Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for directing an autonomous robotic vehicle such as a lawn mower relative to a work region. In some embodiments, the vehicle travels in a random pattern within a travelling containment zone of a lesser size than the work region. The travelling containment zone may move or travel across the work region such that, over time, the travelling containment zone travels over most all of a working surface of the work region.

Abstract: A charging connector for providing power to a vehicle from a power source includes a connector body, a first charging portion, a second charging portion, and an actuator. The first charging portion is for charging the vehicle according to a first electric charge protocol and is movable between a first retracted state and a first extended state relative to the connector body. The second charging portion is for charging the vehicle according to a second electric charge protocol and is movable between a second retracted state and a second extended state relative to the connector body. The actuator is configured to selectively move the first charging portion between the first retracted state and the first extended state relative to the connector body, and the second charging portion between the second retracted state and the second extended state relative to the connector body.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle is provided, including an airframe including a fuselage and at least one stowable wing. The unmanned aerial vehicle can further include a radar panel positioned on the fuselage such that the radar panel is angled downward and extends longitudinally along a ventral region of the fuselage. The unmanned aerial vehicle can further include a drop-away rocket engine that is configured to detachably mount to the airframe adjacent the radar panel.

Abstract: A purlin connection assembly including a purlin, a frame segment and a spring. The purlin has a protrusion that is receivable in a first end of a slot of the frame segment. The purlin is slidable to a smaller second end of the frame segment. Locking engagement is achieved in a direction parallel to the frame segment by a pair of push buttons projecting from the frame segment that flank the purlin when in the second end, and in a direction perpendicular to the frame segment by constraining of a flared head of the protrusion in an interior of the frame segment when in the second end. The push buttons are part of a spring compressingly disposed in the interior of the frame segment, wherein the first button and the second button are biased to extend outwardly through button holes of the frame segment.

Abstract: A system and method for providing original equipment manufacturer (OEM) control to maximize profits that include determining at least one demand based charging schedule. The system and method also include processing an OEM charging policy option to schedule charging of the at least one electric vehicle at a low carbon footprint timeframe. The system and method additionally include modifying the at least one demand based charging schedule into a policy based charging schedule based on an acceptance of the OEM charging policy option by the at least one third party environmental entity. The system and method further include facilitating payment of a carbon credit payment from the at least one third party environmental entity to the OEM.

Abstract: Methods and devices for digitizing an analog repetitive signal using waveform averaging are described. An example method includes generating a time-varying dither signal, receiving the analog repetitive signal comprising multiple instances of a waveform, wherein each waveform has a waveform duration, wherein an average of the time-varying dither signal over multiple waveform durations is substantially zero, and wherein the time-varying dither signal varies over each waveform duration, generating a timing alignment, combining each waveform with the corresponding portion of the time-varying dither signal over each waveform duration to produce an analog output signal, converting the analog output signal to a digital output signal, and producing, based on the timing alignment, a digital averaged signal based on averaging the multiple instances of the waveform in the analog output signal, wherein the timing alignment is used to align the multiple instances of the waveform in the analog output signal.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for directing an autonomous robotic vehicle such as a lawn mower relative to a work region. In some embodiments, the vehicle travels in a random pattern within a travelling containment zone of a lesser size than the work region. The travelling containment zone may move or travel across the work region such that, over time, the travelling containment zone travels over most all of a working surface of the work region.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a catheter manipulation handle with user interface controls for steering a catheter in situ while providing an augmented (e.g., motorized, powered and tunable precision steering, and perforation safeguards) control and feedback user experience. In an illustrative example, the catheter manipulation handle may provide motor assisted operation to automatically rotate and/or deflect a distal tip of the catheter to steer and guide the distal tip to a target location in the patient's vasculature system. The augmented feedback may include, for example, haptic feedback via the handle. Haptic, audible, and/or visual feedback via the handle may indicate, for example, proximity or engagement of the distal tip with sensitive tissue. In some examples, the handle's augmented operation may advantageously amplify feedback signals to enhance the user's perception of the patient's safety with respect to the safe passage of the distal tip through the patient's vasculature.

Abstract: A system and method for locking a charging port to charge an electric vehicle that includes determining that the electric vehicle is located within a predetermined distance of a charging station and determining when the charging port of an electric vehicle supply equipment of the charging station is attached to the electric vehicle to actively charge the electric vehicle. The system and method also include determining if the charging station accesses a parking citation associated with parking of the electric vehicle if the electric vehicle is not attached to the charging port. The system and method additionally include locking the charging port to the electric vehicle to disallow decoupling of the charging port from the electric vehicle by an unauthorized individual to avoid the parking citation.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a wearable compression therapy system for ambulatory therapy, the system including a wearable garment having one or more inflatable chambers, and a pneumatic engine locally coupled to the garment to provide control and inflation of the one or more inflatable chambers. In an illustrative embodiment, the pneumatic engine may control a pump and one or more valves to inflate the inflatable chambers. The valves and pump may be coordinated according to a pre-programmed profile. In some embodiments, the pneumatic engine may have a wireless interface configured to receive control signals from a remote mobile device untethered from the garment. The pneumatic engine may send to the remote mobile device signals indicative of sensed conditions of the compression therapy system. In some embodiments, the pneumatic engine may include a power source that advantageously permits the user to be untethered from a source of power.

Abstract: A two-stroke engine comprises a first oiling system and a second oiling system. The first oiling system includes a low-pressure pump that distributes oil from a first oil tank to the two-stroke engine. The second oiling system includes a pump mechanically coupled to a crankshaft of the two-stroke engine, wherein the pump distributes oil from a second oil tank to an accessory at a pressure greater than the first oil pressure, wherein oil distributed to the accessory is returned to the second oil tank.

Abstract: An end effector adapted to be carried by a robot positioning apparatus for packing items of produce, the end effector adapted in use for holding an open topped elongate container (tube) in an inverted orientation, wherein the tube has a closed bottom end and an open top end; the end effector comprising: at least one actuatable movable element located on the end effector so as to be adjacent the open end of a tube held by the end effector; wherein the actuatable movable element is configured to be operable between: an extended position which at least partially extends over the open end of a tube held by the end effector to at least partially obstruct the open end of the tube; and a retracted position so that the open end of the container is substantially unobstructed to allow items of produce to be received in the tube.

Abstract: A system and method for locking a charging port to charge an electric vehicle that includes determining that the electric vehicle is located within a predetermined distance of a charging station and determining that the charging station issues parking citations associated with parking of the electric vehicle at the charging station without attachment of the charging port to the electric vehicle. The system and method also include determining charging of the electric vehicle and sending a command to enable a locking mechanism of the charging port to lock the charging port in place. The system and method further include completing user authentication with respect to an operator of the electric vehicle to disable the locking mechanism to ensure that the charging port is not detached by an unauthorized individual and that parking citations are not issued based on the parking of the electric vehicle at the charging station.

Abstract: Methods and devices for digitizing an analog repetitive signal using waveform averaging are described. An example method includes generating a time-varying dither signal, receiving the analog repetitive signal comprising multiple instances of a waveform, wherein each waveform has a waveform duration, wherein an average of the time-varying dither signal over multiple waveform durations is substantially zero, and wherein the time-varying dither signal varies over each waveform duration, generating a timing alignment, combining each waveform with the corresponding portion of the time-varying dither signal over each waveform duration to produce an analog output signal, converting the analog output signal to a digital output signal, and producing, based on the timing alignment, a digital averaged signal based on averaging the multiple instances of the waveform in the analog output signal, wherein the timing alignment is used to align the multiple instances of the waveform in the analog output signal.

Abstract: Methods and devices for digitizing an analog repetitive signal using waveform averaging are described. An example method includes generating a discrete set of analog dither offset voltages, wherein at least two of the discrete set of analog dither offset voltages are different from each other, receiving the analog repetitive signal comprising multiple instances of a waveform, wherein the waveform has a waveform duration, generate a timing alignment to align each waveform of the analog repetitive signal and the corresponding analog dither offset voltage over the waveform duration, combining, based on the timing alignment, each waveform and the corresponding analog dither offset voltage over the waveform duration to produce an analog output signal, converting the analog output signal to a digital output signal, and producing, based on the timing alignment, a digital averaged signal based on averaging the multiple instances of the waveform in the analog output signal.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods relate to a pneumatic compression therapy device configured to suggest content to the patient based on a determined disease state, the content pertaining to suggested changes in lifestyle based on a standard of care. In an illustrative embodiment, the suggested changes may include modifications to treatment location, treatment time, diet, eating habits, or sleeping schedule. Various examples may further sample the patient's health and automatically adjust a treatment parameter within a predetermined parameter range based on a history of measured parameters, such as limb volume, for example. In coordination with the therapeutic treatment, the therapy device may deliver suggested content to guide the patient to make more healthful lifestyle choices to reduce recovery time and improve patient health outcomes.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a wearable compression therapy system for ambulatory therapy, the system including a wearable garment having one or more inflatable chambers, and a pneumatic engine locally coupled to the garment to provide control and inflation of the one or more inflatable chambers. In an illustrative embodiment, the pneumatic engine may control a pump and one or more valves to inflate the inflatable chambers. The valves and pump may be coordinated according to a pre-programmed profile. In some embodiments, the pneumatic engine may have a wireless interface configured to receive control signals from a remote mobile device untethered from the garment. The pneumatic engine may send to the remote mobile device signals indicative of sensed conditions of the compression therapy system. In some embodiments, the pneumatic engine may include a power source that advantageously permits the user to be untethered from a source of power.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a system for energy management may include a processor, a memory, and a communication interface. The communication interface may receive configuration information associated with a microgrid and one or more distributed energy resources (DER). The processor may generate a dispatch profile to control one or more of the DER based on a detected outage, a type of DER connected to the microgrid, a set of default operating conditions, and a user preference. According to one aspect, the processor may generate the dispatch profile based on the dispatch command, a status of a DER of one or more of the DER connected to the microgrid, and a user preference. The dispatch command may include a demand response (DR) request or a vehicle grid integration (VGI) request for real power or reactive power from the microgrid.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a system for energy management may include a processor, a memory, and a communication interface. The communication interface may receive configuration information associated with a microgrid and one or more distributed energy resources (DER). The processor may generate a dispatch profile to control one or more of the DER based on a detected outage, a type of DER connected to the microgrid, a set of default operating conditions, and a user preference. According to one aspect, the processor may generate the dispatch profile based on the dispatch command, a status of a DER of one or more of the DER connected to the microgrid, and a user preference. The dispatch command may include a demand response (DR) request or a vehicle grid integration (VGI) request for real power or reactive power from the microgrid.

Abstract: Systems, and methods relate to a medical device receiving a treatment parameter operating point within a first operating region defined by a first set of operating points for which automatic incremental adjustment of a parameter in the current operation is permitted. In an illustrative example, incremental adjustment may use artificial intelligence based on patient feedback and sensor measurement of outcomes. Some exemplary devices may receive a request to alter the current treatment parameter operating point to a second treatment parameter operating point outside the first operating region and in a second operating region in a known safe operation zone, bounded by a known unsafe zone unavailable to the user. In the second operating region, some examples may restrict the step size of incremental adjustments requested by the user. Data may be collected for cloud-based analysis, for example, to facilitate discovery of more effective treatment protocols.