Abstract: A context driven alerting system and method is described in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The alerting system and method may consider a pilot's physiological, psychological, and behavioral state during a given mission context. The system may include biometric information which is fused with a context of the flight. The context may be based on one or more of a mission profile data or an aircraft state data. The fused data may be time synchronized and provided to an alerting algorithm. The alerting algorithm may then provide an alert to the pilot which includes a priority, intensity, frequency, or modality determined based on the fused information.

Abstract: An aircraft system includes an aircraft control having embedded biometric sensors. The biometric sensors record pilot physiological data at various phases of flight for analysis and pilot monitoring. The biometric data may be recorded and correlated to flight phases to establish a base-line profile for an individual pilot or an individual flight phase for later comparison and monitoring. Certain biometric data may be used as a secondary characteristic to confirm the identity of a pilot, or to verify that a pilot is currently engaging the aircraft control.

Abstract: A pilot may be more stressed during take-off or landing, which is not abnormal. Physiological data of the pilot may be received. Placing the physiological data in context of the current situation may be advantageous in detecting anomalous behaviors of the pilot. A system and method are described. The system and method receive a stream of images from a camera and detect whether the pilot is exhibiting anomalous behavior. The anomalous behavior is further put into context based on the flight state and various avionics information.

Abstract: One variation of a touch sensor system includes a set of touch layers: spanning a first area; and including a set of electrodes. The system further includes a set of inductor layers: arranged below the set of touch layers; spanning a second area less than the first area; and including a set of spiral traces defining an inductor. The system also includes a magnetic element arranged below the set of inductor layers and defining a first polarity facing the inductor. The system further includes a controller configured to: read a set of electrical values from the set of electrodes; interpret a force magnitude of a touch input based on the set of electrical values; and in response to the force magnitude exceeding a force magnitude, drive an oscillating voltage across the inductor to induce alternating magnetic coupling between the inductor and the magnetic element.

Abstract: One variation of a system for a haptic actuator includes: a substrate; a baseplate; a magnetic element; and a set of spacer elements. The substrate includes: a first layer including a first spiral trace coiled in a first direction; and a second layer. The second layer is arranged below the first layer and includes a second spiral trace: coiled in a second direction opposite the first direction; and coupled to the first spiral trace to form an inductor. The substrate further includes terminals arranged about a periphery of the substrate and coupled to the inductor. The baseplate is arranged opposite the substrate. The magnetic element is: arranged on the baseplate; and defines a first polarity facing the inductor. The first set of spacer elements are: interposed between the baseplate and the substrate; arranged proximal edges of the baseplate; and defines a nominal gap between the magnetic element and the inductor.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically assessing pilot readiness via a plurality of biometric sensors includes continuously receiving biometric data including vision-based data; the biometric vision-based data is compared to a task specific set of movements and facial expressions as defined by known anchor points. A deviation is calculated based on the vision-based data and task specific set of movements and expressions, and the deviation is compared to an acceptable threshold for pilot readiness. Other biometric data may be included to refine the readiness assessment.

Abstract: A context driven alerting system and method is described in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The alerting system and method may consider a pilot's physiological, psychological, and behavioral state during a given mission context. The system may include biometric information which is fused with a context of the flight. The context may be based on one or more of a mission profile data or an aircraft state data. The fused data may be time synchronized and provided to an alerting algorithm. The alerting algorithm may then provide an alert to the pilot which includes a priority, intensity, frequency, or modality determined based on the fused information.

Abstract: A pilot may be more stressed during take-off or landing, which is not abnormal. Physiological data of the pilot may be received. Placing the physiological data in context of the current situation may be advantageous in detecting anomalous behaviors of the pilot. A system and method are described. The system and method receive a stream of images from a camera and detect whether the pilot is exhibiting anomalous behavior. The anomalous behavior is further put into context based on the flight state and various avionics information.

Abstract: A system may include a vehicle. The vehicle may include an array of haptic devices. The system may further include at least one processor configured to: determine a location of an object or occurrence relative to the user; based at least on the location of the object or occurrence relative to the user, select at least one haptic device of the array of haptic devices to be driven and function as a directional haptic alert to the user, wherein the directional haptic alert is indicative of a direction from the user toward the object or occurrence; and output at least one command to cause a driving of the selected at least one haptic device, wherein the driving of the selected at least one haptic device is perceivable by the user as the directional haptic alert.

Abstract: A computerized system for recognizing the need for cognitive tests due to a physiological event and administering such tests includes a plurality of biometric monitoring devices and a pilot input device. When a physiological event is identified, the system selects an appropriate battery of tests and automatically administers those tests. The system offers the opportunity to automate pilot evaluation for single pilot operations, and to reduce the burden on a co-pilot.

Abstract: An operator safety system (OSS) monitors the physiological well-being of an aircraft pilot or vehicle operator, and has engaged and disengaged operational states (the engaged state associated with active monitoring). The OSS includes a smart engage/disengage system incorporating presence sensors (e.g., visual, seat-based) installed in the cockpit or control area of the vehicle. When the presence sensors determine that the pilot/operator is no longer present in their seat but the OSS is still engaged, the OSS prompts the operator to disengage the OSS (e.g., via single-touch display interface or remotely to a mobile device). When the presence sensors determine that the operator is present or seated, but the OSS is disengaged, the OSS prompts the operator to re-engage the OSS.

Abstract: A system is described. The system may detect whether a user within a flight deck is authorized to control the aircraft. The user may receive differing levels of authority to control the aircraft depending on whether the user is authorized or unauthorized. The system may also control the aircraft depending on the various phases of the aircraft, including in flight and on the ground. The system may also be used to unlock the controls for the aircraft. The system may unlock the control using biometric information or nonbiometric information. The system may include a camera which is added to a flight deck. The camera may capture images of users within the flight deck. Faces within the images may be detected and compared against authorized users for locking or unlocking the aircraft controls.

Abstract: An aircraft-based pilot safety system (PSS) includes cameras or other gaze sensors fixed at an aircraft pilot and configured to capture an image stream focused on the pilot's eyes. The gaze sensors continually assess the gaze direction of the pilot (e.g., toward a display, instrument panel, and/or indicator within the cockpit that the pilot is currently looking at or focusing on) and thereby can establish when the pilot is executing a scan pattern and if that scan pattern is nominal for the current flight context by comparing the scan pattern to context-specific reference scan patterns. If, for example, the pilot's gaze deviates from where it should be (e.g., as determined by the current flight segment) or the current scan pattern is interrupted, the system may prompt the pilot to redirect their gaze or resume the scan pattern.

Abstract: An integrated haptic system may include a digital signal processor and an amplifier communicatively coupled to the digital signal processor and integrated with the digital signal processor into the integrated haptic system. The digital signal processor may be configured to receive a force sensor signal indicative of a force applied to a force sensor and generate a haptic playback signal responsive to the force. The amplifier may be configured to amplify the haptic playback signal and drive a vibrational actuator communicatively coupled to the amplifier with the haptic playback signal as amplified by the amplifier.

Abstract: A system and method provides for multibeam keyword detection. A composite audio signal may include sound components. The system and method groups the sound components into subsets based on the angles of arrival of sound components. Keyword detectors evaluate each subset and determine whether a keyword is present.

Abstract: An integrated haptic system may include a digital signal processor and an amplifier communicatively coupled to the digital signal processor and integrated with the digital signal processor into the integrated haptic system. The digital signal processor may be configured to receive a force sensor signal indicative of a force applied to a force sensor and generate a haptic playback signal responsive to the force. The amplifier may be configured to amplify the haptic playback signal and drive a vibrational actuator communicatively coupled to the amplifier with the haptic playback signal as amplified by the amplifier.

Abstract: According to embodiments described herein, there are provided methods and apparatus for providing a driving signal to a transducer, wherein the driving signal is output by an amplifier. A method comprises receiving an indication of a voltage and a current of the driving signal; based on an electrical model of the transducer and the voltage and the current of the driving signal, estimating an estimated electrical response of the transducer representative of movement of a mass in the transducer; comparing the estimated electrical response to a desired electrical response; and controlling the driving signal based on the comparison.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide methods and apparatus for outputting a haptic signal to a haptic transducer. A method comprises storing a representation of a part of the haptic signal comprising a first information point indicating a first amplitude and at least one first frequency of the part of the haptic signal at a first time, wherein the representation is associated with a user experience; responsive to receiving an indication of occurrence of the user experience, determining the haptic signal based on the first information point such that the part of the haptic signal has the first amplitude and the at least one first frequency at the first time. The method may further comprise outputting the haptic signal to the haptic transducer.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for processing audio for an electronic device, the electronic device including an integrated speech enhanced voice trigger module that can provide an improvement over existing voice trigger modules by effectively combining together voice trigger techniques and speech enhancement techniques. In various embodiments, the integrated speech enhanced voice trigger module is configured to reduce mismatches in types and levels of noise that are encountered during both voice trigger training and runtime. This can result in a higher true positive rate (TPR), a lower false alarm (FA), and a lower impostor acceptance rate (IAR). The disclosed integrated speech enhanced voice trigger module can be used be used with an electronic device having a single microphone or a plurality of microphones.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide methods and apparatus for outputting a haptic signal to a haptic transducer. A method comprises storing a representation of a part of the haptic signal comprising a first information point indicating a first amplitude and at least one first frequency of the part of the haptic signal at a first time, wherein the representation is associated with a user experience; responsive to receiving an indication of occurrence of the user experience, determining the haptic signal based on the first information point such that the part of the haptic signal has the first amplitude and the at least one first frequency at the first time. The method may further comprise outputting the haptic signal to the haptic transducer.