Abstract: An apparatus for enhancing microphone performance of a voice-controlled smart home device is disclosed. The apparatus generally comprises a lower ring having a first diameter an upper ring having a second diameter and a reflective surface. The reflective surface is disposed along the perimeter of the apparatus so as to directionally alter incoming sound waves and focus them toward an array of microphones.

Abstract: A drain clearing device includes an elongated shaft having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The elongated shaft has a first set of barbs spaced apart along a length of the shaft on a first side of the shaft between the first and second ends and a second set of barbs spaced apart along the length of the shaft on a second side of the shaft between the first and second ends. The drain clearing device further includes a collecting member having a fixed end and a free end. The fixed end is coupled to the elongated shaft proximate the first end and the free end is movable relative to the fixed end from a collapsed position to an extended position, in which the elongated shaft is substantially surrounded by the collecting member. The collecting member is configured to contain debris from a drain.

Abstract: Wireless user device probe data can be used to infer or determine an attribute of a user. The probe data can be captured by a sensor device from probes from the user device. The probe data can include network addresses of the wireless access points to which the user device has wirelessly connected prior to attempting a current connection to a wireless access point. The probe data can also include connection information about wireless links between the user device and the wireless access points to which the user device has connected prior to attempting the current connection. The probe data and a user device identifier can be provided for comparing the probe data to access point network addresses associated with attributes to determine an attribute for a user of the user device.

Abstract: A visible light audio system is operable to enable free space optical communication of audio signals via transmission of modulated light intensity at a light source to a photo diode being operably engaged with a demodulator and audio output device. Embodiments of the present disclosure enable a plurality of visible light transmitting apparatuses being installed in a commercial or residential dwelling and operably engaged over a network to combine their microphone inputs via spatial, amplitude, spectral, and/or temporal filtering and physical and geometrical modeling methods to separate one or more acoustic sources using a visible light audio system comprising an array of light sources being operable to receive an audio source input.

Abstract: An apparatus for enhancing microphone performance of a voice-controlled smart home device is disclosed. The apparatus generally comprises a lower ring having a first diameter an upper ring having a second diameter and a reflective surface. The reflective surface is disposed along the perimeter of the apparatus so as to directionally alter incoming sound waves and focus them toward an array of microphones.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to enabling a user to (1) determine the radial stiffness of the outer surface of a winding or wound roll, and (2) when coupled with a winding/contact model results in a virtual instrument allowing the user to explore the residual stresses due to winding in roll-to-roll manufacturing process machines, and (3) allows the user to predict winding defects and hence roll quality based upon the known residual stresses. Wound roll models require the input of a radial modulus of elasticity which is state dependent on interlayer pressure. The hardware of the disclosure can be used to determine this radial modulus and serves to enable the user to (1) use winding/contact models and (2) with measurements made during or after winding enable the user to estimate the winding residual stresses.

Abstract: A pocket hole jig includes base with a base plate and first and second lateral side walls extending along the base plate, and a body disposed between the first and second lateral side walls and slidable along the base in a forward direction and a rearward direction. The body includes a drill bit aperture angled downward toward the base plate. The pocket hole jig also includes a fence movable between a raised position and a lowered position and having a contact surface engageable with an end of the workpiece when the fence is in the lowered position to position the base a predetermined distance from the end of the workpiece. The contact surface is in a first position when the fence is in the raised position and a second position when the fence is in the lowered position. The second position is forward of the first position.

Abstract: Wireless user device probe data can be used to infer or determine an attribute of a user. The probe data can be captured by a sensor device from probes wirelessly transmitted by the user device to search for wireless access points. The probe data can include network addresses of the wireless access points to which the user device has wirelessly connected. The probe data can also include connection information about wireless links between the user device and the wireless access points. The probe data and a user device identifier can be transmitted to a computing device that can compare the probe data to access point network addresses associated with attributes in an electronic data store to determine an attribute for a user of the user device.

Abstract: A cellular base station connected to a communication network is adapted to provide communication services to a plurality of mobile devices. A server connected to the communication network includes a first publish-subscribe broker communications facility as part of a publish-subscribe broker network including one or more publish-subscribe broker communications facilities. The publish-subscribe broker network is operable to distribute published data packets between entities that have published data packets and entities that have subscribed to receive the published data packets via the publish-subscribe broker network. A second entity connected to any of the publish-subscribe broker communications facilities in the publish-subscribe broker network accepts communications from the mobile device if the second entity subscribes to data published by the mobile device through the publish-subscribe broker communications facility to which the second entity is connected.

Abstract: A wireless RF access node is connected to a communication network and is adapted to provide communication services to a plurality of mobile entities. A server is connected to the communication network, wherein the server comprises a first publish-subscribe broker communications facility as part of a publish-subscribe broker network including one or more publish-subscribe broker communications facilities. The publish-subscribe broker network is operable to distribute published data packets between entities that have published data packets and entities that have subscribed to receive the published data packets via the publish-subscribe broker network. A second entity connected to any of the publish-subscribe broker communications facilities in the publish-subscribe broker network accepts communications from a first mobile entity if the second entity subscribes to data published by the first mobile entity through the publish-subscribe broker communications facility to which the second entity is connected.

Abstract: In embodiments of the present disclosure improved capabilities are described for a system having a host computer connected to a communication network, wherein the communication network includes a publish-subscribe broker network adapted to provide publish-subscribe broker services to a sensor device in RF communication with a wireless RF access node, wherein the wireless RF access node is connected to the communication network and enables the sensor device to connect to the publish-subscribe broker network. The publish-subscribe broker network is adapted to route packets of sensor data, on behalf of the sensor device that publishes the sensor data, to a sensor-processing application, wherein the sensor processing application subscribes to the sensor data, and wherein the sensor processing application generates application data that is at least in part sensor data from the sensor device.

Abstract: A pocket hole jig includes base with a base plate and first and second lateral side walls extending along the base plate, and a body disposed between the first and second lateral side walls and slidable along the base in a forward direction and a rearward direction. The body includes a drill bit aperture angled downward toward the base plate. The pocket hole jig also includes a fence movable between a raised position and a lowered position and having a contact surface engageable with an end of the workpiece when the fence is in the lowered position to position the base a predetermined distance from the end of the workpiece. The contact surface is in a first position when the fence is in the raised position and a second position when the fence is in the lowered position. The second position is forward of the first position.

Abstract: In embodiments of the present disclosure, systems and methods implementing active-hot standby redundancy in server architectures are described. In an active-hot standby redundancy architecture, two or more matching service instances are installed in a network, on the same or different host computers. A standby service instance may maintain state information for every session maintained at an active service instance that it is poised to replace using a publish-subscribe communications network. When a failure occurs in the active instance, the standby instance may promote itself to active, and assume all aspects of the service identity and role of the active service instance it is replacing such that service to user devices continues without interruption.

Abstract: A visible light audio system is operable to enable free space optical communication of audio signals via transmission of modulated light intensity at a light source to a photo diode being operably engaged with a demodulator and audio output device. Embodiments of the visible light audio system may be utilized, for example, in commercial, residential, or church buildings to transmit audio signals to occupants via the overhead lighting of the building. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be utilized in any commercial application where line of sight transmission of an audio signal is required or beneficial for occupants of an interior structure to receive a location-specific audio message.

Abstract: Improved capabilities are described for increasing the bandwidth in a wireless communication network, such as where host computers provide publish-subscribe broker services to a sensor device and a communicating entity. A queuing service application may provide service packet continuity when the sensor device or the communicating entity moves between two wireless RF access nodes (in the same or different wireless networks). The publish-subscribe broker network is adapted to route packets of sensor data, on behalf of the sensor device that publishes the sensor data, to a sensor-processing application, wherein the sensor-processing application subscribes to the sensor data, and wherein the sensor-processing application generates application data that is at least in part sensor data from the sensor device.

Abstract: A power tool including a power base and a tool head. The power base includes a trigger and a motor such that the trigger actuatable to drive the motor. The tool head is driven by the motor, and includes a lockout mechanism that inhibits actuation of the trigger in a locked. The lockout mechanism is manually rotatable from the locked position to an unlocked position in which the trigger is actuatable to drive the motor.

Abstract: A directional microphone array which can be integrated into a case for a portable computing device. A microphone array board connects to a surface of a laptop computer, tablet computer or smart phone, which can be steered in the direction of a target source. An audio processing module (APM) is operably engaged with the array board to receive a first staged beamformed audio input from the array board, and process a second beamformed stage audio output.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a coatings composition with an open time additive comprising the steps of a) contacting an aqueous dispersion of alkali swellable polymer particles with a rheology modifier and a binder to form a coatings composition with a VOC of less than 50 g/L; and b) neutralizing the alkali swellable particles with a non-volatile base after or upon contact with the rheology modifier and the binder to form swelled multi-staged polymer particles; wherein the alkali swellable polymer particles comprise a shell having a Tg of not greater than 25° C. and an acid functionalized core; and wherein the core-to-shell ratio is in the range of from 1:3.2 to 1:10. The composition arising from the process of the present invention is useful for improving open time, especially for low VOC coatings applications.

Abstract: A drain clearing device includes an elongated shaft having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The elongated shaft has a first set of barbs spaced apart along a length of the shaft on a first side of the shaft between the first and second ends and a second set of barbs spaced apart along the length of the shaft on a second side of the shaft between the first and second ends. The drain clearing device further includes a collecting member having a fixed end and a free end. The fixed end is coupled to the elongated shaft proximate the first end and the free end is movable relative to the fixed end from a collapsed position to an extended position, in which the elongated shaft is substantially surrounded by the collecting member. The collecting member is configured to contain debris from a drain.