Abstract: Various embodiments of a trash can assembly (e.g., a receptacle configured to receive refuse, recyclable materials, or otherwise), and related methods, are provided. Some embodiments of the trash can assembly include a body component and a lid configured to move between an open position and a closed position. In some variants, the lid can be moved between the open and closed positions by a power operated driving mechanism, such as a motor and/or other drivetrain components. In certain embodiments, the trash can assembly includes a clutch mechanism to facilitate manual operation of the lid while inhibiting or preventing damage to the motor and/or other drivetrain components.

Abstract: Recesses are formed on a front side and a rear side of a waveguide. A solid porogen material is spun onto the front side and the rear side and fills the recesses. First front and rear cap layers are then formed on raised formations of the waveguide and on the solid porogen material. The entire structure is then heated and the solid porogen material decomposes to a porogen gas. The first front and rear cap layers are porous to allow the porogen gas to escape and air to enter into the recesses. The air maximizes a difference in refractive indices between the high-index transparent material of the waveguide and the air to promote reflection in the waveguide from interfaces between the waveguide and the air.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a trash can assembly (e.g., a receptacle configured to receive refuse, recyclable materials, or otherwise), and related methods, are provided. Some embodiments of the trash can assembly include a body component and a lid configured to move between an open position and a closed position. In some variants, the lid can be moved between the open and closed positions by a power operated driving mechanism, such as a motor and/or other drivetrain components. In certain embodiments, the trash can assembly includes a clutch mechanism to facilitate manual operation of the lid while inhibiting or preventing damage to the motor and/or other drivetrain components.

Abstract: An imprint lithography method of configuring an optical layer includes selecting one or more parameters of a nanolayer to be applied to a substrate for changing an effective refractive index of the substrate and imprinting the nanolayer on the substrate to change the effective refractive index of the substrate such that a relative amount of light transmittable through the substrate is changed by a selected amount.

Abstract: An improved discontinuous reception (DRX) mechanism is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method is disclosed comprising receiving a request to attach to a cellular network from user equipment (UE). The method then identifies a group identifier associated with the UE and determines a DRX parameter based on the group identifier. Finally, the method transmits the DRX parameter to the UE.

Abstract: Accessibly positioned sanitizing materials can include paper towels and sanitizing sprays. A paper towel holder with a central support to hold a roll of paper towels can allow spinning dispensing of paper towels. The central support can also function separately as a removable disinfectant sprayer, enabling a user to carry and store paper towels and disinfecting solution in the same location, and providing a disinfecting sprayer nearby when paper towels are used to clean a surface. The structure described can also house other fluids for spraying.

Abstract: A mirror assembly can include a housing, a mirror, and a light source. In certain embodiments, the mirror includes a light pipe configured to emit a substantially constant amount of light along a periphery of the mirror. In some embodiments, the mirror assembly includes a sensor assembly. The sensor assembly can be configured to adjust the amount of emitted light based on the position of a user in relation to the mirror. Certain embodiments of the mirror include an algorithm to adjust light based on the position of a user relative to the mirror, the level of ambient light, and/or the activation of different light modes.

Abstract: This disclosure includes a description of a sanitizing system for sanitizing a mobile electronic device comprising: a housing; a sanitizer contained within the housing configured to emit radiation with a sanitizing effect; and an entry system with a default closed position, the entry system being configured to permit a mobile electronic device to pass through the entry system and then automatically return to the default closed position, the entry system comprising a first outer enclosure and a second inner obstruction; wherein the entry system blocks radiation emitted within the sanitizing system to a level acceptable for consumer use, or wherein the second inner obstruction provides more radiation attenuation than the first outer enclosure, and/or wherein the combination of the first outer enclosure and the second inner obstruction provides more radiation attenuation than the first outer enclosure by itself. Disclosed are internal reflectors to help distribute sanitizing radiation generally evenly.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a manually operated liquid dispenser. In any embodiments disclosed herein, the dispenser can include a housing with a volume of space therein, the volume of space having a first end and a second end, a pump sleeve extending into the space of the housing and nearly to a bottom, inside surface of the space, a pump head, a push rod coupled with the pump head and configured to be axially movable within an axial opening extending through the pump sleeve, a passageway extending through at least the pump head and the push rod, the passageway being in fluid communication with the axial opening extending through the pump sleeve and with the volume of space within the housing, and a first valve configured to control a passage of a liquid substance within the volume of space in the housing through a passageway.

Abstract: Accessibly positioned sanitizing materials can include paper towels and sanitizing sprays. A paper towel holder with a central support to hold a roll of paper towels can allow spinning dispensing of paper towels. The central support can also function separately as a removable disinfectant sprayer, enabling a user to carry and store paper towels and disinfecting solution in the same location, and providing a disinfecting sprayer nearby when paper towels are used to clean a surface. The structure described can also house other fluids for spraying.

Abstract: A mirror assembly can include a housing, a mirror, and a light source. In certain embodiments, the mirror is rotatable within a support portion of the mirror assembly. In some embodiments, the mirror assembly is configured to use an audio sensor or an audio signal derived from an audio sensor, such as an audio sensor or audio signal configured to sense or to correspond to or to represent one or more voice commands or other sounds (e.g., clapping, snapping, or otherwise) received from a user, in order to actuate or adjust any of one or more features or settings of the mirror assembly.

Abstract: A mirror assembly can include a housing, a mirror, and a light source. In certain embodiments, the mirror includes a light pipe configured to emit a substantially constant amount of light along a periphery of the mirror. In some embodiments, the mirror assembly includes a sensor assembly. The sensor assembly can be configured to adjust the amount of emitted light based on the position of a user in relation to the mirror. Certain embodiments of the mirror include an algorithm to adjust light based on the position of a user relative to the mirror, the level of ambient light, and/or the activation of different light modes.

Abstract: A mirror assembly can include a housing, a mirror, and a light source. In certain embodiments, the mirror is rotatable within a support portion of the mirror assembly. In some embodiments, the mirror assembly includes a light pipe configured to emit a substantially constant amount of light along a periphery of the mirror. In some embodiments, the mirror assembly includes a sensor assembly. The sensor assembly can be configured to adjust the amount of emitted light based on the position of a user in relation to the mirror.

Abstract: Various trashcans, their coatings, and coatings for other household goods are disclosed. In certain implementations, the disclosed coatings are antimicrobial. Various methods for forming antimicrobial coatings for household goods are also disclosed. In some embodiments, the antimicrobial coating comprises a substrate and an antimicrobial agent. In certain implementations the coating can be applied to a household good where the coating leaves a substantially streak-free finish. Some embodiments pertain to protective films that can be removed from a coated household good without leaving residue.

Abstract: A mirror assembly can include a housing, a mirror, and a light source. In some embodiments, the mirror comprises one or more adjustable sections. In certain embodiments, the mirror includes a light column configured to emit a substantially constant amount of light along a periphery of a mirror section. In some embodiments, the light column can produce various color temperatures. In some embodiments, the mirror assembly comprises a capacitive touch sensor that allows control of one or more features of the light emitted from the light source. In some embodiments, the mirror assembly includes a sensor assembly. The sensor assembly can be configured control on/off settings and other features of the emitted light.

Abstract: A mirror assembly can include a housing, a mirror, and a light source. In certain embodiments, the mirror is rotatable within a support portion of the mirror assembly. In some embodiments, the mirror assembly includes a light pipe configured to emit a substantially constant amount of light along a periphery of the mirror. In some embodiments, the mirror assembly includes a sensor assembly. The sensor assembly can be configured to adjust the amount of emitted light based on the position of a user in relation to the mirror.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a paper shredder having a shredder, a first receptacle, a housing, a magnet, and a hook assembly. The first receptacle can be positioned below the shredder. The housing can comprise a front wall, a rear wall, lateral side walls connecting the front and rear wall, and a base. The housing can be configured to enclose the shredder and the receptacle. The magnet can be positioned in the base of the housing. The hook assembly can be coupled to an upper portion of the rear wall of the housing. The hook assembly can comprise a body extending along at least a portion of the rear wall of the housing and a hook coupled to a first end of the body. The base and the receptacle can be removable from the paper shredder.