Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus having a source of suction, a chamber for receiving dirt having an inlet and an outlet, a cable storage device for storing electrical cable for providing power to the source of suction, and a fluid flow path for providing fluid communication between the outlet of the chamber and the source of suction. At least a portion of the fluid flow path extends through the cable storage device.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus having a body (12), a primary air inlet (70), a first wheel (14), preferably the first wheel being positioned at or near a first end of the body, and a second wheel (16), preferably the second wheel being positioned at or near a second end of the body, a source of suction, and a chamber (100) for receiving dirt, which chamber is in fluid communication with the primary air inlet (70). The primary air inlet (70) is moveable relative to the body (12).

Abstract: A body garment including sensors distributed throughout the garment, each sensor senses body state information from a local surface area of a body; and sensor nodes in proximity to the plurality of sensors, each sensor node including a processor to receive sensing body state information from at least one of the plurality of sensors. Each processor is configured to receive body state information locally from sensors, to utilize the information to determine a local surface shape of the surface of a portion of the body part; and to exchange local surface shape information with neighboring sensor nodes. At least one processor of utilizes the local surface shape information received from the sensor nodes to generate one overall model of a surface shape of the entire surface of the body part covered by the garment.

Abstract: A multi-product-package POS (point of sale) enhancement system for enhancing software features in products at the POS. The system comprising a register and a multi-product contactless POS read/write terminal at a retail location and a central server at a remote location. The register configured for identifying one or more products in a package, indicating one or more enhancements available for the product(s), and receiving indication of a selected enhancement(s) from the customer. The multi-product contactless POS read/write terminal is in communication with the register and configured for receiving one or more PEA (product enhancement authorization) tokens for the selected enhancement(s), validating the PEA token(s) and executing the enhancement(s) of each product via an RFID tag coupled to the product, generating an audit record of the enhancement(s) of the product(s), and sending the audit record from the contactless POS terminal to the central server.

Abstract: A point-of-sale (POS) product enhancement system for the creation of enhanced software features in products at the POS. The POS product enhancement system comprising at least one register and contactless POS terminal operated by a retailer at a retail location and a central server operated by a central server company at a remote location. The register is configured for identifying a product, indicating one or more enhancements available for the product, and receiving indication of a selected enhancement from the customer. The contactless read/write terminal is in communication with the register and configured for receiving a PEA (product creation authorization) token for the selected enhancement, validating the PEA token and executing the enhancement of the product via an RFID tag coupled to the product, generating an audit record of the enhancement of the product, and sending the audit record from the contactless POS terminal to the central server.

Abstract: A body garment including sensors distributed throughout the garment, each sensor senses body state information from a local surface area of a body; and sensor nodes in proximity to the plurality of sensors, each sensor node including a processor to receive sensing body state information from at least one of the plurality of sensors. Each processor is configured to receive body state information locally from sensors, to utilize the information to determine a local surface shape of the surface of a portion of the body part; and to exchange local surface shape information with neighboring sensor nodes. At least one processor of utilizes the local surface shape information received from the sensor nodes to generate one overall model of a surface shape of the entire surface of the body part covered by the garment.

Abstract: Apparatus for permanent placement across an ostium of a left atrial appendage in a patient, which includes a filtering membrane configured to extend across the ostium of the left atrial appendage. The filtering membrane has a permeable structure which allows blood to flow through but substantially inhibits thrombus from passing therethrough. The apparatus also includes a support structure attached to the filtering membrane which retains the filtering membrane in position across the ostium of the left atrial appendage by permanently engaging a portion of the interior wall of the left atrial appendage. The support structure may be radially expandable from a first configuration to a second configuration which engages the ostium or the interior wall of the left atrial appendage. The filtering membrane may define an opening therethrough that is configured to expand from a first size which inhibits the passage of thrombus therethrough to a second size which allows an interventional device, e.g.

Abstract: Apparatus comprises first and second light sources driven respectively by second and third inverting amplifiers with feedback from the first and second light sources to provide signal content respectively on positive and negative phases of an input signal; and a bias control arrangement configured to measure a bias level of one of the light sources and to bias the second and third amplifiers based on the measured bias level.

Abstract: A stretcher clamp mountable on a gurney designed to be quickly opened for inserting a cylindrical stretcher handle and then quickly closed. When closed, the stretcher clamp remains in a closed, locked position regardless of bumps and jolts received when the gurney is moved across rough terrain. When the gurney reaches its destination, the novel stretcher clamps are easily and reliably openable to release the stretcher handle therefrom. Unlike stretcher clamps of the prior art, the stretcher clamp of the invention is not prone to jamming caused by bending or other distortions during transit. The clamp has two major components: an elongated latch handle and an elongated handle retainer, both rotatively mounted in a rigid, U-shaped frame or base. These two components are interconnected by a linkage assembly that is rotatively connected to the elongated latch handle and the elongated handle retainer and positioned therebetween.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for browsing objects organized in a hierarchy using a three-dimensional user interface. Some embodiments of the present technology involve a platform that renders an interface that represents objects that are hierarchically connected in three-dimensional space and that allows navigation through the hierarchy by moving through the three-dimensional space.

Abstract: An hanger apparatus including one or more extension elements with each extension element including a top portion and a bottom portion with the top portion having at least one flexible connector connection with the top portion also in communication with the bottom portion and the bottom portion including apertures for connecting a pool pole-head attachment, with the apparatus additionally including a flexible connector connecting to the at least one flexible connector connection of the top portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for utilizing the specific genetic code of an organism, as defined by the organism's DNA, to define the unique and specific IPv6 address of the organism is provided. The IPv6 address may be within existing digital network infrastructures and may be decoded to define the organism's DNA sequence, which uniquely and accurately defines the organism's digital presence within the network. The described method and apparatus utilizes an algorithm or conversion formula to convert any DNA sequence into a digital IP address via an Alpha-binary-hexagonal converter. The same method may also define an organism's DNA by virtue of converting the IPv6 address into a DNA sequence, thereby allowing for DNA to be generated from an IPv6 address.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, are described for developing workflow processes associated with data-encoded tags. A server receives tag data associated with each of a plurality of data-encoded tags from one or more mobile devices capable of reading data-encoded tags. The server generates a collection of tags to include each of the plurality of data-encoded tags. The server develops a workflow process associated with the collection of tags using the received tag data, and stores the workflow process in a data storage module.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for browsing objects organized in a hierarchy using a three-dimensional user interface. Some embodiments of the present technology involve a platform that renders an interface that represents objects that are hierarchically connected in three-dimensional space and that allows navigation through the hierarchy by moving through the three-dimensional space.

Abstract: Apparatus for permanent placement across an ostium of a left atrial appendage in a patient, which includes a filtering membrane configured to extend across the ostium of the left atrial appendage. The filtering membrane has a permeable structure which allows blood to flow through but substantially inhibits thrombus from passing therethrough. The apparatus also includes a support structure attached to the filtering membrane which retains the filtering membrane in position across the ostium of the left atrial appendage by permanently engaging a portion of the interior wall of the left atrial appendage. The support structure may be radially expandable from a first configuration to a second configuration which engages the ostium or the interior wall of the left atrial appendage. The filtering membrane may define an opening therethrough that is configured to expand from a first size which inhibits the passage of thrombus therethrough to a second size which allows an interventional device, e.g.

Abstract: Example apparatus and methods to communicatively couple field devices to controllers in a process control system are disclosed. An example method of changing a communication protocol of a first field device in a process control system includes decoupling from the first field device a first removable communication module configured to communicate using a first communication protocol. The example method also includes coupling to the first field device a second removable communication module configured to communicate using a second communication protocol. After coupling the second removable communication module, the first field device is configured to communicate using the second communication protocol.

Abstract: A method implemented in an electronic communication system associated with a settlement house for settling an electronic transaction between a customer and a merchant. The communication system receives through a first electronic communication path a first account identifier of a first account associated with the customer and a transaction amount from the merchant, contacts the customer through a second electronic communication path to allow the customer to select a payment method, and sends through a third electronic communication path the transaction amount and a second account identifier of a second account associated with the customer to a financial services provider associated with the payment method.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for providing identity, authentication, and access control services in a mobile environment utilizing data encoded tags. A server computing device receives tag data and user data from a mobile device, the tag data read from a data-encoded tag in proximity to the mobile device using a short-range communication protocol, and the user data stored on the mobile device. The server computing device authenticates a user of the mobile device based on the user data, determines whether the user is authorized to access an access point associated with the data-encoded tag, transmits a message to the access point that instructs the access point to grant user access if the user is authorized, receives a response from the access point indicating that user access is granted and transmits a message to the mobile device indicating to the user that access is granted to the access point.