Abstract: A functional electrical stimulation (FES) device includes electrodes arranged to apply functional electrical stimulation to a body part of the user. FES stimulation is performed by: receiving values of a set of user metrics for the user; receiving a target position of the body part represented as values for a set of body part position measurements; determining a user-specific energization pattern for producing the target position based on the received target position and the received values of the set of user metrics for the user; and energizing the electrodes of the FES device in accordance with the determined user-specific energization pattern. The determination may utilize an FES calibration database with records having fields containing: values of the set of user metrics for reference users; energization patterns; and values of the set of body part position metrics for positions assumed by the body part in response to applying the energization patterns.

Abstract: A battery pack terminal retention system includes a clasp configured to hold tab terminals as the tab terminals are electrically connected together. A battery pack terminal retention method includes holding terminals together using a clasp; and electrically connecting together the plurality of terminals during the holding. The terminals can be tab terminals that are electrically connected together using welds.

Abstract: Multifunctional cross-member beams are provided for use within traction battery packs. An exemplary cross-member beam may include features for interfacing with and supporting various subcomponents (e.g., battery cells, cell tab terminals, bus bars, thermal barriers, etc.) of a cell stack of the traction battery pack. The cross-member beam may further incorporate features for facilitating the venting of battery cell vent byproducts during battery thermal events.

Abstract: A battery pack venting assembly includes a first beam establishing a first side of a passageway and a second beam establishing an opposite, second side of the passageway. The passageway is configured to communicate battery cell vent byproducts. A method of establishing a vent path within a traction battery pack includes, within an enclosure assembly of a battery pack, providing a cross-member assembly having a first beam and a second beam; and communicating battery cell vent byproducts through at least one opening in the first beam into a passageway having a perimeter that is at least partially provided by the first beam and the second beam.

Abstract: A traction battery pack venting assembly includes an enclosure, at least one cell stack within the enclosure, a cross-member assembly within the enclosure, and a valve assembly that opens to provide a vent path from the at least one cell stack to a passageway of the cross-member assembly. A method of establishing a vent path within a traction battery pack includes, within a battery pack enclosure, using a valve assembly to block an opening to a passageway provided by a cross-member assembly; and in response to at least one battery cell within the battery pack enclosure venting, opening the valve assembly to permit flow through the opening to the passageway.

Abstract: A set of data units associated with a data object is obtained, such that respective instances of the data object can be reconstructed from respective subsets of the set. Corresponding to a request for the data object, a first subset of the set is identified. The first subset meets a uniqueness criterion with respect to other subsets of the set that are used to respond to other requests for the data object. An instance of the data object is reconstructed from the first subset.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include methods for generating a sampled profile including a plurality of sampling points having a plurality of characteristic values associated with the detected non-visible light, identifying one or more macroblocks each includes a subset of the plurality of sampling points, calculating a number of occurrences of the local pattern value within each subset of the plurality of the sampling points for each of the one or more macroblocks, generating a first array including a plurality of weighted values by calculating the plurality of weighted values based on the numbers of occurrences of the local pattern value and corresponding sizes of the one or more macroblocks, assigning a unique index to each of the plurality of weighted values, generating a second array of the unique index by ranking the plurality of weighted values, and generating a third array including a plurality of ranking distances.

Abstract: A system for providing content to client computing devices. The system is configured to receive an audio feed that includes audio segments. Each audio segment includes either regular audio content or preemptory audio content. The system may determine whether each audio segment includes regular or preemptory audio content. For each audio segment determined to include preemptory audio content, the system may direct the client computing devices to preempt, with the preemptory audio content, any current content being presented by the client computing devices. For each audio segment determined to include regular audio content, the system may identify the regular audio content, match multimedia video content with the identified regular audio content, and direct the matched multimedia video content to the client computing devices for presentation thereby to users.

Abstract: A system for providing content to client computing devices. The system is configured to receive an audio feed that includes audio segments. Each audio segment includes either regular audio content or preemptory audio content. The system may determine whether each audio segment includes regular or preemptory audio content. For each audio segment determined to include preemptory audio content, the system may direct the client computing devices to preempt, with the preemptory audio content, any current content being presented by the client computing devices. For each audio segment determined to include regular audio content, the system may identify the regular audio content, match multimedia video content with the identified regular audio content, and direct the matched multimedia video content to the client computing devices for presentation thereby to users.

Abstract: A prosthetic foot having an adjustable height heel includes a frame portion with an ankle link pivotally supported on the frame portion at a first pivot axis. A detent rod is pivotally connected to the ankle at a second pivot axis, and a detent member is pivotally affixed to the frame portion at a third pivot axis. The detent member is selectively operable to receive and releasably retain a length of the detent rod therein so that the length of the detent rod extending between the second and third pivot axes may be selectably adjusted. When the length of the rod is so adjusted, the angular relationship of the frame portion and the ankle link is changed thereby changing the heel height of the foot. The detent mechanism may be activated by various means including fluidic means, mechanical means, electromechanical means, and the like.

Abstract: A metering device that allows the two-way exchange of electrical energy between the power grid and electric vehicles by giving customers the option to upload electrical energy from their vehicle's electrical power system to the power grid or to another vehicle, or the option to download electrical energy from the power grid or another vehicle, to charge their vehicle's electric storage system, depending on the current market price of electricity. This allows users to both buy and sell electricity as a commodity to offset their fuel costs and to generate income. The metering device and the associated server may maintain a database of the user's preferences and identification.

Abstract: A prosthetic foot having an adjustable height heel includes a frame portion with an ankle link pivotally supported on the frame portion at a first pivot axis. A detent rod is pivotally connected to the ankle at a second pivot axis, and a detent member is pivotally affixed to the frame portion at a third pivot axis. The detent member is selectively operable to receive and releasably retain a length of the detent rod therein so that the length of the detent rod extending between the second and third pivot axes may be selectably adjusted. When the length of the rod is so adjusted, the angular relationship of the frame portion and the ankle link is changed thereby changing the heel height of the foot. The detent mechanism may be activated by various means including fluidic means, mechanical means, electromechanical means, and the like.

Abstract: A package comprises two or more toothbrushes which are dated to indicate a service period such as by designating a starting date and/or an ending date, or some other date in the service period. The service periods are sequential and add up, ideally, to one complete year so that a package, purchased at any time during a year, provides toothbrushes that can be used for twelve sequential months. Providing sequentially dated toothbrushes provides an indication to the user to discard used toothbrushes at the ends of the service periods thereby promoting dental health as recommended by dentists and toothbrush manufacturers. The service period indicator may be numbers, letters, words, symbols, colors, figures or any combination that suggests a period of service of a particular toothbrush and may be placed at any suitable location on each toothbrush. Suitable instructions, placed on and/or in the package or separate from the package, are preferably provided to inform potential users of the meanings of the indicators.

Abstract: A safety jump training apparatus designed for safely mounting on a wall to permit an athlete to safely measure their vertical leap. The safety jump training apparatus includes a jump measurement device and a rotating support to rotably attach the measurement device to a mounting plate, as well as numerous safety features. The safety features include cooperating locking pin recesses and a locking pin to secure the apparatus in either an operating position or a storage position, a lock to adjustably secure the vertical height of the measurement device, a translation resistor to control the movement of the measurement device when the lock is disengaged, a safety position limiter to ensure that the measurement device is always a predetermined distance above the ground, and a safety cover to safely contain majority of the apparatus.

Abstract: An interactive language instruction system employs a setting and characters with which a learner can interact with verbal and text communication. The learner moves through an environment simulating a cultural setting appropriate for the language being learned. Interaction with characters is determined by a skill level matrix to provide varying levels of difficulty. A visual dictionary allows querying of depicted objects in the environment for verbal and text definitions as well as testing for skill determination.

Abstract: A process for producing high quality TPA suitable for PET feedstock material from recycled polyester. The process includes the steps of depolymerizing the polyester to form DMT; separating the DMT from secondary materials; and hydrolyzing the DMT to form TPA. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the recycled polyester is contacted with a component monomer or oligomer thereof to liquefy the polyester prior to depolymerizing the polyester.

Abstract: A post and beam furniture system includes a plurality of overhead beams, and a plurality of vertical posts having at least one outwardly extending flange with a single slot extending vertically along the end face of the flange. Beam-to-post connectors are attached to the opposite ends of the beams, and are detachably retained in the slots in the posts for mounting the beams on the upper ends of the posts. The furniture system may also include X-shaped posts and Y-shaped posts with slots which create an integrated mounting arrangement for detachably interconnecting the posts and beams in alternative configurations, and mounting accessories at a variety of different locations.

Abstract: An apparatus for depolymerizing recycled polyester into its component ester monomers and half esters includes a first reactor for depolymerizing the recycled polyester, a separator for separating ester monomeric components and half-esters from secondary materials produced in the first reactor, and a second reactor for producing a low molecular weight polyester from liquefied separator products.

Abstract: A process for recovering suitable polyester feedstock material from recycled polyester includes the steps of depolymerizing the polyester into its component ester monomers and half-esters; separating the monomers and half-esters from other secondary materials; and mixing the component ester monomers and half-esters with additional monomers to produce a low molecular weight polyester. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the recycled polyester is contacted with a component monomer or oligomer thereof to liquefy the polyester before the polyester is depolymerized.The invention further provides an apparatus for carrying out the process. The apparatus includes a first reactor for depolymerizing the recycled polyester, a separator for separating ester monomeric components and half-esters from secondary materials produced in the first reactor, and a second reactor for producing a low molecular weight polyester from the liquefied separator products.

Abstract: A polyester having increased UV absorption comprising (i) a residue of a dicarboxylic acid component comprising terephthalic and from about 1 to about 20 mole % of isophthalic acid, (ii) a residue of a glycol component comprising ethylene glycol, and (iii) from about 0.01 mole % to about 15 mole % of a residue of an aromatic diol derivative, wherein the aromatic diol derivative has a least two polyester reactive groups that are capable of participating in a polyester-forming reaction and the total mole % for components (i), (ii) and (iii) is 200 mole %.