Abstract: A communication device and method can include one or more processors operatively coupled to memory and an audible output device, where the one or more processors initiates a call from a calling party that includes an audio clip associated with the call.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating light based communications includes a transceiver, a processing device, and a user interface device. The transceiver includes light emitters and a light receiver. The light emitters emit light. The light receiver is configured for detecting an incoming light signal. The processing device is operatively coupled with the transceiver. The processing device is configured for generating an incoming coded message based on the detecting, decoding the incoming coded message into an incoming message, provisioning the incoming message based on the decoding, obtaining an outgoing message, encoding the outgoing message based on the obtaining of the outgoing message, generating an encoded outgoing message based on the encoding, and generating a command for the transceiver based on the encoding of the encoded outgoing message. Further, at least one of the light emitters is configured for emitting an outgoing light signal based on the command.

Abstract: A method of determining if a radiation spectra comprises radiation corresponding to naturally occurring radiation material sources (NORM), the method including: gathering the radiation spectra; normalizing the gathered spectra by using one or more predefined normalization techniques; energy scaling the normalized spectra by using one or more energy scaling techniques; and determining materials corresponding to each energy reading in the scaled energy spectra for categorizing the determined materials into one or more predefined categories by using one or more classification algorithms.

Abstract: Provided are methods of treating a cerebral cavernous malformation (CCM) and methods of treating cerebral aneurysm in a mammal with certain rho kinase inhibitors.

Abstract: A mobile communication environment (100) can include a mobile device (160) to measure and send sound pressure level data. The mobile device (160) can initiate the collection of audio information responsive to detecting a trigger event. Mobile device (160) can measure or calculate the sound pressure level from the audio information. Metadata including time information and geographic location information can be captured with the collected audio information. Mobile device (160) can send the sound pressure level data and metadata through a wired or wireless communication path to a database (614).

Abstract: A wearable accessory for delivery of personalized audio service includes a first microphone for capturing sound, a first speaker for playing media, a logic circuit for creating a personalized Head Related Transfer Function (HRTF) to enhance listening experience of the media, a communication module for accessing the Internet and to provide access to the media in response to capturing the sound, and a memory storage unit for storing information related to the captured sound. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Directed to a wearable device, that receives an acoustic signal from a microphone configured to measure an ambient environment; receives a sensor signal from a sensor; analyzing a sensor signal to detect a trigger event by comparing the sensor signal to a stored list that indicates which sensor signals indicate a trigger event; opening a communication channel with a remote server if a trigger event is detected; generating metadata including a time stamp; transmitting the metadata, the sensor signal and the acoustic signal to the server via the communication channel; and receiving, from the server an indication that the metadata, the sensor signal and acoustic signal has been received.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a system and method designed to protect the contents of a region or space within a facility (e.g., building, home, vehicle, outdoor space, etc.). The system is configured to identify an area to be protected (e.g., nightstand, medicine cabinet, safe), monitor surroundings, and manage and deploy response(s) to threats to the region or space under protection. The system may also be configured to provide incremental warnings, interventions, or countermeasures to deter people or animals from accessing the Protected Space.

Abstract: A wearable multifunction device or earpiece or a pair of earpieces includes one or more processors, at least one microphone coupled to the one or more processors, a biometric sensor coupled to the one or more processors, and a memory coupled to the one or more processors, the memory having computer instructions causing the one or more processors to perform the operations of sensing a remaining battery life and based on the sensing, prioritizing one or more of the functions of always on recording, biometric measuring, biometric recording, sound pressure level measuring, voice activity detection, key word detection, key word analysis, personal audio assistant functions, transmission of data to a tethered phone, transmission of data to a server, transmission of data to a cloud device.

Abstract: A vehicle hitching assistance system includes a controller executing an initial alignment process including searching for a trailer within a specified area of image data that is less than a total field of the image data in directions corresponding with both a longitudinal distance between the vehicle and the trailer and a lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal distance, presenting an indication to a driver of the vehicle to reposition the vehicle when the trailer is not identified within the specified area, and removing the indication when the trailer is identified within the specified area. The controller further executes an automated backing process upon identifying the trailer within the specified area, including identifying a coupler of the trailer and outputting a steering signal to the vehicle to cause the vehicle to steer to align a hitch ball of the vehicle with the coupler of the trailer during reversing.

Abstract: A smart faucet controller (400) and method (100), comprising the steps of: detecting water movement (102); sensing water temperature (104); and processing data created by the detecting and sensing steps and sending instructions (106) to: close an exit valve to disallow water from exiting a delivery point if water is below a minimum threshold temperature, substantially simultaneously open a bypass valve to allow water to circulate back through water lines to a hot water source, activate a remote water circulation pump to send heated water to a point of use, and reset the exit valve and bypass valve to default positions and turn off a water circulation pump once the water reaches the threshold temperature. Advantageously, the method (100) and smart faucet controller (400) are configured to provide and/or measure a water conservation function that avoids wasting water.

Abstract: An automated stirling-pelitier liquid air battery includes: a cryocooler to cool a tip of a cold head to cryogenic temperatures, the cryocooler resting in a cryocooler support; the cryocooler support to change a level of the cryocooler in a dewar to maximize liquid air production, the dewar to hold the liquified air at low temperatures, the dewar having the cryocooler support, wherein the dewar further comprises: a polytetrafluoroethylene or glass inner shell that reduces conductive heat loss, and a polytetrafluoroethylene or glass threaded pipe connected to a liquid air transport subsystem; and the liquid air transport subsystem having a thermoelectric generator to generate output electricity from the liquid air received from the dewar.

Abstract: A method of preparing a robotic surgery apparatus for a medical procedure can include covering a manipulator unit of the robotic surgery apparatus with a first sterile barrier by coupling a drape coupler of the first sterile barrier to a bottom surface of the manipulator unit and wrapping a drape of the first sterile barrier around side and top surfaces of the manipulator unit. The drape can be coupled to the drape coupler. The drape can be made of material that is more flexible than material of the drape coupler. The method can include covering an arm of the robotic surgery apparatus supporting the manipulator unit with a second sterile barrier that is distinct from the first sterile barrier by coupling the second sterile barrier to the arm and wrapping the second sterile barrier around the arm.

Abstract: A vehicle hitching assistance system includes a controller executing an initial alignment process including searching for a trailer within a specified area of image data that is less than a total field of the image data in directions corresponding with both a longitudinal distance between the vehicle and the trailer and a lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal distance, presenting an indication to a driver of the vehicle to reposition the vehicle when the trailer is not identified within the specified area, and removing the indication when the trailer is identified within the specified area. The controller further executes an automated backing process upon identifying the trailer within the specified area, including identifying a coupler of the trailer and outputting a steering signal to the vehicle to cause the vehicle to steer to align a hitch ball of the vehicle with the coupler of the trailer during reversing.

Abstract: Earpieces and methods for acute sound detection and reproduction are provided. A method can include measuring an external ambient sound level (xASL), monitoring a change in the xASL for detecting an acute sound, estimating a proximity of the acute sound, and upon detecting the acute sound and its proximity, reproducing the acute sound within an ear canal, where the ear canal is at least partially occluded by an earpiece. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a system and method designed to protect the contents of a region or space within a facility (e.g., building, home, vehicle, outdoor space, etc.). The system is configured to identify an area to be protected (e.g., nightstand, medicine cabinet, safe), monitor surroundings, and manage and deploy response(s) to threats to the region or space under protection. The system may also be configured to provide incremental warnings, interventions, or countermeasures to deter people or animals from accessing the Protected Space.

Abstract: A hair trimmer is provided, including a trimmer housing having a drive end, a drive shaft projecting from the drive end, a support bracket associated with the drive end, and a cutting workhead connectable to the drive shaft and being supported on the trimmer by the support bracket. The cutting workhead is removable from operational engagement with the trimmer housing without the use of tools.

Abstract: A performance monitor determines a performance characteristic of a plurality of dispensers receiving fluid from a reservoir. Each of the plurality of dispensers has an actuator that, when actuated, causes the each of the dispensers to generate a droplet of the fluid. A driver generates a drive command to the actuator to adjust a physical attribute of the droplet based on the performance characteristic to satisfy a performance criteria.

Abstract: An analysis system has at least one monitoring assembly that includes at least one microphone to monitor an acoustic field proximate the monitoring assembly. The at least one microphone produces at least one microphone signal responsive to the acoustic field. The analysis system further includes a data storage device configured to buffer the at least one microphone signal and an audio analysis system configured to analyze a content of the data storage device where the audio analysis system is configured to analyze the content of the buffer to process at least a sound into a response or action.

Abstract: A method of preparing a robotic surgery apparatus for a medical procedure can include covering a manipulator unit of the robotic surgery apparatus with a first sterile barrier by coupling a drape coupler of the first sterile barrier to a bottom surface of the manipulator unit and wrapping a drape of the first sterile barrier around side and top surfaces of the manipulator unit. The drape can be coupled to the drape coupler. The drape can be made of material that is more flexible than material of the drape coupler. The method can include covering an arm of the robotic surgery apparatus supporting the manipulator unit with a second sterile barrier that is distinct from the first sterile barrier by coupling the second sterile barrier to the arm and wrapping the second sterile barrier around the arm.