Abstract: A vehicle includes a body, a pair of front gas springs coupling a pair of front wheel end assemblies to the body, and a pair of rear gas springs coupling a pair of rear wheel end assemblies to the body. At least one of the rear gas springs includes a cylinder, a rod extending within the cylinder and movable relative to the cylinder, the rod and the cylinder together at least partially defining a chamber having a variable volume and receiving a first pressurized gas therein, and an accumulator in communication with the chamber and containing a second pressurized gas therein. The second pressurized gas within the accumulator is held at a threshold pressure creating a first spring rate when the first pressurized gas is below the threshold pressure and a second spring rate when the first pressurized gas is above the threshold pressure.

Abstract: A method for estimating human body temperature includes receiving, via a thermal camera, a thermal image captured of a real-world environment, the thermal image including thermal intensity values for each of a plurality of pixels of the thermal image. A position of a human face is identified within the thermal image, the human face corresponding to a human subject. An indication of a distance between the human subject and the thermal camera is received. Based on the distance, a distance correction factor is applied to one or more thermal intensity values of one or more pixels corresponding to the human face to give one or more distance-corrected thermal intensity values. Based on the one or more distance-corrected thermal intensity values an indication of a body temperature of the human subject is reported.

Abstract: There is included a method and apparatus comprising computer code configured to cause a processor or processors to perform obtaining video data, creating, based on the video data, a timed metadata track indicating a segment bandwidth and comprising information of a plurality of aligned segments of a media adaptation set such that duration information and size information of each of the aligned segments is included in at least one metadata sample, switching to one of a plurality of representations of the video data based whether the timed metadata track indicates at least an overflow to an input buffer per each of the plurality of representations, and delivering the one of the plurality of representations to a client.

Abstract: Methods and systems are discussed for location-based guidance based on interior conditions at a plurality of locations. For example, the system may receive, from a user device of a user, a user request to access a first service. The system may retrieve a plurality of locations that provide the first service. The system may retrieve an average density for respective first queuing areas at each of the plurality of locations at a first time interval, wherein the respective first queuing areas correspond to respective portions at each of the plurality of locations reserved for queuing users for the first service. The system may determine whether the average density for the respective first queuing areas at each of the plurality of locations at the first time interval exceeds a threshold average density.

Abstract: A remotely controlled cutting tool for safely cutting electrified cables using a remote control and a method of setting up and operating the remotely controlled cutting tool and remote control.

Abstract: A sensor system includes a camera including a lens, a casing extending around the lens, at least three heating elements embedded in the casing and arranged circumferentially around the lens, and a computer communicatively coupled to the camera and to the heating elements. The computer is programmed to, upon detecting ice at a location on the lens, select a first subset of the heating elements based on the location of the ice; activate the first subset of the heating elements to a first heating level; determine a second heating level based on an ambient temperature and a lens temperature; and activate a second subset of the heating elements to the second heating level, the second subset including the heating elements not in the first subset.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing network application programming interface (“API”), and, more particularly, API to provide network metrics and network resource control to users. In some embodiments, a computing system might receive customer network telemetry data from a first network via a gateway API, might receive service provider network telemetry data from a second network(s) via a network API, might compile the customer network telemetry data and the service provider network telemetry data, might receive a request from a user to access information regarding network services associated with the user, might filter the compiled customer network telemetry data and the compiled service provider network telemetry data to isolate first telemetry data and second telemetry data, respectively, might provide the user with access to at least one of the first telemetry data or the second telemetry data, and might provide the user with options to control network resources.

Abstract: An acoustic apparatus and method for using a combination of low-frequency and high-frequency vibration of dried food, grain being an example, such that there are a large number of collisions among the individual grain particles for destroying microorganisms that reside on the surface or just below the surface of the grain, are described. Embodiments of the invention permit bulk and continuous processing of the food. It is expected that such collisions do not produce any chemical changes in the food, nor should it have any adverse effects on the taste thereof. Embodiments of the apparatus are applicable to destruction of airborne microorganisms.

Abstract: In aspects of selectable response options displayed based-on device grip position, a wireless device has a display screen to display an incoming notification associated with a device application, and actionable responses are associated with the incoming notification. The wireless device implements a grip detection module to detect a device grip position of a user grip holding the wireless device. The wireless device also implements a notification control module to determine the actionable responses of the incoming notification. The notification control module can also initiate to display selectable response options corresponding to the actionable responses associated with the incoming notification, where the selectable response options are displayable along a display edge of the display screen proximate the device grip position.

Abstract: A battery characterization system includes a drive-sense circuit (DSC), memory that stores operational instructions, and processing module(s) operably coupled to the DSC and the memory. Based on a reference signal, the DSC generates a charge signal, which includes an AC (alternating current) component, and provides the charge signal to a terminal of a battery via a single line and simultaneously to senses the charge signal via the single line to detect an electrical characteristic of the battery based on a response of the battery. The DSC generates a digital signal representative of the electrical characteristic of the battery. The processing module(s), based on the operational instructions, generate the reference signal to include a frequency sweep of the AC component of the charge signal (e.g.

Abstract: A prior art powered wrist pin knocker is improved with a new plunger that prevents wobbling. The new plunger responds to a return vacuum pressure. The improved plunger is symmetrical along a longitudinal axis. New embodiments include a new side mount valve head to reduce length, a remote air controller and a variable length cylinder for the cannon. The new valve head is a simplified valve head assembly that adapts to an end of the cannon mount or a side mount or a remote mount. Another embodiment provides a stand for a surface mount application. This embodiment can have an extended piston for loosening tail bearings down a long channel. A manual return embodiment can use a rod to manually return the plunger to the proximal end for another firing cycle.

Abstract: A method for forming a silicon nitride film that may be carbon doped via a plasma ALD process includes introducing a substrate into a reactor, which is heated to up to about 600° C. At least one silicon precursor as defined herein and having one or two Si—C—Si linkages is introduced to form a chemisorbed film on the substrate. The reactor is then purged of any unconsumed precursors and/or reaction by-products with a suitable inert gas. A plasma comprising nitrogen is introduced into the reactor to react with the chemisorbed film to form the silicon nitride film that may be carbon doped. The reactor is again purged of any reaction by-products with a suitable inert gas. The steps are repeated as necessary to bring the deposited silicon nitride film that may be carbon doped to a predetermined thickness.

Abstract: A center console for a motor vehicle, having a base portion and an armrest arranged on the base portion in a backrest position and which has a support face for an arm. In order to provide an adequate storage surface for the driver of a motor vehicle, there is provision for the armrest to have a pivot element which has an upper side which at least partially forms the support face in the backrest position and which can be pivoted forward with respect to the base portion about a front pivot axis which extends in the transverse vehicle direction into a storage position, in which a lower side of the pivot element forms a storage surface.

Abstract: A process for the selective dimerization and etherification of isoolefins, including feeding a mixed C4 stream and an oxygenate stream to a first fixed bed reactor containing a first catalyst, producing a first reactor effluent comprising dimers of the isoolefin, unreacted C4s, and unreacted oxygenates. Feeding the first reactor effluent directly to a second fixed bed reactor containing a second catalyst, producing a second reactor effluent containing dimers of the isoolefin, unreacted C4s, and unreacted oxygenates. Feeding the second reactor effluent to a catalytic distillation reactor system containing a third catalyst. Concurrently in the catalyst distillation reactor system reacting unreacted C4s in the presence of the third catalyst to form additional dimers of the isoolefin and/or ethers, and separating the dimers of the isoolefins from unreacted oxygenates and unreacted C4s.

Abstract: According to one example, an underground container system includes a container fixedly positioned underground and anchored to a concrete structure that is also fixedly positioned underground. The container includes a bottom, one or more sidewalls coupled to and extending upward from the bottom to form an internal chamber of the container, a lid coupled to at least one of the sidewalls, and an electronic lock configured to lock and unlock the lid. The internal chamber is configured to receive and hold one or more articles of mail and/or one or more packages. The lid is configured to move to an open position and to a closed position. The lid includes an exterior surface that is positioned at a height that is at least substantially flush with a ground surface when the lid is in the closed position. The concrete structure covers an exterior surface of the bottom of the container and further covers at least a portion of an exterior surface of each of the one or more sidewalls.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to connector ports with shutters configured to inhibit dust intrusion by including peripheral regions that oppose undercut portions of the connector port when the shutter is closed. The present disclosure also relates to fiber optic connectors having latching configurations with double latches for retaining the fiber optic connectors in connector ports. The present disclosure also relates to a fiber optic connector including a plurality of stacked fiber carrier modules. The present disclosure also relates to a fiber optic connector including a connector body and a rear connector piece that is secured to the connector body by a snap-fit connection. The rear connector piece can be configured for attachment to a fiber optic cable. The rear connector piece can be secured to the connector body by a snap-fit connection. The rear connector piece can have a snap-fit interface compatible with a number of different styles or types of connector bodies to promote manufacturing efficiency.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for video decoding are disclosed. The apparatus decodes prediction information of a current block from a coded video bitstream. The prediction information indicates an intra block copy mode. The current block is one of a plurality of coding blocks in a current region of a current coding tree block (CTB) in a current picture. The apparatus determines whether the current block is to be reconstructed first in the current region. When the current block is to be reconstructed first in the current region, the apparatus determines a block vector for the current block where a reference block indicated by the block vector is in a search range in the current picture that excludes a collocated region in a previously reconstructed CTB. A position of the collocated region in the previously reconstructed CTB has a same relative position as the current region in the current CTB.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing error detection in a network, and, more particularly, to methods, systems, and apparatuses for implementing error and/or fault detection in a network and/or media stream and providing options to address the error and/or fault in the network and/or media stream. In various embodiments, a computer might detect an error in a first network and send a notification indicating that the error has occurred. The notification might contain one or more options to address the error in the first network. The computer, a user device, a service provider device, or a content provider device might receive and display the notification containing the one or more options. The computer, the user device, the service provider device, or the content provider device might then select at least one of the one or more options to address the error in the first network.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that are directed to generating video sequences including physio-realistic avatars. In examples, an albedo for an avatar is received, a sub-surface skin color associated with the albedo is modified based on physiological data associated with physiologic characteristic, and an avatar based on the albedo and the modified sub-surface skin color is rendered. The rendered avatar may then be synthesized in a frame of video. In some examples, a video including the synthesized avatar may be used to train a machine learning model to detect a physiological characteristic. The machine learning model may receive a plurality of video segments, where one or more of the video segments includes a synthetic physio-realistic avatar generated with the physiological characteristic. The machine learning model may be trained using the plurality of video segments. The trained model may be provided to a requesting entity.

Abstract: A healthcare financial payment system and method are disclosed in which a debit card which may be used by a cardholder to pay for medical products and services is linked with a healthcare-related financial account associated with the cardholder as well as with a non-healthcare-related financial account belonging to the cardholder. The healthcare-related financial account associated with the cardholder may be a Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), a Health Savings Account (HSA), or a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA), and the non-healthcare-related financial account associated with the cardholder may be a bank checking or savings account or a credit card.