Abstract: A system, device and method to pick and/or place specimen containers. The system or device may include a mechanical pick and/or place head, or a vacuum-based pick and/or place head. The mechanical pick and/or place head may include a drive shaft with an engagement head to draw a single specimen container into a receiver and retain such until positioned to place such. The vacuum-based mechanical pick and/or place head may include a vacuum conduit to draw a single specimen container into a receiver and drive shaft that orients a portion of the receiver to retain such until positioned to place such. Various sensors may be employed, for example to detect frost, and a defroster employed.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for cumulative series event prediction, and more specifically to calculating the likelihood of a single downstream event by using multiple simulations. A system can receive sports data and generate, using the sports data, simulated events data. The system can also execute a simulated market participant data model, resulting in a simulated markets model. The system can then execute, in parallel, the simulated markets model and an event simulation/analysis, and output both the event prediction and predicted betting markets to a user.

Abstract: When significant latency exists between a test device executing an application and a remote device used to debug the application, an intermediate device is used to receive requests from the remote device. When a first request is received, the intermediate device determines other requests that are related to the first request, sequentially sends the other requests to the test device, and receives a response after each request, using a wired connection or a wireless network having lower latency than wireless communication between the remote device and the test device. The intermediate device then sends each of the responses to the remote device. The remote device stores the responses. The remote device is then able to use the stored data to determine responses for subsequent requests.

Abstract: A system, device and method to pick and/or place specimen containers may include a pick and/or place head, a first secondary reservoir, and optionally a second secondary reservoir which hold cryogenic fluid in a liquid form, above a main reservoir of cryogenic liquid, to cool the pick and/or place head and/or to cool or recharge the specimen containers during transfer operations. Storage locations may be arrayed in wedge-shaped sets spaced above cryogenic liquid of the main reservoir of a cryogenic storage tank at one or more levels, and pivotal about a central axis via a motor and control system. A gap (e.g., wedge shaped gap) between two successively angularly adjacent sets of storage locations of the sets of storage locations at an upper level provides access to the storage locations of the sets of storage locations at a lower level. Cryogenic liquid temperatures and levels in reservoirs are monitored.

Abstract: A control system for a culinary instrument includes an order management module configured to generate parameters for a user interface. The control system includes an order prioritization module configured to assign priorities to orders based on a set of prioritization rules, which establish a sequence of the set of orders. The control system includes an order wait time module configured to estimate wait times for the orders. The order wait time module estimates wait times for the orders based on a current status of the culinary instrument and a model of predicted interruptions of the culinary instrument. The order management module is configured to transform the user interface by the parameters in response to the estimated wait times. The control system includes an instrument control module configured to control the culinary instrument to prepare a food item specified by an order specified as next by the sequence.

Abstract: Application debug protocols that require waiting for responses between each request may be adversely affected if significant latency exists between a test device executing an application and a remote device used to debug the application. To address this, the test device is connected to a separate device that receives requests from the remote device. When a first request is received, the separate device determines other requests that are related to the first request, sequentially sends the other requests to the test device, and receives a response after each request, using a wired connection affected by less latency than communication with the remote device. The separate device then sends each of the requests and responses to the remote device for storage. When the remote device prepares to send a subsequent request, if a response can be determined using the stored data, the stored data is used to determine the response locally.

Abstract: A 3D printer includes a holding area holding material to be used to produce a part and at least one component for producing the part through layer-wise additive manufacturing. A data storage device in the 3D printer stores instructions for generating build parameter values, the instructions including empirically derived data, relationships, and/or equations. A processor in the 3D printer receives values for a public build parameter set and a category for the material wherein the category represents multiple different materials. The processor executes instructions to determine values for a private build parameter set that vary based on the properties of the material. The values for the private build parameter set are determined from the received values for the public build parameter set and the received category. The processor then uses the received values for the public build parameter set and the values for the private build parameter set to build the part.

Abstract: A system, device and method to pick and/or place specimen containers. The system or device may include a mechanical pick and/or place head, or a vacuum-based pick and/or place head. The mechanical pick and/or place head may include a drive shaft with an engagement head to draw a single specimen container into a receiver and retain such until positioned to place such. The vacuum-based mechanical pick and/or place head may include a vacuum conduit to draw a single specimen container into a receiver and drive shaft that orients a portion of the receiver to retain such until positioned to place such. Various sensors may be employed, for example to detect frost, and a defroster employed.

Abstract: A flexible intelligent electrical switching device with multi-function capability, and methods of use are presented herein which provide an autonomous, reconfigurable switching device. The present disclosure is specifically designed to reduce space, cost of manufacture, efficiency, installation reduction time and ease of implementation.

Abstract: Oil-absorbent skimmers of the present invention include an upper oil-absorbent flotation head that floats on water and several absorbent strands attached to the underside of the flotation head. The flotation head has a liquid-permeable cover with absorbent strips inside. The absorbent strips and strands are made of oil-absorbing materials that resist absorption of water. The passive oil-absorbent skimmers may be free-floating and may be used in stormwater catch basins, water holding tanks, vaults, sumps, bilges and the like for capturing hydrocarbons such as oil and oil-based liquids.

Abstract: In response to a first condition in a first subsystem of a robot, a controller halts operation of the first subsystem; transmits a set command specifying a first notification to an interface system; obtains status information from the interface system; and, in response to the status information indicating that the first notification has a cleared status, resumes operation of the first subsystem. The interface system maintains a set of active notifications and tracks a set of devices configured to receive notifications. Each of the devices is associated with a respective operator. In response to receiving the set command, the interface system: adds the first notification to the set of active notifications; determines a subset of devices to receive the first notification; wirelessly transmits the first notification to the subset; and, in response to receiving a clear message specifying the first notification, sets the first notification to the cleared status.

Abstract: A method of providing an augmented reality image comprises recording a basic image including a subject and a first background using a recording device, extracting a subject image from the basic image, and providing the extracted subject image to a display device for combining with a second background. At A the sending person using the app to record a moving image of their own head—ie a video—which is separated from the background by the app (the background being automatically discarded). The image is then sent to a recipient who, at B, sees the head speak to them either on their desktop or in the camera view of the smart phone/tablet if they so choose.

Abstract: Embodiments of a modular tubular bioreactor system for culturing an aqueous culture of microorganisms are described herein. The tubular bioreactor may comprise culture tubes configured in a vertically spaced and horizontally staggered arrangement to optimize the application of light to the culture in phototrophic and mixotrophic cultivation.

Abstract: Multiple-tube stormwater filter socks may be used to mitigate stormwater environmental runoff of sediment, hydrocarbons and heavy metals. The stormwater filter socks comprise at least two tubes that are spaced apart by a separator web, and are filled with different types of absorbent media. The stormwater filter socks may be placed around the top grate of a storm drain chamber, and around other environmental runoff sources such as trash bins, roof downspouts and outdoor material stockpiles. The multiple-tube stormwater filter socks may be used to mitigate drips and spills of hydrocarbons such as motor oils, and may be used to contain zinc, copper, lead, chromium, cadmium and other heavy metals.

Abstract: Stormwater drain insert assemblies that reduce or remove environmental runoff during rain storms and the like are disclosed. The stormwater drain insert assemblies include a strainer basket and filter bag that capture sediment, hydrocarbons, heavy metals and other contaminants, but allow water to pass through. The stormwater drain insert assemblies include a top bib of flexible sheet material such as water-impermeable fabric surrounding and supporting the strainer basket. The strainer basket includes at least one raised overflow port extending upwardly from a top panel of the basket. The top bib has a frame that may be adjustable in size in order to fit into various sizes of catch basins, resting on the lip between the top grate and the catch basin.

Abstract: A method of providing an augmented reality image comprises recording a basic image including a subject and a first background using a recording device, extracting a subject image from the basic image, and providing the extracted subject image to a display device for combining with a second background. At A the sending person using the app to record a moving image of their own head—ie a video—which is separated from the background by the app (the background being automatically discarded). The image is then sent to a recipient who, at B, sees the head speak to them either on their desktop or in the camera view of the smart phone/tablet if they so choose.

Abstract: Oil-absorbent skimmers of the present invention include an upper oil-absorbent flotation head that floats on water and several absorbent strands attached to the underside of the flotation head. The flotation head has a liquid-permeable cover with absorbent strips inside. The absorbent strips and strands are made of oil-absorbing materials that resist absorption of water. The passive oil-absorbent skimmers may be free-floating and may be used in stormwater catch basins, water holding tanks, vaults, sumps, bilges and the like for capturing hydrocarbons such as oil and oil-based liquids.

Abstract: Provided herein is an improved bi-stable relay operable with a relay control circuit including a boost converter and an energy storage device, which is used to switch the bi-stable relay. In some embodiments, the bi-stable relay includes a solenoid wound with multiple coil windings. A conductive plate (e.g., a bus bar) may be coupled to a plunger of the solenoid, and is provided with contacts on each end of the conductive plate. The conductive plate is configured to electrically engage and disengage the solenoid upon respective application of power to the solenoid. The control circuit causes the solenoid to remain in an open position when selectively energized by a pulse for moving and retaining the conductive plate of the plunger against the solenoid for allowing wide operating voltage and reduced operating power.

Abstract: A container can be configured for use with an attachment for mixing and dispensing a solution. The container can include an outlet opening for flow out of the container, and a container valve that is configured to control the flow out of the outlet opening. A neck of the container can be oblong, can include a first attachment flange and a second attachment flange, or can include a first attachment shelf and a second attachment shelf.