Abstract: An ozone generator includes at least four independent ozone generation control channels that energize at least four independent ozone generation plates. The at least four independent ozone generation control channels allow for multiple modes of operation, including sterilization, disinfecting, and managing, in addition to interleaved operation, which significantly extends the useful life of the individual ozone generation plates. The ozone generator is placed in a preexisting conditioned airflow that enters a conditioned airspace enclosed by a container. Being placed in the preexisting conditioned airflow, the ozone generator does not require a fan or other air movement device to actively transport ozone-enriched air or oxygen through the ozone generator.

Abstract: A method includes reducing, at an encoder, an encoding bit rate of video data in response to a first indication of available bandwidth for transmission of the encoded video data. The method includes reducing an encoding frame size of the video data in response to the encoding bit rate falling below a first threshold. The method also includes increasing the encoding bit rate in response to a second indication of the available bandwidth. The method further includes increasing the encoding frame size in response to the encoding bit rate rising above a second threshold. The second threshold is greater than the first threshold.

Abstract: An electronic device for controlling volume is described. The electronic device includes a processor. The electronic device also includes a memory in electronic communication with the processor. The electronic device further includes instructions stored in the memory. The instructions are executable by the processor to determine, from a set of volume settings, a number of volume settings within a threshold. The instructions are also executable by the processor to determine a volume adjustment factor based on the number of volume settings. The instructions are further executable by the processor to adjust each of the number of volume settings based on the volume adjustment factor.

Abstract: A digital data communications network that supports efficient, scalable routing of data and use of network resources by combining a recursive division of the network into hierarchical sub-networks with repeating parameterized general purpose link communication protocols and an addressing methodology that reflects the physical structure of the underlying network hardware. The sub-division of the network enhances security by reducing the amount of the network visible to an attack and by insulating the network hardware itself from attack. The fixed bandwidth range at each sub-network level allows quality of service to be assured and controlled. The routing of data is aided by a topological addressing scheme that allows data packets to be forwarded towards their destination based on only local knowledge of the network structure, with automatic support for mobility and multicasting.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a microdermabrasion device for treating skin comprises a handpiece assembly having a distal end and a proximal end. The handpiece assembly includes at least one delivery conduit and at least one waste conduit. The microdermabrasion device additionally comprises a tip configured to be positioned along the distal end of the handpiece assembly, wherein the tip is adapted to contact skin surface. In several embodiments, the tip comprises a lip, a first opening in fluid communication with the fluid delivery conduit and a second opening in fluid communication with the waste conduit. In one embodiment, the device includes one or more abrasive elements positioned along a distal end of the tip, wherein the abrasive elements are configured to selectively remove skin as the tip is moved relative to a skin surface.

Abstract: Examples of the present disclosure describe smart sensor technology. In an example, a smart sensor module may connect to a sensor using two connectors. Similarly, an external device may connect to the smart sensor module using two connectors, such that, in a pass-through operating state, a signal from the sensor is passed through the smart sensor module to the external device, thereby causing the smart sensor module to appear as an ordinary sensor and enabling the external device to sense the signal from the sensor. In another example, the smart sensor module may have an alternate operating state, wherein additional functionality is enabled, including, but not limited to, communication with a controller, activation of a light emitting diode (LED) or other indicator, or the retrieval and/or storage of information. The operating state may be selected based on the manner in which the external device connects to the smart sensor module.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for adjusting communication channel bandwidth. In some implementations, a method includes determining to change a bandwidth of a wireless communication channel on which a transmitter and receiver communicate. In response, and while the transmitter and the receiver maintain data communication on the wireless communication channel, a target value and rate of change is determined for each of one or more communication parameters of the wireless communication channel. The rate of change is a rate at which the communication parameter can be changed over time while continuing to transfer data on the wireless communication channel. Data is provided to the transmitter. The data can cause, for each communication parameter, the transmitter to gradually adjust the communication parameter using the rate of change until the communication parameter reaches the target value.

Abstract: Disclosed methods include a resource manager in a multiple node network receiving a demand for additional bandwidth, from a terminal, and the resource manager having updated information on the state of the mobile node network and, using that the state information, performing test allocation of the requested bandwidth to the requesting terminal. Disclosed methods include determining whether previous commitments of service can be met with the test allocation in place. Associated with a positive result, an allocation is sent to the terminal.

Abstract: A mechanism and method for accessing message data in a shared memory by at least one client, includes an allocation of data in the shared memory, the memory configured in a plurality of buffers, and accessing the data by a client or a server without locking or restricting access to the data.

Abstract: A storage system, comprising a body having a cavity therein configured to house one or more items, and an opening defined by the body and a panel configured to mate with the opening and prevent access to the cavity when the panel is in position; the system have a first level of security securing items stored in the cavity; a second level of security securing the body from a structure from which it is hung, and an third level of security disguising the storage system as a hanging piece of clothing.

Abstract: A ratchet device for providing anti-reverse locking for a grounded slack comprises a pinwheel having flexible angled spokes circumferentially protruding therefrom and a pinion ring into which the pinwheel fits includes a plurality of angled teeth with which the angled spokes mate. The spokes flex and slide over the pinion ring teeth when the ratchet is advanced in a forward direction, and lock against the teeth when the ratchet is not being advanced.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing waste of a network resource is disclosed. The method including: providing a group of active subscribers; determining an underutilization level of the network resource for an upcoming allocation interval; calculating a throttle and a resource weight for the group of active subscribers to decrease the underutilization level; allocating the network resource based on the throttle and the resource weight; and adjusting, based on a feedback underutilization level, the throttle and the resource weight. In some embodiments, the throttle is based on congestion metrics including measuring available channel capacity, a latency, a queue depth, a count of subscribers in an outroute channel or the like. In some embodiments, the active subscribers may include under subscribers, over subscribers and premium subscribers, wherein each of the over subscribers have exceeded a respective network resource usage allowance for a respective subscription interval.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for secure payment and providing multimedia at fuel dispensers are provided. In general, a fuel dispenser can include a terminal configured to receive secure information and to show multimedia. The terminal can be configured to switch between a first mode and a second mode. The terminal can include a touchscreen. In the first mode, the touchscreen can have a shield enabled thereon that is configured to reduce a field of view of the touchscreen such that the touchscreen is only visible from specific angle(s). In the second mode, the shield can be disabled such that the touchscreen does not have a reduced field of view.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described, and one method includes allocate a continuous duration within a TDMA scheme, for asynchronous NOMA transmissions, and extending from an allocation start time to an allocation termination time, formed of contiguous time slots of the TDMA scheme, and included providing to asynchronous NOMA user terminals an indication of the allocation start time and termination time, indicating allowance to perform asynchronous NOMA transmissions within a start time constraint that starts of the asynchronous NOMA transmissions do not precede the allocation start time, and terminations of the asynchronous NOMA transmissions do not succeed the allocation termination time.

Abstract: System and methods according to the present invention provide for an automated coffee brewing system, the automated coffee brewing system may comprise a system cavity which comprises at least one of a bean storage cavity, grinding assembly, brewing assembly, housing, water heating assembly, a controller, at least one sensing unit, a selection control, and a pouring unit providing the ability to produce at least one of bean-to-cup coffee and multi-serving container coffee, further a method operating at least one of a first embodiment of the automated coffee brewing system, a second embodiment of the automated coffee brewing system, and a third embodiment of the automated coffee brewing system is provided, and a method of operating a fourth embodiment of the automated coffee brewing system is provided.

Abstract: An automatic card shuffler to shuffle eight decks of cards (or less) and deal a round of Baccarat. The automatic shuffler comprises two pre-shuffle bins, each receiving approximately four decks of cards wherein the pre-shuffle bins are spaced apart from one another with card slides directing to a card-receiving area. Cards are randomly selected from the cards in each of the pre-shuffle bins and propelled onto the card slides directing the cards to the card-receiving area. Once a sufficient number of buffer cards (e.g., seven) have been deposited into the card-receiving area, a card flipper moves the seven cards against a face plate of an integral dealing shoe. A buffer-holder member maintains the buffer cards against the face plate for dealing as the card flipper returns to a home position to receive more shuffled cards while buffer cards are being dealt in a round of Baccarat.

Abstract: A urodynamic investigation apparatus for receipt of urine from a bladder is provided. The apparatus is characterized by a tubular element, first and second fittings, and a sleeve element, for select passage of urine there through, within the tubular element. The tubular element is characterized by opposing first and second end portions, and a port. The fittings are adapted to be received by the opposing end portions of the tubular element so as to delimit an apparatus chamber. The sleeve element, suspended between the fittings within the chamber, has collapsed and open configurations. The collapsed configuration is indicative of a no urine flow condition, and the open configuration indicative of a urine flow condition, with the sleeve element urine flow condition being a function of pressure applied to the chamber via the port of the tubular element.

Abstract: A rotor assembly for an electric machine includes a core having at least one post and a cap wherein electrical windings are wound about the rotor assembly to define a pole. The rotation of the rotor and rotor pole relative to a stator generates a current supplied from the electric machine to a power consuming device.

Abstract: Contextual awareness associated with resources can be employed to facilitate controlling access to resources of a system, including function blocks. A resource manager component (RMC) can pre-load a defined number of respective versions of configuration parameter data associated with respective applications in each resource. With regard to each application, the RMC can associate a context value, unique for each application, with the respective versions of configuration parameter data associated with that application. When a current application is being changed to a next application, the RMC can write the context value associated with the next application to a context select component (CSC). Each resource can read the context value in the CSC, identify and retrieve the version of configuration parameter data associated with the next application based on the context value, and configure the function block based on the version of configuration parameter data.

Abstract: A method to provide dedicated bandwidth, the method including: provisioning transmitters to transmit over a satellite link; generating, for each of the transmitters, a respective transmit signal using a common codeblock asynchronous sub-carrier multiple access (A-SCMA) encoding for a respective information stream; transmitting, via the satellite link, the respective transmit signal from each of the transmitters; and varying a bandwidth rate of each of the respective transmit signals with a grant-free protocol, where the bandwidth rate of the respective transmit signals is less than or equal to a maximum system rate, the transmitting of at least two or more of the transmitters is at least partially concurrent, and each of the respective transmit signals is modulated at a common frequency over a common frequency band with a common polarization. The method reduces latency, jitter, and provides dynamic bandwidth allocation without allocation feedback.