Abstract: Systems and methods described herein relate to the manufacture of optical elements and optical systems. An example method includes overlaying a first mask on a photoresist material and a substrate, and causing a light source to illuminate the photoresist material through the first mask during a first exposure so as to define a first feature. During the first exposure, the light source is positioned at a non-normal angle with respect to a plane parallel to the substrate. The method includes developing the photoresist material so as to retain an elongate portion of the photoresist material on the substrate. A first end of the elongate portion includes an angled portion that is sloped at an angle with respect to a long axis of the elongate portion. The method also includes depositing a reflective material through a second mask onto the angled portion.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, system, and computer-readable medium are provided for enhancing the quality of content. A determination may be made that a portion of the content received using a base feed or bitrate completed early. In response to that determination, an attempt may be made to download that portion of the content using a differential bitrate or feed corresponding to a higher quality. Another determination may be made whether the differential bitrate or feed download completed early, and if so, then the differential bitrate or feed may be used as a new base bitrate or feed for downloading additional portions of the content. The differential bitrate or feed download may also provide for a secondary playback of the content at higher quality.

Abstract: A multi-panel video wall and system is disclosed having a computer with a memory or access to a public or private cloud containing a video file and a processor for executing the video file and a plurality of video display screens interconnected to one another and to the computer via wired or wireless transmission, each of the plurality of video display screens configured to work together to display a video content generated from the video file that extends across all of the plurality of video display screens. Upon user interaction or detection of a user, one or more of the plurality of video display screens seamlessly transitions away from the video content to display a separate video content for interaction with the user.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide devices, systems and methods for monitoring anti-corrosion efforts including the efficacy of cathodic protection systems. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide devices, systems and methods for remote cell cathodic protection (CP) survey data acquisition to sense, display, and record CP survey voltage potential measurements as well as global positioning system and navigation data. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide improvements in terms reduced noise and improved signal quality through the use of copper conductors that connect electrochemical reference cells (i.e., electrodes) to measuring apparatus. Further, improved signal detection is provided by embodiments including reference electrodes that may be placed further (e.g., up to 1000 feet) from a surface vessel than are found in conventional system. Disclosed embodiments also provide highly precise spatial mapping of CP potentials (e.g., to within 0.

Abstract: A method of controlling a power supply electrically coupled to a dimmer and a light source includes receiving a plurality of sample values corresponding to dimmer levels, comparing a sample value of the plurality of sample values with one or more inflection points, the one or more inflection points being associated with a plurality of slew-rates, identifying a particular slew-rate among the plurality of slew-rates based on the comparison, and generating a control signal based on the particular slew-rate for transmission to the power supply.

Abstract: Aspects described herein relate to wireless communications. According to some aspects, a first base station may coordinate with a second base station to select beamforming codewords. The first base station may receive an index indicating beamforming codewords used by a second base station. The first base station may select a beamforming codeword for use in transmitting signals to a wireless device based on the beamforming codeword indicated by the second base station.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a process for producing an aliphatic sulfonyl azide anhydride and the resultant aliphatic sulfonyl azide anhydride composition. The process includes: (i) thio-acetoxylating an alkenyl carboxylic acid anhydride to form a thioacetate anhydride intermediate, (ii) oxy chlorinating the thioacetate anhydride intermediate to form a sulfonyl chlorideanhydride intermediate; and (iii) azidizing the sulfonyl chloride anhydride intermediate to form an aliphatic sulfonyl azide anhydride.

Abstract: A pipe connector for connecting pipes that includes an elongate tubular body having an outer diameter, a sleeve disposed over the elongate tubular body, and a first wire ring. The elongate tubular body that has a groove formed on the outer diameter. The sleeve has a groove formed on an inner diameter that is spaced from a first end of the sleeve and is aligned with the groove of the elongate tubular member. The first wire ring is disposed within the groove of the elongate tubular body and within the groove of the sleeve such that the sleeve is coupled to the elongate tubular body by the first wire ring.

Abstract: A technique for performing data deduplication operates at sub-block granularity by searching a deduplication database for a match between a candidate sub-block of a candidate block and a target sub-block of a previously-stored target block. When a match is found, the technique identifies a duplicate range shared between the candidate block and the target block and effects persistent storage of the duplicate range by configuring mapping metadata of the candidate block so that it points to the duplicate range in the target block.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring corrosion rate of an equipment material are provided. A system may comprise a corrosion probe body for insertion within an interior of the equipment through which corrodant fluid flows. At least one sensor on the corrosion probe body includes an ultrasonic source configured to provide an ultrasonic signal into the probe body material, and a receiver configured to receive reflections of the ultrasonic signal from the probe body material and generate electrical response signals indicative of the travel time of the ultrasonic signal. A heat exchanger may be placed in fluid communication with the probe body to deliver heated or cooled fluids to the probe body. A processor is configured to process the electrical response signals and produce corresponding corrosion data.

Abstract: An information flow control device has: a first network interface card on a transmission side, the first network interface card including first and second transceivers, each of the first and second transceivers having a transmit port and a receive port; and a second network interface card on a receiving side, the second network interface card including at least one receive port. A first data connection segment connects the first transceiver transmit port to the second transceiver receive port, a second data connection segment connects the second transceiver transmit port to the first transceiver receive port, and a third data connection segment connects the first transceiver transmit port to the receive port of the second network interface card. Interconnection of the first and second transceivers provides continuity while connection of the first transceiver transmit port and the receive port of the second network interface card enables hardware-enforced one-way data transfer.

Abstract: A bidirectional stitching wheel may be able to conform to peaks and valleys of green rubber while building a tire. The bidirectional stitching wheel may include an inner ring including a stitcher rotation axis. The inner ring may be rotatable in a first stitcher rotational direction about the stitcher rotation axis. The inner ring may also be rotatable in a second stitcher rotational direction about the stitcher rotation axis. A flexible outer ring may be radially spaced from the inner ring. A flexible intermediate layer may be disposed between the inner ring and the outer ring. The flexible intermediate layer may be substantially equally deformable during rotation of the inner ring in both the first stitcher rotational direction and the second stitcher rotational direction.

Abstract: A computerized method for generating a time-limited number for use in a payment card transaction involving a payment card issued by a financial institution. The payment card comprises an original payment card number. A first plurality of digits of the original payment card number is provided to a processor. The first plurality of digits are predetermined digits associated to the financial institution. A desired expiration date through which the time-limited number is valid for acceptance in the payment card transaction is provided to the processor. A program is executed by the processor to set a first plurality of digits in the time-limited number to the first plurality of digits in the original payment card number, generate a first number corresponding to the desired expiration date, set a second plurality of digits in the time-limited number to the first number, and output the time-limited number.

Abstract: A vehicle powertrain includes a direct-current (DC)-DC power converter and a controller. The DC-DC power converter includes first, second, and third legs in parallel, wherein the first leg is configured to carry a first DC current substantially equal to a sum of DC currents of the second and third legs. The controller may be configured to modulate switches of the first leg at a frequency greater than at least twice that of the second and third legs.

Abstract: An apparatus for decoding and rendering or otherwise processing, manipulating, or outputting a variety of digital data is provided. The apparatus may include a browser engine configured to receive first encoded digital data. The apparatus may include a browser extension configured to intercept the first encoded digital data transmitted in response to a first request from the browser engine. The browser extension may be configured to intercept a first decoder written in a platform-independent syntax for decoding at least a portion of the first encoded digital data. The browser extension may be configured to point the browser engine to one or more local storage locations of the first encoded digital data and the first decoder.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are described for enterprise access control governance in a computerized information technology (IT) architecture. A server generates a first vector space, each node in the first space representing a user of resources in the IT architecture and including attributes of the user. The server generates a second vector space, each node in the second space representing an entitlement to access resources in the IT architecture and including attributes of the entitlement. The server creates an entitlement utility matrix by mapping nodes in the first space to nodes in the second space. The server determines a set of recommended entitlements for a plurality of users based upon the utility matrix. The server determines a discrepancy between the set of recommended entitlements for a first user and a set of existing entitlements for the first user and adjusts the set of existing entitlements based upon the discrepancy.

Abstract: A fluid injection device (10) for injecting a dispensible fluid material (28), e.g., a liquid sealant, into refrigerant lines of an operating air conditioning or refrigeration system or the like, includes a tube (12) having at its outlet end a fluid outlet valve (18) is closed by a valved plug (24) to provide therebetween an airlock chamber (42) containing a dried inert gas which prevents reaction, e.g., polymerization, of any liquid sealant which has leaked past the fluid outlet valve (18) prior to use of the device. The device (10) is used by removing the valve plug (24) just prior to use and connecting the outlet valve (18) to a low pressure zone of the system and then connecting an inlet closure member (14) to a high pressure zone of the system while the system is in operation. A method of making the device includes displacing air from the device with the inert gas and then introducing the material 18 into the tube.

Abstract: A flippable toilet footrest has a first foot platform on a first side, the first foot platform having a toilet contour; a second foot platform on a second side, the second foot platform having a toilet contour; wherein in a first position, the first foot platform has a first height, and in a second position, the second foot platform has a second height. Therefore, a user may adjust the height of the footrest by flipping the footrest from one foot platform to the other.

Abstract: An in-wall power adapter configured to control the application of power to a load is described. The in-wall power adapter may comprise a first plurality of contact elements accessible on at least one outer surface of the in-wall power adapter, the first plurality of contact elements comprising a first contact element configured to receive a power signal and a second contact element configured to receive a neutral signal; an outlet configured to receive the power signal and the neutral signal; and a recess for receiving a control attachment; wherein the recess comprises a second plurality of contact elements configured to provide the power signal and the neutral signal to the control attachment.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are described herein for an auxiliary heat exchange system for use in scientific sampling. In one aspect, a heat exchange system may include at least one first conduit housed in an external casing, that is removably attachable to a heat/cooling system of a vehicle. Another conduit, such as a tracer tube, may be positioned proximate to the first conduit and housed in the external casing for at least a partial length of the first conduit. The tracer conduit may include a first end that is removably attachable to a gas collection device and a second end removably attachable to a measuring device. The first conduit may be configured to carry heated liquid from the heating/cooling system of the vehicle to maintain at least a threshold temperature of gas samples in the tracer conduit to prevent or reduce the formation of condensates in the tracer conduit.