Abstract: A carrier device includes a body member having two parallel sections, terminal ends of which extend in a common direction. A bracket nested with the body member has two lateral side members extending in the common direction. Each side member has a terminal end and a loop proximate the end defining a hole. An interior is defined between the sections of the body member and between the side members of the bracket. A binding member engages the sections of the body member and passes through the respective hole of each side member defined by the loop. A retention member, for retaining a magazine when inserted into the carrier device, also passes through the respective holes. The binding member draws sections of the body member toward each other to maintain frictional engagement of an inserted magazine or other article with interior contact points of the carrier device.

Abstract: An automated fiber optic rotary joint (FORJ) dynamically measures, using an angle encoder, twists in an optical fiber cable caused by movements of a mouse or other animal and automatically unwinds the optical fiber cable(s) by engaging a motor. To optimize its efficiency, the unwinding process is activated automatically only when the angle encoder reaches a predetermined threshold. In some embodiments, the optical fiber is unwound in increments of 360°. Various embodiments allow simultaneous transfer of optical signals through independent channels to and from multiple sites of a freely moving animal through a rotating interface and with minimal mechanical impact on the natural behavior of the animal. The design principle leads to a minimal variation of light transmission over rotation suitable for life science applications. A single channel FORJ device can be readily expanded to a two-, three- or more-channel device.

Abstract: Providing optical watermark signals for a visual authentication session by performing at least the following: receive, at an anti-spoof engine, an instruction to perform visual authentication operations for a visual authentication session, generate, with the anti-spoof engine, an optical watermark signal based on receiving the instruction, wherein the optical watermark signal includes at least one optical identifier to authenticate images captured during the visual authentication session, obtain, with the anti-spoof engine, an image source that includes captured images of the visual authentication session, determine, with the anti-spoof engine, whether the image source includes a reflected optical watermark signal, and compare, with the anti-spoof engine, whether the reflected optical watermark signal matches the generated optical watermark signal based on the determination that the image source includes the reflected optical watermark signal.

Abstract: Techniques are directed to detecting an abnormal event while data storage equipment is in transit. Such techniques involve receiving a series of sensor signals from a set of sensors affixed to the data storage equipment. The series of sensor signals identifies a series of positional integrity measurements for the data storage equipment while the data storage equipment is in transit. Such techniques further involve performing a series of comparison operations that compares the series of positional integrity measurements to a set of range. Such techniques further involve, based on the series of comparison operations, providing an abnormal event signal in response to a particular positional integrity measurement falling outside a corresponding range of the set of ranges.

Abstract: A facemask assembly can include an interior air filter that is replaceable and/or contains biocidal elements. The filter can capture exhaled H2O to activate silver ions creating a biocidal environment. In some embodiments, at least part of the facemask is made via additive manufacturing. A facemask frame assembly can create a pleated filter to increase surface area and bring the filter material closer to the mouth and nose. The facemask can include a facial skirt customized to the facial geometry of the wearer. The facemask can have a permanently sealed filter that can withstand boiling and autoclaving temperatures so the mask system can be sterilized without disassembly. In some embodiments, the facemask has a visible display of how many times the facemask has been sterilized. In some embodiments, the mask includes a RFID device that can transmit how many times the facemask has been sterilized.

Abstract: A method for processing a vehicle end-of-line (EOL) testing routine includes determining whether a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) is issued during the vehicle EOL testing routine and obtaining vehicle network data generated during the vehicle EOL testing routine. The method includes, in response to a determination that the DTC is issued during the vehicle EOL testing routine, storing the vehicle network data in a database, associating the DTC with an electronic control module from a plurality of electronic control modules, identifying a designated agent from among a plurality of agents based on the DTC and a ECM-agent directory, and electronically transmitting a notification to the designated agent, where the notification provides access to the vehicle network data and the DTC.

Abstract: A hinged busbar assembly includes a first mounting busbar configured to be electrically and mechanically connected to the first component at a fixed connection, a second mounting busbar configured to be electrically and mechanically connected to the second component at a fixed connection, and at least two extension busbars extending between the first and second mounting busbars. Adjacent extension busbars are electrically and mechanically connected to each other at a pivotal connection. One of the at least two extension busbars is electrically and mechanically connected to the first mounting busbar at a pivotal connection, and another one of the at least two extension busbars is electrically and mechanically connected to the second mounting busbar at a pivotal connection. Each pivotal connection includes at least one extension extending from each adjacent busbar and at least one electrical contact mounted in each extension, and a pin inserted through the electrical contacts.

Abstract: A window well is composed of a fiber reinforced plastic and an outer layer. The window well also has a body having multiple ribs interposed between multiple wall surface portions. Each rib is positioned between two different wall surface portions and is defined by a corresponding height and depth. The outer layer includes a fabric veil that is at least partially embedded into the thermoplastic. The fabric veil can be made of different types of fabric material. The fabric veil can also have a multi-colored printed pattern that imitates the texture of a natural material. The outer layer of the window well improves the aesthetics of the window well and provides increased durability.

Abstract: Shingles have self-seal strips with features that include sealant dashes or dots separated by drainage gaps. The self-seal strips are registered with each shingle so that the features are positioned at the same locations on each shingle. A method of making such shingles includes synchronizing the rotation of sealant applicator wheels with the shingle chop cutter so that cuts are made at repeated designated locations along the applied self-seal strips.

Abstract: A downhole tool operable to connect within a downhole tool string. The downhole tool may include a first sub, a second sub, and a movable joint movably connecting the first sub and the second sub to facilitate relative angular movement between the first sub and the second sub. The downhole tool may be operable to connect together a first portion of the tool string and a second portion of the tool string and facilitate relative angular movement between the first portion of the tool string and the second portion of the tool string when the downhole tool is connected within the tool string.

Abstract: A depth imaging system in a vehicle includes a lens that includes a polarization-coded aperture. The polarization-coded aperture includes a perpendicular polarization portion to pass incident light entering the perpendicular polarization portion of the polarization-coded aperture as perpendicularly polarized light. The polarization-coded aperture also includes a parallel polarization portion to pass the incident light entering the parallel polarization portion of the polarization-coded aperture as parallel polarized light. An image sensor provides a perpendicularly polarized image based on the perpendicularly polarized light and a parallel polarized image based on the parallel polarized light. A controller processes the perpendicularly polarized image and the parallel polarized image to identify one or more objects in a field of view of the depth imaging system and to determine a range to each of the one or more objects.

Abstract: In aspects of manage a video conference session in a multi-tasking environment, a computing device has a display screen to display a user interface of a foreground active application, such as a device application or a video conference session. The computing device implements a content control module that determines a user is designated as a participant of the video conference session, detects that a remote user connects to the video conference session from a remote device, and determines the device application is the foreground active application with the user interface of the device application displayed on the display screen. The content control module can then initiate to surface the user interface of the video conference session for display on the display screen responsive to the remote user connecting to the video conference session and the video conference session not being the foreground active application.

Abstract: A residential key may be programmed by a computer with access rights information. A lock device may receive the access rights information from the residential key. The lock device may store and utilize the access rights information if the lock determines that the residential key is authorized to update the lock device.

Abstract: A fishing rod has a rod portion and a handle portion separated by a reel seat. At least one portion defines a magnet receiving area, which may be external or within a hollow portion that is surrounded by a wall and that is located in the rod portion, the reel seat portion, or in the handle portion for receiving a spacer piece. The spacer piece may be cylindrical shaped and made of foam. The spacer piece defines a receiving cavity for receiving a magnet. In one embodiment, the receiving cavity is asymmetrically oriented in the spacer piece such that the receiving cavity has a close side that is a first distance from the wall and has a far side that is a second distance from the wall for locating an area of best magnetic attraction at a predetermined location on an exterior of the rod portion or handle portion.

Abstract: A calibration and repair system for advanced driver assistance systems (“ADAS”) and features is configured to provide secure, automated workflow management related to the calibration of ADAS. Automated workflows include steps and interfaces to aid in preparation of a vehicle for calibration, local-remote collaboration during calibration, customer interactions, workflow and event notification, user authentication, remote system management, and other tasks. The system is also capable of automatically and dynamically adding new and updated calibration specifications that are usable during local-remote collaboration.

Abstract: A method and system for intelligently ranking search results may include receiving a search request containing one or more terms for performing a search, providing the one or more terms for conducting a search, and receiving a search results index containing a list of a plurality of documents, each of the plurality of documents corresponding to one of the one or more terms or to one or more other terms associated with the at least one of the one or more terms.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing, organizing and displaying picks for a stringed musical instrument includes a disc having a top, bottom, center and a circumference, and a plurality of slots extending radially between the center and circumference. Each slot is configured to receive and securely hold a musical instrument pick through the top of the disc, and a protrusion at the center of the top of the disc is configured to be pushed by a finger of a user of the apparatus to retrieve a pick from each of the plurality of slots.

Abstract: A clinical data processing system comprising a processor; a memory operatively coupled to the processor, the memory storing executable instructions providing a user interface module configured to receive participant data and store it as participant data in the memory; a schema management module configured to receive input via the user interface module, the schema management module comprising rules for determining withholding amounts for payments due to a participant in view of applicable schema data and participant data stored in the memory; and a participation aggregation module configured to receive input via the user interface module, the participation aggregation module comprising rules for determining whether to permit or defer payments due to the participant in view of aggregated payments due to a participant as reflected in participant data stored in the memory.

Abstract: Systems and methods may be provided to execute online tests of a valve in a digital valve positioner. The digital valve positioner may receive a request to execute a test of the valve, which specifies a test start point, and queue the request for execution. The digital valve positioner may subsequently receive a new setpoint for the valve. The digital valve positioner may further reposition the valve according to the new setpoint. The digital valve positioner may further, while the valve is being repositioned, compare the test start point to a current position of the valve, and in response to determining that the current position of the valve has reached the test start point, collect sensor data indicative of the operation of the valve, to generate results of the test.

Abstract: A petroleum pipeline safety system for preventing contamination of an environmentally sensitive area close to a pipeline is provided. The system includes a first portion of the pipeline including an upstream portion of the pipeline supplying a flow of fluid material and a flow restriction downstream of the first portion of the pipeline. The system further includes a second portion of the pipeline downstream of the flow restriction, receiving the flow of fluid material from the first portion and conveying the flow of fluid material through the environmentally sensitive area to a downstream portion of the pipeline. The flow restriction is configured to create a lower pipeline internal pressure within the second portion as compared to a pipeline internal pressure within the first portion. The system further includes a third portion of the pipeline downstream of the environmentally sensitive area and including the downstream portion of the pipeline.