Abstract: A head-mountable device can include a speaker unit that provides structural support to its own components and electrical connections between other components. The arrangement of conductive strips within a back plate of a speaker unit can provide the structural support needed by the components of a speaker while allowing components on opposing sides of the speaker unit to be operably connected to each other. By providing both functions with the conductive strips of a back plate, the total space required is minimized so that the head-securement element (e.g., band) of the head-mountable device maintains a thin profile.

Abstract: A method for routing audio content through an electronic device that is to be worn by a user. The method obtains a communication and determines whether the communication is private. In response to determining that the communication is private, the method drives a bone conduction transducer of the electronic device with an audio signal associated with the communication. In response to determining that the communication is not private, however, the method drives a speaker of the electronic device with the audio signal.

Abstract: Techniques and architectures for providing notifications regarding events, such as hurricanes, tornados, fires, floods, earthquakes, and so on, are discussed herein. For example, a user interface may be displayed with a map of a geographical area, an event visual representation representing an event, and an impact visual representation indicating an impact area where the event is estimated to impact. A request may be received to notify users associated with the impact area and customized notifications may be sent to users associated with the impact area. The customized notifications may be based on policy data for the users.

Abstract: Articles of manufacture, products, and packaging methods are provided that include collapsible container. Collapsible containers provided herein can define an open interior space with a peripheral side wall having a top edge and a bottom edge and a bottom wall attached to the bottom edge of the side wall. The bottom wall can include a displaceable portion in an expanded configuration that extends below the bottom edge of the side wall and adapted to being displaced to a collapsed configuration that extends above the bottom edge of the side wall. Product constituents (e.g., pouches of smokeless tobacco) can be placed in a collapsible container provided herein while the collapsible container is in its expanded configuration. After installing a lid onto a collapsible container to enclose the product within the collapsible container, the container can be collapsed to its collapsed configuration.

Abstract: RF and microwave radiation directing or controlling components are provided that may be monolithic, that may be formed from a plurality of electrodeposition operations and/or from a plurality of deposited layers of material, that may include switches, inductors, antennae, transmission lines, filters, hybrid couplers, antenna arrays and/or other active or passive components. Components may include non-radiation-entry and non-radiation-exit channels that are useful in separating sacrificial materials from structural materials. Preferred formation processes use electrochemical fabrication techniques (e.g. including selective depositions, bulk depositions, etching operations and planarization operations) and post-deposition processes (e.g. selective etching operations and/or back filling operations).

Abstract: In an illustrative system, a point-of-sale scanner is equipped to respond to multiple different symbologies printed on a single product. The scanner captures many frames per second, as products are swiped through a viewing volume. Each frame is decoded, yielding one or more payloads. A reconciliation module compares each newly-decoded payload against a list of payloads previously output by the module, to determine if the current payload is semantically-equivalent to a previously-output payload. If so, the previously-output payload is output again, in lieu of the just-decoded payload. If no equivalent is found, the current payload is output and added to the list for comparison against future payloads. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Abstract: The subject of invention is a method to derive specifications for an eccentric cam located in a void within the piston of an IC engine which will have parallel faces abutting the cam. These faces will drive the cam in a rotary fashion and transmit the energy produced by the piston by means of the cams axle. The method employs two variables: (a) the radius of the cam; (b) the degree of its eccentricity. These determine the slope of these abutting faces which will be rotated from the plane that is perpendicular to the axis of reciprocation. This slope is eccentric specific and produce a unique solution in each instance. This slope will be the same regardless of the cams radius. The result is an engine with no lateral oscilations.

Abstract: Inventory on a rack of store shelves is monitored by a camera-equipped system that senses when items have been removed. Image data is desirably sensed at plural spectral bands, to enhance item identification by digital watermark and/or other image recognition techniques. The system can be alert to the presence of nearby shoppers, and change its mode of operation in response, e.g., suppressing flash illumination or suspending image capture. The system may self-calibrate to the geometry of shelving in its field of view, and affine-correct captured imagery based on the camera's viewpoint. A great many other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for tamping the contents of a container are disclosed. An embodiment of an apparatus includes a tamp head for tamping the contents of the container; and a container support assembly structured and arranged to temporarily support the bottom surface of the container during tamping, the container support assembly comprising a support element having a protrusion extending upward from a substantially flat and horizontal upper surface, wherein the protrusion is sized and shaped to correspond to the size and shape of the bottom surface of the container.

Abstract: A composite lid of a cylindrical container includes an outer metal lid having an integral top wall and sidewall and an inner plastic lid having a top wall and sidewall fitted inside the outer metal lid such that a free end of the sidewall of the inner plastic lid extends beyond a free end of the sidewall of the outer metal lid. The composite lid can be fitted on a base having an integral bottom wall and sidewall such that the sidewall of the inner plastic lid frictionally engages the sidewall of the base. The outer metal lid can be formed by stamping sheet metal, the inner plastic lid can be formed by molding a polymer material and the base can be formed by molding a polymer material. The outer metal lid can be adhesively bonded or mechanically fitted to the inner plastic lid.

Abstract: An optical module for a display system includes a lens, a display screen, a movement mechanism, and one or more pressure-relieving features. The display screen cooperatively defines a chamber with the lens. The lens and the display screen are moved relative to each other by the movement mechanism. The one or more pressure-relieving features are in fluid communication with the chamber to hinder pressure in the chamber as the lens and the display are moved relative to each other.

Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to the inhibition of corrosion on electrically conductive componentry subjected to a lubricant composition, but that is not submersed in the lubricant composition, or in other words, vapor phase corrosion inhibition. The technology more particularly relates to the use of azole compounds capable of inhibiting corrosion of the electrically conductive componentry in the vapor space above a lubricant composition, and often in the liquid phase of the lubricant composition as well.

Abstract: A container that includes: a body; a first opening at a first end of the body and a second opening at a second end of the body, where the second end of the body additionally includes a plurality of threads on an exterior surface of the body; a lid assembly capable of being affixed to the second opening, where the lid assembly includes a band, a lid, and a sealant; a cover to conceal the lid assembly.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to novel kits for measuring insect health, and to methods of making and using such compositions. More specifically, the invention relates to novel kits for a rapid and high-throughput measurement of lipase activity levels in insects, and the correlation of the measured lipase activity levels with insect stress.

Abstract: Memories having a first pool of memory cells having a first storage density and a second pool of memory cells having a second storage density greater than the first storage density, and a controller configured to cause the memory to determine whether a value of an indication of available power of a power supply for the memory is less than a threshold, and in response to determining that the value of the indication of available power is less than the threshold, increase a size of the first pool of memory cells, limit programming of data received by the memory to the first pool of memory cells, and cease movement of data from the first pool of memory cells to the second pool of memory cells, as well as apparatus including similar memories.

Abstract: Systems and methods for manufacturing and inserting a predetermined number of material-filled pouches into containers are disclosed. A system includes a pouch providing system comprising a plurality of lanes, wherein each one of the plurality of lanes includes a pouch making machine and a hold-back structure. The system also includes a conveyor system structured and arranged to move a plurality of containers into alignment with the plurality of lanes. The system further includes a controller structured and arranged to control the hold-back structure in each one of the plurality of lanes such that the pre-determined pouches are inserted into the plurality of containers when the plurality of containers are aligned with the plurality of lanes.

Abstract: In some arrangements, product packaging is digitally watermarked over most of its extent to facilitate high-throughput item identification at retail checkouts. Imagery captured by conventional or plenoptic cameras can be processed (e.g., by GPUs) to derive several different perspective-transformed views—further minimizing the need to manually reposition items for identification. Crinkles and other deformations in product packaging can be optically sensed, allowing such surfaces to be virtually flattened to aid identification. Piles of items can be 3D-modelled and virtually segmented into geometric primitives to aid identification, and to discover locations of obscured items. Other data (e.g., including data from sensors in aisles, shelves and carts, and gaze tracking for clues about visual saliency) can be used in assessing identification hypotheses about an item. Logos may be identified and used—or ignored—in product identification. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for tamping the contents of a container are disclosed. An embodiment of an apparatus includes a tamp head for tamping the contents of the container; and a container support assembly structured and arranged to temporarily support the bottom surface of the container during tamping, the container support assembly comprising a support element having a protrusion extending upward from a substantially flat and horizontal upper surface, wherein the protrusion is sized and shaped to correspond to the size and shape of the bottom surface of the container.

Abstract: In some arrangements, product packaging is digitally watermarked over most of its extent to facilitate high-throughput item identification at retail checkouts. Imagery captured by conventional or plenoptic cameras can be processed (e.g., by GPUs) to derive several different perspective-transformed views—further minimizing the need to manually reposition items for identification. Crinkles and other deformations in product packaging can be optically sensed, allowing such surfaces to be virtually flattened to aid identification. Piles of items can be 3D-modelled and virtually segmented into geometric primitives to aid identification, and to discover locations of obscured items. Other data (e.g., including data from sensors in aisles, shelves and carts, and gaze tracking for clues about visual saliency) can be used in assessing identification hypotheses about an item. Logos may be identified and used—or ignored—in product identification. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Abstract: In an illustrative system, a point-of-sale scanner is equipped to respond to multiple different symbologies printed on a single product. The scanner captures many frames per second, as products are swiped through a viewing volume. Each frame is decoded, yielding one or more payloads. A reconciliation module compares each newly-decoded payload against a list of payloads previously output by the module, to determine if the current payload is semantically-equivalent to a previously-output payload. If so, the previously-output payload is output again, in lieu of the just-decoded payload. If no equivalent is found, the current payload is output and added to the list for comparison against future payloads. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed.