Abstract: Techniques for operating a kinematic structure by manual motion of a link coupled to the kinematic structure include a system comprising a first manipulating means and processing means. The processing means is for detecting whether a first means for accessing an internal worksite is mounted to the first manipulating means; detecting an input indicating the system is to be in a set-up mode; and inhibiting, in response to detecting that the first means is mounted to the first manipulating means, transition of the system to the set-up mode.

Abstract: Techniques for operating a kinematic structure by manual motion of a link coupled to the kinematic structure include a system comprising a first manipulating means and processing means. The processing means is for detecting whether a first means for accessing an internal worksite is mounted to the first manipulating means; detecting an input indicating the system is to be in a set-up mode; and inhibiting, in response to detecting that the first means is mounted to the first manipulating means, transition of the system to the set-up mode.

Abstract: Techniques for operating a kinematic structure by manual motion of a link coupled to the kinematic structure include a system having a kinematic structure configured to support an instrument and a processor. The processor is configured to place the system in a clutching mode; transition the system from the clutching mode to a set-up mode in response to detecting a joint operation of the kinematic structure; while in the set-up mode, determine an input displacement of a link from an initial positional relationship relative to a portion of the kinematic structure to a displaced positional relationship relative to the portion of the kinematic structure; and while in the set-up mode and in response to the determined input displacement, drive the kinematic structure so that the link returns toward the initial positional relationship relative to the portion of the kinematic structure.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a device comprising: a capacitor and at least one encapsulant. In some embodiments, the at least one encapsulant comprises at least one polymer. In some embodiments, the at least one encapsulant at least partially encapsulates the capacitor. In some embodiments, the at least one encapsulant has a stable Young's modulus. Some embodiments of the present disclosure further relate to methods of manufacturing and using the device described herein. In the examples the at least one polymer is a PVDF.

Abstract: Techniques for operating a kinematic structure by manual motion of a link coupled to the kinematic structure include a system having a kinematic structure configured to support an instrument and a processor. The processor is configured to place the system in a clutching mode; transition the system from the clutching mode to a set-up mode in response to detecting a joint operation of the kinematic structure; while in the set-up mode, determine an input displacement of a link from an initial positional relationship relative to a portion of the kinematic structure to a displaced positional relationship relative to the portion of the kinematic structure; and while in the set-up mode and in response to the determined input displacement, drive the kinematic structure so that the link returns toward the initial positional relationship relative to the portion of the kinematic structure.

Abstract: Techniques for operating a kinematic structure by manual motion of a link coupled to the kinematic structure include a system having a kinematic structure configured to support an instrument and a processor. The processor is configured to place the system in a clutching mode, transition the system from the clutching mode to a set-up mode in response to detecting a joint operation of the kinematic structure, establish a desired reference location of a link relative to a portion of the kinematic structure, detect an error between an actual reference location of the link relative to the portion and the desired reference location of the link, and drive the kinematic structure so as to decrease the error. The link is distal to the portion on the kinematic structure. The error is due to manual movement of the link.

Abstract: A solar vapor generator includes an absorber to absorb sunlight and an emitter, in thermal communication with the absorber, to radiatively evaporate a liquid under less than 1 sun illumination and without pressurization. The emitter is physically separated from the liquid, substantially reducing fouling of the emitter. The absorber and the emitter may also be heated to temperatures higher than the boiling point of the liquid and may thus may be used to further superheat the vapor. Solar vapor generation can provide the basis for many sustainable desalination, sanitization, and process heating technologies.

Abstract: Examples described herein provide various devices that enable users to participate in a multiplayer session. The examples allow a user that is unable to speak, or that is incapable of speaking, to participate in an in-session voice chat by inputting text and having the text converted to speech (e.g., synthesized voice data) that can then be sent to other devices participating in the session. The user enables a text-to-speech conversion feature on his or her own device. Based on the enabled feature, functionality enabling text to be entered is activated and the entered text is converted into speech data.

Abstract: Techniques for operating a kinematic structure by manual motion of a link coupled to the kinematic structure include a system having a kinematic structure configured to support an instrument and a processor. The processor is configured to place the system in a clutching mode, transition the system from the clutching mode to a set-up mode in response to detecting a joint operation of the kinematic structure, establish a desired reference location of a link relative to a portion of the kinematic structure, detect an error between an actual reference location of the link relative to the portion and the desired reference location of the link, and drive the kinematic structure so as to decrease the error. The link is distal to the portion on the kinematic structure. The error is due to manual movement of the link.

Abstract: Robotic and/or surgical devices, systems, and methods include a manipulator configured to be mounted to a cannula and a processor. The processor is configured to detect a mounting state of the cannula, detect an input indicating the system is to be in a set-up mode, and inhibit transition of the system to the set-up mode in response to the detected mounting state. In some embodiments, detecting the input indicating the system is to be in the set-up mode includes detecting an activation of a dedicated input button. In some embodiments, detecting the input indicating the system is to be in the set-up mode comprises detecting a joint operation of a first kinematic structure coupling the manipulator with a platform that is supported by a second kinematic structure.

Abstract: A solar vapor generator includes an absorber to absorb sunlight and an emitter, in thermal communication with the absorber, to radiatively evaporate a liquid under less than 1 sun illumination and without pressurization. The emitter is physically separated from the liquid, substantially reducing fouling of the emitter. The absorber and the emitter may also be heated to temperatures higher than the boiling point of the liquid and may thus may be used to further superheat the vapor. Solar vapor generation can provide the basis for many sustainable desalination, sanitization, and process heating technologies.

Abstract: A method includes: dividing the 3D virtual scene by using a plurality of grids; acquiring location information about a plurality of first points at which a plurality of rays originating from a light source are incident on one or more objects located within the 3D virtual scene and location information about a plurality of first grids including the plurality of first points; acquiring location information about a plurality of second points at which the plurality of rays reflected from the plurality of first points are incident on the one or more objects and location information about a plurality of second grids including the plurality of second points; and determining illumination of each of the plurality of grids based on the location information about the plurality of first grids and the location information about the plurality of second grids.

Abstract: Examples described herein provide various devices that enable users to participate in a multiplayer session. The examples allow a user that is unable to speak, or that is incapable of speaking, to participate in an in-session voice chat by inputting text and having the text converted to speech (e.g., synthesized voice data) that can then be sent to other devices participating in the session. The user enables a text-to-speech conversion feature on his or her own device. Based on the enabled feature, functionality enabling text to be entered is activated and the entered text is converted into speech data.

Abstract: Examples described herein provide various devices that enable users to participate in a multiplayer session. The examples allow a user that is unable to speak, or that is incapable of speaking, to participate in an in-session voice chat by inputting text and having the text converted to speech (e.g., synthesized voice data) that can then be sent to other devices participating in the session. The user enables a text-to-speech conversion feature on his or her own device. Based on the enabled feature, functionality enabling text to be entered is activated and the entered text is converted into speech data.

Abstract: A system is provided for thwarting the undesired incoming calls and eliminating the impact of robocalls, tollfree pumping, political spam, data collection bots, and other phone fraud forms. The system has a spam detection unit with a plurality of spam type modules and each spam type module is configured to detect a different type of spam.

Abstract: A method includes: dividing the 3D virtual scene by using a plurality of grids; acquiring location information about a plurality of first points at which a plurality of rays originating from a light source are incident on one or more objects located within the 3D virtual scene and location information about a plurality of first grids including the plurality of first points; acquiring location information about a plurality of second points at which the plurality of rays reflected from the plurality of first points are incident on the one or more objects and location information about a plurality of second grids including the plurality of second points; and determining illumination of each of the plurality of grids based on the location information about the plurality of first grids and the location information about the plurality of second grids.

Abstract: A refrigeration system including a condenser, a compressor, a first transportation system passing refrigerant between the compressor and the condenser, a first evaporator, a second evaporator, a second transportation system passing the refrigerant between the condenser and a holding vessel, with the holding vessel including refrigerant in gas and liquid form, a third transportation system passing the refrigerant between the holding vessel and a pump, a fourth transportation system passing the refrigerant between the pump and the first evaporator, a fifth transportation system passing the refrigerant between the pump and the second evaporator, and a heat exchanger wherein the refrigerant in the second transportation system exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the fifth transportation system to heat the refrigerant in the fifth transportation system before the refrigerant passes to the second evaporator.

Abstract: A refrigeration system including a condenser, a compressor, a first transportation system passing refrigerant between the compressor and the condenser, a first evaporator, a second evaporator, a second transportation system passing the refrigerant between the condenser and a holding vessel, with the holding vessel including refrigerant in gas and liquid form, a third transportation system passing the refrigerant between the holding vessel and a pump, a fourth transportation system passing the refrigerant between the pump and the first evaporator, a fifth transportation system passing the refrigerant between the pump and the second evaporator, and a heat exchanger wherein the refrigerant in the second transportation system exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the fifth transportation system to heat the refrigerant in the fifth transportation system before the refrigerant passes to the second evaporator.

Abstract: Robotic and/or surgical devices, systems, and methods include a manipulator configured to be mounted to a cannula and a processor. The processor is configured to detect a mounting state of the cannula, detect an input indicating the system is to be in a set-up mode, and inhibit transition of the system to the set-up mode in response to the detected mounting state. In some embodiments, detecting the input indicating the system is to be in the set-up mode includes detecting an activation of a dedicated input button. In some embodiments, detecting the input indicating the system is to be in the set-up mode comprises detecting a joint operation of a first kinematic structure coupling the manipulator with a platform that is supported by a second kinematic structure.

Abstract: Robotic and/or surgical devices, systems, and methods include kinematic linkage structures and associated control systems configured to facilitate preparation of the system for use. One or more kinematic linkage sub-systems may include joints that are actively driven, passive, or a mix of both, and may employ a set-up mode in which one or more of the joints are actively driven in response to manual articulation of one or more other joints of the kinematic chain. In an exemplary embodiment, the actively driven joints will move a platform structure that supports multiple manipulators in response to movement of one of the manipulators, facilitating and expediting the arrangement of the overall system by moving those multiple manipulators as a unit into alignment with the workspace. Manual independent positioning of the manipulator can be provided through passive set-up joint systems supporting the manipulators relative to the platform.