Abstract: Techniques for using a dynamic wakeword detection threshold are described. A device detects a wakeword in audio data using a first wakeword detection threshold value. Thereafter, the device receives audio including speech. If the device receives the audio within a predetermined duration of time after detecting the previous wakeword, the device attempts to detect a wakeword in second audio data, corresponding to the audio including the speech, using a second, lower wakeword detection threshold value.

Abstract: Techniques for using a dynamic wakeword detection threshold are described. A device detects a wakeword in audio data using a first wakeword detection threshold value. Thereafter, the device receives audio including speech. If the device receives the audio within a predetermined duration of time after detecting the previous wakeword, the device attempts to detect a wakeword in second audio data, corresponding to the audio including the speech, using a second, lower wakeword detection threshold value.

Abstract: Techniques for using a dynamic wakeword detection threshold are described. A device detects a wakeword in audio data using a first wakeword detection threshold value. Thereafter, the device receives audio including speech. If the device receives the audio within a predetermined duration of time after detecting the previous wakeword, the device attempts to detect a wakeword in second audio data, corresponding to the audio including the speech, using a second, lower wakeword detection threshold value.

Abstract: Techniques for using a dynamic wakeword detection threshold are described. A server(s) may receive audio data corresponding to an utterance from a device in response to the device detecting a wakeword using a wakeword detection threshold. The server(s) may then determine the device should use a lower wakeword detection threshold for a duration of time. In addition to sending the device output data responsive to the utterance, the server(s) may send the device an instruction to use the lower wakeword detection threshold for the duration of time. Alternatively, the server(s) may train a machine learning model to determine when the device should use a lower wakeword detection threshold. The server(s) may send the trained machine learned model to the device for use at runtime.

Abstract: A healthcare assessment system is provided for a plurality of healthcare facilities each having healthcare providers and residential areas, each area equipped with biometric sensors and activity sensors. A central server receives sensor data and stores subject information in a data storage network. The system determines potential events for each subject based on respective healthcare profiles, and an event inference engine identifies the actual occurrence and extrapolates a likely occurrence of potential events based on the stored data points with respect to time. The system assigns values representative of a level of healthcare resource needs for each subject, and values representative of a quality of healthcare resources provided for each healthcare provider. A graphical user interface includes a resource allocation report with user-selectable lists of relative rankings of the assigned values for each subject and each provider in a healthcare facility, or for each respective healthcare facility.

Abstract: An ion mobility spectrometer has a drift chamber (1) with an inlet (2) at one end by which a gas or vapor being analyzed is supplied to the chamber. After ionization, molecules are admitted through a gate 8 and flow along a drift region (9) to a collector plate (11). A drift gas is flowed through the drift region against the flow of ionized molecules and is circulated along a flow path (31, 32, 40) and (30), which includes a chamber (50) including a dopant. The dopant is 2,4-pentanedione, which has been found to enhance the detection of a number of compounds especially toxic industrial chemicals and nitrogen compounds, such as those present in the breath of mammals.

Abstract: IMS apparatus has a preconcentrator (20) connected at the inlet (2) of an IMS detector (1) such that all gas supplied to the detector flows through the preconcentrator. The preconcentrator comprises a metal tube (21) having a layer of silicone rubber (24) exposed on its inner surface (25). An electrical resistance heating element (22) extends under the silicone rubber layer (24) and is connected to a power source (23) such that the silicone rubber layer can be periodically heated to desorb substances absorbed by the layer and release them to flow to the IMS detector 1 at a higher concentration. The silicone rubber (24) can operate in the desorption phase in the presence of air without degradation.

Abstract: An ion mobility spectrometer has a drift chamber (1) with an inlet (2) at one end by which a gas or vapour being analysed is supplied to the chamber. After ionization, molecules are admitted through a gate 8 and flow along a drift region (9) to a collector plate (11). A drift gas is flowed through the drift region against the flow of ionized molecules and is circulated along a flow path (31, 32, 40) and (30), which includes a chamber (50) including a dopant. The dopant is 2,4-pentanedione, which has been found to enhance the detection of a number of compounds especially toxic industrial chemicals and nitrogen compounds, such as those present in the breath of mammals.

Abstract: An industrial control and automation human machine interface (HMI) technology is disclosed that includes a centralized definition of data quality and status behaviors for graphical elements. The centralized definition is thereafter applied to every graphical element that is linked to a data value for which status is maintained/provided. Centrally configured data quality and status indication behaviors are incorporated across entire HMI applications and even sets of HMI applications in a system to inform an operator of the data quality and/or status of read/written data through globally defined data status animation behavior. The centrally defined behaviors are distributed to all nodes on a system and incorporated in live applications without shutting down the applications to update their behavior definition. A status graphic element type. The status graphical element examines a designated data variable and displays a picture or icon indicating the quality or status of the data.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for facilitating centralized management of human machine interface (HMI) components distributable across multiple nodes of the system. The system includes a centralized configuration storage for managing a set of HMI templates deployable to a set of remote nodes including HMI facilities. The deployed HMI instances are thereafter executed upon the remote nodes. An HMI application import utility receives HMI applications that are not in a form suitable for management in the centralized configuration storage facility. the import utility encapsulates the received HMI applications to render the HMI templates that are suitable for the centralized configuration storage facility.

Abstract: Non-volatile resistance change memories, systems, arrangements and associated methods are implemented in a variety of embodiments. According to one embodiment, a memory cell having two sections with outwardly-facing portions, the outwardly-facing portions electrically coupled to electrodes is implemented. The memory cell has an ionic barrier between the two sections. The two sections and the ionic barrier facilitate movement of ions from one of the two sections to the other of the two sections in response to a first voltage differential across the outwardly-facing portions. The two sections and the ionic barrier diminish movement of ions from the one of the two sections to the other of the two sections in response to another voltage differential across the outwardly-facing portions.

Abstract: In various exemplary embodiments, the present invention provides a lightweight, maneuverable, thin-walled, transparent apparatus for use with a heavy-duty vacuum system for quickly and easily collecting and storing large volumes of bulky debris, thereby reducing the time needed for cleanup. The present invention also provides an improved vacuum manifold assembly that may be used in conjunction with various gas and electric blower/vacuum motors, both novel and conventional. The present invention further provides various gutter cleaning and other tools that may be used in conjunction with such a vacuum system. The gutter cleaning vacuum system including the improved hinged vacuum manifold assembly of the present invention has sufficient power and is designed such that the various gutter cleaning and other tools are effective, suction-wise, at great distances from the unit, such that an operator may use the gutter cleaning and other tools at great distances over his/her head, for example.

Abstract: Excellent capacitor-voltage characteristics with near-ideal hysteresis are realized in a capacitive-like structure that uses an electrode substrate-type material with a high-k dielectric layer having a thickness of a few-to-several Angstroms capacitance-based SiO2 equivalent (“TOx, Eq”). According to one particular example embodiment, a semiconductor device structure has an electrode substrate-type material having a Germanium-rich surface material. The electrode substrate-type material is processed to provide this particular electrode surface material in a form that is thermodynamically stable with a high-k dielectric material. A dielectric layer is then formed over the electrode surface material with the high-k dielectric material at a surface that faces, lies against and is thermodynamically stable with the electrode surface material.

Abstract: Excellent capacitor-voltage characteristics with near-ideal hysteresis are realized in a capacitive-like structure that uses an electrode substrate-type material with a high-k dielectric layer having a thickness of a few-to-several Angstroms capacitance-based SiO2 equivalent (“TOx,Eq”). According to one particular example embodiment, a semiconductor device structure has an electrode substrate-type material having a Germanium-rich surface material. The electrode substrate-type material is processed to provide this particular electrode surface material in a form that is thermodynamically stable with a high-k dielectric material. A dielectric layer is then formed over the electrode surface material with the high-k dielectric material at a surface that faces, lies against and is thermodynamically stable with the electrode surface material.

Abstract: A method and system for forming a nitrided germanium-containing layer by plasma processing. The method includes providing a germanium-containing substrate in a process chamber, generating a plasma from a process gas containing N2 and a noble gas, where the plasma conditions are selected effective to form plasma excited N2 species while controlling formation of plasma excited N species, and exposing the substrate to the plasma to form a nitrided germanium-containing layer on the substrate. A method is also provided that includes exposing a germanium-containing dielectric layer to liquid or gaseous H2O to alter the thickness and chemical composition of the layer.

Abstract: A method and system for forming a nitrided germanium-containing layer by plasma processing. The method includes providing a germanium-containing substrate in a process chamber, generating a plasma from a process gas containing N2 and a noble gas, where the plasma conditions are selected effective to form plasma excited N2 species while controlling formation of plasma excited N species, and exposing the substrate to the plasma to form a nitrided germanium-containing layer on the substrate. A method is also provided that includes exposing a germanium-containing dielectric layer to liquid or gaseous H2O to alter the thickness and chemical composition of the layer.

Abstract: A versatile system providing Cr-based diffusion barriers and electrode structures utilizing such barriers is disclosed, including a semiconductor substrate (102), a dielectric layer (106) disposed upon the substrate, a Cr-based conductive layer (114) disposed upon the dielectric layer, and an electrode layer (116) disposed upon the conductive layer.

Abstract: An embodiment of the instant invention is a method of forming a electrically conductive structure insulatively disposed from a second structure, the method comprising: providing the second structure; forming the electrically conductive structure of a material (step 118 of FIG. 1) that remains substantially conductive after it is oxidized; forming an electrically insulative layer (step 116 of FIG. 1) between the second structure and the conductive structure; and oxidizing the conductive structure by subjecting it to an ozone containing atmosphere for a duration of time and at a first temperature.

Abstract: A versatile system providing Cr-based diffusion barriers and electrode structures utilizing such barriers is disclosed, including a semiconductor substrate (102), a dielectric layer (106) disposed upon the substrate, a Cr-based conductive layer (114) disposed upon the dielectric layer, and an electrode layer (116) disposed upon the conductive layer.

Abstract: An embodiment of the instant invention is a method of forming a electrically conductive structure insulatively disposed from a second structure, the method comprising: providing the second structure; forming the electrically conductive structure of a material (step 118 of FIG. 1) that remains substantially conductive after it is oxidized; forming an electrically insulative layer (step 116 of FIG. 1) between the second structure and the conductive structure; and oxidizing the conductive structure by subjecting it to an ozone containing atmosphere for a duration of time and at a first temperature.