Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments for systems and methods for controlling secondary devices at fine scales using mixed, virtual and/or augmented reality. Examples of secondary devices may include those involved in lighting (i.e., light emitting diodes), sound, and the production of videos, film, and movies. In some embodiments, a system may include a server, mixed reality user device and secondary device communicatively coupled via a network. The server may be configured to generate a virtual object based on gestural data that is configured for display within a mixed reality environment. The server may also be configured to generate secondary device settings based on gestural data, where the secondary device settings may be used to control the operation of a secondary device.

Abstract: Systems and methods include data storage that stores user information for a plurality of user devices; a beacon that is configured to be associated with a first unique identifier; and a backend system that receives data that includes user information for one of the user devices, assigns the first unique identifier to the one of the user devices, and transmits a digital asset, which includes the first unique identifier and first information, to the one of the user devices. The beacon broadcasts the first unique identifier via a short-range transmission at a first location and the one of the user devices detects the first unique identifier at the first location, compares it to the identifier associated with the digital asset, and displays a notification that includes the first information if there is a match.

Abstract: A composition, comprising: a physiologically-acceptable polydimethylsiloxane having a surface; and one or more normal C6-C20NR1R2 saturated amine, salt thereof, or combination thereof, in contact with the polydimethylsiloxane, the surface, or both, wherein R1 and R2 may be same or different and independently selected from H, —CH3, —CH2CH3, —CH2CH2CH3, or combination thereof.

Abstract: A power delivery system includes a controller, configured to receive a voltage indication signal indicating a measured voltage of a battery management system and to determine whether first and second diodes of the battery management system are faulty based on the voltage indication signal. The controller is also configured to respectively receive first and second current indication signals from first and second current sensors of the battery management system and to determine whether the first and second diodes of the first battery management system are faulty based on the first and second current indication signals.

Abstract: A TV wall mounting device includes a wall mount box with vertical supports, a display mount receiving a TV, and an extending/contracting portion between the box and the display mount. The extending/contracting portion has lower and upper arms rotatably attached to the wall mount with rear axles, a pair of linear actuators rotatably attached to the wall mount, a front portion that rises and lowers with action of the actuators, and a horizontally-swiveling portion that is raised and lowered with the front portion and is capable of rotating right-left with respect to the front portion. The display mount is attached to the horizontally-swiveling portion. Parallel operation of the linear actuators, wherein each actuator extends and retracts while keeping the same length as the other actuator, causes the display mount to go up and down. Differential operation of the actuators causes the display mount to rotate right and left.

Abstract: A gurney transfer assist device for a helicopter has a fixed height frame supporting a slidably movable bed deck frame. The fixed height frame is releasably secured to a known wheeled gurney. The fixed height dimension raises a carried stretcher to a vertical height to allow transfer to and/or from a medical helicopter loading surface. The slidably movable bed deck frame is extendable outwardly from one end of the fixed height frame and the extending end is angulated to facilitate transfer of the stretcher and supported patient to/from the helicopter loading surface.

Abstract: An optical device includes a first polarization selective reflector positioned in a first orientation so that the first polarization selective reflector: receives first light in a first direction; redirects a first portion, of the first light, having a first polarization to a second direction that is non-parallel to the first direction; and receives second light in a third direction and transmit a first portion, of the second light. A second polarization selective reflector positioned in a second orientation non-parallel to the first orientation, and adjacent to the first polarization selective reflector so that the second polarization selective reflector: receives third light in a fourth direction; redirects a first portion, of the third light, having the first polarization to a fifth direction that is non-parallel to the fourth direction; and receives fourth light in a sixth direction and transmit a first portion, of the fourth light having the second polarization.

Abstract: A polyester polymer is provided that includes at least one pendant phenolic-containing group. In one embodiment, the polyester polymer is combined with an optional crosslinker and an optional carrier to form a coating composition suitable for use in coating articles such as packaging articles. The coating composition typically includes a resole phenolic crosslinker. In one embodiment, the polyester polymer has at least one phenolic-containing group that comprises an adduct of cardanol.

Abstract: System and computer-implemented method of analyzing tags associated with a sequence of images presented to a user to present a current interest of the user is disclosed. An image from among a plurality of images is presented on an electronic display. The image is associated with a set of tags. An input is received indicating a user's preference for the image. A plurality of tags is processed based on the preference and the set of tags to determine a next set of tags from the plurality of tags. A next image is determined from the plurality of images based on the next set of tags. The next image represents a physical object, different from a physical object represented by the previous image. A sequence of images is generated by repeating the above process with the next image in place of the previous image for present a user's current interest.

Abstract: One example method includes creating a backup of data, creating metadata associated with the backup, hashing the backup to create a backup hash, obtaining a key from a blockchain, generating an aggregate hash of a combination that includes the key and the backup hash, and transmitting the aggregate hash to a blockchain network. Because the aggregate hash is not modifiable when stored in a blockchain, an immutable record exists that establishes when a particular backup was created.

Abstract: The present teaching relates to automatic formality classification and transformation of online text items. In one example, a request is received for determining a formality level of a text item in an online communication. One or more linguistic features are extracted from the text item. Contextual information with respect to the online communication is extracted. A formality level of the text item is determined based on the one or more linguistic features and the contextual information. The formality level represents a degree of formality of the text item. The formality level is provided as a response to the request.

Abstract: Described is a system for preventing unauthorized access to an upgrade implementation module while an authentication-authorization service is offline. Various embodiments of the upgrade implementation module record an upgrade token generated by a system manager. The upgrade implementation module sets an authentication-authorization service to an offline mode. The upgrade implementation module determines a match between a received upgrade token and the recorded upgrade token in order to prevent unauthorized access of the upgrade implementation module. In response to determining the match, the upgrade implementation module authorizes implementation of an upgrade package associated with the upgrade token while the authentication-authorization service is in the offline mode.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to an insulation-retaining sheet, e.g., for blown-in insulation, that includes an integral vapor-retarding membrane. In one aspect, the disclosure provides an insulation-retaining sheet including a sheet of mesh having an air permeability of at least 200 cfm per square foot; and one or more strips of vapor-retarding membrane, the one or more strips of vapor-retarding membrane being laminated to the sheet of mesh, the first side edge each of the strips of vapor-retarding membrane extending to the first side edge of the sheet of mesh, the second side edge each of the strips of vapor-retarding membrane extending to the second side edge of the sheet of mesh, wherein the insulation-retaining sheet has a plurality of open zones extending laterally from the first side edge of the sheet of mesh to the second side edge of the sheet of mesh in which no vapor-retarding membrane is laminated to the mesh.

Abstract: A quick disconnect system for an accessory electrically coupled to a component of an amusement attraction includes a multi-part electrical enclosure including a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a first opening on the first side, and a relief pass through. The multi-part electrical enclosure is configured to: have a first electrical cable coupled to the accessory pass into the multi-part electrical enclosure via the first opening and have a second electrical cable pass into the second side of the multi-part electrical enclosure to enable the first and second cables to be coupled together within the multi-part electrical enclosure. The relief pass through is configured to provide strain relief to both the first electrical cable and the second electrical cable and to prevent disconnection of the accessory from the multi-part electrical enclosure.

Abstract: Example gesture based cross-channel commerce retail systems and methods are provided. Some of the example systems and methods permit a consumer to complete a Store Pick Up order, i.e., an order placed by the consumer via computer, mobile device, telephone, fax, mail-order, etc., by gesturing with a mobile device near a digital kiosk and optical sensor at a store pick up location. The mobile device and/or the digital kiosk may display media content to the consumer while the consumer completes the Store Pick Up order. In another example system, a digital kiosk is located in a public area such as an airport, shopping mall, train station, or stadium. The digital kiosk displays media content to the consumer, and the consumer may transfer to a mobile device such media by gesturing with the mobile device near the digital kiosk.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices and methods for holding hair to prevent hair damage during combing procedures. A hair gripping device can include a handle, a jaw connected to the handle, and a grip retained within the jaw. The handle and the jaw may comprise portions of first and second arms of the hair gripping device. The grip may be configured to hold a plurality of hair strands at a hair contact portion of the grip. With actuation of the handle, the jaw may be configured to move between a closed position in which movement of a majority of strands in a bundle of hair within the first hair contact portion is inhibited by the grip and an open position in which movement of a majority of hair strands in a bundle of hair within the first hair contact portion is not inhibited by the grip.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a centralized radio access network (C-RAN) system that is configured so that physical layer processing for the wireless interface is split so that some of the physical layer processing is performed in a controller and some of the physical layer processing is performed in a plurality of radio points. The system is configured so that scrambling of first downlink data to be communicated to a UE over the wireless interface is performed in the controller and so that scrambling of second downlink data to be communicated to said UE over the wireless interface is performed in one of the radio points. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A thread protector that has an external sleeve to protect threads disposed on a tubular member. The thread protector includes a flange disposed on a first end of the external sleeve to be engageable with an end of the tubular member. The thread protector also includes a securing apparatus extending from the flange to frictionally engage an inner side of the tubular member to maintain the thread protector's engagement with the tubular member, the securing apparatus including a magnet that increases the force of the frictional engagement of the securing apparatus with the inner side of the tubular member. The securing apparatus can also extend from the flange to frictionally engage an inner side of the tubular member to maintain the thread protector's engagement with the tubular member, the securing apparatus rotatable relative to the external sleeve. A method of protecting pin threads of pin ends of tubular members by installing a thread protector on an end of a tubular member.

Abstract: Described is a system (and method) for efficient access-based reallocation of backup data stored within an object storage. The system may implement various specialized procedures to efficiently store and manage backup data within the object storage. These procedures may include packing backup data into objects to improve data operation efficiency. The system may also conserve storage space on the object storage by performing an analysis to reallocate backup data as necessary. For example, data may be stored in objects in an immutable manner, and thus, the system may efficiently reallocate data to new objects based on data access patterns. For example, the system may determine an access pattern associated with live data remaining within the first object satisfies a condition, and in response, reallocated the live data to a new object.