Abstract: A railway vehicle parking brake that can provide the appropriate tension to the braking system using a motor, a brake chain drum interconnected to the motor to take up or release a brake chain, a load arm deflects in response to tension in the brake chain, and a switch that is closed by the load arm when it deflects. A movable sheave interconnects the brake chain and the load arm and is positioned between the brake chain drum and a fixed sheave over which the brake chain is looped. A control method considers the position of the first switch to determine whether to the motor off when applying the brakes and the amount of current being drawn by the motor to determine whether to the motor off because of a system failure.

Abstract: A railway vehicle parking brake that can provide the appropriate tension to the braking system using a motor, a brake chain drum interconnected to the motor to take up or release a brake chain, a load arm deflects in response to tension in the brake chain, and a switch that is closed by the load arm when it deflects. A movable sheave interconnects the brake chain and the load arm and is positioned between the brake chain drum and a fixed sheave over which the brake chain is looped. A control method considers the position of the first switch to determine whether to the motor off when applying the brakes and the amount of current being drawn by the motor to determine whether to the motor off because of a system failure.

Abstract: Layout simulation and verification of a semiconductor chip can require extensive design rule checking (DRC) and design rules for manufacturing (DRM) analysis of the design in order to ensure proper operation. DRC and DRM can be expensive in terms of computational time and resource usage. To mitigate some of the cost, a virtual layer can be constructed for a cell instance identified in the semiconductor design. Shapes including rectangles and polygons can be determined which traverse the cell instance and are from other hierarchical layers of the design. The shapes can be combined to generate a virtual layer used for simulation, validation, DRC, DRM, etc. The virtual layer can be augmented with traversing shape information from other instances of the cell. The rectangles, polygons, and complex polygons can be combined to simplify the virtual layer. Multiple virtual layers can be generated for the simulation and validation processes.

Abstract: A conversation system allowing for complex, open-ended conversations with users and method of its operation are disclosed. An example method includes identifying a conversation and a user, encoding the user's input message and finding codes in other texts, generating responses, and selecting an appropriate response, and sending the selected response to the user. The conversation system utilizes various methods, scoring, codes, and the like to find the appropriate responses. Example methods also include steps for sending short sentences representing action, or sending a “thought” or “daydream” to the user that reveals the emotional state of the conversation system with respect to the user, and steps for changing that emotional state. The system avoids reliance on artificial neural networks and keeps track of the context of a conversation by saving conversation codes in a database.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for garment property determination are disclosed. One or more movable portions of a mannequin are adjusted, thereby causing the mannequin to change from a first size to a second size. Signals are received from one or more sensors of the mannequin, and pressure readings applied to at least one location on an exterior surface of the mannequin are determined from the signals. Data that correlates at least a first pressure reading with the first size of the mannequin and that correlates at least a second pressure reading with the second size of the mannequin are stored.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of controlling operation of a heating and air conditioning system, said method automatically obtaining current and forecasted weather data from one or more internet based meteorological HTTP web servers, automatically controlling operation of the heating and air conditioning system based on the current and forecasted weather data and a current indoor temperature of an indoor environment relative to a desired set point temperature for said indoor environment. Variable hysteresis ranges and temperature set points are adjusted not only on the basis of the weather data, but also on an occupancy status of the indoor environment. Embodiments include weather anticipating thermostats and Package Terminal Air Conditioner controllers interacting with Status Interface Alarm Control Update Servers.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for facilitating a shopping experience that spans multiple display devices of multiple computing devices. Image data for a selected item is obtained from an item catalog. The selected item corresponds to a user selection made via a first computing device. An image of the user is obtained. An image of the selected item is rendered relative to the image of the user on a display of a second computing device. The image of the selected item is generated from the image data.

Abstract: Source code of a graph analysis program expressed in a platform-independent language which supports linear algebra primitives is obtained. An executable version of the program is generated, which includes an invocation of a function of a parallel programming library optimized for a particular hardware platform. A result of executing the program is stored.

Abstract: An upholstered sofa comprises a sofa frame covered with fitted upholstery. The fitted upholstery provided by a form fit upholstery cover or covers formed of upholstery material and comprising stitched upholstery panels and pieces, the cover having upholstery edge portions with attachment means for securement of the edge portion without staples to the sofa frame. The attachment means may be a resilient polymer channel sewn to the upholstery material. The attachment means may be a plurality of elastic cords with connectors on distal ends of the cords. The elastic cords may be stretched and attached to features on the sofa frame or to features on the upholstery cover thereby keeping the upholstery cover assembly taught on the sofa frame.

Abstract: Techniques for generating a machine learning model to detect event instances from physical sensor data, including applying a first machine learning model to first sensor data from a first physical sensor at a location to detect an event instance, determining that a performance metric for use of the first machine learning model is not within an expected parameter, obtaining second sensor data from a second physical sensor during a period of time at the same location as the first physical sensor, obtaining third sensor data from the first physical sensor during the period of time, generating location-specific training data by selecting portions of the third sensor data based on training event instances detected using the second sensor data, training a second ML model using the location-specific training data, and applying the second ML model instead of the first ML model for detecting event instances.

Abstract: A flexible composite conveyor belt, such as for use as a belt wrapper in overlying combination with a metal belt in cooking or heating operations. The belt includes a protrusion attached to a flexible substrate. The protrusion includes an engagement surface adapted to secure the protrusion to a portion of the underlying metal belt to drive the belt at a same speed as the conveyor belt. Protrusions on opposing ends of the belt negate the need for conventional lacing in securing the ends of the belt together.

Abstract: Identifying the interactions of a selected cell across a hierarchical diagram of an integrated circuit and mapping the ways in which the cell can interact with other structures in the hierarchy reduces the computational load for design rule checking (DRC) and design rules for manufacturing (DRM). To this end, a cell and multiple instances of the cell are identified within hierarchical design levels of the chip. The interactions between the cell and other cells within the hierarchy are subtracted from the cell boundary, and the results of the subtracting are merged in the cell boundary. By subtracting the results of the merging, identical interactions are identified across the multiple instances of the cell. The results of the subtracting are used to generate a virtual hierarchical layer identical (VHLi) which aids in the simulation and verification of the chip.

Abstract: Semiconductor designs are large and complex, typically consisting of numerous circuits called cells. To handle complexity, hierarchical structures are imposed on the semiconductor design to help accomplish analysis, simulation, verification, and so on. The hierarchical structures define architecture, behavior, function, structure, etc. of the semiconductor design. Virtual cells are constructed to compress cell geometries and ease the various design tasks. A cell and multiple instances of the cell are identified within the semiconductor design and the virtual hierarchical levels describing the design. Virtual hierarchical layer (VHL) data based on the cell is loaded. A virtual cell model representative of the cell is obtained. Interactions between cell data and VHL data are determined, and relevant portions of shapes are selected. Data within the virtual cell model is reduced based on the determined interactions.

Abstract: A drive assembly for a drug delivery system including a plunger member configured to engage and move a stopper within a container, a biasing member configured to move the plunger member, and an adjustable spacer assembly positioned between the plunger member and the stopper. The spacer assembly includes a spacer element attached to the stopper and at least one shim or includes a spacer element and a holder to which the spacer element is attached. The holder may be attached to the stopper and the spacer element may be attached to the holder by a threaded engagement. Also, a drug delivery system for injecting a medicament, the system including a container configured to receive a medicament, the container comprising a stopper configured to move within the container and a closure, a drive assembly as described above, and a needle actuator assembly.

Abstract: A drug delivery system for injecting a medicament is provided. The system includes a container configured to receive a medicament; a drive assembly which, upon actuation, is configured to expel the medicament from the container; a needle for injecting the medicament to a patient; a fluid path assembly comprising a tube in fluid communication with the container and the needle for conducting fluid from the container to the needle; and a tube crimping arrangement configured to engage the tube to block fluid flow through the tube. The drive assembly causes the tube crimping arrangement to engage the tube after a dose of the medicament has been delivered to the patient through the needle.

Abstract: The invention features the use of a defined microbial consortia for the replacement of a gut microbiome associated with disease. In particular, the invention provides for the treatment of hyperammonemia, Clostridium difficile colitis, hepatic encephalopathy associated with cirrhosis, and inflammatory bowel disease.

Abstract: A fabricated part for a high temperature operation including a non-metallic substrate formed of a polymer fabric of woven non-absorbent polymer filament. The substrate is heat-resistant and heat set at a temperature that is above a predetermined operating temperature of an operation of the fabricated part. The heat setting pre-shrinks/heat stabilizes the material, thereby reducing failure during use in high temperature and/or wet applications. The substrate is useful as an endless belt and other applications. The invention further includes an apparatus with a heating device configured to operate at the predetermined operating temperature, and the fabricated part within or extending through the heating device.

Abstract: A railway vehicle parking brake that can provide the appropriate tension to the braking system using a motor, a brake chain drum interconnected to the motor to take up or release a brake chain, a load arm deflects in response to tension in the brake chain, and a switch that is closed by the load arm when it deflects. A movable sheave interconnects the brake chain and the load arm and is positioned between the brake chain drum and a fixed sheave over which the brake chain is looped. A control method considers the position of the first switch to determine whether to the motor off when applying the brakes and the amount of current being drawn by the motor to determine whether to the motor off because of a system failure.

Abstract: A container having a flow end with an associated hole in a surface that matches a cutout in a cover that is inserted in the flow end. Rotation of the cover with the container aligns the hole with the cutout in the cover; to allow fluid flow when the system is placed downwards into a liquid body. When the liquid level in the container matches that in the liquid body, a base is inserted within a resting end of the container thereby restricting liquid flow in or out of the system. As the container is removed from the liquid, the cover at the flow end is twisted so that the hole in the container is covered thereby creating a closed system, blocking any fluid movement. The system is placed on the resting base and stored to compare at a later time with the Liquid Containment System.

Abstract: A dynamic belt-tensioning apparatus for a treadmill includes a base having a first end and a second end spaced from the first end. A foot-striking platform is movably supported by the base so as to allow vertical movement of the platform during operation of the treadmill. A drive belt has a fixed circumference and is positioned above a top portion of the platform. A drive roller is pivotally mounted adjacent to the first end of the base and engages the drive belt. A tensioning roller is pivotally mounted to the base and is capable of a range of movement to provide substantially constant tension to the drive belt in response vertical movement of the platform.