Abstract: A flow control apparatus includes a pressure regulator fluidly coupled to an inlet region and an outlet region and configured to reduce a pressure from a first value in the inlet region to a second value in the outlet region, where the second value is lower than the first value; and a variable area orifice disposed between the outlet region and an outlet opening of the apparatus, wherein a flow rate of a gas is controlled by the variable area orifice and is discharged from the apparatus to a gas supply line. A free area of the variable area orifice that is disposed between a movable element and a surface of the variable area orifice is configured to change linearly in response to a translation of the movable element relative to the surface.

Abstract: A haptic communication system includes either a switch assembly or a compilation of discretely installed components. The switch assembly and the installed components utilize a haptic actuator to elicit tactile and/or audibly perceptible haptic outputs. The switch assembly and/or a collective haptic communication system includes a processor communicating with the actuator. Computerized instructions cause the processor to receive a message from an external system, identify either an audio or vibrational output signal, and communicate the output signal to the actuator. The audio or vibrational output signal causes the actuator to propagate a respective pressure wave that elicits an audible or inaudible, vibrational response at the output surface of the actuator. The pressure wave causes tactilely and/or audibly perceptible vibration within the individual switch assembly or within an overall installation such as a seat or steering assembly in a vehicle.

Abstract: Lighting fixture data hubs and systems and methods for use. An example of a data hub may include an annunciator configured to generate first and second indications; a sensor configured to detect a zone including one or more parking spaces, pedestrians, or other activity areas in a vicinity of the data hub and to determine whether or not one or more vehicles, pedestrians, and/or activities occurring in the activity areas are present within the zone, the sensor further configured to emit signals corresponding to said detection; and a gateway in communication with an on-board processor and the annunciator, the on-board processor configured for EDGE computing and processing to receive and analyze the signals from the sensor, communicate said signals to the gateway, and operable to allow the gateway to direct the annunciator to generate the first indication or the second indication in response to the signals.

Abstract: In a general aspect, a circuit can include a pass device configured to receive an input voltage and provide an output voltage. The circuit can further include a current sink coupled with a control terminal of the pass device, the current sink being configured to discharge the control terminal of the pass device to limit the output voltage in response to the input voltage exceeding a threshold voltage. The circuit can also include a switch coupled in series with the current sink, the switch being configured to enable the current sink in response to the input voltage exceeding the threshold voltage.

Abstract: A device is adapted to be coupled to a conveyor system and recondition at least one chain of the conveyor system. The device includes a base and at least one attachment element coupled to the base. The attachment element is adapted to detachably couple the device to the conveyor system. At least one reconditioning element is coupled to the base, and the reconditioning element is adapted to engage and recondition the chain as the chain moves relative to the reconditioning element. At least one biasing element is coupled to the reconditioning element, and the biasing element urges the reconditioning element away from the base and into engagement with the chain.

Abstract: A coaxial tap in a hybrid fiber coaxial cable distribution system serves subscribers with an RF signal and optionally an equipment supply voltage while passing the RF signal to devices downstream of the tap.

Abstract: A low-density parity check (LDPC) decoder includes a variable node unit (VNU) comprising a plurality of variable nodes configured to perform sums. A first message mapper of the LDPC decoder receives first n1-bit indices from likelihood ratio (LLR) input and maps the first n1-bit indices to first numerical values that are input to the variable nodes of the VNU. A second message mapper of the LDPC decoder receives second n2-bit indices from a check node unit (CNU) and maps the second n2-bit indices to second numerical values that are input to the variable nodes of the VNU. The CNU includes a plurality of check nodes that perform parity check operations. The first and second numerical values having ranges that are larger than what can be represented in n1-bit and n2-bit binary, respectively.

Abstract: An electrospun coated component for a lead acid battery is disclosed. The electrospun coated component includes positive electrode, negative electrode, and separator. The separator may comprise a low-conducting and/or non-conductive material. A method of electrospun coating these components of a LAB is provided. Suitable compositions and conditions for electrospun coating on to LAB components are further provided in this disclosure.

Abstract: A collaborative video camera system of an edge node can be used to track and predict objects, locations of the objects, and events associated therewith. For example, multiple cameras can be utilized to determine the direction in which an object is heading. This data can be used to activate and/or dispatch other cameras that may be at or near the predicted location of the object. Additionally, sound associated with the object can be used to predict and/or active cameras that are at or near the predicted location of the object.

Abstract: In non-limiting examples of the present disclosure, systems, methods and devices for providing cross-device access to group features are presented. A facial image input may be received from a user. A determination may be made that the user is not associated with a group having access to one or more sets of features accessible from the device. An authorization request may be sent to an owner account associated with the device for adding the user to the group. A request to add the user to the group may be received via the authorization request. The user may be added to the group.

Abstract: Implementations described herein relate to methods, devices, and computer-readable media to display a motion image that includes a plurality of frames. In some implementations, a computer-implemented method includes determining a motion score for the motion image based on the plurality of frames. The method further includes determining whether the motion score meets a display threshold. If the motion score meets the display threshold, the method further includes causing the motion image to be displayed with subject motion by displaying the plurality of frames of the motion image in succession. If the motion score does not meet the display threshold, the method further includes causing the motion image to be displayed without subject motion by displaying a particular frame of the motion image.

Abstract: Building sets including one or more blocks or planks and one or more connector clips configured to engage a thickness of the planks. Various types of planks, as well as various types of connecting clips may be provided, so as to provide open-ended building characteristics to users. Some connector clips may include a mating protrusion allowing the connector clip to be coupled to a hole or receptacle of another connector clip, or hub for connector clips, or into a hole of a plank. Such clips may be pivotable relative to the structure coupled to as a result of the mating protrusion connection. The building sets may provide proportional dimension characteristics between the planks and various connector clips, hubs, etc. One or more button connector clips may be provided with one or more panels, allowing panels to be integrated into the structural framework created with the connector clips and planks.

Abstract: A data processing method includes receiving a message related to performance of a storage device, the message including an indicator value regarding the performance in a first time period, and a timestamp associated with the first time period. A status record of the storage device, including the number of received indicator values in a second time period including the first time period, is determined based on the timestamp, wherein the number of the received indicator values is less than a threshold number and can be updated based on the indicator value. The performance in the second time period can be determined based on the indicator value and the received indicator values in response to determining that the updated number of the received indicator values reaches the threshold number. Thus, the performance of the storage device can be quickly and accurately determined, and the consumption of computing resources is reduced.

Abstract: A helmet assembly includes an upper member, a lower member, and rigid or semi-rigid plates connected between the two members. The helmet may include a series of fluidly connected air compartments beneath the plates is disclosed. Embodiments of the helmet may dissipate impact energy in multiple ways including deformation of the plates, shifting of the plates, cushioning of the plates against a resilient compressible material present in the upper member, compression of air within the air compartments, movement of air within the air compartments, and/or expansion of air in non-impacted sections of the air compartments which causes the shifting of non-impacted plates. Springs with or without resilient, compressible inserts may be positioned between movable plates and a frame member. A spine including compressible material may extend along a top section of the helmet and connect plates on opposite sides of the helmet.

Abstract: A screen mountable on a chairback of a chair can include a primary panel, a vertical strap, and a brace assembly. The primary panel can have a front and back sides, extend between first and second lateral edges and between top and bottom vertical edges. The vertical strap can be fixed to the front side at first and second ends and extend around the chairback. The vertical strap can be formed to elastically stretch around the chairback. The brace assembly can be fixed to the front side to urge the top vertical edge forward. A second end of the brace assembly can be selectively engageable with the front side at a second position above the first position. The second end can be engaged with the front side in operation and disengaged from the front side when not in operation.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide swallowable devices, preparations and methods for delivering drugs and other therapeutic agents within the GI tract. Many embodiments provide a swallowable device for delivering the agents. Particular embodiments provide a swallowable device such as a capsule for delivering drugs into the intestinal wall or other GI lumen. Embodiments also provide various drug preparations that are configured to be contained within the capsule, advanced from the capsule into the intestinal wall and degrade to release the drug into the bloodstream to produce a therapeutic effect. The preparation can be operably coupled to delivery means having a first configuration where the preparation is contained in the capsule and a second configuration where the preparation is advanced out of the capsule into the intestinal wall. Embodiments of the invention are particularly useful for the delivery of drugs which are poorly absorbed, tolerated and/or degraded within the GI tract.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for receiving and processing video content to aid in a user's rest cycles, such as sleep and wake cycles. Video content may be received and processed to determine information related to a plurality of pixels to be displayed on a screen. Each of the plurality of pixels may have a corresponding color value. A time of day when the video content is to be displayed is determined, and compared to a current time of day. Based on the comparison or other data, a color value of one or more of the pixels can be adjusted or changed.

Abstract: Methods for data monitoring with changeable routing of input channels are disclosed. An example method includes a data collector communicatively coupled to a plurality of input channels and a data acquisition circuit to interpret the detection values, each corresponding to an input channel. Sensor data is acquired from a first route of input channels and stored together with specifications for the sensors that correspond to the input channels. The sensor data is evaluated with respect to an alarm threshold level and an alarm state set when the alarm threshold level is exceeded. A response circuit changes a routing of the input channels for data collection from a first routing to an alternate routing of input channels, wherein the alternate routing of input channels comprise the first input channel and a group of input channels related to the first input channel.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and computer readable media are described related to automated assistants that proactively incorporate, into human-to-computer dialog sessions, unsolicited content of potential interest to a user. In various implementations, in an existing human-to-computer dialog session between a user and an automated assistant, it may be determined that the automated assistant has responded to all natural language input received from the user. Based on characteristic(s) of the user, information of potential interest to the user or action(s) of potential interest to the user may be identified. Unsolicited content indicative of the information of potential interest to the user or the action(s) may be generated and incorporated by the automated assistant into the existing human-to-computer dialog session.

Abstract: A cable hanger includes a generally flat base and first and second opposed arms extending in a first direction from the base. Hooks are positioned on free ends of the arms. The arms form a gap configured to receive and grasp a cable. The base includes a cross-member that divides two arcuate openings, the cross-member attached at each end with a frangible section.