Abstract: Verifying the opacity of an inflatable membrane includes tests to measure the contribution of a background to the noise in the fluorescence signal as an inflatable membrane is stretched. For example, if the inflatable membrane fluoresces red and green light in response to illumination with visible blue light, the ratio of red to green fluoresced light is measured when the membrane is not stretched and then stretched while the membrane sits over a background that is half black and half red. When the change in the ratio of intensities of the two wavelengths of fluoresced light increases more for measurements taken over one portion of the background than the other, then the inflatable membrane is considered transparent to the wavelengths of fluoresced light, and if it increases a similar amount for measurements taken no matter which portion of the background the membrane covered, then the inflatable membrane is considered opaque.

Abstract: An inflatable membrane for use with a three-dimensional (3D) scanning system configured to measure signal intensity of a first and a second wavelength of light may include a matrix material, a pigment for opacity, and a fluorescent material that is transparent to the first and the second wavelengths of light. The first and second wavelengths of light may be ranges of wavelengths. The matrix material may include a silicone, and the pigment for opacity may include a carbon black. The 3D scanning system may be configured to scan anatomical cavities, such as the human ear canal.

Abstract: A balloon membrane may be coupled with a scanner to produce a three-dimensional representation. The balloon membrane may include an exterior surface, and an interior surface comprising one or more fiducial markers having geometric features to form a random pattern that when detected by the scanner permits a processor of the scanner to use portions of the random pattern present in at least two image frames to align the at least two image frames to form the three-dimensional representation.

Abstract: In one aspect, there is provided an apparatus. The apparatus may include a balloon membrane. The balloon membrane may include an opening, an exterior surface, and an interior surface. The interior surface may include one or more fiducial markers forming a pattern detectable by a scanner imaging the interior surface of the balloon membrane. Scanned portions of the interior surface of the balloon membrane may be combined based on the fiducial markers forming the pattern. Related methods and articles of manufacture, including computer program products, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems are provided for scanning and measuring an anatomical cavity. An apparatus may include an absorbing medium assembly that is fluidly connected to an earpiece and configured to provide an absorbing medium to the earpiece. The absorbing medium assembly may include a medium container with a gas trap, as well as a tube fluidly connected to the medium container. The gas trap may be located at a top portion of the medium container. The tube may be coupled to the top portion or a bottom portion of the medium container. The system may include a dip tube disposed inside the medium container when the tube of the absorbing medium assembly couples to a top portion of the medium container. A gas relief valve configured to enable gas to escape may also be present in the apparatus.

Abstract: An image enhancer device for use with an associated mobile electronic device having a digital camera. The image enhancer device includes an image manipulator coupled to a first region of a housing and configured to modify an optical path of the digital camera; an aimer having an aiming element configured to direct at least one aiming light beam towards an object of interest; an illuminator having an illumination element configured to direct at least one illumination light beam from the housing towards the object of interest; and electronics allowing for communication between the image enhancer device and the associated mobile electronic device. The image enhancer device forms a scan angle relative to a field of view of the digital camera of the mobile electronic device and allows for bar code imaging and/or native image processing with the digital camera of the associated mobile electronic device.

Abstract: An image enhancer device for use with an associated mobile electronic device having a digital camera. The image enhancer device includes an image manipulator coupled to a first region of a housing and configured to modify an optical path of the digital camera; an aimer having an aiming element configured to direct at least one aiming light beam towards an object of interest; an illuminator having an illumination element configured to direct at least one illumination light beam from the housing towards the object of interest; and electronics allowing for communication between the image enhancer device and the associated mobile electronic device. The image enhancer device forms a scan angle relative to a field of view of the digital camera of the mobile electronic device and allows for bar code imaging and/or native image processing with the digital camera of the associated mobile electronic device.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for the dispensing and collection of objects in urban environments. More particularly, the disclosure provides systems and methods for dispensing and collecting helmets. The disclosure provides a self-sufficient, high-capacity, helmet dispensing system. In some embodiments, the system includes solar panels that provide the system with the requisite power needed to power the system. In some implementations, the system includes a vandal resistant return mechanism for the helmets. The system may also include communication modules, which may transmit system information to a backend server.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems are provided for scanning and measuring an anatomical cavity. An apparatus may include an absorbing medium assembly that is fluidly connected to an earpiece and configured to provide an absorbing medium to the earpiece. The absorbing medium assembly may include a medium container with a gas trap, as well as a tube fluidly connected to the medium container. The gas trap may be located at a top portion of the medium container. The tube may be coupled to the top portion or a bottom portion of the medium container. The system may include a dip tube disposed inside the medium container when the tube of the absorbing medium assembly couples to a top portion of the medium container. A gas relief valve configured to enable gas to escape may also be present in the apparatus.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for the dispensing and collection of objects in urban environments. More particularly, the disclosure provides systems and methods for dispensing and collecting helmets. The disclosure provides a self-sufficient, high-capacity, helmet dispensing system. In some embodiments, the system includes solar panels that provide the system with the requisite power needed to power the system. In some implementations, the system includes a vandal resistant return mechanism for the helmets. The system may also include communication modules, which may transmit system information to a backend server.

Abstract: An image enhancer device for use with an associated mobile electronic device having a digital camera. The image enhancer device includes an image manipulator coupled to a first region of a housing and configured to modify an optical path of the digital camera; an aimer having an aiming element configured to direct at least one aiming light beam towards an object of interest; an illuminator having an illumination element configured to direct at least one illumination light beam from the housing towards the object of interest; and electronics allowing for communication between the image enhancer device and the associated mobile electronic device. The image enhancer device forms a scan angle relative to a field of view of the digital camera of the mobile electronic device and allows for bar code imaging and/or native image processing with the digital camera of the associated mobile electronic device.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for the dispensing and collection of objects in urban environments. More particularly, the disclosure provides systems and methods for dispensing and collecting helmets. The disclosure provides a self-sufficient, high-capacity, helmet dispensing system. In some embodiments, the system includes solar panels that provide the system with the requisite power needed to power the system. In some implementations, the system includes a vandal resistant return mechanism for the helmets. The system may also include communication modules, which may transmit system information to a backend server.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for the dispensing and collection of objects in urban environments. More particularly, the disclosure provides systems and methods for dispensing and collecting helmets. The disclosure provides a self-sufficient, high-capacity, helmet dispensing system. In some embodiments, the system includes solar panels that provide the system with the requisite power needed to power the system. In some implementations, the system includes a vandal resistant return mechanism for the helmets. The system may also include communication modules, which may transmit system information to a backend server.

Abstract: In some example embodiments, there may be provided an apparatus. The apparatus may include a balloon membrane including an opening, an exterior surface, and an interior surface, the interior surface including one or more fiducial markers forming a pattern detectable by a scanner imaging the interior surface of the inflatable membrane. Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, may also be provided.

Abstract: An inflatable membrane for use with a three-dimensional (3D) scanning system configured to measure signal intensity of a first and a second wavelength of light may include a matrix material, a pigment for opacity, and a fluorescent material that is transparent to the first and the second wavelengths of light. The first and second wavelengths of light may be ranges of wavelengths. The matrix material may include a silicone, and the pigment for opacity may include a carbon black. The 3D scanning system may be configured to scan anatomical cavities, such as the human ear canal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, are provided for scanning an anatomical cavity. The method may include: selecting a scan path for obtaining data from sample areas inside the anatomical cavity, exciting a fluorescent material in an inflatable membrane that conforms to the anatomical cavity, measuring emitted light from the fluorescent material for each sample area, and characterizing the anatomical cavity. Characterizing may be based on at least one of a location or an intensity measurement for each sample area. The method may be executed using a scanning system that includes the inflatable membrane.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of an articulating tool having a head that articulates and is capable of maintaining an angle for drilling or placing a fastener into a bone. The articulating tool includes a housing, an articulating head, a rotatable drive shaft, and a driver tip connected to the distal shaft portion. The articulating tool may be constructed and arranged to move between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position and the second position the articulating head and the rotatable drive shaft are at different angles with respect to the longitudinal axis of the housing.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of an articulating tool having a head that articulates and is capable of maintaining an angle for drilling or placing a fastener into a bone. The articulating tool includes a housing, an articulating head, a rotatable drive shaft, and a driver tip connected to the distal shaft portion. The articulating tool may be constructed and arranged to move between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position and the second position the articulating head and the rotatable drive shaft are at different angles with respect to the longitudinal axis of the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing controlled heating, cooling and motion, in a device such as an active robotic automobile seat, are disclosed. A shape memory alloy (SMA) element, which changes shape upon application of a temperature change to the SMA element, is coupled to a thermoelectric device. Heat flows through the TED upon application of an electrical current through the TED. The apparatus is operable in one of a plurality of modes. In a first mode, a current is applied through the TED to cause a temperature change in the SMA element to change the shape of the SMA element. In a second mode, a current is applied to the TED to cause heat flow in a space adjacent to the apparatus. By controlling application of current to the TED, controlled motion, heating and cooling are achieved in the seat.