Abstract: A system is provided for implementing steering wheel controls, namely steering wheel rotation locking. In accordance with embodiments of the disclosed technology, a system may comprise a steering wheel rotation locking device; and a controller communicatively connected to the steering wheel rotation locking device to determine a presence and location of one or more objects or conditions surrounding a vehicle, and produce steering wheel control feedback to physically prevent rotational movement of a steering wheel.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for optimizing a process of manufacturing a product. In one aspect, the method comprises repeatedly performing the following: i) selecting a configuration of input settings for manufacturing a product, based on a causal model that measures causal relationships between input settings and a measure of a quality of the product; ii) determining the measure of the quality of the product manufactured using the configuration of input settings; and iii) adjusting, based on the measure of the quality of the product manufactured using the configuration of input settings, the causal model.

Abstract: A method and a system provide a promotional game over a plurality of gaming locations. The promotional game is associated with a vault including a bonus prize and a secret combination of discrete elements. A player may be provided a voucher to participate in the promotional game. An input device is provided to be presented to the player, wherein the player inputs a guess at the secret combination. The player guess at the secret combination is then received through the input device and a determination is won as to whether the bonus prize is won based on the secret combination, the player guess, and a matching criteria associated with the secret combination.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present disclosure, an apparatus for securing a first object to a second object, including a deformable anchor body, a working suture connected to the anchor body, the working suture including a pre-formed knot, and a repair suture connected to the first object, wherein, with the anchor body connected to the second object and at least one of the anchor body and the working suture connected to the repair suture, the anchor body is adapted to secure within the second object and the working suture and repair suture are adapted to secure to the anchor body to secure the first object to the second object.

Abstract: A device may include a processor configured to receive, by a system process and from an application process, a visibility preference for an object type and segment one or more physical objects associated with the object type from an image of a physical environment. The processor is also configured to determine, by the system process, whether to display the one or more segmented physical objects based at least in part on the visibility preference. In response to a determination display the one or more segmented physical objects, the processor is configured to display at least a portion of the image corresponding to the one or more segmented physical objects. In response to a determination not to display the one or more segmented physical objects, the processor is configured to forgo displaying that at least a portion of the image corresponding to the one or more segmented physical objects.

Abstract: A bioactive filamentary structure includes a sheath coated with a mixture of synthetic bone graft particles and a polymer solution forming a scaffold structure. In forming such a structure, synthetic bone graft particles and a polymer solution are applied around a filamentary structure. A polymer is precipitated from the polymer solution such that the synthetic bone graft particles and the polymer coat the filamentary structure and the polymer is adhered to the synthetic bone graft particles to retain the graft particles.

Abstract: Techniques for alignment of temporal markers and media content. These techniques include identifying a first plurality of temporal markers for alignment with a first item of media content, and determining, using a computer processor, alignment for the markers and media content. This includes: (i) identifying a plurality of differences between the first plurality of temporal markers and a second plurality of temporal markers, where the second plurality of markers relate to the first item of media content and are alternatively labeled compared with the first plurality of temporal markers, or (ii) determining a cumulative frame-by-frame difference (CD) for each temporal marker of the plurality of temporal markers, the first item of media content, and a second item of media content. The techniques further include performing an alignment action for the first plurality of temporal markers and the first item of media content.

Abstract: In one implementation, a method of displaying an image is performed by a device including an image sensor, a display, one or more processors, and non-transitory memory. The method includes capturing, using the image sensor, an image of an object in a physical environment. The method includes obtaining, based on the image, a first predicted object pose of the object in the physical environment at a display time. The method includes rendering virtual content based on the first predicted object pose. The method includes obtaining a second predicted object pose of the object in the physical environment at the display time. The method includes warping the virtual content based on the second predicted object pose. The method includes displaying, on the display at the display time, the warped virtual content.

Abstract: A system is provided for implementing steering wheel controls, namely steering wheel rotation locking. In accordance with embodiments of the disclosed technology, a system may comprise a steering wheel rotation locking device; and a controller communicatively connected to the steering wheel rotation locking device to determine a presence and location of one or more objects or conditions surrounding a vehicle, and produce steering wheel control feedback to physically prevent rotational movement of a steering wheel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for learning and managing robot user interfaces are disclosed herein. One embodiment generates, based on input data including information about past interactions of a particular user with a robot and with existing HMIs of the robot, a latent space using one or more encoder neural networks, wherein the latent space is a reduced-dimensionality representation of learned behavior and characteristics of the particular user, and uses the latent space as input to train a decoder neural network associated with (1) a new HMI distinct from the existing HMIs or (2) a particular HMI among the existing HMIs to alter operation of the particular HMI. The trained first decoder neural network is deployed in the robot to control, at least in part, operation of the new HMI or the particular HMI in accordance with the learned behavior and characteristics of the particular user.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present disclosure, an apparatus for securing a first object to a second object, including a deformable anchor body, a working suture connected to the anchor body, the working suture including a pre-formed knot, and a repair suture connected to the first object, wherein, with the anchor body connected to the second object and at least one of the anchor body and the working suture connected to the repair suture, the anchor body is adapted to secure within the second object and the working suture and repair suture are adapted to secure to the anchor body to secure the first object to the second object.

Abstract: A bioactive filamentary structure includes a sheath coated with a mixture of synthetic bone graft particles and a polymer solution forming a scaffold structure. In forming such a structure, synthetic bone graft particles and a polymer solution are applied around a filamentary structure. A polymer is precipitated from the polymer solution such that the synthetic bone graft particles and the polymer coat the filamentary structure and the polymer is adhered to the synthetic bone graft particles to retain the graft particles.

Abstract: A duration of time in which an individual observed a region can be determined. An image can be received. The image can include an indication of a point of gaze of the individual at a production time of the image. The image can include a visual fiducial marker, which can be disposed at a position in the image and can include a visual symbol. The visual symbol can be associated with data that define the region. The region can have a shape and a size and can be disposed a displacement in a direction from a position of the visual fiducial marker. Using the visual symbol, a location of an edge of the region can be determined. The indication of the point of gaze can be determined to be within the region. The production time of the image can be determined to be within the duration of time.

Abstract: A heat-retaining clip assembly is provided. The heat-retaining clip assembly includes a convex surface nested in a concave surface in a closed position, wherein the convex and concave surfaces are pivotably connected to move between the closed position and an open position. The convex surface has a higher thermal conductivity than the concave surface. The present invention includes a system providing an arcuate heating element that can be sandwiched between the convex and concave surfaces in the closed position, while the convex surface conducts most of the heat. Then the heat-retaining clip assembly may be moved in the open position from the heating element to a user's hair so that the heat stored in the convex surface transfers to the hair to form textured waves in the hair after the clip is moved back to the closed position.

Abstract: A charging system includes a scalable power source for powering a motor of a vehicle and telematics and battery management modules. The scalable power source includes: N battery packs, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 3; and multiple switches connected to the N battery packs including N?1 switches for serially connecting the N battery packs between supply and return lines and a multiple of N switches for parallel connecting the N battery packs to the supply and return lines. The telematics module requests capability of a charging station and receives a response signal from a device indicating the capability of the charging station. The battery management module: based on the capability of the charging station, selects one of the available arrangements in which to connect the N battery packs, sets states of the multiple switches; and then charges the N battery packs based on the states.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a computer system facilitates depth conflict mitigation for a virtual object that is in contact with one or more physical objects in a three-dimensional environment by reducing visual prominence of one or more portions of the virtual object. In some embodiments, a computer system adjusts the visibility of one or more virtual objects in a three-dimensional environment by applying a visual effect to the one or more virtual objects in response to detecting one or more portions of a user. In some embodiments, a computer system modifies visual prominence in accordance with a level of engagement with a virtual object.

Abstract: Dual arm mechanical pruning apparatuses for simultaneously hedging and/or skirting trees in adjacent rows typically comprising: a mast assembly; a lift carriage assembly; two front arm assemblies, each front arm assembly comprising one or more saw blades; two lower arm assemblies, each lower arm assembly comprising one or more saw blades; two swing arms, each swing arm rotatably attached to the lift carriage, one of the two front arm assemblies and one of the two lower arm assemblies, where the two swing arms rotate, thereby extending and retracting the two front arm assemblies and the two lower arm assemblies relative to the lift carriage assembly, and where the two front arm assemblies hedge, and the two lower arm assemblies hedge or skirt trees. In some embodiments the dual arm mechanical pruning apparatus also comprises a vehicle mounting assembly.

Abstract: Systems and methods for learning and managing robot user interfaces are disclosed herein. One embodiment generates, based on input data including information about past interactions of a particular user with a robot and with existing HMIs of the robot, a latent space using one or more encoder neural networks, wherein the latent space is a reduced-dimensionality representation of learned behavior and characteristics of the particular user, and uses the latent space as input to train a decoder neural network associated with (1) a new HMI distinct from the existing HMIs or (2) a particular HMI among the existing HMIs to alter operation of the particular HMI. The trained first decoder neural network is deployed in the robot to control, at least in part, operation of the new HMI or the particular HMI in accordance with the learned behavior and characteristics of the particular user.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for improved and intuitive adjustment of a vehicle headrest. A vehicle headrest adjustment system may include touch sensors and/or motion sensors to determine a driver or passenger intends to adjust a vehicle headrest. Upon detection of touch consistent with intent to adjust a vehicle headrest and/or a hand gesture consistent with intent to adjust a vehicle headrest, a system may unlock a vehicle headrest. A driver or passenger may move the unlocked vehicle headrest into the desired position. Upon detection of a condition indicating the driver or passenger is finished and/or upon a set period of time elapsing, the system may re-lock the vehicle headrest into place. A vehicle headrest adjustment system may also include a power-assist function. The power-assist function may include motors and force sensors to assist a driver or passenger in moving a vehicle headrest into a desired position.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling an autonomous vehicle are disclosed herein. One embodiment determines a reference path for the autonomous vehicle along a roadway segment and steers the autonomous vehicle along a path that includes controlled back and forth lateral deviations from the reference path along the roadway segment to provide feedback to an occupant of the autonomous vehicle, the feedback indicating to the occupant that the autonomous vehicle is in an autonomous driving mode and that the autonomous driving mode is operating correctly.