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: Various implementations include approaches for controlling a wearable audio device. Particular approaches include: receiving data indicating the wearable audio device is proximate an additional wearable audio device worn by an additional user and running a personally attributed audio engine; and initiating personally attributed audio playback at the wearable audio device, where the personally attributed audio playback includes audio playback associated with the additional user.

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: An audio system and method for sending sensor data including a first wearable audio device having a speaker, a first communication module arranged to establish a first connection with a first peripheral device and obtain a first data characteristic of the first wearable audio device, and obtain a second data characteristic of a first application running on a first peripheral device, and a sensor arranged to obtain a sensor data. The first wearable audio device or the first peripheral device are arranged to: compare the first data characteristic and the second data characteristic, and send or receive the sensor data obtained from the sensor to the first peripheral device for use with the first application if the first data characteristic and the second data characteristic match.

Abstract: An audio system and method for sending sensor data including a first wearable audio device having a speaker, a first communication module arranged to establish a first connection with a first peripheral device and obtain a first data characteristic of the first wearable audio device, and obtain a second data characteristic of a first application running on a first peripheral device, and a sensor arranged to obtain a sensor data. The first wearable audio device or the first peripheral device are arranged to: compare the first data characteristic and the second data characteristic, and send or receive the sensor data obtained from the sensor to the first peripheral device for use with the first application if the first data characteristic and the second data characteristic match.

Abstract: An auxiliary thermosiphon has an auxiliary refrigerant conduit with an auxiliary evaporation segment in thermally conductive connection to an interior wall of the freezer. The auxiliary refrigerant conduit contains an auxiliary refrigerant that is isolated from the primary refrigerant of the primary cooling apparatus. The auxiliary refrigerant conduit also extends upward to an auxiliary condensation segment of the auxiliary refrigerant conduit at an elevation above the auxiliary evaporation segment. A thermal bridge is in physical thermal contact with the auxiliary condensation segment and in physical thermal contact with a portion of a primary evaporation segment of the primary refrigeration apparatus. Heat is transported through the thermal bridge from the auxiliary thermosiphon to the primary refrigerant conduit and consequently to the primary refrigeration apparatus for removal from the freezer.

Abstract: A brushroll for a surface cleaning apparatus includes a brush dowel defining an axis and having opposing bristle supports and a shroud surface between the opposing bristle supports, and a plurality of bristles protruding from the bristle supports. The shroud surface includes opposing convex curved surfaces extending between the bristle supports which intersect the shroud surface at outside corners.

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 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: A temperature modulation system for a bed, blanket, or other furniture includes a fluid for moderating temperature change, a number of conduit circuits for directing the fluid through respective zones, a control unit including a thermoelectric device for modulating temperature of the fluid, and a pump. Each of the conduit circuits selectively and independently directs fluid through its respective zone in order to produce a temperature within the zone that is independent of the temperature outside the zone. The system also includes an arrangement of one or more zones in an arrangement in which the control unit is programmed to vary the zone temperature over time according to a schedule.

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 audio systems for controlling audio feedback to user requests. 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; at least one microphone for receiving an audio input from a user; and a control system including a recommendation engine, the control system coupled with the at least one headphone and the at least one microphone, the recommendation engine configured to: analyze the audio input for a non-specific request from the user; and provide an audio sample to the user along with a prompt for feedback about the audio sample in response to the non-specific request.

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: A brushroll for a surface cleaning apparatus includes a brush dowel defining an axis and having opposing bristle supports and a shroud surface between the opposing bristle supports, and a plurality of bristles protruding from the bristle supports. The shroud surface includes opposing convex curved surfaces extending between the bristle supports which intersect the shroud surface at outside corners.

Abstract: A system includes an alignment system. The alignment system includes a first bladder configured to be positioned under a first component of a first gas turbine system. The alignment system further includes a first valve configured to adjust a first flow of fluid from a fluid source to the first bladder to expand the first bladder to adjust a position of the first component of the first gas turbine system.

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 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 inertial information indicating a current physical position of the wearable audio device; predicting a future physical position of the wearable audio device from the inertial information; and rendering at least one audio sample associated with the predicted future physical position at the wearable audio device prior to or during movement of the wearable audio device from the current physical position to the predicted future physical position.

Abstract: Systems and methods allow a user to interact with an augmented reality device. In one implementation, a wearable device for controlling operation of an on-board component includes a display; at least one sensor configured to provide an output indicative of a viewing direction of a user; and at least one processing device. The at least one processing device is configured to cause at least one graphical icon associated with a control of at least one aspect of the on-board component to be shown on the display; determine, based on the output of the at least one sensor, whether the user is looking in a direction of the at least one graphical icon; and initiate the control of the at least one aspect of the on-board component when the user is determined to be looking in the direction of the at least one graphical icon.

Abstract: Articles and methods of manufacture of poly(vinyl chloride)-based substrates are described. The substrates may be utilized in various consumer, industrial, transportation, building and construction, and agricultural applications and may include reclaimed poly(vinyl chloride).

Abstract: A system includes a gas turbine system and an aftertreatment system coupled to an exhaust outlet of the gas turbine system and configured to treat exhaust gases exiting the exhaust outlet. The aftertreatment system includes a cooling unit configured to cool the exhaust gases and a carbon dioxide (CO2) treatment unit coupled to the cooling unit and configured to treat cooled exhaust gases by reducing an amount of CO2 in the cooled exhaust gases with lithium hydroxide (LiOH). The aftertreatment system includes a LiOH supply unit coupled to the CO2 treatment unit and configured to feed LiOH into the CO2 treatment unit such that a reaction between LiOH and CO2 occurs inside the CO2 treatment unit to convert CO2 into lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) and water (H2O). The aftertreatment system also includes a treated exhaust outlet coupled to the CO2 treatment unit and configured to discharge treated exhaust gases.