Abstract: Described herein is an autonomous vehicle collision avoidance system designed to detect and deter animals from the road. An automotive ‘deer whistle’ is integrated into an autonomous sensor suite. The sensor suite detects animals using cameras, identifies them and their hearing range using machine learning algorithms, and deters them by emitting animal-specific sound pulses. The system also notifies the driver, may trigger a braking or honking sequence, adjusts subsequent noise emissions based on animal feedback, and collect data on collisions or near collisions for analysis at a central repository. Also described herein is a business model to encourage consumer adoption of the device, wherein the device is distributed to consumers as insurance policy incentive.

Abstract: A plurality of processors and routers are mounted on a scalable, modular, polyhedral cluster, creating a mixed hypercube-toroid network. The architecture scales in a lattice model. Therefore within each cluster, the routers are capable of routing messages in hypercube topologies of at least up to six dimensions, and continue by extension to the next cluster on the scaling lattice. Also described herein are various network routing paths derived from one topological embodiment, a cuboctahedron+centroid interconnect, which optimize network traffic for distributed computing, and shared memory applications. Also described herein are mechanical polyhedral scaffoldings for mounting and connecting processors or single board computers. The processor configurations enable function-follows-form computing.

Abstract: Whereas contemporary chatbots use conversation as a means to execute a task, the present invention generates conversation as an enjoyable interaction central to the human experience. A conversational API is modeled on speech from real or fictitious personalities, and enables humorous and useful conversation, music streaming, digital assistant tasks with humans or other agents. The present invention affords a richer, more human level of conversation over corporate, generic digital devices and assistants. The API is comprised of speech input, which is fed into a natural language understanding (NLU) pipeline, which is trained on a corpus of labeled speech samples harvested from the speaker by means of a neural network, or pragmatic model; the speech is then fed into a personality model, then into a natural language generation (NLG) pipeline, from which speech is selected from a database and modified, to emit a reply.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to high performance computers and datacenter environments. A self-supporting communication network includes multiple nodes, which are arranged in a polyhedral cluster, which can also be described by a networking topology. The nodes are configured to convey data traffic between source hosts and respective destination hosts by routing packets among the nodes in the shortest possible time, and with a substantially greater number of nearest network connections, for the given level of network load and contention. A routing algorithm describes this traffic. Polyhedral clusters may be close-packed into a lattice, creating a scalable exascale computer, which self-supporting, thus requiring no external racks or exoskeleton. Various configurations of close-packed lattices of polyhedral clusters may enhance different compute workloads. The cluster may also disassemble and reassemble, without requiring an extensive data center environment.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling stateful context-based production of content. A system utilizing such techniques can include a stateful context-based user interaction management system and a stateful context-based interaction engagement device. A method utilizing such techniques can include selecting content to produce at a stateful context-based interaction engagement device according to contexts associated with user interactions with the stateful context-based interaction engagement device and causing the stateful context-based interaction engagement device to produce the selected content in response to the user interactions.

Abstract: A smart toy is provided. The smart toy includes a housing forming a zoomorphic shell for housing internal components. The smart toy also includes a microphone for receiving an audio signal from a child and a speaker for playing a responsive audio signal to the child. The smart toy further includes an actuator button and a microprocessor for establishing a voice call with a remote server when the actuator button is pressed. The microprocessor processes the audio signal received from the child and sends the audio signal to the remote server. The remote server processes the audio signal using a dialog engine and a knowledge database to generate the responsive audio signal which is tailored to the child and responsive to the audio signal. The remote server sends the responsive audio signal to the microprocessor to be played to the child.

Abstract: Methods and games for teaching cognitive and social skills to children with alternative learning styles, particularly children with kinesthetic and/or visual learning styles. Mission-oriented exercises are designed to engage hyperactive children to solve problems. Alternative methods of displaying and sequencing data communicate with visual learners, encouraging flexibility of cognitive thought processes. Various embodiments of games and game parts are disclosed herein. Children are dealt game parts having indicia, such as numbers, letters, or actions. Children configure said parts into linear, curvilinear, radial, or stacked assemblies, producing random, compound permutations of equations to calculate. Children operate the games in a competitive, cooperative social environment. An observer provides feedback. Said games require physical exercise which promotes kinesthetic learning. Said permutations create subgroups of children to interact socially.

Abstract: An end piece for the end of a lace, string, filament or the like flexible article. The end piece includes a tube into which the end of the lace or the like is installed. A pin passes through and across the tube and pierces or traps the end of the flexible article in the tube. A decoration may be applied on the pin. A decoration support may be supported on the pin. The decoration support may have the form of a pivotable bridle attached on the ends of the pin. The bridle is supported to the tube by pintles. The pin passes through one pintle and into the other arm of the bridle.

Abstract: An end piece for the end of a lace, string, filament or the like flexible article. The end piece includes a tube into which the end of the lace or the like is installed. A pin passes through and across the tube and pierces or traps the end of the flexible article in the tube. A decoration may be applied on the pin. A decoration support may be supported on the pin. The decoration support may have the form of a pivotable bridle attached on the ends of the pin. The bridle is supported to the tube by pintles. The pin passes through one pintle and into the other arm of the bridle.

Abstract: Play-furniture for children, composed of a plurality of attaching, substantially similar wedge-shaped cushions, of ergonomic dimensions relating to those of a child. The cushion's section resembles a trapezoid, comprising two slanted straight lines and two concentric rings. The cushion's graduate tips and inner edges are filleted to create a hollow cylindrical core along the imaginary central axis of the assembled sphere, in order to allow kids to stand, hide, or roll inside the sphere. This open area also acts as a safety feature against suffocation. The cushions may be composed of semi-rigid bases, such as foam or padding, and fabric exteriors, with fastening areas (such as Velcro), for attaching and detaching the cushions from one another. The cushions may be configured into a spherical assembly, or a variety of other shapes.

Abstract: A beverage brewing stirrer has a container with holes in its wall and a sheath snugly surrounding the container and having holes in its wall of the same pattern as the holes in the wall of the container. The sheath is movable on the container between a position in which the holes in the walls of the container and sheath are out of alignment and a position in which the holes are in alignment.