Abstract: The present invention relates to elastomeric polymer fiber reinforced asphalt cement concrete for use in a variety of applications. In particular, the reinforcement fibers are effective to reduce or preclude voids and/or cracks formed in the asphalt upon placement and to render a self-healing property to the placed asphalt.

Abstract: A brewing device may have several different configurations to make various beverages. Under computer control, the device may be able to sequence various ingredients using direct or recirculating percolation for immediate consumption, such as coffee and tea, or for fermenting for later consumption, such as beer, kombutcha, or other consumable products. The device may be capable of a sequenced percolation, such as coffee infusion of a first type of coffee, then a second type of coffee, followed by vanilla, and followed by spices. The device may be capable of sequential, cascading, or parallel percolation directly or using recirculating paths. Ingredients may be pre-packaged or may be placed into various removable and cleanable containers. The device may further be capable of infusion by steeping ingredients in a dispensing device.

Abstract: Building panels, assemblies of building panels, and associated methods are provided. A building panel includes a structural core, such as a set gypsum core, at least one filamentous scrim associated with the core, and a nonwoven mat facer.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for modifying acceleration characteristics of an electric vehicle is disclosed. A persistent input throttle command signal that starts at a first time instant is received at a vehicle control system of a first vehicle that is a first type vehicle. A transformed throttle command signal is generated based on the persistent input throttle signal and a present time at the vehicle control system. An engine operation of the first vehicle is controlled based on the transformed throttle command signal at the vehicle control system. Controlling the engine operation of the first vehicle based on the transformed throttle command signal causes the engine power output of the first vehicle to be associated with a second acceleration performance curve that is associated with a second type vehicle.

Abstract: Various embodiments set forth liquid crystal (LC) patterning control systems in which LCs are aligned using locally applied magnetic fields. The index of refraction experienced by light propagating through an anisotropic LC is dependent on orientation. As a result, a phase difference may be imparted to an optical beam that is passed through, or reflected from, an array of LCs whose orientations are controlled via locally applied magnetic fields. In some embodiments, the locally applied magnetic fields may be generated by driving currents through wires that intersect at micro or nanomagnetic particles or at magnetic domains, or by applying voltages to micro or nanocoils wrapped around high-permeability cores, among other things.

Abstract: A beverage sipper for use with a beverage bottle such as a sparkling beverage bottle comprises a stem portion adapted to be releasably inserted into the neck of a beverage bottle, the stem portion comprising a stem wall having an outer surface adapted to contact the neck of the beverage bottle and an inner surface that defines a stem portion beverage passageway and a sipping portion adapted to extend out of the neck of the beverage bottle when the stem portion is inserted in the beverage bottle, the sipping portion comprising a sipping wall with an inner surface that defines a sipping portion beverage passageway that is in flow communication with the stem portion beverage passageway. The stem portion has a securing mechanism to secure the stem portion within the beverage bottle.

Abstract: A cell module assembly includes multiple lithium-ion battery cells connected in parallel and an electronic controller. The electronic controller is programmed to receive useful life data for a useful life indicator of the battery cells, save the life data to memory to create a life data history, determine a life measurement based on the life data history, compare the life measurement to a first end of life threshold, determine if the life measurement has met the first end of life threshold, provide a first end of life output indicating that the life measurement has met the first end of life threshold, compare the life measurement to a second end of life threshold, determine if the life measurement has met the second end of life threshold, and provide a second end of life output indicating that the life measurement has met the second end of life threshold.

Abstract: A method for operating a kerogen-rich unconventional gas reservoir characterized by there being multiple hydraulically-fractured wells drilled thereinto comprises: recovering a methane-containing gas from a first hydraulically-fractured well drilled into the gas reservoir, steam-methane reforming the recovered methane-containing gas to yield a hydrogen gas and an inorganic carbon-containing gas, injecting at least a portion of the hydrogen gas into a second hydraulically-fractured well drilled into the gas reservoir, and injecting at least a portion of the inorganic carbon-containing gas into a third hydraulically-fractured well drilled into the gas reservoir.

Abstract: A method and an electronic device for generating a trajectory of a Self-Driving Car (SDC) are provided. The method comprises: determining a presence of at least one third-party object around the SDC; generating a plurality of predicted trajectories for the third-party object, where at least one of the plurality of trajectories includes a maneuver executable, by the third-party object, at a future third-party object location; calculating, for the at least one of the plurality of trajectories including the a respective braking profile associated with the third-party object; in response to the respective braking profile being above a pre-determined threshold, eliminating an associated one of the at least one of the plurality of trajectories from future processing; determining an SDC trajectory based on remaining ones of the plurality of predicted trajectories for the third-party.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, trades may be filled based at in part on order price and fill rates determined for providers of orders. In some embodiments, orders at a given price in an order book may be ordered in order of decreasing fill rate, such that orders associated with a higher fill rate (or higher probability of fill) are preferenced above orders associated with a lower fill rate. In some embodiments, order books may also be ordered based in part on response times from order providers. For example, orders in an order book may be ordered according to an algorithm that preferences higher fill rates and shorter response times ahead of orders with lower fill rates and longer response times. Order book ordering algorithms may also consider order quantity and interdependence and duplication of order quantity.

Abstract: An apparatus includes processing circuitry, which determines a block vector that points to a reference block in a same picture as a current block in an intra block copy mode. The current block is one of a plurality of coding blocks in a coding tree block (CTB) with a right to left coding order being allowed within the CTB. The processing circuitry checks that two corner samples of the reference block have been reconstructed based on first outputs from a derivation process for block availability. The processing circuitry checks that a non corner sample of the reference block has been reconstructed based on a second output from the derivation process. The processing circuitry encodes the current block based on reconstructed samples of the reference block after a determination that the two corner samples of the reference block and the non corner sample of the reference block have been reconstructed.

Abstract: A wireless communication network serves a User Equipment (UE) based on a Data Network Name (DNN). An Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) receives initial signaling for the UE and selects a current Session Management Function (SMF) to serve the UE for the DNN responsive to the initial signaling. The current SMF serves the UE for the DNN. The AMF detects when the UE enters a geographic area while using the DNN. The current SMF transfers a wireless reattach instruction for the DNN to the UE responsive to the detection of the UE entering the geographic area while using the DNN. The AMF receives new signaling for the UE responsive to the wireless reattach instruction and selects a new SMF to serve the UE for the DNN responsive to the new signaling. The new SMF serves the UE for the DNN.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for gathering research data indicating exposure to media are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first wireless receiver to receive a first modulated audio signal via a wireless data connection from a media device using a wireless communication protocol, the first modulated audio signal associated with the media, the first wireless receiver to output a baseband audio signal corresponding to the first modulated audio signal. The example apparatus includes a first wireless transmitter to modulate the baseband audio signal to form a second modulated audio signal, the first wireless transmitter to transmit the second modulated audio signal to wireless headphones using the wireless communication protocol.

Abstract: An apron sink kit is provided for installing an apron sink in a pre-existing cabinet. The sink includes at least one basin with rims extending outward from the top edges of the left and right walls and the front and back walls. An apron extends downward from the outer edge of the front wall rim and for a selected length along the sides of the sink. The sink is vertically supported by a cabinet rail under the apron and by the back and side edges of the counter top for top mounting or mounting underneath a cabinet top.

Abstract: A lighting device includes a housing having a cavity and a translucent area, a plurality of discrete light emission points (DLEPs) positioned in the cavity for emitting light through the translucent area, a power source, and a controller causing the DLEPs to simulate a burning wax candle. The housing is configured to imitate a wax candle. The controller actuates a first of the DLEPs according to sequential first intensity values, and actuates a second of the DLEPs according to sequential second intensity values. The sequential first intensity values are determined by sequentially combining first change values to an initial first intensity value, and the sequential second intensity values are determined by sequentially combining second change values to an initial second intensity value.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying a user is described. The system identifies collaboration metrics based on user interaction data of users of an application from an enterprise. The system accesses enterprise organizational data of the enterprise and identifies topic data from the user interaction data and the enterprise organizational data. The system trains a machine learning model based on the collaboration metrics, the enterprise organizational data, and the topic data.

Abstract: A speaker system uses multiple sound chambers having phi ratios to create a dampening effect to filter out incoherent sounds, thus creating an enhanced listening experience that feels very natural to the listener. The speaker system has at least a sound driver, a first sound chamber having a first volume, and a second sound chamber having a second volume that is approximately 1.6 times the first volume. The speaker system can also have a second sound driver, and a third sound chamber having a third volume that is that is approximately 1.6 times the second volume.

Abstract: A medication confirmation method and apparatus. The method of an embodiment of the invention includes the steps of capturing one or more video sequences of a user administering medication, storing the captured one or more video sequences, and comparing at least one of the stored video sequences with a corresponding one or more prerecorded video sequences to confirm that the user has properly administered the medication.

Abstract: A litter distribution apparatus provides for even distribution of a bedding material to an animal containment area for animal husbandry operations. The distribution apparatus has vertically adjustable skid legs that support the apparatus at a desired elevation as it is drawn across a ground surface of the containment area. A frame and litter containment skirt allow for the accumulation of the bedding material and even disposition along the ground surface based on the selected elevation of the skid legs. The skid legs may be vertically adjustable via an actuator.

Abstract: A multi-color LED illumination device and a lens, comprising a cylindrical opening extending into the lens from a light entry region at which one or more LEDs are configured. A concave spherical surface extends across an entirety of a light exit region of the lens, and a TIR outer surface shaped as a CPC extends between the light entry region and the light exit region. There are various diffusion elements placed on sidewall and upper planar surfaces of the cylindrical opening, as well as on the exit surface of the lens. Lunes can also be configured on the sidewall surfaces of the cylindrical opening. The combination of lunes, diffusion elements, and the overall configuration of the lens provides improved color mixing and output brightness using three interactions in a first portion of light and two interactions in a second portion of light. The interactions include two refractions, either with or without an intermediate reflection.