Abstract: A surgical system comprising a steering tool and a powered tool. The steering tool includes a shaft defining a bore with a bendable section, an inelastic cable, and an elastic cable. The elastic cable may be arcuately spaced from the inelastic cable. The powered tool comprising a tube assembly with a tube flexible section, a working head, and a motor. The tube assembly is configured to be removably disposed through the shaft such that the tube flexible section is seated within the bore of the bendable section of the steering tool. The elastic cable is configured to be placed in tension, and the inelastic cable causes the shaft bendable section and the tube flexible section to bend towards the inelastic cable while the inelastic cable and the elastic cable remaining in tension to resist radial loading on the working head. Methods for using the surgical system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A sutureless device and methods for closing a tissue opening that minimizes the labor, cost, and skill typically required is disclosed. The apparatus comprises two anchors that attach to either side of an open tissue wound. The two anchors are connected together by a tie strip; the tie strip has a plurality of teeth and a rack. As the wound edges and anchors are brought together the ratchet system on the tie strip prevents the anchors and tissue wound from reopening. To control the distance between the two anchors, a rack and pinion system and a key or a lever system is utilized. The rack is located on the tie strip and the pinion is located on the key.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for decentralized authentication for autonomous vehicles and associated transactions. Example system includes a secure distributed network of servers including a biometrics server configured to authenticate a user using biometric data and generate a biometrics server authentication token when the user is authenticated, a transactional server configured to perform the transaction for the user upon receiving the biometrics server authentication token, the transactional server being further configured to generate a transactional server authentication token when the transaction is approved, and a mobility service server configured to receive both the biometrics server authentication token and the transactional server authentication token and provide access to the mobility service.

Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle having an electric power steering system includes generating a plurality of possible routes. Each of the plurality of possible routes that require a steering torque that is within an available torque range is identified as a system compliant route. Each of the plurality of possible routes that require an angular position of an electric motor of the electric power steering system at all time indices throughout that route that are within an available motor position range are also identified as a system compliant route. One of the identified system compliant routes is selected based on at least one selection criteria, and designated as an active route. The electric power steering system is then controlled to maneuver the vehicle along the active route. The electric power steering system is monitored as the vehicle moves along the active route to identify degradation of its capabilities.

Abstract: The present invention provides polymer ammunition, ammunition cartridge, ammunition case, and portions thereof having traditional and non-traditional cartridge shapes or profiles.

Abstract: According to examples, an apparatus may include a security enclosure, a main processor housed in the security enclosure, and a physical security monitoring control unit (PSMCU) processor housed in the security enclosure. The PSMCU processor may cause the apparatus to switchably operate between a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, the PSMCU processor may allow access by the main processor to a first cryptographic key while preventing access by the main processor to a second cryptographic key. In addition, in the second mode, the PSMCU processor may allow access by the main processor to the second cryptographic key while preventing access by the main processor to the first cryptographic key.

Abstract: A scope cover can include a flexible fabric shell, a strap coupled to the flexible fabric shell that can secure the flexible fabric shell to the scope. An area of the interior surface of the flexible fabric shell can minimize or eliminate scratching of the objected lens of the scope. A method of minimizing abrasion to a scratch-sensitive surface of the scope is also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides polymer ammunition having a generally cylindrical neck having a projectile aperture at a first end, a shoulder comprising a shoulder top connected to the generally cylindrical neck opposite a shoulder bottom, a nose junction positioned around the shoulder bottom, a skirt connected circumferentially about the nose junction to extend away from the shoulder bottom, wherein the nose junction and the skirt are adapted to mate to a base junction in a cartridge.

Abstract: A wood stove monitoring and control device can include a mounting flange mountable to a chimney exhaust pipe of a wood stove. The device can include a ring removably mountable on top of the mounting flange, where the flange is suitably positioned vertically along the exhaust pipe so that the ring is positioned at least partially above an end of the exhaust pipe. The device includes an optical beam source disposed on the ring, and which generates and outputs an optical beam. The device includes an optical sensor positioned on the ring opposite the optical beam source to detect the optical beam output by the optical beam source as the optical beam passes through smoke exhausted by the wood stove through the exhaust pipe. The device can include a temperature probe disposed on the ring to measure a temperature of heat exhausted by the wood stove through the exhaust pipe.

Abstract: A lightweight, inexpensive LADAR sensor incorporating 3-D focal plane arrays is adapted specifically for modular manufacture and rapid field configurability and provisioning. The sensor generates, at high speed, 3-D image maps and object data at short to medium ranges. The techniques and structures described may be used to extend the range of long range systems as well, though the focus is on compact, short to medium range ladar sensors suitable for use in multi-sensor television production systems and 3-D graphics capture and moviemaking. 3-D focal plane arrays are used in a variety of physical configurations to provide useful new capabilities.

Abstract: A hollow core optical fiber and cable combination is configured to exhibit minimal SNR and loss degradation. This is achieved by either: (1) reducing the coupling between the fundamental and other (unwanted) modes propagating within the hollow core fiber, or (2) increasing the propagation loss along the alternative. The first approach may be achieved by designing the cable to minimize perturbations and/or designing the hollow core fiber to fully separate the fundamental mode from the unwanted modes so as to reduce coupling into the unwanted modes. Whether through fiber design or cable design, the amount of light coupled into unwanted modes is reduced to acceptable levels. The second approach may be realized through either fiber design and/or cable design to suppress the light in unwanted modes so that an acceptably low level of light is coupled back into the fundamental mode.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a computing device is provided, including non-volatile memory storing a database including a plurality of database entries. The computing device may further include a processor configured to sort the plurality of database entries into a plurality of database entry length sets. For each database entry length set, each database entry included in the database entry length set may be within a predefined length range. For each database entry length set, the processor may be further configured to generate a probabilistic data structure based on the one or more database entries included in the database entry length set.

Abstract: A lens for distribution of light from a light emitter having an emitter axis. The lens comprising an inner surface and an output surface with faceted and smooth outer regions. At least one of the faceted outer regions is formed by a plurality of pairs of transverse outer regions extending in direction of a plane of bilateral symmetry of the lens. The inner surface defines an inner cavity about the emitter axis and has inner-surface stepwise discontinuities formed by a plurality of pairs of transverse inner regions with intersection regions therebetween. The lens may also have at least two secondary surface portions spaced apart and extending along two sides of the inner surface, the secondary surface portions being configured for total internal reflection (TIR) of light received from the inner surface.

Abstract: The new headphone design shrinks a directional audio system down to a headphone system. It can have 3 design variants such as a planar array configuration, mini sound dome configuration and parabolic reflector configuration. The new headphone design is a open ear directional speaker headphone design that beams private audio that only the headphone user can hear. This invention is a directional headphone system that separates the speakers a distance away from the user ears. The speakers can be placed either pointed vertically or horizontally away from the ear. The sound is emitted and reflected and bounced back into the user's ears to eliminate the need for ear plugins or ear pads that can be hot and sweaty and uncomfortable with prolong use. The directional audio headphone eliminates the need for earpads on the ear or earbuds in the ear. This private audio “open ear” design will enable the user to still hear external situation noise (e.g. cars driving by, people talking, etc.) while still listening to audio.

Abstract: A position-determining apparatus, such as a GPS receiver, determines the position of the mobile device based on the time of flight of a transmitted probe signal using a method in which sections of the received signal is classified into two or more categories and accumulated according to categories before being used to compute the correlations familiar in the context of a matched filter. Using the method of the present invention to compute the correlations, and optionally applying additional time-saving techniques described herein, a position determination is achieved using arithmetic operations that are significantly reduced from that required in prior art methods to compute the correlations. The reduced number of arithmetic operations can reduce significantly the power consumption required of a device carrying out a method of the present invention, and thereby realizing a significant advantage.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive pad, generally planar in shape for placement underneath a mattress or cushion, capable of outputting a spectrum of signals depending on the pressure applied on the pad, comprising a plurality of sensitive zones, each zone being connected to a respective controller, configured to measure the pressure on each zone. The pressure sensitive pad comprising two electrically conductive layers; a variable conductive foam layer between the two conductive layers; and a non-conductive layer comprising a plurality of holes, disposed between a first of the two electrically conductive layers and the conductive foam layer. A system operable with the pad calibrates to detect absence and presence of a person for a range of mattress types and mattress weights and person weights; and determines a relative weight and position of the person while the person is on the mattress.

Abstract: An activity management system is configured to allow users to access multimedia content where the multimedia content is divided into segments. While a user is viewing or interacting with the multimedia content, the user can submit one or more activities (e.g., comments, questions, replies, or reactions) using an interface. The system is operable to electronically link the activity provided by the user with the particular segment of multimedia content in which the activity was captured by the system. The system is also configured to throttle the number of activities that are displayed to a user for any given segment based on (1) viewers linked to the user (e.g., groups, social media groups, etc.), (2) viewers that influence the user, (3) viewers selected by the user, (4) viewers that cause the user to be engaged with the multimedia content, and (5) a threshold number of activities set by the viewer or the system.

Abstract: Nonwoven materials having at least one layer are provided, as well as their use in cleaning articles. More particularly, the nonwoven materials can include a rough outer surface useful for scrubbing purposes. Alternatively or additionally, the nonwoven materials can include a carrier composition including a binder and a blocking agent. The carrier composition can repel a sanitizing agent, such as a quaternary ammonium compound, from the surface of the nonwoven material.

Abstract: A firearm mounting plate assembly is provided. The firearm mounting plate assembly includes a firearm slide with a first side, a second side, and a top side. A recess defined by a first slide wall, a second slide wall, and a recess base surface is disposed on the firearm slide top side. The recess includes a rib, a slot, and a ejector projection. Adjacent to the recess is a catch. The firearm mounting plate assembly includes a mounting plate with a top surface, a bottom surface, a front side, and a rear side. An ejector notch and a channel is disposed along the bottom surface. The mounting plate includes a stud, one or more bosses, and an anchor. The mounting plate is configured to secure within the recess of the firearm slide.

Abstract: A method of lamp assembly that etching a glass tube body to increase a texture of the surface of the sidewall of the glass tube body, the sidewall of the glass tube body enclosing a hollow interior; and positioning a circuit board including a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) within the hollow interior of the glass tube, wherein the increase in the texture of the surface increases the light diffusivity of the glass tube body.