Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure describe systems, methods, and structures that scavenge mechanical energy to provide electrical energy to a wearable, where the mechanical energy is scavenged by a bending-strain-based transducer that includes a non-resonant energy harvester. By employing a non-resonant energy harvester that operates in bending mode, more electrical energy can be generated that possible with prior-art energy harvesters. In some embodiments the bending-strain-based transducer also includes a sensor and/or a haptic device. Some transducers in accordance with the present disclosure comprise a piezoelectric layer comprising a low-K piezoelectric material, such as aluminum nitride, which enables generation of higher voltage and power/energy output and/or a thinner transducer. As a result, transducers in accordance with the present disclosure can be included in wearables for which large transducer thickness would be problematic, such as sole members (e.g.

Abstract: A system and method for transmission of a signal for a powered assistive device has a sensor node with a wireless transmitter adapted for digitally transmitting a transmitted signal, the sensor node adapted for receiving and monitoring a sensor signal from a sensor attached to a user, and a master node with a controller and a wireless receiver for receiving the transmitted signal from the wireless transmitter. The master node processes the transmitted signal and communicates a control signal to the powered assistive device. The wireless transmitter transmits the transmitted signal at a first rate when the wireless transmitter adapted to transmit the transmitted signal at a first rate when the sensor signal is indicative of the rest state and to transmit the transmitted signal at a second rate when the sensor signal is indicative of the active state, the second rate being greater than the first rate.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure describe systems, methods, and structures that scavenge mechanical energy to provide electrical energy to a wearable, where the mechanical energy is scavenged by a bending-strain-based transducer that includes a non-resonant energy harvester. By employing a non-resonant energy harvester that operates in bending mode, more electrical energy can be generated that possible with prior-art energy harvesters. In some embodiments the bending-strain-based transducer also includes a sensor and/or a haptic device. Some transducers in accordance with the present disclosure comprise a piezoelectric layer comprising a low-K piezoelectric material, such as aluminum nitride, which enables generation of higher voltage and power/energy output and/or a thinner transducer.

Abstract: Various implementations include approaches for controlling a wearable audio device. In some cases, a method includes: detecting an initiation trigger for initiating a spatialized augmented reality (AR) menu mode; providing at least two distinct audio choices corresponding with spatially delineated zones in a menu defined relative to a physical position of the wearable audio device, in response to the initiation trigger, wherein each audio choice is associated with a selection from the menu; receiving a selection command indicating selection of one of the audio choices, wherein the selection command comprises a gesture detected by a gesture detection system at the wearable audio device; and in response to receiving the selection command: a) initiating playback of audio content associated with the selected audio choice, b) adjusting a setting at the wearable audio device, c) entering an additional menu related to the selection command, or d) exiting the menu.

Abstract: A system and method for transmission of a signal for a powered assistive device has a sensor node with a wireless transmitter adapted for digitally transmitting a transmitted signal, the sensor node adapted for receiving and monitoring a sensor signal from a sensor attached to a user, and a master node with a controller and a wireless receiver for receiving the transmitted signal from the wireless transmitter. The master node processes the transmitted signal and communicates a control signal to the powered assistive device. The wireless transmitter transmits the transmitted signal at a first rate when the wireless transmitter adapted to transmit the transmitted signal at a first rate when the sensor signal is indicative of the rest state and to transmit the transmitted signal at a second rate when the sensor signal is indicative of the active state, the second rate being greater than the first rate.

Abstract: Various implementations include headphone systems configured to adapt to changes in user environment. In some particular cases, a headphone system includes at least one headphone including an acoustic transducer having a sound-radiating surface for providing an audio output; a sensor system configured to detect an environmental condition proximate the at least one headphone; and a control system coupled with the at least one headphone and the sensor system, the control system configured to: receive data about the environmental condition from the sensor system; and modify the audio output at the at least one headphone in response to a change in the environmental condition, wherein the audio output includes a continuous audio output provided across a transition between environmental conditions and is configured to vary with the change in the environmental condition.

Abstract: Various implementations include headphone systems configured to adapt to changes in user environment. In some particular cases, a headphone system includes at least one headphone including an acoustic transducer having a sound-radiating surface for providing an audio output; a sensor system configured to detect an environmental condition proximate the at least one headphone; and a control system coupled with the at least one headphone and the sensor system, the control system configured to: receive data about the environmental condition from the sensor system; and modify the audio output at the at least one headphone in response to a change in the environmental condition, wherein the audio output includes a continuous audio output provided across a transition between environmental conditions and is configured to vary with the change in the environmental condition.

Abstract: Various implementations include approaches for controlling a wearable audio device. In some cases, a method includes: detecting an initiation trigger for initiating a spatialized augmented reality (AR) menu mode; providing at least two distinct audio choices corresponding with spatially delineated zones in a menu defined relative to a physical position of the wearable audio device, in response to the initiation trigger, wherein each audio choice is associated with a selection from the menu; receiving a selection command indicating selection of one of the audio choices, wherein the selection command comprises a gesture detected by a gesture detection system at the wearable audio device; and in response to receiving the selection command: a) initiating playback of audio content associated with the selected audio choice, b) adjusting a setting at the wearable audio device, c) entering an additional menu related to the selection command, or d) exiting the menu.

Abstract: Various implementations include audio devices and related computer-implemented methods for controlling playback of augmented reality (AR) audio. Certain implementations include approaches for managing audio notifications at an audio device according to a set of audio notification rules, for example, by delaying release of notifications and/or de-prioritizing notifications based upon the rules.

Abstract: Various implementations include wearable audio devices and related methods for controlling such devices. In some particular implementations, a computer-implemented method of controlling a wearable audio device includes: receiving an initiation command to initiate a spatial audio mode; providing a plurality of audio choices corresponding with spatially delineated zones in an array defined relative to a physical position of the wearable audio device, in response to the initiation command, wherein each audio choice is associated with a prescribed action; receiving a selection command selecting one of the plurality of audio choices; and taking one of the prescribed actions in response to receiving the selection command.

Abstract: Various implementations include approaches for controlling a wearable audio device. In some cases, a method includes: detecting an initiation trigger for initiating a spatialized augmented reality (AR) menu mode; providing at least two distinct audio choices corresponding with spatially delineated zones in a menu defined relative to a physical position of the wearable audio device, in response to the initiation trigger, wherein each audio choice is associated with a selection from the menu; receiving a selection command indicating selection of one of the audio choices, wherein the selection command comprises a gesture detected by a gesture detection system at the wearable audio device; and in response to receiving the selection command: a) initiating playback of audio content associated with the selected audio choice, b) adjusting a setting at the wearable audio device, c) entering an additional menu related to the selection command, or d) exiting the menu.

Abstract: Various implementations include wearable audio devices having a spatialized virtual personal assistant (VPA). In other implementations, a method of controlling a wearable audio device having a spatialized VPA is disclosed. Other implementations include a method of generating a spatialized VPA in a wearable audio device.

Abstract: An audio system including a wearable audio device having a sensor to determine a first motion of the first wearable device from a first orientation to a second orientation, a first peripheral device, a first input arranged on, in, or in communication with the wearable audio device or the first peripheral device, and circuitry connected to the wearable audio device or the first peripheral device. The circuitry is arranged to: receive the first input while the first wearable audio device is in the first orientation; receive the first input while the first wearable audio device is moved via the first motion to the second orientation; determine that the first input has been released during or after the first motion; and, adjust a setting of the wearable audio device or the first peripheral device based at least in part on the first motion from the first orientation to the second orientation.

Abstract: The technology described in this document can be embodied in a computer-implemented method of controlling a wearable audio device configured to provide an audio output. The method includes receiving data indicating the wearable audio device is proximate a geographic location associated with a plurality of localized audio messages, and presenting, using one or more user-interfaces, a representation of the plurality of localized audio messages. The method also includes receiving information indicative of a selection of a portion of the one or more user interfaces, and initiating playback of one or more of the plurality of localized audio messages that correspond to the selection, on the wearable audio device.

Abstract: A method for ranking analytes includes the steps of analyzing an experimental analyte in a mass spectrometer. The method includes comparing the experimental analyte to a plurality of candidate analytes in a library hit list, and assigning a cumulative confidence score to each candidate analyte based on the steps of comparing the experimental analyte to the candidate analytes based on a library similarity score, comparing the experimental analyte to the candidate analytes based on of a presence of the most abundant isotope of a molecular ion and its mass, comparing the experimental analyte to the candidate analytes based on an abundance of fragment ions and a mass of the fragment ions, and, in some implementations, comparing the experimental analyte to the candidate analytes based on a retention index value. The method includes ranking the candidate analytes based on the cumulative confidence score of each candidate analyte.

Abstract: Various implementations include audio devices and related computer-implemented methods for controlling playback of augmented reality (AR) audio. Certain implementations include approaches for managing audio notifications at an audio device according to a set of audio notification rules, for example, by delaying release of notifications and/or de-prioritizing notifications based upon the rules.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes an upright body mounted to a base that moves over a surface to be cleaned. A rotational coupling can be provided between the upright body and the base for coupling the upright body to the base for movement about at least one rotational axis. The rotational coupling can include at least a swivel joint. A cord rewinder can be provided above the swivel joint for storing and dispensing a power cord.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed herein for acquiring and tracking a satellite signal with an antenna. In one embodiment, the method comprises a) perturbing one or more of roll, pitch and yaw angles of an antenna orientation to create variant orientations associated with a first search pattern; b) computing new scan and polarization angles, in response to perturbed roll, pitch and yaw angles, for each of the variant orientations; c) receiving a radio-frequency (RF) signal from a satellite for each of the variant orientations; d) generating one or more receiver metrics representing a received RF signal associated with each of the variant orientations; e) selecting, as a new orientation, one of the variant orientations based on the one or more receiver metrics; and f) repeating a)-e) with the new orientation with a second search pattern narrower than the first search pattern.

Abstract: A prosthetic finger includes a main body and a terminal gripper at an end of the main body for enabling fine-motor grasping skills. The terminal gripper has at least two tongs movable relative to one another. The prosthetic finger includes a gripping mode and a flexion mode. In the gripping mode, the tongs of the terminal gripper are able to move relative to one another while the main body is not able to flex, and in the flexion mode, the main body is able to flex while the at two tongs is not able to move relative to one another.

Abstract: An audio system including a wearable audio device having a sensor to determine a first motion of the first wearable device from a first orientation to a second orientation, a first peripheral device, a first input arranged on, in, or in communication with the wearable audio device or the first peripheral device, and circuitry connected to the wearable audio device or the first peripheral device. The circuitry is arranged to: receive the first input while the first wearable audio device is in the first orientation; receive the first input while the first wearable audio device is moved via the first motion to the second orientation; determine that the first input has been released during or after the first motion; and, adjust a setting of the wearable audio device or the first peripheral device based at least in part on the first motion from the first orientation to the second orientation.