Abstract: Disclosed herein are a method and apparatus for automated following behind a lead vehicle. The lead vehicle navigates a path from a starting point to a destination. The lead vehicle and the following vehicle are connected via V2V communication, allowing one or more following vehicles to detect the path taken by the lead vehicle. A computerized control system on the following vehicle (a Follow-the-Leader, or FTL, system) allows the following vehicle to mimic the behavior of the lead vehicle, with the FTL system controlling steering to guide the following vehicle along the path previously navigated by the lead vehicle. In some embodiments, the lead vehicle and following vehicle may both use Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) position coordinates. In some embodiments, the following vehicle may also have a system of sensors to maintain a gap between the following and lead vehicles.

Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein include (i) receiving a voice command via at least one microphone of a networked microphone device, wherein the networked microphone device is configured to receive voice commands for a media playback system, and wherein the media playback system comprises the networked microphone device and a first playback device configured to play back content, (ii) determining that the networked microphone device is not configured to play back the content, (iii) in response to determining that the networked microphone is not configured to play back the content, determining that the first playback device is available to play back the content, (iv) causing the first playback device to play back the content, (v) determining that the first playback device is no longer available to play back the content, and (vi) selecting a second playback device to play back the content.

Abstract: A dispenser for a liquid is provided which is particularly, though not exclusively, useful for dispensing liquid medical compositions such as nasal sprays. The dispenser employs at least one, though preferably two, semi-rigid casing halves, defining a liquid reservoir, within which is mounted a bridge member which performs the functions of dip tube, dose metering pump, and outlet orifice. An air inlet may be provided into the reservoir, to allow air to enter as liquid leaves, in which case it may be provided with a liquid-impermeable, and preferably bacteria-impermeable, cover. Other constructions are described in which no such cover need be provided, or in which the need for an air inlet can be avoided altogether.

Abstract: The invention herein relates to pumps and valving arrangements for fluid dispensers. The invention further relates to dispensers incorporating a pump. The pumps herein comprise a dose chamber, a resilient actuator, valves for controlling the flow of fluid into and out of the dose chamber and the upper and lower pump halves each formed from unitary mouldings, at least the upper pump half comprising a semirigid, thermoplastic material. The pumps are easily made via injection moulding from a small number of parts. Combination of the pump with a fluid reservoir provides a fluid dispenser which may further comprise an atomiser for forming a spray as fluid is ejected from a dispenser outlet. Methods of making the pump and valving arrangements are also provided by the invention.

Abstract: An improved package, suitable for holding a treatment fluid comprising a volatile solvent and kits comprising the package containing the treatment fluid and an applicator are disclosed. The package comprises a reservoir for the liquid which is sealed by a ruturable seal. A cap, coupled to one end of the reservoir, is in the form of a sleeve which is axially translatable along the reservoir from first to second positions. A cutting tool integrated with the cap ruptures the rupturable seal as the cap is moved from first to second positions so that the liquid can thereby be made accessible through an opening in an end wall of the cap. The package provides excellent protection for volatile liquids, yet can be easily opened by a simple press-action, instantly providing access to the liquid so that it can subsequently accessed by a liquid applicator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved package, suitable for holding a treatment fluid comprising a volatile solvent.

Abstract: A color and appearance measurement apparatus combines a computer controlled color video camera, controlled illumination conditions, frame grabber to digitize the video signal, and image processing methods to perform non-contact calorimetric measurements of complex patterns of color. Video images of samples placed into the field of view of the camera are digitized and converted from the color camera's red, green, and blue (RGB) color space to the internationally recognized and standardized CIE XYZ color space. A calibration process to set the dynamic range of the camera for the given illumination, correct for spatial non-uniformities in the lighting and responsivity of the detector arrays, correct for temporal variations in the lighting intensity, and determine the necessary coefficients to transform the RGB values to CIE XYZ tristimulus values ensures the measurements are highly repeatable and that measured color and appearance differences are in agreement with visual observations.