Abstract: A system for determining optimum wake time is disclosed whereby the system comprising includes a receiver for receiving electroencephalogram (EEG) data. The system further includes a processor configured to generate at least one frequency band based on the EEG data received, wherein the processor is further configured to determine an optimum wake time based on a relative low point on the at least one frequency band. The system also includes an indicator configured to provide notification of the optimum wake time.

Abstract: A method of remotely managing vehicle settings wherein the method includes receiving an identification (ID) code associated with at least one user. The method further includes corresponding the ID code to at least one user profile following verification of the ID code and executing a vehicle setting associated with the at least one user profile. An apparatus for remotely managing vehicle settings is further disclosed. The apparatus includes memory for storing at least one user profile. The apparatus further includes a processor coupled to the memory, the processor configured to receive an identification (ID) code corresponding to the at least one user profile. Furthermore, the processor is in communication with a vehicle processing system operable to execute a vehicle setting associated with the at least one user profile.

Abstract: A system and method for providing visual information to a driver of a first vehicle, including: at least one camera or sensor which is not on the first vehicle but which captures image data that includes a view of a road within a vicinity of the first vehicle; a decision unit which receives the image data from the camera or sensor and which identifies information in the image data which a driver of the first vehicle needs to be informed of; and a display unit on the first vehicle which displays information transmitted to the first vehicle in a view that displays information determined to be missing in the vehicle's current line of sight, so that the otherwise missing information can be observed by a driver of the first vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus for assisting safe operation of a vehicle includes an environment sensor system detecting hazards within the vehicle environment, a driver monitor providing driver awareness data (such as a gaze track), and an attention-evaluation module identifying hazards as sufficiently or insufficiently sensed by the driver by comparing the hazard data and the gaze track. An alert signal relating to the unperceived hazards can be provided.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for assisting a requestor to identify and reserve a resource that meets the need of the requestor's request. For example, a request can be augmented using augmentation data, such as current position and requestor preferences, and resources are located and ranked according to their match against the augmented request. A person who is the requestor may engage in another attention demanding task, such as driving a car, while resources well matched to preferences are located. Preference data may be determined from social network data, a preference file, and/or other sources.

Abstract: A rideshare system and associated methodology for recommending rideshares to prospective riders and drivers uses itineraries and personal affinities to make the recommendations. The rideshare system computes a cost value by comparing the search criteria submitted by a user to stored user profiles. Results of the comparison are displayed in order of highest match to lowest match, according to the cost values computed. Further, the system also adaptively updates the stored profiles according to rideshare history. Lastly, the system includes a real-time user localization unit to locate prospective riders and drivers in real time, making just in time or unplanned rideshares possible.

Abstract: A system for determining optimum wake time is disclosed whereby the system comprising includes a receiver for receiving electroencephalogram (EEG) data. The system further includes a processor configured to generate at least one frequency band based on the EEG data received, wherein the processor is further configured to determine an optimum wake time based on a relative low point on the at least one frequency band. The system also includes an indicator configured to provide notification of the optimum wake time.

Abstract: A system and method for providing visual information to a driver of a first vehicle, including: at least one camera or sensor which is not on the first vehicle but which captures image data that includes a view of a road within a vicinity of the first vehicle; a decision unit which receives the image data from the camera or sensor and which identifies information in the image data which a driver of the first vehicle needs to be informed of; and a display unit on the first vehicle which displays information transmitted to the first vehicle in a view that displays information determined to be missing in the vehicle's current line of sight, so that the otherwise missing information can be observed by a driver of the first vehicle.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a sleep condition with a sleep scheduler is disclosed wherein the method includes receiving a sleep parameter via an input receiver on the sleep scheduler. The method further includes associating the sleep parameter with an overall alertness and outputting a determined sleep condition based on the overall alertness. A system for providing a sleep condition is further disclosed therein the system comprising includes a display, an input receiver operable to receive a sleep parameter, and a processor in communication with the display. The processor may be operable to determine an overall alertness associated with the sleep parameter and wherein the processor is operable to output a determined sleep condition based on the overall alertness.

Abstract: An example method for allowing a robot to assist with a task, the task being carried out in an environment including one or more non-human objects each having associated object locations, comprises detecting one or more changes in object locations within the environment, predicting a task requirement (such as a future object location change, or task goal) by comparing the change in the object location with stored data, the stored data including object location changes associated with previously observed tasks; and providing robotic assistance to achieve the task requirement. Example apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: An energy efficient biped robotic system with passive-dynamic locomotion includes a body having a frame, an energy recapture mechanism, and a leg. The cyclical movement of the leg during passive-dynamic locomotion is transferred to a load through a mechanical energy storage mechanism, and the resulting oscillatory movement of the load is transferred by the mechanical energy input mechanism to an electric energy generating mechanism. The generated electric energy is transferred to the energy storage device for use by the robotic system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods for reducing driver boredom for the driver of a vehicle particularly for vehicle environments such as straight roads and lack of traffic that are likely to induce boredom. An example system includes an electronic circuit such as a computer, a vehicle environment monitor, a driver interface, and a driver stimulation device such as a semitransparent display.

Abstract: An apparatus for assisting safe operation of a vehicle includes an environment sensor system detecting hazards within the vehicle environment, a driver monitor providing driver awareness data (such as a gaze track), and an attention-evaluation module identifying hazards as sufficiently or insufficiently sensed by the driver by comparing the hazard data and the gaze track. An alert signal relating to the unperceived hazards can be provided.

Abstract: Example apparatus and methods for estimating a living being's alertness include modeling the sleep-wake cycle using a function generator circuit to model the circadian component, and one or more analog circuits to model the homeostatic and inertial components. In some embodiments of the present invention, temporal scaling is used for more rapid modeling, for example using time periods of seconds or less to represent an hour of the sleep-wake cycle.

Abstract: Improved apparatus and methods for determining the attention demands on a person are described. An example approach comprises obtaining sensor data representative of the person's environment, detecting sensory objects within the sensor data, and clustering together sensory objects (for example, objects having correlated properties) so as to determine an output number of attention-demanding objects, the output number typically being less than the number of sensory objects in the sensor. An example apparatus may be used to determine the attention demands on a vehicle operator.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a sleep condition with a sleep scheduler is disclosed wherein the method includes receiving a sleep parameter via an input receiver on the sleep scheduler. The method further includes associating the sleep parameter with an overall alertness and outputting a determined sleep condition based on the overall alertness. A system for providing a sleep condition is further disclosed therein the system comprising includes a display, an input receiver operable to receive a sleep parameter, and a processor in communication with the display. The processor may be operable to determine an overall alertness associated with the sleep parameter and wherein the processor is operable to output a determined sleep condition based on the overall alertness.

Abstract: A method for managing a vehicle is disclosed wherein the method includes receiving an identification (ID) code associated with at least one user. The method further includes corresponding the ID code to at least one user profile following verification of the ID code and executing a vehicle setting associated with the at least one user profile. An apparatus for remotely managing a vehicle setting is further disclosed. The apparatus includes memory for storing at least one user profile. The apparatus further includes a processor coupled to the memory, the processor configured to receive an identification (ID) code corresponding to the at least one user profile. Furthermore, the processor is in communication with a vehicle processing system operable to execute a vehicle setting associated with the at least one user profile.

Abstract: An energy efficient biped robotic system with passive-dynamic locomotion includes a body having a frame, an energy recapture mechanism, and a leg. The cyclical movement of the leg during passive-dynamic locomotion is transferred to a load through a mechanical energy storage mechanism, and the resulting oscillatory movement of the load is transferred by the mechanical energy input mechanism to an electric energy generating mechanism. The generated electric energy is transferred to the energy storage device for use by the robotic system.

Abstract: An example apparatus for providing an audible signal representative of an environment comprises a sensor system, and an audio system providing an audible signal to a person. The audible signal has one or more audible signal variables from which the person can determine, for example, the location and relative velocity of one or more objects within the environment. The apparatus includes an electronic circuit for converting environmental data into audible signal variables, for example using a mapping algorithm.

Abstract: An energy efficient biped robotic system with passive-dynamic locomotion includes a body having a frame. An energy recapture mechanism is suspended within the frame. The energy recapture mechanism includes a load, a mechanical energy storage mechanism that interconnects the load and the frame, and a guide means secured to the load and the frame. A mechanical energy input mechanism interconnects the load with an electric energy generating mechanism. An output means transfers the generated electric energy to an energy storage device. The robot also includes a leg connected to the body portion. The cyclical movement of the leg during passive-dynamic locomotion is transferred to the load through the mechanical energy storage mechanism, and the resulting oscillatory movement of the load is transferred by the mechanical energy input mechanism to the electric energy generating mechanism. The generated electric energy is transferred to the energy storage device for use by the robotic system.