Abstract: A virtual reality system enables a user to interact with virtual objects. The system includes a fiducial ring, an imaging device and a console. The fiducial ring includes a ring body that includes a plurality of fiducial markers that each correspond to a different location on the ring body. An imaging device is configured to capture one or more images of the fiducial ring. The console receives the images that include an image of one or more fiducial markers. Based on the received images of the fiducial markers, the console determines a location on the fiducial ring that corresponds to the imaged fiducial marker. The console determines a position of the fiducial ring based on the determined location of the fiducial marker on the fiducial ring. The console provides content to a head mounted display (HMD) based on the determined position of the fiducial ring.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an autonomous, multi-use, subterranean aircraft pull-through system that connects with an aircraft arriving at the ramp pick-up point and transits through the terminal building, in a unidirectional movement, where the aircraft is serviced, then disconnects from the aircraft at the ramp release point. The autonomous, subterranean aircraft pull-through system receives multiple aircraft in a row, with rows adjacent to each other, where aircraft are nose to tail, and side by side, occupying the smallest footprint in the industry. The autonomous, subterranean aircraft pull-through system is remotely controlled and operates autonomously in a subterranean manner to assist in servicing the aircraft. The system helps to speed up the aircraft handling component of airside operations, improve safety, reduce emissions, and the cost factors borne by both airports and airlines.

Abstract: Electromechanical relay constructions comprise an external housing, a pair of switchable electrical contacts disposed within the housing, an element for activating the pair of electrical contacts, and a temperature sensing element disposed within the housing adjacent the electrical contracts. The temperature sensing element provides a signal for determining the temperature within the relay housing. The relay may comprise two or more temperature sensing elements disposed within the housing a desired distance from one another. The temperature sensing element may be attached to a member or substrate disposed within the housing, may be attached to an existing internal structure of the housing, or may be attached to one of the contacts. The temperature sensing element may be selected from the group consisting of resistance temperature detectors, negative temperature coefficient thermistors, thermopile sensors, thermocouples, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A fluidic device comprises a channel, a gate, and one or more additional elements. The channel is configured to transport a fluid from a source to a drain. The gate includes a chamber with an adjustable volume that affects fluid flow within the channel by displacing a wall of the channel toward an opposite wall of the channel based in part on fluid pressure within the chamber exceeding a threshold pressure. A high pressure state of the gate corresponds to a first chamber size and a first flow rate of the fluid. A low pressure state of the gate corresponds to a second chamber size that is smaller than the first chamber size and a second flow rate that is greater than the first flow rate. The additional elements are configured to reduce the threshold pressure past which the chamber decreases the cross-sectional area of the channel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a safe and secure intercourse-facilitating adjustable bench device. The bench device comprises a frame having vertical legs, U-shaped rails, an adjustable bench, footrests and wrist straps. The adjustable bench device can be adjusted both in height and inclination to perform sexual intercourse in a variety of positions. The bench device can be adjusted and locked in an inclined, flat or declined position. The height of the frame can also be adjusted and can be used for performing vaginal, anal and oral sex, even by obese users or users with injuries, illnesses or limited physical movement.

Abstract: A method creates haptic stimulations on a user of an artificial reality system. The system includes a head-mounted display (HMD) and a wearable device. The HMD includes a display and speakers. The wearable device includes a plurality of transducers that can each generate waves to provide haptic feedback to a user. The system displays media content on the display and, in accordance with the displayed media content, determines a virtual object location in the displayed media content corresponding to a physical object location. The system provides, to the user, audio directed to the virtual object location. The system activates one or more transducers to provide haptic feedback at a target location on the user, distinct from the physical object location, to produce haptic feedback whose perceptual interpretation is at the physical object location based on a combination of the displayed media, the provided audio, and the haptic feedback.

Abstract: A virtual reality system enables a user to interact with virtual objects. The system includes a fiducial ring, an imaging device and a console. The fiducial ring includes a ring body that includes a plurality of fiducial markers that each correspond to a different location on the ring body. An imaging device is configured to capture one or more images of the fiducial ring. The console receives the images that include an image of one or more fiducial markers. Based on the received images of the fiducial markers, the console determines a location on the fiducial ring that corresponds to the imaged fiducial marker. The console determines a position of the fiducial ring based on the determined location of the fiducial marker on the fiducial ring. The console provides content to a head mounted display (HMD) based on the determined position of the fiducial ring.

Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented method may include (1) presenting, using a visual display, an artificial environment to a user, (2) determining whether a virtual contact is being initiated between a virtual object in the artificial environment and a surface location of the user served by a vibrotactile stimulator coupled to the user, and (3) actuating, in response to determining that a virtual contact is being initiated between the virtual object and the surface location, the vibrotactile stimulator to generate a vibrotactile signal to simulate initiation of the virtual contact at the surface location, where the vibrotactile signal includes a magnitude-varying signal having a frequency that is constant relative to a simulated rigidity of the virtual object as presented by the visual display. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for creating and tuning haptic feedback is provided. The apparatus includes (A) a brace with first and second portions, (B) a vibrotactile actuator, coupled to the first portion of the brace, configured to apply haptic stimulations to a user, and (C) a linear actuator, coupled to the second portion of the brace, configured to (i) obtain a signal generated based on information about the user's body at a target location of the user and (ii) adjust a tension of the brace according to the signal. In some embodiments, the apparatus also includes one or more sensors configured to generate the information about the user's body at the target location. Furthermore, a controller may be configured to: (i) generate the signal based on the information about the user's body at the target location generated by the one or more sensors and (ii) provide the signal to the linear actuator.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the position of artificial reality wearables may include a wearable dimensioned to be donned by a user of an artificial reality system. The apparatus may also include a sensor incorporated into the wearable. The sensor may detect physical interactions between the wearable and at least one specific body part of the user. The apparatus may further include a processing device communicatively coupled to the sensor. The processing device may determine, based at least in part on one or more physical interactions between the wearable and the specific body part of the user, a change in a position of the wearable relative to the specific body part of the user. Various other apparatuses, systems, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A wearable device comprises one or more deformable signaling pathways wherein each deformable signaling pathway is configured to enable an electrical connection between two devices electrically connected to each other via the deformable signaling pathway. Deformable signaling pathways enable the conduction of electrical signals between various circuit elements similar to one or more circuit elements such as electronic traces or wires. A deformable signaling pathway includes one or more conductive elements surrounded by a conductive gel. Both the conductive gel and the one or more conductive elements are encased in an elastomeric shell. The elastomeric shell is attached to terminals (e.g., one on either end). The one or more connectors are attached to one another such that the one or more connectors span the length of the elastomeric shell and form a low resistance contact between the terminals of the deformable signaling pathway.

Abstract: The embodiments disclose a method including creating an XR holographic platform configured for combining VR, AR and MR, choosing the way a user interacts with the XR holographic platform, including using reality headsets to replicate a real environment to create an immersive experience and a computer simulated reality, creating at least one user open hologram and at least one user work product holographic screen, generating computer overlays for adding to real world environments using a user selected type of device from a group including a cell phone, glasses, headsets, and others, and using holographic cameras, projectors and recorders for merging of real and virtual worlds, physical and digital objects configured to co-exist and interact in real time.

Abstract: A fluidic device comprises a channel, a gate, and one or more additional elements. The channel is configured to transport a fluid from a source to a drain. The gate includes a chamber with an adjustable volume that affects fluid flow within the channel by displacing a wall of the channel toward an opposite wall of the channel based in part on fluid pressure within the chamber exceeding a threshold pressure. A high pressure state of the gate corresponds to a first chamber size and a first flow rate of the fluid. A low pressure state of the gate corresponds to a second chamber size that is smaller than the first chamber size and a second flow rate that is greater than the first flow rate. The additional elements are configured to reduce the threshold pressure past which the chamber decreases the cross-sectional area of the channel.

Abstract: A computing device may include (1) biosignal-acquiring circuitry that captures a biosignal from a user's body and (2) one or more composite bioelectrodes electrically coupled to the biosignal-acquiring circuitry. The one or more composite bioelectrodes may include (1) a circuitry-interfacing side with a mechanical or electrical property having a first predetermined configuration and (2) a user-interfacing side with the mechanical or electrical property having a second predetermined configuration. Various other composite bioelectrodes, systems, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of transiting at least one aircraft arriving in and departing out of an integrated, multi-level airport terminal system is disclosed. The method includes determining at least one transiting requirement of at least one aircraft arriving to an airport runway, ascertaining the positions of all the other aircraft transiting through a cell of a row, guiding the aircraft from the airport runway on to a ramp member, facilitating the transiting requirement of the aircraft within the enclosed internal environment of the cell of the row in a sequential and linear arrangement, and directing the aircraft out of the enclosed internal environment of the cell of the row to an engine run up area for the at least one aircraft to depart the integrated, multi-level airport terminal.

Abstract: A haptic glove comprises a glove body including a glove digit corresponding to a phalange of a user hand with the glove digit having a bend location that is located along the glove digit. A haptic apparatus is coupled to the glove body at the bend location with the haptic apparatus comprising a plurality of sheets that are flexible and inextensible and a pressure actuator coupled to one or more of the plurality of sheets. The plurality of sheets are stacked and configured to translate relative to each other along the centerline with bending of the glove digit. The pressure actuator is configured to adjust an applied pressure to the plurality of sheets to adjust friction between the sheets. The adjustment of friction is proportional to a bending resistance of the glove digit.

Abstract: A virtual reality system enables a user to interact with virtual objects. The system includes a fiducial ring, an imaging device and a console. The fiducial ring includes a ring body that includes a plurality of fiducial markers that each correspond to a different location on the ring body. An imaging device is configured to capture one or more images of the fiducial ring. The console receives the images that include an image of one or more fiducial markers. Based on the received images of the fiducial markers, the console determines a location on the fiducial ring that corresponds to the imaged fiducial marker. The console determines a position of the fiducial ring based on the determined location of the fiducial marker on the fiducial ring. The console provides content to a head mounted display (HMD) based on the determined position of the fiducial ring.

Abstract: A fluidic device controls fluid flow in channel from a source to a drain. In some embodiments, the fluidic device comprises a channel and a gate. The channel is configured to transport a fluid from the source to the drain. The gate controls a rate of fluid flow in the channel in accordance with the fluid pressure within the gate. Specifically, the gate is configured to induce a first flow rate of the fluid in the channel in accordance with a low pressure state of the gate, and a second flow rate of the fluid in the channel in accordance with a high pressure state of the gate. In certain embodiments, the first flow rate is greater than the second flow rate. In alternative embodiments, the second flow rate is greater than the first flow rate.

Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented method may include (1) presenting, using a vibrotactile stimulator and a visual display, an artificial environment to a user, (2) determining whether a virtual contact is being initiated between a virtual object in the artificial environment and a surface location of the user served by the vibrotactile stimulator, and (3) actuating, in response to determining that a virtual contact is being initiated between the virtual object and the surface location, the vibrotactile stimulator to generate a vibrotactile signal to simulate initiation of the virtual contact at the surface location, where (a) the vibrotactile signal includes a magnitude-varying signal, and (b) at least one parameter of the magnitude-varying signal is based on a simulated rigidity of the virtual object as presented by the visual display. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: A wearable device to be worn on a body part includes deformation sensors and a controller. The controller instructs the deformation sensors to measure deformation forces. The controller determines a position of the body part based on the measured deformation forces and a transfer function that maps deformation forces to positions of a same or corresponding body part. The transfer function is generated based on measurements from calibration and deformation sensors to sense corresponding positions of the body part and deformation forces. A calibration sensor may include a magnetic field generator and a magnetic flux sensor. The wearable device may be a glove and the body part may be a hand.