Abstract: Apparatus and methods for changing one or more functional or operational aspects of a wireless device, such as upon the occurrence of a certain event. In one embodiment, the event comprises detecting that the wireless device is within range of one or more other devices. In another variant, the event comprises the wireless device associating with a certain access point. In this manner, various aspects of device functionality may be enabled or restricted (device “policies”). This policy enforcement capability is useful for a variety of reasons, including for example to disable noise and/or light emanating from wireless devices (such as at a movie theater), for preventing wireless devices from communicating with other wireless devices (such as in academic settings), and for forcing certain electronic devices to enter “sleep mode” when entering a sensitive area.

Abstract: Robotic surface-cleaning assemblies include a base configured to be operatively coupled to a robotic arm; a supply of cleaning fabric supported relative to the base; an applicator supported relative to the base, wherein the applicator is configured to support a portion of cleaning fabric from the supply of cleaning fabric and operatively and selectively position the portion into engagement with a surface to be cleaned; and a source of cleaning fluid supported relative to the base, wherein the source of cleaning fluid is configured to operatively and selectively (i) deliver cleaning fluid directly to the portion of cleaning fabric supported by the applicator and/or (ii) deliver cleaning fluid directly to the surface to be cleaned. Methods of cleaning a surface with a robotic surface-cleaning assembly also are disclosed.

Abstract: An electrical component for attachment to paper and other substrates comprises, according to one embodiment, a functional electronic part including one or more support pillars on an underside thereof. Each of the support pillars comprises: a channel extending therethrough from a top opening to a bottom opening, where the top opening of the channel is adjacent to the functional electronic part; and a magnet moveably positioned in the channel in electrical contact with the functional electronic part, where the bottom opening of the channel has a width smaller than a maximum lateral dimension of the magnet.

Abstract: A method for interactive image sharing includes receiving, by an image sharing application executing on a first computing device, from a second computing device, a plurality of puzzle piece images and an image associated with the plurality of puzzle piece images. The method includes generating, by a puzzle generator executing on the first computing device, a puzzle assembly interface. The method includes confirming, by the puzzle generator, assembly of the plurality of puzzle piece images by a user of the first computing device. The method includes displaying, by the puzzle generator, the image associated with the plurality of puzzle piece images upon confirmation of assembly.

Abstract: A printed 3D functional part includes a 3D structure comprising a structural material, and at least one functional electronic device is at least partially embedded in the 3D structure. The functional electronic device has a base secured against an interior surface of the 3D structure. One or more conductive filaments are at least partially embedded in the 3D structure and electrically connected to the at least one functional electronic device.

Abstract: An access point that implements operating modes in which beacons may be selectively disabled. Beacons may be disabled when no device is actively associated through the access point. Beacons may be enabled in response to one or more triggers, which may include events such as a client forming an association through the access point following a probe request message identifying the access point. In addition, active beaconing may be triggered by user input or may occur during periodic brief intervals that allow client devices to discover the network identifier for the access point. Selective control of beaconing may lead to more effective wireless communication, particularly in areas where users congregate with computers implementing soft APs for personal networks.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed of configuring a robotic end effector to prevent two or more axes of joints of a robotic arm from being in alignment. A connecting part is attached between a robotic arm and a tool in a pre-determined configuration chosen to prevent the two or more axes of joints of the robotic arm from being in alignment for a selected process involving the tool. Reconfigurable end plates may be disposed between the connecting part and the robotic arm, and between the connecting part and the tool to put the connecting part into the pre-determined configuration which prevents the two or more axes of the joints of the robotic arm from being in alignment for the selected process involving the tool.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for displaying scenes included in media assets. The technique includes selecting a first scene included in a first video asset based on one or more preferences and metadata associated with multiple scenes. The first video asset is one of multiple video assets, and each scene included in the multiple scenes is included in one of the video assets included in the multiple video assets. The technique further includes displaying the first scene within a first portion of a display area.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for displaying one or more video streams on a consumer device. The technique includes setting a first display characteristic associated with a first video stream to a first value based on a first priority associated with the first video stream. The technique further includes transmitting the first video stream to a consumer device for display. The technique further includes selecting a second video stream, setting a second display characteristic associated with the second video stream to a second value based on a second priority associated with the second video stream, and transmitting the second video stream to the consumer device for display.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for changing one or more functional or operational aspects of a wireless device, such as upon the occurrence of a certain event. In one embodiment, the event comprises detecting that the wireless device is within range of one or more other devices. In another variant, the event comprises the wireless device associating with a certain access point. In this manner, various aspects of device functionality may be enabled or restricted (device “policies”). This policy enforcement capability is useful for a variety of reasons, including for example to disable noise and/or light emanating from wireless devices (such as at a movie theater), for preventing wireless devices from communicating with other wireless devices (such as in academic settings), and for forcing certain electronic devices to enter “sleep mode” when entering a sensitive area.

Abstract: One example of the present disclosure relates to an apparatus for manipulating a fastener. The apparatus comprises a chamber that includes a first location and a second location. A first actuator is movable between a first position, contiguous with the first location, and a second position, contiguous with the second location. A second actuator is movable between a third position, contiguous with the second location, and a fourth position, contiguous with a third location. A third actuator is movable between a fifth position, contiguous with the third location, and a sixth position, contiguous with the fourth location. The third location is at least partially outside the chamber, and the fourth location is entirely outside the chamber.

Abstract: Retrofit light fixtures suitable for installation without tools. One or more spring bands deform as the fixture is forced through a ceiling opening and resume their preloaded shape to hold the fixture in place. Some embodiments may be installed in round ceiling openings and may utilize LED light sources.

Abstract: An electrical component for attachment to paper and other substrates comprises, according to one embodiment, a functional electronic part including one or more support pillars on an underside thereof. Each of the support pillars comprises: a channel extending therethrough from a top opening to a bottom opening, where the top opening of the channel is adjacent to the functional electronic part; and a magnet moveably positioned in the channel in electrical contact with the functional electronic part, where the bottom opening of the channel has a width smaller than a maximum lateral dimension of the magnet.

Abstract: A backplane configured to receive electrical components is provided. The backplane in one example includes a substrate comprising an at least partially flexible material, a plurality of backplane traces formed as part of the substrate, at least one connector island formed in the substrate, with the at least one connector island located in an opening in the substrate and configured to receive at least one mating electrical component, and one or more spring elements bridging between the at least one connector island and the substrate, with traces of the plurality of backplane traces extending over the one or more spring elements to the at least one connector island and with the one or more spring elements allowing the at least one connector island to flex with respect to the substrate and absorb vibrations.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for changing one or more functional or operational aspects of a wireless device, such as upon the occurrence of a certain event. In one embodiment, the event comprises detecting that the wireless device is within range of one or more other devices. In another variant, the event comprises the wireless device associating with a certain access point. In this manner, various aspects of device functionality may be enabled or restricted (device “policies”). This policy enforcement capability is useful for a variety of reasons, including for example to disable noise and/or light emanating from wireless devices (such as at a movie theater), for preventing wireless devices from communicating with other wireless devices (such as in academic settings), and for forcing certain electronic devices to enter “sleep mode” when entering a sensitive area.

Abstract: A light fixture that allows for customization and easy adjustability of various properties of the distributed light. The light fixture includes a threaded ring that engages with threads of a heat sink to support and retain a lens and/or reflector within the fixture. Because the threaded ring retains the lens and reflector within the fixture, unscrewing the threaded ring allows the lens and/or the reflector to be replaced without having to remove the entire fixture.

Abstract: An access point that implements operating modes in which beacons may be selectively disabled. Beacons may be disabled when no device is actively associated through the access point. Beacons may be enabled in response to one or more triggers, which may include events such as a client forming an association through the access point following a probe request message identifying the access point. In addition, active beaconing may be triggered by user input or may occur during periodic brief intervals that allow client devices to discover the network identifier for the access point. Selective control of beaconing may lead to more effective wireless communication, particularly in areas where users congregate with computers implementing soft APs for personal networks.

Abstract: There is provided a mechanism for synchronising a plurality of dynamic language models residing in a plurality of devices associated with a single user, each device comprising a dynamic language model. The mechanism is configured to: receive text data representing text that has been input by a user into one or more of the plurality of devices; train at least one language model on the text data; and provide the at least one language model for synchronising the devices. There is also provided a system comprising the mechanism and a plurality of devices, and a method for synchronising a plurality of dynamic language models residing in a plurality of devices associated with a single user.

Abstract: Processing data in a communications system comprising a plurality of servers is provided. First data received from a communications device is directed to a given server in the plurality of servers. A server identifier identifying the given server is transmitted to the communications device. Subsequent data is received from the communications device. The subsequent data comprises the server identifier and a further parameter. The given server is selected on the basis of at least the server identifier and some of the subsequent data received from the communications device is directed to the given server. In the event of a need to redirect subsequent data to a server other than the given server, a different server is selected on the basis of at least the further parameter and further of the subsequent data received from the communications device is directed to the selected different server.