Abstract: A method is disclosed that includes identifying an inventory item corresponding to a product configuration. The product configuration is defined using a feature map. The inventory item is also defined using the feature map. Each entry of the feature map corresponds to one of a number of features of a product.

Abstract: A movable barrier operator system including a movable barrier operator configured to be connected to a movable barrier and move the movable barrier. The system includes a remote control configured to utilize a first security protocol to wirelessly transmit a communication to the movable barrier operator and cause the movable barrier operator to move the movable barrier. The movable barrier operator is configured to receive information representative of a second security protocol and to eliminate a compatibility of the movable barrier operator with communications from the remote control utilizing the first security protocol.

Abstract: A liquid level measurement device. The device includes a lid having a grate, wherein the grate has one or more sloped and contoured openings allowing for self-drainage. A hydrostatic measurement sensor is removably coupled to the lid. The hydrostatic measurement sensor can be removed from the lid through the grate. A base is also included. The base and the lid are connected with a ratcheting lid/base connection. An ultrasonic measurement sensor is coupled to the base.

Abstract: Systems and methods for assessing cybersecurity risk of a computer network include the use of a risk model application that is configured to determine an initial cyber risk score value based upon an underwriting process. A cyber risk data stream is sent from the client's computer network to the system processor to periodically calculate an updated cyber risk score based upon actual data. The system processor is adapted to use the data stream to generate client information that is accessible by the client via a web-based client portal. In embodiments, the cyber risk data stream can be actively monitored to identify a threat of a cybersecurity breach.

Abstract: A number of techniques are disclosed for making it more convenient and efficient for customers to conduct various rental vehicle transactions. As an example, a technique for performing an automated pickup of a rental vehicle using a mobile device is disclosed. As another example, a technique for performing an automated return administration of a rental vehicle using a mobile device is disclosed. As another example, a technique for permitting customer to select a particular rental vehicle for a rental vehicle transaction using a mobile device is disclosed. Also disclosed is a technique for permitting a customer to keylessly start a rental vehicle using a machine-sensible item such as his/her mobile device without requiring the customer to possess a smart key.

Abstract: A system for detecting and responding to an anomaly in a chaotic environment, comprising one or more autonomous agent devices and a central server comprising a processor and non-transitory memory.

Abstract: A system and method may determine or display the carbon emissions impact for transactions, by for example receiving from transaction data sources data items describing transactions, each transaction associated with a user, a merchant, and an amount; for each transaction receiving or creating carbon emissions impact data for the merchant associated with the transaction; and deriving from the amount associated with the transaction and the carbon emissions impact data for the merchant associated with the transaction a carbon emission value associated with the transaction. Each data item may include a transaction amount and a merchant identifier, and/or other information. Calculating carbon emissions for the transaction may include multiplying the currency amount associated with the transaction and the carbon emissions impact data for the merchant associated with the transaction and dividing the result by the annual revenue for the merchant. The carbon emissions value may be displayed to a user.

Abstract: A repaired rotor of a multi-phase electric motor includes a plurality of annular laminations stacked to form a cylindrical core about a central axis, each of the laminations having notches aligned to form axially extending slots about a periphery of the core; a plurality of electrical conductors extending through the slots; a pair of conductive end rings, each attached to a different end of the cylindrical core and electrically connected to the plurality of electrical conductors; and an outer end ring abutting and electrically connected to one of the pair of conductive end rings and electrically connected to adjacent ends of the plurality of electrical conductors, the outer end ring providing an uninterrupted electrically conductive path connecting the plurality of electrical conductors.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is an alkali metal-selenium battery comprising an anode, a selenium cathode, an electrolyte, an electronically insulating porous separator, and an electronically conducting graphene separator layer comprising a solid graphene foam, paper or fabric that is permeable to lithium ions or sodium ions but is substantially non-permeable to selenium or metal selenide, wherein the graphene separator layer is disposed between the selenium cathode layer and the electronically insulating porous separator layer and the graphene separator layer contains pristine graphene sheets or non-pristine graphene sheets having 0.01% to 20% by weight of non-carbon elements, wherein the non-pristine graphene is selected from graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, graphene fluoride, graphene chloride, graphene bromide, graphene iodide, hydrogenated graphene, nitrogenated graphene, boron-doped graphene, nitrogen-doped graphene, chemically functionalized graphene, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A wingtip device may be attached to a baseline wing of an aircraft. The wingtip device may comprise a vertical portion coupled to the baseline wing. The vertical portion may comprise a leading edge and trailing edge. The leading edge and trailing edge may be nonlinear shapes. For example, compound curves, smooth continuous higher order polynomials, or combinations thereof. The leading edge and trailing edge may be shaped as to locate the wingtip device further aft than a conventional winglet design.

Abstract: Provided is a rolled alkali metal battery wherein the alkali metal is selected from Li, Na, K, or a combination thereof; the battery comprising an anode having an anode active material, a cathode containing a cathode active material, and a separator-electrolyte layer, comprising a first electrolyte alone or a first electrolyte-porous separator assembly, in ionic contact with the anode and the cathode, wherein the cathode contains a wound cathode roll of at least a discrete layer of the cathode active material and an optional binder, at least a discrete layer of a conductive material, and at least a layer of a second electrolyte, identical or different in composition than the first electrolyte, wherein the wound cathode roll has a cathode roll length, a cathode roll width, and a cathode roll thickness and the cathode roll width is substantially perpendicular to the separator-electrolyte layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may provide an improved distributed computing system. Entities in the distributed computing system may be divided into four categories: writers, readers, gateways, and applications. End users may interact with the system via the applications through the gateways. The role of writers and readers may be separated to distribute computational burdens. Writers may generate messages for an event stream. The messages may include a timestamp for consistent global ordering. The readers may arrange messages from various writers based on the timestamps to generate globally time-consistent event streams.

Abstract: A sub-component of a replaceable filter element that is interfacably sealing a standpipe includes an end cap, said second end cap defining a first central opening; a central tube extending from the first central opening of the second end cap, wherein the central tube defines an inner surface, an outer surface and a top surface, wherein the top surface defines a second central opening, wherein the central tube includes an actuator excluding keys, free ends, or projections; and a standpipe seal disposed proximate the top surface of the central tube, wherein the standpipe seal defines a third central opening.

Abstract: A rechargeable lithium cell comprising a cathode, an anode, a non-flammable electrolyte, wherein the electrolyte contains a lithium salt dissolved in a liquid solvent having a lithium salt concentration from 0.01 M to 10 M so that the electrolyte exhibits a vapor pressure less than 0.01 kPa when measured at 20° C., a vapor pressure less than 60% of the vapor pressure of the liquid solvent alone, a flash point at least 20 degrees Celsius higher than a flash point of the liquid solvent alone, a flash point higher than 200° C., or no flash point, wherein the liquid solvent contains a cooking oil selected from palm oil, palm olein, coconut oil, corn oil, soybean oil, cottonseed oil, peanut oil, sunflower oil, canola oil, rice bran oil, olive oil, sesame oil, safflower oil, avocado oil, flaxseed oil, grapeseed oil, walnut oil, almond oil, lard, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A user receiving device including at least one transceiver module, an output module, a control module, and a transaction module. The at least one transceiver module is configured to receive an ad or an offer transmitted from at least one backend device to the user receiving device. The offer is directed to a product and/or service referred to in the ad. The output module is configured to display the ad or the offer on a display. The display is connected to the user receiving device. The at least one transceiver module is configured to receive a response signal transmitted from a mobile device to the user receiving device. The response signal is in response to the offer. The transaction module is configured to perform a transaction between the at least one backend device and a user of the mobile device based on the response signal.

Abstract: A novel method of growing fungi is disclosed which uses an engineered artificial media and produces high density filamentous fungi biomats that can be harvested with a minimum of processing and from which fungal products such as antibiotics, proteins, and lipids can be isolated, the method resulting in lowered fungus cultivation costs for energy usage, oxygenation, water usage and waste stream production.

Abstract: A composition that includes at least one target supplement and at least one rehydration formulation is described. When the at least one target supplement is ingested as part of the composition, the bioavailability of at least one target supplement is enhanced as compared to when it is ingested separate from the composition. The at least one target supplement is absorbed more quickly and in a greater amount when it is ingested as part of the composition than when it is ingested separate from the composition. The composition also hydrates a subject more quickly.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for monitoring and controlling electronic devices using wired and wireless protocols are disclosed. The systems and apparatus may monitor their environment for signals from electronic devices. The systems and apparatus may take and disambiguate the signals that are received from the devices in their environment to identify the devices and associate control signals with the devices. The systems and apparatus may use communication means to send control signals to the identified electronic devices. Multiple apparatuses or systems may be connected together into networks, including mesh networks, to make for a more robust architecture.