Abstract: A system for identifying an electronic device connected to a communication network that has XCP enabled. The system includes, in one example, a communication network, a plurality of electronic devices, and a testing device. The testing device includes an electronic processor. The electronic processor is configured to send a XCP connect message via the communication network. When a first response is received in response to the first XCP connect message, the electronic processor determines that one or more of the plurality of electronic devices have XCP enabled. For each electronic device included in the plurality of electronic devices, the electronic processor is configured to send a reset command to the electronic device, resend the XCP connect message to the plurality of electronic devices, and, when a second response is not received in response to the resent XCP connect message, determine that the electronic device has XCP enabled.

Abstract: A method for providing an enhanced estimate of reference barometric pressure. The method uses multiple, dissimilar pressure references, such as in airport weather stations, personal weather stations, and wireless terminals such as smartphones, in order to provide the enhanced estimate of reference barometric pressure. The method generates an enhanced estimate of reference barometric pressure based on a first estimate of reference barometric pressure from a first pressure reference network made up of airport weather stations, for example. The method also uses a second estimate of reference barometric pressure from a second pressure reference network made of up personal weather stations, for example, and a third estimate of reference barometric pressure, also from the second network. The first, second, and third estimates of reference barometric pressure are combined such that both measurement accuracy and timeliness are improved in the resulting, enhanced estimate.

Abstract: A method for performing contact tracing. An analysis system performing the method receives geo-temporal data comprising location data points for various wireless terminals, including the wireless terminals being used by people diagnosed as having a specified disease and the wireless terminals of others, one of whom having possibly infected those diagnosed with the disease. Based on filtering the geo-temporal data, the analysis system generates relatively-condensed mobility profiles that are representative of each person's locations and movements, and analyzes the mobility profiles. Through careful selections of various parameters based on the disease that is being analyzed, the mobility profiles are used instead of the relatively large amounts of geo-temporal data, to represent users of wireless terminals and to determine their interactions in regard to disease transmission.

Abstract: A method for performing contact tracing. An analysis system performing the method receives geo-temporal data comprising location data points for various wireless terminals, including the wireless terminal being used by a person diagnosed as having a specified disease and the wireless terminals of people who possibly have come in contact with the infected person. Based on filtering the geo-temporal data, the analysis system generates relatively-condensed mobility profiles that are representative of each person's locations and movements, and analyzes the mobility profiles. Through careful selections of various parameters based on the disease that is being analyzed, the mobility profiles are used instead of the relatively large amounts of geo-temporal data, to represent users of wireless terminals and to determine their interactions in regard to disease transmission.

Abstract: A system for identifying an electronic device connected to a communication network that has XCP enabled. The system includes, in one example, a communication network, a plurality of electronic devices, and a testing device. The testing device includes an electronic processor. The electronic processor is configured to send a XCP connect message via the communication network. When a first response is received in response to the first XCP connect message, the electronic processor determines that one or more of the plurality of electronic devices have XCP enabled. For each electronic device included in the plurality of electronic devices, the electronic processor is configured to send a reset command to the electronic device, resend the XCP connect message to the plurality of electronic devices, and, when a second response is not received in response to the resent XCP connect message, determine that the electronic device has XCP enabled.

Abstract: An actuator includes an end fitting, a ball screw connected to the end fitting, a ball nut engaged with the ball screw, a rod disposed at least partially within the ball screw, and a rotating member engaged with the rod. A method of verifying an actuator may include rotating a manual input portion in a first direction under substantially no load until the manual input portion stops, rotating the manual input portion in a second, opposite direction until a first torque is measured, determining a first rotational angle at which the first torque was measured, rotating the manual input portion in the first direction until a second torque is measured, determining a second rotational angle at which the second torque was measured, and verifying a second load path if a backlash is within a predetermined range.

Abstract: Described are methods and systems for enhanced dissociation of cells from a solid biological tissue sample. In some embodiments, a self-contained cartridge apparatus includes a first chamber for receiving the tissue sample, enables ultrasonic energy from a transducer assembly of a processing unit to dissociate cells from the sample in the first chamber, and collect viable cells of interest from an aqueous suspension in a second chamber fluidly connected to the first chamber via a channel. In some embodiments, to enhance dissociation of viable cells, a filter device includes a tubular body configured to be telescopically inserted into a container containing the tissue sample in an aqueous fluid. The filter device also includes a cell-filter mesh that covers a bottom opening of the tubular body and that is configured to compress the tissue sample to expel cells from the sample when the filter device is fully inserted into the container.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media are described for estimating real estate property values based on an adjusted repeat sales model using a regularized estimator. In one exemplary embodiment, a computer-implemented method calculates data for estimating the adjustments from an aggregated level to a first disaggregated level by marking a first transaction to a second transaction using a repeat sales house price index function at the aggregated level. The method also determines, using the calculated data, a regularized estimate of the deviation between the repeat sales house price index at the aggregated level and a repeat sales house price index at the first disaggregated level. The method further calculates the repeat sales house price index at the first disaggregated level based on the determined regularized estimate of the deviation from the aggregated level.

Abstract: A location engine that estimates the barometric pressure measurement bias of a wireless terminal, resulting in an improved estimate of elevation of the wireless terminal. The location engine generates an estimate of measurement bias by comparing the barometric pressure measured by the wireless terminal while at that elevation and the barometric pressure that corresponds to an estimated elevation of the wireless terminal when it made the pressure measurement (i.e., the expected pressure). The estimated elevation is based on an inferred above-ground height and the local terrain elevation, and the expected pressure is based on the measurement of barometric pressure at the pressure reference and the estimated elevation. The location engine infers the height based on various techniques disclosed herein. The location engine can use the measurement bias to adjust subsequent pressure measurements reported by the wireless terminal, in order to generate an improved estimate of elevation of the wireless terminal.

Abstract: A carrier and related methods of use are provided for packaging irregular-shaped products. The carrier has a footing and a vertical support member partially enclosing at least one irregular-shaped product. The vertical support member has: (1) a pair of sidewalls facing one another and having lower tabs joined to opposite ends of the footing, and (2) a rear wall with edges along the junctures with the sidewalls and a lower edge along the juncture with the footing. A wrap encloses the irregular-shaped product(s) and the carrier. The method includes uniformly aligning the irregular-shaped product(s) in the carrier and securing the carrier and product(s) by enclosing them with a wrap.

Abstract: Pet owners are frustrated with conventional wet pet food packages as it is difficult to remove product from these packages. Traditional metal or plastic containers and flexible pouches are not designed to fully eject product in one step. Rather, the consumer must perform additional steps such as scooping, scraping, tearing, or twisting to entirely remove product. Provided is a collapsible package for wet pet foods. The collapsible package has tapered flexible sidewall, a rigid ring and/or circumferential peripheral flange attached to a top of the sidewall, and a rigid base attached to a bottom of the sidewall. The flexible sidewall is configured to be compressible between an expanded position, at which point product is held in the container, and a collapsed position, at which point product is effectively ejected from the container. A lid can also be attached to the ring and/or circumferential peripheral flange to seal the container.

Abstract: A technique for the estimation of the location of a wireless terminal. The disclosed technique considers boundaries that are represented in a geographic information system (GIS) database in combination with a first, unenhanced estimate of location, in order to generate a second, enhanced estimate of location. To do so, the technique generates a point cloud based on the first estimate of location. At least some of the data points in the point cloud are then removed, depending on their positions in relation to certain boundaries stored in the GIS database, such as the exterior walls of buildings and other structures. By considering these boundaries, the disclosed technique can increase the probability that the estimated location is within an area that is occupiable by a person, thereby providing a more reasonable result. The technique generates the second, enhanced estimate based on the distribution of the remaining data points.

Abstract: A technique for developing a stack-effect compensation model that is representative of a structure, such as a particular building, and of generating an estimate of the elevation of a wireless terminal inside the structure by using the model. The technique includes estimating information related to one or more neutral pressure planes within the structure, at which the difference between the indoor barometric pressure and the outdoor barometric pressure is essentially zero. The technique leverages pressure and temperature measurements that are provided by one or more wireless terminals that are regularly present in the building. The stack-effect compensation model includes a parameter that represents, for each of a plurality of uncompensated elevations, the height of the particular uncompensated elevation above a neutral pressure plane. The location engine uses this height-information parameter from the compensation model, in order to develop the estimate of the elevation of the wireless terminal.

Abstract: A technique for the estimation of the location of a wireless terminal. The disclosed technique considers boundaries that are represented in a geographic information system (GIS) database in combination with a first, unenhanced estimate of location, in order to generate a second, enhanced estimate of location. To do so, the technique generates a point cloud based on the first estimate of location. At least some of the data points in the point cloud are then removed, depending on their positions in relation to certain boundaries stored in the GIS database, such as the exterior walls of buildings and other structures. By considering these boundaries, the disclosed technique can increase the probability that the estimated location is within an area that is occupiable by a person, thereby providing a more reasonable result. The technique generates the second, enhanced estimate based on the distribution of the remaining data points.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for providing an adjustment to a value estimate for a property that is considered distressed. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving the estimate of value for the property; determining, based on a model, the adjustment to the estimate of value, such that the model accounts for a characteristic of the property and a characteristic of the loan; and providing the adjustment.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media are described for estimating real estate property values based on an adjusted repeat sales model using a regularized estimator. In one exemplary embodiment, a computer-implemented method calculates data for estimating the adjustments from an aggregated level to a first disaggregated level by marking a first transaction to a second transaction using a repeat sales house price index function at the aggregated level. The method also determines, using the calculated data, a regularized estimate of the deviation between the repeat sales house price index at the aggregated level and a repeat sales house price index at the first disaggregated level. The method further calculates the repeat sales house price index at the first disaggregated level based on the determined regularized estimate of the deviation from the aggregated level.

Abstract: A technique for developing a stack-effect compensation model that is representative of a structure, such as a particular building, and of generating an estimate of the elevation of a wireless terminal inside the structure by using the model. The technique includes estimating information related to one or more neutral pressure planes within the structure, at which the difference between the indoor barometric pressure and the outdoor barometric pressure is essentially zero. The technique leverages pressure and temperature measurements that are provided by one or more wireless terminals that are regularly present in the building. The stack-effect compensation model includes a parameter that represents, for each of a plurality of uncompensated elevations, the height of the particular uncompensated elevation above a neutral pressure plane. The location engine uses this height-information parameter from the compensation model, in order to develop the estimate of the elevation of the wireless terminal.

Abstract: A location engine that estimates the barometric pressure measurement bias of a pressure station reference, such as an airport pressure station, resulting in an improved estimate of the elevation of a wireless terminal. The location engine generates the estimate of bias of barometric pressure by comparing i) the outdoor barometric pressure measured by the airport pressure station at its unknown height above mean sea level (MSL) and ii) the expected outdoor barometric pressure derived from the pressure measurements from an already-calibrated pressure station, while accounting for the known height of the already-calibrated pressure station. The expected outdoor measurements correspond to a derived height above MSL of the airport pressure station. Subsequently, the location engine generates an estimate of the elevation of the wireless terminal by accounting for the estimate of measurement bias of the airport pressure station.

Abstract: A technique for the estimation of the location of a wireless terminal. The disclosed technique considers boundaries that are represented in a geographic information system (GIS) database in combination with a first, unenhanced estimate of location, in order to generate a second, enhanced estimate of location. To do so, the technique generates a point cloud based on the first estimate of location. At least some of the data points in the point cloud are then removed, depending on their positions in relation to certain boundaries stored in the GIS database, such as the exterior walls of buildings and other structures. By considering these boundaries, the disclosed technique can increase the probability that the estimated location is within an area that is occupiable by a person, thereby providing a more reasonable result. The technique generates the second, enhanced estimate based on the distribution of the remaining data points.

Abstract: A location engine that estimates the barometric pressure measurement bias of a wireless terminal, resulting in an improved estimate of elevation of the wireless terminal. The location engine generates an estimate of measurement bias by comparing the barometric pressure measured by the wireless terminal while at that elevation and the barometric pressure that corresponds to an estimated elevation of the wireless terminal when it made the pressure measurement (i.e., the expected pressure). The estimated elevation is based on an inferred above-ground height and the local terrain elevation, and the expected pressure is based on the measurement of barometric pressure at the pressure reference and the estimated elevation. The location engine infers the height based on various techniques disclosed herein. The location engine can use the measurement bias to adjust subsequent pressure measurements reported by the wireless terminal, in order to generate an improved estimate of elevation of the wireless terminal.