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: 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: The present disclosure relates to systems, methods and computer readable media for providing tools and features related to developing asset packages that may be incorporated within the framework of various bot packages. For example, systems disclosed herein can provide an asset development interface that enables a user of a computing device to develop various types of bot packages by adding and/or modifying asset packages. The systems provide a mechanism whereby a developer can obtain an asset package including one or more discrete action components that are pre-configured and pre-packaged in a way that enables the asset package to be incorporated into the framework of the bot or, alternatively, within the framework of another asset package. The systems described herein further enable content of the asset packages to be selectively accessible to users and associated computing devices that are authorized to view and use the asset packages.

Abstract: A dispensing system comprises a first dispenser and a second dispenser each including a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis extending through the first end and the second end, and a set of nozzles arranged about the longitudinal axis. The first dispenser is positioned relative to the second dispenser such that the longitudinal axis of the first dispenser is non-coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the second dispenser. The dispensing system also comprises a substrate chuck configured to hold a substrate and a rotation mechanism configured to rotate the substrate chuck around a rotation axis or configured to rotate the first dispenser and the second dispenser around the rotation axis.

Abstract: A portable retainer for securing personal electronic devices on the backs of seats is provided. The portable retainer provides a core having communicating wire holes adjacent each end of thereof, through which an elastic wire protrudes for either hanging from a seatback in an upright hanging position or being supported in a pocket of the seatback in an inverted propped up position. The portable retainer provides front and rear endplates that are peripherally broader than the core for facilitating winding the elastic wire about the core in a stored position. The endplates may provide a slot for magnets, to which anchor plates can removably attach to a desired electronic device in either the hanging or the propped-up positions for viewing the anchored electronic device from selective angles and height, due in part to the rigidly malleable elastic wire.

Abstract: A system includes a first microphone that captures audio, a communication module communicatively coupled to the first microphone, a logic circuit communicatively coupled to the first microphone and communication module, a speaker operatively coupled to the logic circuit, and an interaction element. The interaction element and logic circuit are configured to initiate control of audio content for output from the speaker in response to at least one voice command detected in captured audio. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle system is disclosed herein. A display panel is disposed on the exterior of the vehicle and is configured as a user interface for receiving inputs from a user. An occupant detection device is configured to detect the position of an occupant of the vehicle. A controller is configured to receive a request for pickup from a potential passenger via a first communication; register authorization information based on the first communication; receive a request for vehicle access via a second communication that includes authorization information; and control one or more doors of the vehicle to allow the potential passenger access to the vehicle via the one or more doors in response to the authorization information registered based on the first communication corresponding to the authorization information from the second communication, wherein the controller allows access via the one or more doors based on the position of the occupant detected by the occupant detection device.

Abstract: A smart round of ammunition includes a casing, a primer disposed at a bottom portion of the casing, a projectile mounted at a top portion of the casing and a propellant disposed within an interior portion of the casing between the projectile and primer. The primer includes a piezo generator transducing a mechanical force received at a firing pin portion of the primer into a stored charge, a switch coupling and decoupling a spark gap between the stored charge and the propellant, and a wireless sensor activating the switch responsive to a digital signal received from a component external to the casing. The activation permits a discharge of the stored charge into the spark gap and therefore detonates the propellant.

Abstract: A monitoring device configured for insertion into a conduit of a subject includes a housing, at least one physiological sensor coupled to the housing, a transmitter coupled to the housing, an expandable element, inflatable element, stretched membrane or balloon coupled to the housing and configured to occlude at least a portion of the conduit, a power source attached to the housing, and a processor coupled to the housing and operatively coupled to memory containing computer instruction causing the monitoring device to obtain physiological information via the at least one physiological sensor where the physiological information includes one or more of pulse rate information, body temperature information, breathing rate information, blood pressure information, cardiac output information, or blood gas level information, and processing and analyzing the physiological information to provide a result.

Abstract: Earpieces and methods of forming earpieces for radio frequency (RF) mitigation are provided. An earpiece is configured to be inserted in an ear canal. The earpiece includes an insertion element and a sealing section disposed on the insertion element and configured to conform to the ear canal. The sealing section is configured to substantially mitigate radio frequency (RF) transmission and to substantially isolate the ear canal from an ambient environment.

Abstract: A vehicle hitching assistance system includes a controller acquiring image data from the vehicle and identifying a trailer within a specified area of the image data and then identifying a coupler of the trailer. The specified area is less than a total field of the image data. The controller then outputs a steering signal to the vehicle to cause the vehicle to steer to align a hitch ball of the vehicle with the coupler.

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: 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: Earpieces and methods of forming earpieces for radio frequency (RF) mitigation are provided. An earpiece is configured to be inserted in an ear canal. The earpiece includes an insertion element and a sealing section disposed on the insertion element and configured to conform to the ear canal. The sealing section is configured to substantially mitigate radio frequency (RF) transmission and to substantially isolate the ear canal from an ambient environment.

Abstract: A method for utilizing shared memory spaces for data lifecycle management in a conversational AI system includes receiving one or more storage requests directing conversational data to multiple nodes of a conversational data object and storing the conversational data that is directed to each different one of the multiple nodes within a different one of multiple discrete memory spaces. Each of the multiple discrete memory spaces is governed by a scope policy defining a lifetime for data stored within the memory space. The method further provides for erasing data of each node of the multiple different nodes of the conversational data object according to the lifetime defined by the scope policy governing the memory space storing the node.

Abstract: The disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for assisting a customer retrieve a package from an autonomous vehicle. In an example procedure, the autonomous vehicle may detect the customer waiting at a first spot and may determine that the first spot is unsuitable/unsafe for the customer to retrieve a package from a locked compartment in the autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle may therefore instruct the customer to move to a second spot that is safer and closer to the compartment and may then execute an authentication procedure to authenticate the customer and unlock a door of the compartment. In an alternative approach, the autonomous vehicle may travel to a parking spot that is safer and closer to where the customer is waiting (rather than instructing the customer to move) before authenticating and unlocking the door of the compartment to allow the customer to retrieve the package.

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: A protective foam material and pads are disclosed herein. The material is a rounded foam pellet having a hole through the center of the pellet. The pellets may be arranged and interconnected to form a pad. These pads may be applied to persons, animals, or other objects for protective functions.

Abstract: Occlusion devices, earpiece devices and methods of forming occlusion devices are provided. An occlusion device is configured to occlude an ear canal, but other biological and non-biological conduits or chambers can be occluded using the devices and methods herein. The occlusion device includes an insertion element and at least one occluding member or element (which can be expandable) disposed on the insertion element. The occluding member is configured to receive a medium via the insertion element and is configured to expand, responsive to the medium, to contact the ear canal. Alternatively, the occluding member is made of a non-Newtonian fluid and can be enclosed by a balloon or not. Physical parameters of the occlusion device are selected to produce a predetermined sound attenuation characteristic over a frequency band. Use of a non-Newtonian fluid provides additional options or variables in customizing or designing a predetermined sound attenuation characteristic.

Abstract: A system includes a first microphone that captures audio, a communication module communicatively coupled to the first microphone, a logic circuit communicatively coupled to the first microphone and communication module, a speaker operatively coupled to the logic circuit, and an interaction element. The interaction element and logic circuit are configured to initiate control of audio content for output from the speaker in response to at least one voice command detected in captured audio. Other embodiments are disclosed.