Abstract: A touch input is received on the touchscreen. The touch input comprises a stroke and is associated with variable opacity. The stroke is converted to a plurality of segments. The plurality of segments comprises a plurality of arc segments, line segments, or a combination. A plurality of stamps is generated corresponding to the plurality segments. Shading is applied to the stroke, where applying shading comprises varying at least one of a weight or an offset of at least one color associated with at least one pixel of at least one stamp of the plurality of stamps. The plurality of stamps is rendered on the touchscreen of the device to represent the stroke.

Abstract: Provided in various example embodiments is a firing mechanism for firearms including a trigger with a movable sear attached to the trigger. When dimensional interference occurs within the trigger group, the movable sear is displaced from a seated position to an unseated position, instead of moving the trigger out of the non-firing position. This allows a firearm to be cocked when the trigger is locked in safe mode, and allows a firearm to be placed into safe mode at any time, regardless of the position of the hammer. This functionality improves the effectiveness of automatic trigger locking mechanisms discussed in related applications, and may be applied in various forms to firearms generally.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described herein for rendering variable opacity ink strokes on a touchscreen device. In one aspect, a method for rendering variable opacity ink strokes includes receiving a touch input including a stroke associated with variable opacity on a touchscreen of a device. The stroke may be converted to at least one Bezier curve. The at least one Bezier curve may be smoothed and dividing into a plurality of segments, wherein the plurality of segments includes arc segments, line segments, or a combination thereof. A plurality of stamps may be generated corresponding to the plurality of segments. The plurality of stamps may be rendered on the touchscreen of the device to represent the stroke.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are conformable protection pads, which can be integrated into articles such as clothing and protective cases. An exemplary cushioning pad can include an upper layer and a lower layer and cushioning material therebetween in a first cushioning region and one or more second cushioning regions, and one or more grooves between the first cushioning region and the second cushioning regions to enable articulation of the second cushioning regions relative to the first cushioning region.

Abstract: There are provided methods and systems to identify an item based on data associated with the item. Information is received that is descriptive of an item to be listed on an information storage and retrieval platform. The information is associated with an aspect-value pair, which is an aspect of the item and a value of the aspect. An expression of an interest of a user in the item is received. The expression is associated with the aspect-value pair. In response to the associating of the expression with the aspect-value pair, the item is identified.

Abstract: Provided in various example embodiments is an apparatus, system, and method for improved control of selectable dual mode trigger systems for semiautomatic firearms, which may include a timed locking mechanism incorporated in the trigger system that ensures that the carrier is seated before the hammer is actuated, and that the anti-hammer-follow disconnect does not engage out of sequence. Such a mechanism ensures that the necessary steps occur in the proper sequence in the trigger mechanism, so that at any given time the trigger and firearm are ready for the next desired function to occur. The addition of a timed trigger lock mechanism to the trigger as disclosed herein ensures that the sequence of events in the trigger is maintained in the proper relationship, preventing misfires and jams. Such trigger locking mechanisms have applicability beyond dual-mode trigger systems, and may be applied in various forms to semiautomatic firearms generally.

Abstract: Technology is described for enabling passive enforcement of security at computing systems. A component of a computing system can passively authenticate or authorize a user based on observations of the user's interactions with the computing system. The technology may increase or decrease an authentication or authorization level based on the observations. The level can indicate what level of access the user should be granted. When the user or a component of the computing device initiates a request, an application or service can determine whether the level is sufficient to satisfy the request. If the level is insufficient, the application or service can prompt the user for credentials so that the user is actively authenticated. The technology may enable computing systems to “trust” authentication so that two proximate devices can share authentication levels.

Abstract: A remote control device comprising: a display, at least one processor, and a storage device. The storage device stores instructions that when executed cause the at least one processor to: receive, from a television, a first subset of programming guide information, output, for display, a first user interface including at least some of the first subset of the programming guide information, receive, after outputting the first user interface, an indication of input, determine, based on the indication of input, a second subset of the programming guide information, receive, from the television, the second subset of the programming guide information, and output, for display, a second user interface including at least some of the second subset of the programming guide information.

Abstract: An inside waistband holster includes a front panel comprising a waistband connector that holds a top side of the front panel at a waistline of a user's pants. The holster also includes a back panel attached to the front panel, such as along a bottom side of the back panel and the front panel and along lower sides of the back panel and the front panel. The front panel and the back panel define a pouch in which a firearm may in stored, and a top portion of the front panel is unattached to the back panel. The back panel includes a flap configured to extend over the front panel and to releasably connect to the waistband connector in a stored condition. The flap is also configured to be pulled upward such that the top portion of the front panel peels away from the back panel in an exposed position.

Abstract: Gas vaporizer for flashing liquid to vapor received from a source prior to introduction into a compressor or the like, such as in air conditioning or refrigeration systems. In certain embodiments the vaporize includes an adapter member for connection to a liquid source, a connector member having a plurality of flow passages for facilitating the transfer of heat to fluid present therein to vaporize the same, a body portion providing visual access such as via one or more sight glasses to an internal chamber therein for visual confirmation that liquid has been vaporized, and a hose connecting member for connection to a point of destination such as a compressor. In certain embodiments, the connector has an axial bore containing a high thermal conductive material.

Abstract: Technology is described for enabling passive enforcement of security at computing systems. A component of a computing system can passively authenticate or authorize a user based on observations of the user's interactions with the computing system. The technology may increase or decrease an authentication or authorization level based on the observations. The level can indicate what level of access the user should be granted. When the user or a component of the computing device initiates a request, an application or service can determine whether the level is sufficient to satisfy the request. If the level is insufficient, the application or service can prompt the user for credentials so that the user is actively authenticated. The technology may enable computing systems to “trust” authentication so that two proximate devices can share authentication levels.

Abstract: An adapter comprising an elongated member having an intermediate body region to be received by a tool in locking engagement, a first region extending in a first direction axially from the intermediate body region and having a first keyed free end having a cross-section of a first size, and a second region extending axially from the intermediate body region in a second direction opposite the first direction and having a second keyed free end having a cross section of a second size different from the first size. The adapter can be used to actuate sockets of different size.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter relates to methods and compositions for identifying, selecting, and/or producing drought tolerant maize plants or germplasm. Maize plants or germplasm that have been identified, selected, and/or produced by any of the methods of the presently disclosed subject matter are also provided.

Abstract: An inside waistband holster includes a front panel comprising a waistband connector that holds a top side of the front panel at a waistline of a user's pants. The holster also includes a back panel attached to the front panel, such as along a bottom side of the back panel and the front panel and along lower sides of the back panel and the front panel. The front panel and the back panel define a pouch in which a firearm may in stored, and a top portion of the front panel is unattached to the back panel. The back panel includes a flap configured to extend over the front panel and to releasably connect to the waistband connector in a stored condition. The flap is also configured to be pulled upward such that the top portion of the front panel peels away from the back panel in an exposed position.

Abstract: The invention relates to an alarm for detecting damage to a multiple glazed unit comprising: a humidity sensor; and a movement sensor in which, when the movement sensor detects movement of the glazed unit, the humidity sensor compares the current detected humidity in the glazed unit with a previously stored detected humidity, and if the humidity has changed by a predetermined threshold, a damage alarm is triggered.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter relates to methods and compositions for identifying, selecting, and/or producing drought tolerant maize plants or germplasm. Maize plants or germplasm that have been identified, selected, and/or produced by any of the methods of the presently disclosed subject matter are also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods to communicate information are described. The system receives a query and retrieves a set of data items from a database based on the query. The system generates a distribution based on a count of data items from the set of data items that were retrieved for each domain in a set of domains and a count of requests to view data items from another set of data items for each domain in the set of domains. The system identifies whether the distribution exhibits a type of a distribution by comparing the distribution with at least one of a peak distribution and a hills distribution. Finally, the system generates interface information based on the type of distribution.

Abstract: An inside waistband holster includes a front panel comprising a waistband connector that holds a top side of the front panel at a waistline of a user's pants. The holster also includes a back panel attached to the front panel, such as along a bottom side of the back panel and the front panel and along lower sides of the back panel and the front panel. The front panel and the back panel define a pouch in which a firearm may in stored, and a top portion of the front panel is unattached to the back panel. The back panel includes a flap configured to extend over the front panel and to releasably connect to the waistband connector in a stored condition. The flap is also configured to be pulled upward such that the top portion of the front panel peels away from the back panel in an exposed position.

Abstract: The presently disclosed invention provides for the security of a computing device in the context of a test taking environment. By securing a computing device, an individual (or group of individuals) may more effectively proctor a large examination without worrying about a test taker illicitly accessing information on their computer or via a remote source of data. Securing a computing device includes locking out or preventing access to any application not deemed necessary or appropriate by the test administrator.

Abstract: An imaging device capable of capturing depth information or surface profiles of objects is disclosed herein. The imaging device uses an enclosed flashing unit to project a sequence of structured light patterns onto an object and captures the light patterns reflected from the surfaces of the object by using an image sensor that is enclosed in the imaging device. The imaging device is capable of capturing an image of an object such that the captured image is comprised of one or more color components of a two-dimensional image of the object and a depth component that specifies the depth information of the object.