Abstract: A system for securing modular building units to each other and a method for assembling structures using said method is disclosed. The disclosed system allows for modules to be connected to each other from an external position, without a person having to enter the modules to fasten components internally. The system and method may be used to build structures using prefabricated modules, avoiding significant amounts of onsite labor and drastically reducing the time required to erect structures.

Abstract: A multipurpose maintenance tool for a mechanical assembly. The tool includes a central body and an elongated shank extending in a longitudinal direction from the central body to a lever end. A foreign object removing element has a foreign body engaging surface. The element extends from the central body generally opposite the shank. A fastener engaging formation is formed on the shank, the removing element, and/or the central body. The formation is sized and shaped for engaging a fastener on the assembly to selectively tighten and loosen the fastener. A lateral extension extends from the central body to span an opening in the assembly and engage opposite margins adjacent the opening. As the shank is pivoted about the extension, the removal surface pivots about the lateral extension in a direction corresponding to the angular direction of the shank to dislodge foreign objects from the opening in the assembly.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to techniques for deformulating the spectra of arbitrary compound formulations such as polymer formulations into their chemical components. Particularly, aspects of the present disclosure are directed to obtaining an initial set of spectra for a plurality of samples comprising pure samples and composite samples, constructing a basis set of spectra for a plurality of pure samples based on the initial set of spectra, and providing or outputting the basis set of spectrum. The basis set of spectra is constructed in an iterative process that attempts to decompose, using a decomposition algorithm or model, the spectrum from the initial set of spectra in order to differentiate the pure samples from the composite samples. The basis set of spectra may then be used to deduce the composition of a material from a spectrogram.

Abstract: Techniques including data collection, organization and usage are provided, including in connection with computer-based gaming. Methods and systems are provided for establishing a set of data chronicling at least a portion of a duration of a computer-based gaming event that includes at least one user engaging in gaming using a computer or a computer-based device. Event data is obtained for chronicling chronologically ordered in-game events. Hardware and software related data is obtained that relates to the computer or the computer-based device and is relevant to the chronicling of the portion of the gaming event. Utilizing a distributed ledger technology or blockchain, the event data and the hardware and software related data are recorded in establishing the set of data chronicling at least a portion of the duration of the gaming event.

Abstract: A catalytic converter system having oxygen storage materials is disclosed and methods for determining whether to reactivate oxygen storage materials and monitoring failure events of the oxygen storage materials are also disclosed.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for anonymizing online transaction details may include performing a process to generate an identifier (ID) and reference address for a user, and receiving a request for transaction processing from an e-commerce server. The request may include first data including: information associated with a purchase of a product to be delivered to the user; the identifier; and the reference address. The method may further include: in response to the request, determining whether the ID and reference address are included in the request, and if so, obtaining the accurate address and shipping rate rules; applying, based on the first data and the accurate address, the shipping rate rules to determine accurate shipping rate cost information associated with delivering the product to the accurate address; performing an anonymizing process on the accurate information to obtain anonymous shipping rate information, and transmitting the anonymous shipping rate information to the e-commerce server.

Abstract: Engine systems and methods use a dual air injection approach to control exhaust reactions and to maintain temperatures below a maximum limit of exhaust system components during engine enrichment operation conditions. Dual air injectors are disposed in the exhaust system with one upstream from, and another downstream from, the catalytic converter. Providing air injection before and/or after the converter helps convert all HC, CO, and PM emissions while keeping the catalyst temperature below the catalyst protection temperature limit. Air injection quantity may be controlled and diagnosed by monitoring the temperatures before and after the catalytic converter. The catalytic converter may be a three-way catalytic converter for lower cost or a downstream two-way catalytic converter may be added if further emission reduction is necessary.

Abstract: Surgical devices having a plurality of outwardly-biased flexible fins capable of both inward convergence and outward flexion, provide for fluid retention and soft tissue retraction during surgical procedures. The outwardly-biased flexible fins also provide for soft tissue compression, decreasing the length of the lumen or passageway through which instruments pass, allowing for a wider range of movement of instruments and better access to the surgical site, especially in patients with greater amounts of fat tissue that would otherwise require longer lumen lengths in prior art endoscopic cannulas. An obturator assembly including a cannulated handle member with a cannulated shaft attached to said handle member, said shaft extending distally and terminating at a cannulated obturator tip. A hood structure found on such obturator tip may be used to secure one or more flexible fins prior to deployment.

Abstract: A water dispensing assembly including a handheld dispenser, a receiver mountable to an outlet pipe, a coupling mechanism for releasably coupling the handheld dispenser with the receiver. The coupling mechanism can include a male component adapted to be received in a female component, and a retention flange adapted to engage the receiver to assist in retaining the dispenser in a coupled state.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable medium are disclosed for performing a security operation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing dispersion compensation to optical systems. In some embodiments, the disclosed dispersion compensation system may be capable of adjusting the amount of dispersion compensation. The disclosed dispersion compensation system may include a cascade of varactor circuit elements, each with separate bias control, and optionally may include one or more switches to enable or disable selective ones of the cascaded varactor circuit elements.

Abstract: The present invention provides solid forms of an MK2 inhibitor, compositions thereof, and methods of using the same.

Abstract: A lighting device is disclosed that includes a plurality of light emitting diodes arranged in an array, a plurality of trenches disposed between and optically isolating the light emitting diodes, and a patterned converter layer disposed over an array surface formed by light emitting surfaces of the light emitting diodes and upper surfaces of the trenches, the patterned converter layers including a first region having a first converter and a second region having a second converter different from the first converter, the first region and second region disposed over different areas of the array surface.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus including a first three-dimensional (3-D) structure, a second 3-D structure, and a conductive layer. The first 3D structure includes a first-type doped semiconductor material having a semi-polar facet. The second 3-D structure forms a light-emitting diode (LED) and includes a second-type doped semiconductor material, an active layer, and the first-type doped semiconductor material. The conductive layer at least partially overlays and is in ohmic contact with the semi-polar facet. The conductive layer is configured to carry current that flows between the semi-polar facet and the active layer. In some embodiments, the first-type doped semiconductor material may include an N-type doped semiconductor material, and the second-type doped semiconductor material may include a P-type doped semiconductor material. The first-type doped semiconductor material of both 3-D structures may be etched from a common first-type doped semiconductor epitaxial layer.

Abstract: This disclosure addresses mattresses. The mattress includes a core made up of multiple zones. Each of the zones includes a plurality of core elements, the core elements being formed from at least one wire coil spring at least partially contained in a fabric pouch. The core elements are typically joined in linear chains. The zones vary in support firmness according to the selection of a user. The core elements include wire coil springs formed from wires of at least two different sizes, and of at least two different heights.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for detecting crosswalk locations. Crosswalk locations can be detected by determining at least two painted lines on a road surface, and then combining the at least two painted lines on the road surface into a grouping of related elements. The grouping of related elements can be classified into a crosswalk (or in some embodiments a type of crosswalk) based on attributes of the grouping of related elements, where the attributes of the grouping of the elements includes a distance between the at least two painted lines, and an orientation of the grouping of related elements on the road surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for operating a pair of earbuds based whether the earbuds are being worn by the same user or different users. In this regard, one or more processors may determine, based on sensor signals from the pair of earbuds, whether the pair of earbuds are being worn by a same user or different users. Based on determining that the pair of earbuds are being worn by the same user, the pair of earbuds may be operated in a first mode so that one or more functions are controlled based on a first set of input settings. Based on determining that the pair of earbuds are being worn by different users, the pair of earbuds may be operated in a second mode so that the one or more functions of the pair of earbuds are controlled based on a second set of input settings.

Abstract: An optical system comprising an optoelectronic device having a facet and a coating on the facet. The facet is configured to be in optical communication with at least a first optical medium during a first time period and a second optical medium during a second time period. The first optical medium has a first refractive index and the second optical medium has a second refractive index different from the first refractive index. The coating is configured to provide a first reflectance during the first time period for optical signals in a predetermined wavelength range and to provide a second reflectance during the second time period for optical signals in the predetermined wavelength range wherein the second reflectance is equal to the first reflectance within a negligible margin for optical signals having at least one wavelength in the predetermined wavelength range.

Abstract: Innovations in adaptive encoding for units of a video sequence can improve coding efficiency. For example, some of the innovations relate to encoding that includes adaptive switching of color spaces between units within a video sequence. Other innovations relate encoding that includes adaptive switching of color sampling rates between units within a video sequence. Still other innovations relate encoding that includes adaptive switching of bit depths between units within a video sequence.