Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method to process high pressure air into low pressure breathing air for one or more sealing and locking helmets and/or one or more air respirators. Other embodiments include a system configured to perform such a method and a manufacturing process of making such a system. In some embodiments, the breathing system automatically fills a local reserve bottle by pressure equalization. In this regard, the secondary supply bottles will fill the backup bottle when the console module operator (CMO) connects the secondary air supply to the system. The backup bottle will then be isolated from depletion during normal operation by means of a check valve to prevent back flow of the emergency cylinder into the secondary air supply. The local reserve bottle will protect against loss of air on any of the high pressure air hoses.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method to process high pressure air into low pressure breathing air for one or more sealing and locking helmets and/or one or more air respirators. Other embodiments include a system configured to perform such a method and a manufacturing process of making such a system. In some embodiments, the breathing system automatically fills a local reserve bottle by pressure equalization. In this regard, the secondary supply bottles will fill the backup bottle when the console module operator (CMO) connects the secondary air supply to the system. The backup bottle will then be isolated from depletion during normal operation by means of a check valve to prevent back flow of the emergency cylinder into the secondary air supply. The local reserve bottle will protect against loss of air on any of the high pressure air hoses.

Abstract: The time-of-flight system disclosed herein includes a frequency unwrapping module configured to generate an input phase vector with M phases corresponding to M sampled signals from an object, determine an M?1 dimensional vector of transformed phase values by applying a transformation matrix (T) to the input phase vector, determine an M?1 dimensional vector of rounded transformed phase values by rounding the transformed phase values to a nearest integer, and determine a one dimensional lookup table (LUT) index value by transforming the M?1 dimensional rounded transformed phase values. The index value is input into the one dimensional LUT to determine a range of the object.

Abstract: The time-of-flight system disclosed herein includes a frequency unwrapping module configured to generate an input phase vector with M phases corresponding to M sampled signals from an object, determine an M?1 dimensional vector of transformed phase values by applying a transformation matrix (T) to the input phase vector, determine an M?1 dimensional vector of rounded transformed phase values by rounding the transformed phase values to a nearest integer, and determine a one dimensional lookup table (LUT) index value by transforming the M?1 dimensional rounded transformed phase values. The index value is input into the one dimensional LUT to determine a range of the object.

Abstract: A CW-TOF camera that uses a piecewise constant or linear discretized indicator function of first and second modulation frequencies of light that the camera transmits to illuminate a scene and a round trip time tR for light from and back to the camera for features in the scene to disambiguate wrapped phase shifts that the camera acquires for the features.

Abstract: A method to calibrate an imaging array of a time-of-flight depth camera includes the act of modulating emission from a light source of the camera while synchronously biasing the imaging array. In this method, the modulated emission reflects from a compact reflector positioned a known distance from the camera and passes through an optical diffuser en route to the imaging array. For each pixel of the imaging array, a correction term is stored, which brings the output from that pixel into agreement with the actual distance between the camera and the compact reflector.

Abstract: A method for operating a time of flight (TOF) depth camera is provided. The method includes, using an image processing module, interpolating an updated timing delay calibration for each of a plurality of pixel sensors based at least on an updated set of modulation frequency and duty cycle calibration combinations received by the image processing module, the plurality of pixel sensors coupled to a timing clock, and receiving light generated by a light source and reflected in a 3-dimensional environment, the updated set of modulation frequency and duty cycle calibration combinations replacing the corresponding factory-preloaded timing delay calibrations. The method further includes applying the updated timing delay calibrations to pixel data corresponding to each of the plurality of the pixel sensors to generate a depth map of the 3-dimensional environment.

Abstract: A chord playing attachment and related method is disclosed. The chord playing attachment may be attached to a guitar or similar stringed instrument, and the user may use the chord playing attachment to learn to play the instrument. Unlike other chord playing attachments, the present invention discloses a design that does not function as a capo, which allows the user play chords in standard keys. The present invention also discloses tabs that may be removed or swapped by the user to allow the user to play some chords by pressing the strings directly and some by pressing a finger pad. The present invention encourages novices to learn to play the instrument in stages and eventually remove the invention entirely. A companion teaching manual is also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to time-of-flight (TOF) systems, and methods for use therewith, that substantially reduce interference that the TOF system may cause to at least one other system that is configured to wirelessly receive and respond to IR light signals. Some such embodiments involve emitting IR light having a low frequency (LF) power envelope that is shaped to substantially reduce frequency content within at least one frequency range known to be used by at least one other system that may be in close proximity to the TOF system. Such embodiments can also involve detecting at least a portion of the emitted RF modulated IR light that has reflected off one or more objects. A TOF system can produce depth images in dependence on results of the detecting, as well as update an application in dependence on the depth images.

Abstract: A removable chord playing attachment and related method is disclosed. The chord playing attachment may be attached to a guitar or similar stringed instrument, and the user may use the chord playing attachment to learn to play the instrument. The present invention discloses a design that does not function as a capo, which allows the user play chords in standard keys. The present invention includes a specially configured nut or connector or anchor that forms a removable connection with a chord playing unit. The present invention encourages novices to learn to play the instrument in stages and eventually remove the invention entirely. A companion teaching manual is also disclosed.

Abstract: A CW-TOF camera that uses a piecewise constant or linear discretized indicator function of first and second modulation frequencies of light that the camera transmits to illuminate a scene and a round trip time tR for light from and back to the camera for features in the scene to disambiguate wrapped phase shifts that the camera acquires for the features.

Abstract: A method for operating a time of flight (TOF) depth camera is provided. The method includes, using an image processing module, interpolating an updated timing delay calibration for each of a plurality of pixel sensors based at least on an updated set of modulation frequency and duty cycle calibration combinations received by the image processing module, the plurality of pixel sensors coupled to a timing clock, and receiving light generated by a light source and reflected in a 3-dimensional environment, the updated set of modulation frequency and duty cycle calibration combinations replacing the corresponding factory-preloaded timing delay calibrations. The method further includes applying the updated timing delay calibrations to pixel data corresponding to each of the plurality of the pixel sensors to generate a depth map of the 3-dimensional environment.

Abstract: A chord playing attachment and related method is disclosed. The chord playing attachment may be attached to a guitar or similar stringed instrument, and the user may use the chord playing attachment to learn to play the instrument. Unlike other chord playing attachments, the present invention discloses a design that does not function as a capo, which allows the user play chords in standard keys. The present invention also discloses tabs that may be removed or swapped by the user to allow the user to play some chords by pressing the strings directly and some by pressing a finger pad. The present invention encourages novices to learn to play the instrument in stages and eventually remove the invention entirely. A companion teaching manual is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method to calibrate an imaging array of a time-of-flight depth camera includes the act of modulating emission from a light source of the camera while synchronously biasing the imaging array. In this method, the modulated emission reflects from a compact reflector positioned a known distance from the camera and passes through an optical diffuser en route to the imaging array. For each pixel of the imaging array, a correction term is stored, which brings the output from that pixel into agreement with the actual distance between the camera and the compact reflector.

Abstract: Phase-based TOF systems operate with reduced depth error due to motion blur, and/or spatial blur, and/or pixel offset by intelligently determining how best to combine pixel values, and how best to compensate for individual pixel offsets. Such determination(s) may be carried out on a per pixel basis, dynamically, in real-time during TOF operation, or on archived TOF data. Offsets for individual pixels may be dynamically calculated and subtracted from the values acquired by those pixels Individual pixel offsets may be calculated for example by combining data acquired by the same pixel at two acquisitions, 180° out of phase with respect to each other. Calculated offsets may be averaged, or on a per pixel basis, and if target object motion is detected, one or more offset calculations can be discarded rather than averaged to reduce motion blur. Offsets acquired a priori during a TOF system calibration procedure may be used.

Abstract: A chord playing attachment and related method is disclosed. The chord playing attachment may be attached to a guitar or similar stringed instrument, and the user may use the chord playing attachment to learn to play the instrument. Unlike other chord playing attachments, the present invention discloses a design that does not function as a capo, which allows the user play chords in standard keys. The present invention also discloses tabs that may be removed or swapped by the user to allow the user to play some chords by pressing the strings directly and some by pressing a finger pad. The present invention encourages novices to learn to play the instrument in stages and eventually remove the invention entirely. A companion teaching manual is also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to time-of-flight (TOF) systems, and methods for use therewith, that substantially reduce interference that the TOF system may cause to at least one other system that is configured to wirelessly receive and respond to IR light signals. Some such embodiments involve emitting IR light having a low frequency (LF) power envelope that is shaped to substantially reduce frequency content within at least one frequency range known to be used by at least one other system that may be in close proximity to the TOF system. Such embodiments can also involve detecting at least a portion of the emitted RF modulated IR light that has reflected off one or more objects. A TOF system can produce depth images in dependence on results of the detecting, as well as update an application in dependence on the depth images.

Abstract: A removable chord playing attachment and related method is disclosed. The chord playing attachment may be attached to a guitar or similar stringed instrument, and the user may use the chord playing attachment to learn to play the instrument. The present invention discloses a design that does not function as a capo, which allows the user play chords in standard keys. The present invention includes a specially configured nut or connector or anchor that forms a removable connection with a chord playing unit. The present invention encourages novices to learn to play the instrument in stages and eventually remove the invention entirely. A companion teaching manual is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed relating to a pipeline for generating a computer model of a target user, including a hand model of the user's hands and fingers, captured by an image sensor in a NUI system. The computer model represents a best estimate of the position and orientation of a user's hand or hands. The generated hand model may be used by a gaming or other application to determine such things as user gestures and control actions.

Abstract: A phase-based TOF system is operated with N?3 modulation frequencies fi. These frequencies can be changed during N time intervals that together define an exposure time for the TOF pixel array. Preferably N=3 and modulation frequencies f1, f2, f3 are used, where f1=?m1, f2=?m2, and f3=?m3, where m1, m2, and m3 are small integers co-prime to each other, and a is a coefficent. A first phase image is acquired during perhaps the first third of exposure time using f1, then for the next third of exposure time a second phase image is acquired using f2, and then f3 is used to acquire a third phase image during the last third of exposure time. Geometric analysis yields desired values for m1, m2, and m3 to unwrap and thus disambiguate phase. Identification of valid and invalid data is identified using dynamically adjustable error tolerances.