Abstract: Systems, devices and methods enable generation and monitoring of support platform structural conditions in a manner that overcomes drawbacks associated with conventional approaches (e.g., load cells) for generating and monitoring similar operating condition information. In preferred embodiments, such systems, devices and methods utilize fiber optic strain gauges (i.e., fiber optic sensors) in place of (e.g., retrofit/data replacement) or in combination with conventional load cells. The fiber optic sensors are strategically placed at a plurality of locations on one or more support bodies of a support platform. In preferred embodiments, the fiber optic strain gauges are placed in positions within a hull and/or one or more pontoons of an offshore platform. Such positions are selected whereby resulting operating condition data generated by the fiber optic strain gauges suitably replaces data received by conventionally constructed and located load cells of an offshore platform (e.g., a TLP).

Abstract: Methods and systems for calibrating a haptic system in an electronic device are provided. The calibration of the haptic system may be performed in a facility prior to a shipment to a user. The calibration may also be performed by a user prior to or after his/her use of the haptic system in the electronic device over time. A method for performing a calibration process in an electronic device includes generating a drive signal from a haptic driver in a haptic system disposed in an electronic device, transmitting the drive signal to an actuator in the haptic system, detecting a back Electromotive Force (bEMF) signal from the actuator in the haptic system, analyzing an output waveform from the bEMF signal, and adjusting a scale of the drive signal generated from the haptic driver.

Abstract: A wire cable construct including a plurality of strands each made of a plurality of wire filaments, the strands and wire filaments arranged in a 37×7 configuration of 37 strands of 7 wire filaments each, with the strands arranged in four layers including a first, central layer of a single strand, a second layer of six strands, a third layer of twelve strands and a fourth, outermost layer of eighteen strands. The cable may have a small diameter for use in medical device applications, and the strand and wire element configuration allows the cable to carry high axial loads, minimizes bending stress when the cable is routed around a tight turn such as a small pulley, and minimizes torsion in the cable due to axial loading.

Abstract: In order to ensure reliable power for charging electric vehicles is available at each charging station at a charging site having multiple charging stations, the systems and methods disclosed herein provide for charge transfers between batteries of such charging stations. A plurality of charging stations at a charging site are connected via a direct current (DC) bus in order to transfer energy between the charging stations, such as to balance the energy stored at the respective batteries of the charging stations. Each charging station includes a system controller controlling operation of the charging station and a DC bus connection to provide DC current from the battery to the DC bus and to provide DC current from the DC bus to the battery, as controlled by the system controller. A centralized management system may also communicate with and control aspects of operation of the respective system controllers of the charging stations.

Abstract: A fuel contamination detection system includes a fuel quality analyzer, a multiway valve, and a controller. The multiway valve includes a first inlet, a second inlet, and an outlet. The multiway valve also may include a switching device. The controller is electrically coupled to the analyzer. The controller may be coupled to the switching device, if present. Fuel is flowed through the fuel quality analyzer and an output current is measured to determine whether the fuel includes impurities. The controller is operable to signal a fuel dispensing system to dispense fuel if the fuel is sufficiently clean or cease dispensing fuel if the fuel is impure.

Abstract: According to examples, an apparatus may include a processor and a memory on which is stored instructions that may cause the processor to determine that information has been inputted into an object, the object including a child object nested within the object. The instructions may also cause the processor to generate a child-object hash value based on contents of the child object, generate a hash value for the object based on contents of the object, the contents of the object including the child-object hash value, and determine whether the generated hash value differs from a stored hash value, the stored hash value corresponding to contents of the object without the inputted information. The instructions may also cause the processor to, based on a determination that the generated hash value differs from the stored hash value, save the object including the child object nested within the object.

Abstract: A cloud tracking system may store configuration data separately for each account of multiple accounts that an entity has with a cloud computing provider and may aggregate the configuration data into a data structure that stores the configuration data together for the multiple accounts. The cloud tracking system may receive a request that includes a user identifier of a user associated with the entity and may search for the user identifier in the data structure. The cloud tracking system may identify a set of deployed cloud computing services associated with the user identifier based on searching for the user identifier in the data structure, wherein the set of deployed cloud computing services is associated with more than one account of the multiple accounts. The cloud tracking system may identify one or more deployed cloud computing services, of the set of deployed cloud computing services, that are outdated.

Abstract: In some implementations, a language proficiency of a user of a client device is determined by one or more computers. The one or more computers then determines a text segment for output by a text-to-speech module based on the determined language proficiency of the user. After determining the text segment for output, the one or more computers generates audio data including a synthesized utterance of the text segment. The audio data including the synthesized utterance of the text segment is then provided to the client device for output.

Abstract: A microphone assembly including an acoustic transducer that generates an electrical signal responsive to acoustic activity, and an integrated circuit electrically coupled to the acoustic transducer and that receives the electrical signal from the acoustic transducer and generate an output signal representative of the acoustic activity. The microphone assembly also includes a substrate comprising a first surface on which the integrated circuit is mounted, a guard ring mounted on the substrate and elevated relative to the first surface of the substrate, and a can mounted to the guard ring, wherein the can, the guard ring, and the substrate form a housing in which the transducer and integrated circuit are disposed.

Abstract: A method and a radar system are provided in the present disclosure. The radar system includes a radar unit having an antenna array configured to transmit and receive radar signal and a memory configured to store radar calibration parameters and radar channel parameters corresponding to the radar unit. The method provides for operation of the radar system. The radar system also includes a radar processor. The radar processor is configured to cause transmission of radar signals by the antenna array based on the radar channel parameters. The radar processor is also configured to process received radar signals based on the radar calibration parameters. The radar system further includes a central vehicle controller configured to operate a vehicle based on the processed radar signals.

Abstract: A connector assembly is provided and includes a shielding cage, a receptacle connector and a light guiding member. The shielding cage has a plurality of walls, a receiving space defined together by the plurality of walls, a front end opening communicated to the receiving space and an aperture communicated to the receiving space. The receptacle connector is received in a rear segment of the receiving space of the shielding cage. The light guiding member has at least two light guiding pipes, each light guiding pipe has a first segment positioned to the front and a second segment positioned to the rear. The first segments of the two light guiding pipes are positioned outside the shielding cage and the second segments of the two light guiding pipes pass through the aperture and enter into the rear segment of the receiving space of the shielding cage.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method that includes depositing a first layer onto a substrate, depositing a second layer onto a surface of the first layer, and separating the substrate from the second layer, where the substrate includes a first III-V alloy, the second layer includes second III-V alloy, and the first layer includes a material that includes at least two of a Group 1A element, a Group 2A element, a Group 6A element, and/or a halogen.

Abstract: A machine and method for packaging tobacco sachets, comprising a plurality of linearly arranged, multi-functional, vertically moveable chambers having fluid sealing means on lower portions thereof, conveyor means disposed below the plurality of multi-functional, vertically moveable chambers, and a lidding apparatus disposed downstream of and in communication with the plurality of vertically moveable chambers through the conveyor means.

Abstract: A SMS message is conditionally additionally directed toward an STB, located at the customer premises, to which the target phone number of the SMS message corresponds, and is displayed on a device, e.g., a TV, coupled to the STB, in addition to being directed to the phone corresponding to the target phone number. A new STB SMS server: i) determines whether an incoming SIP message including a SMS message is to be sent toward a STB for SMS display on a display device coupled to the STB, or is to be dropped, e.g., based on a SMS_DISPLAY_STB flag value in a subscriber profile corresponding to the target phone number, ii) determines, for a SIP message including a SMS message, a particular video endpoint, and iii) sends a SIP message including a SMS message to a determined video endpoint for SMS message delivery to a STB interfacing with the video endpoint.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for topical treatment of infections. The compositions comprise glycerol monolaurate or a derivative thereof, and are administered topically, for example, to treat viral, fungal or bacterial infections.

Abstract: A crossbow includes a stock defining a projectile axis, a drawstring configured to move along the projectile axis between an undrawn position and a drawn position, the undrawn position defining a first power stroke end, the drawn position defining a second power stroke end, and a scope rail mount including a first support and a second support, the first support coupled to the stock at a first mount location positioned rearward of the first power stroke end, the second support coupled with the stock at a second mount location positioned rearward of the first mount location and forward of the second power stroke end.

Abstract: A device for winding up and unwinding an elongated flexible element having a free end and a spatially fixed end. The elongated flexible element is divided over its length at least into a use portion and a compensation portion, wherein the use portion has the free end and the compensation portion has the spatially fixed end. The device includes a rotatable drum configured on its circumference to wind up and unwind at least the use portion in a first winding plane, wherein the end of the compensation portion is spatially fixed relative to the drum. The elongated flexible element in the transition from the use portion to the compensation portion is fixed at a fastening point to the drum, and when the drum is rotated the compensation portion is coiled up and uncoiled in the form of at least one looped portion in a second winding plane.

Abstract: In some examples, a sensor node mounted to a wood item inside a wall of a building uses a thermometer to measure an ambient temperature and uses a hygrometer to measure an ambient humidity inside the wall of the building. The sensor node uses an ohmmeter to measure a resistance of the wood item between two metal fasteners used to mount the sensor node to the wood item. The sensor node determines a moisture content of the wood item based on the resistance. If the sensor node determines, based on the ambient temperature, the ambient humidity, and the moisture content, that conditions inside the wall of the building are conducive to pest activity, then the sensor node captures, using a microphone that is coupled to the wood item, audio data. The sensor node sends a notification of pest activity to a central bub for analysis using artificial intelligence.

Abstract: A method, system and device provides for the conversion of a mini-split AC unit to a mini-split AC unit with quick connect pre-charged ends. Quick connect fittings are placed onto the AC unit lines after the nitrogen pre-charge is released from the liquid line. A fitting tool/device having one or more fittings and valves is attached to the liquid line. A vacuum pump attached to the fitting tool/device vacuums the evaporator until its micron level falls and stays below 500 microns. Then, a refrigerant line attached to the fitting tool/device adds approximately 1 ounce of refrigerant to the evaporator.