Abstract: A power converter includes a pair of series connected switches and circuitry. The circuitry includes another switch and an optocoupler that activates responsive to changes in current through one of the series connected switches exceeding a predefined threshold. Activation of the optocoupler causes the another switch to conduct and reduce a gate voltage of the one of the series connected switches to reduce the changes in current through the one of the series connected switches.

Abstract: A system for locating optical fiber includes a vehicle's computing device transmitting an acoustic signal and its location, an optical fiber transmitting light signals, an optical detector detecting reflected light due to the acoustic signal, and a server analyzing the reflected light to determine the fiber's location. A method involves receiving a reflected light signal at a computing device, analyzing its properties to identify an acoustic signal's properties, comparing these to a known audio signature emitted from a vehicle, and determining the fiber's location based on the identified vehicle's location. Another method includes a vehicle's computing device transmitting an acoustic signal, determining the vehicle's location, and transmitting this location to a server to determine the optical fiber's location based on the acoustic signal's properties.

Abstract: A deployment of radiologic beacons detect radiation levels for emitted radiation around a particular geographic area such as a town, city or campus environment. In a deployment of beacons for detecting and gathering radiological gamma-ray spectral data, each beacon periodically generates a set of values indicative of radiation at a particular energy level, and assembles a vector of the set of values ordered according to increasing energy levels. Each of the beacons transmits the vector as a stream or periodic sequence of data to a common aggregation location. Each beacon encodes the data according to a compression mechanism based on a Poisson distribution of the spectral data. A running average of the values for each energy level is maintained for the sequence of vectors, and encoding/decoding mechanisms are selected based on the average value to be encoded.

Abstract: An apparatus for communication, a system thereof, and methods of manufacture thereof are provided. The apparatus comprises a body and a printed circuit board (PCB) operatively coupled to the body. The PCB comprises a processing unit, a first communication module operatively coupled to the processing unit, and an array of assemblies. The first communication module is configured to communicate with a secondary communication module wirelessly. The array of assemblies comprises at least two rows and at least two columns. Each assembly comprises a switch and a light. The array of assemblies are operatively coupled to the processing unit. Each light is configured to change a state responsive to at least one of a change in state by the switch within the same assembly and a control signal from the first communication module.

Abstract: A method for providing multi-part persistent content includes requesting a content item from a content server, and receiving a first portion of a multi-part content item. The first portion of the multi-part content item is displayed to a user of the client device via a first application executed by the client device. The method also includes providing an authentication token and an identification of a state of execution of the multi-part content item to the content server, and subsequently requesting a second content item, the request comprising the authentication token. The method also includes receiving a second portion of the multi-part content item, the second portion of the multi-part content item displayed to the user of the client device via a different, second application executed by the client device. The second portion is selected by the content server based on the state of execution of the multi-part content item.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that include operations such as detecting a plurality of computing devices configured as a distributed ambient computing system, receiving a request to execute a computing task, obtaining, from the distributed ambient computing system, data representing a device context for at least two of the plurality of devices, generating a combined context corresponding to the distributed ambient computing system, the combined context representing a combination of the device context for the at least two devices, generating and providing at least one decision request based on the computing task and the combined context, receiving a response to the at least one decision request, and triggering execution of the computing task based on the response and the combined context.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, computer program product and computing system for: processing an unencoded data file to identify a plurality of file segments; mapping each of the plurality of file segments to a portion of a dictionary file to generate a plurality of mappings that each include a starting location and a length, thus generating a related encoded data file based, at least in part, upon the plurality of mappings; receiving a request to manipulate the unencoded data file; and processing the related encoded data file based, at least in part, upon the plurality of mappings and the dictionary file to generate a modified encoded data file that represents the requested manipulations of the unencoded data file.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system for pressurizing liquid hydrogen (LH2). The system has a pressure vessel for containing an initial quantity of LH2, with the pressure vessel containing an inlet orifice and an outlet orifice. A vaporizer is used which has an inlet and an outlet. A supply tube is used to couple the outlet orifice of the pressure vessel with the inlet of the vaporizer. A discharge tube couples the discharge outlet of the vaporizer with the inlet orifice of the pressure vessel. The vaporizer receives LH2 from the pressure vessel via the supply tube during a pressurization operation, warms the LH2 using an ambient environment, and discharges heated and pressurized H2 back to the pressure vessel through the supply tube.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing payment transactions using combination payment cards. The combination payment card is associated with an open-loop account and one or more closed-loop accounts. Transaction information is received from a point-of-sale device. At least one of the closed-loop and open-loop account is debited.

Abstract: A vehicle lift system includes a vehicle lift operable to lift a vehicle to be serviced by a technician. The vehicle lift includes lifting components for engaging and lifting the vehicle at liftable structures of the vehicle. Electrodes are positioned on the lifting components of the vehicle lift. The electrodes are operable to make electrical contact with the liftable structures of the vehicle when the lifting components engage the liftable structures. A voltage detector system is in electrical communication with the electrodes. The voltage detector system is operable to detect voltages at the electrodes capable of harming the technician. The voltage detector system is also operable to send a warning signal to the technician indicating that a harmful voltage has been detected on the electrodes when the electrodes make electrical contact with the liftable structures of the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to polyethylene-based compositions suitable for packaging applications, films, and articles. The polyethylene-based composition according to embodiments disclosed herein includes a polyethylene composition having a first polyethylene fraction and a second polyethylene fraction as well as a calcium salt of 1,2-cyclohexanedicarbodylic acid. The polyethylene-based composition can deliver a balance of properties, including barrier properties, for packaging applications.

Abstract: A battery grid is disclosed. The battery grid includes a pattern of grid wires. The pattern includes a grid wire having a first segment with a first corrosion resistance and a second segment with a second corrosion resistance which is less than the first corrosion resistance. The second segment corrodes at a rate which is faster than the corrosion rate of the first segment so as to dynamically release internal stress and control grid growth of the battery grid during its service life. A battery includes said grid and a method of forming said grid are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for performing assays on a solid phase to measure the level of analyte in a sample. Such a system may perform immunoassays using electrochemiluminescence (ECL) including a counterbalanced orbital shaking apparatus for assay consumables.

Abstract: A method of simulating physics in a virtual worlds system includes: instantiating a multi-user virtual environment; selecting a plurality of physics hosts from a plurality of client devices based on predefined selection criteria; obtaining a request to modify an object within the multi-user virtual environment; in response to obtaining the request to modify the object, providing the request to the plurality of hosts and instructions to determine a candidate subsequent state of the object; obtaining a plurality of candidate subsequent states of the object, including a respective candidate subsequent state from each of the plurality of physics hosts; determining a subsequent state of the object based on the plurality of candidate subsequent states of the object; and providing the subsequent state of the object to the plurality of client devices and instructions to update their versions of the multi-user virtual environment based on the subsequent state of the object.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing torque in a drill string includes a clamp assembly having a first clamp segment and a second clamp segment, the first and second clamp segments each being generally arcuate and configured to connect together so as to secure the clamp assembly around an oilfield tubular and prevent the clamp assembly from axial and rotational movement relative to the oilfield tubular. The first and second clamp segments each include a first extension and a second extension, each of the first and second extensions having a tapered end that decreases in outer diameter as proceeding in an axial direction, so as to provide a conical guide surface. An outer sleeve is positioned around the clamp assembly, is configured to rotate with respect to the oilfield tubular and the clamp assembly, and is prevented from axial movement relative thereto.

Abstract: Various implementations and configurations of a user configurable electric power distribution apparatus are possible and may comprise: an electrical input unit comprising an electrical plug, wherein the input unit may be pluggable into an existing electrical outlet and may conceal the electrical outlet; an electrical output unit comprising one or more electrical receptacles, wherein the output unit and the input unit are not conjoined, the output unit can be located on a surface when the input unit is plugged into an electrical outlet, and the output unit can be separated by a distance from the input unit; an electrical interconnect, which may be modular, attached to both the input unit and the output unit, wherein electrical power received by the electrical plug may be available at an electrical receptacle comprised by the output unit; an optional ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI); and an optional one or more USB power ports.

Abstract: A stator vane assembly includes a platform that defines an opening. The stator vane assembly further includes an airfoil segment that includes an airfoil and a boss. The airfoil includes a leading edge, a trailing edge, a suction side wall, and a pressure side wall. The airfoil extends radially between a base and a tip. The boss extends from at least one of the base or the tip of the airfoil. The boss is disposed in the opening of the platform. The stator vane assembly further includes a mechanical retention device that couples the platform to the boss of the airfoil segment.

Abstract: A cutting system includes knives attached to a continuously moving belt-type carrier. The carrier motion moves the knives past stationary counterknife fingers which are attached to or uniform with a cutterbar, as the cutting system is driven through a field of crop stalks, which are cut by the interaction between the knives and counterknives. One or more sensing devices produce signals or images related to the condition of the knives when the knives are moving past the sensing devices. A processing unit processes the signals or images and derives therefrom one or more parameters representative of the condition of the knives, and compares the parameters to a reference, to thereby monitor the condition. An agricultural implement such as a combine harvester, can be equipped with the cutting system.

Abstract: A back illuminated sensor is included as a collector component of a detector for use in intraoral and extraoral 2D and 3D dental radiography, digital tomosynthesis, photon-counting computed tomography, positron emission tomography (PET), and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). The disclosed imaging method includes one or more intraoral or extraoral emitters for emitting a low-dose gamma ray or x-ray beam through an examination area; and one or more intraoral or extraoral detectors for receiving the beam, each detector including a back illuminated sensor. Within the detector, the beam is converted into light and then focused and collected at a photocathode layer without passing through the wiring layer of the back illuminated sensor.

Abstract: A cable barrier assembly or system can include line posts extending along a barrier section. Cables can extend along the line posts. In addition, each line post can have a total number of cable retention features that is less than a total number of the cables. Each cable retention feature can include at least a partial loop that limits a range of radial motion of a cable extending through an eye of the partial loop, relative to an axis of the cable.