Abstract: The disclosure relates to an optical fiber connector and cable assembly that includes an optical fiber cable and an optical fiber connector, wherein the optical fiber cable has an optical fiber and a cable sheath, and a free end of the optical fiber is provided with a ferrule, and the ferrule is associated with a ferrule spring. The optical fiber connector includes a connector body and a cover; a first fixing sleeve and a second fixing sleeve, between which the cable sheath is anchored; an insert mounted at a distal end of the first fixing sleeve, having a passage for receiving a proximal section of the ferrule and supporting the ferrule spring. In a direction facing a distal end of the connector body, the cover presses a first fixing sleeve, the first fixing sleeve presses the insert, the insert presses the ferrule spring, and the ferrule spring presses the ferrule.

Abstract: An interface receives procurement data, the procurement data comprising data received from a home automation device. A processor applies forecast development rules to the procurement data. The processor determines an electricity procurement recommendation, the electricity procurement recommendation based on the analyzed energy usage data and the forecast development rules. Upon a determination of the electricity procurement recommendation, the interface communicates the electricity procurement recommendation to a retail electricity provider.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes producing medical information that characterizes a group of individuals from a set of private data representing pre or post-encounter characteristics of the individuals, wherein the individuals have had encounters with a healthcare facility. The identity of the individuals is unattainable from the produced medical information. The method also includes providing the produced medical information to report the pre or post-encounter characteristics of the group.

Abstract: Among other things, techniques are described for self-cleaning door handles. A door handle for a vehicle includes a housing including a hand grip; a hygienic film that is formed around a portion of a circumference of the hand grip; a plurality of cylindrical rollers rotatably connected to the housing and are configured to rotationally guide the hygienic film along the portion of the circumference of the hand grip; and a light that is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation in an ultraviolent spectrum and configured to irradiate at least one portion of the hygienic film to reduce a quantity of bacteria on the at least one portion of the hygienic film.

Abstract: A background image is also generated, e.g., by filling portions of a captured image where a foreground object was extracted and communicated to the playback device, Foreground objects are identified and point cloud representations of the foreground objects are generated and communicated to a playback device so that they can be used in generating images including the background which is communicated separately. In the case of a point cloud representation a number of points in an environment, e.g., 3D space, are communicated to the playback device along with color information. Thus in some embodiments a foreground object is represented as a set of points with corresponding color information on a per point basis. Foreground object information is communicated and processed in some embodiments at a different rate, e.g., faster rate, then the background textures. The playback device renders images which are sent to the display by first rendering a background layer using the communicated background information, e.g.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for validating instruments. For instance, a request to generate a cashier's check may be received from an application executing on a drawer's computing device. Request information may be stored within a data storage entry for the check, and a code to be printed on the check may be generated to include at least a portion of the request information. Instructions may be provided to a printing system to cause the check to be printed with the code, where the printed check is invalid. Instructions may be provided to the application and/or printing system to cause display of a prompt to facilitate a reading of the code to validate the check. When information within the code is read by and received from the printing system, the check may be validated, which triggers a transfer of funds from the drawer's account. Otherwise, the check may remain invalid.

Abstract: One method embodiment comprises storing data on a storage system that is representative of a point cloud comprising a very large number of associated points; organizing the data into an octree hierarchy of data sectors, each of which is representative of one or more of the points at a given octree mesh resolution; receiving a command from a user of a user interface to present an image based at least in part upon a selected viewing perspective origin and vector; and assembling the image based at least in part upon the selected origin and vector, the image comprising a plurality of data sectors pulled from the octree hierarchy, the plurality of data sectors being assembled such that sectors representative of points closer to the selected viewing origin have a higher octree mesh resolution than that of sectors representative of points farther away from the selected viewing origin.

Abstract: A low envelope chair with a back that includes portions with relative high back pitches at the lower ends and other higher portions with relatively low back pitches to give the overall feeling of a high back pitch chair while retaining the low envelope. By low envelope, generally less than approximately 17 inches, preferably approximately 16 inches or less or even more preferably approximately 15 inches or less are contemplated with respect to chairs that have a tilt up seat. A high back pitch would generally be more than 15 degrees, preferably more than 20 degrees, preferably more than 25 degrees and even more preferably more than 30 degrees.

Abstract: One embodiment includes a method for monitoring nerve tissue which includes inserting a dilator into muscle, the dilator including first and second electrodes at the distal tip. While the dilator is in muscle, a system may communicate (a) a first series of unequal current amplitude applications (e.g., a series including 0.5, 7, 3, 5 mA applications) to the first electrode to produce at least a first evoked potential (e.g., a MAP or NAP), and (b) a second series of unequal current amplitude applications to the second electrode to produce at least a second evoked potential. The method further includes sensing the first and second evoked potentials and determining a relative location of a nerve based on the sensing of at least one of the first and second evoked potentials.

Abstract: Various aspects and embodiments are directed to a streamlined computer device and a graphical user interface that organizes interface elements into views of computer content for presentation to a user. Various views of digital media content permits users to easily and efficiently access various digital media content. Different views are used to provide an interface that is responsive to configurations of the device and responsive to activity being performed by the user. Aspects include permitting the user to maintain and manage digital media content libraries. According to some embodiments, the libraries comprise user digital media content and references digital media content. Functionality provided to a user can be tailored to the type of content displayed, accessed and/or managed. According to various aspects, methods and systems are provided for accessing and managing digital media libraries on a streamlined computing device with a plurality selectable I/O profiles.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to limitation of noise on light detectors using an aperture. One example implementation includes a system. The system includes a lens disposed relative to a scene. The lens focuses light from the scene. The system also includes an opaque material that defines an aperture. The system also includes a waveguide having a first side that receives light focused by the lens and transmitted through the aperture. The waveguide guides the received light toward a second side of the waveguide opposite to the first side. The waveguide has a third side extending between the first side and the second side. The system also includes a mirror that reflects the guided light toward the third side of the waveguide. The system also includes an array of light detectors that detects the reflected light propagating out of the third side.

Abstract: A qubit coupling device includes: a dielectric substrate including a trench; a first superconductor layer on a surface of the dielectric substrate where an edge of the first superconductor layer extends along a first direction and at least a portion of the superconductor layer is in contact with the surface of the dielectric substrate, and where the superconductor layer is formed from a superconductor material exhibiting superconductor properties at or below a corresponding critical temperature; a length of the trench within the dielectric substrate is adjacent to and extends along an edge of the first superconductor layer in the first direction, and where the electric permittivity of the trench is less than the electric permittivity of the dielectric substrate.

Abstract: An axial flux electric motor for an automobile includes a stator assembly, and a rotor assembly, the rotor assembly including a plurality of lamination blocks arranged in an annular pattern, a plurality of conductive wedges, one conductive wedge being positioned between each adjacent pair of lamination blocks, the plurality of lamination blocks and the plurality of conductive wedges defining a rotor core disk having an inner diameter and outer diameter and opposing axial faces, and a plurality of permanent magnets attached to one of the opposing axial faces of the rotor core disk.

Abstract: System, including methods and apparatus, for identifying and picking spectrally distinct colonies. In an exemplary method, a filter may be received in an optical path extending from a light source to a grayscale image detector. The filter may be configured to increase an intensity difference between a first type of colony and a spectrally distinct second type of colony. Colonies including both types may be received in the optical path. An image of the colonies may be obtained with the grayscale image detector. At least one of the types of colony may be identified in the image. One or more colonies of the at least one type may be picked robotically.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method provide an output signal indicative of a speed of rotation and/or a direction of movement of a ferromagnetic object. The sensor includes at least one magnetic field sensing element configured to generate a magnetic field signal in response to a magnetic field associated with an object. The sensor includes a detector configured to generate a detector signal having edges occurring in response to a comparison of the magnetic field signal and the threshold signal. The sensor includes an output circuit configured to generate an output signal having a first format when a characteristic of the magnetic field signal is within a first range and having a second format different than the first format when the characteristic of the magnetic field signal is within a second range, different than the first range.

Abstract: A system may include a security controller communicatively coupled with pedestals having a first set of antennas and a second set of antennas spaced from the first set of antennas to form an interrogation zone. The security controller may be configured to alternate transmission and reception of interrogation signals between the first set of antennas and the second set of antennas. The security controller may be configured to determine whether a metal object is detected in the interrogation zone in response to the reception of the interrogation signals by the second set of antennas or by the first set of antennas. The security controller may be configured to generate and send an alarm signal in response to the metal object being detected in the interrogation zone.

Abstract: A method of controlling a lock mechanism of an active door includes transiting an access controller of the lock mechanism to an authorized access mode and transitioning the access controller from the authorized access mode to an entry mode. Transitioning the access controller to the authorized access mode is in response to an authorized user being sensed approaching the active door from an exterior side of the active door or in response to input on a remote device. In the authorized access mode, an exterior handle of the active door is decoupled from a main latch of the lock mechanism. Transitioning the access controller to the entry mode is in response to sensed contact with the exterior handle. In the entry mode, the exterior handle is capable of rotating to transition the access controller to an unlocked mode in which the exterior handle is operably coupled to the main latch.

Abstract: The disclosed distributed task coordination ensures task execution while minimizing both the risk of duplicate execution and resources consumed for coordination. Execution is guaranteed, while only best efforts are used to avoid duplication. Example solutions include requesting, by a node, a first lease from a first set of nodes; based at least on obtaining at least one first lease, requesting, by the node, a second lease from a second set of nodes; based at least on the node obtaining at least one second lease, determining a majority holder of second leases; and based at least on obtaining the majority of second leases, executing, by the node, a task associated with the at least one second lease. In some examples, the nodes comprise online processing units (NPUs). In some examples, if a first node begins executing the task and fails, another node automatically takes over to ensure completion.

Abstract: A storage shield for a disc of an angle grinder is provided according to the present invention. The storage shield includes a first shield member and a second shield member. Each of the first and second shield members includes a front face, an opposing rear face positioned parallel to and a distance apart from the front face, an end wall that joins an upper edge of the front face to an upper edge of the rear face, and a front face opening between a lower edge of the front face and a lower edge of the rear face, and an opening in a center area of the front face at the lower edge thereof. A pivot hinge assembly pivotally connects a first end of the first shield member to a first end of the second shield member. Fastening means for affixing the storage shield and stored angle grinder to a worksite surface are affixed to the rear face of one of the first shield member or second shield member. A method of protecting a disc of an angle grinder when not in use is also provided. First, the storage shield is opened.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include batteries and other charge-storage devices incorporating sheets and/or powders of silica fibers and methods for producing such devices. The silica fibers may be formed via electrospinning of a sol gel produced with a silicon alkoxide reagent, such as tetraethyl ortho silicate, alcohol solvent, and an acid catalyst.