines a second gain and a second offset using the first transmit power, the first power received signal, the third transmit power and a third power received signal.

Abstract: The present subject matter provides a sealed system for an appliance. The sealed system includes a compressor operable to generate a flow of compressed refrigerant, an evaporator and a drain trough disposed below the evaporator. A bypass conduit fluidly couples a bypass valve and the evaporator. The bypass valve is configured for selectively directing refrigerant from a condenser around an expansion device to the evaporator. A portion of the bypass conduit is positioned at and connected to the drain trough. A related method for defrosting an evaporator is also provided.

Abstract: A process to create composite preforms and parts by stacking layers of two-dimensional fiber material (e.g., fiber cloth, fiber reinforced fabric, etc.) having pin-receiving holes and/or gaps disposed between the fibers of the fiber material is described. The stack is pinned together using a subset of pins, such as fiber reinforcing pins, inserted into a subset of the pin receiving holes and/or gaps, leaving at least some of the pin receiving holes and/or gaps available for pinning other layers, as layers of fiber material are added to the stack. As additional layers are added to the stack, different subsets of pins connect the additional layers to the stack, thereby building up the stack. Each layer of fiber material may have a different shape than the other layers and any arbitrary topology, potentially including non-convex and/or disjoint shapes. Furthermore, implementations may produce composite preforms having an arbitrary number of interconnected layers.

Abstract: An audio headset comprising at least one headset earpiece comprising a speaker, an ear cushion adapter, a microprocessor and a driver; and a removable ear cup configured to be removably attached to the headset ear piece; wherein the microprocessor is configured to recognize the removable ear cup and adjust audio output through the speaker based on parameters associated with the removable ear cup.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for providing interactive striking objects (e.g., drumsticks) and performing actions in response to striking motions of the striking objects are disclosed. In some embodiments, the systems and methods provide an interactive drumstick, which includes a lighting display located at a tip portion of the interactive drumstick, a motion detector contained at least partially within the drumstick, a processor and memory contained at least partially within the drumstick, and an interactive system stored within the memory of the drumstick. The interactive system includes a striking motion module that determines striking motions of the drumstick with respect to a virtual percussion instrument based on accessing information measured by the motion detector, and a display module that causes the lighting display to present a certain type of illumination based on the striking motions determined by the striking motion module.

Abstract: Example embodiments of the systems and methods of reduction of parasitic losses in a wireless power system disclosed herein provide a practical means of accurately estimating parasitic losses in a wireless power transfer system irrespective of coupling. Such systems and methods may be used to generate an equation which predicts parasitic losses in a wireless power system. In an offset case, in which the transmitter and receiver are not directly coupled, losses associated with the recirculating current in the primary LC tank dominate the loss, and the transmitted power may be better estimated by measuring the power inputs, power outputs, and injected losses in a controlled environment; making a mathematical fit to an equation, which from the various power measurements and injected loss, predicts the expected transmitter losses; and then, in an operational environment, using the equation to predict parasitic losses based on the power inputs, power outputs and expected loss equation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for customizing animation variables and modifications to animation variables in an animation system are provided. An animated model may be comprised of a hierarchical structure of rigs and sub-rigs. An animator may customize the location of animation variables within the hierarchical structure through a relocation operation from an original position to a relocated position. The animation system identifies the relocation operation, resulting in an association being generated between the original position and the relocated position. Modifications made to animation variables in the animation system may be received by the animation system and the animator can customize the scope of the modification and its application to the animated model or animated scene.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for providing interactive striking objects (e.g., drumsticks) and performing actions in response to striking motions of the striking objects are disclosed. In some embodiments, the systems and methods provide an interactive drumstick, which includes a lighting display located at a tip portion of the interactive drumstick, a motion detector contained at least partially within the drumstick, a processor and memory contained at least partially within the drumstick, and an interactive system stored within the memory of the drumstick. The interactive system includes a striking motion module that determines striking motions of the drumstick with respect to a virtual percussion instrument based on accessing information measured by the motion detector, and a display module that causes the lighting display to present a certain type of illumination based on the striking motions determined by the striking motion module.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for providing interactive striking objects (e.g., drumsticks) and performing actions in response to striking motions of the striking objects are disclosed. In some embodiments, the systems and methods provide an interactive drumstick, which includes a lighting display located at a tip portion of the interactive drumstick, a motion detector contained at least partially within the drumstick, a processor and memory contained at least partially within the drumstick, and an interactive system stored within the memory of the drumstick. The interactive system includes a striking motion module that determines striking motions of the drumstick with respect to a virtual percussion instrument based on accessing information measured by the motion detector, and a display module that causes the lighting display to present a certain type of illumination based on the striking motions determined by the striking motion module.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for providing interactive striking objects (e.g., drumsticks) and performing actions in response to striking motions of the striking objects are disclosed. In some embodiments, the systems and methods provide an interactive drumstick, which includes a lighting display located at a tip portion of the interactive drumstick, a motion detector contained at least partially within the drumstick, a processor and memory contained at least partially within the drumstick, and an interactive system stored within the memory of the drumstick. The interactive system includes a striking motion module that determines striking motions of the drumstick with respect to a virtual percussion instrument based on accessing information measured by the motion detector, and a display module that causes the lighting display to present a certain type of illumination based on the striking motions determined by the striking motion module.