Abstract: A call may be received from a caller at an interactive voice response server with information indicating a caller preferred choice including a date and a time for an appointment. The caller preferred choice for the appointment may be determined as not available. A set of heuristic evaluations may be used to evaluate each of a plurality of available time slots individually to generate a plurality of intermediate results for each available time slot. Each intermediate result may have a weight associated with a corresponding heuristic evaluation. For each available time slot, the plurality of intermediate results may be aggregated using multiplicative weightings based on respective weights to produce aggregated results. A ranked list of candidate time slots to be used for the appointment may be generated based on the aggregated results and the caller may be prompted for a selection from the ranked list of candidate time slots.

Abstract: A method for performing Boolean operations using a computer to create geometric models from primary geometric objects and their facets, comprises mapping rendering facets to extended triangles that contain neighbors; building intersection lines, splitting each triangle through which an intersection line passes, determining each facet is visible or obscure, and regrouping the facets to form one or more geometric objects. This method does not utilize the most popular data structures CSG and B-REP in CAD/CG/Solid Modeling systems, but has the advantages of both CSG and B-REP: easy to implement and flexible. Additionally it is a united method for solid modeling and surface modeling systems, and it is able to generate variant and editable models.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a computer-implemented method for visualizing internal instance structure and connections in a design system component. Embodiments may include receiving, using at least one processor, an IP-XACT description of one or design elements and analyzing, using the at least one processor, the IP-XACT description of the one or design elements. Embodiments may further include displaying a graphical user interface, based upon, at least in part, the IP-XACT description of one or design elements, wherein the graphical user interface is configured to display a self-organizing graphical layout including a parent component, at least one node, and at least one edge.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described which guide a surgeon in performing a reconstructive or cosmetic procedure. The apparatus and methods utilize three dimensional presentations of the target surgical site incorporating one or more virtual surgical guides which help attain proper alignment and orientation of the post surgical outcome.

Abstract: A tool is configured to install a tire pressure monitoring (TPM) sensor in a tire rim of a vehicle tire. The tool includes a lever having a rotational movement about a rotational axis; a cam selectively coupled to the lever; and a push pin selectively coupled to the cam. The cam translates the rotational movement of the lever into a liner or translational movement of the push pin. The linear or translational movement is effective to impact or move a roll pin of a tire pressure monitoring (TPM) sensor disposed at the tool, such that portions of the TPM sensor or pushed through an opening in a tire rim.

Abstract: Methods and systems for authenticating a user requesting to access one or more resources via a device are described herein. Authentication may be based on or otherwise rely on a plurality of devices. For example, aspects described herein are directed towards a system and method for receiving a request from a user to access one or more resources via a first device. In response to receiving the request to access the one or more resources, the first device may send, e.g., to a second device, a request for user input of a credential at the second device. The first device may receive a credential from the second device, and the first device may authenticate the user based on the received credential. Additionally or alternatively, the second device may authenticate the user based on an input of a user credential, and the second device may send an indication of a successful authentication to the first device.

Abstract: A method for creating treated biochar is provided that includes infusing a liquid additive into the pores of biochar, such as a fertilizer solution or other additive beneficial to plant growth. The method further includes the removal of materials and/or other additives from the pores of biochar. The present invention further provides biochar having pores filled with a liquid solution containing an additive, where the additive may include, but not be limited to, an additive beneficial to plant growth.

Abstract: A burst plug assembly for use in the fluid port of tubular fracturing tools to provide erosion resistance. The assembly has a body with an annular side wall and a closing wall closing the central bore of the annular side wall. A choke insert is retained in the central bore of the body to line the inner surface of the central bore. A groove in a face of the closing wall circumscribes a core in the bottom wall, and is sized and located so that a largest dimension of the core is no greater than a diameter of the inner bore of the choke insert, such that when a prescribed threshold hydraulic pressure level of the treatment fluid is applied to the closing wall the core disengages from the closing wall along the groove in a bursting action and passes through the inner bore of the choke insert.

Abstract: Computer networking device obtains route information including route attributes specifying characteristics for each of a plurality of routes through a first network. A routing algorithm is applied to choose an optimal route to one of a plurality of peer computer networking devices comprising a second network which is an overlay upon the first network. The optimal route is chosen based on the type of data contained in the data packet and the plurality of route attributes associated with the routes. The routes traverse paths through the first computer network which include network nodes other than the peer networking devices.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a method and apparatus for non-invasively determining the blood oxygen saturation level within a subject's tissue is provided. The method comprises the steps of: a) providing a spectrophotometric sensor operable to transmit light into the subject's tissue, and to sense the light; b) detecting light after passage through the subject's tissue using the sensor, and producing initial signal data from the light sensed; c) calibrating the sensor to that particular subject using the initial signal data, thereby accounting for the specific physical characteristics of the particular subject's tissue being sensed; and d) using the calibrated sensor to determine the blood oxygen parameter value within the subject's tissue.

Abstract: Methodologies, systems, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media are described herein to facilitate acquisition of volumetric data and volumetric image reconstruction. An imaging system can be configured to transport an object at a speed relative to the scan path of an X-ray source such that insufficient measurement data is collected for classically complete geometrical coverage. Iterative image reconstruction techniques may be used to generate volumetric images based on measured volumetric data of at least a portion of the object.

Abstract: Apparatus to control device temperature wherein a thermal fluid path transfers a thermal transfer fluid to heat or cool the device; wherein a first path in thermal contact with a heating assembly is fluidly connected at a first end to the thermal fluid path, a second path in thermal contact with a cooling assembly is fluidly connected at a first end to the thermal fluid path, a third path is fluidly connected at a first end to the thermal fluid path, and a valve assembly regulates flow of thermal transfer fluid flow through the first, the second, and the third paths.

Abstract: A firearm cartridge with a specially-configured token disc added to its base. The token includes an outer section and a central strike plate. The strike plate includes a strike ball at its center. The presence of the token increases the effective length of the cartridge and thereby prevents the closure of the bolt of a conventional firearm. As a result, the inventive cartridge cannot be fired in a conventional firearm.

Abstract: A diversionary device capable of providing multiple discharges according to a prescribed time schedule. The device preferably assumes the same general form as a prior art stun grenade, including a safety pin that is pulled to arm the device and a spring-biased lever that is released when the device is deployed.

Abstract: Methods, kits and reagents are provided for increasing the sensitivity of detecting the presence or absence of endospores by increasing the available protein for detection. The methods are fast and amendable to testing in a non-laboratory setting and use a protein detection reagent and solid microparticles.

Abstract: An improved approach is provided to provide fast access to waveform visualizations for electronic designs. Data reduction is performed on the waveform data, where the quantity of the waveform data is reduced in an intelligent manner, such that the reduced waveform data still retains sufficient data fidelity for accurate data analysis and waveform visualization. The reduced data can then be displayed in an accelerated manner. From the display of the reduced data, this allows the user to select only the specific one or more waveforms for which the user seeks viewing of the full waveform data.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer readable media are described herein to facilitate generation of high-resolution two-dimensional projection images of an object having minimal artifacts from three-dimensional computed tomography volumes. Direct or iterative image reconstruction techniques can be used in concert with binning to identify and select measurement data subject to a criterion and resampling of the initial volumetric dataset to generate the high-resolution, two-dimensional projection images of at least a portion of the object.

Abstract: A server provides adaptive displaying on a plurality of display devices in a virtualization environment. The server includes a communication device to receive capabilities data associated with a plurality of graphics processing units (GPUs) of a client device, and a display driver to generate a plurality of display adapters based on the capabilities data. The communication device provides command data to the client device based on the plurality of display adapters. The command data is adapted to the capabilities of one or more of the plurality of GPUs.

Abstract: The present invention is a connected energy management (CEM) strategy for controlling the activation of a plurality of engine cylinders in the engine of a vehicle. A powertrain controller is operable for controlling the operation of the engine, and a second controller is in electrical communication with the powertrain controller. The second controller may be a telematics controller, or an autonomous driving vehicle controller. The second controller communicates at least one parameter to the powertrain controller, and the parameter is used to determine which of the plurality of cylinders are to be activated or deactivated. The powertrain controller then activates or deactivates one or more of the plurality of cylinders using the powertrain controller based on the parameter, which may include various road data, such as road curve shape or road grade. The parameter may also be based on a desired autonomous driving path.