Abstract: Techniques for altering audio being output by a voice-controlled device, or another device, to enable more accurate automatic speech recognition (ASR) by the voice-controlled device. For instance, a voice-controlled device may output audio within an environment using a speaker of the device. While outputting the audio, a microphone of the device may capture sound within the environment and may generate an audio signal based on the captured sound. The device may then analyze the audio signal to identify speech of a user within the signal, with the speech indicating that the user is going to provide a subsequent command to the device. Thereafter, the device may alter the output of the audio (e.g., attenuate the audio, pause the audio, switch from stereo to mono, etc.) to facilitate speech recognition of the user's subsequent command.

Abstract: Techniques for tailoring beamforming techniques to environments such that processing resources may be devoted to a portion of an audio signal corresponding to a lobe of a beampattern that is most likely to contain user speech. The techniques take into account both acoustic characteristics of an environment and heuristics regarding lobes that have previously been found to include user speech.

Abstract: A virtual user interface is provided which may be used in conjunction with furniture such as shelves, tables, carts, and so forth. The furniture itself may have no active input/output mechanisms such as processors or onboard sensors. Visual output for the user interface may be projected from an overhead projector onto a plurality of projection surfaces on the furniture. Input, such as a user gesturing towards or touching the projected location of a control element, may be detected remotely.

Abstract: A system for disinfecting a medical device is provided. The system includes a light source that generates light having at least one wavelength between about 100 nm and about 500 nm. The system further includes at least one cylindrical optical diffuser disposed in optical communication with at least one interior channel of a medical device, the at least one cylindrical optical diffuser having an outer surface and an end optically coupled to the light source. The at least one cylindrical optical diffuser is configured to scatter guided light through the outer surface to form a light diffuser portion having a length that emits substantially uniform radiation over its length.

Abstract: Techniques for providing a container that is accessible to at least a first user within a multiple user environment. The container has predetermined access attributes for the first user, and for other potential users within the environment, and the container can be portable across a network and accessible to the first user within either single user or multiple user environments.

Abstract: Described is an apparatus and system for detecting fishing related events and providing notifications to a fisher regarding those events. When a fishing related event, such as a fish on line event occurs, it results in a fishing rod flexing or moving in particular directions. The described implementations include sensors located on or in the fishing rod that provide position data that is utilized to monitor a movement of the fishing rod and determine a type of fishing related event that has occurred.

Abstract: An illuming device for use in medically illuminating tissue of interest within a patient generally includes a light diffusing optical fiber and an at least partially optically opaque sheath that is mounted over the fiber for selective, sliding movement along the length thereof. By sliding the sheath relative to the optical fiber after it has been inserted into a patient to illuminate a particular area of tissue, the length, size, and/or shape of the light that is exposed to the tissue can be selectively controlled. Such in situ variation of the properties of the exposed light permit use of a single instrument and a single procedure regardless of variation in the size and shape of the diseased tissue being medically treated.

Abstract: Systems and methods for examining spectral data over the course of a high speed event are described. The systems and methods can enable observation of the spectral evolution of a transient phenomenon into segment intervals on the order of, milliseconds or microseconds. The methods include reflecting light from an event off of a rotating mirror and sequentially delivering light from the mirror to a series of optical waveguides for sequential spectral analysis. The systems and methods can be useful in a wide variety of applications such as, LIBS applications; examination of high energy devices such as explosions or simulations of explosions; examination of deposition processes, e.g., coating formations; examination of chemical reactions; etc.

Abstract: A hardware assembly is provided with a base for mounting to a support surface, the base having a longitudinal axis. A receiving member extends outwardly from the base along the longitudinal axis, the receiving member having an aperture. A hardware component is mounted to the receiving member in a plane that includes the longitudinal axis. According to at least one embodiment, an accessory may be removably received within the receiving member aperture.

Abstract: Various embodiments herein each include at least one of systems, methods, and software that provide domain-specific configurable fraud prevention solutions. One such embodiment, in the form of a method, includes presenting a user interface including a plurality of controls tailored to present and receive input defining fraud detection rules. Input may then be received within the user interface defining a fraud detection rule where the input identifies at least one transaction-related data item and a data condition. This method then stores the received input as a fraud detection rule in a rule base.

Abstract: Systems and methods for examining spectral data over the course of a high speed event are described. The systems and methods can enable observation of the spectral evolution of a transient phenomenon into segment intervals on the order of, milliseconds or microseconds. The methods include reflecting light from an event off of a rotating mirror and sequentially delivering light from the mirror to a series of optical waveguides for sequential spectral analysis. The systems and methods can be useful in a wide variety of applications such as, LIBS applications; examination of high energy devices such as explosions or simulations of explosions; examination of deposition processes, e.g., coating formations; examination of chemical reactions; etc.

Abstract: Described is an apparatus and system for detecting fishing related events and providing notifications to a fisher regarding those events. When a fishing related event, such as a fish on line event occurs, it results in a fishing rod flexing or moving in particular directions. The described implementations include sensors located on or in the fishing rod that provide position data that is utilized to monitor a movement of the fishing rod and determine a type of fishing related event that has occurred.

Abstract: A hyperspectral imaging system for imaging a patient or object is provided. In one embodiment, the hyperspectral imaging system includes a housing having a proximal end and a distal end. The hyperspectral imaging system also includes a fore-optics module coupled to the proximal end of the housing wherein the fore-optics module is configured to receive an electromagnetic signal from the patient. The hyperspectral imaging system additionally includes a wavelength-dispersing module coupled inside the housing and a detector coupled to the distal end of the housing. The fore-optics module may include a rolling optical lens.

Abstract: A method for quantifying microvascular function in a patient includes stabilizing a test portion of the patent to analyze. A microvascular blood flow parameter is measured using a first spectral imaging technique. A microvascular reserve parameter is measured using a second spectral imaging technique. A tissue respiration parameter is measured using a third spectral imaging technique. A microvascular permeability parameter is measured using a fourth spectral imaging technique. The method further includes processing the microvascular blood flow parameter, the microvascular reserve parameter, the tissue respiration parameter, and the microvascular permeability parameter together using a processor configured to generate a summary microvascular parameter corresponding to the microvascular function in the patient.

Abstract: An automated mobile vehicle configured to autonomously provide coverage for inoperable infrastructure components at various locations. In accordance with implementations, a plurality of automated mobile vehicles are deployed to provide emergency lighting, a wireless network, audio, video, etc., at an indoor and/or outdoor event area.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and devices for providing a utility distribution infrastructure for one or more moveable pieces of active furniture. The utility distribution infrastructure is configured to provide one or more utilities such as electrical power, heating, cooling, fluid, gas, communications, and so forth, to one or more pieces of active furniture, which may be repositioned within the infrastructure.

Abstract: An augmented reality system may generate an augmented reality environment by projecting images onto various surfaces within a scene. A projection accessory display device (PADD) provides known characteristics for projection, and may be configured to simplify generation and maintenance of the projected image upon the PADD. The PADD may also provide one or more input devices which accept input from a user within the augmented reality environment. The PADD may comprise non-electronic passive components, electronic active components, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Techniques for altering audio being output by a voice-controlled device, or another device, to enable more accurate automatic speech recognition (ASR) by the voice-controlled device. For instance, a voice-controlled device may output audio within an environment using a speaker of the device. While outputting the audio, a microphone of the device may capture sound within the environment and may generate an audio signal based on the captured sound. The device may then analyze the audio signal to identify speech of a user within the signal, with the speech indicating that the user is going to provide a subsequent command to the device. Thereafter, the device may alter the output of the audio (e.g., attenuate the audio, pause the audio, switch from stereo to mono, etc.) to facilitate speech recognition of the user's subsequent command.

Abstract: An augmented reality environment allows interaction between virtual and real objects. By monitoring user actions with the augmented reality environment various functions are provided to users. Users may buy or sell items with a gesture, check inventory of objects in the augmented reality environment, view advertisements, and so forth.