Abstract: Methods and processes are provided by which inhibited-crystallization polymers may be employed as feedstock materials in thermoplastic extrusion-type additive manufacturing systems. Counteracting the tendency of such polymers to uncontrolledly settle into an amorphous state upon cooling under typically used conditions, techniques are disclosed for controlling process temperatures, exposure times and feed rates to produce parts with uniform crystallinity, high mechanical strength and efficient throughput.

Abstract: In the formation of a solid object by progressively adding extruded materials to a workpiece, a mechanism is disclosed for transposing the paths by which two or more extrusion nozzles travel to deposit materials. Paralleling a surface contour of the object being formed, the paths for two or more substantially continuous extruded traces are directed in complementary fashion to cause a first extrusion trace to form the object surface while a second extrusion trace is deposited behind the first trace. At another position along the surface contour, the paths of the extruded traces may cross over one another to allow the second extruded trace to define the object surface. Where the first and second traces have a different color or visual appearance, the disclosed mechanism enables fine graphic features to efficiently be integrated into the surface of the object being formed.

Abstract: In the formation of a solid object by progressively adding extruded materials to a workpiece, a mechanism is disclosed for transposing the paths by which two or more extrusion nozzles travel to deposit materials. Paralleling a surface contour of the object being formed, the paths for two or more substantially continuous extruded traces are directed in complementary fashion to cause a first extrusion trace to form the object surface while a second extrusion trace is deposited behind the first trace. At another position along the surface contour, the paths of the extruded traces may cross over one another to allow the second extruded trace to define the object surface. Where the first and second traces have a different color or visual appearance, the disclosed mechanism enables fine graphic features to efficiently be integrated into the surface of the object being formed.

Abstract: In the formation of a solid object by progressively adding extruded materials to a workpiece, a mechanism is disclosed for transposing the paths by which two or more extrusion nozzles travel to deposit materials. Paralleling a surface contour of the object being formed, the paths for two or more substantially continuous extruded traces are directed in complementary fashion to cause a first extrusion trace to form the object surface while a second extrusion trace is deposited behind the first trace. At another position along the surface contour, the paths of the extruded traces may cross over one another to allow the second extruded trace to define the object surface. Where the first and second traces have a different color or visual appearance, the disclosed mechanism enables fine graphic features to efficiently be integrated into the surface of the object being formed.

Abstract: An approach is provided for supporting multi-media conferencing. Textual information (e.g., text associated with a presentation) is received for display during a conference session to multiple participants. For a particular participant, configuration information corresponding to the participant specifies language assistance for the textual information. Language assistance involves augmenting the textual information according to the configuration information for comprehension of the textual information by the particular participant. In one embodiment, the augmented textual information includes language translation of the textual information. Additionally, the augmented textual information can encompass definitions of terms, including acronyms. The augmented textual information is forwarded for display to the participant during the conference session.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are described wherein an auxiliary sensor is removably attached to a touchscreen computing device and is communicably coupled to the device to provide additional user input to the computing device. In accordance with some embodiments, the additional user input may be used to affect how the computing device interprets and processes gestural user input from the touchscreen, or to simulate such input. In accordance with an illustrative embodiment, the auxiliary sensor establishes an optical path near the surface of the touchscreen and sensing user contact by observing blockage of the optical path by a user's pointing member.

Abstract: In the formation of a solid object by progressively adding extruded materials to a workpiece, a mechanism is disclosed for transposing the paths by which two or more extrusion nozzles travel to deposit materials. Paralleling a surface contour of the object being formed, the paths for two or more substantially continuous extruded traces are directed in complementary fashion to cause a first extrusion trace to form the object surface while a second extrusion trace is deposited behind the first trace. At another position along the surface contour, the paths of the extruded traces may cross over one another to allow the second extruded trace to define the object surface. Where the first and second traces have a different color or visual appearance, the disclosed mechanism enables fine graphic features to efficiently be integrated into the surface of the object being formed.

Abstract: An approach is provided for supporting multi-media conferencing. Textual information (e.g., text associated with a presentation) is received for display during a conference session to multiple participants. For a particular participant, configuration information corresponding to the participant specifies language assistance for the textual information. Language assistance involves augmenting the textual information according to the configuration information for comprehension of the textual information by the particular participant. In one embodiment, the augmented textual information includes language translation of the textual information. Additionally, the augmented textual information can encompass definitions of terms, including acronyms. The augmented textual information is forwarded for display to the participant during the conference session.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes a universal remote control device programming the universal remote control device for remotely controlling a target device configured to process media content associated with the target device for presentation to a user of the target device, adding a new button associated with a configuration for remotely controlling the target device to a device selector palette, the new button being selectable by the user to activate the configuration for remotely controlling the target device, and displaying at least one of text and graphics related to the media content associated with the target device. Corresponding systems, methods, and apparatuses are also disclosed.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are described wherein an auxiliary sensor attachable to a touchscreen computing device provides an additional form of user input. When used in conjunction with an accessibility process in the touchscreen computing device, wherein the accessibility process generates audible descriptions of user interface features shown on a display of the device, actuation of the auxiliary sensor by a user affects the manner in which concurrent touchscreen input is processed and audible descriptions are presented.

Abstract: A user device may be used to communicate a message to a rescue vehicle, such as a helicopter, an airplane, etc. A user may provide the user device with message content data, such as a name, a description of a geographic location, whether the user is in need of medical attention, etc., and the user device may create a message pattern based on the message content data. The message pattern may correspond to a machine-readable code, such as a Quick Response (QR) code. The message pattern may be copied to a display panel of a display kit, which may include dimensions suitable for displaying the message pattern to a rescue vehicle in a manner that enables the rescue vehicle to translate the message pattern back into message content data for the effective deployment of search and rescue resources and/or for notifying individuals concerned with the welfare of the user.

Abstract: A user device may be used to communicate a message to a rescue vehicle, such as a helicopter, an airplane, etc. A user may provide the user device with message content data, such as a name, a description of a geographic location, whether the user is in need of medical attention, etc., and the user device may create a message pattern based on the message content data. The message pattern may correspond to a machine-readable code, such as a Quick Response (QR) code. The message pattern may be copied to a display panel of a display kit, which may include dimensions suitable for displaying the message pattern to a rescue vehicle in a manner that enables the rescue vehicle to translate the message pattern back into message content data for the effective deployment of search and rescue resources and/or for notifying individuals concerned with the welfare of the user.

Abstract: To verify the integrity of optical paths through and among optical switches, optical signals are provided with co-propagating supplemental signals. The supplemental signals preferably have at least one characteristic which allows distinguishing one supplemental signal from another. Associated with a port of a switch, means are provided for detecting a supplemental signal and determining if the supplemental signal indicates that a desired optical signal is passing through the port as expected and desired. Means for imparting or changing the distinguishing characteristic of a supplemental signal may also be employed to facilitate verifying the passage of optical signals.

Abstract: An exemplary apparatus comprises a housing attachable to a touchscreen-equipped computing device wherein one or more image sensors in the housing obtain images of an object in the vicinity of the touchscreen and a processor analyzes the images to compute the position of the object relative to the touchscreen and communicates to the computing device attribute data pertaining to the imaged object. Exemplary methods are also described.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes an adjunct content presentation system including adjunct content within a first image of a media content instance and a second image of the media content instance by setting a pixel value of a first group of pixels included in the first image and a pixel value of a second group of pixels included in the second image and corresponding to the first group of pixels to each be substantially equal to one pixel value unit greater than a predetermined neutral pixel value, including the adjunct content within a compensating image by setting a pixel value of a third group of pixels included in the compensating image and corresponding to the first and second groups of pixels to be substantially equal to two pixel value units less than the predetermined neutral pixel value, and presenting the first image, the second image, and the compensating image.

Abstract: A system instructs that a first carrier signal that is modulated with a first digital media stream be sent to a first receiver, where the first digital media stream uses a first bandwidth. The system receives a second request from a second receiver to send a second digital media stream, where second digital media stream uses a second bandwidth that is greater than the first bandwidth, and determines that transmitting the second digital media stream will require use of the first bandwidth. The system instructs that a second carrier signal be modulated with the first digital media stream and sent to the first television receiver, and sends to the first television receiver an identifier of the second carrier signal as carrying the first digital media stream.

Abstract: A device is configured to identify an emergency call from a user device, determine that the user device is to be connected on a video call, and obtain first video call information associated with the user device, where the first video call information includes information that permits the video call to be established. The device is configured to receive emergency information associated with the emergency call, and to identify an emergency guidance device to which the user device is to be connected via the video call. The device is configured to obtain second video call information associated with the emergency guidance device, where the second video call information includes information that permits the video call to be established, and to provide information to connect the user device and the emergency guidance device via the video call, based on the first video call information and the second video call information.

Abstract: Exemplary methods and systems for distributing and accessing content associated with an e-Book are disclosed herein. An exemplary method includes a content management subsystem receiving data representative of additional content associated with a particular passage of an e-Book from a first e-reader device and transmitting the data representative of the additional content to a second e-Book reader device for presentation in conjunction with the particular passage of the e-Book. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A device is configured to identify an emergency call from a user device, determine that the user device is to be connected on a video call, and obtain first video call information associated with the user device, where the first video call information includes information that permits the video call to be established. The device is configured to receive emergency information associated with the emergency call, and to identify an emergency guidance device to which the user device is to be connected via the video call. The device is configured to obtain second video call information associated with the emergency guidance device, where the second video call information includes information that permits the video call to be established, and to provide information to connect the user device and the emergency guidance device via the video call, based on the first video call information and the second video call information.

Abstract: A rewind or fast forward operation may be performed in which a series of reduced-in-size images from previous frames in a video program may be presented to the viewer. In one implementation, a device may obtain sampled images corresponding to select frames of the video program and output a series of the sampled images in an order in which a sampling time corresponding to each of the sampled images in the video program monotonically increases or decreases in the output series. Differences in the sample times between successive images in the series of sampled images may not be uniform. The device may receive a selection of one of the images in the output series of sampled images and change a current output location of the video program to a location corresponding to the sampling time of the selected image.