Abstract: A robotic meal preparation system includes a robotic meal assembly device configured to assemble a meal using multiple ingredients; a computer-implemented system is configured to display to a consumer a menu or list of meal choices, in which a specific meal has a number of different main ingredients, each at a pre-set weight, and the system is further configured to enable the consumer to select a meal and to then vary or set the weight of one or more of the main ingredients of that selected meal, to form a customised or personalised version of that selected meal. The robotic meal assembly device is then configured to assemble that customised or personalised version of that meal. The system hence provides complete meal personalisation, with high levels of consistency, greatly increasing customer satisfaction and reducing food waste. And does so quickly and efficiently, based on rapid, robotic preparation of each meal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for estimating maximum flow for a heart pump are described. The method comprises receiving data relating motor current to differential pressure measured for a predetermined speed of a motor of the heart pump, extrapolating based on the received data, a first value for the motor current at which the differential pressure is zero, and determining a maximum flow value through the heart pump at the predetermined speed of the motor of the heart pump based, at least in part, on the first value for the motor current.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining flow through a circulatory support device are provided. The method comprises receiving a motor current signal from a motor of the circulatory support device, determining within a time window of the motor current signal, a measured current value at which flow through the circulatory support device is maximum, determining an offset value based, at least in part, on the measured current value, determining based, at least in part, on the received motor current signal, whether an abnormal condition has occurred, adjusting the motor current signal based, at least in part, on the offset value and the determination of whether an abnormal condition has occurred to produce an adjusted motor current signal, and determining the flow through the circulatory support device based, at least in part, on the adjusted motor current signal.

Abstract: A system includes a vacuum chuck; and a tape. The tape includes a flexible polymer substrate; and an adhesive die catching film disposed on the flexible polymer substrate facing a front surface of the flexible polymer substrate. The tape is held on the vacuum chuck by suction applied to a rear surface of the flexible polymer substrate.

Abstract: A method includes determining an alignment error between a discrete component of a discrete component assembly mounted in a laser-assisted transfer system and a target position on a target substrate, the discrete component assembly including the discrete component adhered to a support by a dynamic release layer; based on the alignment error, determining a beam offset characteristic; and providing a signal indicative of the beam offset characteristic to an optical element of the laser-assisted transfer system, the optical element being configured to adjust a position of a beam pattern relative to the discrete component according to the beam offset characteristic.

Abstract: An assembly includes a substrate; a coating including a Bingham fluid disposed on a surface of the substrate; and a discrete component partially embedded in or disposed on the coating including the Bingham fluid. A method includes irradiating a dynamic release structure disposed on a carrier, in which a discrete component is adhered to the dynamic release structure, the irradiating causing the discrete component to be released from the carrier; and receiving the released discrete component into or onto a coating disposed on a surface of a substrate, the coating comprising a Bingham fluid.

Abstract: Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present techniques provide a configurable robotic processing system in which the sequence of operations performed by the system may vary (in contrast to a conveyor-based system) and may be dynamically-scheduled.

Abstract: Techniques are described optimizing operations of an integrated healthcare system in real-time using a machine learning framework. In one embodiment, a method comprises monitoring, by a system operatively coupled to a processor, activity of healthcare workers of a healthcare system over a defined timeframe in association with operation of the healthcare system, including monitoring performance of healthcare tasks scheduled for performance over the defined timeframe. The method further comprises determining, by the system based on the monitoring, a timeslot within the defined timeframe in which a healthcare worker of the healthcare workers is not performing, anticipated to perform, or scheduled to perform a healthcare task of the healthcare tasks, and determining, by the system, a supplemental healthcare task for performance by the healthcare worker during the timeslot.

Abstract: Systems for use in assisted respiration can permit insertion of one or more elongated medical instruments into the proximal and/or distal airway of a patient during administration of assisted respiration, which may, in some instances, proceed with a patient awake or only minimally sedated. In some systems, a bite block is coupled with a mask and is movable relative to the mask such that the system is capable of accommodating differing patient anatomies.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detection, classification, and diagnosis of vocal anomalies in vocal streams are disclosed. Discussed are a method for generating a biometric voiceprint for analyzing user vocal streams to detect and classify vocal anomalies and a method for notifying the appropriate party, where the notification is based on the diagnosis reported by the system. Manual classification in the event of automatic classification failure is discussed, where the manual classification data can be used as training data to improve the functionality of the classification model.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detection, classification, and diagnosis of vocal anomalies in vocal streams are disclosed. Discussed are a method for generating a biometric voiceprint for analyzing user vocal streams to detect and classify vocal anomalies and a method for notifying the appropriate party, where the notification is based on the diagnosis reported by the system. Manual classification in the event of automatic classification failure is discussed, where the manual classification data can be used as training data to improve the functionality of the classification model.

Abstract: Techniques are described optimizing operations of an integrated healthcare system in real-time using a machine learning framework. In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving, by a system operatively coupled to a processor, information identifying currently pending healthcare tasks for performance by healthcare workers of a healthcare system, monitoring activity of the healthcare workers in association with operation of the healthcare system, and determining availability information regarding availability of respective healthcare workers of the healthcare workers to perform the currently pending tasks based on the activity information.

Abstract: Techniques are described optimizing operations of an integrated healthcare system in real-time using a machine learning framework. In one embodiment, a method comprises monitoring, by a system operatively coupled to a processor, activity of healthcare workers of a healthcare system over a defined timeframe in association with operation of the healthcare system, including monitoring performance of healthcare tasks scheduled for performance over the defined timeframe. The method further comprises determining, by the system based on the monitoring, a timeslot within the defined timeframe in which a healthcare worker of the healthcare workers is not performing, anticipated to perform, or scheduled to perform a healthcare task of the healthcare tasks, and determining, by the system, a supplemental healthcare task for performance by the healthcare worker during the timeslot.

Abstract: Systems for use in assisted respiration can permit insertion of one or more elongated medical instruments into the proximal and/or distal airway of a patient during administration of assisted respiration, which may, in some instances, proceed with a patient awake or only minimally sedated. In some systems, a bite block is coupled with a mask and is movable relative to the mask such that the system is capable of accommodating differing patient anatomies.

Abstract: A computing device can analyze image or video information to determine a relative position of an active user. The computing device can optimize audio or video data capture based at least in part upon the relative location. The device can capture audio using one or more microphones pointing toward the relative location of the active user, and can use other microphones to determine audio from other sources to be removed from the captured audio. If video data is being captured, a video capture element can be adjusted to focus primarily on the active user. The position of the user can be monitored so the audio and video data capture can be adjusted accordingly.

Abstract: Coordination of information at the network-based level between call centers connectable over a telecommunications network, such as a telephone network, and a packet network, creates improved integration of and bonding between a customer's interaction with a Web site and with a call center. Information about the customer and the customer's Web interaction are delivered to the call center agent along with the call, leading to increased productivity and efficiency in call handling and improved call routing. Calls may be routed to existing call centers based upon information from the Web experience, and information from the user's Web interaction is shared with the call center. Web interaction information is passed to existing call centers using known call center external control methods, such as DNIS signaling. Information about the Web experience may also be “whispered” to the call center agent, and an agent may “push” Web pages for review by the customer.

Abstract: Systems for use in assisted respiration can permit insertion of one or more elongated medical instruments into the proximal and/or distal airway of a patient during administration of assisted respiration, which may, in some instances, proceed with a patient awake or only minimally sedated. In some systems, a bite block is coupled with a mask and is movable relative to the mask such that the system is capable of accommodating differing patient anatomies.

Abstract: Coordination of information at the network-based level between call centers connectable over a telecommunications network, such as a telephone network, and a packet network, creates improved integration of and bonding between a customer's interaction with a Web site and with a call center. Information about the customer and the customer's Web interaction are delivered to the call center agent along with the call, leading to increased productivity and efficiency in call handling and improved call routing. Calls may be routed to existing call centers based upon information from the Web experience, and information from the user's Web interaction is shared with the call center. Web interaction information is passed to existing call centers using known call center external control methods, such as DNIS signaling. Information about the Web experience may also be “whispered” to the call center agent, and an agent may “push” Web pages for review by the customer.

Abstract: Coordination of information at the network-based level between call centers connectable over a telecommunications network, such as the telephone network, and a packet network, such as the Internet, creates improved integration of and bonding between a customer's interaction with a Web site and with a call center. Information about the customer and the customer's Web interaction are delivered to the call center agent along with the call, leading to increased productivity and efficiency in call handling as well as improved call routing. Calls may be routed to existing call centers based upon information from the Web experience, and information from the user's Web interaction is shared with the call center. Web interaction information is passed to existing call centers using known call center external control methods, such as DNIS signaling. Information about the Web experience may also be “whispered” to the call center agent, and an agent may “push” Web pages for review by the customer.

Abstract: Coordination of information at the network-based level between call centers connectable over a telecommunications network, such as the telephone network, and a packet network, such as the Internet, creates improved integration of and bonding between a customer's interaction with a Web site and with a call center. Information about the customer and the customer's Web interaction are delivered to the call center agent along with the call, leading to increased productivity and efficiency in call handling as well as improved call routing. Calls may be routed to existing call centers based upon information from the Web experience, and information from the user's Web interaction is shared with the call center. Web interaction information is passed to existing call centers using known call center external control methods, such as DNIS signaling. Information about the Web experience may also be “whispered” to the call center agent, and an agent may “push” Web pages for review by the customer.