Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are provided for baking a food product in a portable baking oven. The baking oven includes a main body, lower and upper stones, a heat shield suspending the upper stone above the lower stone, and a heat element emanating heat upward to a rotating flat panel having the lower stone thereon. Convection heat from the heat element moves upward from below the rotating flat panel and past a periphery of the flat panel, channeled by the heat shield to the upper stone, to move along the upper stone, and then down along the heat shield, on the opposite side. With this arrangement, the heat element heats the upper and lower stones with convection heat moving between the lower and upper stones in a side-to-side manner.

Abstract: A system and non-transitory computer-readable medium including security logic engine (SLE) to detect malicious objects based on operations conducted by an endpoint device and/or a malware detection system. The SLE includes formatting logic and a correlation engine. The formatting logic is configured to receive data from an endpoint device and a malware detection system via a network interface and to convert the data into a format used by logic within the SLE. The correlation engine is configured to (i) correlate a plurality of features included as part of the data with known behaviors and characteristics of at least malicious objects and (ii) correlate a first set of features of the plurality of features received from the endpoint device with a second set of features of the plurality of features received from the malware detection system to verify a determination of maliciousness by the endpoint device and/or the malware detection system.

Abstract: An extended optical pulse stretcher is provided that combines confocal pulse stretchers in combination to produce, for example, 4 reflections, 4 reflections, 12 reflections, and 12 reflections per optical circuit configuration. The inclusion of the combination of different mirror separations and delay path lengths can result in very long pulse stretching, long optical delays, and minimal efficiency losses. Also, in the extended optical pulse stretcher, at least a beam splitter can be positioned relative to the center of curvature of the mirrors to “flatten” each of the circuits to enable the beam to propagate in the same plane (e.g., parallel to the floor). Also, the curvatures and sizes of the individual mirrors can be designed to position the beam splitter closer to one of the banks of mirrors to allow the optical pulse stretchers to properly fit in an allocated location in a laser system.

Abstract: Display device ON/OFF detection methods and apparatus are disclosed. Example display activity detectors disclosed herein are to extract regions from respective ones of captured video frames, the regions corresponding to a depiction of a display of a monitored media device Disclosed example display activity detectors are also to compute a distance metric that is to represent an amount a first one of the regions of a first one of the captured video frames differs from a corresponding second one of the regions of a second one of the captured video frames. Disclosed example display activity detectors are further to compare the distance metric to a threshold to determine whether the monitored media device is ON or OFF.

Abstract: A head-measuring device is disclosed and includes a support frame. The head-measuring device also includes a plurality of movable arms comprising a first set of movable arms and a second set of movable arms. The first set includes a first outermost arm, the second set includes a second outermost arm opposite the first outermost arm, and each movable arm is movable between a first position and a second position. The head-measuring device also includes a stationary arm coupled to the support frame such that the stationary arm is approximately equidistant between the outermost arms as the outermost arms are moved between the first and second positions. The plurality of movable arms are parallel to each other and to the stationary arm. The first and second sets of movable arms are mechanically linked such that the first set moves synchronously with the second set between the first and second positions.

Abstract: A method of treating a soft or hard capsule shell to reduce or alleviate stress in the capsule shell. The method includes a step of heating at least a portion of the soft or hard capsule shell to a temperature above a glass transition temperature of the capsule shell but below a melt temperature of the capsule shell for a time sufficient to reduce internal stress in the capsule shell. The method can be used to reduce cracking of hard or soft capsule shells by application of the heat treatment to the filled capsule shells after fabrication and filling.

Abstract: An ultrasonic testing apparatus structured to perform an ultrasonic inspection on a workpiece. The ultrasonic testing apparatus comprises an ultrasonic testing probe structured to generate an ultrasonic output directed toward the workpiece and to receive an ultrasonic input from the workpiece that is responsive to the output; a couplant delivery system comprising a couplant supply, the couplant delivery system further comprising an actuator which, when operated, is structured to apply from the couplant supply an amount of a couplant to at least one of the workpiece and the ultrasonic testing probe; and a control apparatus electrically connected with the ultrasonic testing probe and with the couplant delivery system, the control apparatus being structured to receive the ultrasonic input and being further structured to operate the actuator. A couplant delivery system that is operable with an ultrasonic testing apparatus that is structured to perform an ultrasonic inspection on a workpiece.

Abstract: An outdoor cooking station configured to simultaneously and independently cook food with separate cooking modes. The cooking station includes a main body defining separate first and second cooking portions fueled by separate fuel sources for cooking food in the separate modes. The first cooking portion includes gas-fueled first heating elements configured to heat a first cooking surface associated with the first cooking portion of the main body. The second cooking portion of the main body extends to define a chamber, the chamber being accessible with a door or hood pivotably coupled to the main body. The chamber includes an upper region and a lower region separated by an inner panel, the upper region including a second cooking surface suspended within the upper region. The lower region includes a second heating element sized and configured to electrically heat pellet elements to supply heat and smoke to the upper region.

Abstract: A wireless power reception device and a wireless communication method thereby are provided. The wireless communication method by the wireless power reception device may comprise the steps of: receiving a wireless power signal from a wireless power transmission device; measuring the strength of the wireless power signal; modulating the amplitude of the wireless power signal according to the measured strength of the wireless power signal; and performing communication with the wireless power transmission device by using the signal having the amplitude modulated.

Abstract: A method for forming and abrading an implant void in a sacroiliac joint (“SI Joint”) without the use of a rotary cutting instrument. The method incorporates a multimodal abrading device having abrading surfaces on opposing sides, an open tip having a leading edge defining an enclosed oblong perimeter, and a cutting edge disposed at the leading edge of the open tip. The method includes the step of using the abrading head to cut bone tissue from the SI Joint at an insertion point while simultaneously using the abrading surfaces to decorticate the cortical bone at the insertion point.

Abstract: A storage array system including an open undeterministic transport surface, a navigation array disposed in connection with the transport surface, the navigation array includes a distributed feature, a first waypoint at a first position of the distributed feature, a second waypoint displaced from the first waypoint along the distributed feature and offset with respect to the first waypoint in a direction angled to the distributed feature, and a guided bot, arranged to traverse the transport surface, with a non-holonomic steering system, the guided bot having a bot pose determination system employing sensor data detecting the distributed feature, wherein the guided bot includes a controller configured to generate a substantially smooth curved bot traverse path on the transport surface connecting the first and second waypoints with a predetermined optimal trajectory of the guided bot along the traverse path determined based on a bot dynamic model.

Abstract: The embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method and apparatus for producing a CNM product that may comprise carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The method and apparatus employ carbon dioxide (CO2) and a carbonate electrolyte that is lithium-free as reactants in an electrolysis reaction in order to make CNTs. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a graphene-defect agent may be introduced into the electrolysis reaction.

Abstract: A load regulation device, such as an LED driver, may be configured to control the intensity of a light source based on an analog control signal and a preconfigured dimming curve. The LED driver may sense a magnitude of the analog control signal and determine a new low-end and/or high-end control signal magnitude that falls outside of the input signal range of the dimming curve. The LED driver may rescale the preconfigured dimming curve according to new low-end and/or high-end control signal magnitudes and dim the light source based on the rescaled dimming curve. Multiple LED drivers controlled by the same analog control signal may communicate with each other regarding the magnitude of the analog control signal sensed by each LED driver, and match their target intensity levels despite sensing different analog control signal. A controller may be provided to coordinate the operation of the multiple LED drivers.

Abstract: A rotary engine, parts thereof, and methods associated therewith is provided. The engine is modular and adjustable to accommodate a variety of requirements and preferences. The system includes a combustion assembly having a housing and a power rotor positioned therein. The power rotor rotates in a first direction from the beginning of each combustion process through the end of each exhaust process. The system also includes a compression assembly linked to the combustion assembly such that the compression rotor rotates in the first direction from the beginning of each intake process through the end of each compression process. A tank assembly in fluid communication with the compression assembly and the combustion assembly provides stability to the system while eliminating or otherwise reducing transitional loses.

Abstract: A cabinet system with integrated lighting and power includes a first illumination zone associated with a cabinet, a first connector, a first light strip, and a driver. The first connector has a first port defining a first axis and a second through port with open opposite ends and defining a second axis orthogonal to the first axis. The first light strip has an elongate substrate with a first end, a second end, a plurality of illumination elements along the length of the substrate, and multiple traces extending lengthwise along the substrate. The traces include a positive and a negative power trace, a first trace connected to the illumination elements, and a second trace not connected to the illumination elements. The first end is configured to be received in any one of the first port or the opposite ends of the second through port. The driver is coupled to a power source and has a lead with a slide connector configured to slide onto the first light strip.

Abstract: A quick connector coupling for making a severable connection with a male member in a fluid line includes a connector body having a through bore for receiving the male member having a tubular shape sized to extend into the through bore of the connector body, a retainer releasably securing the male member within the connector body, and a verifier including at least one arm extending outside the connector body. Further, the verifier is coupled to the connector body and is moved to a latched position from an unlatched position when the male member is securely connected with the connector body. The connector body includes at least one verification element, which is at least partially covered by the at least one arm extending from the verifier in the unlatched position. The verification element of the connector body is uncovered and readable when the verifier is moved to the latched position.

Abstract: A system includes a drum assembly that includes a support bar having a first end and a second end, and a plurality of drum segments coupled to the support bar. The drum segments are movable between retracted and extended positions, and the drum assembly is configured to be disposed within an interior region of a coil of flexible pipe when the plurality of drum segments are in the retracted position. The system also includes a first containment flange coupled to the drum assembly at the first end, a second containment flange coupled to the drum assembly at the second end, a first coupling device configured to removably couple the first containment flange to the drum assembly, and a second coupling device configured to removably couple the second containment flange to the drum assembly. The first and second containment flanges are configured to contain the flexible pipe.

Abstract: A method for managing a hospitality workflow in a hotel, comprises imaging a region in front of a hotel room door on a checkout day, after the hotel room door is opened, by a camera. An image of the region is analyzed for the presence of a person and the image is analyzed for the presence of a bag, by a processing device. It is determined whether a guest checked out of the room based on the detection of the person and the detection of the bag. If it is determined that the guest checked out, the housekeeping department may be informed that the guest checked out, enabling quicker cleaning of a vacated room. A door lock system including the camera and a check-in procedure comprising reading QR code image on a guest's smart device by the camera, for example, are also disclosed.