Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that provide smart alerts to users, e.g., alerts to users about diabetic states that are only provided when it makes sense to do so, e.g., when the system can predict or estimate that the user is not already cognitively aware of their current condition, e.g., particularly where the current condition is a diabetic state warranting attention. In this way, the alert or alarm is personalized and made particularly effective for that user. Such systems and methods still alert the user when action is necessary, e.g., a bolus or temporary basal rate change, or provide a response to a missed bolus or a need for correction, but do not alert when action is unnecessary, e.g., if the user is already estimated or predicted to be cognitively aware of the diabetic state warranting attention, or if corrective action was already taken.

Abstract: An assembly useful for hanging metal shooting targets from a hanging strap for home practice use or in a target or practice range. The assembly includes a metal target with a body having a hole extending through it from a front planar surface to a rear planar surface. The assembly includes mounting bolt including a head with a body extending from a front surface to a rear surface. The bolt includes a shank extending from the rear surface to a threaded section. The front surface of the body of the bolt head is tapered from a sidewall of the body of the bolt head to a central point to have a conical shape. Particularly, the front surface of the body of the bolt head can be tapered at a taper angle in the range of 40 to 80 degrees such as with the taper angle being about 60 degrees.

Abstract: Rebar-based support assemblies that can be fabricated without the need for on-site welding. The assemblies include a number of differing sized and shaped crimps used in place of welds to provide rebar assembly-to-rebar assembly connections. Each crimp mechanically couples two or three pieces of rebar together, such as a border bar of one rebar assembly to a border bar of an adjacent rebar assembly. Each crimp includes a body with two or more arcuate recessed surfaces each for receiving a piece of rebar. In a first configuration of the crimp, a pair of spaced-apart arms (or extending members) extend from the body and define an opening through which the rebar is passed and set into the recessed surfaces. A deformation force is applied upon the two arms to deform the body into a second configuration with the arms in abutting contact or nearly so at an outer tip or end.

Abstract: A system for performing simulation-based material characterization includes a computing platform having a hardware processor and a system memory storing a software code. The hardware processor executes the software code to obtain a result of a physical test performed on a material, selects a parameterized model of the material based on the obtained result, and performs a simulation of the physical test using the parameterized model to generate a simulated result. The hardware processor further executes the software code to compare the simulated result with the obtained result of the physical test on the material, and adjusts one or more parameter value(s) of the parameterized model, based on the comparison, to improve the simulated result, and predict, after adjusting the parameter value(s), one or more characteristics of the material based on the parameterized model.

Abstract: A method for creating a replication material corresponding to the appearance of a translucent or partially translucent target material. The appearance of the target material can be measured or may be prescribed by a user. The method includes receiving by a processor optical data related to a target subsurface scattering parameter of the target material. Once the processor has received the optical or light characteristic data, the method includes determining by the processor a replication pigment concentration to replicate the appearance of the target material caused by the target subsurface scattering parameter. The processor determines this concentration based on a plurality of pigment subsurface scattering parameters corresponding to a plurality of stored pigment concentrations in the computing device. Once the replication pigment concentration has been determined, the method includes creating, physically or virtually, the replication material by combining the pigment concentration with a base material.

Abstract: A robot that includes two or more skeletal or rigid links interconnected by a joint. The joint is pneumatically actuated and includes a pneumatic joint actuator that allows the robot's skeletal links to be moved in an expressive manner. The pneumatic actuator includes a pair of opposing air bladders encased within a housing or body of the joint. Each air bladder is positioned on an opposite side of an actuating lever arm, which is rigidly attached to one of the skeletal links and is pivotally mounted on the joint body or housing. Movement of the actuating lever arm causes the attached skeletal link to pivot. To obtain this selective movement, one of the two air bladders is filled with a gas, such as air, while the other is left un-inflated or less inflated, and this forces the lever arm and attached skeletal link to pivot about their mounting point.

Abstract: A robot that includes two or more skeletal or rigid links interconnected by a joint. The joint is pneumatically actuated and includes a pneumatic joint actuator that allows the robot's skeletal links to be moved in an expressive manner. The pneumatic actuator includes a pair of opposing air bladders encased within a housing or body of the joint. Each air bladder is positioned on an opposite side of an actuating lever arm, which is rigidly attached to one of the skeletal links and is pivotally mounted on the joint body or housing. Movement of the actuating lever arm causes the attached skeletal link to pivot. To obtain this selective movement, one of the two air bladders is filled with a gas, such as air, while the other is left un-inflated or less inflated, and this forces the lever arm and attached skeletal link to pivot about their mounting point.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an artificial skin such as for use with a robotic assembly. The method includes providing a mold assembly with an exterior mold and an interior core. A cavity is defined between inner surfaces of the exterior mold and exterior surfaces of the interior core, thereby defining a shape and thickness of a skin. A surface of the interior core includes offsets or standoffs extending outward from the interior core surface. The method further includes positioning a sheet of reinforcement material over the surface such that the sheet contacts the offsets. The method includes pouring material for the skin system into the mold to occupy the cavity between the exterior mold and the interior core. The method includes disassembling the mold assembly and removing the skin with the sheet of reinforcement material embedded within the skin at an offset distance from a surface of the skin.

Abstract: One aspect provides a fastening strip, including: a central portion comprised of a flexible material and having a first side and a second side, the first side including a first complementary material and the second side including a second complementary material, complementary to the complementary material of the first side; and a grip area disposed on at least the first side of the central portion; wherein the grip area extends substantially an entire length of fastening strip and includes a grip material. Other aspects are described.

Abstract: A method for creating a replication material corresponding to the appearance of a translucent or partially translucent target material. The appearance of the target material can be measured or may be prescribed by a user. The method includes receiving by a processor optical data related to a target subsurface scattering parameter of the target material. Once the processor has received the optical or light characteristic data, the method includes determining by the processor a replication pigment concentration to replicate the appearance of the target material caused by the target subsurface scattering parameter. The processor determines this concentration based on a plurality of pigment subsurface scattering parameters corresponding to a plurality of stored pigment concentrations in the computing device. Once the replication pigment concentration has been determined, the method includes creating, physically or virtually, the replication material by combining the pigment concentration with a base material.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for providing and utilizing objects having invisible three-dimensional images. There is provided an object comprising an inner material and an outer material. The inner material is formed in a three-dimensional shape and includes a first portion having a first ratio based on a first fluorescent dye and a first transparent material, wherein the first ratio is selected such as to cause the first portion to remain transparent when exposed to a visible light and the first portion to emit a first visible color when exposed to an invisible light. The outer material comprises a second transparent material formed around the inner material such as to hide the three-dimensional shape of the inner material. By exposing the object to the invisible light, the three-dimensional shape of the inner material is revealed.

Abstract: Realistic electronically controlled eyes for a figure such as a doll, toy, animatronic being, robot, etc., are provided by displaying a sequence of images simulating eye movement on an electronic display screen mounted to a portion of the figure. A convex lens, which serves to simulate the figure's eye, is mounted substantially in contact with a surface of the display screen system from which the light defining the sequence of images is emitted. To an observer looking at the convex surface of the lens, the lens appears as an eye characterized by realistic eye movement.

Abstract: One aspect provides a fastening strip, including: a central portion comprised of a flexible material and having a first side and a second side, the first side including a first complementary material and the second side including a second complementary material, complementary to the complementary material of the first side; and a grip area disposed on at least the first side of the central portion; wherein the grip area extends substantially an entire length of fastening strip and includes a grip material. Other aspects are described.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an artificial skin such as for use with a robotic assembly. The method includes providing a mold assembly with an exterior mold and an interior core. A cavity is defined between inner surfaces of the exterior mold and exterior surfaces of the interior core, thereby defining a shape and thickness of a skin. A surface of the interior core includes offsets or standoffs extending outward from the interior core surface. The method further includes positioning a sheet of reinforcement material over the surface such that the sheet contacts the offsets. The method includes pouring material for the skin system into the mold to occupy the cavity between the exterior mold and the interior core. The method includes disassembling the mold assembly and removing the skin with the sheet of reinforcement material embedded within the skin at an offset distance from a surface of the skin.

Abstract: Realistic electronically controlled eyes for a figure such as a doll, toy, animatronic being, robot, etc., are provided by displaying a sequence of images simulating eye movement on an electronic display screen mounted to a portion of the figure. A convex lens, which serves to simulate the figure's eye, is mounted substantially in contact with a surface of the display screen system from which the light defining the sequence of images is emitted. To an observer looking at the convex surface of the lens, the lens appears as an eye characterized by realistic eye movement.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for providing and utilizing objects having invisible three-dimensional images. There is provided an object comprising an inner material and an outer material. The inner material is formed in a three-dimensional shape and includes a first portion having a first ratio based on a first fluorescent dye and a first transparent material, wherein the first ratio is selected such as to cause the first portion to remain transparent when exposed to a visible light and the first portion to emit a first visible color when exposed to an invisible light. The outer material comprises a second transparent material formed around the inner material such as to hide the three-dimensional shape of the inner material. By exposing the object to the invisible light, the three-dimensional shape of the inner material is revealed.