Abstract: The present invention relates to touch sensor detector systems and methods incorporating an interpolated variable impedance touch sensor array and specifically to such systems and methods for gesture recognition and associating a UI element with the recognized gesture. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a variable impedance array (VIA) system for receiving a gesture that includes: a plurality of physical VIA columns connected by interlinked impedance columns; a plurality of physical VIA rows connected by interlinked impedance rows; and a processor configured to interpolate a location and/or pressure of the gesture in the physical columns and rows from an electrical signal from a plurality of column drive sources (connected to the plurality of physical VIA columns through the interlinked impedance columns) sensed at a plurality of row sense sinks (connected to the plurality of physical VIA rows through the interlinked impedance rows).

Abstract: The present invention relates to interpolated variable impedance touch sensor arrays for force-aware large-surface device interaction. An exemplary system for detecting a continuous pressure curve includes a plurality of physical variable impedance array (VIA) columns connected by interlinked impedance columns and a plurality of physical VIA rows connected by interlinked impedance rows. The system also includes a plurality of column drive sources connected to the interlinked impedance columns and to the plurality of physical VIA columns through the interlinked impedance columns as well as a plurality of row sense sinks connected to the interlinked impedance rows and to the plurality of physical VIA rows through the interlinked impedance rows. Further, the system includes a processor configured to interpolate the continuous pressure curve in the physical VIA columns and physical VIA rows from an electrical signal from the plurality of column drive sources sensed at the plurality of row sense sinks.

Abstract: The present invention relates to touch sensor detectors incorporating interpolated variable impedance touch sensor arrays and specifically to detectors for non-planar touch controls. Variable impedance touch sensor arrays are applied to the surface of objects, inside objects, or other objects such that touches are detected directly or indirectly from the non-planar touch controls. An exemplary system includes a plurality of sensor panels on a plurality of device and a processor communicatively coupled to the sensor panels. The sensor panels include a plurality of physical VIA columns connected by interlinked impedance columns and a plurality of physical VIA rows connected by interlinked impedance rows. The processor detects touches at a first time at the sensor panels, determines that the two or more touches at the first time are arranged in a pattern corresponding to a predetermined gesture, and determines a relative pressure between the two or more touches.

Abstract: A fluid sensor assembly for a washing machine appliance is provided herein. The fluid sensor assembly may include a first conductivity rod, a second conductivity rod, and a chamber sheath. The first conductivity rod may extend between a top rod end and a bottom rod end. The second conductivity rod may extend between a top rod end and a bottom rod end. The chamber sheath may include a non-permeable sidewall and a sealed top wall. The non-permeable sidewall may extend about the first conductivity rod from a top sheath end to a bottom sheath end. The top sheath end may be positioned on the sealed top wall. At least a portion of the bottom sheath end may be positioned above the bottom rod end of the first conductivity rod. The non-permeable sidewall may be radially spaced apart from the first conductivity rod and define a radial chamber therebetween.

Abstract: A laundry appliance and ironing assembly are provided herein. The laundry appliance may include a cabinet and an ironing assembly. The cabinet may extend along a vertical direction between a top portion and a bottom portion. The cabinet may define a laundry chamber for the receipt of articles therein. The ironing assembly may include a casing received on a laundry appliance and an insulated mat selectively received within the casing.

Abstract: A method for operating a teleconference includes receiving a first video and audio signal from a first teleconference participant and receiving a second video and audio signal from a second teleconference participant. The method further includes relaying the first video and audio signal to the second teleconference participant and relaying the second video and audio signal to the first teleconference participant. The method additionally includes analyzing the first video and audio signal using a plurality of behavior analytics to determine a level of participant engagement of the first teleconference participant. The method further includes determining that the first teleconference participant is not engaged when the determined level of participant engagement is below a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: At an electronic device coupled to a display, a communication interface, and a first image sensor, first image data is captured from the first image sensor. Second image data is received over the communication interface from a first remote device. The display displays a portion of the second image data with a portion of the first image data. The displayed portion of the second image data obscures some of the first image data.

Abstract: At an electronic device having a display, a first sensor, and a second sensor different than the first sensor, a view is displayed on the display. The view includes an interface object at a first location. A first gesture is detected based on first data from the first sensor, wherein the first gesture identifies the interface object. A second gesture is detected based on second data from the second sensor. A second location is determined for the interface object based on the second gesture. The display of the interface object is updated from the first location to the second location in the view.

Abstract: A washing machine appliance with smart dispensing capability is provided. The washing machine appliance has features that dispense a predetermined volume of wash additive (e.g., a detergent, fabric softener, and/or bleach) based at least in part on the viscosity of the wash additive. Methods for operating the washing machine appliance are also provided.

Abstract: A washing machine appliance includes a diverter assembly for selectively directing a flow of water to a primary dispenser and an auxiliary spray device. The diverter assembly includes a diverter body defining a diverter body defining a chamber inlet, a primary outlet in fluid communication with the primary dispenser, and an auxiliary outlet in fluid communication with the auxiliary spray device. A diverter valve moves between a first and second position based on a pressure differential relative to a diverter chamber. During standard operation, a spring urges the diverter valve to seal the auxiliary outlet and direct the flow to the primary dispenser. When a button is depressed to activate the auxiliary spray device, the pressure differential across the auxiliary outlet urges the diverter valve to a second position that seals the primary outlet and directs the flow to the auxiliary spray device.

Abstract: A washing machine appliance and nozzle assembly therefor are provided herein. The nozzle assembly may include an extendable nozzle, a valve assembly, and a retractable fluid supply. The extendable nozzle may be movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The extendable nozzle may define a fluid path in fluid communication between a nozzle inlet and a nozzle outlet. The extendable nozzle may further define an additive cavity in fluid communication with the fluid path downstream from the nozzle inlet and an additive opening in selective fluid communication with the additive cavity in parallel to the nozzle inlet. The valve assembly may be configured to provide a flow of wash fluid to the extendable nozzle. The retractable fluid supply conduit may extend in fluid communication between the valve assembly and the nozzle inlet of the extendable nozzle to direct the flow of wash fluid to the extendable nozzle.

Abstract: A washing machine appliance includes a spray hose assembly fluidly connected to a water supply and configured for selectively providing a flow of wash fluid in a desired direction and location. A receptacle is defined in the spray hose assembly. The receptacle is configured to receive an additive vessel. The washing machine appliance also includes a controller in operative communication with the water supply and the spray hose assembly. The controller may be configured to receive a signal from the spray hose assembly. The signal from the spray hose assembly is indicative of a type of additive in the additive vessel. The controller is also configured to activate the water supply in response to the received signal to provide a flow of water to the spray hose assembly, whereby the flow of water mixes with the additive within the spray hose assembly to form the flow of wash fluid.

Abstract: At an electronic device having a display and one or more image sensors, a view of an augmented reality (AR) environment is displayed, wherein the AR environment includes a background based on captured image data from the one or more image sensors and a first virtual object at a first location and the view includes display of the first virtual object. Movement data indicating movement of a remote user is received. A property is determined of the first virtual object in the AR environment based on the received data. The display of the view is updated based on the determined property.

Abstract: A washing machine appliance and nozzle assembly is provided herein. The washing machine appliance may include a cabinet, a tub positioned within the cabinet, a wash basket, and a controller. The wash basket may be rotatably mounted within the tub. The wash basket may define a wash chamber for receiving articles for washing. The nozzle assembly may be mounted within the cabinet and configured to provide wash fluid to the tub. The nozzle assembly may include a nozzle housing and an extendable nozzle. The nozzle housing may define a receiving chamber within the cabinet. The extendable nozzle may be movable between a retracted position within the receiving chamber and an extended position outside of the receiving chamber.

Abstract: At an electronic device having a display, a first sensor, and a second sensor different than the first sensor, a view is displayed on the display. The view includes an interface object at a first location. A first gesture is detected based on first data from the first sensor, wherein the first gesture identifies the interface object. A second gesture is detected based on second data from the second sensor. A second location is determined for the interface object based on the second gesture. The display of the interface object is updated from the first location to the second location in the view.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer readable medium for employing data obtained from an electronic network, such as the Internet, as an emulation of sensor data. A virtual sensor bridge mechanism may be interfaced to a data source, such as the Internet, to receive Web data or remote sensor data. The virtual sensor bridge may convert the received data into a format usable by a logic controller, thereby emulating sensor data and enabling the logic controller to treat the networked data source as a sensor. Furthermore, the virtual sensor bridge may interface directly with one or more sensors and may serve as an adapter or data relay between a sensor and the logic controller.

Abstract: A method for operating a teleconference includes receiving a first video and audio signal from a first teleconference participant and receiving a second video and audio signal from a second teleconference participant. The method further includes relaying the first video and audio signal to the second teleconference participant and relaying the second video and audio signal to the first teleconference participant. The method additionally includes analyzing the first video and audio signal using a plurality of behavior analytics to determine a level of participant engagement of the first teleconference participant. The method further includes determining that the first teleconference participant is not engaged when the determined level of participant engagement is below a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method and structure for dynamic memory re-allocation for an application runtime environment (ARE) includes receiving, through an interface of an application runtime environment (ARE), a first set of internal operational metrics of the ARE executing at a current setting S1 on a processor of a computer. A first performance P1 of the ARE is determined at the current setting S1 using the received first set of internal operation metrics. The current setting S1 of the ARE is varied to a new setting S2. A second set of internal operational metrics of the ARE executing at the new setting S2 is received through the interface of the ARE. A second performance P2 of the ARE is determined at the new setting S2, using the received second set of internal operation metrics. A memory allocation for the ARE is re-allocated, based on the determined performances P1 and P2.