Abstract: Earplugs that have enhanced performance in protecting the user from high noise levels without impeding auditory awareness are described. The earplugs comprise a housing and a non-linear acoustic filter, wherein the non-linear acoustic filter can comprise a bulb. The earplugs are designed to be compatible with other types of headwear, e.g., headphones and helmets.

Abstract: Earplugs that have enhanced performance in protecting the user from high noise levels without impeding auditory awareness are described. The earplugs comprise a housing and a non-linear acoustic filter, wherein the non-linear acoustic filter can comprise a bulb. The earplugs are designed to be compatible with other types of headwear, e.g., headphones and helmets.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include a method and system for the delivery of virtual reality content that enables a more immersive experience to the user by adaptively changing display parameters of virtual reality content using resolution-defined projections. The resolution-defined projections are two-dimensional and virtual reality content agnostic. According to some aspects, the projections can be used to generate virtual reality content images and video that can be encoded and/or compressed for processing and transmission with lower or without increasing bandwidth requirements, and to be perceived of a higher resolution. Additional aspects include, the adaptive focus via the resolution-defined projections using the user's viewing direction and/or orientation, optimization data from a feedback loop and/or crowdsourcing data.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include a method and system for the predictive processing of virtual reality content that enables a more immersive experience to the user by adaptively changing parameters of virtual reality content using desired resolution distributions. in some embodiments, the desired resolution distributions can be used in generating resolution-defined projections. The resolution-defined projections can be two-dimensional and virtual reality content agnostic. According to some aspects, the projections can be used to generate virtual reality content images and video that can be encoded and/or compressed using predictive processing and transmission with lower or without increasing bandwidth requirements, and to be perceived of a higher resolution. Additional aspects include, the adaptive focus via the resolution-defined projections using the user's viewing direction and/or orientation, optimization data from a feedback loop and/or crowdsourcing data.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include a method and system for the delivery of virtual reality content that enables a more immersive experience to the user by adaptively changing display parameters of virtual reality content using resolution-defined projections. The resolution-defined projections are two-dimensional and virtual reality content agnostic. According to some aspects, the projections can be used to generate virtual reality content images and video that can be encoded and/or compressed for processing and transmission with lower or without increasing bandwidth requirements, and to be perceived of a higher resolution. Additional aspects include, the adaptive focus via the resolution-defined projections using the user's viewing direction and/or orientation, optimization data from a feedback loop and/or crowdsourcing data.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include a method and system for the predictive processing of virtual reality content that enables a more immersive experience to the user by adaptively changing parameters of virtual reality content using desired resolution distributions. In some embodiments, the desired resolution distributions can be used in generating resolution-defined projections. The resolution-defined projections can be two-dimensional and virtual reality content agnostic. According to some aspects, the projections can be used to generate virtual reality content images and video that can be encoded and/or compressed using predictive processing and transmission with lower or without increasing bandwidth requirements, and to be perceived of a higher resolution. Additional aspects include, the adaptive focus via the resolution-defined projections using the user's viewing direction and/or orientation, optimization data from a feedback loop and/or crowdsourcing data.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include a method and system for the delivery of virtual reality content that enables a more immersive experience to the user by adaptively changing desired resolution distributions according to a variety of parameters and to create resolution-defined projections. The resolution-defined projections can be two-dimensional and virtual reality content agnostic. According to some aspects, the projections can be used to generate virtual reality content images and video that can be encoded and/or compressed for processing and transmission with lower or without increasing bandwidth requirements, and to be perceived of a higher resolution. Additional aspects may include, the adaptive focus via the resolution-defined projections using the user's viewing direction and/or orientation, system limitations, user vision's constraints, optimization data from a feedback loop and/or crowdsourcing data.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include a method and system for the delivery of virtual reality content that enables a more immersive experience to the user by adaptively changing desired resolution distributions according to a variety of parameters and to create resolution-defined projections. The resolution-defined projections can be two-dimensional and virtual reality content agnostic. According to some aspects, the projections can be used to generate virtual reality content images and video that can be encoded and/or compressed for processing and transmission with lower or without increasing bandwidth requirements, and to be perceived of a higher resolution. Additional aspects may include, the adaptive focus via the resolution-defined projections using the user's viewing direction and/or orientation, system limitations, user vision's constraints, optimization data from a feedback loop and/or crowdsourcing data.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include a process for the delivery of virtual reality content that enables a more immersive experience to the user by implementing resolution-defined projections. The resolution-defined projections are two-dimensional and virtual reality content agnostic. According to some aspects, the projections can be used to generate virtual reality content images and video that can be encoded and/or compressed for processing and transmission with lower or without increasing bandwidth requirements, and to be perceived of a higher resolution. Additional aspects include, the adaptive focus via the resolution-defined projections using the user's viewing direction, optimization data from a feedback loop and/or crowdsourcing data.

Abstract: A DC offset voltage in an AC input voltage to a transformer and associated saturation current are eliminated by the placement of an anti-parallel diode pair circuit in series between a source of the AC input voltage and a primary winding of the transformer. The anti-parallel diode pair circuit has an input coupled to an output by parallel connected oppositely biased branch diode circuits. Each branch diode circuit has at least one diode where the diode of one such branch diode circuit is biased in one direction and the diode of the other such branch diode circuit is biased in an opposite direction and each branch diode circuit has the same number of diodes as the other branch diode circuit.

Abstract: Variable length flush nozzles for wire electric discharge machining (wire EDM) are provided. The variable length flush nozzle comprises an elongated body having an internal channel and a nozzle head having a pair of opposed slots formed therein. The nozzle head is coupled to the elongated body by a retention element dimensioned and configured for operative engagement with the pair of opposed slots such that the nozzle head is slidable relative to the elongated body between a fully extended position in which the variable length flush nozzle is at a maximum length and a fully retracted position in which the variable length flush nozzle is at a minimum length.

Abstract: Variable length flush nozzles for wire electric discharge machining (wire EDM) are provided. The variable length flush nozzle comprises an elongated body having an internal channel and a nozzle head having a pair of opposed slots formed therein. The nozzle head is coupled to the elongated body by a retention element dimensioned and configured for operative engagement with the pair of opposed slots such that the nozzle head is slidable relative to the elongated body between a fully extended position in which the variable length flush nozzle is at a maximum length and a fully retracted position in which the variable length flush nozzle is at a minimum length.

Abstract: Disclosed are thermal liners for protective garments and protective garments that comprise thermal liners. In one embodiment, a thermal liner comprises an insulation layer comprising a batt of entangled flame resistant fibers, the insulation layer having a three-dimensional pattern that defines a plurality of closed-cell air pockets that are configured to trap air to insulate a wearer of the thermal liner, the insulation layer being shaped and configured for inclusion in the protective garment and for donning by the wearer.

Abstract: Unique blends of fibers that incorporate synthetic cellulosic fibers to render fabrics made with such blends more durable than fabrics made with natural cellulosic fibers such as cotton. While more durable than cotton, the synthetic cellulosic fibers used in the blends are still inexpensive and comfortable to the wearer. Thus, the benefits of cotton (affordability and comfort) are still attained while a drawback of cotton—low durability—is avoided. In one embodiment, the fiber blend includes FR modacrylic fibers and synthetic cellulosic fibers, preferably, but not necessarily non-FR lyocell fibers such as TENCEL™ and TENCEL A100™. Other fibers may be added to the blend, including, but not limited to, additional types of inherently FR fibers, anti-static fibers, anti-microbial fibers, stretch fibers, and/or high tenacity fibers. The fiber blends disclosed herein may be used to form various types of FR fabrics.

Abstract: Online billing includes determining if a third party referred an online buyer of a good not requiring physical delivery to an online seller of the good not requiring physical delivery and apportioning revenue from sale of the good not requiring physical delivery between the online seller and, if a third party referred the online buyer to the online seller, to the third party.

Abstract: A communication system for a vehicle is described. The communication system includes a microphone array having a plurality of microphones mounted within the vehicle for receiving acoustic signals and converting the acoustic signals to electrical signals. An antenna is mounted proximate to the microphone array. The antenna communicates a radio frequency signal to a wireless device. The communication system also includes a controller having a first input that is electrically coupled to at least one microphone in the microphone array and a second input that is electrically coupled to the antenna. The controller processes the electrical signals and transmits the processed electrical signals to the antenna.

Abstract: Disclosed are thermal liners for protective garments and protective garments that comprise thermal liners. In one embodiment, a thermal liner comprises an insulation layer comprising a batt of entangled flame resistant fibers, the insulation layer having a three-dimensional pattern that defines a plurality of closed-cell air pockets that are configured to trap air to insulate a wearer of the thermal liner, the insulation layer being shaped and configured for inclusion in the protective garment and for donning by the wearer.

Abstract: A method and system for analyzing and reporting institutional investments provides a single platform for daily investment accounting, compliance, performance, and risk reports for investment portfolios held at single or multiple custody/safekeeping locations. The method involves retrieving transaction data from multiple independent financial institutions and storing it in a database in a standardized format and retrieving security data from one or more security information service providers and storing it in the database. The method further involves applying a uniform set of customized accounting, compliance, risk and performance parameters to the transaction data and security data stored in the database and, in response to a user request, calculating and reporting selected data to the user in accordance with the uniform accounting, compliance, risk and performance parameters.

Abstract: Disclosed are thermal liners for protective garments and protective garments that comprise thermal liners. In one embodiment, a thermal liner comprises an insulation layer comprising a batt of entangled flame resistant fibers, the insulation layer having a three-dimensional pattern that defines a plurality of closed-cell air pockets that are configured to trap air to insulate a wearer of the thermal liner, the insulation layer being shaped and configured for inclusion in the protective garment and for donning by the wearer.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus in a waste toner removal system of an image forming device includes a waste toner moving device that is movably mounted in a waste toner housing. The housing has an inlet where waste toner enters the housing. The toner moving device is movable between a first position and a second position to displace accumulated toner within the housing. The toner moving device is spring-biased toward the first position. A rotating actuator displaces the toner moving device from the first position to the second position to move the toner in the housing away from the inlet. The toner moving device is also self-cleaning via vibration and impact movements.