Abstract: The fretboard system provides a replaceable fretboard with customized placement of frets along the fretboard for a stringed instrument. A configuration of magnets on the neck of the stringed instrument secure the fretboard to the stringed instrument. The magnets attract a metallic underside, such as a sheet metal, of the detachable fretboard. A separating layer, including but not limited to a layer of wood or other composite material, separates the magnets from the sheet metal. At least one, preferably two or more, reinforcing members extend longitudinally along the neck of the stringed instrument to reinforce the neck.

Abstract: A well tool assembly can include a well screen configured to filter fluid flow between an interior and an exterior of a tubular string, and an outflow control section that permits the fluid flow in an outward direction and prevents the fluid flow in an inward direction, the outflow control section including at least two outflow control valves arranged in series. A method can include installing a well tool assembly including a well screen, flowing a fluid from an exterior to an interior of a tubular string through the well screen and an inflow control valve of the well tool assembly, and flowing another fluid from the interior to the exterior of the tubular string through the well screen and at least one outflow control valve of the well tool assembly.

Abstract: An in-ear stimulator for administering thermal stimulation to the ear canal of a subject includes (a) an earpiece configured to be insertable into the ear canal of said subject, the earpiece having an outer surface and an internal cavity formed therein, the internal cavity having an inner surface; and (b) at least one thermoelectric device thermally coupled to the earpiece internal cavity inner surface.

Abstract: An occupancy sensor is provided for detecting the occupancy status of a wheeled mobility device securement system. The occupancy sensor may additionally confirm adequate “tightness” of the wheeled mobility device securement system and/or provide an indication of the magnitude of “tightness.” In one embodiment, the occupancy sensor comprises a spring-loaded follower that breaks the straight-line path of a wheeled mobility device tie down as it travels between two touch points. The follower is displaceable from an extended position to a compressed position in response to the magnitude of tension applied to the tie down. Proximity sensors are used to detect the displacement distance of the follower, thereby providing an indication of occupancy, adequate securement, and/or the magnitude of tension.

Abstract: Various components for artificial candles and other lighting devices are described that can be used to create a realistic flame effect in the devices. The devices include a flame element that extends upwardly from a housing. A light source can be disposed with respect to the flame element such that the flame element is illuminated. A variety of drive mechanisms could be disposed within the body of the device that can cause movement of the flame element with respect to the housing. The flame element can be coupled to a housing or mounting bracket of the device using various components to suspend the flame element within the housing.

Abstract: A method, system, or device for hydration monitoring using trend analysis. The method may include measuring a physiological measurement of an individual with a sensor to obtain trend data correlating to a hydration level of the individual. The method may include removing an abnormal shift or an abnormal change from the trend data. The method may include removing abnormal shifts and changes from the raw trend data. The method may include identifying a trend parameter for the trend data, the trend parameter indicating a change in the hydration level of the body. The method may include determining a reference value for the trend parameter. The method may include identifying a change in the trend data for the trend parameter, the change in the trend data indicating a change in the hydration level of the individual.

Abstract: In general, the subject matter can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products for identifying, by a computing system and using first and second frames of a video, a transformation that indicates movement of a camera with respect to the frames. The computing system generates a modified transformation so that the transformation is less representative of recent movement. The computing system uses the transformation and the modified transformation to generate a second transformation. The computing system identifies an anticipated distortion that would be present in a stabilized version of the second frame. The computing system determines an amount by which to reduce a stabilizing effect. The computing system applies the second transformation to the second frame to stabilize the second frame, where the stabilizing effect has been reduced based on the determined amount by which to reduce the stabilizing effect.

Abstract: A fabric closure, and enclosure, are provided for cargo containers, including a fabric panel formed of high-strength yarns, and a pair of selectively closeable openings formed in the fabric panel for access therethrough, the selectively closeable openings having a substantially vertical opening, and a slide fastener for closure thereof.

Abstract: An aerosol-generating system may include a liquid storage portion, a vaporizer, and a pump. The liquid storage portion may be configured to store a liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The vaporizer may be configured to volatilize the liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The pump may be configured to pump air into the liquid storage portion so as to push out a volume of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the liquid storage portion and to supply the volume of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate to the vaporizer. A method for generating an aerosol may be performed with the system.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting hidden encoding of text strings, such as Internet web-domain addresses or email addresses, using optical character recognition (OCR) techniques. In some embodiments, a first set of digital data having a first string of text character codes are converted into an image. Optical character recognition (OCR) is applied to the image to generate a second set of digital data having a second string of text character codes based on detection of the image. The first string of text character codes are compared to the second string of text character codes to detect the presence or absence of hidden codes in the first set of digital data. In some cases, a smoothing function such as Gaussian blurring is applied to degrade the image prior to the application of OCR.

Abstract: A kiosk for selling frozen confections such as shaved ice or ice cream may include with a liquid-topping dispenser assembly having liquid-dispensing faucets which are operable by a customer outside the kiosk to dispense liquid toppings onto the frozen confections.

Abstract: Systems and methods for manufacturing and inserting a pre-determined number of material-filled pouches into containers are disclosed. A system includes a pouch providing system comprising a plurality of lanes, wherein each one of the plurality of lanes includes a pouch making machine and a hold-back structure. The system also includes a conveyor system structured and arranged to move a plurality of containers into alignment with the plurality of lanes. The system further includes a controller structured and arranged to control the hold-back structure in each one of the plurality of lanes such that the pre-determined pouches are inserted into the plurality of containers when the plurality of containers are aligned with the plurality of lanes.

Abstract: A three dimensional truck or SUV cab marker light apparatus comprising a container having a right circular cylinder structure with a shape determined by the number of walls used during assembly, each wall being formed from a generally flat sheet of a rigid material and a transparent material, the walls being assembled to form a container enclosing an interior region for a light-transmission source and having a lower surface for attachment to a cab roof without drilling holes into the cab roof and without installing wires through the cab roof.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a system performs an emergency stop when a speed planning optimization fails to generate a speed curve. In one embodiment, in response to an emergency stop request, the system generates one or more path-time analytical curves, where each of the one or more path-time curves is represented by a polynomial function. The system selects one of the path-time analytical curves to determine whether the selected path-time analytical curve satisfies a set of evaluation criteria. If the selected path-time analytical curve does not satisfy the set of evaluation criteria, the system selects a next one of the path-time analytical curves for evaluation. If the selected path-time analytical curve satisfies the set of evaluation criteria, the system generates a trajectory based on the selected path-time analytical curve to control the ADV during an emergency stop.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for displaying a blood pressure monitoring instrument reading along with inaccuracy values that vary over apparatus life and according to current operating conditions are disclosed. These inaccuracy values account for variability under different operating environments, over time and number of device measurement cycles, and across the range of possible instrument reading conditions. Determination of inaccuracy values may be based both on apparatus history and measurement under the current operating condition. Methods can further include informing a user of confidence in the instrument's current measurements based on the instrument's measurements and inaccuracy.