Abstract: A self-cleaning film system includes a substrate and a self-cleaning film disposed on the substrate. The self-cleaning film includes a monolayer formed from an oleophobic material, and a first plurality of regions disposed within the monolayer in a non-periodic pattern such that each of the first plurality of regions abuts and is surrounded by the oleophobic material. Each of the first plurality of regions includes a photocatalytic material.

Abstract: A method of forming a self-cleaning film system includes ink jet printing a composition onto a substrate. The composition includes an oleophobic material and a photocatalytic material. The method further includes curing the composition to form a self-cleaning film disposed on the substrate and thereby form the self-cleaning film system. The self-cleaning film includes a first plurality of regions including the photocatalytic material and disposed within the oleophobic material such that each of the first plurality of regions abuts and is surrounded by the oleophobic material.

Abstract: Methods, computing devices, and computer-program products are provided for implementing a virtual personal assistant. In various implementations, a virtual personal assistant can be configured to receive sensory input, including at least two different types of information. The virtual personal assistant can further be configured to determine semantic information from the sensory input, and to identify a context-specific framework. The virtual personal assistant can further be configured to determine a current intent. Determining the current intent can include using the semantic information and the context-specific framework. The virtual personal assistant can further be configured to determine a current input state. Determining the current input state can include using the semantic information and one or more behavioral models. The behavioral models can include one or more interpretations of previously-provided semantic information.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for locating and calibrating a physical control for use with a graphical user interface. The apparatus includes a display operative to display a placement indicator and a user interface, a sensor operative to determine a placement location of a physical control, and a processor operative to generate the placement indicator, to receive the placement location and to determine an offset between the placement indicator and the placement location, the processor being further operative to generate the user interface in response to the offset and to couple the user interface to the display.

Abstract: Methods, computing devices, and computer-program products are provided for implementing a virtual personal assistant. In various implementations, a virtual personal assistant can be configured to receive sensory input, including at least two different types of information. The virtual personal assistant can further be configured to determine semantic information from the sensory input, and to identify a context-specific framework. The virtual personal assistant can further be configured to determine a current intent. Determining the current intent can include using the semantic information and the context-specific framework. The virtual personal assistant can further be configured to determine a current input state. Determining the current input state can include using the semantic information and one or more behavioral models. The behavioral models can include one or more interpretations of previously-provided semantic information.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for locating and calibrating a physical control for use with a graphical user interface. The apparatus includes a display operative to display a placement indicator and a user interface, a sensor operative to determine a placement location of a physical control, and a processor operative to generate the placement indicator, to receive the placement location and to determine an offset between the placement indicator and the placement location, the processor being further operative to generate the user interface in response to the offset and to couple the user interface to the display.

Abstract: A multifunctional self-cleaning surface layer and methods of preparing the multifunctional self-cleaning surface layer are provided. The multifunctional self-cleaning surface layer includes an inorganic matrix including silicon and oxygen; a plurality of photocatalytic active particles distributed within and bonded to the inorganic matrix; and a plurality of nanopores defined within the inorganic matrix in regions corresponding to bonds between the plurality of photocatalytic active particles and the inorganic matrix. Water molecules may be disposed within at least a portion of the plurality of nanopores. In the presence of water and electromagnetic radiation, the plurality of photocatalytic active particles may facilitate a decomposition reaction of any oil or organic residue on the multifunctional self-cleaning surface layer.

Abstract: A method of forming a self-cleaning film system includes depositing a photocatalytic material onto a substrate to form a first layer. The method also includes disposing a photoresist onto the first layer and then exposing the photoresist to light so that the photoresist has a developed portion and an undeveloped portion. The method includes removing the undeveloped portion so that the developed portion protrudes from the first layer. After removing, the method includes depositing a perfluorocarbon siloxane polymer onto the first layer to surround and contact the developed portion. After depositing the perfluorocarbon siloxane polymer, the method includes removing the developed portion to thereby form the self-cleaning film system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for real time video upscaling in a vehicle display system. The apparatus includes a camera for capturing an image having a first resolution, a display operative at a second resolution, a sensor for detecting a condition, and a processor for selecting a scaling algorithm in response to the first resolution, the second resolution and the condition, the processor further operative to scale the image from the first resolution to the second resolution to generate a rescaled image and for coupling the rescaled image to the display.

Abstract: A hat (200) for a neonate (120) comprising: a central portion (201), a first side portion (202) and second side portion (203) attached to opposite sides of the central portion (201), a first fastener (208); a top flap (204) and a second fastener (211). The hat (200) has an unfolded configuration and a worn configuration. In the unfolded configuration the first and second portions (202, 203) extend away from each other from the central portion (201) in opposite directions. In the worn configuration the hat (200) wraps a neonate's head with the central portion (201) in contact with the back of the neonate's head, the first portion (202) wrapped around a first side of the neonate's head and the second portion (203) wrapped around a second side of the neonate's head.

Abstract: A self-cleaning film system includes a substrate and an anti-reflection film disposed on the substrate. The anti-reflection film includes a first sheet formed from titanium dioxide, a second sheet formed from silicon dioxide and disposed on the first sheet, and a third sheet formed from titanium dioxide and disposed on the second sheet. The system includes a self-cleaning film disposed on the anti-reflection film and including a monolayer disposed on the third sheet and formed from a fluorinated material selected from the group consisting of fluorinated organic compounds, fluorinated inorganic compounds, and combinations thereof. The self-cleaning film includes a first plurality of regions disposed within the monolayer such that each of the first plurality of regions abuts and is surrounded by the fluorinated material and includes a photocatalytic material.

Abstract: A system for failure diagnostics for a Human Machine Interface (HMI) includes a physical knob, a button, and a touchscreen interface. The physical knob and the button disposed on the touchscreen interface and in communication with the touchscreen interface. The system further includes a touch sensor in communication with the touchscreen interface, and a controller in communication with the touch sensor, the controller having memory for storing control logic and a processor configured to execute the control logic, the control logic including a first logic for determining a state of the touchscreen interface, and a second logic for determining a state of a portion of the touchscreen interface smaller than a full area of the touchscreen interface.

Abstract: A self-cleaning film system includes a substrate and an anti-reflection film disposed on the substrate. The anti-reflection film includes a first sheet formed from titanium dioxide, a second sheet formed from silicon dioxide and disposed on the first sheet, and a third sheet formed from titanium dioxide and disposed on the second sheet. The system includes a self-cleaning film disposed on the anti-reflection film and including a monolayer disposed on the third sheet and formed from a fluorinated material selected from the group consisting of fluorinated organic compounds, fluorinated inorganic compounds, and combinations thereof. The self-cleaning film includes a first plurality of regions disposed within the monolayer such that each of the first plurality of regions abuts and is surrounded by the fluorinated material and includes a photocatalytic material.

Abstract: A self-cleaning film system configured for reducing a visibility of a contaminant includes a substrate and a film. The film includes a monolayer defining a plurality of cavities and formed from a first material having a first surface energy, and a plurality of patches disposed within the plurality of cavities. Each of the patches is formed from a photocatalytic material having a second surface energy that is higher than the first. The film has a touchpoint area having a first use frequency, and a second area having a second use frequency that is less than the first. The patches are present in the touchpoint area in a first concentration and are configured to direct the contaminant towards the second area. The patches are present in the second area in a second concentration that is higher than the first and are configured to reduce the visibility of the contaminant.

Abstract: A method of forming a film system includes depositing a monolayer formed from a fluorocarbon onto a substrate. After depositing, the method includes ablating the monolayer to define a plurality of cavities therein, wherein each of the plurality of cavities is spaced apart from an adjacent one of the plurality of cavities along the monolayer. After ablating, the method includes embedding a photocatalytic material into each of the plurality of cavities to form a film on the substrate and thereby form the film system. The film system includes a plurality of regions including the photocatalytic material and disposed within the monolayer such that each of the plurality of regions abuts and is surrounded by the fluorocarbon.

Abstract: An optical display knob is mounted on an electronic display, such as a touch-screen display found in a vehicle interior cabin, and includes a knob body with an optical guide and a button located therein. The knob body is rotatable, whereas the optical guide is adhered to the electronic display via a transparent adhesive so that it is stationary, with respect to the electronic display. When the electronic display generates graphics or images, the corresponding light is transmitted through the transparent adhesive and the optical guide to a front display surface. At the front display surface, the graphics appear to be emanating from the front of the optical display knob, and not from the surface of the electronic display itself.

Abstract: A system for failure diagnostics for a Human Machine Interface (HMI) includes a physical knob, a button, and a touchscreen interface. The physical knob and the button disposed on the touchscreen interface and in communication with the touchscreen interface. The system further includes a touch sensor in communication with the touchscreen interface, and a controller in communication with the touch sensor, the controller having memory for storing control logic and a processor configured to execute the control logic, the control logic including a first logic for determining a state of the touchscreen interface, and a second logic for determining a state of a portion of the touchscreen interface smaller than a full area of the touchscreen interface.

Abstract: A self-cleaning film system configured for reducing a visibility of a contaminant includes a substrate and a film. The film includes a monolayer defining a plurality of cavities and formed from a first material having a first surface energy, and a plurality of patches disposed within the plurality of cavities. Each of the patches is formed from a photocatalytic material having a second surface energy that is higher than the first. The film has a touchpoint area having a first use frequency, and a second area having a second use frequency that is less than the first. The patches are present in the touchpoint area in a first concentration and are configured to direct the contaminant towards the second area. The patches are present in the second area in a second concentration that is higher than the first and are configured to reduce the visibility of the contaminant.

Abstract: A method of forming a film system includes depositing a monolayer formed from a fluorocarbon onto a substrate. After depositing, the method includes ablating the monolayer to define a plurality of cavities therein, wherein each of the plurality of cavities is spaced apart from an adjacent one of the plurality of cavities along the monolayer. After ablating, the method includes embedding a photocatalytic material into each of the plurality of cavities to form a film on the substrate and thereby form the film system. The film system includes a plurality of regions including the photocatalytic material and disposed within the monolayer such that each of the plurality of regions abuts and is surrounded by the fluorocarbon.

Abstract: A self-cleaning film system includes a substrate and a film. The film includes a monolayer formed from fluorinated material and a first plurality of regions disposed within the monolayer and spaced apart from one another such that each of the first plurality of regions abuts, is surrounded by, and is not covered by the fluorinated material. Each of the first regions includes a photocatalytic material. A method of forming a self-cleaning film system includes depositing a monolayer formed from fluorinated material onto a substrate. After depositing, the method includes ablating the monolayer to define a first plurality of cavities therein, wherein each of the first cavities is spaced apart from an adjacent one of the first cavities along the monolayer. After ablating, the method includes embedding a photocatalytic material into each of the first plurality of cavities to form a film on the substrate and thereby form the film system.