Abstract: A system comprises an optical fiber, a manipulator assembly, and a control unit. The manipulator assembly comprises a chassis, an optical fiber cleaning assembly housed within the chassis, and a drive mechanism housed within the chassis. The optical fiber cleaning assembly comprises a cleaning tape, a first spool on which the cleaning tape is wound, and a second spool onto which the cleaning tape is drawn after use. The drive mechanism is configured to advance the cleaning tape from the first spool to the second spool such that a portion of the cleaning tape wipes a face of the optical fiber. The control unit is configured to control the drive mechanism to advance the cleaning tape.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for communicating electronic device secure element data over multiple paths for online payments are provided. In one example embodiment, a method includes, inter alia, at a commercial entity subsystem, receiving, from an electronic device, device transaction data that includes credential data indicative of a payment credential on the electronic device for funding a transaction with a merchant subsystem, accessing a transaction identifier, deriving a transaction key based on transaction key data that includes the accessed transaction identifier, transmitting, to one of the merchant subsystem and the electronic device, merchant payment data that includes a first portion of the credential data and the accessed transaction identifier, and sharing, with a financial institution subsystem using the transaction key, commercial payment data that includes a second portion of the credential data that is different than the first portion of the credential data.

Abstract: A strainer assembly for straining a liquid, such as paint, to be poured into a container includes a tubular strainer support having a continuous imperforate side wall structure with an open top, an open bottom, and an annular exterior flange for removably resting on the open top of the container for holding the strainer support in an upright position above the container. A filter medium, such as a mesh filtering cloth, is secured to the top of the support for holding it in the interior of the support above the container. Paint is poured through the filtering cloth to filter the paint before it passes into the container. In one embodiment, the strainer support includes an annular ridge recessed in the exterior side wall of the support adjacent the open top of the support to provide a second means for mounting the strainer support in an inverted position over a smaller-sized container.

Abstract: A variable electric resistor device comprises a block of electrical insulating material. An elongated member of current resistive metal is removably positioned in the insulating material. A pair of electrically conductive terminal leads are each electrically connected to a corresponding end of the current resistive member. An elongated ancillary member of electrically conductive material is embedded in the insulating material in spaced parallel relation with the current resistive member. A plurality of spaced transverse internally threaded bores are formed through the ancillary member. A plurality of spaced bores are formed through the block extending from both sides of the internally threaded bores from the current resistive member to a surface of the block.