Abstract: A coaxial rotating automated stepping surface assembly adapted for a vehicle, including, at least one stepping surface portion, single pivot axis, coaxial motor arrangement to pivot axis, and complete system packaging out board of sill structure. The motor is a non back-drivable motor and is capable of operably self-locking in predetermined positions.

Abstract: A box step lighting arrangement for a vehicle which includes a mount for attachment to a vehicle. A step member and a linkage are connected to the mount, the linkage move the step member between a deployed position and retracted position. A motor is attached to the linkage to move the step between a deployed position and retracted position. Connected to the linkage is at least one light module. The light module has at least one light projection element that projects light onto the step member and the ground beneath the step member.

Abstract: The present invention includes a foldable step assembly for a vehicle. The step assembly includes a linkage arrangement for connection to a vehicle and articulating a step assembly from a deployed position to a stowed position. A drive mechanism is positioned remotely from the step assembly and is operatively in communication with the linkage arrangement for articulating said step assembly between the deployed position to the stowed position.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing a selected volume of water at a specified temperature. The dispenser includes a source of water at an elevated temperature and a source of water at a lower temperature. An electronic controller determines the volume of water needed from each source in order to arrive at the selected volume and temperature. The dispenser uses a recirculation valve to circulate at least the elevated temperature water in the tank and in the outlet in order to ensure the temperature of the water is as expected throughout the system to achieve the specified temperature.

Abstract: An animal enclosure includes a door, a door frame, and a plurality of members each formed by a plurality of interconnecting horizontal and vertical wires. The door is movably coupled to the door frame between an open position and a closed position, where in any position except for the closed position an opening formed in the door frame is at least partially exposed to provide access to the interior of the enclosure. A clip is removably coupled to any one of the plurality of members. The clip includes a body formed by a first member, a top member, a base member, a second member, and a finger portion. The finger portion extends downward from the top member to define a first opening between the finger portion, the top member, and the first member.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing a selected volume of water at a specified temperature. The dispenser includes a source of water at an elevated temperature and a source of water at a lower temperature. An electronic controller determines the volume of water needed from each source in order to arrive at the selected volume and temperature. The dispenser uses a recirculation valve to circulate at least the elevated temperature water in the tank and in the outlet in order to ensure the temperature of the water is as expected throughout the system to achieve the specified temperature.

Abstract: An animal enclosure includes a door, a door frame, and a plurality of members each formed by a plurality of interconnecting horizontal and vertical wires. The door is movably coupled to the door frame between an open position and a closed position, where in any position except for the closed position an opening formed in the door frame is at least partially exposed to provide access to the interior of the enclosure. A clip is removably coupled to any one of the plurality of members. The clip includes a body formed by a first member, a top member, a base member, a second member, and a finger portion. The finger portion extends downward from the top member to define a first opening between the finger portion, the top member, and the first member.

Abstract: The present invention includes a foldable step assembly for a vehicle. The step assembly includes a linkage arrangement for connection to a vehicle and articulating a step assembly from a deployed position to a stowed position. A drive mechanism is positioned remotely from the step assembly and is operatively in communication with the linkage arrangement for articulating said step assembly between the deployed position to the stowed position.

Abstract: The technology disclosed herein relates to an imaging device. In some embodiments the imaging device has a support plate defining an object plane. A housing surrounds the object plane across the support plate. A first reflector plane is within the housing and in reflective communication with the object plane. The first reflector plane is 68.0° to 70.0° from the object plane. A second reflector plane within the housing and in reflective communication with the object plane. The second reflector plane is 68.0° to 70.0° from the object plane. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A pressure sensing brace includes a strap having two sides, one side configured to be positioned over and removably fastened to a body surface over a preselected body muscle. The brace further includes a pressure sensor integrated with the strap and configured to detect changes in pressure applied to said one side of said strap in response to a change in the status of said preselected body muscle from a relaxed state to a flexed state, and vice versa. The pressure sensing brace can include a haptic feedback module, visual indicators, motion sensors, and other forms of indicators that will provide a means when the strap experiences a certain level of pressure. The brace can provide feedback allowing a user to monitor the state of a body part involved in a certain activity so the user can adjust their effort level based upon the tension in the body part.

Abstract: The present invention includes a foldable step assembly for a vehicle. The step assembly includes a linkage arrangement for connection to a vehicle and articulating a step assembly from a deployed position to a stowed position. A drive mechanism is positioned remotely from the step assembly and is operatively in communication with the linkage arrangement for articulating said step assembly between the deployed position to the stowed position.

Abstract: A compact deployable/retractable running board assembly for a motor vehicle including a running board, linkage coupled to the running board, and a motor assembly coupled to an actuator, the running board moveable between at least one stowed position and at least one deployed position. The linkage includes a drive arm connected to a pivot shaft within a housing at a location on the pivot shaft between two bushings that are coupled to the pivot shaft within the housing. The linkage also includes an idler arm connected to a pivot shaft within an idler housing. The actuator is operably coupled to the linkage to cause rotation of the linkage to move the running board between the at least one stowed position generally under the motor vehicle and at least one deployed position to provide a step surface for a user.

Abstract: A technique for dynamic generation of a therapeutic derivative story includes obtaining attribute data that describes characteristics of a content consumer along with situational details describing an emotional situation involving the content consumer. A relatability score for the therapeutic derivative story is determined. A content data structure (CDS) is selected. The CDS specifies story elements of a preexisting story. The story elements are associated with metadata constraints that constrain modification or use of the story elements. The metadata constraints indicate whether associated ones of the story elements are mutable story elements. One or more of the mutable story elements are adapted based on the attribute data or the situational details as constrained by the metadata constraints and to an extent determined at least in part by the relatability score to generate the therapeutic derivative story.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein involve determining an area of interest on a growth media. An overall brightness control value for a plurality of illumination sources configured to illuminate the growth media is calculated. The overall brightness control value generating at least one image that substantially matches a target intensity at the area of interest. An individual brightness value for each illumination source of the plurality of illumination sources is calculated by individually adjusting a brightness of each illumination source to generate at least one image that substantially matches the target intensity in each respective illumination source's area of influence. A calibrated brightness value for each illumination source is determined based on an image intensity with each illumination source turned on at the respective individual brightness value and an intensity that each illumination source generates within each respective area of influence when turned on alone.

Abstract: The technology disclosed herein relates to, at least in part, a removable imaging cassette. An illumination plate is configured to transmit light. A cassette body defines an outer surface and a cassette cavity within the outer surface, where the outer surface surrounds the illumination plate. The cassette cavity abuts the illumination plate. A light source is disposed in the cassette cavity. Mating electrical contacts extend through the outer surface of the cassette body, where the mating electrical contacts are operably coupled to the light source.

Abstract: The technology disclosed herein relates to an imaging device. In some embodiments the imaging device has a support plate defining an object plane. A housing surrounds the object plane across the support plate. A first reflector plane is within the housing and in reflective communication with the object plane. The first reflector plane is 68.0° to 70.0° from the object plane. A second reflector plane within the housing and in reflective communication with the object plane. The second reflector plane is 68.0° to 70.0° from the object plane. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A coaxial rotating automated stepping surface assembly adapted for a vehicle, including, at least one stepping surface portion, single pivot axis, coaxial motor arrangement to pivot axis, and complete system packaging out board of sill structure. The motor is a non back-drivable motor and is capable of operably self-locking in predetermined positions.

Abstract: A box step lighting arrangement for a vehicle which includes a mount for attachment to a vehicle. A step member and a linkage are connected to the mount, the linkage move the step member between a deployed position and retracted position. A motor is attached to the linkage to move the step between a deployed position and retracted position. Connected to the linkage is at least one light module. The light module has at least one light projection element that projects light onto the step member and the ground beneath the step member.

Abstract: An articulating step assembly for a vehicle which includes a mount for attachment to a vehicle, a step member and an articulating linkage connecting the mount and the step for stowing and deploying the step. A motor is attached to the linkage to provide raising and lowering of the step. A weather sealed non-contact switch located on the assembly for actuating the motor and linkage in response to movement of the step in a predetermined direction for deploying the step.

Abstract: A technique for dynamic generation of a derivative story includes obtaining content preferences from a content consumer. The content preferences indicate preferences for characteristics of the derivative story. A content data structure is identified based at least in part on the content preferences. The content data structure specifies story elements of a preexisting story. The story elements are defined at one or more different levels of story abstraction and associated with metadata constraints that constrain modification or use of the story elements within the derivative story. At least some of the metadata constraints indicate whether associated ones of the story elements are mutable story elements. One or more of the mutable story elements are adapted to the content preferences of the content consumer as constrained by the metadata constraints to generate the derivative story. The derivative story is then rendered via a user interface.