Abstract: An imaging system may include a sample stage comprising a surface to support a sample container, the sample container having a plurality of sample locations; an optical stage having an objective lens, the optical stage being positionable relative to the sample stage to image samples at the sample locations; an actuator physically coupled to at least one of the sample stage and the optical stage to move the sample stage relative to the optical stage to focus the optical stage onto a current sample location; and a drive circuit to determine a focus setting for a next sample location and to provide a drive signal to the actuator before the optical stage is positioned to image a sample at the next sample location, wherein at least one parameter of the drive signal is determined using a difference between a focus setting for the current sample location and the determined focus setting for the next sample location.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to creating videos. A mobile device creates a graphic user interface to capture by the camera of the device multiple photographic facial images of a user for respective multiple facial expressions of a character in the video. Using the multiple photographic facial images, the device modifies stored character images by matching facial features of the character to facial features of the user for the multiple facial expressions of the character in the video and creates the video based on the modified character images. The facial expression of the user is used to influence the facial expression of the character. This method enables replacement of certain visual style elements with a given user's own style elements.

Abstract: An imaging system may include a sample stage having a surface to support a sample to be scanned by the imaging system; an optical stage having an objective lens, the optical stage being positionable relative to the sample stage; an actuator physically coupled to at least one of the sample stage and the optical stage to move the sample stage relative to the optical stage; a servo circuit to control the actuator; a first set of control parameters to control the servo circuit; a second set of control parameters to control the servo circuit; and a servo control circuit to apply the first set of control parameters to the servo circuit when the imaging system is operating in a first mode of operation and to apply the second set of control parameters to the servo circuit when the imaging system is operating in a second mode of operation.

Abstract: A method for calculating a cost for energy consumption is provided. The method includes receiving information regarding an energy consuming device from the energy consuming device, and determining a first charging rate for energy consumed by the energy consuming device based on the received information regarding the energy consuming device.

Abstract: An entangling projectile for use in a projectile deployment system includes a pair of pellets, a flexible tether connecting the pellets, and an engagement adhesive. The engagement adhesive is applied to at least a portion of one of the pair of pellets or the tether and is operable to adhesively engage the skin or clothing of a subject engaged by the entangling projectile.

Abstract: An imaging system may include a sample stage having a surface to support a sample to be scanned by the imaging system; an optical stage having an objective lens, the optical stage being positionable relative to the sample stage; an actuator physically coupled to at least one of the sample stage and the optical stage to move the sample stage relative to the optical stage; a servo circuit to control the actuator; a first set of control parameters to control the servo circuit; a second set of control parameters to control the servo circuit; and a servo control circuit to apply the first set of control parameters to the servo circuit when the imaging system is operating in a first mode of operation and to apply the second set of control parameters to the servo circuit when the imaging system is operating in a second mode of operation.

Abstract: A furnace may include a furnace cabinet, an inducer blower, and a flue vent adapter. The furnace is configured as a multi-poise furnace and configured to be installed and operated in each of the horizontal left flow orientation, the horizontal right flow orientation, the upflow orientation, and the downflow orientation. The flue vent adapter is used when the furnace is installed and operated in the downflow orientation. Alternatively, the flue vent adapter is used when the furnace is installed and operated in each of the horizontal left flow orientation and the horizontal right flow orientation. The flue vent adapter has a unitary construction to reduce manufacturing costs, reduce a pressure drop through the flue vent adapter, and reduce leakage.

Abstract: An entangling projectile for use in a projectile deployment system includes a pair of pellets, a flexible tether connecting the pellets, and an engagement adhesive. The engagement adhesive is applied to at least a portion of one of the pair of pellets or the tether and is operable to adhesively engage the skin or clothing of a subject engaged by the entangling projectile.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for producing treated olive mill process water (OMPW). In some exemplary embodiments, the treated OMPW is used in the preparation/production of body care products.

Abstract: A system for generating a targeting beam includes a frame carrying at least one moveable arm, at least a portion of the moveable arm being moveable relative to the frame. A light source is carried by the frame, the light source being operable to generate a light beam. A motor is carried by the frame, the motor being operable to create oscillatory motion of the moveable arm to cause the light beam generated by the light source to oscillate through a range of motion to create a targeting beam.

Abstract: An imaging system may include a sample stage having a surface to support a sample to be scanned by the imaging system; an optical stage having an objective lens, the optical stage being positionable relative to the sample stage; an actuator physically coupled to at least one of the sample stage and the optical stage to move the sample stage relative to the optical stage; a servo circuit to control the actuator; a first set of control parameters to control the servo circuit; a second set of control parameters to control the servo circuit; and a servo control circuit to apply the first set of control parameters to the servo circuit when the imaging system is operating in a first mode of operation and to apply the second set of control parameters to the servo circuit when the imaging system is operating in a second mode of operation.

Abstract: A system for generating a targeting beam includes a frame carrying at least one moveable arm, at least a portion of the moveable arm being moveable relative to the frame. A light source is carried by the frame, the light source being operable to generate a light beam. A motor is carried by the frame, the motor being operable to create oscillatory motion of the moveable arm to cause the light beam generated by the light source to oscillate through a range of motion to create a targeting beam.

Abstract: A heated scoop assembly for enhancing scooping ice cream includes a scooper that is selectively manipulated thereby facilitating the scooper to scoop ice cream. A heating unit is coupled to the scooper such that the heating unit is in thermal communication with the scooper. The heating unit is selectively turned on to heat the scooper. In this way the scooper melts the ice cream when the ice cream is scooped thereby enhancing scooping the ice cream.

Abstract: A furnace may include a furnace cabinet, an inducer blower, and a flue vent adapter. The furnace is configured as a multi-poise furnace and configured to be installed and operated in each of the horizontal left flow orientation, the horizontal right flow orientation, the upflow orientation, and the downflow orientation. The flue vent adapter is used when the furnace is installed and operated in the downflow orientation. Alternatively, the flue vent adapter is used when the furnace is installed and operated in each of the horizontal left flow orientation and the horizontal right flow orientation. The flue vent adapter has a unitary construction to reduce manufacturing costs, reduce a pressure drop through the flue vent adapter, and reduce leakage.

Abstract: A method of adhering first and second elongate webs includes depositing a first component of a two-component adhesive on a first face of the first elongate web and depositing a second component of the two-component adhesive on a first face of the second elongate web. The first face of the first elongate web and the first face of second elongate web are brought into contact, and the two components are mixed ultrasonically. In an alternate method, a two-component adhesive on at least a first face of the first elongate web, with at least one of the two components micro-encapsulated so that the two components of the two-component adhesive do not react. The first face of the first elongate web and the first face of the second elongate web are brought into contact. Ultrasound and/or heat is applied to free the microencapsulated components of the two-component adhesive, so that the components of the two component adhesive can react.

Abstract: An imaging system may include a sample stage comprising a surface to support a sample container, the sample container having a plurality of sample locations; an optical stage having an objective lens, the optical stage being positionable relative to the sample stage to image samples at the sample locations; an actuator physically coupled to at least one of the sample stage and the optical stage to move the sample stage relative to the optical stage to focus the optical stage onto a current sample location; and a drive circuit to determine a focus setting for a next sample location and to provide a drive signal to the actuator before the optical stage is positioned to image a sample at the next sample location, wherein at least one parameter of the drive signal is determined using a difference between a focus setting for the current sample location and the determined focus setting for the next sample location.

Abstract: A method for calculating a cost for energy consumption is provided. The method includes receiving information regarding an energy consuming device from the energy consuming device, and determining a first charging rate for energy consumed by the energy consuming device based on the received information regarding the energy consuming device.

Abstract: A composite elastomeric flexible element has an elastomer layer between rigid members. When subjected to loads, and as time goes by, the elastomer layer will undergo damage in the form of micro-voids and polymer chain scission. The time it takes the damage to reach a predetermined, but safe state is a known function of several parameters such as loading rate and load magnitude, time at load, temperature and frequency. The damage decreases the electrical permittivity of the elastomer and changes the electrical conductance of the elastomer if the elastomer is in the environment of an electrically conductive fluid or when the elastomer includes conductive filler. The health of the flexible element is monitored by measuring the electrical impedance of the elastomer layer, computing an indication of health from the electrical impedance and trend data for the elastomer layer, and reporting the indication of health to a human administrator.