Abstract: A network node associated with a retail store receives digital images from customers who have initiated a customer transaction at a first location. The digital images are unique and are associated with the transaction. The transaction is then temporarily suspended. To resume the transaction, the customer provides information describing features of the previously provided digital image. The network node uses this information to locate the corresponding digital image, and thus, the corresponding suspended transaction, and to authenticate the customer to resume the transaction. Provided the customer is authenticated, the node resumes the suspended transaction.

Abstract: An imaging element of the present disclosure includes an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert multiple analog pixel signals that are acquired under multiple imaging conditions different from each other and that are output from a pixel, to multiple digital pixel signals, a threshold setting unit configured to set, on an input side of the analog-to-digital converter, a threshold that is randomly varied, a comparison unit configured to use, as a comparison threshold, the threshold set by the threshold setting unit and compare the comparison threshold with one of the multiple analog pixel signals, and a selection unit configured to select and output, on the basis of a result of comparison from the comparison unit, one of the multiple digital pixel signals that are output from the analog-to-digital converter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a solar cell backsheet, comprising a functional layer wherein the functional layer comprises a polyethylene alloy and a semi-crystalline polymer such as polypropylene, preferably at least 10 wt % of polypropylenes based on the total weight of the polymers in the functional layer. The polypropylene is selected from a polypropylene homo- or copolymer, the copolymer is a random or block copolymer. The polyethylene alloy comprises a copolymer containing an ethylene segment (—CH2-CH2-) which is selected from one or more of ethylene acrylate copolymer, ethylene-hexene copolymer, ethylene-octene copolymer, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer. The functional layer further comprises an inorganic filler selected from one of calcium carbonate, titanium dioxide, barium sulfate, mica, talc, kaolin, glass microbeads and glass fibers. The present invention also relates to a photovoltaic module comprising the backsheet according to the present invention.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a display device, an operation device, a storage device, and a control device. The storage device stores combinations of setting values set in respective jobs previously executed in relation to each of a plurality of functions. The control device allows the display device to display at least one of respective first images representing the functions in a first region of a display area, reads out the combination of setting values satisfying a predetermined condition from the storage device, allows the display device to display a second image showing the read combination of setting values in a second region of the display area, and, upon acceptance of a touch gesture on the second image through a touch panel of the operation device, executes, according to the combination of setting values shown by the second image, a job related to the function associated with the second image.

Abstract: Energy storage system comprising: a first tunnel shaft extending in an upright direction from a ground level to a predetermined underground level; an underground chamber at the predetermined underground level in the first tunnel shaft; a water reservoir is provided at the ground level a second tunnel shaft extending in a lying direction at the predetermined underground level, the second tunnel shaft forming a second water reservoir; at least one pipe extending through the first tunnel shaft interconnecting the first water reservoir and the second water reservoir for enabling water to flow between the ground level and the predetermined underground level; and at least one electrical pump and at least one electrical turbine operationally connected to the at least one pipe to enable a controlled charging and discharging of the energy storage system by running an upward and a downward flow of water via the pumps and the turbines, respectively.

Abstract: A server operates between a patron (user), a subscriber (e.g., owner of a venue of exhibits and its website; museum, stadium, zoo, theme park, etc.), and possibly third parties such as a content distribution network (CDN). Access and content delivery are based on 1) control information provided to a patron device by physical objects at the venue and sent by the patron device to the server as part of a mutual authentication to one another, 2) user-specific information corresponding to the patron device, and 3) a pre-authorization exchange granting user-device access to physical objects and the server with the server receiving access to the user-specific information in order to locate requested information and select a subset thereof adapted in accordance with the user information. Moving physically between exhibits, a patron device rapidly disengages and re-engages the server, based thereon, without repeated logins.

Abstract: A seat covering for a tufted automobile seat cushions has cover sheets adapted to fit over and around the cushions with a plurality of open-ended channels integrated therewith. Each channel is aligned and associated with a tuft of the cushion after the cover sheet has been fitted over and around the cushion. The covering has a plurality one or more straps, each passing loosely through an associated one of the channels and having strap ends extending from each open-end thereof. Pulling the extending strap ends of each strap after the cover has been fitted over and around the cushion causes the strap to be pulled into the associated tuft to cause the cover sheet to conform to the tuft. A fastener allows for simple and organized connection of the pulled strap ends.

Abstract: A system for use with a subterranean well can include a deployment apparatus configured to deploy one or more plugging devices into a fluid flow. The plugging devices are conveyed into the well by the fluid flow. The deployment apparatus can include multiple queues, different numbers of the plugging devices being contained in respective different ones of the queues. A method of deploying plugging devices can include connecting multiple queues of the plugging devices to a conduit, and deploying the plugging devices from a selected combination of the queues into the conduit. In another system, each of the plugging devices may include a body, and lines or fibers extending outwardly from the body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medicament injector including an applicator with a cartridge-accepting receptacle. The medicament injector includes interchangeable, pre-filled medicament-containing cartridges. Each cartridge includes at least one barrier member having a closed position in which access to the medicament is inhibited. The barrier member is moveable from the closed position to an open position, in which the medicament is accessible via the applicator, when the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge-accepting receptacle. The barrier member moves back to the closed position when the cartridge is removed from the cartridge-accepting receptacle.

Abstract: A method for estimating jitter of a clock-signal-under-test includes generating a phase-adjusted clock signal based on an input clock signal and a feedback clock signal using a frequency-divided clock signal. The method includes generating N digital time codes for each phase adjustment of P phase adjustments of the phase-adjusted clock signal using a reference clock signal. Each digital time code of the N digital time codes corresponds to a first edge of a clock signal based on the phase-adjusted clock signal. P is a first integer greater than zero and N is a second integer greater than zero. The method includes generating a jitter estimate using an estimated standard deviation of a distribution of edges of the clock signal based on the N digital time codes for each of the P phase adjustments.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a signature verification unit, an execution propriety determination unit, an image forming unit, and a control unit. The signature verification unit decrypts encrypted data with a preset public key in accordance with acquisition of the encrypted data, and uses the decrypted data to verify a digital signature representing authenticity and integrity of a program contained in the decrypted data; the execution propriety determination unit permits execution of a program registered in a preset permission list and the program in which digital signature is verified; the image forming unit forms an image on an image forming medium; and the control unit controls the image forming unit by executing the program permitted to be executed.

Abstract: A projection optical system includes a first refractive system, a reflective optical system, and a second refractive system, disposed in the stated order in a direction from the reduction side toward the enlargement side, to enlarge and project an image displayed on an image display element, onto a projection surface. A first lens group of the first refractive system forms a first intermediate image with a light beam from the image display element. A second lens group of the first refractive system forms a second intermediate image with a light beam from the first intermediate image. A light beam from the second intermediate image is reflected by the reflective optical system and is then refracted by the second refractive system. A condition (1): 1.5<Bf/f<25 is satisfied, in which f represents a focal length of the entire projection optical system and Bf represents a back focus obtained by air conversion.

Abstract: To maximize power saving in a radio access network comprising cells, an optimal action amongst actions comprising switching on one or more cells, switching off one or more cells, and doing nothing is determined using a trained model, which maximizes a long term reward on tradeoff between throughput and power, the trained model taking as input a load estimate. The trained model may be updated online using measurement results on load, throughput and power consumption.

Abstract: A cradle bearing for supporting a swashplate of a variable hydraulic axial piston. The cradle bearing is of an angular ball bearing type or comprises, with respect to the bearing axis, a tapered inner race and/or a tapered outer race. A swashplate for a variable hydraulic axial piston unit including a first and a second cradle bearing zone spaced to each other in axial direction of a swashplate tilt axis, suitable for supporting the swashplate in a housing of a variable hydraulic axial piston unit, wherein the first cradle bearing zone is inclined with respect to the swashplate tilt axis. A variable hydraulic axial piston unit of the swashplate type including a swashplate which is supported rotatable in the housing of the variable hydraulic axial piston unit at a first bearing zone by a tapered bearing and at a second bearing zone by regular cylindrical cradle bearing or a journal bearing whose axis is aligned with the swashplate tilt axis.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes a sheet feeding roller, a following roller, a rotational speed detection part, and a control part. The rotational speed detection part is configured to detect a rotational speed of the following roller. The control part is configured to accelerate a rotation of the sheet feeding roller and to adjust a sheet interval. The control part obtains a rotational rate of the following roller to the sheet feeding roller based on the rotational speed of the following roller, obtains an actual linear velocity of the sheet based on the rotational rate of the following roller and a theoretical linear velocity of the sheet after accelerating the rotation of the sheet feeding roller, and then adjusts the sheet interval based on the actual linear velocity of the sheet.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing bent multi-sided pultruded fibre reinforced plastic reinforcement bar for concrete (commonly known as FRP rebar) comprises multiple resin wetting stages to simultaneously resin impregnate multiple bundles of fibreglass rovings continuously drawn through the resin wetting stages, multiple spiral winding stages arranged to spiral wind warps around the multiple wet rovings, and multiple rotating multi-sided former frames for continuously winding thereon the multiple wet rovings and holding the multiple rovings while curing. A related method is also claimed.

Abstract: The invention of the present application provides a drive circuit, a display device, and a drive method for reducing power consumption. A drive circuit of the present invention includes a setting circuit configured to precharge, to a first voltage, a video signal line connected to a first transistor configured to sample a voltage of the video signal line, and an adjustment circuit configured to adjust a voltage of the video signal line by charging or discharging the video signal line precharged to the first voltage during a time period corresponding to a second voltage set in the video signal line.

Abstract: An optical apparatus for imaging a sample has a scanning apparatus having a laser energizable to direct an input beam of a first wavelength to a reflective scanner that is rotatable about an axis and a toroidal mirror surface that is symmetric about said axis and is disposed to direct scanned laser light of the first wavelength toward the sample in an arcuate scan pattern. A compensator in the path of the input beam is formed to correct one or more aberrations of the toroidal mirror surface. Telecentric collector optics define a collection path that conveys, to a detector, scanned light of a second wavelength that is excited from the scanned sample.

Abstract: A contacting device of a voltage transmission device of an ignition device of a large engine, whose cylinders have piston diameters of at least 140 mm having a first spring portion for the electrical contacting of a cable contacting piece of the voltage transmission device and a second spring portion for the electrical contacting of a spark plug connection of a spark-plug of the ignition device. The second spring portion tapers in a direction of its end, which comes to lie against the spark-plug connector of the spark-plug. The spark-plug connector of the spark-plug interacting with the contacting device includes a trough into which the contacting device can be introduced with a spring portion.