Abstract: Systems and methods for providing rewards to a user are provided. Providing rewards to the user may include receiving transaction data associated with a user's purchase, determining a merchant and a category associated with the transaction data, and assigning the transaction data to a merchant icon or a badge icon in a graphical user interface. The merchant icon or the badge icon may comprise a progress bar that indicates the user's progress in reaching a milestone associated with the icon. Based on the transaction data, a number of loyalty points of a number of transaction points may be assigned to the merchant icon or the badge icon, respectively. Further, based on whether a total number of loyalty points exceeds a first threshold or a total number of transaction points exceeds a second threshold, a reward may be generated to the user when the first or second threshold is exceeded.

Abstract: A retention bracket configured for use with a latch mechanism including a laterally extending housing. The retention bracket includes a first wall, a second wall, a collar, and a deformable section. The first and second walls are longitudinally offset from one another and are structured to receive the housing therebetween. The collar extends longitudinally outward from one of the walls and defines an opening having an effective diameter. The deformable section has a natural state in which the effective diameter is a first diameter, and a deformed state in which the effective diameter is a second diameter greater than the first diameter.

Abstract: A housing and an endcap may provide a water-resistant enclosure for an emergency lighting component. An upper side of the housing may include a curved surface extending above a vertical side of the housing. The vertical side may include an inclined surface and an extended edge that provide a first concave opening below the curved surface. A base side of the housing may include a curved surface extending partially below the vertical side. The vertical side may include an additional extended edge and a curved surface that provide a second concave opening where the vertical side joins the base side. The endcap may include a rim that overlaps a portion of the housing. The first or second concave openings may receive fasteners to attach the endcap. Mounting brackets may attach to the first or second concave openings, such as to attach the housing to a surface.

Abstract: System and methods for displaying one or more assets on a client device based on device characteristics are provided. Code is transmitted to a client device. The code, when executed by the client device, causes a processor of the client device to determine a first device characteristic of the client device. A first layout may be selected based on the first device characteristic. The layout may include one or more cards. Each card may correspond to one or more assets. Each card may be modified based on a corresponding card characteristic. One or more assets may be requested. The assets may be displayed on the first client device. The code may be transmitted to another client device, which may select a different layout based on a different device characteristic.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for controlling intra prediction for decoding of a video sequence are provided. The method includes, based on a reference line index signaling, to a decoder, a first reference line nearest to a coding unit, among a plurality of reference lines adjacent to the coding unit, applying intra smoothing on only the first reference line, based on the intra smoothing being applied only on the first reference line, applying intra prediction on the coding unit, and based on the intra prediction being applied on the coding unit, applying a position-dependent intra prediction combination (PDPC) on only the first reference line.

Abstract: Aspects described herein relate to a base station for providing air-to-ground wireless communication over various altitudes. The base station includes a first antenna array comprising one or more antennas configured to form a first cell coverage area extending substantially from a horizon up to a first elevation angle away from the first antenna array to a predetermined distance from the first antenna array. The base station further includes a second antenna array configured at an uptilt elevation angle to form a second cell coverage area extending at least from the first elevation angle to a second elevation away from the second antenna array, wherein the first cell coverage area and the second cell coverage area are concentric to define the ATG cell at least to the predetermined distance and up to a predetermined elevation.

Abstract: A hair clipper having a battery and motor therein is removably engageable with a cutting blade assembly. The cutting blade assembly is formed of a body with a fixed cutting blade thereon which is in a biased translating engagement with an oscillating blade. An eccentric engaged to the motor powers the oscillating blade to cut hair. A light may be included to illuminate the skin of a user and may be projected in a wavelength to kill pathogens or to encourage skin regrowth.

Abstract: A cable guide device, including a cable with one end attached to an unwinding/rewinding device, another end having structure for accepting applied force, with cable therebetween guided by a cable guide, wherein as force is applied to the cable, the cable guide causes redirection of the applied force eliminating cable binding as cable is rewound. One embodiment is a trunnion-sheave winch-apparatus for object recovery, including: a trunnion-sheave of a pair of sheaves with cable inserted therebetween, one cable end attached to a winch drum with a hook attached to its other end for connection to an object being recovered, wherein as the object is recovered the force applied to the cable is redirected by the trunnion-sheave causing said cable to be maintained at a minimum of 90° contact with the pair of sheaves regardless of the angle of force being applied to the cable causing elimination of cable binding.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to embodiments of a device and method for inspecting and detecting characteristics of tubing and devices attached to tubing. More particularly, embodiments of a device and method are disclosed for inspecting a number of tube walls surrounding an innermost tube wall. In embodiments, an inspection device may induce an eddy current in surrounding tube walls by producing an electromagnetic field, wherein the induced eddy current may be recorded and analyzed for aberrations. Eddy currents may be produced by a sensor array comprising a hybrid magnetic matrix core capable of inducing an electromagnetic field at a high saturation point while maintaining good linearity. The eddy current decay and diffusion in the tube walls may be recorded, specifically recording voltage in embodiments, which may produce a function of the tube thickness and electromagnetic properties (e.g. metal conductivity and magnetic permeability) and the configurations of tubes.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: storing, in a data storage device associated with the vehicle, data defining a plurality of modes, wherein the data includes for each mode of the plurality of modes a mode type, at least one vehicle maneuver, and control parameters associated with the at least one vehicle maneuver; dynamically updating, by a processor, at least one of the mode type, the at least one vehicle maneuver, and the control parameters for at least one of the plurality of modes based on user input; and controlling the vehicle based on the dynamically updated mode.

Abstract: A system for assisting in aligning a vehicle for hitching with a trailer includes a vehicle steering system, a detection system outputting a signal including object position information of an area to a rear of the vehicle, and a controller. The controller receiving the object position data and identifying a targeted trailer and at least one additional object within the area to the rear of the vehicle and controlling the vehicle steering system to maneuver the vehicle during reversing to align a hitch ball mounted on the vehicle to a coupler of the targeted trailer. Upon aligning the hitch ball with the coupler, the controller presents an indication, if it is determined that the at least one additional object is within a threshold distance of a side of the targeted trailer.

Abstract: A system combining a setting tool and a frac plug into one assembly thus producing a much shorter and more reliable assembly. More specifically, a downhole assembly comprising a plug section, which itself comprises a top sub, a bottom sub, a slip, and an elastomeric element. The downhole assembly further comprises a power section comprising a body comprising a power charge and one or more ignitors, a firing head, a shearing pin, and a setting tool piston. Additionally, the downhole assembly comprises a check valve, wherein the check valve is positioned downhole from the power charge and inside the setting tool piston; a mandrel comprising a hydraulic chamber and a ball, wherein the mandrel is positioned inside and adjacent to the setting tool piston and the top sub; and a dog.

Abstract: This document describes techniques and systems that enable a visual indicator for paused radar gestures. The techniques and systems use a radar field to enable an electronic device to accurately determine radar gestures, or other movement, by a user. Further, the electronic device can determine certain conditions that can make it difficult for the electronic device to properly determine the user's radar gestures. When the device includes an application that can be controlled using radar gestures (a radar-gesture application), and the conditions are present, the device can enter a gesture-paused mode. When the device enters this mode, the techniques provide a gesture-paused feedback element on a display, which lets the user know that there is at least one radar-gesture application available or running on the electronic device but that radar gestures cannot presently be used to control the application.

Abstract: A wearable multifunction device or earpiece or a pair of earpieces includes one or more processors, at least one microphone coupled to the one or more processors, a biometric sensor coupled to the one or more processors, and a memory coupled to the one or more processors, the memory having computer instructions causing the one or more processors to perform the operations of sensing a remaining battery life and based on the sensing, prioritizing one or more of the functions of always on recording, biometric measuring, biometric recording, sound pressure level measuring, voice activity detection, key word detection, key word analysis, personal audio assistant functions, transmission of data to a tethered phone, transmission of data to a server, transmission of data to a cloud device.

Abstract: A method of upcycling polymers to useful hydrocarbon materials. A catalyst with nanoparticles on a substrate selectively docks and cleaves longer hydrocarbon chains over shorter hydrocarbon chains. The nanoparticles exhibit an edge to facet ratio to provide for more interactions with the facets.

Abstract: The specification provides an assay electrode including a composite containing a matrix and a multiplicity of graphene particles dispersed therein.

Abstract: A heat transfer device includes three plates sandwiched together to form a vapor chamber or similar device. The three plates may be sealingly joined at a closed periphery to define a closed volume that contains a working fluid. One or more of the three plates may include structure to support capillary or other working fluid flow in the closed volume, e.g., a center plate may include openings and/or other structure to permit working fluid flow through and/or along the plate. An outer one of the plates may include an opening through which working fluid may be introduced into the closed volume. After filling with working fluid, the plates may be sealingly joined at one or more joints that extend chordwise across the closed periphery, e.g., so a portion of the plate that defines the opening can be removed from the device.

Abstract: An assembly includes a base having an inlet and an outlet. The assembly includes a deflector supported by the base rearward of the inlet. The assembly includes a sensor supported by the base and in fluid communication with the outlet. The base defines a channel extending between a first end and a second end, the inlet at the first end and the deflector at the second end. The outlet is forward of the deflector and outside the channel.

Abstract: The present invention includes a business intelligence system that scrapes data from various available WAN resources to aggregate captured data that supplies intelligence concerning contract activities, contract events, and social commentary concerning the same.