Abstract: Disclosed is an ultrasound array comprising a plurality of ultrasound transducer elements (20) on a carrier (10), said carrier further carrying an actuator arrangement (30, 30?) of a material having an adjustable shape in response to an electromagnetic stimulus, e.g. an electro active polymer or optically responsive polymer, wherein the material is arranged to change the orientation of said ultrasound transducer elements in response to said stimulus. This facilitates configurable beam shaping and/or body contour matching with the ultrasound array. An ultrasound system (100) comprising such an ultrasound array is also disclosed.

Abstract: In an example, techniques of this disclosure include establishing, by a computing device, authentication data for authenticating a user of a service provided by a service provider, where the authentication data comprises one or more first data entries and one or more second data entries that correspond to the one or more first data entries. The techniques also include retrieving, from at least one third-party service provider, one or more second data entries maintained by the at least one third-party service provider that correspond to the one or more first data entries, and authenticating the user based on the authentication data, where authenticating the user comprises comparing the one or more first data entries to the one or more second data entries retrieved from the at least one third-party service provider.

Abstract: A wireless power transfer system includes a power receiver and a power transmitter providing power using an inductive power signal. The power transmitter includes a resonance circuit having capacitive and inductive impedances, and a driver configured to generate a drive signal for the resonance circuit. A frequency modification circuit is configured to control the resonance frequency of the resonance circuit by slowing a state change for the capacitive and/or inductive impedance for a fractional time interval of at least some cycles of the drive signal, The frequency modification circuit is configured to align at least one of a start time and an end time for the fractional time interval to transitions of a timing signal. In the power transmitter, the driver is configured to generate the timing signal to have transitions synchronized to the drive signal. The slowing may be by impeding current flow between the capacitive and inductive impedances.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automated file system capacity risk analysis include obtaining first utilization data of the file system during a plurality of series of time intervals, projecting a future utilization value for the series of time intervals, and determining a threshold utilization percentage indicative of a risk of reaching maximum capacity of the file system. In response to the projected future utilization value being equal to or greater than the threshold, calculating a rate of change of the first utilization data for each of the series of time intervals, determining a variation of the rates of change of all the series of time intervals, and in response to the variation of the rates of change being positive or the first utilization data for the last time interval being equal to or greater than the threshold, designating the file system as being at risk of reaching maximum capacity.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a control device for a food processing apparatus, and to a food processing apparatus, the apparatus comprising a food processing compartment (3) for a food substance, a heating unit (15) arranged to apply a heating procedure to the food substance, a weight sensor (44) arranged to monitor the weight of the processed food substance, and a control device (40) that is arranged to obtain weight information for the food substance, compute a derivative signal that is indicative of a weight loss rate of the food substance, compute a characteristic value of the derivative signal, and in an initial stage of the heating procedure, based on the characteristic value, determine an estimate for an initial fat content of the food substance, for the ongoing heating procedure, and/or an estimate for a resulting fat content change for the food substance. The present disclosure further relates to a method of operating a food processing apparatus.

Abstract: A shock absorber is provided having a cylinder, a piston rod, a piston body, and a valve. The cylinder is configured to receive fluid. The piston body is connected to the piston rod and is configured to reciprocate within the cylinder between a compression chamber and a rebound chamber. The valve is provided by the piston body having a fluid flow port, a valve seat, a circumferential valving element, and a spring configured to urge the valve body into the valve seat. A primary damping valve and an auxiliary damping valve are also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that provide a support system in the Z direction for patterning devices that can function under high acceleration and deceleration with minimal effect on travel and hysteresis in the X and Y directions. A reticle clamping system includes a support device and a holding device. The holding device is configured to releasably couple a reticle to the support device. The holding device includes a plurality of burls. The reticle clamping system further includes a metallic support system coupled to the support device. The metallic support system provides a vacuum path from a vacuum channel to the holding device.

Abstract: Various methods, apparatuses/systems, and media for implementing an automation suite module (ASM) for automated functional testing are provided. A receiver receives a request for testing an application. A repository stores a plurality of test classes related to the request. A processor accesses the repository; creates a plurality of packages, each package including one or more test classes among the plurality of test classes; causes, in response to receiving the request for testing the application, a graphical user interface (GUI) to display the plurality of packages with their respective test classes; generates, by utilizing the GUI, a plurality of test blocks by receiving selection of one or more test classes from one or more packages among the plurality of packages; generates, by utilizing the GUI, a custom test suite by receiving selection of one or more test blocks from the plurality of test blocks; and executes the test classes based on the custom test suite to test the application.

Abstract: A voltage doubler circuit supports operation in both a positive voltage boosting mode to positively boost voltage from a first node to a second node and a negative voltage boosting mode to negatively boost voltage from the second node to the first node. The voltage doubler circuit is formed by transistors of a same conductivity type that share a common bulk that is not tied to a source of any of the voltage doubler circuit transistors. A bias generator circuit is coupled to receive a first voltage from the first node and second voltage from the second node. The bias generator circuit operates to apply a lower one of the first and second voltages to the common bulk.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a retaining plate 1 for a vacuum cleaner filter bag, comprising a base plate 2 having a passage opening 3 formed therein and a closure device for closing the passage opening 3, wherein the closure device comprises two closure parts 4, 5 arranged in a plane parallel to the passage opening 3, and wherein the closure parts 4, 5 are movable relative to each other in the plane, so that, by a closing movement in the plane, they are movable to a closure position at which they close the passage opening 3 by overlapping each a respective part of the passage opening 3.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for enabling network-initiated control of streaming of segmented content from a content delivery node to at least one client, the client being configured to access at least part of the segmented content on the basis of a manifest file. A first manifest file is received identifying one or more segments and location information for locating one or more content delivery nodes configured to transmit one or more segments to at least one client. In response to reception of the first manifest file, channel set-up information is provided. At least one streaming control channel is established between at least one client and a control channel server function associated with the content delivery node on the basis of the control channel set-up information. The at least one client is configured for receiving at least one manifest file update message via the streaming control channel.

Abstract: A method for processing image data includes obtaining a first set of 3D volumetric image data. The 3D volumetric image data includes a volume of voxels. Each voxel has an intensity. The method further includes obtaining a local voxel noise estimate for each of the voxels of the volume. The method further includes processing the volume of voxels based at least on the intensity of the voxels and the local voxel noise estimates of the voxels. An image data processor (124) includes a computer processor that at least one of: generate a 2D direct volume rendering from first 3D volumetric image data based on voxel intensity and individual local voxel noise estimates of the first 3D volumetric image data, or registers second 3D volumetric image data and first 3D volumetric image data based at least one individual local voxel noise estimates of second and first 3D volumetric image data sets.

Abstract: The innovation discloses systems and methods of authenticating users using vein or blood vessel characteristics. The innovation retrieves, based on an authentication request, an authentication image associated with a user. The authentication image comprises a first predetermined point and a second predetermined point. The innovation projects the authentication image onto a body part of the user and reads a blood vessel from the body part. The user orients the blood vessel such that it corresponds to the predetermined points in the projected authentication image. The user is authenticated when the blood vessel appears to connect the predetermined points in the direction of the blood flow.

Abstract: A connection tool for a tongue manipulation system includes a connector configured to be coupled to a tongue advancer tether, a connection tool body, and a separable removal cannula part. The separable removal cannula part is configured to follow a tongue advancer tether line in order to enable a removal sleeve located at least partially within the separable removal cannula part to contact the tongue advancer. The separable removal cannula part is configured to be separated from the connection tool body following the removal sleeve contacting the tongue advancer and to expose a proximal end of the removal sleeve.

Abstract: A therapy planning system and method generate an optimal treatment plan accounting for changes in anatomy. Therapy is delivered to the subject according to a first auto-planned optimal treatment plan based on a first image of a subject. A second image of the subject is received after a period of time. The second image is registered with the first image to generate a deformation map accounting for physiological changes. The second image is segmented into regions of interest using the deformation map. A mapped delivered dose is computed for each region of interest using the dose delivery goals and the deformation map. The first treatment plan is merged with the segmented regions of the second image and the mapped delivered dose during optimization.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) home air filter to remove airborne molecular contaminants and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from air within residential spaces. The HVAC home air filter includes a supportive frame having a shape and size suitable to orient the HVAC home air filter within a residential HVAC system. A filter medium is retained within the supportive frame to remove the airborne molecular contaminants and VOCs from air flowing through the residential HVAC system. The filter medium includes a combination of media layers configured to exhibit a relatively high filtration efficiency and a low air pressure drop across the filter medium. The supportive frame includes a plurality of elongate sections and corner sections disposed along perimeter edges of the filter medium to support the filter medium within the residential HVAC system so as direct air through the filter medium.

Abstract: An information processing and display system includes a first database storing milestones associated with an approval process. A computing system is configured to access the first database and estimate start dates for the milestones. A risk of delay is determined for the milestones based on information associated with the approval process, and first adjusted start dates are estimated based on the determined risk of delay. Alternative actions associated with the determined risk of delay are determined, and second adjusted start dates based on the alternative actions are estimated. The computer generates a display of the first adjusted start dates, the alternative actions, and the second adjusted start dates.

Abstract: Method and system for generating at least one attention signal indicating a problem for an animal. The method includes attaching at least one sensor to the animal. The sensor generates information about the movement and/or direction of the sensor. The method analyzes the information to generate one attention signal if there is a problem with the animal. The analysis includes a step of calculating an actual inactive value and generating the signal if a condition is fulfilled. The actual inactive value indicates a length of time the animal was inactive over a recent first time period. When the actual inactive value is greater than a boundary value, attention signal is generated. The system is provided with at least one sensor and a computer for carrying out the analysis on the basis of information received form the at least one sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the taste of coffee, a method of controlling the taste of coffee and a coffee maker including the apparatus. The apparatus includes a control unit, configured to determine a target pH value of water corresponding to a desired coffee taste, and a corresponding adjustment control signal; and a pH adjustment unit, configured to adjust, in response to the adjustment control signal applied to the pH adjustment unit, the pH value of water to be fed into a brewing unit of a coffee maker to the target pH value. In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, the pH value of water to be fed to a brewing unit of a coffee maker may be adjusted for a desired coffee taste.