Abstract: A convertible shoe may include a sole and a plurality of interchangeable heel portions, each selectively attachable to the sole. The heel portions may each include a mounting surface configured to interface with a heel receiver of the sole. The heel receiver may include a fixed hook and a movable hook, with the movable hook being operable by an actuator coupled to a bottom surface of the sole. In some examples, an upper is secured to the sole of the shoe by one or more clamping plates. In some examples, the sole of the shoe is configured to be biased into a default bend corresponding to a high-heeled state even when a low heel is attached to the heel receiver.

Abstract: A gear system based on variably expandable gears, where input from either or both an operator or a computer processor may induce selective radial expansion and contraction of at least one gear in a gear set. The computer processor may be programmed to establish and maintain a desired gear ratio, regardless of the various variable forces which may be encountered, permitting gear setting and adjustment to control a desired parameter, such as speed, revolutions-per-minute, and watts with minimal effort by the operator.

Abstract: A convertible shoe may include a sole and a plurality of interchangeable heel portions, each selectively attachable to the sole. The heel portions may each include a mounting surface configured to interface with a heel receiver of the sole. The heel receiver may include a fixed hook and a movable hook, with the movable hook being operable by an actuator coupled to a bottom surface of the sole. In some examples, an upper is secured to the sole of the shoe by one or more clamping plates. In some examples, the sole of the shoe is configured to be biased into a default bend corresponding to a high-heeled state even when a low heel is attached to the heel receiver.

Abstract: A convertible shoe may include a sole and a plurality of interchangeable heel portions, each selectively attachable to the sole. The heel portions may each include a mounting surface configured to interface with a heel receiver of the sole. The heel receiver may include a fixed hook and a movable hook, with the movable hook being operable by an actuator coupled to a bottom surface of the sole. In some examples, an upper is secured to the sole of the shoe by one or more clamping plates. In some examples, the sole of the shoe is configured to be biased into a default bend corresponding to a high-heeled state even when a low heel is attached to the heel receiver.

Abstract: A valve stem system includes a valve stem that is fluidly coupled to a tire thereby facilitating the valve stem to selectively inflate and deflate the tire. A sensing unit is coupled to the valve stem and the sensing unit is visible on the valve stem. The sensing unit is in fluid communication with the valve stem to sense air pressure within the tire thereby facilitating the sensing unit to display the air pressure within the tire. A valve stem assembly includes a pressure sensing body and a valve core configured to threadedly engage the tire stem and regulate air flow from a tire. The pressure sensing body includes plunger that responds to pressure fluctuations in the tire and provides a continuous measurement of air pressure.

Abstract: A convertible shoe may include a sole and a plurality of interchangeable heel portions, each selectively attachable to the sole. The heel portions may each include a mounting surface configured to interface with a heel receiver of the sole. The heel receiver may include a fixed hook and a movable hook, with the movable hook being operable by an actuator coupled to a bottom surface of the sole. In some examples, an upper is secured to the sole of the shoe by one or more clamping plates. In some examples, the sole of the shoe is configured to be biased into a default bend corresponding to a high-heeled state even when a low heel is attached to the heel receiver.

Abstract: A valve stem sytem includes a valve stem that is fluidly coupled to a tire thereby facilitating the valve stem to selectively inflate and deflate the tire. A sensing unit is coupled to the valve stem and the sensing unit is visible on the valve stem. The sensing unit is in fluid communication with the valve stem to sense air pressure within the tire thereby facilitating the sensing unit to display the air pressure within the tire. A valve stem assembly includes a pressure sensing body and a valve core configured to threadedly engage the tire stem and regulate air flow from a tire. The pressure sensing body includes plunger that responds to pressure fluctuations in the tire and provides a continuous measurement of air pressure.

Abstract: A convertible shoe may include a sole and a plurality of interchangeable heel portions, each selectively attachable to the sole. The heel portions may each include a mounting surface configured to interface with a heel receiver of the sole. The heel receiver may include a fixed hook and a movable hook, with the movable hook being operable by an actuator coupled to a bottom surface of the sole.

Abstract: Techniques are described for automated vehicle crash detection and prevention. In one exemplary embodiment, information from one or more sensors, e.g., accelerometer and gyroscope, or from event data recorder (EDR) through OBD-II ECU, is received and recorded in a system. The system saves the received information in a memory for later use. The status of the vehicle may be sent to appropriate recipients. For example, a report of vehicle malfunction may be sent, e.g., through 2G/3G communication, to the driver's mobile phone or a maintenance center, and a report of the accident may be sent to an emergency center, police and/or an insurance company.

Abstract: A convertible shoe may include a sole and a plurality of interchangeable heel portions, each selectively attachable to the sole. The heel portions may each include a mounting surface configured to interface with a heel receiver of the sole. The heel receiver may include a fixed hook and a movable hook, with the movable hook being operable by an actuator coupled to a bottom surface of the sole.

Abstract: A valve stem system includes a valve stem that is fluidly coupled to a tire thereby facilitating the valve stem to selectively inflate and deflate the tire. A sensing unit is coupled to the valve stem and the sensing unit is visible on the valve stem. The sensing unit is in fluid communication with the valve stem to sense air pressure within the tire thereby facilitating the sensing unit to display the air pressure within the tire. A valve stem assembly includes a pressure sensing body and a valve core configured to threadedly engage the tire stem and regulate air flow from a tire. The pressure sensing body includes plunger that responds to pressure fluctuations in the tire and provides a continuous measurement of air pressure.

Abstract: A convertible shoe may include a sole portion and a plurality of interchangeable heel portions, each selectively attachable to the sole portion. The heel portions may each include a mounting surface configured to interface with a heel receiver of the sole, such that mounting the heel causes a support shank of the shoe to be secured in a longitudinal position relative to the sole.

Abstract: The present invention proposes a system and method for creating a hub for monitoring and controlling electrically driven devices within an existing structure, such as a residence or an office, whereby the system and method rely upon existing gang boxes and wiring present in the existing structure. Through the present invention, older structures will be able to gain the benefit of a hub environment without requiring new wiring, wherein the various electrically driven devices can be monitored and controlled.

Abstract: A convertible shoe may include a sole portion and a plurality of interchangeable heel portions, each selectively attachable to the sole portion. The heel portions may each include a mounting surface configured to interface with a heel receiver of the sole, such that mounting the heel causes a support shank of the shoe to be secured in a longitudinal position relative to the sole.

Abstract: A system includes first and second processors, first and second graphics processing units (GPUs), one or more peripheral devices, a switch matrix, and processor-readable memory. The switch matrix comprises programmable data paths between the processors, the GPUs, and the peripheral devices. Software encoded in the process-readable memory includes a first operating system (OS) executed by the first processor, a second OS executed by the second processor, a matrix scheduling engine, and a media interface switch (MIS) engine. The first OS boots faster than the second OS. The matrix scheduling engine runs on both OSs and configures the data paths in the switch matrix to couple the processors and the GPUs, and to couple the processors and the peripheral devices. The MIS engine runs on the operating systems, detects presence of the peripheral devices, and configures the data paths in the switch matrix to couple the processors and the peripheral devices.

Abstract: A radio system for a motor vehicle includes a digital antenna coupled by a digital link to a base unit. The digital antenna includes an antenna and a programmable radio tuner coupled to the antenna located exterior of the vehicle, and a first network interface coupled to the radio tuner. The radio tuner selectively tunes to a radio frequency (RF) and convert a RF signal to a baseband signal. The first network interface transmits the baseband signal over the digital link to the base unit.

Abstract: A method is provided for an aftermarket device to provide telematics service for a vehicle. The method includes accessing sensor data internal to the device and on-board diagnostic data from the vehicle, determining if one or more combinations of the sensor data and the on-board diagnostic data indicate a crash of the vehicle, and wirelessly contacting a call center or an emergency responder when at least one combination of the sensor data and the on-board diagnostic data indicates a crash of the vehicle.

Abstract: A Universal Serial Bus (USB) computer has a small form factor similar to a USB flash drive. The USB computer is connected by USB to a host computer to utilize the host computer's resources. The USB computer receives a user input provided on the host computer's input device over the USB connection, executes a local user application in response to the user input, and provides a graphical output to the host computer's output device. The USB computer includes a client application that communicates with a host application installed on the host computer. The host application causes the host computer to provide control over the host computer's resources to the USB computer.

Abstract: A golf ball finder includes a thermal imaging camera or sensor, a display, a nonvolatile memory storing golf ball detection software, and a processor for executing the golf ball detection software. The processor is programmed to locate a golf ball by causing the thermal imaging camera or sensor to capture a thermal image of a golf course, searching the thermal image for one or more thermal signatures of the golf ball, and, when the golf ball is located, providing an indicator guiding a user toward the golf ball.

Abstract: A system includes first and second processors, first and second graphics processing units (GPUs), one or more peripheral devices, a switch matrix, and processor-readable memory. The switch matrix comprises programmable data paths between the processors, the GPUs, and the peripheral devices. Software encoded in the process-readable memory includes a first operating system (OS) executed by the first processor, a second OS executed by the second processor, a matrix scheduling engine, and a media interface switch (MIS) engine. The first OS boots faster than the second OS. The matrix scheduling engine runs on both OSs and configures the data paths in the switch matrix to couple the processors and the GPUs, and to couple the processors and the peripheral devices. The MIS engine runs on the operating systems, detects presence of the peripheral devices, and configures the data paths in the switch matrix to couple the processors and the peripheral devices.