Abstract: Systems and methods for navigating a virtual space using sound are described. Some examples include a multidimensional sound space with a plurality of nodes associated with a plurality of audio sources. Some examples of the system and methods include receiving a first user navigational input, determining a first user location in the multidimensional sound space, and playing a binaural sound associated with a node based on the first user location and the node's location. Some examples further include receiving a second user navigational input, determining a second user location in the multidimensional sound space, and playing a stereophonic sound associated with the node based on the second user location and the node's location.

Abstract: A skateboard deck that is both stiff in one dimension and flexible in another dimension is disclosed. The deck includes an elongated body characterized by a longitudinal axis, a plurality of ribs, and a plurality of apertures. The plurality of ribs are long, narrow beams oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and integral with the bottom of the elongated body. The plurality of apertures are distributed in a plurality of rows also oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. The ribs and rows of apertures are interposed in an alternating pattern across the width of the deck. The resulting deck is stiff in the longitudinal direction yet flexible with respect to rotation about the longitudinal axis. The deck is therefore flexible enough to enable the front and rear trucks to rotate with respect to one another while still being rigid enough to withstand the weight of the rider.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to binaural audio detection and enhancement. In one or more embodiments, a binaural audio system is provided having a digital signal processor configured to receive a first digital audio signal from an audio signal source, determine an audio frequency spectrum including two or more signal frequencies based on the digital audio signal, determine a first binaural frequency pair including two signal frequencies in the audio frequency spectrum having a first frequency difference in the range of 1 Hz to 100 Hz and generate a first binaural audio signal by modulating the first binaural frequency pair to increase a gain for the two signal frequencies of the first binaural frequency pair. In various embodiments the digital signal processor is further configured to output a second audio signal corresponding to the first digital audio signal and including the first binaural audio signal.

Abstract: Examples of a moisture induced bioluminescent composition are disclosed. The moisture induced bioluminescent composition includes luciferin granulates and a mixture of a dried luciferase enzyme and one or both of at least one cofactor and at least one excipient. The luciferin granulates are mixed with the dried luciferase mixture forming an unreactive composition that is configured to produce a luminescence when exposed to moisture.

Abstract: Examples of a mat are disclosed. The mat comprises a body with a first surface and a second surface, and a microbial component that comprises pre-determined microorganisms which are dispersed in the body of the mat between the first and second surfaces, on one of the first surface or the second surface, or on both of the first surface and the second surface. The microbial component manipulates a microbiome of an environment adjacent or in contact to the mat. The microbial component can comprise at least one of live bacteria, bacteria endospores, fungi, viruses, protozoa, algae, slime moulds, archaea, micro-plants, a synthetic biology system or microbial precursor that stimulate growth of the desired microorganisms.

Abstract: A system including a flume. The flume can include a fluid and be configured to receive crops. The system also can include crop selectors each sized to move the crops individually from the flume into a scale. The system additionally can include the scale. The scale can be configured to weigh the crops while the crops are in the scale. The system further can include a container carrier configured to (i) hold a container that is submerged in the fluid while the crops are dumped from the scale into the container and (ii) lift the container out of the fluid to allow the fluid to drain from the container while the container holds the crops. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an optical device for enhancing the well-being of a wearer. The optical device includes a frame, at least one lens connected to the frame, at least one filter configured to engage with the at least one lens, at least one second filter configured to engaged with the at least one lens, and a modulating mechanism in communication with the frame, the at least one lens, the at least one first filter and/or the at least one second filter for modulating the at least one first filter and the at least one second filter. The at least one first filter attenuates light at wavelengths in the visible blue light spectral region. The at least one second filter attenuates light at wavelengths of the visible spectral region outside of the visible blue light spectral region.

Abstract: A system including a flume. The flume can include a fluid and be configured to receive crops. The system also can include crop selectors each sized to move the crops individually from the flume into a scale. The system additionally can include the scale. The scale can be configured to weigh the crops while the crops are in the scale. The system further can include a container carrier configured to (i) hold a container that is submerged in the fluid while the crops are dumped from the scale into the container and (ii) lift the container out of the fluid to allow the fluid to drain from the container while the container holds the crops. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: A method for restarting an engine of a vehicle stopped on a grade, comprising the steps of engaging a gear of a transmission through which the engine and wheels of the vehicle are drivably connected mutually, using brake pressure to engage wheel brakes and produce a road gradient wheel torque that holds the vehicle stationary on the grade, initiating an engine restart, operating the engine to produce wheel torque equal to or greater than the road gradient wheel torque, and releasing the brake pressure.

Abstract: A plugin hybrid electric vehicle includes an internal combustion engine, a battery, an electric machine, and a controller. The vehicle is operable in a primary electric vehicle driving mode (EV mode) and in a hybrid electric vehicle driving mode (HEV mode). The controller is programmed to receive input from the driver representing a desired operating mode and a desired energy reservation. If the desired operating mode is HEV mode, then a state of charge (SOC) offset is established as the smaller of a maximum SOC offset and an allowable SOC offset, otherwise, the SOC offset is established based on the desired energy reservation. The vehicle is operated based on the SOC offset.

Abstract: A method for restarting an engine of a vehicle stopped on a grade, comprising the steps of engaging a gear of a transmission through which the engine and wheels of the vehicle are driveably connected mutually, using brake pressure to engage wheel brakes and produce a road gradient wheel torque that holds the vehicle stationary on the grade, initiating an engine restart, operating the engine to produce wheel torque equal to or greater than the road gradient wheel torque, and releasing the brake pressure.

Abstract: An electric vehicle such as a PHEV or a BEV and a method of control includes receiving from a user of the vehicle, at an interface of the vehicle, a distance until charge (DUC) value indicative of the distance from a current position that the vehicle is intended to be driven before the vehicle is recharged. Battery usage of the vehicle is controlled as a function of the DUC value. An initial estimate of the DUC value may be made by obtaining historical distance between charges (DBC) values indicative of the distance the vehicle has been driven between each of one or more pairs of consecutive charges of the vehicle. The estimated DUC value is based on the DBC values.

Abstract: A method for restarting an engine of a vehicle stopped on a grade, comprising the steps of engaging a gear of a transmission through which the engine and wheels of the vehicle are drivably connected mutually, using brake pressure to engage wheel brakes and produce a road gradient wheel torque that holds the vehicle stationary on the grade, initiating an engine restart, operating the engine to produce wheel torque equal to or greater than the road gradient wheel torque, and releasing the brake pressure.

Abstract: Calibration of an engine disconnect clutch for a hybrid electric powertrain. The clutch is prestroked while an engine and machine are stopped. A machine torque is increased until the machine starts rotating. A pressure of the clutch is adjusted as a function of a torque produced by the machine when the machine started rotating.

Abstract: A method for controlling restart of an engine in a hybrid electric powertrain, includes engaging a gear of a transmission, releasing a brake pedal, maintaining fluid pressure at an adaptively determined magnitude in a wheel brake, initiating a restart the engine, and reducing fluid pressure in the wheel brake when the engine restarts.

Abstract: A method of smoothing hybrid vehicle engine shutdown. A powered and rotating electric machine is used to slow deceleration of an unpowered and rotating engine by transferring torque through a clutch from the machine to the unpowered engine. Prior to the machine being powered, torque may be transferred through the clutch from the unpowered and rotating engine to the unpowered machine to accelerate passage of the engine through a resonance frequency.

Abstract: Calibration of an engine disconnect clutch for a hybrid electric powertrain. The clutch is prestroked while an engine and machine are stopped. A machine torque is increased until the machine starts rotating. A pressure of the clutch is adjusted as a function of a torque produced by the machine when the machine started rotating.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle regenerative braking event includes maintaining a converter clutch closed while braking, while an engine connected to the impeller is running, opening the converter clutch when impeller speed reaches a reference speed difference relative to engine idle speed, and while the engine is off, opening the converter clutch when impeller speed reaches a speed required for a transmission pump, connected to an impeller, to produce line pressure at a desired magnitude.

Abstract: A method of smoothing hybrid vehicle engine shutdown. A powered and rotating electric machine is used to slow deceleration of an unpowered and rotating engine by transferring torque through a clutch from the machine to the unpowered engine. Prior to the machine being powered, torque may be transferred through the clutch from the unpowered and rotating engine to the unpowered machine to accelerate passage of the engine through a resonance frequency.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle regenerative braking event includes maintaining a converter clutch closed while braking, while an engine connected to the impeller is running, opening the converter clutch when impeller speed reaches a reference speed difference relative to engine idle speed, and while the engine is off, opening the converter clutch when impeller speed reaches a speed required for a transmission pump, connected to an impeller, to produce line pressure at a desired magnitude.