Abstract: An apparatus for protecting an electronics module used in a borehole includes a borehole string section having at least one pocket is formed and a mount associated with the at least one pocket. The mount may include a housing, a lid, a biasing member, and a securing member. The housing receives the electronics module and is seated on a seating surface, which may be formed on the at least one pocket or the mount. The lid encloses the housing within the at least one pocket. The biasing member is in operative contact with the housing. The securing member secures the lid within the at least one pocket and compresses the lid, the housing and the biasing member in the pocket. The biasing member responsively urges the housing against the seating surface and the housing hermetically seals the electronic module.

Abstract: Provided are devices and methods capable of electronically controlling and varying aperture diameters or diffracting light. The method provides a solid-state device made up of a transparent bottom electrode (TBE), a layer of liquid crystal (LC) material overlying the TBE, and a field of selectively engageable transparent top electrodes (TTEs). Light incident to the TTEs is accepted and a voltage differential between one or more selected TTEs and the TBE. As a result, an optically transparent region is created in the LC material interposed between the selected TTEs and the TBE. Depending on the arrangement of the TTEs and their size respective to the wavelength of the incident light, the light is either transmitted through an aperture or diffracted.

Abstract: A visor for use in a vehicle is disclosed. The visor comprises a pivot rod and a carrier arranged over the pivot rod. The visor also comprises a first and second shell being engagable to form a visor body and a vanity arranged therein. The visor also comprises a light base secured to the second shell and a circuit board engaging the light base. The visor also comprises a light emitting diode secured to a surface of the circuit board.

Abstract: Methods of scavenging acid in a lithium-ion electrochemical cell are provided. An electrolyte solution that contains an acid or is capable of forming the acid is contacted with a polymer comprising a nitrogen-containing acid-trapping moiety selected from the group consisting of: an amine group, a pyridine group, and combinations thereof. The nitrogen-containing acid-trapping moiety scavenges acidic species present in the electrolyte solution by participating in a Lewis acid-base neutralization reaction. The electrolyte solution comprises a lithium salt and one or more solvents and is contained in the electrochemical cell that further comprises a first electrode, a second electrode having an opposite polarity from the first electrode, and a porous separator. Lithium ions can be cycled through the separator and electrolyte solution from the first electrode to the second electrode, where acid generated during the cycling is scavenged by the polymer comprising a nitrogen-containing acid-trapping moiety.

Abstract: An apparatus may control the power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load, and may comprise a controllably conductive device. The apparatus may also comprise a controller that may be operatively coupled to a control input of the controllably conductive device. The apparatus may also include a first wireless communication circuit operable to communicate via a first protocol and to join a first wireless communication network operable to communicate via the first protocol. The first wireless communication circuit may be in communication with the controller. The controller may be operative to determine a first condition for communicating via the first protocol. The controller may also be operable to control the first wireless communication circuit to join the first wireless communication network upon the first condition being satisfied.

Abstract: A route from a current location of a portable device to a destination is determined, where the route includes a sequence of directed sections. Navigation instructions to guide a user of the portable device along the route to the destination are generated. To this end, candidate navigation landmarks perceptible within a 360-degree range of the current location of the portable device are identified, a navigation landmark disposed in a direction substantially opposite to the direction of the first one in the sequence of directed sections is selected from among the candidate navigation landmarks, and an initial instruction in the navigation instructions is generated and provided via a user interface of the portable device. The initial instruction references the selected navigation landmark.

Abstract: A system for measuring the reflectivity of a painted object includes an electromagnetic wave source that emits an electromagnetic wave, a panel that holds the painted object, with the panel being movable to adjust an incident angle of the electromagnetic wave onto the panel, a reflector to receive and direct electromagnetic waves that are reflected by the painted object towards the reflector, a detector to detect an intensity of electromagnetic waves, and a control unit. The control unit is communicatively connected to the panel and to the detector. The control unit determines the incident angle of the electromagnetic wave, receives the intensity of the electromagnetic wave detected by the detector, and determines the reflectivity of the painted object as a function of the intensity of the electromagnetic wave detected by the detector over a predetermined range of incident angle values.

Abstract: A stereo camera device with tilted fields of view is provided, which includes a pair of camera devices located such that respective fields of view (FOVs) of the pair of camera devices are tilted away from each other, and at least partially overlapping in a common working FOV. The device further includes a processor which receives respective images from each of the pair of camera devices, combines respective portions of the respective images corresponding to the common working FOV into stereo images.

Abstract: Methods for treating or preventing age-related cognitive impairment in an adult human are disclosed. One method comprises administering to an adult human having, or at risk of having, impaired cognitive function a dietetic food, medical food, or food supplement. The food or food supplement comprises a rumenic acid-rich conjugated linoleic acid (RAR-CLA), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester, mono-, di-, or triglyceride, metabolic precursor thereof, or mixture thereof, in an amount effective to enhance cognitive function in the human. The RAR-CLA comprises cis-9, trans-11 linoleic acid and trans-10, cis-12 linoleic acid isomers in a weight ratio of at least 2:1. Enrichment of a dietetic food, medical food, or food supplement with RAR-CLA can help to improve cognitive function. The impact is particularly evident in aging adult males, as indicated by their improved scores in the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test.

Abstract: A system and method that provides a rule based randomized media content management system. The system includes a database that stores media content that is associated with category metadata that identifies content of the media content with corresponding categories. Moreover, a programming rules engine generates a list of approved media content based on business rules and a predictive rules engine generates media content selection characteristics based on media display device data and media consumption data associated with the viewer. Furthermore, a media content playlist engine is provided that generates a media content playlist by applying the generated media content selection characteristics to the list of approved media content to select media content, such that the resource consumption by the media display device is minimized by selecting media content that is targeted to the viewer of the media display device according to one or more business rules.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for displaying a strategy, pertaining to a business opportunity, during a conversation with a user. Initially, a question is received from a user. Upon receiving, a set of keywords from the question is extracted based on natural language processing techniques. Subsequently, an answer to the question is displayed along with metadata associated to the answer. The metadata is displayed based on a demographic profile of the user. Further, the user is nudged with a set of predefined questions based on the demographic profile and the set of keywords. Furthermore, a set of responses received against the set of predefined questions is analyzed to identify a business opportunity. The set of responses is analyzed based on the set of keywords and the demographic profile. In addition, a strategy pertaining to the business opportunity is displayed based on the question, the set of responses, and the demographic profile.

Abstract: A guide for sucker rods comprises a cylindrical shape including an orifice for the sucker rod and four protrusions extending outwardly therefrom. The guide utilizes a symmetrical two-piece design wherein each piece comprises a semi-cylindrical shape, with one full protrusion extending the length of the guide and two half protrusions extending half the length of the guide and also beyond the semi-cylindrical profile. These two pieces are attached to each other by means of an interference fit between two pairs of interlock surfaces, one pair of which is located on the inner surface of the portion of the half-protrusions extending beyond the semi-cylindrical profile, and the other pair of which is located on the outer surface of the guide on the opposite side from the two half protrusions. Epoxy is injected into grooves along the internal surface of the cylindrical shape by means of ports extending through the rod guide.

Abstract: An electrified axle system includes a pair of wheels, a super positioning torque vectoring differential coupled between the wheels, and a controller. The super positioning torque vectoring differential includes a traction motor and a vectoring motor. The controller operates the vectoring motor in speed control mode to reduce a speed difference between the wheels responsive to the difference exceeding a threshold, and operates the vectoring motor in torque control mode responsive to the difference falling within a target range and an accelerator pedal position achieving a value that depends on lateral acceleration associated with the system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring extraction height and volume of material extracted for a mining machine. The method includes operating the machine using a shearing motion at a plurality of cut locations. The method includes receiving boom height data and power consumption data. The method includes determining a cut start time. The method includes determining whether a relocation has occurred. The method includes, when the relocation has occurred: determining a cut end time. The method includes storing, in a memory, the cut start and end time, and the boom height and power consumption data. The method includes adjusting the operation of the mining machine based on the cut start and end time, and the boom height and power consumption data for at least one of the cut locations.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product to troubleshoot a problem with a device are provided herein. According to the method, based on a symptom associated with the device, a first solution is transmitted to a first troubleshooting system. A second solution is transmitted to a second troubleshooting system while tracking the troubleshooting session from the first troubleshooting system. A list of solutions associated with the symptom is automatically updated based on percentage success rates for the solution.

Abstract: Disclosed is a security and alarm system. When sensors detect something of note, they alert a master unit which in turn captures pertinent information (e.g., an image or sound) and places a mobile-telephone call to deliver the alert and the captured information. The recipient of the call (for example, an owner of the system or a security service) evaluates the information and takes appropriate action such as alerting a local police department. Some embodiments offer two-way service: In addition to delivering alerts, the system responds to calls from an authorized user requesting current information. Two-way communications allow some embodiments to deliver “Breach of Peace” alerts to users. In one scenario, a public security service sends out a warning within a geographical area that the peace has been breached. The system receives the warning and alerts its user to the situation. The user then takes appropriate action.

Abstract: A chin rest includes a body having opposing sides, a front, a back, a top having a top surface, and a bottom having a bottom surface. The top further defines a top plane between a front and back of the top, and the bottom defines a bottom plane between a front of the bottom and a back of the bottom. The top plane and bottom plane form an angle so that the chin rest can comfortable sit between a user's chin and the user's chest, with the user's chin resting on the top surface, and the bottom surface engaged against the user's upper chest. The user's head can be comfortably supported while the user is seated, allowing the user to relax muscles in the neck and avoid strain and other issues normally associated with resting without support in a seated position.

Abstract: A fast-attaching, self-aligning, easily adaptable and tool-less firearm adapter. The novel adapter attaches to the barrel of a firearm while precisely aligning the barrel and adapter using a concentric constriction sleeve along the barrel and a longitudinal compression barrel guide at the muzzle. The device is adapted to attach to a wide range of barrel diameters via an easy to fit and inexpensive to manufacture fitment sleeve. Thus, the adapter can be manufactured in a single size and work with most firearms. In addition, the device attaches to the smooth section of barrel thereby eliminating the need for permanently modifying a firearm by threading the barrel.

Abstract: A head-mounted display device includes a first reflective polarizer having a first optical surface and a second optical surface that is opposite to the first optical surface. The first optical surface of the first reflective polarizer is curved, and the first reflective polarizer is configured to reflect light having a first polarization. The head-mounted display device also includes a first electronic display configured to project toward the first reflective polarizer a light pattern. At least a portion of the light pattern is reflected by the first reflective polarizer. Also disclosed is a method, which includes directing a light pattern from the first electronic display toward the first reflective polarizer and reflecting at least a portion of the light pattern toward an eye of a user.

Abstract: An example embodiment may involve receiving an indication of media content selected by way of a first client device. The indication may specify that the media content has been flagged for audible playout at a later time (such as when the client device or its user is in an automobile). The example embodiment may further involve receiving a request to stream the audio file to a second client device. The second client device may be associated with the first client device. The example embodiment may further involve causing the audio file to be streamed to the second client device.