Abstract: A device for maintaining an optical path of an optical imaging system free of fog includes an elongated member having a distal end and a proximal end, a near-infrared (NIR) light-absorbing optical window disposed at the distal end, and an optical system disposed along the optical path. The device also includes a coupling module coupled to the elongated member at the proximal end and configured to transmit near-infrared light to the NIR light-absorbing optical window along the optical path and receive a light beam from an area of interest along the optical path.

Abstract: An apparatus to realize the virtual height and surround effect. The apparatus includes at least an input source, a processor and front speaker. The input source provides the input signals on front, surround and height channels input into the processor in which a beamforming, channel separation and/or virtual-height effect are applied on each of the source channels, respectively. After the processing, all produced output channels output by the processor are arranged and combined into existing speakers of the soundbar.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, an apparatus for providing a virtual sound effect in a listening environment is provided. The apparatus includes at least one controller and an audio playback device. The audio playback device includes the at least one controller that is programmed to receive an audio input signal from an audio input source and to apply a head related transfer function (HRTF) to the audio input signal. The at least one controller is further programmed to apply crosstalk cancellation to the audio input signal and to generate an audio output signal after applying the HRTF and the crosstalk cancellation to the audio input signal for playback by at least one loudspeaker that is invisible to a listener in the listening environment.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, an audio limiter system is provided. The system includes a first limiter block, a second limiter block, and a third limiter block. The first limiter block receives an incoming audio signal having a plurality of first frequencies and limits the incoming audio signal with the plurality of first frequencies based on at least a first gain threshold to generate at least a first high audio output signal. The second limiter block receives the incoming audio signal having a plurality of second frequencies and limits the incoming audio signal with the plurality of second frequencies based on at least a second gain threshold to generate at least a first low audio output signal. The third limiter block receives the first high audio output signal and/or the first low audio output signal and limits the first high audio output signal and/or the first low audio output signal.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a system for providing an adaptive loudspeaker assembly is provided. A loudspeaker array transmits an audio output signal in an omnidirectional sound mode in a room having a plurality of walls. A microphone array is coupled to the loudspeaker array to capture the audio output signal in the room. At least one controller is programmed to receive the captured audio output signal and to determine that at least one first wall of the plurality of walls is closest to the loudspeaker array based on the captured audio output signal. The at least one controller is further programmed to change a sound mode of the loudspeaker array from transmitting the audio output signal in the omnidirectional mode into a beamforming sound mode to transmit the audio output signal away from the at least one first wall of the plurality walls.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a system for providing an adaptive loudspeaker assembly is provided. A loudspeaker array transmits an audio output signal in an omnidirectional sound mode in a room having a plurality of walls. A microphone array is coupled to the loudspeaker array to capture the audio output signal in the room. At least one controller is programmed to receive the captured audio output signal and to determine that at least one first wall of the plurality of walls is closest to the loudspeaker array based on the captured audio output signal. The at least one controller is further programmed to change a sound mode of the loudspeaker array from transmitting the audio output signal in the omnidirectional mode into a beamforming sound mode to transmit the audio output signal away from the at least one first wall of the plurality walls.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, an apparatus for providing a virtual sound effect in a listening environment is provided. The apparatus includes at least one controller and an audio playback device. The audio playback device includes the at least one controller that is programmed to receive an audio input signal from an audio input source and to apply a head related transfer function (HRTF) to the audio input signal. The at least one controller is further programmed to apply crosstalk cancellation to the audio input signal and to generate an audio output signal after applying the HRTF and the crosstalk cancellation to the audio input signal for playback by at least one loudspeaker that is invisible to a listener in the listening environment.

Abstract: A method for controlling access to a restricted resource is provided. The method may include receiving, by a cloud server, an identifier from a user device over a long range wireless channel. Further, the method may include comparing the identifier with a plurality of identifiers registered with an access control device. Further, the method may include authenticating the user device based on the comparing and subsequently transmitting a code to the user device upon successful authenticating. Thereafter, the user device may transmit the code to the access control device over a short range wireless channel. Further, the access control device may be configured to provide access to the restricted resource based on receiving of the code. Further, the method may include transmitting the code to the access control device over a long range wireless channel so that the access control device may authenticate the user device.

Abstract: An apparatus for sterilizing a target includes an ultraviolet (UV) light source for emitting UV radiation for sterilizing the target, a measurement device for measuring a distance between the UV light source and the target, a controller for calculating a time duration for sterilizing the target in response to the measured distance, an attachment member for removably attaching an electronic device to the apparatus, and an interface circuit for electrically connecting the electronic device with the apparatus. The electronic device includes a processor configured to execute an application program and a display screen configured to display a result of the application program.

Abstract: An apparatus to realize the virtual height and surround effect. The apparatus includes at least an input source, a processor and front speaker. The input source provides the input signals on front, surround and height channels input into the processor in which a beamforming, channel separation and/or virtual-height effect are applied on each of the source channels, respectively. After the processing, all produced output channels output by the processor are arranged and combined into existing speakers of the soundbar.

Abstract: An acoustic component, an acoustic apparatus and an acoustic system are provided. The acoustic component has a pipe, a slot configured on the pipe that has an elongation direction along an elongation direction of the pipe, and a horn extending from a first end of the pipe. The acoustic apparatus includes the acoustic component and further includes an acoustic driver acoustically coupled with a second end of the pipe to radiate acoustic energy carried in waves into the pipe. The acoustic energy carried in waves is radiated to the environment through the slot and the horn.

Abstract: A device for maintaining an optical path of an optical imaging system free of fog includes an elongated member having a distal end and a proximal end, a near-infrared (NIR) light-absorbing optical window disposed at the distal end, and an optical system disposed along the optical path. The device also includes a coupling module coupled to the elongated member at the proximal end and configured to transmit near-infrared light to the NIR light-absorbing optical window along the optical path and receive a light beam from an area of interest along the optical path.

Abstract: A method for controlling access to a restricted resource is provided. The method may include receiving, by a cloud server, an identifier from a user device over a long range wireless channel Further, the method may include comparing the identifier with a plurality of identifiers registered with an access control device. Further, the method may include authenticating the user device based on the comparing and subsequently transmitting a code to the user device upon successful authenticating. Thereafter, the user device may transmit the code to the access control device over a short range wireless channel. Further, the access control device may be configured to provide access to the restricted resource based on receiving of the code. Further, the method may include transmitting the code to the access control device over a long range wireless channel so that the access control device may authenticate the user device.

Abstract: An acoustic component, an acoustic apparatus and an acoustic system are provided. The acoustic component has a pipe, a slot configured on the pipe that has an elongation direction along an elongation direction of the pipe, and a horn extending from a first end of the pipe. The acoustic apparatus includes the acoustic component and further includes an acoustic driver acoustically coupled with a second end of the pipe to radiate acoustic energy carried in waves into the pipe. The acoustic energy carried in waves is radiated to the environment through the slot and the horn.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle having a passenger cabin includes a floorpan with seats mounted to the floorpan. Side closure structures adjoin the outboard ends of the seats. Seat displacement members located within the side closure structures load the outboard ends of the seats so as to deform the seat frames and floorpan. This moves the affected seat laterally inward with respect to a longitudinal center plane of the vehicle in the event of a laterally directed impact load against the closure structure. As a result, the pelvic region of the occupant will be the first region of the occupant to be dynamically loaded by the side closure structure.

Abstract: Composite products incorporating a polymer matrix, polymer microspheres, glass microspheres and natural fibers, particularly kenaf and wood fibers, are described. The polymer microspheres are 15 to 50 microns in diameter and are smaller than the glass microspheres which are 50 to 200 microns in diameter. The polymer microspheres reduce voids and prevent cracking of the glass microspheres upon compression. The composites have low cost and high strength.