Abstract: Surgical staplers and methods of their use are provided. In one embodiment, a surgical stapler includes a tubular shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, a handle extending from the proximal end of the tubular shaft, a head assembly extending from the distal end of the tubular shaft, and an insertion guide configured to extend through the head assembly. The insertion guide includes an expandable member configured to move between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration and a camera configured to be positioned at least partially within the expandable member.

Abstract: Location mapping and navigation user interfaces may be generated and presented via mobile computing devices. A mobile device may detect its location and orientation using internal systems, and may capture image data using a device camera. The mobile device also may retrieve map information from a map server corresponding to the current location of the device. Using the image data captured at the device, the current location data, and the corresponding local map information, the mobile device may determine or update a current orientation reading for the device. Location errors and updated location data also may be determined for the device, and a map user interface may be generated and displayed on the mobile device using the updated device orientation and/or location data.

Abstract: A method of implementing administrative services for a compensation platform is disclosed. One or more interactive compensation representation views are generated based on an evaluation of mapping rules against a flexible ontology and current data state, the flexible ontology comprising customizable compensation components, relationships, and properties. One or more compensation representation views are dynamically updated in real-time in response to changes in compensation data, user context, or access permissions without requiring manual regeneration of the one or more compensation representations. The one or more interactive compensation representation views include a user interface element displayed in response to a user selection of compensation data, wherein the user interface element provides direct access to compensation information relevant to the selected compensation data without requiring a change to another screen or another user context.

Abstract: A method of generating customizable goal representation is disclosed. A request from a user to view a goal representation is received. A flexible goal ontology is accessed that comprises one or more goal entities, one or more goal relationships between the goal entities, or one or more goal properties, the one or more goal properties including one or more metadata attributes relating to the one or more goal entities. A set of mapping rules is obtained that defines mappings between one or more goals. The set of mapping rules is evaluated to assemble a customized goal representation tailored to the user. The customized goal representation is updated based on a revaluation of the mapping rules affected by changes to the one or more goal entities, the one or more goal relationships, or the one or more properties.

Abstract: A waveguide for use in an augmented reality or virtual reality display comprises a plurality of optical structures in or on a photonic crystal. The plurality of optical structures are arranged in an array to provide two diffractive optical elements overlaid on one another in the waveguide. Each of the two diffractive optical elements is configured to receive light from an input direction and couple it towards the other diffractive optical element which can then act as an output diffractive optical element, providing outcoupled orders towards a viewer. The plurality of optical structures have different respective cross sectional shapes, for a cross section parallel to the plane of the waveguide, at different positions in the array in order to provide different diffraction efficiencies at different positions in the array.

Abstract: Plasma-Activated liquids and methods of using the same are described. In one aspect, a method of manufacturing an integrated circuit includes activating a photolithography liquid with a plasma; and treating a device component with the activated photolithography liquid. In one example, the photolithography liquid is a photoresist. Activating the photoresist liquid may impart reactive species to the photoresist.

Abstract: A self-healing shield panel for protecting a spacecraft against High Velocity Particles (HVPs). The self-healing shield includes an exterior layer and an interior layer connected to define a cavity which contains a dilatant fluid with a plurality of spheroids. The kinetic energy from HVP impact is dispersed by the plurality of spheroids and absorbed by the dilatant fluid. The plurality of spheroids within the cavity move to block a puncture hole in the shield.

Abstract: An optical waveguide combiner includes an optical waveguide substrate and an optical input region. The optical input region includes an optical input diffractive grating integrated in, or disposed on, the optical waveguide substrate. An optical output region includes an optical output diffractive grating integrated in, or disposed on, the optical waveguide substrate, At least one non-diffractive region includes at least one optical non-diffractive array of nanostructures, wherein said at least one optical non-diffractive array of nanostructures is integrated in, or disposed on, the object side of said optical waveguide substrate and at least partially surrounds at least said optical output grating; wherein the external visible reflectance of said at least one non-diffractive array of nanostructures is substantially equal to the external visible reflectance of said optical output grating.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for performing online payment transactions from any web page being accessed on a client device by automatically generating a payment application icon on the web page through which a user can make payments. The content of the web page may be analyzed to determine if the user is conducting a payment. When a payment request is identified, a payment application icon is displayed on the web page. When the user interacts with the payment application icon, a payment prompt is displayed where the user can input payment information. Upon the user providing payment information, a payment server transmit a payment to an account associated with the web page, based on the user's payment information.

Abstract: A self-healing shield panel for protecting a spacecraft against High Velocity Particles (HVPs). The self-healing shield includes an exterior layer and an interior layer connected to define a cavity which contains a dilatant fluid with a plurality of spheroids. The kinetic energy from HVP impact is dispersed by the plurality of spheroids and absorbed by the dilatant fluid. The plurality of spheroids within the cavity move to block a puncture hole in the shield.

Abstract: The invention is directed to stands and methods for making the same. The stand is provided to hold an item such as an electronic device and/or a document. The stand may include (1) a base plate provided to support the stand on a support surface and/or by a user holding the base plate; (2) a plurality of hinge assemblies connected to the base plate; and (3) a platform assembly pivotally connected to the hinge assemblies, such that the angular disposition of the platform assembly is adjustable relative to the base plate.

Abstract: There are provided method and system for identifying and modifying behavior. The method comprises: receiving information relating to a first user's behavior; analyzing the first behavior information to identify first behavioral risk indicators indicative of statistically significant changes in behavior of the first user; and when the identified first behavioral risk indicators meet predefined risk criteria, initiating actions configured to cause the first user to change behavior in the risk activity.

Abstract: The invention is directed to stands and methods for making the same. The stand is provided to hold an item such as an electronic device and/or a document. The stand may include (1) a base plate provided to support the stand on a support surface and/or by a user holding the base plate; (2) a plurality of hinge assemblies connected to the base plate; and (3) a platform assembly pivotally connected to the hinge assemblies, such that the angular disposition of the platform assembly is adjustable relative to the base plate.

Abstract: A predictive modeling system having a marketability service module and a career path module. The marketability service module of the system server employs a marketability algorithm to determine how marketable a user is based on self-reported work experience and skills for a job. The career path module employs a career path algorithm to provide to the user a prediction of a most successful path from a users current position to a destination position on the basis of a career paths database of transitions provided by a career path analyzer of a batch computing platform intermittently in communication with the career paths database.

Abstract: Methods for generating and displaying images associated with one or more virtual objects within an augmented reality environment at a frame rate that is greater than a rendering frame rate are described. The rendering frame rate may correspond with the minimum time to render images associated with a pose of a head-mounted display device (HMD). In some embodiments, the HMD may determine a predicted pose associated with a future position and orientation of the HMD, generate a pre-rendered image based on the predicted pose, determine an updated pose associated with the HMD subsequent to generating the pre-rendered image, generate an updated image based on the updated pose and the pre-rendered image, and display the updated image on the HMD. The updated image may be generated via a homographic transformation and/or a pixel offset adjustment of the pre-rendered image.

Abstract: Methods for generating and displaying images associated with one or more virtual objects within an augmented reality environment at a frame rate that is greater than a rendering frame rate are described. The rendering frame rate may correspond with the minimum time to render images associated with a pose of a head-mounted display device (HMD). In some embodiments, the HMD may determine a predicted pose associated with a future position and orientation of the HMD, generate a pre-rendered image based on the predicted pose, determine an updated pose associated with the HMD subsequent to generating the pre-rendered image, generate an updated image based on the updated pose and the pre-rendered image, and display the updated image on the HMD. The updated image may be generated via a homographic transformation and/or a pixel offset adjustment of the pre-rendered image.

Abstract: Methods for generating and displaying images associated with one or more virtual objects within an augmented reality environment at a frame rate that is greater than a rendering frame rate are described. The rendering frame rate may correspond with the minimum time to render images associated with a pose of a head-mounted display device (HMD). In some embodiments, the HMD may determine a predicted pose associated with a future position and orientation of the HMD, generate a pre-rendered image based on the predicted pose, determine an updated pose associated with the HMD subsequent to generating the pre-rendered image, generate an updated image based on the updated pose and the pre-rendered image, and display the updated image on the HMD. The updated image may be generated via a homographic transformation and/or a pixel offset adjustment of the pre-rendered image.

Abstract: An apparatus, such as a server, configured to receive information relating to a first user's behavior and to analyze this to identify one or more behavioral risk indicators comprising statistically significant behavioral changes. The apparatus is also configured to determine one or more similarities between the first user's behavior information and stored information relating to the behavior of one or more second users. Moreover, based on the one or more determined similarities, the apparatus is configured to determine a likelihood of the first user exhibiting a behavior in a risk activity which was exhibited by the one or more second users, and to initiate one or more actions configured to cause the first user to change their behavior in the risk activity.

Abstract: Methods for generating and displaying images associated with one or more virtual objects within an augmented reality environment at a frame rate that is greater than a rendering frame rate are described. The rendering frame rate may correspond with the minimum time to render images associated with a pose of a head-mounted display device (HMD). In some embodiments, the HMD may determine a predicted pose associated with a future position and orientation of the HMD, generate a pre-rendered image based on the predicted pose, determine an updated pose associated with the HMD subsequent to generating the pre-rendered image, generate an updated image based on the updated pose and the pre-rendered image, and display the updated image on the HMD. The updated image may be generated via a homographic transformation and/or a pixel offset adjustment of the pre-rendered image.