Abstract: A shelter system for a truck includes a platform assembly that can pivot back-and-forth between a stowed position and a deployed position. The platform assembly spans a bed of a truck when in the stowed position. The platform assembly is disposed over a cab of the truck when in the deployed position. A tent covers the platform assembly when the platform assembly is in the deployed position.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a center console that includes an interface. At least one accessory is configured for installation to the center console via the interface and including an identifier. A detection circuit is configured to detect a user approaching the vehicle. An identification circuit is configured to determine the identifier in response to a scanning command. A display indicates instructions for the installation of the at least accessory in response to an indication signal. Control circuitry is in communication with the detection circuit, the identification circuit, and the display, and is configured to communicate the scanning command in response to detection of the user approaching the vehicle and communicate the indication signal based on detection of the identifier.

Abstract: A physical toggle button located in a cabin of a vehicle receives input indicating a change in state of the physical toggle button from a first mode in which a plurality of functions of smart home devices are set to a first state to a second mode in which the plurality of functions of the smart home devices are set to a second state. Using a telematics control module of the vehicle, a state change request is sent indicating the change in state to a cloud service maintaining a function mapping including information for setting the plurality of functions between the first state and the second state.

Abstract: A modular programmable widget for a vehicle includes a front housing and a back housing defining an enclosure; one or more physical controls provided on a front face of the enclosure; a contact pad exposed by the enclosure for electrical connection to a dock, the contact pad providing for transmission of data and power between the modular programmable widget and the dock; and one or more features for mechanical connection and securing of the modular programmable widget to the dock.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a center console that includes an interface. At least one accessory is configured for installation to the center console via the interface and including an identifier. A detection circuit is configured to detect a user approaching the vehicle. An identification circuit is configured to determine the identifier in response to a scanning command. A display indicates instructions for the installation of the at least accessory in response to an indication signal. Control circuitry is in communication with the detection circuit, the identification circuit, and the display, and is configured to communicate the scanning command in response to detection of the user approaching the vehicle and communicate the indication signal based on detection of the identifier.

Abstract: A shelter system for a truck includes a platform assembly that can pivot back-and-forth between a stowed position and a deployed position. The platform assembly spans a bed of a truck when in the stowed position. The platform assembly is disposed over a cab of the truck when in the deployed position. A tent covers the platform assembly when the platform assembly is in the deployed position.

Abstract: A modular programmable widget for a vehicle includes a front housing and a back housing defining an enclosure; one or more physical controls provided on a front face of the enclosure; a contact pad exposed by the enclosure for electrical connection to a dock, the contact pad providing for transmission of data and power between the modular programmable widget and the dock; and one or more features for mechanical connection and securing of the modular programmable widget to the dock.

Abstract: A physical toggle button located in a cabin of a vehicle receives input indicating a change in state of the physical toggle button from a first mode in which a plurality of functions of smart home devices are set to a first state to a second mode in which the plurality of functions of the smart home devices are set to a second state. Using a telematics control module of the vehicle, a state change request is sent indicating the change in state to a cloud service maintaining a function mapping including information for setting the plurality of functions between the first state and the second state.

Abstract: A dock for receiving modular programmable widgets includes a body defining a securing channel for receiving the modular programmable widgets, the securing channel being sized to conform with a profile of an attachment body of the rear of the modular programmable widgets; a plurality of dock connectors configured to receive contact pads of the modular programmable widgets; and locators defined by the securing channel into the securing channel to aid in placement of the modular programmable widgets in positions where the contact pads of the modular programmable widgets are aligned with one of the dock connectors.

Abstract: A method of making a pre-aligned optical mount, including: mounting a desired optical element onto a housing; securing the housing onto a stage having at least four degrees of freedom; aligning the optical element with a specified optical axis by adjustment of the stage; machining the housing to match an optical platform onto which the housing is be mounted; wherein the housing is machined such that an optical axis of the optical element is aligned with a predefined optical axis with respect to the optical platform when the housing is mounted onto the optical platform.

Abstract: An apparatus for creating an electromagnetic coil, including: a platform for building the coil; a dispenser to dispense a wire via a nozzle; a wire feeder to feed the wire through the dispenser; a coating applicator to apply a bondable overcoat to the wire, such that when a section of the wire is laid adjacent to another section of the wire, the bondable overcoats of the respective sections bond to each other; one or more actuators to provide at least three degrees of freedom to the dispenser and/or the platform; and a processor to control the one or more actuators to move the dispenser and/or platform such that the wire is dispensed at a specified location relative to the platform; wherein the processor controls the one or more actuators based on a program stored in a memory, the program including instructions for laying the wire according to a predetermined pattern.

Abstract: A braking device including: a piezoelectric element; and a braking portion. The braking portion is configured to be fixed to a member when the piezoelectric element is in a first state, and to be slidable along the member when the piezoelectric element is in a second state. The piezoelectric element changes from one state to another state when a voltage is applied.

Abstract: An imaging incident angle tracking device, including: a light source; a first and second beam splitters or dichroic mirrors; a position sensitive detector; wherein the first and second beam splitters or dichroic mirrors are configured to direct light from the light source to a window surface through an objective lens; the first and second beam splitters or dichroic mirrors is further configured to direct the light reflected from the window surface and through the objective lens into the position sensitive detector. A positioning system, including: a baseplate; a platform; a plurality of strut assemblies connecting the baseplate and the platform; wherein each of the strut assembly includes: a linear actuator; a first flexure assembly and a second flexure assembly at the first and second ends of the strut assembly; the first and second flexure assemblies are rigid along and flexibly bendable orthogonal to the length of the strut assembly.

Abstract: A braking device including: a piezoelectric element; and a braking portion. The braking portion is configured to be fixed to a member when the piezoelectric element is in a first state, and to be slidable along the member when the piezoelectric element is in a second state. The piezoelectric element changes from one state to another state when a voltage is applied.

Abstract: A method of making a pre-aligned optical mount, including: mounting a desired optical element onto a housing; securing the housing onto a stage having at least four degrees of freedom; aligning the optical element with a specified optical axis by adjustment of the stage; machining the housing to match an optical platform onto which the housing is be mounted; wherein the housing is machined such that an optical axis of the optical element is aligned with a predefined optical axis with respect to the optical platform when the housing is mounted onto the optical platform.

Abstract: An imaging incident angle tracking device, including: a light source; a first and second beam splitters or dichroic mirrors; a position sensitive detector; wherein the first and second beam splitters or dichroic mirrors are configured to direct light from the light source to a window surface through an objective lens; the first and second beam splitters or dichroic mirrors is further configured to direct the light reflected from the window surface and through the objective lens into the position sensitive detector. A positioning system, including: a baseplate; a platform; a plurality of strut assemblies connecting the baseplate and the platform; wherein each of the strut assembly includes: a linear actuator; a first flexure assembly and a second flexure assembly at the first and second ends of the strut assembly; the first and second flexure assemblies are rigid along and flexibly bendable orthogonal to the length of the strut assembly.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for activation of software that uses digital licenses. In some embodiments, a software vendor may securely deliver at least one digital proof-of-purchase to an OEM (e.g., to avoid piracy of software licenses). The OEM may install an associated software copy on a computer system, and store the at least one digital proof-of-purchase on it. The OEM may communicate the proof(s)-of-purchase stored on the computer system and its system identifier to the software vendor. A user of the computer system may attempt to activate the OEM pre-installed software by sending an activation request to a software vendor, who may verify whether or not the digital proof-of-purchase and system identifier in the activation request match those previously reported by the OEM, and may either grant or deny the activation request.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for activation of software that uses digital licenses. In some embodiments, a software vendor may securely deliver at least one digital proof-of-purchase to an OEM (e.g., to avoid piracy of software licenses). The OEM may install an associated software copy on a computer system, and store the at least one digital proof-of-purchase on it. The OEM may communicate the proof(s)-of-purchase stored on the computer system and its system identifier to the software vendor. A user of the computer system may attempt to activate the OEM pre-installed software by sending an activation request to a software vendor, who may verify whether or not the digital proof-of-purchase and system identifier in the activation request match those previously reported by the OEM, and may either grant or deny the activation request.