Abstract: A smart home device (e.g., a voice assistant device) includes an audio control system that determines a set of one or more audio devices to include nearby devices that are capable of providing audio streams that are audibly detected by a microphone of the smart home device. The audio control system initiates a voice-interaction mode for operating the smart home device to receive voice commands from a user and provide audio output in response to the voice commands. The audio control system transmits an audio control signal to nearby devices that configures each nearby device to implement one or more of: reducing a volume level associated with the audio streams generated by the nearby devices while the smart home device is operating in the voice-interaction mode; and transmitting, to the smart home device, audio stream data associated with a current audio stream generated for audible output by the nearby device.

Abstract: Urine collection systems and associated methods and devices are disclosed herein. A representative system can include a urine collection device, a flow control assembly configured to direct a urine flow from the patient to the urine collection device, and a urine measurement device including a first sensor and a second sensor. The first sensor is configured to generate first sensor data based on a weight of the container, and the second sensor is configured to generate second sensor data based on the urine flow from the patient to the container. The system can further include non-transitory computer readable media having instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the system to perform operations comprising determining a first patient urine output based on the first sensor data; and determining a second patient urine output based on the second sensor data.

Abstract: A system and method for positioning and orienting an orthopedic implant that includes an implant body; a sensor system integrated into the implant body, the sensor system comprising of at least a plurality of electrodes positioned within the implant body such there is at least one exposed region on the surface of the implant body for each electrode of the plurality of electrodes; a sensor processing control system communicatively coupled to the sensor system, the sensor processing control system configured with instructions that when executed cause the sensor processing control system to collect sensor data from the sensor system and generate adjacency data from the sensor data; and an implant feedback system, that updates state based in part on the adjacency data.

Abstract: A speech recognition system utilizing automatic speech recognition techniques such as end-pointing techniques in conjunction with beamforming and/or signal processing to isolate speech from one or more speaking users from multiple received audio signals and to detect the beginning and/or end of the speech based at least in part on the isolation. Audio capture devices such as microphones may be arranged in a beamforming array to receive the multiple audio signals. Multiple audio sources including speech may be identified in different beams and processed.

Abstract: A method includes receiving physiological data associated with a user during at least a portion of an initial sleep session. The method also includes receiving demographic information associated with the user. The method also includes receiving subjective feedback associated with at least a portion of the initial sleep session from the user. The method also includes determining a profile for the user based at least in part on the physiological data associated with the user, the demographic information associated with the user, and the subjective feedback for the initial sleep session. The method also includes determining a recommended therapy for the user and one or more recommended parameters for the recommended therapy based at least in part on a comparison between the determined profile for the user and profiles associated with a plurality of other users.

Abstract: A nanovoided polymer-based material may include a bulk polymer material defining a plurality of nanovoids and an interfacial film disposed at an interface between each of the plurality of nanovoids and the bulk polymer material. The interfacial film may include one or more layers of material. A method of forming a nanovoided polymer-based material may include (1) forming a bulk polymer material defining a plurality of nanovoids and (2) forming an interfacial film at an interface between each of the plurality of nanovoids and the bulk polymer material. Various other methods, systems, and materials are also disclosed.

Abstract: The techniques herein are directed generally to a “zero-knowledge” data management network. Users are able to share verifiable proof of data and/or identity information, and businesses are able to request, consume, and act on the data—all without a data storage server or those businesses ever seeing or having access to the raw sensitive information (where server-stored data is viewable only by the intended recipients, which may even be selected after storage). In one embodiment, source data is encrypted with a source encryption key (e.g., source public key), with a rekeying key being an encrypting combination of a source decryption key (e.g., source private key) and a recipient's public key. Without being able to decrypt the data, the storage server can use the rekeying key to re-encrypt the source data with the recipient's public key, to then be decrypted only by the corresponding recipient using its private key, accordingly.

Abstract: An actuator assembly includes a primary electrode, a secondary electrode overlapping at least a portion of the primary electrode, and an electroactive polymer layer disposed between the primary electrode and the secondary electrode, where the electroactive polymer layer includes a non-vertical (e.g., sloped) sidewall with respect to a major surface of at least one of the electrodes. The electroactive polymer layer may be characterized by a non-axisymmetric shape with respect to an axis that is oriented orthogonal to an electrode major surface.

Abstract: A sliding door assembly includes a track assembly comprising an inner track component, and outer track component, and a central track component, the inner track component and the central track component defining an inner track, the outer track component and the central track component defining an outer track; a pivot assembly engaged with and movable along the inner track; a sliding door pivotably mounted to the pivot assembly; and a locking pin coupled to the sliding door and movable between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration, wherein, in the extended configuration, the locking pin is engaged with and movable along the outer track.

Abstract: Described herein are battery modules and methods of fabricating thereof. In some examples, a battery module comprises an enclosure, separated into two enclosure portions and a thermal portion, positioned between the two enclosure portions. Two enclosure portions are in part defined by side walls, which can be tapered. The thermal portion comprises two thermal walls, which are operable as the bottoms of the two enclosure portions and form a thermal cavity between these thermal walls. In some examples, the enclosure is a monolithically cast component. Alternatively, the enclosure can be partially cast with one thermal wall welded thereafter to a cast subassembly. The battery module also comprises two sets of batteries, each positioned into a corresponding enclosure portion. Each battery set is interconnected with an interconnecting assembly, positioned between the battery set and the corresponding cover, for this enclosure portion.

Abstract: The techniques herein are directed generally to a “zero-knowledge” data management network. Users are able to share verifiable proof of data and/or identity information, and businesses are able to request, consume, and act on the data—all without a data storage server or those businesses ever seeing or having access to the raw sensitive information (where server-stored data is viewable only by the intended recipients, which may even be selected after storage). In one embodiment, source data is encrypted with a source encryption key (e.g., source public key), with a rekeying key being an encrypting combination of a source decryption key (e.g., source private key) and a recipient's public key. Without being able to decrypt the data, the storage server can use the rekeying key to re-encrypt the source data with the recipient's public key, to then be decrypted only by the corresponding recipient using its private key, accordingly.

Abstract: A graded-index optical element may include a nanovoided material including a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The nanovoided material may be transparent between the first surface and the second surface. Additionally, the nanovoided material may have a predefined change in effective refractive index in at least one axis due to a change in at least one of nanovoid size or nanovoid distribution along the at least one axis. Various other elements, devices, systems, materials, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A back light unit includes a plurality of light emitting diodes positioned on a substrate and a plurality of flat lenses. A respective one of the plurality of flat lens are positioned a distance above a respective one of the plurality of light emitting diodes. Each of the plurality of flat lenses includes a plurality of annular segments having a common center. Each of the plurality of annular segments includes a prism shape microstructure having a first facet configured to refract the light in a desired direction and a second facet oriented in a plane that is parallel to a plane of an emitting surface of respective ones of the plurality of light emitting diode.

Abstract: Described herein are battery packs and electric vehicles using these packs. In some examples, a battery pack comprises two portions/covers and a set of battery modules positioned within the enclosed cavity formed by these portions. A battery pack may comprise a set of pressure-relief valves positioned in and protruding through a wall of at least one portion. Each valve can be coaxial with a corresponding gap provided between two adjacent modules. The valve is configured to provide a fluid path (to the exterior of the battery pack) when the pressure inside the pack exceeds a set threshold. In some examples, the battery pack comprises an inlet tube fluidically coupled to the inlet port of each module and an outlet tube fluidically coupled to the outlet port of each module. A set of specially configured orifices or controllable valves is positioned on the fluid path through each module.

Abstract: A system and method for embedded electronics within a medical implant comprising: an implant body; a circuitry surface, containing at least one electronic component, wherein the circuitry surface is at least partially embedded within a defined cavity of the implant along at least one path; sheathing, comprising a protective structure, wherein the at least partially embedded portion of the circuitry surface is enclosed within the sheathing; electronic components connected to, or directly on, the circuitry surface, comprising a set of electrodes and an antenna; and wiring, connecting the circuitry surface and electronic components. The system and method may further include a casing, wherein the casing is a sealed structure directly connected to the implant body including a printed a circuit board (PCB) contained within the casing itself.

Abstract: The invention relates to a respirator therapy system including a respiratory therapy device, a patient interface and an air circuit delivering pressurised air to the patient interface. The air circuit is formed from two or more lengths of tubing connected to each other by a connecting mechanism. The connecting mechanism is configured such that the respective connectors are both fluidly and electrically connected.

Abstract: The techniques herein are directed generally to a “zero-knowledge” data management network. Users are able to share verifiable proof of data and/or identity information, and businesses are able to request, consume, and act on the data—all without a data storage server or those businesses ever seeing or having access to the raw sensitive information (where server-stored data is viewable only by the intended recipients, which may even be selected after storage). In one embodiment, source data is encrypted with a source encryption key (e.g., source public key), with a rekeying key being an encrypting combination of a source decryption key (e.g., source private key) and a recipient's public key. Without being able to decrypt the data, the storage server can use the rekeying key to re-encrypt the source data with the recipient's public key, to then be decrypted only by the corresponding recipient using its private key, accordingly.

Abstract: A kiln for drying and processing lumber packages is provided. The kiln generally includes at least one end chamber, a drying chamber adjacent to the end chamber, a first lumber conveying line configured to transport the lumber packages in a first direction through the end chamber and the drying chamber, and a second lumber conveying line configured to transport the lumber packages in a second direction through the end chamber and the drying chamber. The conveying lines may be countercurrent or uniflow. The kiln may further include a heat distributor in the end chamber to distribute heat into the end chamber in addition to heat from the drying chamber along the first and second lumber conveying lines. The heat distributor may include a distribution duct receiving heat from a drying chamber distribution duct or a heater inlet duct, a heat exchanger, a radiative heating element, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The disclosure pertains to a capacitively coupled plasma source in which VHF power is applied through an impedance-matching coaxial resonator having a symmetrical power distribution.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein are directed to an annotation system having a remote processor, and a client processor in data communication with the remote processor. The client processor is adapted to send a first request for an electronic file to the remote processor, receive the electronic file from the remote processor, define at least one new annotation about the electronic file, and define at least one anchor associated with the at least one annotation. The at least one of the remote processor and the client processor is adapted to store the at least one anchor and the at least one annotation in an annotation file that is separate from the electronic file.