Abstract: In one implementation, a universal translator device for translating protocols, the device includes one or more peripheral device interfaces through which communication from one or more peripheral devices is received using any of a plurality of protocols; a protocol translator that is (i) preconfigured with translation mappings to translate between each possible permutation of the plurality of protocols and (ii) programmed to translate, using the translation mappings, signals received from the peripheral devices into at least one target protocol; and a wireless interface that is configured to transmit wireless signals in the target protocol, the wireless signals having been translated into the target protocol by the protocol translator.

Abstract: A card game system/method pitting players against a live or virtual dealer. Players make two mandatory wagers and optionally place bonus and jackpot wagers followed by each player and the dealer receiving six cards. Each player and the dealer must set the six cards into three, two-card hands based on pre-established rules. The main and play wagers are resolved based on a comparison of the player's three hands to the dealer's three hands, respectively. The bonus wager relates to the strongest five-card poker hand formed using the six cards and the jackpot is paid if the player wins all three hands and the two cards of the first hand meet a minimum threshold (e.g., Ace high or better). An automatic winning hand may be utilized as well. For example, any player receiving the King of Spades and King of Clubs would win their main and play wagers automatically. A player v. player (e.g., home version) version of the game is also disclosed.

Abstract: An agricultural yield apparatus with a container made of a material that is impermeable to water and inert without leaching impurities to the surrounding natural environment and thereby is effective in segregating contents of the container from the surrounding natural environment and blocking seepage of the contents to the surrounding natural environment. The container encloses nutrients, water and a growth medium such as soil. The top of the container is closed except for at least one water and nutrition port and at least one vegetation growth port (or neck). The trunk of the vegetation passes through the at least one vegetation growth port (or neck). The container may be closed by a root membrane overlay having holes. The trunk of the vegetation passes through the holes in the holed root membrane overlay. Root direction channels may be beneath the overlay.

Abstract: A positioning device for a medical catheter to be positioned in a bodily orifice or cavity, the device containing an elongated tubular or sleeve-type catheter receiving member, one end of which receives the catheter to be positioned, elongated catheter release member which is held inside or outside the catheter receiving member and which can be displaced in the longitudinal direction of the member and a motion mechanism comprising a motion conversion device, by means of which the catheter receiving member and the catheter release member can be displaced relative to one another in the longitudinal direction of the device, thus releasing the catheter from the catheter receiving member; the motion conversion device has an actuating member, by means of which motion that is carried out transversely to the longitudinal direction of the device or pivoting motion can be converted into longitudinal motion running in the longitudinal direction of the device.

Abstract: A dual chuck device with a shaft grasping assembly and a screw stem grasping assembly each with respective jaws, driving mechanism and sleeve. Upon turning a respective sleeve in one direction or the reverse direction, the respective drive mechanism moves the jaws toward or away from a grasping position. In the grasping position, the screw stem is grasped. When the sleeve is presses against a working surface being penetrated by a driven screw, the driving mechanism moves the jaws in the reverse direction to move them apart to no longer grasp the screw.

Abstract: A card game system/method pitting players against a live or virtual dealer. Players make two mandatory wagers and optionally place bonus and jackpot wagers followed by each player and the dealer receiving six cards. Each player and the dealer must set the six cards into three, two-card hands based on pre-established rules. The main and play wagers are resolved based on a comparison of the player's three hands to the dealer's three hands, respectively. The bonus wager relates to the strongest five-card poker hand formed using the six cards and the jackpot is paid if the player wins all three hands and the two cards of the first hand meet a minimum threshold (e.g., Ace high or better). An automatic winning hand may be utilized as well. For example, any player receiving the King of Spades and King of Clubs would win their main and play wagers automatically. A player v. player (e.g., home version) version of the game is also disclosed.

Abstract: A dual chuck device with a shaft grasping assembly and a screw stem grasping assembly each with respective jaws, driving mechanism and sleeve. Upon turning a respective sleeve in one direction or the reverse direction, the respective drive mechanism moves the jaws toward or away from a grasping position. In the grasping position, the screw stem is grasped. When the sleeve is presses against a working surface being penetrated by a driven screw, the driving mechanism moves the jaws in the reverse direction to move them apart to no longer grasp the screw.

Abstract: An electric motorized toothbrush with a pair of bristle units spaced apart from each other by a gap and a third bristle unit bordering the gap by being closer to each of the bristle units of the pair than the bristle units of the pair are to each other. A motorized gear transmission, via associated spindles, rotates the pair of bristle units in opposite directions and either rotates or reciprocates the third bristle unit. The bristle units of the pair include a respective cylinder and bristles that extend radially outward from the respective cylinder and the bristles may be of varying lengths. The bristles rotate in a direction away from the gum line while the teeth are inserted into the gap.

Abstract: An electric motorized toothbrush with a pair of bristle units spaced apart from each other by a gap and a third bristle unit bordering the gap by being closer to each of the bristle units of the pair than the bristle units of the pair are to each other. A motorized gear transmission, via associated spindles, rotates the pair of bristle units in opposite directions and either rotates or reciprocates the third bristle unit. The bristle units of the pair include a respective cylinder and bristles that extend radially outward from the respective cylinder and the bristles may be of varying lengths. The bristles rotate in a direction away from the gum line while the teeth are inserted into the gap.

Abstract: A card game system/method pitting players against a live or virtual dealer. Players make two mandatory wagers and optionally place bonus and jackpot wagers followed by each player and the dealer receiving six cards. Each player and the dealer must set the six cards into three, two-card hands based on pre-established rules. The main and play wagers are resolved based on a comparison of the player's three hands to the dealer's three hands respectively. The bonus wager relates to the strongest five-card poker hand formed using the six cards and the jackpot is paid if the player wins all three hands and the two cards of the first hand meet a minimum threshold (e.g., Ace high or better). An automatic winning hand may be utilized as well. For example, any player receiving the King of Spades and King of Clubs would win their main and play wagers automatically. A player v. player (e.g.

Abstract: An agricultural yield pod or agricultural yield pad with holed root membrane overlay. The agricultural yield pod encloses soil and vegetation in the soil. The top of the agricultural yield pod is closed except for at least one water and nutrition port and at least one vegetation growth port (or neck). The trunk of the vegetation passes through the at least one vegetation growth port (or neck). The agricultural yield pad is closed by the holed root membrane overlay and contains soil and vegetation in the soil. The trunk of the vegetation passes through the holes in the holed root membrane overlay. Root direction channels 38 may be beneath the overlay.

Abstract: A card game system/method pitting players against a live or virtual dealer. Players make two mandatory wagers and optionally place bonus and jackpot wagers followed by each player and the dealer receiving six cards. Each player and the dealer must set the six cards into three, two-card hands based on pre-established rules. The main and play wagers are resolved based on a comparison of the player's three hands to the dealer's three hands, respectively. The bonus wager relates to the strongest five-card poker hand formed using the six cards and the jackpot is paid if the player wins all three hands and the two cards of the first hand meet a minimum threshold (e.g., Ace high or better). An automatic winning hand may be utilized as well. For example, any player receiving the King of Spades and King of Clubs would win their main and play wagers automatically. A player v. player (e.g., home version) version of the game is also disclosed.

Abstract: The main object of the invention is an additive-manufacturing device (1) for creating a three-dimensional object (2), characterized in that it comprises a material selection unit (3), the materials including materials for the creation of the three-dimensional object (2), an induction heating unit (4) for heating the materials, the selection unit (3) being able to convey the materials toward the heating unit (4) which causes them to melt, and a material deposition unit (5) which ejects the materials after they have passed through the heating unit (4) onto a support (6) so as to allow the three-dimensional object (2) to be built up in successive layers of material.

Abstract: A positioning device for a medical catheter to be positioned in a bodily orifice or cavity, the device containing an elongated tubular or sleeve-type catheter receiving member, one end of which receives the catheter to be positioned, elongated catheter release member which is held inside or outside the catheter receiving member and which can be displaced in the longitudinal direction of the member and a motion mechanism comprising a motion conversion device, by means of which the catheter receiving member and the catheter release member can be displaced relative to one another in the longitudinal direction of the device, thus releasing the catheter from the catheter receiving member; the motion conversion device has an actuating member, by means of which motion that is carried out transversely to the longitudinal direction of the device or pivoting motion can be converted into longitudinal motion running in the longitudinal direction of the device.

Abstract: A method for thermal characterization of a portion of first material of elongate shape on which there is arranged a portion of a second, electrically conductive material of elongate shape, the method including: a) determining characteristic of the portion of second material, b) applying an electric current of angular frequency between ends of the portion of the second material, and measuring the angular frequency harmonic of the electric voltage between these ends for different values of angular frequency, c) calculating coefficient of thermal conductivity of the portion of first material from the values of the harmonic and of the determined characteristic, a width of the portion of the first material being between about 0.9 and 1.1 times the width of the portion of second material, the portion of first material being surrounded by thermal insulation.

Abstract: A scheduler integrates worker time and location into customer appointment schedules by obtaining the status of workers' meetings with customers and forwarding updated schedule messages to waiting customers if the worker is late for an appointment due to traffic or unexpected delays at the previous customer meeting. The waiting customers receiving the updated schedules can respond by accepting the updated schedule, adjusting the meeting time or cancelling the appointment. The scheduler eliminates the need for customers to have to wait for long periods of time for service workers to arrive and allows them to adjust the meeting appointment based upon their schedules.

Abstract: A method for thermal characterization of a portion of first material of elongate shape on which there is arranged a portion of a second, electrically conductive material of elongate shape, the method including: a) determining characteristic of the portion of second material, b) applying an electric current of angular frequency between ends of the portion of the second material, and measuring the angular frequency harmonic of the electric voltage between these ends for different values of angular frequency, c) calculating coefficient of thermal conductivity of the portion of first material from the values of the harmonic and of the determined characteristic, a width of the portion of the first material being between about 0.9 and 1.1 times the width of the portion of second material, the portion of first material being surrounded by thermal insulation.

Abstract: A linearly polarized transparent or translucent material is stretched to follow a sinusoidal shape so all parts of the resulting panes or lenses are themselves sinusoidal. By providing a structure of two panes or lenses of such material, moving one relative to the other in a linear direction varies an amount of light passing through. Thus, such a linear movement adjusts light translucence, luminosity intensity, brightness and dimness. Applications include windows (home, office, car), motor vehicle windshields, sunglasses, optical lenses, computer monitors, televisions, and fluorescent light fixtures.

Abstract: A vascular filter for capturing and breaking apart particles in the blood. The vascular filter includes a filter body and an agitation member disposed within the filter body. Movement of the agitation member acts on particles trapped within the filter body for enhancing the dissolution of the particles, thereby reducing the likelihood of filter occlusion and improving the flow of blood through the vessel. The vascular filter is preferably collapsible for percutaneous delivery to a treatment site. The agitation member is preferably rotatably coupled to the filter body and a flow receiving member is provided for causing the agitation member to rotate. A clutch mechanism may be provided such that the agitation member only rotates when a particle, such as a blood clot, is trapped within the filter body.

Abstract: Devices and methods for reshaping a mitral valve annulus are provided. One preferred device is configured for deployment in the right atrium and is shaped to apply a force along the atrial septum. The device causes the atrial septum to deform and push the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve in a posterior direction for reducing mitral valve regurgitation. Another preferred device is deployed in the left ventricular outflow tract at a location adjacent the aortic valve. The device is expandable for urging the anterior leaflet toward the posterior leaflet. Another preferred device comprises a tether configured to be attached to opposing regions of the mitral valve annulus.