Abstract: A robotic pool cleaner can operate while submerged to clean floor and side wall surface areas of the pool. A second embodiment of the pool cleaner can clean debris while skimming water along the top surface of the pool water. A third embodiment of the pool cleaner when inverted from submerged cleaning mode into skimmer mode, exposes on its bottom surface solar panels by which the pool cleaner's internal batteries can be recharged. A fourth embodiment of the pool cleaner includes different combinations of the submerged cleaning mode, the skimming mode and the battery charging mode.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a ladder and method for removably mounting the ladder on a recreational vehicle is disclosed. The ladder may be removed and used as a standard step ladder. The ladder includes a top end and two pairs of legs extending downward from the top end. At least one of the pairs of legs is pivotally mounted to the top end, and a pivoting limiting mechanism is provided to allow the pairs of legs to fold adjacent one another or unfold to a use position as a step ladder. An upper mounting arrangement is attached to the recreational vehicle. The arrangement includes two free ends extending downwardly therefrom; and the top end of the ladder includes receivers for receiving free ends of the upper mounting arrangement.

Abstract: The disclosed fraud risk scoring tool provides data-driven identification of potential fraud cases. A fraud risk score is determined based at least on a weighted sum of multiple metrics, where weights are determined based on precision or inverse variance and suspension propensity importance, which is indicative of variable importance. An exemplary method includes: receiving and aggregating transaction metrics across customer IDs to produce an aggregated transaction metric data set; determining, for each aggregated transaction metric in the aggregated transaction metric data set, a precision value, a suspension propensity importance, and a scoring weight based at least on one of the precision value and the suspension propensity importance; determining, for each customer ID within the plurality of customer IDs, a risk score based at least on the scoring weights applied to corresponding transaction metrics and a risk priority; and reporting at least one customer ID associated with a selected risk priority.

Abstract: Distance measurements are received from one or more distance measurement sensors, which may be coupled to a vehicle. A three-dimensional (3D) point cloud are generated based on the distance measurements. In some cases, 3D point clouds corresponding to distance measurements from different distance measurement sensors may be combined into one 3D point cloud. A voxelized model is generated based on the 3D point cloud. An object may be detected within the voxelized model, and in some cases may be classified by object type. If the distance measurement sensors are coupled to a vehicle, the vehicle may avoid the detected object.

Abstract: A toilet having a first-magnet secured to the terminal end of the toilet's flush-arm and a second-magnet secured to the toilet's lid such that when the lid is in its open or up position, the two magnets align preventing the flush-arm from rotating upward to cause the toilet to flush. Conversely, when the lid is down and the two magnets are separated, the flush-arm can be rotated upward causing the toilet to flush. In another example, a magnet-attracting component, such as iron, cobalt or nickel, can be substituted for one of the magnets. A kit for retrofitting an existing toilet is also disclosed.

Abstract: A push-to-connect joint assembly, device and method include a fitting formed with an interior wall having axially inner, axially intermediate and axially outer portions that facilitate re-use and repair of push-to-connect fittings and valves without damage to the fitting or valve elements or the pipe, and without coining, gluing or threaded engagement of parts. In embodiments, a packing arrangement inserted into a fitting includes a sealing member, a fastening ring, a seat ring, and a retainer including a shield member and/or a seat retainer.

Abstract: The vehicle for use with the present system is a pickup truck or other work truck with an open cargo space. The cargo space is typically defined by a rectangular bed surrounded by fixed walls on three sides and a tailgate in the rear of the vehicle. The bottom of the cargo space is referred to as the floor or cargo bed floor. Cargo pillars are positioned at the two back corners of the cargo bed. They are also the structural support for a tailgate. The bottom of the tailgate is rotatably connected to the base of the pillars next to the cargo bed floor. When the tailgate is open or down, it is typically about parallel to the cargo bed floor. When the tailgate is up or closed, it is latched or locked to the upper end of the pillars. A fixed or retractable cable strap, chain, rope, or similar line is adapted to be locked together with the locking of a truck tailgate.

Abstract: This disclosure pertains to analytical instruments and related methods incorporating beam shaping optics for differentiating very bright and closely related signals over a wide range of operating conditions with an improved and uniform performance.

Abstract: Systems and methods for unsticking intake and exhaust valves of an engine are described. In one example, valves that may be adjustably timed relative to an engine crankshaft position may be adjusted to unstick intake and/or exhaust valve that are stuck open or closed. In addition, fuel injection timing and spark timing may be adjusted in an effort to unstick intake and/or exhaust valves.

Abstract: Knitted fire barrier fabrics for use in forming a flame retardant articles having a core, include for example, a unitarily knitted form comprising a plurality of yarns. The plurality of yarns define the unitarily knitted form having a longitudinal knitted direction, and the unitarily knitted form includes a plurality of differential zones of knitted material extending side-by-side in the longitudinal knitted direction. The knitted fire barrier fabric is disposable on the core so that at least one of the plurality of differential zones of knitted material of the knitted fire barrier fabric provides a differential protective capacity to at least one selected portion of the flame retardant article.

Abstract: A posterior spinal implant system configured to immobilize and stabilize spinal segments as an adjunct to fusion in the thoracic, lumbar, and/or sacral spine. The implant system includes a pedicle screw, a spinal rod; a connector connecting the pedicle screw to the spinal rod. The connector includes a connector body, a polyaxial screw receiver positioned on the connector body and configured to receive the pedicle screw and permit polyaxial orientation of the connector relative to the pedicle screw, a polyaxial rod receiver positioned in the connector body and configured to receive the spinal rod and permit polyaxial orientation of the spinal rod relative to the connector, and a lock installed in the polyaxial rod receiver. The lock is operable to lock the connector relative the pedicle screw, lock the polyaxial rod receiver relative to the connector, and lock the spinal rod relative to the polyaxial rod receiver.

Abstract: A system and method for providing assisted safety to an operator of a vehicle using a head-mounted display that provides displayed content and a see-through view of a surrounding environment, includes determining whether the operator is looking through the windshield of the vehicle or is not looking through the windshield, if the user is looking through the windshield, preventing displayed content from being provided within a display field of view of the head-mounted display, thereby providing an unencumbered see-through view of the surrounding environment, if the user is not looking through the windshield, providing displayed content for viewing by the user within the display field of view, and if important information relating to the safety of the vehicle is detected by a system associated with the vehicle while the user is looking not looking through the windshield, interrupting the displayed content and providing an alert to the operator.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus that help reduce and prevent infection by controlling and/or reducing the level of contaminants, which include pathogens, allergens and/or odor-causing agents including VOCs. Photocatalytic oxidation is performed in a high humidity environment so that hydrogen peroxide molecules are readily produced.

Abstract: A blending method is described for preparing a blended mixture. The blending method for preparing a blended mixture, the method includes: providing a control system having at least a processor, a computer-readable memory, and a display, wherein the memory contains software configured to receive a recipe defining instructions for preparing a blended mixture using one or more blending materials and amounts for producing a batch size of the blended mixture on a scale; monitoring a weight on the scale as blending materials are added to a receptacle on the scale; and indicating on the display the amounts of the blending materials that have been added to the scale to prepare an amount of a custom blended mixture based upon the selected blending materials.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for an agricultural baler includes: a hydraulic motor; a hydraulically driven component fluidly coupled to the hydraulic motor such that fluid flow between the hydraulic motor and the hydraulically driven component causes the hydraulically driven component to move between a first position and a second position; a flow sensor associated with the hydraulically driven component; and a controller operatively coupled to the flow sensor and the hydraulic motor. The controller is configured to: enter a learning mode to learn a driven movement of the hydraulically driven component from the first position to the second position; determine fluid flow between the hydraulic motor and the hydraulically driven component during the driven movement while in the learning mode; associate the determined fluid flow with the driven movement; and output control signals to the hydraulic motor to reproduce the associated fluid flow and reproduce the driven movement.

Abstract: A multi-color LED illumination device and specifically 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 the entirety of the 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 surfaces placed on the sidewall surface of the cylindrical opening, as well as its upper planar surface and 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.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying a user interface may include an examination and/or elimination of positional bias of interactive categories in order to drive user engagement. A method or system configured to execute the method on a user interface may include creating a first arrangement of categories. The arrangement can be shown on a user device to one or more users a selected number of times. The users' interactions with the categories in the interface may be recorded. The method may further include creating a second arrangement, which is different from the first arrangement, and this second arrangement may be shown to the users the selected number of times and the users' interactions with the second arrangement may be recorded. Based on the frequency of user interactions with the first and second arrangement, a ranked set of the categories may be created and displayed to users.

Abstract: The invention is a Demodulator for an Optical Analog Pulse Position Modulated signal suitable for inclusion in receivers for Free Space Optical communication systems. In one embodiment the Demodulator may use the pulse position modulated optical information signal and the clock signal with different wavelengths. By proper biasing of a Semiconductor Optical Amplifier and selection of wavelengths for the information signal and the clock signal, the performance of the Demodulator is made insensitive to noise in the received signals.

Abstract: Innovations in encoder-side options for intra block copy (“BC”) prediction mode facilitate intra BC prediction that is more effective in terms of rate-distortion performance and/or computational efficiency of encoding. For example, some of the innovations relate to concurrently performing block vector (“BV”) estimation and making block splitting decisions for a block. Other innovations relate to selectively merging blocks into a larger block during BV estimation.

Abstract: An inflatable shoe insert assembly may have an elongated lower element formed of opposing, flexible, polymeric plies that are sealed together to define a tubular inflation chamber that is narrow and elongated and is configured to seal inflation fluid therein; a shoe-upper element formed of opposing, flexible, polymeric plies that are sealed together to define a shoe-upper inflation chamber configured to seal inflation fluid therein; wherein lower and upper inflation chambers are configured and dimensioned to fit together into a shoe and support each other in an installed position to cooperatively support and maintain the shape of the shoe upper.