Abstract: Touch sensor gesture recognition for operation of mobile devices. An embodiment of a mobile device includes a touch sensor for the detection of gestures, the touch sensor including multiple sensor elements, and a processor, the processor to interpret the gestures detected by the touch sensor, where the mobile device divides the plurality of sensor elements into multiple zones, and the mobile device interprets the gestures based at least in part on which of the zones detects the gesture.

Abstract: A drill for excavating a bore in the earth includes a steerable primary boring tool, a secondary boring tool and a sensor. The steerable primary boring tool is configured to excavate a primary bore. The secondary boring tool is configured to excavate a plurality of side bores that extend outward from the primary bore at a plurality of azimuthal locations around the primary bore. The sensor is configured to detect a mineral property in the earth adjacent each of the side bores.

Abstract: A method of operating a security token to authenticate a user in a multi-factor authentication system is disclosed. The method includes: monitoring user custody of the token, the token having an identifying characteristic representing a possession factor for use through possession factor authentication; during a period of continuous user custody of the token based on the monitoring, obtaining a knowledge factor from a user having the continuous user custody; caching the knowledge factor in a memory of the token; and in response to a second authentication request, retrieving the knowledge factor from the memory to demonstrate to an authentication system knowledge of the knowledge factor, during the period of continuous user custody.

Abstract: A retrievable kinetic penetrator includes a tubular body having a first end and a second end, a nose coupled to the first end of the tubular body, and a retrieval system. The nose is configured to penetrate a ground surface and subsurface materials of a subterranean ground volume. The retrieval system includes a tether coupled to the tubular body and is configured to facilitate recovery of the tubular body from the subterranean ground volume.

Abstract: An advanced video teleconferencing system facilitates an engaging and realistic video conferencing experience. Key design elements and video, audio, and control capabilities are provided for a video conferencing experience that cannot be attained with conventional methods, which elements and capabilities include careful design of the table and room at each site, supplementary displays showing imagery in a mirrored manner, networked environmental control, an AutoDirector with keyword and gesture recognition, and audio reflection from a display or beam splitter.

Abstract: Methods of controlling the operation of a device traveling in a body tube tree, including sensing parameters from possible directions of travel and selecting the direction of travel based on the sensed parameters, implemented with a control system located partially or fully on the lumen traveling device. Various actions can be performed by the device for, e.g., medical or therapeutic purposes. Machine-readable media including instructions for performing the methods are also described.

Abstract: A method of searching for a threat includes determining a characteristic of a target, determining an allowable dosage based on the characteristic, determining a parameter of a scanning beam based on the allowable dosage with a processing circuit, transmitting the scanning beam toward the target with a scanner, and creating a representation of the target with the processing circuit.

Abstract: A system for fragmenting material includes an energy source, an acoustic transmitter coupled to the energy source and having a unit acoustic source configured to emit an acoustic wave through a volume of ground material, a signal reflecting device, and a controller configured to engage the acoustic transmitter such that the unit acoustic source emits an acoustic locating wave toward the signal reflecting device. The controller is configured to engage the acoustic transmitter such that the unit acoustic source emits the acoustic wave toward a target location, and the acoustic wave is configured to fracture the volume of ground material at the target location.

Abstract: At least one embodiment of this disclosure includes a method for an autonomous vehicle (e.g., a fully autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle) to communicate with external observers. The method includes: receiving a task at the autonomous vehicle; collecting data that characterizes a surrounding environment of the autonomous vehicle from a sensor coupled to the autonomous vehicle; determining an intended course of action for the autonomous vehicle to undertake based on the task and the collected data; and conveying a human understandable output via an output device, the human understandable output expressly or implicitly indicating the intended course of action to an external observer.

Abstract: A gaming system for providing a poker game with a playing card nudge feature.

Abstract: A method of separating a mineral bearing particle from a fluid includes providing a housing along a surface of the fluid, moving the housing along the surface of the fluid with a driver, and applying a radio-frequency electromagnetic field to the fluid with a generator. Applying the radio-frequency electromagnetic field includes increasing a temperature of the mineral bearing particle contained within the fluid to a boiling point of the fluid whereby the mineral bearing particle transfers heat into the fluid.

Abstract: A method of operating a security token to authenticate a user in a multi-factor authentication system is disclosed. The method includes: monitoring user custody of the token, the token having an identifying characteristic representing a possession factor for use through possession factor authentication; during a period of continuous user custody of the token based on the monitoring, obtaining a knowledge factor from a user having the continuous user custody; caching the knowledge factor in a memory of the token; and in response to a second authentication request, retrieving the knowledge factor from the memory to demonstrate to an authentication system knowledge of the knowledge factor, during the period of the continuous user custody.

Abstract: Data in a portable electronic device is protected by using external and internal status detection means to determine if the device is misplaced, lost, or stolen. The device then takes, singly or in combination, one of several actions to protect the data on the device, including declaring its location to an owner or service provider, locking the device or specific functions of the device to disable all data retrieval functionality, erasing or overwriting all the stored data in the device or, where the data has been stored in the device in an encrypted format, destroying an internally-stored encryption key, thereby preventing unauthorized access to the encrypted data in the device.

Abstract: A vehicle tire pressure control system includes a road sensor configured to acquire road data regarding a road at an advanced location ahead of a current location of a vehicle; a pressure regulator configured to control the air pressure within a tire of the vehicle during operation of the vehicle; and a controller configured to control operation of the pressure regulator and vary the air pressure within the tire based on the road data.

Abstract: A vehicle tire pressure control system includes a road sensor configured to acquire road data regarding a road at an advanced location ahead of a current location of a vehicle; a pressure regulator configured to control the air pressure within a tire of the vehicle during operation of the vehicle; and a controller configured to control operation of the pressure regulator and vary the air pressure within the tire based on the road data.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus constructs a composite image using image regions of images captured with differing focal distances between an image plane of an image capturing apparatus photo-detector image sensor and a subject of the image, providing selective focus, background de-focus, and/or lens blur modes of the image capturing apparatus. Construction of the composite image occurs subsequent to aligning images captured with different focal lengths, the aligning partly based on registration of one or more visual features common to one or more images of the plurality of images utilized in providing an image with the desired focus responsive to a selection via a user interface of the image capturing apparatus. Focus bracketing refers to collecting multiple images of the same scene or object while adjusting the image capturing apparatus's focal parameters between collecting the images to focus at distances both nearer and more distant from a desired focus.

Abstract: A pedicle screw includes a tulip head, a rod seat, a screw shank, and a retainer collar. The tulip head has an upper opening disposed in a top end of the tulip head and a lower opening disposed in a bottom end of the tulip head opposite the upper opening. The upper and lower openings form a single cavity extending through the tulip head from a top end to the bottom end. The rod seat is disposed within the cavity of the tulip head and engages a stop extending inwardly from an interior wall of the cavity. The screw shank has a thread disposed along a length of the screw shank and a connector positioned at an upper end. The retainer collar has a pass through aperture, an expansion slit, and is disposed about the connector of the screw shank. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A helmet testing apparatus including a movable member, a sensor coupled to the movable member and configured to acquire compliance data regarding a liner disposed within a shell of a helmet through engagement of the sensor with the liner, and a processing circuit configured to determine a rating for the helmet based on the compliance data and predetermined compliance parameters for the helmet.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a mineral from a liquid including a housing and a fluid having a mineral bearing particle and contained within the housing. The apparatus further includes a generator configured to apply a radio-frequency electromagnetic field to the mineral bearing particle. The field produces a temperature increase within a portion of the mineral bearing particle and the mineral bearing particle transfers heat into the fluid, the heated fluid imposing motion-inducing forces on the particle.

Abstract: At least one embodiment of this disclosure includes a method for an autonomous vehicle (e.g., a fully autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle) to communicate with external observers. The method includes: receiving a task at the autonomous vehicle; collecting data that characterizes a surrounding environment of the autonomous vehicle from a sensor coupled to the autonomous vehicle; determining an intended course of action for the autonomous vehicle to undertake based on the task and the collected data; and conveying a human understandable output via an output device, the human understandable output expressly or implicitly indicating the intended course of action to an external observer.