Abstract: Embodiments relate to crosstalk cancellation to reduce crosstalk vibrations during use of multiple bone conduction transducers. A system, for example, a head-mounted display (HMD) for providing audio to a user, uses vibration sensors to detect vibrations caused by the bone conduction transducers. In particular, a vibration sensor may generate an error signal representing residual vibrations due to crosstalk at a given ear region of the user. The system uses estimated transfer functions for noise propagation paths through the user's head to generate an anti-crosstalk signal. In response to the anti-crosstalk signal, a bone conduction transducer transmits anti-crosstalk vibrations that reduce the error signal at the given ear region.

Abstract: Embodiments of a production-quality text-to-speech (TTS) system constructed from deep neural networks are described. System embodiments comprise five major building blocks: a segmentation model for locating phoneme boundaries, a grapheme-to-phoneme conversion model, a phoneme duration prediction model, a fundamental frequency prediction model, and an audio synthesis model. For embodiments of the segmentation model, phoneme boundary detection was performed with deep neural networks using Connectionist Temporal Classification (CTC) loss. For embodiments of the audio synthesis model, a variant of WaveNet was created that requires fewer parameters and trains faster than the original. By using a neural network for each component, system embodiments are simpler and more flexible than traditional TTS systems, where each component requires laborious feature engineering and extensive domain expertise. Inference with system embodiments may be performed faster than real time.

Abstract: Disclosed is material (20) for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilise at least one component of the smokable material. The material (20) comprising a mixture of smokable material (21) and elements (22). Each of the elements (22) comprises a closed circuit of heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field.

Abstract: A recycling kiosk for recycling and financial remuneration for submission of an electronic device such as a mobile phone is disclosed herein. The recycling kiosk includes electrical connectors and an inspection area with an upper chamber, a lower chamber, a transparent plate and at least one camera in order to perform a visual analysis and an electrical analysis of the electronic device for determination of a value of the electronic device. The recycling kiosk also includes a processor and a display for user interaction.

Abstract: A game card incorporates a marking system having one or more layers of varnish or rubber-based material that is removable when applied to a substrate and one or more overlying screens having a pattern of opaque ink elements printed on the removable layer or layers such that the ink elements are blended into smooth tones when viewed by the human eye. An optional underlying screen provides another pattern of opaque ink elements underneath the removable layer. The marking system and method of the present invention permit a wide range of combinations of designs and security measures, while ensuring that indicia printed on the game card are visible so that players can scratch or otherwise remove the removable layer and at least a portion of the overlying screen as a way of marking the underlying indicia.

Abstract: The present disclosure features compounds such as those having the Formulae (I) and (II), which can increase cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) activity as measured in human bronchial epithelial (hBE) cells. The present disclosure also features methods of treating a condition associated with decreased CFTR activity or a condition associated with a dysfunction of proteostasis comprising administering to a subject an effective amount of a disclosed compound, such as a compound of Formula (I) or (II).

Abstract: Fertilizer is applied between the rows of growing plants or to the bases of growing plants in adjacent rows. A dirt moving member then moves dirt and any applied fertilizer from between the rows onto the bases of the growing plants in the adjacent rows. The dirt acts to seal the fertilizer and to significantly reduce fertilizer losses.

Abstract: A system and method for ensuring secure connections utilizing a mobile device that connects to a network or other device by using wired or wireless connectivity, a computer-implemented algorithm that is downloaded and installed onto the mobile device and is utilized to create a user account, and gathers the mobile device's identifying information; an edge device that is connected to an internet service provider; and a controller having a controller memory and a central processing unit that stores the user account, the edge device's information and contains a certificate authority that generates encrypted certificates using the mobile device's identifying information.

Abstract: A training device for use in teaching proper hitting mechanics includes an elongated, narrow beam, a rear foot support slidably coupled to the rear end of the beam, and a wedge-like front foot support fixedly mounted onto the front end of the beam. A longitudinal slot is formed in the rear end of the beam to restrict displacement of rear foot support along a three-inch linear path. To facilitate displacement of rear foot support, the beam is provided with a pair of removable glide strips constructed of a self-lubricating, low-friction plastic material. Rear foot support includes a balance plate that teeters relative to a base plate in contact with the glide strips. The ability of the balance plate to pivot and slide relative to the beam trains a hitter to utilize the proper sequence of connected movement between the lower and upper body using both sensory and auditory feedback.

Abstract: A child carrying unit (4) comprising a base portion (6) and a wall portion (8) substantially surrounding the base portion (6), the wall portion (8) comprises first and second pliable members, which meet end-to-end at a jointed region, the arrangement being such that at least a portion of one part of the child carrying unit (4) including one of the pliable members is locatable in an opposite part by way of the jointed region in the wall portion (8).

Abstract: A recycling kiosk for recycling and financial remuneration for submission of an electronic device such as a mobile phone is disclosed herein. The recycling kiosk includes electrical connectors and an inspection area with an upper chamber, a lower chamber, a transparent plate and at least one camera in order to perform a visual analysis and an electrical analysis of the electronic device for determination of a value of the electronic device. The recycling kiosk also includes a processor and a display for user interaction.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a handheld apparatus for thinning fruit such as apples, pears, cherries, plums, peaches and the like from the branches of fruit trees. The apparatus includes a handheld reciprocating motor unit and a hook shaft detachably secured to the motor unit. The hook shaft terminates in a hook configured to fit around the stem of the fruit.

Abstract: A multi-mode ring scanner (MMRS) has a ring unit for wearing on a finger. The MMRS optionally has a wrist unit coupled to the ring unit, such as via a cable. The MMRS optionally communicates wirelessly with a computing device. The ring unit has one or more scanners (such as an optical scanner or an RFID tag reader). The ring unit optionally has two paddle switches for activation by inward pressure from fingers adjacent to the finger The two switches enable specifying operation of the MMRS in a plurality of modes and/or to communicate a plurality of information codes to the computing device. The computing device is optionally enabled to assign a function to each combination of activation of the two switches. A scanning system including the MMRS optionally provides feedback to a user based on feedback from a host processor.

Abstract: A microphone can include a cover having a series of slits and a nest. The nest can be configured to receive a first diaphragm, a second diaphragm, and a PCB in a stacked arrangement, such that the PCB is positioned between the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm. Also the first diaphragm can define a first plane, the second diaphragm can define a second plane, and the PCB can define a third plane and the first plane, the second plane, and the third plane can extend parallel to one another. The cover can also include slits having a first length and a second length, and the first length can be greater than the second length. The slits can extend both radially and axially.

Abstract: A cast iron having high strength, hardness, and thermal conductivity for a cylinder liner of an internal combustion engine is provided. The cast iron includes 3.2 wt. % to 3.8 wt. % carbon, 2.2 wt. % to 3.2 wt. % silicon, 0.5 wt. % to 1.3 wt. % copper, and at least 75.0 wt. % iron, based on the total weight of the cast iron. The cast iron further includes 0.01 wt. % to 0.5 wt. % manganese, 0.01 wt. % to 0.2 wt. % chromium, up to 0.3 wt. % phosphorous, up to 0.05 wt. % sulfur, up to 0.2 wt. % tin, and up to 0.1 wt. % magnesium, based on the total weight of the cast iron. Preferably, the cast iron is free of molybdenum, nickel, and vanadium. The cast iron is also heat treated and solidifies to achieve fully spheroidal graphite.

Abstract: A personal applicator for application of a cream, gel or lotion by a user has a flexible elongate member (18) coated and/or impregnated with the cream gel or lotion from within the body (12) of a container (14). The flexible elongate member can be a chord, and may Slave a solid or elasticated central core covered with an impregnatable or absorbent sheath or coating, such as a foam. The container can include a retraction mechanism (20), such as having a spool or bobbin which can be spring biased to retract the chord. Alternatively, the chord may be self retracting, such as by elastic or self coiling.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for accessing body lumens and/or for delivering instruments into body lumens, e.g., vessels within a patient's vasculature. A flexible sheath is provided that is expandable from a contracted condition to an enlarged condition wherein the sheath at least partially defines a lumen therein. The sheath is lubricious and has a relatively thin wall, thereby providing a collapsible/expandable guide for delivering fluids and/or instruments through tortuous anatomy and/or into relatively narrow passages. The sheath is advanced from an entry site to a body lumen in the contracted condition. Once the sheath reaches a target body lumen, the sheath is expanded to the enlarged condition, thereby defining a lumen within the sheath, and fluids and/or instruments are introduced into the body lumen via the sheath lumen. Upon completing the procedure, the sheath is removed from the body lumen.