Abstract: Mechanisms for controlling an audio level of an HDMI audio system are provided, the mechanisms comprising: causing audio data to be presented by an HDMI audio system at a current system volume level; receiving a requested volume level from a second screen device; and controlling a system volume level by: (a) determining the current system volume level; (b) determining a change in volume based on a difference between the requested volume level and the current system volume level; (c) determining a direction in which to cause the system volume level to change; (d) sending a volume control message to the system using a consumer electronic control bus connected to the system indicating whether to increase or decrease the system volume level based on the determined direction of system volume change; and (e) repeating (a)-(d) until the current system volume level reaches a predetermined value.

Abstract: A transport device for lifting an automated guided vehicle (AGV) from a floor surface includes a first frame including a plurality of first frame members and a plurality of wheels coupled to the plurality of first frame members, wherein the plurality of wheels are configured to contact the floor surface. The transport device also includes a second frame including a plurality of second frame members, wherein the second frame is configured to mechanically engage the AGV. The transport device further includes a lifting system configured to move the second frame and the AGV with respect to the first frame between a first position where the AGV contacts the floor surface and a second position where the AGV is spaced from the floor surface.

Abstract: A system and method for forwarding an application user interface from a first computing platform to a second computing platform. The application user interface is generated using source content. The application user interface is encoded into two or more encoded content streams where the two or more encoded content streams contain source content representable as the application user interface and composition metadata associated with the application user interface. The two or more encoded content stream are sent to the second computing platform. The two or more encoded content streams are received where the two or more encoded content streams contain information reproducible as the application user interface. The two or more encoded content streams are decoded. The application user interface is generated using the two or more decoded content streams and composition metadata associated with the two or more decoded content streams.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for distributing content based on context are disclosed. In one aspect, a method includes identifying, in a single resource, multiple different content item slots that are available for presentation of multiple different content items. A determination is made that a first content item slot is located in a first portion of the single resource, and that a second content item slot is located in a second different portion of the resource. A first content item is selected for presentation in the first content item slot based on terms that correspond to a first topic of the first portion of the resource. A second content item is selected for presentation in the second content item slot based on terms that correspond to a second topic of the second portion of the resource.

Abstract: An array of membranes comprising amphipathic molecules is formed using an apparatus comprising a support defining an array of compartments. Volumes comprising polar medium are provided within respective compartments and a layer comprising apolar medium is provided extending across the openings with the volumes. Polar medium is flowed across the support to displace apolar medium and form a layer in contact with the volumes, forming membranes comprising amphipathic molecules at the interfaces. In one construction of the apparatus, the support that comprises partitions which comprise inner portions and outer portions. The inner portions define inner recesses without gaps therebetween that are capable of constraining the volumes comprising polar medium contained in neighbouring inner recesses from contacting each other. The outer portions extend outwardly from the inner portions and have gaps allowing the flow of an apolar medium across the substrate.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a valve assembly 10 for controlling a volute connecting opening 324 of a multi-channel turbine 500. The valve assembly 10 comprises a housing portion 300, a valve body 100 and an internal lever 200. The housing portion 300 defines a first volute channel 312, a second volute channel 314 and a volute connecting region 320. The housing portion 300 further comprises a cavity 340. The cavity 340 is separated from the volutes 312, 314 and can be accessed from outside the housing portion 300 via a housing opening 342 which extends from outside the housing portion 300 into the cavity 340. The volute connection region 320 is located between the first volute channel 312 and the second volute channel 314 and defines a volute connecting opening 324. The valve body 100 is inserted in the cavity 340 of the housing portion 300 and comprises at least one fin 120.

Abstract: A case for a laptop computer, the case comprising upper and lower shells which are entirely separate from one another. Each shell comprises an outer layer of a first injection moulded polymer and an inner liner of a second injection moulded polymer softer than the first. Each shell defines a cavity having a back surface and upstanding side walls, the cavity being arranged to receive, in use, one half of the laptop computer. The second polymer comprises a plurality of inwardly extending clips which protrude across the cavity from an edge of the side wall furthest from the back surface to, in use, retain the shell on the laptop half.

Abstract: A force sensitive resistor includes first and second electrical contacts, and a layer of deformable material impregnated with carbon nanotubes. The layer of deformable material is arranged between the first and second electrical contacts. A difference in the conductivity of the impregnated material caused by deformation of the material is detectable across the contacts. A method of manufacturing a force sensitive resistor includes the steps of providing first and second electrical contacts, and arranging a deformable material impregnated with carbon nanotubes between the first and second electrical contacts. Again, a difference in the conductivity of the impregnated material caused by deformation of the material is detectable across the contacts.

Abstract: A method and system for calibrating a measurement from a shoe-based sensor device for measuring pressure at one or more parts of a shoe sole and providing at least one pressure sensor measurement signal indicating the measured pressure, the method being performed at a processor that receives the at least one pressure sensor measurement signal and including: determining a minimum value for the at least one pressure sensor measurement signal and storing the determined minimum value as a correction constant in a data memory associated with the processor; and correcting a value for the at least one pressure sensor measurement signal received subsequent to the step of storing, by the stored correction constant.

Abstract: Mechanisms for managing output of an HDMI source are provided. In accordance with some implementations of the disclosed subject matter, a method for controlling output of an HDMI source is provided, the method comprising: establishing a connection between the HDMI source and an HDMI sink at a first address of a consumer electronic control bus of the HDMI sink; sending a request for an identity of the active source connected to the HDMI sink; monitoring signals on the consumer electronic control bus; receiving a message over the consumer electronic control bus identifying a second address on the consumer electronic control bus different from the first address as an address of an active source; setting a status of the HDMI source as inactive in response to receiving the message; and inhibiting output of video from the HDMI source to the HDMI sink in response to the status being set as inactive.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a case for a mobile device with a screen, includes using a band having a layer of flexible polymer as an insert mold or in a dual injection process, for applying discrete discontinuous and unconnected damping material on the layer of the flexible polymer of the band. The damping material is softer than the flexible polymer and has a plurality of integrally formed protrusions projecting inwardly from a substantial portion of the inner periphery of the band to engage with the mobile device. The protrusions are arranged such that, in use there is substantially no contact between the band and the device other than through the protrusions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a valve assembly (100) for a multi-scroll turbine (10) for controlling an overflow of exhaust gases between a first spiral (36) and a second spiral (38) and for controlling a bypass opening (50). The valve assembly 100 comprises a lever (110) and a valve closing element (120) which is operatively connected to the lever (110). Furthermore, the valve assembly (100) comprises a spring element (130) which is designed to pre-bias the valve closing element (120) the against lever (110).

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring a location and/or status of equipment, tools, products, and/or vehicles using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology are provided herein. A system may comprise a plurality of RFID tags, each RFID tag associated with one of a plurality of items, a database storing information about each item, and a gateway structure. The gateway structure may include an RFID reader that reads the RFID tags. When the RFID tag is read, information in the database may be dynamically updated. Such system may be used for asset management.

Abstract: A method and system for sorting pistons with flaws is disclosed. In an embodiment, a piston with flaws is three dimensionally scanned and compared to a reference image to detect the location and geometry of the flaws. The location and geometry of the flaws are recorded and used to generate a surface condition score. The pistons are sorted based on the surface condition score being higher or lower than a set threshold value.

Abstract: Droplet interfaces are formed between droplets in an electro-wetting device comprising an array of actuation electrodes. Actuation signals are applied to selected actuation electrodes to place the droplets into an energised state in which the shape of the droplets is modified compared to a shape of the droplets in a lower energy state and to bring the two droplets into proximity. The actuation signals are then changed to lower the energy of the droplets into the lower energy state so that the droplets relax into the gap and the two droplets contact each other thereby forming a droplet interface. The use of sensing electrodes in the device permit electrical current measurements across the droplet interface. The sensing electrodes can be used for either (i) applying a reference signal during droplet actuation or (ii) recording electrical current measurements.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a valve assembly 10 for controlling a volute connecting opening 324 of a multi-channel turbine 500. The valve assembly 10 comprises a housing portion 300, a valve body 100 and an internal lever 200. The housing portion 300 defines a first volute channel 312, a second volute channel 314 and a volute connecting region 320. The housing portion 300 further comprises a cavity 340. The cavity 340 is separated from the volutes 312, 314 and can be accessed from outside the housing portion 300 via a housing opening 342 which extends from outside the housing portion 300 into the cavity 340. The volute connection region 320 is located between the first volute channel 312 and the second volute channel 314 and defines a volute connecting opening 324. The valve body 100 is inserted in the cavity 340 of the housing portion 300 and comprises at least one fin 120.

Abstract: A natural-language voice chatbot is initiated and a voice session is established between the chatbot and a customer while the customer is operating a vehicle device within a vehicle. A pre-staged order is taken from a customer during the session and the session is suspended until the customer arrives at a store associated with the pre-staged order. A location-based trigger is raised when the customer is detected as being present at a transaction terminal of a store; the session is resumed on the transaction terminal and/or the vehicle device. The pre-stage order is confirmed during the resumed session and payment is obtained from the customer for the order when payment was not already obtained from the customer. The order is sent to a fulfillment station and, in an embodiment, the items associated with the order are delivered to the customer while the customer remains at the terminal.

Abstract: Approaches are described which enable a computing device (e.g., mobile phone, tablet computer) to display alternate views or layers of information within a window on the display screen when a user's finger (or other object) is detected to be within a particular range of the display screen of the device. For example, a device displaying a road map view on the display screen may detect a user's finger near the screen and, in response to detecting the finger, render a small window that shows a portion of a satellite view of the map proximate to the location of the user's finger. As the user's finger moves laterally above the screen, the window can follow the location of the user's finger and display the satellite views of the various portions of the map over which the user's finger passes.

Abstract: A strap tightener assembly has a base, a tightening device mounted on the base and movable relative thereto, and a strap assembly coupled to the tightening device. The tightening device provides incremental movement of the strap assembly relative to the base at a plurality of predefined settings. A cover extends over the strap assembly and connects to the base so that the base and the cover form a channel permitting movement of the strap assembly therethrough. The cover defines an elongate slot extending along a portion of a length of the cover, and the strap assembly has an indicator identifying the relative location of the strap assembly to the cover. A strap is securable to the strap assembly.

Abstract: Implementations generally relate to producing a still image from a video or series of continuous frames. In some implementations, a method includes receiving the frames that a capture device shot while moving in at least two dimensions. The method further includes analyzing the frames to determine changes of positions of objects in at least two of the frames due to movement of the objects in the scene relative to changes of positions of objects due to the movement of the capture device during the shoot time. The method further includes determining, based at least in part on the variability of the objects, one or more target subjects which the capture device captures during the shoot time. One or more still images are generated from the plurality of frames having at least a portion of the target subject.