Abstract: This disclosure relates to a magnetorheological (MR) brake. The MR brake includes a rotor constructed at least partially of a ferromagnetic material, and a housing that supports the rotor such that the rotor and the housing are rotatable relative to each other about an axis, wherein the housing and rotor are configured such that a fluid gap is defined between the housing and the rotor, and wherein portions of the housing adjacent the rotor are constructed at least partially of a ferromagnetic material. An MR fluid is disposed in the fluid gap. A current-carrying coil is excitable to generate a magnetic field within ferromagnetic portions of the rotor and the housing and acts on the MR fluid. At least one element constructed of a material having low magnetic permeability is configured route the lines of magnetic flux through surrounding higher permeability material on opposite sides of the fluid gap.

Abstract: A robotic assistant comprises a plurality of sensors on a mobile chassis. An occupancy map includes obstacle cost values for particular areas or cells of the map. These obstacle cost values may be based on whether an obstacle is detected and the confidence value of that detection, estimated precision of the location of the detected object, and so forth. A set of rules for preferred locations of robot movement is used to assess the occupancy map and to determine constraint cost value for the particular areas. For example, the area in a center of a hallway may be associated with a relatively high constraint cost value. An aggregate cost value may be calculated by summing the obstacle cost value and the constraint cost value for the particular area. The aggregate cost value may be used to determine a maximum permissible speed for the robot while traversing the particular area.

Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure includes a sheath configured to receive an ablation probe. The sheath includes a temperature-controlled anchor element thereon configured to attach the sheath to bodily tissue.

Abstract: This disclosure provides crystalline forms of a ? receptor agonist, and methods of making and using these forms.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an apparatus and mechanism for and elevator safety mechanism. The safety mechanism can include a lock bar, a beak assembly, a detector assembly, and a linkage rod providing communication between the beak assembly and the detector assembly. The beak of the beak assembly can engage a catch in the lock bar when the safety mechanism is in a closed position, preventing the doors of the elevator from further opening.

Abstract: A hub is configured to provide voice control without assistance from a remote system, which allows the hub to provide a user with the ability to control second devices in an environment by issuing voice commands, even when the hub is unable to communicate with the remote system over a wide area network (e.g., the Internet). The hub is also configured to execute rules without assistance from the remote system, which allows the hub to execute rules, even when the hub is unable to communicate with the remote system over a wide area network (e.g., the Internet).

Abstract: This application describes techniques for determining a constituency and a layout of a group of devices within an environment. By determining the devices that form the group, as well as the positions of these devices relative to one another, the group of devices may be used to more intelligently output content within the environment.

Abstract: A hub is configured to provide voice control without assistance from a remote system, which allows the hub to provide a user with the ability to control second devices in an environment by issuing voice commands, even when the hub is unable to communicate with the remote system over a wide area network (e.g., the Internet). The hub is also configured to execute rules without assistance from the remote system, which allows the hub to execute rules, even when the hub is unable to communicate with the remote system over a wide area network (e.g., the Internet).

Abstract: In some cases, a provisioned electronic device may receive a request for configuration information from an unprovisioned device. In response, the provisioned device may determine configuration information to send to the unprovisioned device based at least in part on the contents of the request. Examples of configuration information may include network credentials for connecting to a wireless local area network, a registration token that identifies the unprovisioned device to a fulfillment service, and user preferences associated with a user of the provisioned device. Further, the provisioned device may send the configuration information to the unprovisioned device. Upon receipt of the configuration information, the unprovisioned device may utilize the configuration information to order products from the fulfillment service. In some instances, the provisioned device may obtain the configuration information from the fulfillment service.

Abstract: A hub is configured to provide voice control without assistance from a remote system, which allows the hub to provide a user with the ability to control second devices in an environment by issuing voice commands, even when the hub is unable to communicate with the remote system over a wide area network (e.g., the Internet). The hub is also configured to execute rules without assistance from the remote system, which allows the hub to execute rules, even when the hub is unable to communicate with the remote system over a wide area network (e.g., the Internet).

Abstract: In some cases, a provisioned electronic device may receive a request for configuration information from an unprovisioned device. In response, the provisioned device may determine configuration information to send to the unprovisioned device based at least in part on the contents of the request. Examples of configuration information may include network credentials for connecting to a wireless local area network, a registration token that identifies the unprovisioned device to a fulfillment service, and user preferences associated with a user of the provisioned device. Further, the provisioned device may send the configuration information to the unprovisioned device. Upon receipt of the configuration information, the unprovisioned device may utilize the configuration information to order products from the fulfillment service. In some instances, the provisioned device may obtain the configuration information from the fulfillment service.

Abstract: This application describes techniques for determining a constituency and a layout of a group of devices within an environment. By determining the devices that form the group, as well as the positions of these devices relative to one another, the group of devices may be used to more intelligently output content within the environment.

Abstract: A portable electronic device has an acoustic port having an aperture in a housing having a speaker and pressure sensing transducer incorporated therein. During normal use of the portable electronic device, the aperture of the acoustic port may become obstructed during handling, holstering or surface placement, resulting in reduced sound quality and a waste of energy from a battery powering the device. The pressure sensing transducer detects an obstruction of the acoustic port by detecting an increase in acoustic pressure within the housing or within an acoustic chamber coupling the aperture of the acoustic port to the speaker. In response, acoustic characteristics of the obstructed port speaker's audio are altered to conserve power or enhance audio. Furthermore, acoustic characteristics of speakers of unobstructed acoustic port apertures of the device may also be altered in response to detection of the obstruction.

Abstract: A portable electronic device has an acoustic port having an aperture in a housing having a speaker and pressure sensing transducer incorporated therein. During normal use of the portable electronic device, the aperture of the acoustic port may become obstructed during handling, holstering or surface placement, resulting in reduced sound quality and a waste of energy from a battery powering the device. The pressure sensing transducer detects an obstruction of the acoustic port by detecting an increase in acoustic pressure within the housing or within an acoustic chamber coupling the aperture of the acoustic port to the speaker. In response, acoustic characteristics of the obstructed port speaker's audio are altered to conserve power or enhance audio. Furthermore, acoustic characteristics of speakers of unobstructed acoustic port apertures of the device may also be altered in response to detection of the obstruction.

Abstract: A system and method for use in connection with a reader for digital publication, such as electronic books, eBooks. The system and method identifies the last interesting or relevant page as the page at which most readers will exit the electronic book and never open it again. An element can be placed on last interesting page that will engage the user in further reading experiences. Users' devices that are registered in the system keep track of the last page viewed by a user in a digital publication. This data is fed back to a central server. Collecting the same data from multiple users reading the same digital publication, the system is able to statistically determine the last interesting page for that digital publication. The determined last interesting page is then fed back to the users for inclusion in the metadata of the digital publication and the device can insert the functional element at that page in the publication.

Abstract: A method of making a polymeric material is described, the method comprising contacting, for example polycondensing, a compound of formula with a compound of formula wherein each X is selected from a group comprising a chlorine and a fluorine atom, n represents 1, 2 or 3 and each Y1 is selected from a group comprising an alkali metal and a hydrogen atom.

Abstract: A method of making a polymeric material is described, the method comprising contacting, for example polycondensing, a compound of formula with a compound of formula wherein each X is selected from a group comprising a chlorine and a fluorine atom, n represents 1, 2 or 3 and each Y1 is selected from a group comprising an alkali metal and a hydrogen atom.

Abstract: Methods and devices for performing endocardiac treatments using an instrument port placed in the heart wall and an instrument guide which has a steerable tip and which is inserted through the instrument port, allows passage of an instrument therethrough into a heart chamber, and steers the functional tip of the instrument to the desired location for treatment.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adapting software applications for download and execution on a variety of different mobile devices which employ different Application Execution Environments. An Application Download Protocol for transferring applications to mobile devices is also provided. Mobile devices can be matched with compatible applications according to functionality required by the applications and functionality provided by the mobile devices. Applications submitted by developers can be automatically matched to application categories, thus facilitating user selection of applications. Data used by applications running on mobile devices can be remotely managed by application developers, allowing developers to remotely control the type and presentation of data on mobile devices without the need for data management servlets to be provided by the developers.