Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture to monitor tasks performed in an environment of interest are disclosed. One such apparatus is a task monitor that includes a signature comparator to compare a first signature to a second signature. The first signature is generated based on first audio collected in an environment of interest and the second signature is generated based on second audio collected during performance of a task in the environment of interest. The task monitor also includes an object identifier to identify an object corresponding to a location determined based on an angle of arrival of the first audio at a sensor. A task identifier is to identify the task as a cause of the first audio when the signature comparator determines the first signature matches the second signature and the object identifier identifies the object as a same object used to perform the task.

Abstract: A method for selecting at least one drill bit that includes characterizing an application; checking for at least one drill bit with an equivalent characterization in a data store; when the at least one drill bit with the equivalent characterization exists, selecting the at least one drill bit with the equivalent characterization; and when the at least one drill bit with the equivalent characterization does not exist, recommending at least one drill bit, making an analysis request, analyzing the at least one recommended drill bit based on the analysis request, generating analysis results, and selecting at least one drill bit based on the analysis results is disclosed.

Abstract: System and techniques for tracking caloric expenditure using sensor driven fingerprints are described herein. A set of outputs may be obtained from a plurality of sensors. A fingerprint may be generated using the set of outputs. The fingerprint may correspond to an activity observed by the plurality of sensors. The generated fingerprint may be compared to a set of fingerprints stored in a database. Each fingerprint of the set of fingerprints may correspond to a respective caloric expenditure. A caloric expenditure may be calculated for the activity based on the comparison.

Abstract: A portable electronic device may generate a (RF) radio frequency fingerprint that includes information representative of at least a portion of RF signals received at a given physical location. The RF fingerprint may include, for example, a unique identifier and a signal strength that are both logically associated with at least a portion of the received RF signals. The portable electronic device may also receive data representative of a number of environmental parameters about the portable electronic device. These environmental parameters may be measured using sensors carried by the portable electronic device. Considered in combination, these environmental parameters provide an environmental signature for a given location. When combined into a data cluster, the RF fingerprint and the environmental signature may provide an indication of the physical subdivision where the portable electronic device is located.

Abstract: A portable electronic device may generate a (RF) radio frequency fingerprint that includes information representative of at least a portion of RF signals received at a given physical location. The RF fingerprint may include, for example, a unique identifier and a signal strength that are both logically associated with at least a portion of the received RF signals. The portable electronic device may also receive data representative of a number of environmental parameters about the portable electronic device. These environmental parameters may be measured using sensors carried by the portable electronic device. Considered in combination, these environmental parameters provide an environmental signature for a given location. When combined into a data cluster, the RF fingerprint and the environmental signature may provide an indication of the physical subdivision where the portable electronic device is located.

Abstract: A method for selecting a drill bit, the method including selecting a first drill bit design, simulating the first drill bit design drilling an earth formation under selected conditions, graphically displaying at least a portion of the simulating, analyzing results of the simulating, wherein the analyzing comprises reviewing a steerability of the first bit design, selecting a second drill bit design, simulating the second drill bit design drilling an earth formation under selected conditions, graphically displaying at least a portion of the simulating, analyzing results of the simulating, wherein the analyzing comprises reviewing a steerability of the second bit design and selecting, based upon the analyzing, a bit design is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for controllably producing a hematite-containing Fischer-Tropsch catalyst by combining an iron nitrate solution with a precipitating agent solution at a precipitating temperature and over a precipitation time to form a precipitate comprising iron phases; holding the precipitate from at a hold temperature for a hold time to provide a hematite containing precipitate; and washing the hematite containing precipitate via contact with a wash solution and filtering, to provide a washed hematite containing catalyst. The method may further comprise promoting the washed hematite containing catalyst with a chemical promoter; spray drying the promoted hematite containing catalyst; and calcining the spray dried hematite containing catalyst to provide a calcined hematite-containing Fischer-Tropsch catalyst.

Abstract: A method for controllably producing a hematite-containing Fischer-Tropsch catalyst by combining an iron nitrate solution with a precipitating agent solution at a precipitating temperature and over a precipitation time to form a precipitate comprising iron phases; holding the precipitate from at a hold temperature for a hold time to provide a hematite containing precipitate; and washing the hematite containing precipitate via contact with a wash solution and filtering, to provide a washed hematite containing catalyst. The method may further comprise promoting the washed hematite containing catalyst with a chemical promoter; spray drying the promoted hematite containing catalyst; and calcining the spray dried hematite containing catalyst to provide a calcined hematite-containing Fischer-Tropsch catalyst.

Abstract: A method of preparing a spray dried catalyst by combining spray dried catalyst particles with wax so the spray dried catalyst particles are coated with wax, yielding wax coated catalyst particles, and shaping the wax coated catalyst to provide shaped wax coated catalyst. A method of activating Fischer-Tropsch catalyst particles containing oxides by contacting the catalyst particles with a reducing gas in an activation vessel to produce an activated catalyst, wherein contacting is performed in the absence of a liquid medium under activation conditions. A system for activating a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst containing an activation reactor configured to introduce an activation gas to a fixed or fluidized bed of the Fischer-Tropsch catalyst in the absence of a liquid medium and at least one separation device configured to separate a gas stream comprising entrained catalyst fines having an average particle size below a desired cutoff size from the activation reactor.

Abstract: Technologies for automated context-aware media curation include a computing device that captures context data associated with media objects. The context data may include location data, proximity data, behavior data of the user, and social activity data. The computing device generates inferred context data using one or more cognitive or machine learning algorithms. The inferred context data may include semantic time or location data, activity data, or sentiment data. The computing device updates a user context model and an expanded media object graph based on the context data and the inferred context data. The computing device selects one or more target media objects using the user context model and the expanded media object graph. The computing device may present context-aware media experiences to the user with the target media objects. Context-aware media experiences may include contextual semantic search and contextual media browsing. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Clip-type cable management apparatus and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a first jaw and a second jaw having interleaved tines in a predetermined configuration are coupled by a hinge pin around which a torsion spring is disposed to urge said first jaw and said second jaw pivotally toward a close position so as to securely retain a cable being folded or coiled into a bundle of cable segments. Such cable management is further enhanced with additional features, optimized structures, and operating methods.

Abstract: A modular storage system and work station comprised of connectable modules that are operative to form portable work spaces that are easily adjustable and provide for an attachment system that allows for various accessories, computers, notebooks and the like to be detachably secured to the work station. In a preferred embodiment, the modules are comprised of a honeycomb-like structure that is operative to allow for the attachable interconnection of male- and female-type parts. The modular storage system and work station of the present invention may further be designed to be operatively transitional from a first carrying case-type configuration to a work station configuration, the latter defining a selectively adjustable work surface to which various accessories can be attached and selectively positioned.

Abstract: A method of preparing a spray dried catalyst by combining spray dried catalyst particles with wax so the spray dried catalyst particles are coated with wax, yielding wax coated catalyst particles, and shaping the wax coated catalyst to provide shaped wax coated catalyst. A method of activating Fischer-Tropsch catalyst particles containing oxides by contacting the catalyst particles with a reducing gas in an activation vessel to produce an activated catalyst, wherein contacting is performed in the absence of a liquid medium under activation conditions. A system for activating a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst containing an activation reactor configured to introduce an activation gas to a fixed or fluidized bed of the Fischer-Tropsch catalyst in the absence of a liquid medium and at least one separation device configured to separate a gas stream comprising entrained catalyst fines having an average particle size below a desired cutoff size from the activation reactor.

Abstract: Systems and methods may provide for determining a usage context of a headset and detecting one or more danger-related conditions based on the usage context. Additionally, one or more settings of the headset may be adjusted in response to at least one of the one or more danger-related conditions. In one example, adjusting the one or more settings includes one or more of deactivating noise cancellation, adjusting noise cancellation to increase an intensity of at least one of the one or more danger-related sounds, or adjusting one or more audio playback settings associated with the headset.

Abstract: An active exercise and therapeutic system for promoting physical motion, balance and coordination and importantly a variety of therapeutic modalities to a user's foot or feet. The system comprises a training apparatus having a stationary base member operatively interconnected with first and second rotating platforms mounted thereon. The first and second rotating platforms are adapted to receive, respectively, the foot of an individual to stand thereon such that each foot can rotate independently about a separate axis. Stationary base member with rotating platforms mounted thereon can further be positioned upon a specialized mount operative to impart a further range of motion or specific orientation. In further embodiments, the rotating platforms may be provided with a variety of functional modalities, such as calorie counting, distance travelled, and the like, or a therapeutic modality, such as heat, cold or pressure sensation to impart a therapeutic effect to the user's feet.

Abstract: Apparatus and systems are disclosed to enhance the user interface of a touch screen device. In one embodiment, a button (114) is disposed over a touch activation area (112) of a touch screen device (110) by a retainer (116) hingedly connected to a hinge bracket (118) affixed to the device housing by a double-sided tape (120). The button relays a user's touch action to the touch sensitive screen and provides the user with tactile cues and feedback. Systemic optimizations are also provided to streamline the operation of the touch screen device adopting such an apparatus.

Abstract: Embodiments of apparatus and methods for voice based user enrollment with video assistance are described. In embodiments, an apparatus may include a face recognition module to identify a user from a first plurality of images and a lip motion detection module to detect the lip motion of the user from a second plurality of images. The apparatus may also include a recording module to activate a recording of the user. The apparatus may further include a user enrollment module, coupled with the recording module and the lip motion detection module, to establish a speaker model of the user based at least in part on the recording and the lip motion of the user. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.

Abstract: A method for reducing vibration of a drilling tool assembly is disclosed. The method includes modeling the drilling tool assembly based on input parameters, simulating a vibration of a drill string coupled with a vibration of a drill bit, determining an initial total vibration from output parameters generated by the simulation, determining a location for at least one vibrational control device based on the initial total vibration to reduce the initial total vibration, and disposing the at least one vibrational control device on the drill string at the determined location.

Abstract: Systems and methods may provide for determining a usage context of a headset and detecting one or more danger-related conditions based on the usage context. Additionally, one or more settings of the headset may be adjusted in response to at least one of the one or more danger-related conditions. In one example, adjusting the one or more settings includes one or more of deactivating noise cancellation, adjusting noise cancellation to increase an intensity of at least one of the one or more danger-related sounds, or adjusting one or more audio playback settings associated with the headset.

Abstract: A split rotating keyboard system for use in easing muscle strain and mitigating the effects of carpal tunnel syndrome associated with the usage of conventional computer keyboards. The system comprises first and second computer keyboard sections, namely, a left-hand computer keyboard section and a right-hand computer keyboard section. Each respective computer keyboard section is mounted upon a dedicated rotating platform member that is operative to rotate in clockwise and counter-clockwise directions. According to a preferred embodiment, the rotating platform portions upon which the first and second keyboard sections are positioned may be secured upon a base member that is operative to maintain the first and second rotating platform members in fixed relation to one another.