Abstract: An elongated, marked protective sheath is disclosed which is closed along each side and open at each end and which has an elongated and flexible core material contained within the entire length of the elongated, marked protective sheath and extending from each open end. The elongated, marked protective sheath may be imprinted with anti-theft indicia indicating that elongated, marked protective sheath contains only fiber optic cable and does not contain copper. The core material extending from one end of the sheath may be tied to the front end of a fiber optic cable and then pulled into the sheath—thus pulling the fiber optic cable into the sheath. In this manner, the fiber optic cable will be almost completely contained within the elongated sheath which has the aforementioned markings thereon to alert individuals that the sheath only contains fiber optic cable and does not contain copper.

Abstract: The techniques described herein relate to methods, apparatus, and computer readable media configured to schedule individual orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) resources on an upstream channel to serve a data transmission request from a downstream device. A schedule for a set of available resources on the upstream channel to serve the data transmission request is generated, based on a dynamic bit loading profile, including generating data indicative of a first bit loading profile for a first set of resources from the set of available resources for a first burst, and data indicative of a second bit loading profile for a second set of resources from the set of available resources for a second burst. The schedule is transmitted to a downstream device, such that the downstream device is configured to encode the first burst using the first bit loading profile and the second burst using the second bit loading profile.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for detecting hotwords using a server. One of the methods includes receiving an audio signal encoding one or more utterances including a first utterance; determining whether at least a portion of the first utterance satisfies a first threshold of being at least a portion of a key phrase; in response to determining that at least the portion of the first utterance satisfies the first threshold of being at least a portion of a key phrase, sending the audio signal to a server system that determines whether the first utterance satisfies a second threshold of being the key phrase, the second threshold being more restrictive than the first threshold; and receiving tagged text data representing the one or more utterances encoded in the audio signal when the server system determines that the first utterance satisfies the second threshold.

Abstract: A filtered air vent apparatus has a vent housing body comprising a first sidewall and a second sidewall defining a portion of an air passageway that extends between at least a first open end and a second open end. There is a grill hingedly attachable to the vent housing body and securable to the vent housing body. A dual-mode filter support is sized to fit within the vent housing body in the air passageway. A filter is selectively and removably positioned on the dual-mode filter support behind the grill and in the air passageway. The dual-mode filter support is selectively movable between the first mode and the second mode.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of increasing absorption of dietary fat and fat-soluble nutrients in individuals using a matrix comprising lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC).

Abstract: Eyeglasses with interchangeable arms are disclosed. The eyeglasses may include a frame, a first connector and an arm. The first connector may be attached with a frame side portion and may include a first magnetic element and a second magnetic element. The arm may include a second connector having a third magnetic element and a fourth magnetic element. The arm may removably attach with the frame by using magnetic coupling between the first and third magnetic elements, and the magnetic coupling between the second and fourth magnetic elements. The first, second, third and fourth magnetic elements may be magnets or ferrous materials. The first connector may include a protrusion or a cavity, and the second connector may include a complementary cavity or protrusion of similar shape and dimension.

Abstract: A wearable portable camera assembly includes an inner bracket and an outer bracket that can be magnetically coupled to the inner bracket through a layer of material. A portable camera is releasably connected to the outer bracket. The portable camera assembly further includes a retainer that resists or prevents detachment of the portable camera from the outer bracket when the outer bracket is magnetically coupled to the inner bracket, but not when the outer bracket is not magnetically coupled to the inner bracket.

Abstract: A lubricator vent sub is placed at a lowest point in a greasehead with maximum volume to relieve trapped air, wherein the lubricator vent sub creates a secondary flow path for the trapped air.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for automatically rinsing out residual fluid from a valve assembly. In examples, an actuator attached to a valve assembly may rotate a valve ball of the assembly through a series of movements across the opening of a valve port. Rinsing fluid may be provided during the series of movement to rinse the valve port of residual fluid. In some examples, the actuator may be a discrete device or a controlled area network (CAN) device. The automated rinsing cycle improves the clearing of residual fluids from the valve assembly, significantly reducing the potential for fluid contamination during subsequent use of the valve assembly.

Abstract: Bicycle racks configured to be secured to a vehicular hitch of a towing vehicle. A bicycle rack includes a mounting post configured to be secured within a vehicular hitch of a towing vehicle. The bicycle rack includes a stationary wheel support attached to the mounting post, wherein the stationary wheel support is attached to the mounting post such that a longitudinal axis of the stationary wheel support is substantially parallel to a ground plane when the mounting post is secured within the vehicular hitch of the towing vehicle. The bicycle rack includes an articulating wheel support attached to the mounting post, wherein the articulating wheel support comprises a joint enabling the articulating wheel support to rotate about an axis disposed along a longitudinal axis of the mounting post.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns large reels used for transportation and storage of cables or wires. The present invention describes a separable cable reel which is constructed from component parts which may be quickly and easily disassembled and reassembled. The separable reel design has four primary components: a first flange, a second flange, a core, and a plurality of looped bands. The two flanges are coupled to the core and the band or bands are coupled between the two flanges. The core is formed from a plurality of struts. The struts span between the flanges and are inserted into strut pockets on the inner sides of each flange. As the bands are placed in tensioned they pull the flanges toward each other, applying a compressive force to the core struts. When the user wishes to disassemble the reel they may remove the bands and pull apart the reel components. The separable reel may be transported disassembled. When desired the separable reel may be reassembled and reused.

Abstract: Provided is an illumination device and a multi-step shorting switch that includes a housing, having an upper surface or a side surface thereof is provided with an opening, a toggle device wherein a top portion or a side surface, corresponding to the above opening of the toggle device having a toggle, the toggle passes through the opening, and a bottom portion of the toggle device includes a sliding contact member, and multiple contact terminals provided on a substrate, wherein the sliding contact member in a sliding process caused by that the toggle is shifted, simultaneously contacts at least two of the multiple contact terminals, to form multiple steps which are continuously in a turn-on status without a turn-off status.

Abstract: A wireless device receives one or more radio resource control (RRC) messages comprising one or more configuration parameters for a primary cell (PCell). The one or more configuration parameters indicate a plurality of uplink bandwidth parts (BWPs) for the PCell; and a maximum failure instance count value for failure detection. Based on receiving a failure indication from a physical layer of the wireless device, the wireless device increments a counter by one. Based on a value of the counter being equal to or greater than the maximum failure instance count value, the wireless device triggers a failure recovery comprising: switching an active uplink BWP of the PCell to a first uplink BWP, of the plurality of the uplink BWPs, configured with random-access parameters; and performing a random-access procedure on the first uplink BWP.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatic filling of packaging with a food product that includes both a solid and a liquid are provided. A filling device includes: a vessel configured to hold the food product; a first piston system configured to push a portion of the food product within the vessel through a first through hole in a bottom of the vessel. The first piston system includes: a first piston; and a first sleeve that surrounds at least a portion of the first piston. The filling device further includes first actuators configured to independently actuate the first piston and the first sleeve such as to cause the portion of the food product to be pushed through the first through hole in the vessel.

Abstract: A system comprising: a conductor having a through-hole and a first notch that are formed therein, the through-hole and the first notch being arranged to define, at least in part, a first branch of the conductor, and the through-hole also being arranged to define, at least in part, a second branch of the conductor; and a current sensor that is disposed directly above the first branch of the conductor and the side of the second branch of the conductor, such that no portion of the current sensor is situated directly above the second branch.

Abstract: A customer engagement platform assembly includes a base configured to be secured to a terrain, a support column fixedly secured to the base and extending outwardly therefrom. The assembly includes a frame removably secured to the mounting base and having a height extension section, a display mounting section removably secured to the height extension section, and a cover extending over the display mounting section. The display mounting section includes one or more audio video communication devices for communicating information therefrom. The assembly includes a bracket system in fixed relation to the support column and extending through the frame. The audio video communication device is removably secured to the bracket system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for quick start-up of playback in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. Media content may be encoded in a plurality of alternative streams and a quick start-up stream. The quick start-up stream may include media content that is encoded at a lower quality that the alternative streams and may be encrypted with a different, less secure encryption process than that of the alternative streams. During a start-up of playback, the playback device streams the media content from a quick start-up stream until a metric, such as a decryption key for the alternative streams is met. The device then streams the media content from the alternative streams in response to the metric being met.

Abstract: A solid pellet fueled heater having a base unit with forced air blowers and a dual tube chimney structure is disclosed. The dual tube chimney structure may be used to warm incoming air for distribution around the heater. The pellet heater may also include a dual auger system and multi/high speed auger motor. The dual auger may include first and second auger blades mounted on a single auger shaft having blade pitches configured to convey solid fuel in opposite directions.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a rail warning system using wireless portable transmitters/receivers. The rail warning system uses a chirp spread spectrum modulation scheme, and alerts personnel in work zones on or near train tracks as well as optionally, on track equipment and train operators, of approaching trains or on track equipment. Portable wayside devices may also be positioned on the rail web, optionally magnetically, to alert work personnel, allowing for secure placement but also portability to other locations on the same track or adjacent tracks.

Abstract: A multi-functional slurry processing system (“VARCOR”) and associated methods is disclosed. The present examples provide a multi-functional slurry processing system incorporating systems and methods for separating liquid and solid components in slurries. In particular the systems and methods described herein produce clean water, dried solids, and potential concentration of desirable constituents with a boiling point lower than water. At least one example of the multi-functional slurry processing system provides a self-contained processing facility configured to efficiently convert high water-content slurries into its constituent solid and liquid fractions and subsequently generating and collecting clean water and concentrating desirable constituents with a boiling point lower than water.