Abstract: The disclosure generally pertains to a vehicle maneuvering system that includes a personal communication device configured to provide enhanced feedback during vehicle maneuvering operations. In an example scenario, an individual executes a remote-control action upon a personal communication device such as, for example, by swiping a finger across a touchscreen. The personal communication device communicates with a vehicle controller to maneuver the vehicle. Enhanced feedback pertaining to the movement of the vehicle, such as a direction and/or a speed of movement, is provided via the personal communication device in various formats.

Abstract: The disclosure describes systems and methods including a mobile device for remotely controlling the movement of a vehicle and trailer. The mobile device provides an intuitive interface for controlling the movement of the vehicle and trailer by changing the orientation of a vehicle graphic (e.g., of the vehicle and trailer) according to a position of the mobile device around a periphery of the vehicle and trailer. This allows the user to walk around the vehicle and trailer to determine a best position from which to control the vehicle and trailer depending on a given situation without losing the intuitiveness of the user interface.

Abstract: The disclosure describes systems and methods including a mobile device for remotely controlling the movement of a vehicle and trailer. The mobile device provides an intuitive interface for controlling the movement of the vehicle and trailer by changing the orientation of a vehicle graphic (e.g., of the vehicle and trailer) according to a position of the mobile device around a periphery of the vehicle and trailer. This allows the user to walk around the vehicle and trailer to determine a best position from which to control the vehicle and trailer depending on a given situation without losing the intuitiveness of the user interface.

Abstract: One example provides a circuit structure comprising a liquid metal conductive path enclosed in an encapsulant, a polymer circuit support comprising a polymer having a functional species available for a condensation reaction, and a cross-linking agent covalently bonding the encapsulant to the polymer circuit support via the functional species.

Abstract: A protective face mask having a main textile portion adapted to be worn over the mouth and nose, and comprising a perimeter and a filter portion. The mask further comprises a deformable member secured to the main textile portion near the perimeter, the deformable member circumscribing at least a majority of main textile portion, and being adapted to be conformed to the physical features of a user's face through the use of pressure, such that when the deformable member is so conformed, the mask will fit snugly against the user's face so that gaps between skin and the deformable member are reduced, thereby creating an inner air space; and, a mask securing system operatively affixed to the main textile portion for keeping the face mask securely in place during breathing; wherein the filter adapted to permit the exchange air between the environment and the inner air space.

Abstract: A system for assisting in aligning a vehicle for hitching with a trailer includes a vehicle steering system, a wireless communication module, a detection system outputting a signal including scene data of an area to a rear of the vehicle, and a controller. The controller receives, via the wireless communication module, an automated hitching initiation command from an external wireless device, receives the scene data and identifying the trailer within the area to the rear of the vehicle, derives a backing path to align a hitch ball mounted on the vehicle to a coupler of the trailer, and controls the vehicle steering system to maneuver the vehicle including reversing along the backing path.

Abstract: A yarn adaptable to incorporation into a textile comprises a core including one or more electrically conductive traces arranged on the core and distributed over at least a portion of the length of the yarn. The yarn also comprises an electrically contactable terminal arranged at a terminus of the one or more conductive traces and a winding wrapped around the core.

Abstract: A Remote Trailer Maneuvering (RTM) system includes a mobile device app that identifies and processes environmental information from a photo, to identify obstacles such as walls, surrounding objects, etc. When the RTM system detects a boat, a trailer, and a boat ramp, it calculates a travel distance to drive the trailer into the water for unloading the boat. The RTM system identifies obstructions, outputs information and warnings, and prompts for information and user control feedback. Once the photo is processed, the RTM system sends control instructions to an RTM controller onboard the vehicle. The vehicle may send a responsive message to the mobile device indicating that the RTM system is ready to proceed with the maneuvering function. The RTM controller maneuvers the trailer, using an autonomous vehicle controller, to the target position using the control instructions.

Abstract: Described herein is an electrostatic slide clutch comprising a first electrode, a second electrode oriented parallel to first electrode, an electrically insulating structure disposed on the first electrode on a face of the first electrode opposing the second electrode, and a controller electrically coupled to the first electrode and to the second electrode and configured to apply a variable voltage between the first and second electrodes, to influence a normal force between the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: Examples are disclosed that relate to mapping a plurality of temperatures across an area. One example provides a temperature sensing device including a flexible support and a temperature sensing structure having a plurality of individually readable temperature sensing junctions. The temperature sensing structure includes a line of a first conductive material extending across an area of the support, and a plurality of lines of a second conductive material each intersecting the line of the first junction material at a corresponding sensing junction.

Abstract: An electrostatic slide clutch comprises first and second sheet electrodes, a dielectric layer, and a drive circuit. The dielectric layer is arranged between the first and second sheet electrodes. The drive circuit is coupled electrically to the first sheet electrode and to the second sheet electrode and configured to move a variable amount of charge bidirectionally between the first and second sheet electrodes, to influence a normal force between the first and second sheet electrodes.

Abstract: An electronic device comprises a haptic feedback system. The haptic feedback system includes a first haptic actuator coupled to a controller via a first set of two or more electrodes, and a second haptic actuator coupled to the first haptic actuator, and further coupled to the controller via a second set of two or more electrodes. The controller is configured to provide a first drive signal to the first haptic actuator via the first set of two or more electrodes, and to provide a second drive signal, different from the first drive signal, to the second haptic actuator via the second set of two or more electrodes. Combining two haptic actuators allows for a broader range of feedback and a heightened user experience.

Abstract: Embodiments enable forming a friction modified touch sensitive surface on a touch screen panel. In particular, the touch sensitive surface is augmented with two friction modifying materials that are interspersed with one another according to a predetermined pattern on the surface of the touch screen panel as a monomolecular layer. In an embodiment, The materials have indices of refraction that differ from each other by more than 0.10. In another embodiment, the materials have a kinetic coefficient of friction in one or the other range, respectively, of between 0.01 and 0.05, or between 0.06 and 0.1, said kinetic coefficients of friction being measured against printing paper that has a kinetic coefficient of friction of 0.17 with itself. In another embodiment, the materials have a water contact angle of greater than 90 degrees, and an oil contact angle of greater than 30 degrees as measured with n-hexadecane.

Abstract: Examples are disclosed that relate to mapping a plurality of temperatures across an area. One example provides a temperature sensing device including a flexible support and a temperature sensing structure having a plurality of individually readable temperature sensing junctions. The temperature sensing structure includes a line of a first conductive material extending across an area of the support, and a plurality of lines of a second conductive material each intersecting the line of the first junction material at a corresponding sensing junction.

Abstract: A method to manufacture an article comprises applying an ink to a substrate. The ink includes a liquid vehicle, a plurality of solid metal particles, a plurality of gallium-containing particles, and a thermally activated flux. The method further comprises curing the ink by heating the substrate to within an activation temperature range of the flux. The article manufactured by this method comprises a substrate, an electronically conductive film arranged on the substrate, and an adherent barrier layer covering both the substrate and the film. The film includes a plurality of solid metal particles with a gallium-based liquid metal bridging the plurality of solid metal particles.

Abstract: An electronic device comprises a haptic feedback system. The haptic feedback system includes a first haptic actuator coupled to a controller via a first set of two or more electrodes, and a second haptic actuator coupled to the first haptic actuator, and further coupled to the controller via a second set of two or more electrodes. The controller is configured to provide a first drive signal to the first haptic actuator via the first set of two or more electrodes, and to provide a second drive signal, different from the first drive signal, to the second haptic actuator via the second set of two or more electrodes. Combining two haptic actuators allows for a broader range of feedback and a heightened user experience.

Abstract: Examples are disclosed that relate to a disposable cover for an object, wherein the cover includes a passive sensing circuit loop. The sensing circuit loop is configured to inductively couple with a reusable sensor readout device that provides power and signal processing. The reusable sensor readout device wirelessly measures a sensor element printed as part of the sensing circuit loop through the inductively coupled channel. In one example, a disposable glove for a human hand includes a sensing circuit loop printed on the disposable glove.

Abstract: Examples are disclosed that relate to haptic actuators. One disclosed example provides a haptic actuator including an inductive coil, a layer of a compressible material positioned adjacent to the inductive coil and transverse to an axis of the inductive coil, and a magnet positioned on the layer of compressible material such that the magnet is movable relative to the inductive coil via compression of the layer of the compressible material upon application of a control signal to the inductive coil. Another example provides an article including a textile formed at least partially from a yarn including a core and a conductor wound around the core to form an inductive coil, and a magnetic object integrated with the textile at a position transverse to a direction of a magnetic field formed by the inductive coil.

Abstract: Examples are disclosed that relate to sensor devices configured to sense bending in multiple joints. One example provides a sensor device configured to span a first articulable joint and a second articulable joint. The sensor device comprises a plurality of electrodes arranged in a stack and connected to a base. The plurality of electrodes comprise a first electrode arranged at a first joint region of the sensor device that is configured to be positioned at the first articulable joint, a second electrode arranged at a second joint region of the sensor device that is configured to be positioned at the second articulable joint, and a reference electrode.

Abstract: One example provides a wireless wearable device including a flexible wearable base configured to be worn at a location of a skeletal joint, an electrostatic clutch including a first electrode, the first electrode having two or more first electrode sheets, each first electrode sheet having a core, a conductive layer formed on the core, and a dielectric coating formed on the conductive layer, and also having a common conductor to which each of the first electrode sheets are connected, and a second electrode having two or more second electrode sheets arranged alternately with the first electrode sheets in a stacked arrangement, a tensioner coupled to the electrostatic clutch, a battery, and control circuitry coupled to the electrostatic clutch and configured to generate a control signal to control an electrostatic force between the two or more first electrode sheets and the two or more second electrode sheets.