Abstract: A method for providing messages includes receiving a first image set and a second image set. The method also includes displaying images from the first and second image sets interspersed in an image sequence. In the image sequence, a time interval between each image from the first image set and at least one image from the second image set is less than a critical flicker interval (CFI) for a human eye.

Abstract: A method for providing audio messages includes receiving a first image set and a second image set. The first image set includes visually encoded audio data for rendering audio on an electronic computing device. The method also includes displaying images from the first and second image sets interspersed in an image sequence. In the image sequence, a time interval between each image from the first image set and at least one image from the second image set is less than a critical flicker interval (CFI) for a human eye.

Abstract: Described embodiments include a system and a method. A system includes an evaluation circuit configured to determine a characteristic of an adverse circumstance present in a possible collision avoidance path of a vehicle. The system includes a rating circuit configured to assign a risk value to the possible collision avoidance path responsive to the determined characteristic of the adverse circumstance. The system includes an uncertainty assessment circuit configured to assign an uncertainty to the risk value. The system includes a threshold circuit configured to determine if the risk value of the possible collision avoidance path and the uncertainty in a combination meet a threshold criteria. The system includes a communication circuit configured to output the possible collision avoidance path as a selected collision avoidance path if the threshold criteria is met.

Abstract: A vehicle may include a monitoring unit configured to determine a time-varying handling characteristic of the vehicle. The time-varying handling characteristic may include a characteristic of vehicle performance in executing maneuvers, a status of a vehicle component (e.g., tires, brakes, drivetrain, etc.), and/or the like. The time-varying handling characteristic may be transmitted to one or more nearby vehicles to improve the ability of manual operators and/or automatic-driving software of the nearby vehicles to predict the performance of the vehicle in executing maneuvers, to be aware of a failure (or likely failure) of a vehicle component, and/or the like. Record of the transmission of the time-varying handling characteristic and/or of any acknowledgements of receipt of the time-varying handling characteristic by the nearby vehicles may be logged to a persistent storage device.

Abstract: Graphene grids are configured for applications in vacuum electronic devices. A multilayer graphene grid is configured as a filter for electrons in a specific energy range, in a field emission device or other vacuum electronic device. A graphene grid can be deformable responsive to an input to vary electric fields proximate to the grid. A mesh can be configured to support a graphene grid.

Abstract: A passive cervical spine stabilizing system includes a head engagement member, a torso supported member, and at least one stabilization connector having a first portion configured to be secured to the head engagement member and having a second portion configured to be secured to the torso supported member, wherein the at least one stabilization connector includes a surface in contact with a shear-thickening non-Newtonian fluid.

Abstract: A vacuum electronic device includes a multi-layer graphene grid that includes at least two layers of graphene, where the transmission of electrons through the multi-layer graphene grid can be tuned by varying the parameters of the vacuum electronic device such as the number of graphene layers, relative positions of the electrodes, voltage biases applied to the electrodes, and other device parameters.

Abstract: Described embodiments include a system and a method. A system includes a surface evaluation circuit configured to determine a surface fraction characteristic of at least a portion of a driving surface of a possible collision avoidance path of a vehicle. The system includes a rating circuit configured to assign a risk value to the possible collision avoidance path responsive to the determined surface traction characteristic. The system includes a selector circuit having a rule-set configured to select a collision avoidance path from at least two possible collision avoidance paths in response to an evaluation of the respective assigned risk value for each of the at least two possible collision avoidance paths.

Abstract: Described embodiments include a system and a method. A system includes an evaluation circuit configured to determine a characteristic of an adverse circumstance present in a possible collision avoidance path of a vehicle. The system includes a rating circuit configured to assign a risk value to the possible collision avoidance path responsive to the determined characteristic of the adverse circumstance. The system includes an uncertainty assessment circuit configured to assign an uncertainty to the risk value. The system includes a threshold circuit configured to determine if the risk value of the possible collision avoidance path and the uncertainty in a combination meet a threshold criteria. The system includes a communication circuit configured to output the possible collision avoidance path as a selected collision avoidance path if the threshold criteria is met.

Abstract: A vehicle may include a monitoring unit configured to determine a time-varying handling characteristic of the vehicle. The time-varying handling characteristic may include a characteristic of vehicle performance in executing maneuvers, a status of a vehicle component (e.g., tires, brakes, drivetrain, etc.), and/or the like. The time-varying handling characteristic may be transmitted to one or more nearby vehicles to improve the ability of manual operators and/or automatic-driving software of the nearby vehicles to predict the performance of the vehicle in executing maneuvers, to be aware of a failure (or likely failure) of a vehicle component, and/or the like. Record of the transmission of the time-varying handling characteristic and/or of any acknowledgements of receipt of the time-varying handling characteristic by the nearby vehicles may be logged to a persistent storage device.

Abstract: A vehicle may include a monitoring unit configured to determine a characteristic of performance of an operator of the vehicle. The characteristic of operator performance may include a characteristic of historical performance by the operator, a current impairment of the operator, and/or the like. For example, the characteristic may be determined by monitoring inputs to vehicle controls, by monitoring the operator, and/or by monitoring a physiological characteristic of the operator. The characteristic of operator performance may be transmitted to one or more nearby vehicles to improve the ability of manual operators and/or automatic-driving software of the nearby vehicles to predict maneuvers and/or behaviors by the operator. Record of the transmission of the characteristic of operator performance and/or of any acknowledgements of receipt of the characteristic of operator performance by the nearby vehicles may be logged to a persistent storage device.

Abstract: A vehicle may include a monitoring unit configured to determine a characteristic of an automatic-driving software program operating on the vehicle. The characteristic may include an identification of the automatic-driving software program, adjustable parameters, internal variables/dynamic decisions of the automatic-driving software program, performance of one or more sensors, whether an automatic collision avoidance maneuver has been triggered, and/or the like. The characteristic may be transmitted to one or more nearby vehicles to improve the ability of manual operators and/or automatic-driving software of the nearby vehicles to predict the maneuvers by the vehicle and/or behavior of the vehicle. Record of the transmission of the characteristic and/or of any acknowledgements of receipt of the characteristic by the nearby vehicles may be logged to a persistent storage device.

Abstract: An agricultural access system is described. The system may utilize a plurality of supports, including posts, cables, beams, and so forth to displace an access component. Control systems, sensors, delivery mechanisms, and other functions may be integrated with the system or access components. Some embodiments may include multiple cells with access components configured to interact with adjacent access components. Methods of accessing an agricultural area are also disclosed.

Abstract: An agricultural access system is described. The system may utilize a plurality of supports, including posts, cables, beams, and so forth to displace an access component. Control systems, sensors, delivery mechanisms, and other functions may be integrated with the system or access components. Some embodiments may include multiple cells with access components configured to interact with adjacent access components. Methods of accessing an agricultural area are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a building having one or more microphones coupled to a telephone includes a detector configured to detect a triggering event within the building and transmit an activating signal when the triggering event is detected, and a control module configured to receive the activating signal from the detector. The control module is programmed to activate at least one of the one or more microphones to monitor sound when the activating signal is received.

Abstract: A turbine blade includes a core element having a base portion, a tip portion, and an intermediate portion extending between the base portion and the tip portion. The intermediate portion includes a non-uniform cross-section and is a high-strength fiber material. The turbine blade further includes a shell disposed around the core element, and the volume between the core element and the shell forms a void.

Abstract: A method for sealing a leak in a pipeline used to transport fluid includes positioning a sealing device within the pipeline, moving the sealing device through the pipeline to a leak location, and internally generating an inflation pressure to inflate the sealing device to substantially cover a leak opening and limit release of the fluid from the pipeline.

Abstract: A metal-air battery is disclosed, including a cathode temperature controller that identifies a power-boosted operating temperature at which a projected power boost exceeds a projected battery lifetime penalty and a temperature regulator that adjusts the cathode temperature to the power-boosted operating temperature using power generated by the metal-air battery when the metal-air battery is in a discharge state.

Abstract: A system for enhancing a facial expression includes a processing circuit is configured to receive video of a user, generate facial data corresponding to a face of the user, analyze the facial data to identify a facial expression, enhance the facial data based on the facial expression, and output modified video including the enhanced facial data.

Abstract: A method for determining a property of an insurance policy includes receiving driving data for a vehicle based on sensor data from one or more sensors external to the vehicle. The driving data includes identification data for one or more of the vehicle and a driver of the vehicle. The method includes determining risk data associated with one or more of the vehicle and the driver based on the driving data. The method further includes automatically determining a property of an insurance policy associated with one or more of the vehicle and the driver based on the risk data.