Abstract: A tong and method, in which the tong includes a first plate, and a gear that is rotatable relative to the first plate. The gear defines a slot laterally therethrough. An inner surface of the gear includes at least three cam surface. The tong also includes at least three jaws coupled to the first plate such that the at least three jaws are radially movable with respect to the first plate and are prevented from circumferential movement with respect thereto. The at least three jaws are engageable with the at least three cam surfaces such that rotation of the gear relative to the first plate causes the at least three jaws to move in a radial direction between an extended position and a retracted position.

Abstract: A control circuit dispatches towards a delivery zone a terrestrial vehicle that carries at least one airborne drone and at least one item to be delivered to a customer. When the terrestrial vehicle is in the delivery zone, the drone is dispatched to carry the item to the customer. By one approach the drone exits the terrestrial vehicle without bearing the item. The item can be automatically moved from within the terrestrial vehicle to a position such that the item is at least partially exposed external to the terrestrial vehicle. The airborne drone, subsequent to exiting the terrestrial vehicle, can engage the item in order to then deliver that item to the customer. By one approach the terrestrial vehicle includes one or more platforms that support one or more airborne drones and that can be moved from within the terrestrial vehicle to a deployed position external to the terrestrial vehicle.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to monitoring and using telemetry information in various ways. For example, a system that monitors telemetry information may include a user that gathers telemetry information of a device and transmits the information to a monitored room. A manager may join a monitored room and monitor the monitored room for particular types of telemetry information. In one example, a manager may determine whether a downstream device is experiencing a network problem, such as a low bitrate. A manager may also transmit commands to the player via the monitored room, which causes the downstream device to operate in accordance with the transmitted command. In one example, a manager may transmit a command that causes a player to decode a particular service.

Abstract: A power control system for a vehicle includes a precharge circuit that is configured to selectively couple a resistor across either a main or return contactor that are configured to selectively couple terminals of a battery to a load bus. The power control system includes a controller programmed to, in response to a precharge request in a presence of the main contactor being closed when commanded to open and the return contactor being open, couple the resistor across the return contactor to precharge the load bus.

Abstract: Methods and systems for conveying locale information for an electronic device includes receiving, from a remote device and via a network interface of at least one network interfaces, a request for active or available locales for the electronic device. Conveying the locale information also includes sending, to the remote device and via the network interface, a message in a locale profile format including a list of available locales. The message includes a version field that indicates a version of schema used to transmit the list of available locales, an active local field that indicates a locale currently being used by the electronic device, and an available locales field that indicates which locales are available for use by the electronic device.

Abstract: A vehicle includes at least one and/or one or more in-vehicle and/or onboard controller(s) that is/are coupled to spaced apart sensor groups that are arrayed within a headliner and/or seats of the vehicle cabin. Each sensor group generally corresponds to and/or with a plurality of and/or one or more seat positions, each having a single seat, and which include a driver zone seat position that has a driver seat. Each sensor group in the array includes at least one signal processor, and a plurality of transceivers, antennas, and/or sensors configured for and tuned to different electromagnetic frequencies and/or powers. Also included are electromagnetically active, directional waveguides that adjust, amplify, and/or attenuate the sensitivity of each of the respective antennas, to electromagnetic energy detected and received from mobile devices located in the vehicle cabin, such that the sensitivity is limited to electromagnetic emissions within a limited effective range for each antenna.

Abstract: Methods of generating video streams including advertisement information sufficient to support advertisement countdown times and other functions such as advertisement auto pause functions are described. In accordance with various embodiments, advertisement duration is determined from one or more messages included in a video stream, e.g., prior to the corresponding advertising segment. A countdown timer is generated from the advertisement information and displayed along with the content of the advertisement segment. Restrictions for different subscribers may be indicated in the advertisement information messages, e.g., with some end users being permitted to fast forward or skip advertisements with other users being required to allow the full normal playback of one or more advertisement segments. The auto pause function, when activated, pauses an ad segment or set of ad segments at a predetermined time before output of the main program resumes thereby making sure none of the main program is missed.

Abstract: Suture anchors and associated methods are disclosed having suture securing features able to lock suture ends extending from a body tissue, such as from a bone tunnel.

Abstract: Provided herein are controlled access data storage systems including a plurality of data storage units housed in a support enclosure; a port multiplier for providing data access to the plurality of data storage units; and a power control module for providing programmatic activation of one or more of the plurality of data storage units according to a time-based schedule, wherein the programmatic activation schedule operates independently of data transfer operations accessing one or more of the plurality of data storage units.

Abstract: A method for installing a pivoting tower assembly is disclosed. The method involves mounting at least one electrical component onto a pivoting pole of the pivoting tower assembly, while the pivoting tower assembly is in an assembly position having the pivoting pole oriented horizontally and parallel to the ground, connecting an electrical wire from the at least one electrical component to a wire harness permitting the electrical wire to travel inside the pivoting pole, and pivoting the pivoting pole, about an axis parallel to the ground, from the assembly position into an erect, vertical position with the at least one mounted electrical component.

Abstract: A method may include accessing a terminal branch of an ophthalmic artery through a face of a subject. Additionally, the method may include positioning a device within the ophthalmic artery of the subject and treating at least one of a blockage, a stenosis, a lesion, plaque or other physiology in at least one of the ophthalmic artery or a junction between an internal carotid artery and the ophthalmic artery.

Abstract: A method of monitoring an attachment between a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle includes determining that a first attachment element on the towed vehicle is not coupled to a second attachment element on the towing vehicle, receiving an indication that the towing vehicle is moving, and activating at least one of a towing vehicle brake system, a visual alert system, and an audible alert system.

Abstract: A method of determining battery power capability may include: determining a circuit model for a battery, including a first resistance (r1) in series with a second resistance (r2) and a capacitance (C) in parallel; setting upper and lower limits for r1, r2 and C based on a battery temperature a battery state of charge or both; applying an EKF to determine r1, r2 and C within the set upper and lower limits; and outputting the battery power capability based on r1, r2 and C. The upper and lower limits may be adjusted based on the age of the battery.

Abstract: Reinforcing bars include load transfer connectors. A link plate includes openings that mate with the load transfer connectors to overlie the splice between reinforcing bars being spliced. A cover plate may be fastened over the link plate.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to a method and system of determining an overall sentiment of a facility. A computing system receives a video stream, including a plurality of frames, of one or more patrons in a facility over a first time period. The video stream includes data indicative of a sentiment of each of the one or more patrons. The computing system parses the plurality of frames to determine the sentiment of the patron based at least on audio and visual cues of the patron captured in the video stream during the first time period. The computing system aggregates one or more sentiments corresponding to the one or more patrons in a data set indicative of an overall sentiment of the facility. The computing system generates a sentiment value corresponding to the overall sentiment of the facility. The computing system outputs the overall sentiment of the facility.

Abstract: A filtration system for use in connection with a central vacuum system in a hospital or other medical facility. In certain aspects, the filtration system comprises a removable filter for removing contaminants; a fitting adapted for connection to a central vacuum source/system which provides constant suction, which fitting is positioned between the filter and the central vacuum source; a flow control valve positioned between the filter and the fitting; wherein the relative positions of the fitting, flow valve and filter prevent contaminants from being discharged into the central vacuum system. In other aspects, the system provides variable filter life based upon variable flow.

Abstract: Spackling or caulking devices using cartridges for applying spackling or caulking to one or more surfaces or objects and methods of using the same.

Abstract: A downhole drilling system is disclosed. The downhole drilling system may include a pulse-generating circuit electrically coupled to a power source to provide power at a frequency, the pulse-generating circuit comprising an input stage tank circuit electrically coupled to the power source, the input stage tank circuit configured to have a resonant frequency approximately equal to the frequency; a series tank circuit electromagnetically coupled to the input stage tank circuit, the series tank circuit configured to have a resonant frequency approximately equal to the frequency; and an output stage tank circuit electromagnetically coupled to the series tank circuit, the output stage tank circuit configured to have a resonant frequency approximately equal to the frequency; and a drill bit including a first electrode and a second electrode electrically coupled to the output stage tank circuit to receive an electric pulse from the pulse-generating circuit.