Abstract: At least some aspects of the present disclosure feature systems and methods for note recognition. The note recognition system includes a sensor, a note recognition module, and a note extraction module. The sensor is configured to capture a visual representation of a scene having one or more notes. The note recognition module is coupled to the sensor. The note recognition module is configured to receive the captured visual representation and determine a general boundary of a note from the captured visual representation. The note extraction module is configured to extract content of the note from the captured visual representation based on the determined general boundary of the note.

Abstract: Hybrid signage capable of self illumination and having an active backlight. The signage includes a turning film having a structured surface for redirecting light in order to passively illuminate a printed graphic or shaped sign when the backlight is off. In the shaped sign, the shape provides the content, such as letters, to be conveyed to the viewer instead of a graphic. The signage can be actively illuminated when the backlight is on to supplemental the passive illumination.

Abstract: A digitizer system including a substrate having a position-unique photoluminescent indicia pattern. A stylus component receives optical signals indicative of the indicia pattern and determines therefrom the position of the stylus relative to the substrate. Methods of disposing indicia on the substrate, and styli suitable for sensing photoluminescent indicia are also described.

Abstract: A system and method for valving on a sample processing device. The system can include a valve chamber, a process chamber, and a valve septum located between the valve chamber and the process chamber. The system can further include a fluid pathway in fluid communication with an inlet of the valve chamber, wherein the fluid pathway is configured to inhibit a liquid from entering the valve chamber and collecting adjacent the valve septum when the valve septum is in a closed configuration. The method can include rotating the sample processing device to exert a first force on the liquid that is insufficient to move the liquid into the valve chamber; forming an opening in the valve septum; and rotating the sample processing device to exert a second force on the liquid to move the liquid into the valve chamber.

Abstract: Inorganic pigment compositions comprising surface-modified nanoparticles are described, along with methods of making such compositions. Such compositions may allow the inorganic pigment to be diluted to a significant extent with non-pigmented extenders, while preserving or enhancing the coloring power of the pigment.

Abstract: An optical stack (400) having a plurality of alternating polymeric layers (401, 402) is described. The alternating layers may be alternating birefringent (syndiotactic polystyrene, sPS) and isotropic (CoPENa) layers, or alternating positively and negatively birefringent layers. Birefringent layers are made using polymers which form optically symmetrical crystallites upon stretching of the polymer. The optical stack has a large refractive index difference in the x-direction (the stretching direction) and small refractive index differences in the y- and z-directions (the non-stretching directions). The optical stack can be made using standard film tentering methods and may be a multilayer reflective polarizer.

Abstract: A head suspension includes a headband portion having a length and two transition arms. Each transition arm is coupled to the headband portion and extends away from the headband portion length at an angle greater than zero degrees. Each transition arm has a distal end and a pivot at the distal end. The pivot characterized by a pivot point and a rear support portion is pivotally connected to each pivot.

Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a filter replacement kit that includes a filter cartridge. The filter cartridge includes a filter body, a filter media disposed within the filter body, a neck portion having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, and a cartridge engagement mechanism on the neck portion for engaging a manifold assembly. The cartridge engagement mechanism includes at least one filter engagement surface. The filter replacement kit also includes compatibility indicia indicating that the filter cartridge is compatible with at least one appliance. The at least one appliance includes the manifold assembly including a manifold engagement mechanism having a manifold engagement surface with first and second horizontal portions, and an angled portion disposed between and joining the first horizontal portion to the second horizontal portion, wherein the filter engagement surface is non-congruent to the manifold engagement surface.

Abstract: A metered dose valve for use in a pressurized metered dose dispenser for dispensing a metered dose of an aerosol formulation comprising particles of a medicament suspended in liquefied propellant, optionally in combination with one or more excipients, the valve comprising a metering chamber and at least one porous, fluid permeable, particulate semi-permeable body, the at least one porous body being positioned within a region of the interior conduit of the valve, for example within the metering chamber, or a pre-metering chamber and/or an internal channel upstream of the metering chamber.

Abstract: A disposable, zero-heat-flux, deep tissue temperature probe is constructed using a support assembly with multiple sections folded together or separated into strata during assembly of the probe. The sections support elements of the probe, including thermal sensors and a thermal resistor between the thermal sensors. Optionally, one of the sections supports a heater.

Abstract: A low temperature curable epoxy tape is provided that can be useful as a semi-structural adhesive tape in the automotive, aerospace, and electronics industries to form metal-to-metal and metal-to-plastic bonds. The provided epoxy tape includes a curative layer. The curative layer includes a scrim, a binder layer at least partially enclosing the scrim, and a latent curative dispersed in the binder layer. The curative layer is coated and then dried of solvent. Then an epoxy layer is laminated to a top and a bottom of the curative layer. The epoxy tape is placed between two parts being bonded together and then heated to temperatures of bottom up to about 110° C. to activate and disperse the active curative. A semi-structural bond is formed. Also, a method of making the epoxy tape is provided.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a plurality of electrical cable terminations for mating with a corresponding plurality of contact pins and a planar insulative connector body. Each of the electrical cable terminations includes a tubular housing, an inner housing, and at least one electrical contact. The tubular housing is of electrically conductive material and has inner walls defining an opening and first and second opposed open ends. The inner housing is of electrically insulating material and is inserted into the tubular housing from at least one of the open ends thereof. The inner housing comprises at least one inner space configured to receive an electrical contact in a fixed relative position. The electrical contact is positioned in the inner housing and configured to be connected to an electrical cable. The planar insulative connector body has an upper surface and an opposing lower surface. The upper and lower surfaces are defined by a front edge, a back edge, and two longitudinal side edges.

Abstract: An ear tip is adapted to deliver sound to an ear canal. The ear tip includes a first section, a second section and a third section. The first section is connectable to a sound-transmitting device. The second section has a first end, a second end and walls defining a bulbous section. The first end is connected to and in open communication with the first section. The second end is connected to and in open communication with the third section. The third section includes walls defining a flume and an outlet port adapted for open communication with the ear canal. The outlet port has a maximum outer diameter of about 11 millimeters. In a relaxed state, a ratio of a maximum outer diameter of the second section to a maximum diameter of the third section is between about 1.25 and about 2.5.

Abstract: Polarizing beam splitter plates and systems incorporating such beam splitter plates are described. The polarizing beam splitter plate includes a first substrate and a multilayer optical film reflective polarizer that is disposed on the first substrate. The polarizing beam splitter plate includes a first outermost major surface and an opposing second outermost major surface that makes an angle of less than about 20 degrees with the first outermost major surface. The polarizing beam splitter plate is adapted to reflect an imaged light received from an imager towards a viewer or screen with the reflected imaged light having an effective pixel resolution of less than 12 microns.

Abstract: A method of stencil printing includes printing a layer of non-sag adhesive onto a first substrate, adding topography to the layer of non-sag adhesive, and contacting the layer of non-sag adhesive with a second substrate. The second substrate initially contacts only about 5% or less of exposed surface area of the layer of non-sag adhesive.

Abstract: A manually operable dispenser for dispensing disposable earplugs. The dispenser includes a housing, an index body, and a plate. The housing forms an opening for receiving earplugs from a container. The index body includes a handle and a hub. The hub forms an upper major face, a lower major face, and a plurality of circumferentially arranged bores. Each of the bores is open to the major faces and is defined by a wall surface extending through a thickness of the hub. At least a portion of the wall surface of each of the bores has an anti-bonding construction. The hub is rotatably mounted within the housing. The plate is connected to the housing, and forms a dispensing aperture. A manually-applied rotational force at the handle selectively aligns respective ones of the bores with the dispensing aperture. The anti-bonding construction promotes sliding, low friction interface with individual earplugs.

Abstract: Melt-processable compositions having silicone-containing polymeric process additives and synergists.

Abstract: Described are melt-processable compositions having silicone-containing polymeric process additives and hindered-amine light stabilizers.