Abstract: A method of partitioning a video coding block for JVET, comprising representing a JVET coding tree unit as a root node in a quadtree plus binary tree (QTBT) structure that can have a quadtree branching from the root node and binary trees branching from each of the quadtree's leaf nodes using asymmetric binary partitioning to split a coding unit represented by a quadtree leaf node into two child nodes of unequal size, representing the two child nodes as leaf nodes in a binary tree branching from the quadtree leaf node and coding the child nodes represented by leaf nodes of the binary tree with JVET, wherein weighted angular coding unit prediction is employed and wherein post-coding unit prediction filtering can be avoided or unbiased to increase coding times.

Abstract: Methods of harvesting cancellous bone and bone marrow include extracting loosened cancellous bone and bone marrow—including a liquid component thereof—to a collection container that has a first cup and a suction port to which a suction source is connected. After extraction, the suction source is disconnected and a lid of the collection container is removed and replaced with a lid having a plunger with a press head that is configured to filter the extracted liquid by depressing the plunger toward a bottom of the first cup. The filtered liquid is poured through a suction port into a second cup while depressing the plunger, thereby separating the liquid from a semi-solid mass of cancellous bone that remains. The bone is extracted through a cortical opening in the femur, tibia, or calcaneus, or from an intermedullary canal that is preferably formed by reaming of the tibia using an orthopedic reamer.

Abstract: A delivery system for delivery items includes sidewalls that define a cargo space. A retention assembly is operably coupled to the sidewalls. The retention assembly includes a housing and a retention feature that is operably coupled to the housing. The retention feature has an attachment portion and a control unit that is operably coupled with the retention feature. A controller is communicatively coupled to the control unit of the retention assembly, and a memory storage is communicatively coupled with the controller.

Abstract: A magnetic switching arrangement including a first contact, a second contact, at least one of the first and second contacts including a magnetically responsive material, a biaser operably connected to one of the first and second contacts and biasing the one of the first and second contact into electrical connection with the other of the first and second contacts such that a closed circuit is achieved in the absence of an external force preventing closure of the first and second contacts, and a disconnector maintaining the first and second contacts spaced from one another, preventing formation of a circuit. A method for operating a tool including applying or removing a magnetic field configuration and causing a first and second contact within the tool to make electrical contact. A borehole system including a borehole in a subsurface formation, and disposed in the borehole.

Abstract: A storage system includes a protective housing member configured to mate with a handheld electronic device. The protective housing member includes a charging area formed between a surface of the protective housing member and a surface of an accessory item of the handheld electronic device. The charging area is configured to charge the accessory item of the handheld electronic device. The charging area is powered by at last one power component of the protective housing member or at least one power component of the handheld electronic device. The storage system further includes at least one integrated circuit which is either a component of the handheld electronic device or a component of the protective housing member.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods that control the motion of an autonomous vehicle by rewarding or otherwise encouraging progress toward a goal, rather than simply rewarding distance travelled. In particular, the systems and methods of the present disclosure can project a candidate motion plan that describes a proposed motion path for the autonomous vehicle onto a nominal pathway to determine a projected distance associated with the candidate motion plan. The systems and methods of the present disclosure can use the projected distance to evaluate a reward function that provides a reward that is positively correlated to the magnitude of the projected distance. The motion of the vehicle can be controlled based on the reward value provided by the reward function. For example, the candidate motion plan can be selected for implementation or revised based at least in part on the determined reward value.

Abstract: A method implemented by a computer system, the computer-implemented method comprising receiving dimensions of a building surface, including a surface length and a surface height; receiving dimensions of a surface material unit, including a material length and a material height; receiving design parameters defining a three-dimensional design over the building surface; partitioning the three-dimensional design into a plurality of three-dimensional segments based on both the three-dimensional design and the dimensions of the surface material; and generating a set of milling instructions for cutting a plurality of surface material units into the plurality of three-dimensional segments.

Abstract: A system and method for quieting unwanted sound. As a non-limiting example, various aspects of this disclosure provide a system and method, for example implemented in a premises-based or home audio system, for quieting unwanted sound at a particular location.

Abstract: The technology enables locating asset tracking tags based on a ramped sequence of signals from one or more beacon tracking tags. The sequence includes at least one minimum power signal and at least one maximum power signal. Each signal in the sequence has a tag identifier and an initial signal strength value. Each beacon signal in the ramped sequence is associated with the time at which that beacon signal was received by a reader. Each beacon signal is also associated with a received signal strength at reception. A location of the beacon tracking tag is estimated according to the signals in the sequence based on the difference between the initial and received signal strengths. A position of the reader device is identified based on the beacon tag's location. An asset tracking tag location is identified based on the reader's location and packets received by the reader from the asset tag.

Abstract: A microsensor and method of manufacture for a microsensor, comprising an array of filaments, wherein each filament of the array of filaments comprises a substrate and a conductive layer coupled to the substrate and configured to facilitate analyte detection. Each filament of the array of filaments can further comprise an insulating layer configured to isolate regions defined by the conductive layer for analyte detection, a sensing layer coupled to the conductive layer, configured to enable transduction of an ionic concentration to an electronic voltage, and a selective coating coupled to the sensing layer, configured to facilitate detection of specific target analytes/ions. The microsensor facilitates detection of at least one analyte present in a body fluid of a user interfacing with the microsensor.

Abstract: A fastener extractor and dislodging tool apparatus includes a torque-tool body, a threaded opening, a plurality of engagement features, and a release bolt. The plurality of engagement features that grips the lateral surface of the stripped fastener is radially positioned around a rotation axis of the torque-tool body. The plurality of engagement features being perimetrically connected around a base of the torque-tool body thus delineating a socket body that removes the stripped fastener. The threaded opening traverses through the base so that the release bolt can be threadedly engaged with the threaded opening, opposite of the plurality of engagement features. When the stripped fastener is jammed within the plurality of engagement features, the release bolt can be threadedly moved into the space between the plurality of engagement features thus dislodging the stripped fastener from the torque-tool body.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a produce bag. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a completely recyclable and compostable grocery-type bag for use with produce and other goods. Ideally, the bag is a calendared single-ply paper with heat-sealed seams that is resistant to destruction from moisture. While produce is contemplated, the bag can be used to contain virtually any product. Preferably, such a bag would have a window or an opening so that produce can be viewed and readily identified. The present invention is further directed to a process for creating and filling the above bag. Using a standard printing machine, the adhesive is printed onto the paper in register to desired locations on the paper to form the seams of the bag and, optionally border a window area to be cut out of the paper.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for temperature regulation in an autonomous vehicle. In particular, systems and methods are provided for regulating the interior temperature of a delivery container in an autonomous vehicle. In various implementations, the delivery container includes one or more compartments, and a thermal management system is provided for regulating the temperature of each of the compartments.

Abstract: A capacitive touch screen display operates by: providing a display configured to render frames of data into visible images; providing a plurality of electrodes integrated into the display to facilitate touch sense functionality based on electrode signals having a drive signal component and a receive signal component; generating, via a plurality of drive-sense circuits coupled to at least some of the plurality of electrodes, a plurality of sensed signals; receiving the plurality of sensed signals; generating a stream of capacitance image data associated with the plurality of cross points that includes capacitance variation data corresponding to variations of the capacitance image data from a nominal value within a temporal period; and processing the capacitance image data to determine a touchless gesture occurring within the temporal period.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for reallocating host resources in a virtualized computing environment when certain criteria have been met. In some embodiments, a system identifies a host disabling event. In view of the disabling event, the system identifies a resource for reallocation from a first host to a second host. Based on the identification, the computer system disassociates the identified resource's virtual identifier from the first host device and associates the virtual identifier with the second host device. Thus, the techniques disclosed significantly reduce a system's planned and unplanned downtime.

Abstract: A valve bonnet defines a packing box having an inner surface Roughness Average (Ra) of 0.15 or less, for example, between 0.10 and 0.15. Multiple Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) packing rings are in a packing stack. A packer is bolted to the bonnet and extends into the packing box. The packer is configured to apply a packing pressure on the packing, for example, between 100 megapascals (MPa) and 200 MPa. Such arrangements can allow for high pressure valves, for example valves that can retain up to 10,000 pounds per square inch (PSI) of pressure or up to 15,000 PSI.

Abstract: Techniques for correcting an overlay misalignment between an external camera image and a system camera image are disclosed. A first system camera image and a first external camera image are acquired. A first visual alignment is performed between those two images to produce an overlaid image. Some of the content in the overlaid image is surrounded by a bounding element. A position of the bounding element is modified based on movements of the system camera and/or the external camera. In response to performing a second visual alignment using new images, an update vector is computed. Relative movement between the two cameras is determined. Based on the movement and based on the update vector, the bounding element is progressively transitioned to a corrected position in the overlaid image. A speed by which the bounding element is progressively transitioned is proportional to the amount of movement.

Abstract: A bicycle rim and/or wheel are provided. The bicycle rim and/or wheel includes a single wall formed into the bicycle rim. The wall is formed of composite material having a spoke attachment portion and a tire attachment portion formed therein. The composite material may include at least two different materials, or fibers used as reinforcement material, forming layers of a thickness of the rim.

Abstract: A weight distributing trailer hitch and associated method are described. The weight distributing trailer hitch can include a hitch portion for interfacing with a hitch receiver associated with a vehicle. The weight distributing trailer hitch can also include a ball portion to facilitate coupling with a tongue of a trailer. In one embodiment, the weight distributing trailer hitch can further include a spring bar vertically pivotal relative to the hitch portion, and an adjustment mechanism actuatable to selectively adjust a tilt angle of the spring bar relative to the hitch portion to vary preload on the spring bar and adjustably distribute weight of the trailer relative to the vehicle. In another embodiment, the weight distributing trailer hitch can further include a spring bar for distributing weight of the trailer relative to the vehicle, and a load measurement device to determine a magnitude of a downward force on the hitch ball.

Abstract: A catheter system and method of introducing an intravenous catheter into a patient includes a syringe, an access needle, a pliable catheter, and a guidewire. The syringe has a first chamber and a distal syringe end portion, which defines a conduit distally extending to a distal syringe opening such that the conduit fluidly connects the first chamber to the distal syringe opening. The access needle defines a needle lumen longitudinally extending therethrough and is secured relative to the distal syringe end portion. The pliable catheter is releasably secured relative to the access needle. The guidewire distally extends through the conduit toward the distal syringe opening and is configured to selectively move through the conduit, the distal syringe opening, and along the needle lumen to thereby guide movement of the pliable catheter relative to the access needle for introducing the pliable catheter into the patient.