Abstract: Methods and systems for performing computer-assisted surgery, including robot-assisted image-guided surgery. Embodiments include marker devices for an image guided surgery system, marker systems and arrays for tracking a robotic arm using a motion tracking system, and image guided surgery methods and systems using optical sensors.

Abstract: A system for performing image-guided surgery includes an instrument having a first portion configured to define a trajectory into the body of a patient, a marker device and a user-interface component. A sensing device receives electromagnetic signals that are reflected or emitted from the marker device, and a processing system, coupled to the sensing device, includes at least one processor configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations that include tracking the position and orientation of the instrument relative to the patient based on the signals received at the sensing device, receiving a signal from the user-interface component of the instrument indicating a user-input event, and saving the trajectory into the body of the patient defined by the first portion of the instrument in response to receiving the signal.

Abstract: A wire connector strain relief apparatus is provided herein. The wire connector strain relief apparatus includes a body having a generally U-shaped cross-section, a first end, and a second end. The first end of the body is configured to receive a wire harness that includes one or more wires to be, or already, connected to an electrical connector. The second end of the body includes one or more structural features configured to engage with one or more structural features of an external surface of the electrical connector to attach to the electrical connector and minimize relative movement between the wire harness and the electrical connector.

Abstract: A wire connector strain relief apparatus is provided herein. The wire connector strain relief apparatus includes a body having a generally U-shaped cross-section, a first end, and a second end. The first end of the body is configured to receive a wire harness that includes one or more wires to be, or already, connected to an electrical connector. The second end of the body includes one or more structural features configured to engage with one or more structural features of an external surface of the electrical connector to attach to the electrical connector and minimize relative movement between the wire harness and the electrical connector.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a plurality of images is received. The plurality of images are frames of a video file. A user requests for a thumbnail picture representative of the plurality of images. The plurality of images are filtered to obtain a set of images. The filtering can be based on a blurriness of the image, whether an image is near a scene transition, an amount of text depicted in the image, or a color level of the image. Valence scores may be determined for one or more of the images in the set of images. Valence scores are based on determining values of characteristics of an image that can predict user responses to the image. A first image from the set of images is selected based at least in part on the valence score of the first image. The first image is sent for display.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a plurality of images is received. The plurality of images are frames of a video file. A user requests for a thumbnail picture representative of the plurality of images. The plurality of images are filtered to obtain a set of images. The filtering can be based on a blurriness of the image, whether an image is near a scene transition, an amount of text depicted in the image, or a color level of the image. Valence scores may be determined for one or more of the images in the set of images. Valence scores are based on determining values of characteristics of an image that can predict user responses to the image. A first image from the set of images is selected based at least in part on the valence score of the first image. The first image is sent for display.

Abstract: A block system includes a main block that has the lift and alignment devices positioned to overlie a longitudinal axis that intersects a center of gravity of the main block, and has a defined distance from the lift and alignment devices to a front surface of the main block. The block system further includes extended blocks that each has the lift and alignment devices positioned not to overlie a longitudinal axis that intersects a center of gravity of the extended block, but has the same defined distance from the lift and alignment devices to a front face of the extended block that exists on the main block. The recessed portions of the block may be larger than the lift and alignment devices, thereby allowing the blocks to be stacked in either a vertical wall or in a setback wall.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed that includes first transceiver circuitry adapted for transmitting and receiving Ethernet data over a network using a first Ethernet communication protocol at a first data rate, second transceiver circuitry adapted for transmitting and receiving Ethernet data over a network using a second Ethernet communication protocol at a second data rate; and third transceiver circuitry adapted for transmitting and receiving Ethernet data over a network using a third Ethernet communication protocol at a third data rate.

Abstract: Embodiments include a system for performing dispersion compensation on an electromagnetic signal received over a communication channel, the electromagnetic signal bearing information at a symbol rate. An interleaved analog to digital converter (“ADC”) block may be used, wherein the interleaved ADC block may be configured to generate a plurality of digitally sampled signals from the electromagnetic signal. An interleaved equalizer block may be configured to digitally process each of the digitally sampled signals generated by the ADC block to generate a plurality of digitally equalized signals. A multiplexer may be configured to aggregate the digitally equalized signals into a composite output signal.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed that includes first transceiver circuitry adapted for transmitting and receiving Ethernet data over a network using a first Ethernet communication protocol at a first data rate, second transceiver circuitry adapted for transmitting and receiving Ethernet data over a network using a second Ethernet communication protocol at a second data rate; and third transceiver circuitry adapted for transmitting and receiving Ethernet data over a network using a third Ethernet communication protocol at a third data rate.

Abstract: Embodiments include a system for performing dispersion compensation on an electromagnetic signal received over a communication channel, the electromagnetic signal bearing information at a symbol rate. An interleaved analog to digital converter (“ADC”) block may be used, wherein the interleaved ADC block may be configured to generate a plurality of digitally sampled signals from the electromagnetic signal. An interleaved equalizer block may be configured to digitally process each of the digitally sampled signals generated by the ADC block to generate a plurality of digitally equalized signals. A multiplexer may be configured to aggregate the digitally equalized signals into a composite output signal.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a joystick is disclosed. The joystick includes a control shaft having an operator handle and a base. A cardan joint is provided to pivotally mount the control shaft to the base. An actuating body is rigidly attached to the control shaft. Advantageously, a plurality of electrically non-contacting sensors is provided to sense the relative position of the shaft relative to the base. The sensors include a pair of spaced apart electrodes establishing an electrostatic capacity with each other, and a dielectric body being disposed between the electrode pair. Accordingly, as the control shaft pivots, the actuating body engages the dielectric body which moves the dielectric body relative to the electrode pair thereby modifying the capacitance of the sensor.