Abstract: A modular firestarter assembly. The modular firestarter assembly includes a number of modular components configured to be able to mount to one another to form the firestarter assembly. The modular components can be broken down to save side. The modular firestarter assembly can be formed from a number of different combinations of the modular components to hold fuel sources and assist in starting a fire.

Abstract: Examples are disclosed that relate to utilizing image sensor inputs from different devices having different perspectives in physical space to construct an avatar of a first user in a video stream. The avatar comprises a three-dimensional representation of at least a portion of a face of the first user texture mapped onto a three-dimensional body simulation that follows actual physical movement of the first user. The three-dimensional body simulation of the first user is generated based on image data received from an imaging device and image sensor data received from a head-mounted display device both associated with the first user. The three-dimensional representation of the face of the first user is generated based on the image data received from the imaging device. The resulting video stream is sent, via a communication network, to a display device associated with a second user.

Abstract: A system and method for rotating an ornament, so that the ornament can be easily decorated. The decorating device has a housing that defines an interior compartment. Within the interior compartment, a mount receives and engages the neck of the ornament, therein temporarily connecting the ornament neck to the mount. The ornament is passed into the housing through an access opening in the housing. When connected to the mount in the housing, at least some of the ornament extends out of the housing through the access opening. A motor is used to rotate the mount and ornament. As the ornament rotates, the section of the ornament that extends out of the access opening can be contacted with marking devices. In this manner, the ornament can be decorated as it spins.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for acquiring three-dimensional (3D) measurements of object surfaces are provided. In one aspect, an optical scanning system includes: a first digital illuminator configured to illuminate a sequence of first patterns along a first optical path directed upon an object surface, a second digital illuminator configured to illuminate at least one sequence of second patterns along a second optical path onto the object surface, and at least one digital camera disposed facing the object surface and configured to capture both images of the sequence of first patterns reflected from the object surface and images of the at least one sequence of second patterns reflected from the object surface to generate 3D reconstruction data of the object surface. The second optical path is different from the first optical path, and the at least one sequence of second patterns is different from the sequence of first patterns.

Abstract: A device may receive a job request associated with a data processing job, including job timing data specifying a time at which the data processing job is to be executed by a virtual computing environment. The device may receive user data associated with the job request and validate the data processing job based on the user data. In addition, the device may identify a priority associated with the data processing job, based on the user data and the job timing data. The device may provide, to a job queue, job data that corresponds to the data processing job, and monitor the virtual computing environment to determine when virtual resources are available. The device may also determine, based on the monitoring, that a virtual resource is available and, based on the determination and the priority, provide the virtual resource with data that causes execution of the data processing job.

Abstract: An analysis application utilizes interactivity signals to generate relationships and promote content. One or more interactivity applications, such as a social networking application, are queried to retrieve interactivity signals. Interactivity signals include an interaction pattern that indicates a relationship between a user and relations of the user. A relationship graph is constructed based on the interactivity signals. Content associated with a user is promoted based on the relationship graph. A weight of the interactivity signals is adjusted to improve a ranking of the relationship graph and a ranking of the content.

Abstract: A thermosiphon includes a condenser; an evaporator that includes a fluid channel and a heat transfer surface, the heat transfer surface defining a plurality of fluid pathways in the fluid channel that extend through the fluid channel, the evaporator configured to thermally couple to one or more heat-generating electronic devices; and a transport member that fluidly couples the condenser and the evaporator, the transport member including a liquid conduit that extends through the transport member to deliver a liquid phase of a working fluid into the fluid pathways, the transport member further including a surface to vertically enclose the plurality of fluid pathways.

Abstract: An overspeed brake system for use in an elevator powerhead is provided. A brake rotor is attachable to a cable drum to rotate with a cable drum. A brake member selectively engages the brake rotor upon transition of an actuation lever from a first position to a second position. A biasing member acts on the actuation lever to bias the actuation lever from the first position towards the second position. A latch arrangement has a first orientation maintaining the actuation lever in the first position and a second orientation releasing the actuation lever for transitioning from the first position to the second position. The latch arrangement transitions from the first orientation to the second orientation when a speed sensing arrangement senses that the rotational speed of the cable drum is at least a predetermined rotational speed.

Abstract: A rotational engine system comprises a rotational engine and a propulsion system. The rotational engine includes an outer ring enclosure, an inner ring component, and a drive gear. The inner ring component includes a piston and a drive gear engagement portion. The piston is configured to travel within the outer ring enclosure along a circumference of the outer ring enclosure. The drive gear engagement portion is configured to rotate as the piston travels along the circumference of the circular shape of the outer ring enclosure. The drive gear is coupled to the drive gear engagement portion of the inner ring component such that rotation of the drive gear engagement portion rotationally drives the drive gear. The propulsion system is configured to deliver propulsive energy to propel the piston along the circumference of the outer ring enclosure.

Abstract: A zoned waveplate has a series of transversely stacked birefringent zones alternating with non-birefringent zones. The birefringent and non-birefringent zones are integrally formed upon an AR-coated face of a single substrate by patterning the AR coated face of the substrate with zero-order sub-wavelength form-birefringent gratings configured to have a target retardance. The layer structure of the AR coating is designed to provide the target birefringence in the patterned zones and the reflection suppression.

Abstract: A phase shifter assembly includes first and second phase shifters that respectively include a wiper printed circuit board and a rotatable wiper support, where the wiper printed circuit board and the wiper support are coupled in motion. The phase shifter assembly further comprises: a U-shaped bracket having first and second arms, where the first phase shifter is held on the first arm, and the second phase shifter is held on the second arm; and a rack that is linearly movably supported and is drivable to move linearly; wherein the slide holders has a tooth portion respectively, and the tooth portions are engaged with the common rack. By means of linear movement of the rack, the slide holders can be rotated respectively, and thus the slides are movable within a predetermined range respectively so as to implement phase shifts.

Abstract: A vehicle seat mounting system includes a seat mount plate and a vehicle mount plate. A vertically operable scissor linkage assembly is disposed between the seat mount plate and the vehicle mount plate and is oriented such that respective opposing ends of a first scissor arm and a second scissor arm are each secured to a respective one of the seat mount plate and the vehicle mount plate. A spring assembly is disposed between the seat mount plate and the vehicle mount plate and is oriented to cooperate with the scissor linkage assembly to resist translation between the vehicle mount plate and the seat mount plate. An adjuster assembly cooperates with the spring assembly and is operable to manipulate the proportion of the spring assembly that is available to be engaged to resist motion of the mounting system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are amendments to hot-mix asphalt (“HMA”) which open new price/performance areas to asphalt cement concrete (“ACC”) pavement. Equivalent-performing pavement may be made at lower cost, or higher-performing pavement may be made at equivalent-to-prior-art cost. The amendments, recycled asphalt pavement (“RAP”, and including recycled asphalt shingles [“RAS”]), and reinforcing fiber (aramid fiber) may be adjusted as described herein to achieve a desired price/performance target.

Abstract: A system includes a processor and a memory accessible to the processor. The memory may store instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to receive first data associated with a first owner and second data associated with a second owner from a data warehouse. The memory further includes instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to selectively filter the first data according to first data sharing permissions defined by the first owner to produce first filtered data, selectively filter the second data according to second data sharing permissions defined by the second owner to produce second filtered data, and provide an output including the first filtered data and the second filtered data to a data requester.

Abstract: A method for sharing travel data to two sets of databases. In accordance with this invention, a Parent Customer leases vehicles to Child Customers. Travel data from the leased vehicles is directed through the Parent Customer's database first to a Gateway Server, then to a Middleware Server, then to the separate, corresponding Child Customer Databases. Child Customers, therefore, have full privacy, allowing them to see only data related to the vehicles they have rented or leased, and prohibiting future lessees from accessing data belonging to a prior lessee.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for generating a 3D avatar or instructions for movement of robotic limbs using a biomechanical analysis of observed actions with a focus on representing actions through computer-generated 3D avatars or instructions for movement of robotic limbs. Physical quantities of biomechanical actions can be measured from the observations, and the system can analyze these values, compare them to target or optimal values, and use the observations and known biomechanical capabilities to generate 3D avatars or instructions for movement of robotic limbs.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for improving interactions with and between computers in content providing, searching and/or hosting systems supported by or configured with devices, servers and/or platforms. The disclosed systems and methods provide a novel framework for performing automatic detection of surfaces in video frames resulting in the creation of a seamless in-video ad experience for viewing users. The disclosed framework operates by leveraging available surfaces in videos to show advertisements in compliance with publisher protection, compliance and policy in a fully automatic, end-to-end solution. The disclosed framework evidences a streamlined, automatic and computationally efficient process(es) that modifies digital content at the surface level within the frames of the content in compliance with the digital rights of the owners of the content being merged via the disclosed augmentation.

Abstract: An orientation control system for an agricultural implement includes a first sensor configured to be positioned at a left end portion of a frame. The first sensor is configured to emit a first output signal toward a soil surface and to receive a first return signal indicative of a first height of the left end portion. The orientation control system also includes a second sensor configured to be positioned at a right end portion of the frame. The second sensor is configured to emit a second output signal toward the soil surface and to receive a second return signal indicative of a second height of the right end portion. In addition, the orientation control system includes a controller configured to control first, second, and third actuators such that a difference between the first height and the second height is less than a threshold value.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for the preparation of allergenic extracts. In one embodiment, the methods are carried out without having to adjust the pH of the extraction phase. The methods provide efficient recovery of allergenic extract from allergenic source material.

Abstract: A vibration control element includes a nanovoided polymer layer having a first damping coefficient and a first resonance frequency in a first state and a second damping coefficient and a second resonance frequency in a second state, where the first damping coefficient is different from the second damping coefficient and the first resonance frequency is different from the second resonance frequency.