Abstract: A tile removal assembly includes a tool that has a handle and a head attached to the handle. The head has a claw portion extending laterally away from the handle and a chisel portion extending laterally away from the handle in an opposite direction from the claw portion. The claw portion has a thickness that is sufficiently thin to facilitate the claw portion to flex when the head is swung toward a tile is bonded to a hard floor surface. In this way the claw portion can travel between the tile and the hard floor surface to facilitate a user to drive the claw portion beneath the tile without requiring the user to swing the tool with a high degree of accuracy. The chisel portion has a thickness that is sufficiently thick to inhibit the chisel portion from flexing thereby facilitating the chisel portion to pry a fixed object.

Abstract: A valve assembly for a dispenser. The valve assembly includes a valve body that extends about a longitudinal axis and defines an outer surface and an inner passageway. A valve stem extends through the inner passageway and includes an outer stem surface, an inner stem surface opposite the outer stem surface, and a first orifice extending from the outer stem surface to the inner stem surface. The valve assembly includes a retaining member joined to the second portion of the valve stem, wherein the retaining member extends outward from the outer stem surface. The retaining member includes a first retaining member surface, a second retaining member surface, and a void.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for sentiment-based adaptations of user representations in virtual environments. One method comprises obtaining information characterizing a first user and a second user interacting with a session of a virtual environment; applying the information to an analytics engine to obtain a sentiment status indicating a sentiment of the second user in the virtual environment, wherein the analytics engine processes the obtained sentiment status of the second user to select an adaptation of a facial expression and/or a body language of a representation of the first user from learned sentiment-based facial expression examples and/or learned sentiment-based body language examples, using the obtained sentiment status of the second user; and automatically initiating a rendering of the virtual environment using the selected adaptation of the facial expression and/or the body language of the representation of the first user in the virtual environment.

Abstract: A energy storage device for cycling between a charged state and a discharged state, the energy storage device including an enclosure, an electrode assembly and a non-aqueous liquid electrolyte within the enclosure, and a constraint that maintains a pressure on the electrode assembly as the energy storage device is cycled between the charged and the discharged states.

Abstract: An example computing device comprises a memory storing software, and a processor to, identify an expected parameter value range of a plurality of expected parameter value ranges of a hardware component of the computing device, the expected parameter value range corresponding to a set operating mode of the hardware component; compare an analog parameter value of the hardware component to the identified expected parameter value range; and determine whether the analog parameter value is within or outside the expected parameter value range.

Abstract: A method of testing a substrate monolith (1), the substrate monolith (1) comprising: i) a plurality of channels extending longitudinally along a Z-axis of the substrate monolith (1); and ii) an array of walls extending along the Z-axis and forming partitions between adjacent channels; wherein the array of walls comprises first walls (10) orientated parallel to a first-axis of the substrate monolith (1) and second walls (11) orientated parallel to a second-axis of the substrate monolith (1), the first-axis and the second-axis both being orthogonal to the Z-axis; the method comprising the steps of: a) applying an impulse (J) to the substrate monolith (1) with an impact tool (22) to induce mechanical vibrations in the substrate monolith (1); b) sensing the mechanical vibrations of the substrate monolith (1); c) determining a fundamental frequency of the sensed mechanical vibrations; and d) comparing the fundamental frequency of the sensed mechanical vibrations to a fundamental frequency obtained from testing

Abstract: The present invention presents a method of fabrication for a physiological sensor with electronic, electrochemical, and chemical components. The fabrication method comprises steps for manufacturing an apparatus comprising at least one electrochemical sensor, a microcontroller, and a transceiver. The fabrication process includes the steps of substrate fabrication, circuit fabrication, pick and place, reflow soldering, electrode fabrication, membrane fabrication, sealing and curing, layer bonding, and dressing. The physiological sensor is operable to analyze biological fluids such as sweat.

Abstract: A vehicle deceleration notification system includes a deceleration sensor installed in a vehicle. The deceleration sensor measures a magnitude of vehicle deceleration. The vehicle deceleration notification system further includes a vehicle display unit installed at a rear end of the vehicle. The vehicle display unit is a linearly oriented and double mirrored display unit having a plurality of light sources. The vehicle deceleration notification system further includes a processor that obtains the magnitude of vehicle deceleration from the deceleration sensor and determines a preset deceleration range, of a plurality of preset deceleration ranges, associated with the magnitude of vehicle deceleration. The processor further selects a display mode of the vehicle display unit based on the determination of the associated preset deceleration range and actuates the selected display mode of the vehicle display unit.

Abstract: A portable power source. The portable power source includes a housing, a first battery pack support configured to receive a first removable and rechargeable battery pack, a second battery pack support configured to receive a second removable and rechargeable battery pack, an inverter within the housing, and an alternating current power outlet. The inverter is configured to receive output power from the first removable and rechargeable battery pack and the second removable and rechargeable battery pack. The inverter is configured to produce an alternating current power output. The alternating current power outlet is configured to receive the alternating current power output from the inverter. The inverter is configured to be disabled when the first removable and rechargeable battery pack is received in the first battery pack support and the second removable and rechargeable battery pack is not received in the second battery pack support.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in measuring a property of a fluid and a method of measuring a property of a fluid in a conduit. The apparatus is for use in measuring a property of a fluid, the apparatus comprising: a conduit comprising an inlet through which fluid can enter the conduit; a movable member retained within the conduit, the movable member configured to move in accordance with the property of the fluid in the conduit; and a magnetic field generating unit for generating one or more magnetic fields in the conduit, an interaction between the movable member and the one or more magnetic fields being detectable via the magnetic field generating unit, to measure the property.

Abstract: A smart remote system is presented which can be easily programmed for use with a variety of devices. The system includes a body having one or more sensors and a control circuit positioned within the body. The control circuit is configured to receive data from the one or more sensors and compare the received data to trigger conditions which are specified in a configuration data file. When one of the trigger conditions has been satisfied, it prompts an associated device to perform one or more actions which have been specified in the configuration file.

Abstract: A method of determining whether a processing unit is compliant with a security policy is provided. The method may comprise obtaining first data indicative of a power consumption profile of the processing unit for a first time period, the power consumption profile comprising a variation of power consumption with time. The method may comprise determining whether the processing unit is compliant with the security policy during the first time period depending, at least in part, on the obtained first data. It may be that the processing unit complying with the security policy gives rise to a power signature in the power consumption profile of the processing unit during a period of compliance.

Abstract: This invention relates to a computer implemented method and a computer program product for providing a virtual robotics programming competition. The method comprising the steps of on a server, providing access for a remote client device to a physics library, a physics engine, a rendering engine and an application programming interface (API) mapping the functions of the physics engine to the rendering engine; setting a programming challenge for a user operating the remote client device; receiving a simulation computer program code for a virtual robot from the remote client device; miming the simulation computer program code in a challenge environment; and grading the performance of the simulation computer program code. The performance of the simulation computer program code can be judged based on the results of a live multiplayer robot battle. In this way, students may compete against each other in robotics competitions without the expense and other pitfalls of having to travel to remote locations.

Abstract: Alignment instruments may include joint-line referencing systems having an alignment arm having a body with first and second portions defining first and second sides. The first portion has at least one first pin tube through-hole extending from the first to the second side. The second portion has a first opening on the first side. A pin tube guide member is receivable in the first through-hole. The pin tube guide member has a passageway therethrough. An angelwing alignment member includes a portion receivable in the first opening of the alignment arm. An alignment foot is secured to the second portion, and the alignment foot has a handle and a shim. The shim is positionable in a joint between a first bone and a second bone, the alignment arm is alignable relative to a first bone, and the pin tube guide is operable for securing a pin into the first bone.

Abstract: According to at least one embodiment, a method for generating a mesh deformation of a facial model includes: generating a first plurality of deformation maps by applying a first plurality of neural network-trained models; extracting a first plurality of vertex offsets based on the first plurality of deformation maps; and applying the first plurality of vertex offsets to a neutral mesh of the facial model to generate the mesh deformation of the facial model.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and methods for evaluating song play performance of broadcast music. The analytics system comprises one or more data processing resources. The data processing resource receives transaction records that are related to songs being played on radio stations. The transaction records comprise a song identifier, play location, play time, and additional metadata. A user can generate a series of dashboards that comprise indicia or graphics that inform song play performance, radio station airplay performance and insights, generate airplay recommendations and display other information. In an exemplary embodiment, airplay recommendations can include informing the user of song play locations, where a possible space on a radio station's playlist or panel exists. Such possible spaces are opportunities where the user can seek to increase the number of song plays for a desired song at a radio station thus improving the song's rank.

Abstract: A system and method for content aware monitoring of an output of a media channel by a media system is provided herein. In at least one embodiment, the method comprises: receiving a media assertion schedule comprising a schedule of assertion checks which allow validating that the output of the media channel, by the media system, is synchronized with an expected media channel output; receiving, from a signature generating module, at least one observed signature file; determining that the timestamp data, in each of the at least one received observed signature file, aligns with at least one timecode included in an assertion check in the media assertion schedule; identifying an assertion condition included in the assertion check; and validating the assertion condition using the observed media frame signatures included in each of the at least one received observed signature file.

Abstract: A system including a vessel for containing a fill material and a vibration source connected to the vessel. The vibration source can increase a bulk density of the fill material. A fill material ratio can be defined as a particle density of the fill material divided by the bulk density of the fill material after vibration. After the vibration source increases the bulk density of the fill material, the fill material ratio can range from about 0.15 to about 0.75.

Abstract: A shooting rest, components thereof, and associated methods. The shooting rest includes a frame, a forward firearm support connected to the frame, and a rear firearm support connected to the frame. The rear firearm support includes a stop configured to limit rearward movement of the firearm with respect to the frame when the firearm is fired. A liquid tank is supported by the frame and is configured to hold liquid to increase the effective mass of the shooting rest to reduce recoil felt by a shooter when the firearm is fired.