Abstract: A smart target co-witnessing hit attribution system includes a network, a projectile-firing device that includes a projectile repository and an infrared emitter, a smart target that includes a piezoelectric sensor, an infrared sensor, and control circuitry, and an extended-reality gaming application. After confirming a successful hit on the smart target, the application receives target state data and updates gaming metric data to attribute a successful impact on the smart target by the projectile-firing device.

Abstract: Nozzles, nozzle assemblies, and blaster assemblies featuring interchangeable nozzles having externally powered electrical components or accessories. A nozzle assembly may include a body. The body may have a projectile opening defined therethrough. The nozzle assembly may further include an electrical component that is attachable to the body. The nozzle assembly may further include an electrical connection member coupled to the body and the electrical component. The electrical connection member may be configured to electrically connect the electrical component to the blaster.

Abstract: A method includes deploying an optical fiber attached to a distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) interrogator in a wellbore, pre-setting gauge length of the DAS interrogator based on an expected measurement signal, interrogating the optical fiber using the DAS interrogator, receiving reflected DAS signals along a length of the optical fiber using the pre-set gauge length, performing an analysis to estimate a location and a magnitude of a strain source associated with the reflected DAS signals, and dynamically adjusting the gauge length for at least a portion of the optical fiber within a pre-defined limit of the DAS interrogator as a function of the estimated location and magnitude of the strain source to enhance sensitivity and to optimize signal-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: A blaster for shooting projectiles that includes a housing that defines a housing interior, and a variable velocity barrel assembly positioned in the housing interior. The variable velocity barrel assembly includes a barrel that defines a barrel axis and a barrel interior. The barrel includes an exit opening at a distal end thereof. At least a first opening communicates the barrel interior with an exterior of the barrel. The first opening is defined through a side wall of the barrel. A slider member that includes a cylindrical portion that surrounds the barrel is movable axially along the barrel between a maximum velocity position where the cylindrical portion covers the first opening and a minimum velocity position where the slider member does not cover the first opening.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a deinking primer composition for deinking of a substrate, wherein said deinking primer composition comprises a binder component that has a polymeric backbone with pendent hydroxy or carboxy groups that have been esterified or acetalised or ketalised to such an extent that the binder component has an acid value of 0-50 mg KOH/g or a hydroxyl value of 0-600 mg KOH/g, preferably 0-400 mg KOH/g, so that a primer layer prepared from said deinking primer composition is dissolvable in an alkaline aqueous medium.

Abstract: A screen point groundwater sampling system includes a drive head positioned between the upper end of a cylindrical housing and a lower end of a probe rod. A latching tool is provided to secure a mechanical pump to the drive head upon insertion of the latching tool into the inner bore of the drive head. The latching tool creates a water-tight seal between the drive head and the inlet of the mechanical pump to prevent contamination of the groundwater sample from water leaking into the probe rod string above the drive head. A frangible structure on the latching tool allows the mechanical pump to be removed from the drive head upon applying sufficient vertical force in an upward direction to shear the frangible structure. The latching tool can also be used to attach a sample tubing to the drive head for use with a pump located at the ground surface.

Abstract: A variety of applications can include apparatus or methods that provide a well ring for resistive ground power domain segregation. The well ring can be implemented as a n-well in a p-type substrate. Resistive separation between ground domains can be generated by biasing a n-well ring to an external supply voltage. This approach can provide a procedure, from a process standpoint, that provides relatively high flexibility to design for chip floor planning and simulation, while providing sufficient noise rejection between independent ground power domains when correctly sized. Significant noise rejection between ground power domains can be attained.

Abstract: Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods of fabricating the apparatuses. One of the apparatuses includes a substrate of a semiconductor die; a memory cell portion located over a first portion of the substrate; a conductive pad portion located over a second portion of the substrate and outside the memory cell portion; and a sensor circuit including a portion located over the second portion of the substrate and under the conductive pad portion. The conductive pad portion includes conductive pads. Each of the conductive pads is part of a respective electrical path coupled to a conductive contact of a base outside the substrate.

Abstract: A self-slitting open lumen cannula may be used with catheter adapters to reduce manufacturing complexity and costs, as well as improve the safety of the catheter adapters against fluid leakage. The open lumen cannula may also include one or more notches to facilitate flashback visualization. The catheter adapters may further include a catheter adapter body formed of a compliant material that houses one or more compression resistant septa with at least one lumen formed by the proximal end of the needle during a self-slitting process as the catheter adapter is assembled. The compression resistant septum may also be coupled to a compression cap that imparts a radial compression force on the one or more compression resistant septa such that the at least one lumen narrows and seals when the cannula is removed.

Abstract: A coupling assembly includes: a tubular compression collar having a tubular body made of a resiliently flexible polymeric material and having an interior surface and an opposing exterior surface; an end of a tube disposed within a throughway of the compression collar; and a tube fitting disposed within the passageway of the tube. The tube fitting includes: a tubular stem; a flange radially outwardly projecting from an exterior surface of the stem; and an annular barb encircling and radially outwardly projecting from the exterior surface of the stem, the annular barb including a frustoconical outside face that extends along and outwardly slopes away from the stem as the outside face extends toward the flange. The compression collar radially inwardly compresses the tube against the annular barb of the tube fitting so that a liquid tight seal is formed between the tube and the tube fitting.

Abstract: A method for coupling a tube to a tube fitting includes radially outwardly expanding a tubular compression collar from a constricted state to an expanded state, the compression collar having a throughway extending there through and being made of a resiliently flexible material. An end of the tube is inserted within the throughway of the expanded compression collar, the tube bounding a passageway. A tube fitting is inserted within the passageway of the tube. The compression collar is allowed to resiliently rebound back towards the constricted state so that the compression collar pushes the tube against the tube fitting.

Abstract: A method for coupling a tube to a tube fitting includes radially outwardly expanding a tubular compression collar from a constricted state to an expanded state, the compression collar having a throughway extending there through and being made of a resiliently flexible material. An end of the tube is inserted within the throughway of the expanded compression collar, the tube bounding a passage. A tube fitting is inserted within the passage of the tube. The compression collar is allowed to resiliently rebound back towards the constricted state so that the compression collar pushes the tube against the tube fitting.

Abstract: A system for managing process automation with a macro bot is provided. By allowing for modifications to RPA bot behavior without changing the code of the RPA bots and providing for an efficient querying and reporting function, the system addresses a number of computer technology-centric challenges. The system allows the entity to push updates to bot behavior through a rules database without individually reconfiguring each bot. This ensures that the functionality of the bots may be updated for future entity needs and objectives while minimizing bot downtime. Furthermore, providing updates without changing the code of the bots allows the system to increase computing efficiency by reducing the demands on computer resources associated with applying a system-wide update, such as processing power, memory space, storage space, cache space, electric power, and networking bandwidth.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to lighting systems employed in outboard motors used as marine propulsion systems, and to marine vessel assemblies employing outboard motors with such lighting systems, and related methods of operation and implementation. In one example embodiment of a lighting system, the lighting system includes a first cowling panel portion including a reflective strip portion, and a second cowling panel portion that, in combination with the first cowling panel portion, at least partly defines an interior region within the cowling. The lighting system also includes a lighting source that is positioned within the interior region and positioned so that, when operating, first light is emitted toward the reflective strip portion and, upon the first light reaching the reflective strip portion, at least some of the first light is directed outward away from the cowling.

Abstract: A mobile device case for coupling around a miniature camera-enabled mobile device a case shutter button mechanism for actuating the miniature camera module of the mobile camera system. A half-press or single tap triggers a precapture settings menu and a full-press or double tap triggers capture of an image.

Abstract: An outboard motor for a marine vessel application, and related methods of making and operating same, are disclosed herein. In at least one embodiment, the outboard motor includes a horizontal-crankshaft engine in an upper portion of the outboard motor, positioned substantially positioned above a trimming axis of the outboard motor. In at least another embodiment, first, second and third transmission devices are employed to transmit rotational power from the engine to one or more propellers at a lower portion of the outboard motor. In at least a further embodiment, the outboard motor is made to include a rigid interior assembly formed by the engine, multiple transmission devices, and a further structural component. In further embodiments, the outboard motor includes numerous cooling, exhaust, and/or oil system components, as well as other transmission features.

Abstract: A mobile device case for coupling around a miniature camera-enabled mobile device a case shutter button mechanism for actuating the miniature camera module of the mobile camera system. A half-press or single tap triggers a precapture settings menu and a full-press or double tap triggers capture of an image.

Abstract: An analyte measurement system includes one or more handheld analyte meters and/or measurement devices and a means for collecting data, preserving data integrity, and uniquely identifying patient data received from multiple sources. For example, provided herein is a means to uniquely identify patients and their data when the data is collected from one or more measurement devices. By providing a way to allow the patients to use multiple sources to collect data, the system described herein provides patients with more flexibility, which should encourage better compliance to protocols. Further, by having a way to uniquely identify patients' data without requiring a patient to only use one analyte meter, for example, data can be centralized and analysis can be done with more assurance that all of the patient's data is being considered in the analyses.