Abstract: A briquette and binder for use in making the same are disclosed. The briquette including: a ferrous or ferro-alloy steel by-product; a binder mixture making up about 0.025% to about 10% of a batch weight, the binder mixture including: a polyvinyl alcohol resin comprising about 0.025% to about 30% of the binder mixture; a sodium hydroxide and diethanolamine phenolic resin comprising about 1% to about 20% of the binder mixture; and water making up the remainder of the binder mixture; a resin powder comprising about 0.01% to about 10% of the batch weight; and where the briquette, when cured, includes about 0.05% to about 10% of the binder mixture.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing automatic gain control in wireless receiver front-end circuitry are described. An example apparatus includes a receiver and control logic coupled to the receiver. The receiver generally includes a receive path including a first amplifier, a second amplifier having an output coupled to an input of the first amplifier, a mixer having an output coupled to an input of the second amplifier, and a third amplifier having an output coupled to an input of the mixer. The receiver also includes a first saturation detector circuit, a second saturation detector circuit, and a third saturation detector circuit. The control logic is configured to control a gain state of the third amplifier, based on one or more respective signals output from at least one of the first saturation detector circuit, the second saturation detector circuit, or the third saturation detector circuit.

Abstract: A method of forming a protective article, comprises feeding pellets (2) of a first and second different and immiscible polymers with a foaming agent to an extruder (4) with a screw (6). The polymers are melted and mixed in the extruder screw (6). The mixture is extruded through a 3D printing nozzle (7) and ejected to create a pressure drop to cause foaming of at least one of the polymers. An article is then printed from the foamed mixture. A 3D printer with two hoppers (1,11) for pellets to feed an extruder (4) with a screw (6).

Abstract: Techniques are provided for radio frequency (RF) sensing. An example method for determining a distance to an object with radio frequency sensing includes: setting a receive gain of a receive channel on a wireless device to a first level; transmitting at least one RF signal a first number of times with a transmit channel on the wireless device; receiving a leakage signal with the receive channel at a first time, where the receive gain is set to the first level; setting the receive gain of the receive channel to a second level; receiving at least one reflected signal with the receive channel at a second time; and determining the distance to the object based at least in part on a difference between the first time and the second time.

Abstract: The invention relates to computer-implemented systems and methods for identifying and further preventing commercial or contract leakage across multiple different procurement relationships. This may involve ingesting a contract extracting commercial terms, such as price, rates, etc. Invoices may be similarly ingested and commercial terms may be extracted on a line item basis. An embodiment of the present invention may identify various types of commercial leakage, such as rate/price discrepancies, full/partial duplication, unrealized discounts, unrealized rebates, disallowance of charges (travel expenses), etc.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining and/or using the image date, e.g., image capture date, of one or more scanned images based on image content is described. In various embodiments at least one object, e.g., face of a person, is identified in an image. The age of the object is determined, e.g., using age estimation techniques. The determined, e.g., estimated, age of the identified face is then compared to stored face age to image capture date information. Such information is obtained or derived from other images with known capture dates and including an image of the same object, e.g., face, as the image with the unknown date. Based on the estimated object age and stored information associating object age to image capture date, the image date, e.g., image capture date of the scanned image is determined. This information is then used to organize storage of the image with other images.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for radio frequency (RF) sensing using a single wireless device. An example method for determining a distance to an object with radio frequency sensing includes transmitting a radio frequency signal with a transmit channel on a wireless device, receiving a leakage signal with a receive channel on the wireless device at a first time, such that the leakage signal is based on the radio frequency signal, receiving a reflected signal with the receive channel on the wireless device at a second time, such that the reflected signal is based on the radio frequency signal reflecting from the object, and determining the distance to the object based at least in part on a difference between the first time and the second time.

Abstract: A medicinal applicator system is configured to provide a rotating fluid stream or whirlpool for treating targeted tissues of a patient, such as wounds on the skin. The applicator tip configured with a distal end in which the rotating circulation of medicinal fluid operates to contact targeted tissues on the body of a patient for treatment. A negative air supply communicating with the applicator tip operates to evacuate fluid from the spinning whirlpool and transport it and contaminants therein to a waste container.

Abstract: A multi-purpose appliance for archiving and distributing electronic copies of images is described. Methods and apparatus of the present invention relate to detecting duplicate images and/or similar image portions, grouping images and/or organizing images that are being stored and for searching stored images are described. Received images are segmented into portions and perceptual hash values are generated for each of the image portions. Information relating to image portions and an original input image are stored along with the original input image and generated image portions. The hash values of multiple images are compared and similar images are automatically grouped together into clusters. Images are identified for retrieval purposes using their hash values and/or the hash values of one or more images in a cluster in which an image is stored. An image or image portions is sometimes supplied as part of a search to retrieve similar or related images.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods, devices and systems for reducing power consumption when a station (STA) is operating in a listen mode. In some aspects, to reduce power consumption in the listen mode, the STA may alternate between monitoring a wireless channel for packets and not monitoring the wireless channel. When the STA is monitoring the wireless channel for packets in the listen mode, the STA may configure packet detection components to a power-on state. When the STA is not monitoring the wireless channel in the listen mode, the STA may configure packet detection components to a power-off state. During the power-on state of the listen mode, the STA may detect a preamble of a packet that was transmitted over the wireless channel. In response to detecting the preamble of the packet, the STA may switch from the listen mode to a receive mode to process the packet.

Abstract: A multi-purpose appliance for providing a wide variety of functions, e.g., home management, device management and synchronization, archiving and distributing electronic copies of photos and/or film images and/or other services such as video conferencing is described. In various embodiments data is stored in a digital vault. The owner of stored content can set access rules and/or grant access to other individuals in a group, e.g., a family group. Content can be and sometimes is organized into categories with each category corresponding to a different type of information, e.g., medical information, personal information, calendar information, legal records family photos, etc. An owner of content can specify their relationships to another individual, e.g., another family member and have access and ownership rules apply based on the relationship to the owner of the content and/or specific user specified rules. Content is automatically added to the digital store, e.g.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for using one or more feature recognition system(s) to identify features in a scanned image and to associate tags with identified features are described. Probabilities of a feature being present are taken into consideration in some embodiments. In various embodiments once a tag has been determined as corresponding to a feature which has been confirmed as being in the scanned image synonyms for the tag word are identified and also associated with the scanned image. By using results of multiple automated feature recognition systems and generating overall probabilities that a feature is present in an image more reliable tagging can be implemented in an automated manner than in system which rely on a single AI system without the need for extensive operator input with respect to identification of all features in the image which are to be tagged.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for using one or more feature recognition system(s) to identify features in a scanned image and to associate tags with identified features are described. Probabilities of a feature being present are taken into consideration in some embodiments. In various embodiments once a tag has been determined as corresponding to a feature which has been confirmed as being in the scanned image synonyms for the tag word are identified and also associated with the scanned image. By using results of multiple automated feature recognition systems and generating overall probabilities that a feature is present in an image more reliable tagging can be implemented in an automated manner than in system which rely on a single AI system without the need for extensive operator input with respect to identification of all features in the image which are to be tagged.

Abstract: A thrust box with improved cooling comprises a case having an interior, a first passageway and an opposing second passageway. A shaft passes through the case and the first and second passageway. A thrust runner is secured to the shaft and a pump ring is attached to the thrust runner. Advantageously, the pump ring facilitates oil rate circulation and cooling among other benefits.

Abstract: A software voting or prediction system iteratively solicits participant preferences between members of a set, with a binary tree built used to minimize the number of iterations required. As each member of the set is considered, it is pairwise-compared with select members represented by nodes already in the binary tree, with iterations beginning at a root node of the tree and continuing to a leaf node. The newly considered member is placed as a new leaf node, and the tree is height-rebalanced as appropriate. Red-black tree coloring and tree rotation rules are optionally used for this purpose. Yes/no preference tallies are kept for each member of the set throughout the tree-building process and are ultimately used for scoring. Height-rebalancing of the tree helps minimize the number of iterations needed to precisely score each member of the set relative to its alternatives.

Abstract: A method of making a case for a mobile device with a screen. The method comprising 3D printing of the case in a partially finished form on a support surface in a configuration in which rear wall (1) and sidewalls (2-5) lie alongside one another on the surface, and folding the sidewalls up relative to the rear wall to at least partially create a cavity for the device. Separate corner portions (10, 11) may be provided to connect the sidewalls. The invention also extends to a 3D printed blank from which the case is formed.

Abstract: The invention relates to computer-implemented systems and methods for identifying and further preventing commercial or contract leakage across multiple different procurement relationships. This may involve ingesting a contract extracting commercial terms, such as price, rates, etc. Invoices may be similarly ingested and commercial terms may be extracted on a line item basis. An embodiment of the present invention may identify various types of commercial leakage, such as rate/price discrepancies, full/partial duplication, unrealized discounts, unrealized rebates, disallowance of charges (travel expenses), etc.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for radio frequency (RF) sensing using a single wireless device. An example method for determining a distance to an object with radio frequency sensing includes transmitting a radio frequency signal with a transmit channel on a wireless device, receiving a leakage signal with a receive channel on the wireless device at a first time, such that the leakage signal is based on the radio frequency signal, receiving a reflected signal with the receive channel on the wireless device at a second time, such that the reflected signal is based on the radio frequency signal reflecting from the object, and determining the distance to the object based at least in part on a difference between the first time and the second time.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining and/or using the image date, e.g., image capture date, of one or more scanned images based on image content is described. In various embodiments at least one object, e.g., face of a person, is identified in an image. The age of the object is determined, e.g., using age estimation techniques. The determined, e.g., estimated, age of the identified face is then compared to stored face age to image capture date information. Such information is obtained or derived from other images with known capture dates and including an image of the same object, e.g., face, as the image with the unknown date. Based on the estimated object age and stored information associating object age to image capture date, the image date, e.g., image capture date of the scanned image is determined. This information is then used to organize storage of the image with other images.

Abstract: A multi-purpose appliance for archiving and distributing electronic copies of images is described. Methods and apparatus of the present invention relate to detecting duplicate images and/or similar image portions, grouping images and/or organizing images that are being stored and for searching stored images are described. Received images are segmented into portions and perceptual hash values are generated for each of the image portions. Information relating to image portions and an original input image are stored along with the original input image and generated image portions. The hash values of multiple images are compared and similar images are automatically grouped together into clusters. Images are identified for retrieval purposes using their hash values and/or the hash values of one or more images in a cluster in which an image is stored. An image or image portions is sometimes supplied as part of a search to retrieve similar or related images.