Abstract: In one aspect, an example method for generating a candidate image for use as backdrop imagery for a graphical user interface is disclosed. The method includes receiving a raw image and determining an edge image from the raw image using edge detection. The method also includes identifying a candidate region of interest (ROI) in the raw image based on the candidate ROI enclosing a portion of the edge image having edge densities exceeding a threshold edge density. The method also includes manipulating the raw image relative to a backdrop imagery canvas for a graphical user interface based on a location of the candidate ROI within the raw image. The method also includes generating, based on the manipulating, a set of candidate backdrop images in which at least a portion of the candidate ROI occupies a preselected area of the backdrop imagery canvas, and storing the set of candidate backdrop images.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transcranial light therapy address the deficiencies inherent in previous light therapy devices. Improved adjustability of the location, placement, and directionality of the applied light, thereby improving efficiency of transcranial light delivery and facilitating customization of fitment of the light therapy devices to users of differently sized and differently shaped human heads and hair is provided. Improved mechanisms and methods for controlling light therapy application at each of a plurality of light application locations are also provided, such that light therapy treatments can be highly customized for each individual and/or therapy purpose. Simultaneous, sequential, or separate ocular visible light therapy is also available, thereby increasing the options for customized therapy modalities.

Abstract: An automotive catalytic converter includes a three-way catalyst having Rh as the only precious metal configured as a front zone and a three-way catalyst having a mixture of Rh and Pd, Pt, or both configured as a rear zone, such that an exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine passes through the front zone before passing through the rear zone to minimize sulfur poisoning of the catalytic converter.

Abstract: A spherical hand exerciser has a resilient, non-slip exterior with an off-center cavity and a weighted core housed within the cavity. A method of performing physical therapy with the exerciser includes grasping at least one exerciser; and manipulating it around the hand and fingers. The offset placement of the weighted core works stabilizer muscles of the fingers, hand, wrist, and forearm during manipulation, increasing the synergy and workable range of motion of both the flexor and the extensor muscles, allowing for faster learning and better effects.

Abstract: One example implementation provides a method for controlling enclosure interior temperature, including obtaining, from a thermostat, temperature data indicative of interior enclosure temperature; determining, using a controller, that the temperature data indicates that the interior enclosure temperature exceeds a set point; simulating for a heat exchanger, using the controller, loss of alternating current (AC) power supply; and thereafter operating, using the controller, the heat exchanger and an air conditioner above the set point.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to managing communication over one or more networks. A monitoring engine may be instantiated to perform actions including receiving network traffic from a physical network that may be associated with network addresses of the physical network. The monitoring engine may analyze the network traffic to associate activity with gateway identifiers (GIDs) associated with gateway computers in an overlay network such that the GIDs are separate from the network addresses. The monitoring engine may be arranged to monitor the network traffic based on monitoring rules. The monitoring engine may provide metrics associated with the gateway computers based on the monitoring of the network traffic. The monitoring engine may compare the metrics to event rules. The monitoring engine may generate events based on affirmative results of the comparison. The events may be mapped to actions based on characteristics of the events and executed.

Abstract: Circuit interrupter devices have a first housing with a circuit interrupter, a second housing coupled to the first housing, a ground fault circuit and current transformer in the second housing. The current transformer has an open channel. The circuit interrupter devices also include at least one power conductor having a rigid or semi-rigid body with opposing first and second end portions extending between the first and second housings. The second end portion of the at least one power conductor extends through the open channel in the current transformer and terminates in a breaker load collar(s).

Abstract: An integrated optical beam steering device includes a planar Luneburg lens that collimates beams from different inputs in different directions within the lens plane. It also includes a curved (e.g., semi-circular or arced) grating coupler that diffracts the collimated beams out of the lens plane. The beams can be steered in the plane by controlling the direction along which the lens is illuminated and out of the plane by varying the beam wavelength. Unlike other beam steering devices, this device can operate over an extremely wide field of view—up to 180°—without any aberrations off boresight. In other words, the beam quality is uniform in all directions, unlike with aplanatic lenses, thanks to the circular symmetry of the planar Luneburg lens, which may be composed of subwavelength features. The lens is also robust to misalignment and fabrication imperfections and can be made using standard CMOS processes.

Abstract: An exemplary automated system and method are provided for monitoring and controlling the transfer of water to water tanks or containers during a water transfer process. In one embodiment, the automated system includes a first manifold, a plurality of controllable valves, a plurality of level indicators, a pump, controller(s), storage device, and display. In one implementation, the controller is configured to control the opening/closing of the plurality of controllable valves based, at least in part, on the water levels of the frac water tanks. The controller(s) may include one or more control modes. In other implementations, the system may include a second manifold (or additional manifolds) and the capability to blend water from two or more sources, such as from an impaired water source, using either a single or multiple-manifold configuration. In other implementations, an assembly is provided, such as a skid or trailer mounted assembly, for use in a mobile automated system.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and storage media for creating an interface between a smart contract to be executed on a decentralized architecture and a user component, the method comprising: receiving code corresponding to the smart contract at an interface server; the interface server parsing an application binary interface (ABI) corresponding to the smart contract; the interface server constructing an enhanced application binary interface (EABI) based on the ABI; and the interface server creating a REST API interface specific to the smart contract based on the EABI.

Abstract: A display system includes a head-mounted display configured to project light, having different amounts of wavefront divergence, to an eye of a user to display virtual image content appearing to be disposed at different depth planes. The wavefront divergence may be changed in discrete steps, with the change in steps being triggered based upon whether the user is fixating on a particular depth plane. The display system may be calibrated for switching depth planes for a main user. Upon determining that a guest user is utilizing the system, rather than undergoing a full calibration, the display system may be configured to switch depth planes based on a rough determination of the virtual content that the user is looking at. The virtual content has an associated depth plane and the display system may be configured to switch to the depth plane of that virtual content.

Abstract: A fluid pump comprises an electric motor configured to provide a unidirectional rotational output. The fluid pump further comprises a screw drive coupled to the electric motor. The screw drive is configured to convert the unidirectional rotational output of the electric motor into reciprocating motion to linearly reciprocate a piston coupled to the screw drive.

Abstract: An example method may include receiving, at a computing device, a digital image associated with a particular media content program, the digital image containing one or more faces of particular people associated with the particular media content program. A computer-implemented face recognition program together with a set of computational models associated with the particular media content program may be applied to the digital image to recognize one or more of the particular people in the digital image, together with respective geometric coordinates for each of the one or more detected faces. At least a subset of the set of the computational models may be associated with a respective one of the particular people. The digital image together may be stored in non-transitory computer-readable memory, together with information assigning respective identities of the recognized particular people, and associating with each respective assigned identity geometric coordinates in the digital image.

Abstract: An example method may include applying an automated face detection program implemented on a computing device to a plurality of training digital images associated with a particular media content program to identify a sub-plurality of the training digital images, each containing a single face of a particular person associated with the particular media content program. An automated feature extraction program may be applied to the sub-plurality to generate a set of feature vectors associated with the particular person, each feature vector of the set corresponding to a different training digital image. An automated face recognition program may be applied to a runtime digital image associated with the particular media content program to recognize the particular person, together with respective geometric coordinates. The runtime digital image may be stored together with information identifying the particular person and the respective geometric coordinates of the particular person in the runtime digital image.

Abstract: A computing system automatically detects, in a sequence of video frames, a video frame region that depicts a scoreboard. The video frames of the sequence depict image elements including (i) scoreboard image elements that are unchanging across the video frames of the sequence and (ii) other image elements that change across the video frames of the sequence. Given this, the computing system (a) receives the sequence, (b) engages in an edge-detection process to detect, in the video frames of the sequence, a set of edges of the depicted image elements, (c) identifies a subset of the detected set of edges based on each edge of the subset being unchanging across the video frames of the sequence, and (d) detects, based on the edges of the identified subset, the video frame region that depicts the scoreboard.

Abstract: A method including operating a vehicle in a medium. The vehicle is subject to advection due to movement of the medium. The method also includes measuring, using a navigation system, positions of a vehicle over time. The method also includes measuring, using a directional sensor, a course-through-medium over the time. The method also includes calculating, using the positions and the course-through-medium, a variation of a speed-over-ground of the vehicle over the time as a function of the course-through-medium over the time. The method also includes concurrently estimating, using the variation, 1) an average speed-through-medium for the vehicle over the time, and 2) an advection rate of the medium, and 3) an advection direction of the medium.

Abstract: An attraction system of an amusement park includes a sensor configured to detect an activity of a user in an interactive attraction area. The attraction system also includes a controller including one or more processors. The one or more processors is configured to receive an indication of the activity from the sensor. The one or more processors is also configured to initiate capture of a piece of digital media via the sensor or a separate sensor in response to receiving the indication, and mint a non-fungible token (NFT) associated with the piece of digital media.

Abstract: A gyroscopic air handler provides a new powerful compact and efficient means to create airflow. At the core of the invention is a hubless magnetic chamber that rotates under its own power when acted upon by a composite electromagnetic duct. Composite field coils constructed from copper wire sheathed in a flexible iron sleeve are integrated into layers of Kevlar cloth and laid up with adhesive to create the desired shape as well as maintain the proper number of coils and spacing. Thrust bearings locate the hubless magnetic chamber within the duct. The invention can be retrofitted into the place of existing air handlers or purpose engineered for new applications. Gyroscopic inertia created by the magnetic chamber helps to dampen vibration as well as reduce the effects of unstable air conditions that can affect efficiency.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical fiber ribbon, comprising a plurality of adjacent optical fiber units extending in a longitudinal direction and arranged in parallel forming an optical fiber assembly having a width, each of the optical fiber units comprising either a single fiber or a group of at most three optical fibers, preferably two optical fibers, encapsulated with a matrix material; and a plurality of successive elongated rectilinear beads of a bonding material being arranged along a length of said assembly; each of said plurality of beads being configured to form an elongated bond between two adjacent optical fiber units of the plurality of optical fiber units. The present invention moreover relates to a method of producing such an optical fiber ribbon. A fluorescent tracer is present in the beads.

Abstract: A firestat for providing an output for controlling an opening and closing of a fire/smoke damper. The firestat includes a fire/smoke damper test switch and an actuator configured to depress the fire/smoke damper test switch. The firestat is further configured to release the fire/smoke damper test switch in response to a depressing force applied to the actuator, wherein melting or other damage to the actuator causes a release of the test switch.