Abstract: A trailer hitch is disclosed. A weight distribution hitch includes an attachment member with a forward end which attaches to a vehicle and a rearward end which pivotally connects to a trailer. The weight distribution hitch also includes a moment bar which attaches to the attachment member on one and tension mechanism on the other. The tension mechanism is mounted on a frame of the trailer and provides an upward force on the moment bar which imposes a moment on the attachment member. Center lines of the attachment member, moment bar, and the vehicle are all in a vertical plane. The weight distribution hitch may also include an aperture disposed in the moment bar through which the tension mechanism passes.

Abstract: A system for a redundant star network is disclosed. The system consists of a control hub, one or more backup hubs, and at least one peripheral device (PD), the peripheral device comprising a housing having at least one selectable side transparent or opaque to radio frequency (RF) transmissions while the remaining sides are opaque to RF transmissions. The control hub controls the PD, for example by controlling how the PD operates under certain conditions. The PD includes a long-range, wireless transceiver and a microcontroller, which includes instructions for periodically testing, via test signals, whether the control hub is functional. In the case that the control hub does not respond to the test signals, the PD includes instructions for switching control of the PD to the backup hub, which also stores control instructions for the PD, similar to the control hub.

Abstract: A toilet seat with handles is disclosed. The handles include light transmitters and light receivers. The light transmitters and receivers may be used to determine blood oxygen saturation levels and heart rate of a toilet seat user. Ultrasonic transmitters and receivers in the toilet seat handle are also disclosed for determining bone density of a toilet seat user. The handles may be retractable and may include UV sanitation.

Abstract: A toilet comprising a frame; a bowl supported by the frame; a seat also supported by the frame; a shroud for covering the frame; at least one lift mechanism supported by the frame for adjusting the position of the bowl or seat; at least one sensor for capturing at least one property of a user; and a processor adapted to analyze the at least one property to determine a characteristic of the user is disclosed.

Abstract: A data storage device is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk, a first semiconductor memory (SM) having a first endurance, and a second SM having a second endurance lower than the first endurance. A write command is received from a host including write data. When a size of the write command is less than a threshold, the write data is stored in a first SM write cache in the first SM, and when the size of the write command is greater than the threshold, the write data is stored in a second SM write cache in the second SM.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus for heating or cooling a room of a building. The apparatus includes a radiant panel supported on a wall, which radiates energy to or from a room. The radiant panel has a conduit for passage of a fluid. The invention also includes a heat exchange device which heats or cools the fluid, which is installed inside the wall between two studs. A first line and second line connect the inlet and outlet to the heat exchange device. A pump that pumps the fluid that is heated or cooled by the heat exchange, whereby the room is heated or cooled depending on whether the fluid is heated or cooled by the heat exchange device.

Abstract: A boat comprising a hull, a steering wheel, an engine power system comprising a first foot pedal that is operated by a user's foot to control the boat's speed through water, and a braking system comprising a second foot pedal that is depressed by the user's foot to slow or stop the boat.

Abstract: A towable boat comprising a hull, a front wheel movable between an extended position and a retracted boating position, two rear wheels, each of which is movable between an extended towing position and a retracted boating position, and a trailer tongue movable between an extended towing position and a retracted boating position.

Abstract: A data storage device is disclosed comprising a first plurality of heads actuated over a first subset of disk surfaces by a first actuator, and a second plurality of heads actuated over a second subset of disk surfaces by a second actuator. A plurality of access commands is received, wherein each access command is associated with one of the heads. A scalar is configured for each access command based on at least one of a current radial location of the corresponding head or a target radial location of the corresponding head associated with executing the access command. The access commands are sorted based on the scalars, and one of the access commands is selected for execution based on the sort.

Abstract: A system for delivering packages from a warehouse to end destinations, the system comprising a fleet of containers, each configured to be loaded at the warehouse with packages destined for drop off points at end destinations. A fleet of delivery vehicles are configured to transport the containers from the warehouse to an end destination. At least one delivery robot is carried with each container and the delivery robot is configured to carry at least one package from the container at the end destination to the drop off point.

Abstract: A fleet for delivering packages comprising a first number of containers, each container comprising at least one compartment for receiving packages at a main distribution center. The container comprises a first attachment member on an outer surface and a second attachment member on an outer surface. The fleet comprises a second number of long-range transports, each long-range transport is configured to carry multiple containers from the main distribution center to an intermediate distribution center, each long-range transport comprising multiple first attachment receivers, whereby the multiple containers are attached to the long-range transports during transport from the main distribution center to the intermediate distribution center.

Abstract: A system for delivering packages comprising a plurality of containers, each container having a plurality of package storage compartments and each compartment comprising an individually controlled access door on an external wall of the container. One or more packages are placed in at least some of the plurality of modules at a distribution center wherein the container is configured to be transported between the distribution center and a pickup location. Upon arrival at the pickup location, the container is parked and wherein recipients of the packages in the compartments of the container are notified of the arrival of the packages at the pickup location. Each recipient is provided access to the compartment containing the package intended for that recipient.

Abstract: A container for delivering packages comprising a plurality of package storage modules, each module comprising an individually controlled access door on an external wall of the transport, wherein one or more packages are placed in at least some of the plurality of modules at a distribution point, wherein the container is configured to be transported to multiple delivery destinations, and wherein, upon arrival at each delivery destination, the appropriate access door receives a signal to allow access to the package intended for that delivery destination.

Abstract: A multi-use package receptacle for deliveries to and pickups from a home or business, the receptacle comprising a first compartment for receiving a package delivered from a delivery service and a second compartment for receiving an item to be picked up by a pickup service. An access control unit configured to lock and unlock the first and second compartments, wherein the access control unit grants access to both the first and second compartments to a user associated with the home or business, and the access control unit grants access to the first compartment to a verified delivery service and grants access to the second compartment to a verified pickup service.

Abstract: A system for delivering packages from a warehouse to end destinations, the system comprising a fleet of self-propelled long-range transports and a fleet of containers, each configured to be loaded at the warehouse with packages destined for end destinations. Each long-range transport is configured to be loaded with at least four of the loaded containers and transport the at least four of the loaded containers from the warehouse to one or more intermediate destinations. Upon arrival of one of the loaded long-range transports at one of the one or more intermediate destinations, at least one of the loaded containers is separated from the loaded long-range transport, whereupon the separated container delivers packages to end destinations proximate to the one of the one or more intermediate destinations. After delivery of at least some of the packages loaded thereon at the warehouse, the container is once again loaded on the long-range transport and returned to the warehouse to be loaded with more packages.

Abstract: A vehicle for delivering packages, comprising a tractor comprising a motor, a pair of front wheels, a rear wheel, and a rail between the pair of front wheels and the rear wheel, and a removable container comprising a space for storing packages where a bottom of the container is configured to fit over and mount to the rail.

Abstract: A system and method for assessing toilet user health and wellness is disclosed. The system comprises a toilet bowl adapted to receive excreta from a user; a sensor which detects at least one property of the user or excreta and records a timestamp associated with the property; and a processor which analyzes the property and uses the time stamp to correlate the property with data from previous events to assess one or more health or wellness conditions; wherein the correlation of the date stamp comprises correlating events that take place during the same segment of the day.

Abstract: A method for collecting and testing an excreta sample from a user is disclosed. The system comprises a bowl having a volume of water for receiving excreta from a user, the excreta and water forming a volume of wastewater; a first sensor for detecting the addition of excreta to the water in the bowl; an orifice for collecting a sample of wastewater; wherein the sample is analyzed to determine a property of the excreta, which is used to obtain health and wellness information about the user.

Abstract: A trailer is disclosed which includes a first door with a first hinge configured to allow the first door to operate between an open position and a closed position, and a second door on the opposing side of the trailer with a second hinge configured to allow the second door to operate between an open position and a closed position. The trailer also includes a roof and a trailer tongue with a coupling configured to attach to a hitch of a vehicle. Two or more wheels are provided that are extendable from an up position to a down position. In this way, when the wheels are in the down position, the trailer is lifted off the ground.

Abstract: A piston assembly may comprise a housing with a wall, and at least one chamber formed in the wall. A piston may be disposed within the chamber and at least one passageway may pass through the piston. At least one pin may be disposed within the passageway and attached to the chamber, and the piston may be free to translate relative to the pin.