Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described herein for rendering variable opacity ink strokes on a touchscreen device. In one aspect, a method for rendering variable opacity ink strokes includes receiving a touch input including a stroke associated with variable opacity on a touchscreen of a device. The stroke may be converted to at least one Bezier curve. The at least one Bezier curve may be smoothed and dividing into a plurality of segments, wherein the plurality of segments includes arc segments, line segments, or a combination thereof. A plurality of stamps may be generated corresponding to the plurality of segments. The plurality of stamps may be rendered on the touchscreen of the device to represent the stroke.

Abstract: A vegetation clearing implement features at least one blade arranged for conveyance over an area of land in a forward working direction. Each blade features a respective serrated cutting edge positioned at a leading side of the blade. The serrated cutting edge lies along an oblique axis that resides at an oblique angle to the forward working direction. The serrated cutting edge features alternating crests and troughs situated along the oblique axis, and each trough has a concave curvature between a pair of adjacent crests. A slope of the concave curvature at its leading end is more parallel to the forward working direction than its trailing end. This provides a gradual increase in the aggression of cut as the equipment moves through the vegetative material to provide for smooth, efficient travel of the implement during a vegetation clearing operation.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described herein for rendering and blending variable opacity ink strokes on a touchscreen device. In one aspect, blending variable opacity ink strokes may include receiving a touch input including a stroke associated with variable opacity, and converting the stroke to a plurality of segments, including arc segments, line segments, or a combination thereof. Next, a plurality of stamps corresponding to the plurality segments may be generated and combined with a static texture and a varying texture. The plurality of stamps may be rendered on the touchscreen of the device to represent the stroke. In another aspect, the received stroke may at least partially overlap other visual data. In this case, the stamps associated with the stroke may be blended with the other visual data using source-over blending The blended plurality of stamps may be rendered on the touchscreen of the device to represent the stroke.

Abstract: A touch input is received on the touchscreen. The touch input comprises a stroke and is associated with variable opacity. The stroke is converted to a plurality of segments. The plurality of segments comprises a plurality of arc segments, line segments, or a combination. A plurality of stamps is generated corresponding to the plurality segments. Shading is applied to the stroke, where applying shading comprises varying at least one of a weight or an offset of at least one color associated with at least one pixel of at least one stamp of the plurality of stamps. The plurality of stamps is rendered on the touchscreen of the device to represent the stroke.

Abstract: A flexible pipe includes: an inner liner formed as a tube and having an outer surface and an inner surface defining an inner diameter; a reinforcement layer bonded to the inner liner and including at least a first ply of reinforcing tape helically wrapped in a first helical direction about the inner liner and a second ply of reinforcing tape helically wrapped about the first ply of reinforcing tape, the second ply of reinforcing tape helically wrapped in a second helical direction opposite to the first helical direction; and an outer jacket applied over and bonded to the reinforcement layer, the outer jacket including a thermoplastic. A reinforcing tape for use in the pipe or other applications includes: a plurality of reinforcing fibers and a matrix about the plurality of reinforcing fibers to hold the reinforcing fibers in the form of a tape, the matrix including thermoplastic and an additive to increase the impact resistance of the thermoplastic.

Abstract: One example method for processing sound in a computer environment includes recognizing a location of a listener in the computer environment, identifying a shape matrix including, for each of a plurality of vectors intersecting the location of the listener, a distance from the location of the listener to an environmental boundary of the computer environment along the vector, selecting an audio filter based on the shape matrix, and outputting sound filtered by the audio filter.

Abstract: A method for providing directional audio in a computer environment includes recognizing a location of a listener in the computer environment, recognizing a location of a sound emitter in the computer environment, and recognizing a plurality of candidate portal points in the computer environment. Each candidate portal point provides a viable audio path from the location of the sound emitter to the location of the listener. The method further includes identifying a selected portal point from among the plurality of candidate portal points based at least on a first distance from the selected portal point to the location of the listener and a second distance from the selected portal point to the location of the sound emitter and setting a perceived direction of the sound emitter to go through a location of the selected portal point.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for remotely monitoring water usage in real time utilizes a sensor attached to a water meter. The sensor monitors water flowing through the meter by analyzing the water meter's magnetic coupling and processes the data to correlate it to real time flow rates. Data is transmitted through a base unit to remote storage and consumers may access the data with application software installed on electronics such as smartphones and tablets. Four components are combined to allow the real time monitoring of water utilization.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a mobile-assisted digital waiter service implemented via a communication network. In some aspects of the disclosure, a mobile device may be configured with a mobile-assisted digital water application, which when executed by the mobile device, may assist a user/customer with the process of dining at a restaurant or ordering items for take-out from a restaurant. For example, the digital waiter application may enable a user/customer to view menus, place orders and pay their bill from their mobile device. In an aspect, the digital waiter application may enhance the dining experience for the user/customer by providing a customized digital menu to the user/customer, which includes at least one customized menu item generated based on a prior order history of the customer.

Abstract: A disposable apparatus with a plurality of preloaded pins such as solder columns, micro-coil springs, or other cylindrically shaped metallic parts (solder columns, et al.) in an array pattern is provided for aligning and dispensing onto a column grid array (CGA) substrate. The apparatus includes a carrier plate with a pattern of holes that is covered by removable covers to retain, position and hold an array of solder columns, et al. Alignment features on the top of the carrier plate plugs into a jig-alignment fixture or frame that precisely positions the solder columns, et al. over a CGA substrate. After inverting (flipping over) the apparatus and jig-fixture or frame upside down, the payload of solder columns, et al. detaches and transfers by gravity onto a pattern of metal pads on the CGA substrate, without the use of vacuum or vibration.

Abstract: An apparatus features front blade sections fixed to the frame in a V-configuration, and a pull tongue extending over the blade apex to a pivotal connection near a rear of the frame. An actuation mechanism effects relative pivoting between the frame and the pull tongue to adjust an angle between the front blade and the trailer tongue to control a position of the blade apex. Two rear blade sections on opposing sides of the frame are movable between deployed positions extending rearwardly and laterally outward from the front blade sections, and stowed positions elevated out of the deployed positions. The rear blade sections are movable downwardly past a plane in which they align with the front blade sections, thus enabling different working operations.

Abstract: A method for POD provisioning and service provisioning is disclosed. The method may comprise storing, by a cloud infrastructure system, subscription order information from a customer identifying a service from a set of cloud services provided by the cloud infrastructure system, the cloud infrastructure system comprising one or more computing devices, wherein the subscription order information includes customer-specific configuration. Additionally, the method may comprise determining, by a computing device from the one or more computing devices, a service associated with the subscription order information. Moreover, the method may comprise mapping a pre-provisioned anonymous deployment to the subscription order information, wherein the pre-provisioned anonymous deployment is specifically pre-provisioned for the determined service.

Abstract: An apparatus features front blade sections fixed to the frame in a V-configuration, and a pull tongue extending over the blade apex to a pivotal connection near a rear of the frame. An actuation mechanism effects relative pivoting between the frame and the pull tongue to adjust an angle between the front blade and the trailer tongue to control a position of the blade apex. Two rear blade sections on opposing sides of the frame are movable between deployed positions extending rearwardly and laterally outward from the front blade sections, and stowed positions elevated out of the deployed positions. The rear blade sections are movable downwardly past a plane in which they align with the front blade sections, thus enabling different working operations.

Abstract: Enabling associations between cloud services in a computer network cloud infrastructure system is described. Cloud services can include infrastructure as a service (IAAS) storage and processing services, platform as a service (PAAS) database and Java services, and software as a service (SAAS) customer resource management services. Associations between the services can include automatically sharing security certificate-based keys and tokens or otherwise sharing data. Upon subscribing to a cloud system through an automated system, a user is prompted to select allowable associations between the selected services. The services are then provisioned and the user-selected associations are enabled.

Abstract: Safety garments for use in hazardous environments are disclosed. An exemplary safety garment comprises: a first protective covering configured to cover at least part of a torso of a wearer; a second protective covering configured to cover at least part of a limb of the wearer; and a flexible panel interconnecting the first protective covering to the second protective covering. The flexible panel facilitates movement of the limb of the wearer relative to the torso of the wearer by accommodating relative movement between the first protective covering and the second protective covering. Also disclosed are a safety garment comprising a wearer-carrying harness, a safety garment comprising a refillable heat extraction pack for cooling the wearer and a safety garment comprising a deployable shield for protecting the wearer upon detection of an event.

Abstract: A ditching apparatus features front blade sections fixed to the frame in a V-configuration, and a pull tongue extending over the blade apex to a pivotal connection near a rear of the frame. An actuation mechanism effects relative pivoting between the frame and the pull tongue to adjust an angle between the front blade and the trailer tongue to control a ground-penetration depth of the blade apex. Two rear blade sections on opposing sides of the frame are movable between deployed positions extending rearwardly and laterally outward from the front blade sections, and stowed positions elevated out of the deployed positions. The blade angle and width are thus controllable to achieve a desired depth and width of ditch. A nose cap at the blade apex provides an improved ground breaking action, while internally braced blade structures will roll formed skins provide durability and smooth rolling action of displaced earth.

Abstract: A pipe coupling for forming a pipe connection includes: a wall formed as a tube and including an inner surface defining an inner diameter and an outer surface; an electrical conductor supported by the wall and extending about a circumference of the coupling; and a pair of contacts exposed on the outer surface and electrically in contact with the electrical conductor for connecting an electrical power source to the electrical conductor.

Abstract: An electrical box includes an integral conduit receiving port, a weatherproof fitting displaced in the integral conduit receiving port, a conduit retention device displaced in the integral conduit receiving port and a cap device for retaining the weatherproof fitting and the conduit retention device in the integral conduit receiving port.