Abstract: An optical element for transmitting a light beam includes a waveguide configured to transmit the light beam from an input end to an output end and having an optical property that can be modified by deformation of the waveguide. A phase-shifter is affixed to the waveguide and is operable in response to a control signal to mechanically deform the waveguide sufficient to induce a phase shift in the light beam transmitted therethrough. The phase-shifter can include a PZT layer.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject technology relate to an apparatus having a housing, including a port exposed to an environment. The apparatus includes a pressure sensor disposed within the housing to measure a pressure of the environment. The pressure sensor includes a membrane to facilitate detection of a presence of an aggressor by using dynamic response analysis.

Abstract: An ultrasound sensor includes a frame, wherein the frame includes an outer perimeter, an inner perimeter, and a midsection, wherein the midsection extends across the inner perimeter. The sensor further includes two or more transducer elements, wherein the two or more transducer elements are located within the inner perimeter, and include one or more membranes that include a bottom portion that includes a first piezoelectric layer and second piezoelectric layer, wherein the two or more transducer elements are each separated from the midsection, wherein the two or more transducer elements are configured to each activate a transmit mode and receive mode, wherein the transmit mode is configured to transmit a signal and the receive mode is configured to receive a signal, wherein a first transducer element activates the transmit mode when a second transducer element does not activate the transmit mode.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject technology relate to an apparatus having a housing including a port exposed to an environment. A pressure sensor is disposed within the housing to measure a pressure of the environment. A medium partially fills a sensor cavity or is coated over the pressure sensor, and a cap including multiple openings is disposed over the pressure sensor. The openings of the cap are arranged to be offset from the port.

Abstract: A mold sensor is configured with an enclosed chamber in which a nutrient-treated substrate is positioned. The mold sensor includes an optical sensor that is configured to measure optical properties in the enclosed chamber. A controller operates the optical sensor and is programmed to detect a presence of mold growing in the chamber based on the optical properties measured by the optical sensor.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a temperature sensor system includes a sensor assembly with a temperature sensing portion configured to generate a first signal based upon a temperature of body proximate a surface portion of the temperature sensing portion, and a thermoelectric generator portion configured to receive heat flow from the body through the temperature sensing portion and to generate a second signal based upon the heat flow. A control unit is operably connected to the sensor assembly and a memory and configured to execute program instructions stored in the memory to calculate and output a corrected temperature based upon the first signal, the second signal, and at least one correction factor stored in the memory. The at least one correcting factor is determined based upon at least one of a thermal conductivity of the sensor assembly, a size of the sensor assembly, and an aspect ratio of the sensor assembly.

Abstract: A mold sensor include a housing that defines an enclosed chamber in which a nutrient-treated substrate is positioned. The mold sensor includes a substrate advancement mechanism that is configured to selectively move the substrate to expose a surface of the substrate within the chamber. The mold sensor includes a sensor configured to detect mold growth on the substrate within the chamber.

Abstract: In one embodiment a temperature sensor system includes two sensor assemblies with different thermal resistances, each sensor assembly including a temperature sensing portion and a thermoelectric generator portion configured to receive heat flow from a body through the associated temperature sensing portion. A control unit is operably connected to the sensor assemblies and the memory. The control unit is configured to execute program instructions stored in the memory to obtain signals from the temperature sensor portions and the thermoelectric generator portions and to calculate and output a body core temperature (TB) based upon the obtained signals.

Abstract: A wearable device worn on a remote shopping assistant that includes one or more sensors configured to detect a weight, quantity, freshness and quality of one or more grocery items, a transceiver configured to communicate data indicative of the weight, quantity, freshness and quality of the one or more grocery items to and from a remote server, wherein the remote server is configured to communicate data to a remote shopper, and a camera configured to capture image data related to the one or more grocery items.

Abstract: A vital signs monitoring system includes a peak pattern detection module configured to output a peak prediction signal from sensor signals based on a peak prediction algorithm; a vital sign estimating module configured to estimate a vital sign based on the peak prediction signal; an activity and context detector module configured to output a context signal based on at least one environmental condition and/or activity level of the person; and a concept drift detection module configured to output a drift signal based on drift detected in the estimated vital sign. The peak pattern prediction module is configured to update the peak prediction algorithm based on the context signal and the drift signal.

Abstract: A thickness analyzer unit for determining a thickness of a layer includes a temperature change device, a temperature sensor, a memory, and a controller. The temperature change device is configured to induce a temperature change of the layer from a first temperature value to a second temperature value. The temperature sensor is configured to generate first temperature data corresponding to the first temperature value and second temperature data corresponding to the second temperature value. The memory is configured to store the first and second temperature values, a thermal conductivity value, a specific thermal capacity value, and a density value. The controller is configured (i) to determine a time constant value of the layer based on the first and second temperature values, and (ii) to determine the thickness of the layer based on the time constant value, the thermal conductivity value, the specific thermal capacity value, and the density value.

Abstract: A mold sensor is configured with an enclosed chamber in which a nutrient-treated substrate is positioned. The mold sensor includes a sensing system that is configured to measure a property of the substrate that corresponds to a pH value of the substrate. A controller operates the sensing system and is programmed to detect a presence of mold growing in the chamber by estimating the pH value from the measured property.

Abstract: A system for detecting mold includes a housing defining a chamber and an opening through a surface. The system includes a movable grate for selectively covering the opening. The system includes a substrate treated to promote mold growth. The system includes a mechanism for moving the substrate to move previously unexposed portions into the chamber. The system includes a thermal control system to maintain predetermined environmental conditions in the chamber. The system includes a sensor configured to detect mold growth in the chamber. The system includes a mold suppressor to kill mold in the chamber when activated. The system includes a controller to coordinate operation of the components to detect mold growth in an environment.

Abstract: An ultrasound sensor includes a frame, wherein the frame includes an outer perimeter, an inner perimeter, and a midsection, wherein the midsection extends across the inner perimeter. The sensor further includes two or more transducer elements, wherein the two or more transducer elements are located within the inner perimeter, and include one or more membranes that include a bottom portion that includes a first piezoelectric layer and second piezoelectric layer, wherein the two or more transducer elements are each separated from the midsection, wherein the two or more transducer elements are configured to each activate a transmit mode and receive mode, wherein the transmit mode is configured to transmit a signal and the receive mode is configured to receive a signal, wherein a first transducer element activates the transmit mode when a second transducer element does not activate the transmit mode.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer, wherein the ultrasound transducer includes a membrane including a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein the membrane is configured to vibrate and generate an ultrasound in response to voltage applied the transducer, wherein the membrane includes a perimeter including a plurality of sides and a top surface and a bottom surface with one or more feet extending away from the bottom surface; and a support member that attaches to and connects to the membrane and supports the membrane, wherein the support member includes one or more platforms extending to and attaching to the membrane and a substrate, wherein a first end of the platform connects to the membrane and includes a support portion, wherein the support portion away from the platform, wherein the platform includes the one or more piezoelectric layers, wherein the one or more platforms support and surround the membrane.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer of a vehicle system, comprising a membrane configured to vibrate to generate an ultrasound when voltage is applied and further configured to vibrate in an out-of-plane movement, wherein the membrane includes a first piezoelectric film at a center of the membrane, a supporting member including a second piezoelectric film, the supporting member supporting and surrounding the membrane, wherein in response to a translation of motion or actuation from the membrane, the supporting member mode does not move when there is the out-of-plane movement from the membrane.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer of a vehicle system includes a support member that attaches to and connects to the bottom portion of a membrane of the ultrasound transducer and supports the membrane, wherein the support member includes one or more cantilevers with a first end attaching to the membrane and a second end attaching to a support portion of the support member that attaches to the substrate, wherein the cantilever extends across and floats above the substrate, wherein the first end of the cantilever includes a stub extending away from a surface of the cantilever, wherein the stub extends away from the surface without contacting the substrate, wherein the one or more cantilevers includes one or more piezoelectric layers on the surface of the cantilever.

Abstract: A mold sensor is configured with an enclosed chamber in which a nutrient-treated substrate is positioned. The mold sensor includes a sensor for measuring electrical properties of the substrate. The substrate includes conductive elements to interface with a controller to measure the electrical properties. The controller operates the sensor and is programmed to detect a presence of mold growing in the chamber based on the electrical properties.

Abstract: A mold sensor is configured with an enclosed chamber in which a nutrient-treated substrate is positioned. The mold sensor includes a sensing system that is configured to measure properties of pressure waves within the enclosed chamber. A controller operates the sensing system and is programmed to detect a presence of mold growing in the chamber based on the characteristics of the pressure wave response within the chamber.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a monitoring device to generate calibrated vital sign data using a calibration device includes positioning the monitoring device in a first position on a patient, generating vital sign data with a sensing assembly of the positioned monitoring device, and processing the vital sign data with the calibration device to determine if the vital sign data is calibrated vital sign data or uncalibrated vital sign data. The method also includes generating a calibrated data signal if the vital sign data is calibrated vital sign data, generating a reposition signal if the vital sign data is uncalibrated vital sign data, and repositioning the monitoring device on the patient until the calibrated data signal is generated.