Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture to perform remote monitoring are disclosed. Some example methods include adjusting an image capture rate at which an image sensor captures images based on a difference image containing differences between a first image of a first set of objects and a second image of a second set of objects. Example methods also include reducing a file size of the difference image using an edge detection technique and prioritizing one or more of a set of frames based on an amount of information contained in the frames. The frames are subdivisions of the image. In further example methods, the first image is taken at a first time and the second image is taken at a second, later time, and the method includes subtracting the first image from the second image to generate the difference image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an individualized air filtration device comprising a generally inverted U-shaped nose ring and filter combination that fits partially within the nostrils of a user to prevent bacteria, microbes, particulate matter and viruses from entering the body through the user's nasal passages. The nose filtering device is preferably comprised of a nylon mesh material with an acetate fibrous material on at least the backside of the filter so that a hydrogen peroxide or other protective solution can be applied to the device before inserting the filter into the user's nostrils. The solution is preferably comprised of a hydrogen peroxide, but may also include a fragrance, medicine, therapeutic agent, camphor, eucalyptus oil, and a menthol.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring an internet-of-things (IoT) battery device (IBD). An example IBD includes a radio transceiver to communicate with an IoT charging device (ICD), a battery, and a battery monitor to determine a state of charge for the battery. An alerter is included to send an alert message to the ICD, via the radio transceiver, to indicate that the SoCh is less than an alert threshold.

Abstract: An Internet of Things (IoT) network includes an IoT device with data manager, data classifier, and data mapper; or includes IoT device with bloom filter, blockchain logic, content creator, and search manager; or includes IoT device with device connector, namespace discoverer, partition creator, service advertiser, and data router; or includes IoT device with IoT network topology identifier, IoT node resource identifier, neural network topology identifier, mapping optimizer, and decomposable task processor; or includes IoT device with blockchain logic, Merkle tree with hash code entries, and locator to search the Merkle tree; or includes IoT device with bloom filter topic list, subscription manager, and content locator; or includes IoT device with topic classifier to determine if topic includes encrypted content, notifier of the encrypted content, and key subscriber; or includes IoT device with an attestator to provide group membership credential and a subscriber to supply bloom filter and receive a key.

Abstract: Data is received describing a local model of a first device generated by the first device based on sensor readings at the first device and a global model is updated that is hosted remote from the first device based on the local model and modeling devices in a plurality of different asset taxonomies. A particular operating state affecting one or more of a set of devices deployed in a particular machine-to-machine network is detected and the particular machine-to-machine network is automatically reconfigured based on the global model.

Abstract: A bumper system including a bumper beam being cast from metal having a front panel and a back panel, extending between a first bumper beam end and a second bumper beam end. A plurality of reinforcing ribs integrally cast with the bumper beam extends between the front panel and the back panel defining a non-uniform cross-sectional profile along a portion of the bumper beam. The front panel includes a front center portion disposed between a pair of front side portions. The back panel includes a back center portion disposed between a pair of back side portions. The front center portion has a front center portion thickness greater than a back center portion thickness. Each of the front side portions has a front side portion thickness being less than a back side portion thickness of adjacent one of the back side portions. Method of manufacturing the bumper system is provided.

Abstract: A coating process employing coating techniques which allow an end-user to coat steel, rather than relying on a specialized location or supplier, is provided. The techniques produce a coating having high temperature oxidation resistance, greater corrosion resistance, and added surface lubricity to minimize die wear during a stamping process. The techniques also allow configurability with surface textures and allow thickness control. In addition, selective coating of a part or product, for example, around a weld area, and the addition of componentry, for example sensors, with the sensors being employed to monitor the coating, is possible. The coating includes a top functional layer including least one of Al, Ni, Fe, Si, B, Mg, Zn, Cr, h-BN, and Mo, and an interfacial layer with intermetallics formed therein. The interfacial layer can consist of at least one intermetallic, or the interfacial layer can include a mixture of the intermetallic(s) and steel.

Abstract: Disclosed in some examples are methods, systems, and devices which perform automatic selection of an application-layer communication protocol based upon one or more communication characteristics of the sending application and one or more characteristics of the network connection between the sending device and the recipient. The selection of which protocol to use may be made on a message-by-message basis, periodically at various intervals (e.g., every predetermined time period), once upon application initialization, or the like. By dynamically selecting an application-layer communications protocol, an application may leverage the advantages of a specific protocol given the communication characteristics of the application and characteristics of the network connection at that time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling message schema and size for internet-of-things (IoT) devices is provided. An exemplary method includes determining if a cost function for a new schema and message size combination is less than the cost function of a current schema and message size combination by calculating the cost function for each of a plurality of schema and message size combinations, and determining if the cost function for one of the plurality of schema and message size combinations is lower than a current schema and message size combination.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture for decentralized data storage and processing for IoT devices are disclosed. An example apparatus includes memory; and a processor to cause storage of a contract in an off-chain datastore; generate a hash value of the contract; cause storage of the hash value on a blockchain to be accessible to multiple nodes in an IoT network; and cause storage of a transaction on the blockchain, the transaction corresponding to an objective of the contract based on data sensed by an IoT device in the IoT network.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture to perform remote monitoring are disclosed. Some example methods include adjusting an image capture rate at which an image sensor captures images based on a difference image containing differences between a first image of a first set of objects and a second image of a second set of objects. Example methods also include reducing a file size of the difference image using an edge detection technique and prioritizing one or more of a set of frames based on an amount of information contained in the frames. The frames are subdivisions of the image. In further example methods, the first image is taken at a first time and the second image is taken at a second, later time, and the method includes subtracting the first image from the second image to generate the difference image.

Abstract: A method of selecting a website for delivery of targeted content to an audience member computer based on attitude values associated with audience members who participate in a computer implemented survey is disclosed. The survey response information, as well as website visitation information, and demographic information associated with the audience members may be collected and stored in a central database. An attitude value may be determined from the survey response information and/or the other information for the audience members. The attitude value may indicate the audience member's view about an issue, topic, product, service or the like. The attitude value in conjunction with other website visitation information may be used to select a website for delivery of the targeted content to the audience members.

Abstract: A system and method for an improved material flow through an extrusion machine by altering the material properties in a magnetic field are provided. The electromagnetic extrusion system includes a ram that is moved into a chamber containing an extrusion material to force the extrusion material out of an opening defined, at least in part, by a die to create an extrusion with a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the predetermined shape of the opening. An electromagnetic winding of electrically conductive material is embedded within a tool retainer block surrounding the container and is helically wound about the chamber and carries a DC electrical current to generate a magnetic field having a magnetic flux density of at least 2 Tesla within the extrusion material to dissipate dislocation defect structures in the extrusion material being extruded via the magnetoplasticity effect. The magnetic field therefore provides for reduced flow stress on the tooling.

Abstract: An end effector for a surgical clip applier includes a housing, and jaws that include opposed first and second jaw members each comprising an independent structure movable relative to the other, the first jaw member defining a first inner surface and the second jaw member defining a second inner surface opposite the first inner surface. An actuation mechanism is arranged within the housing and is operable to move the jaws between an open position and a closed position, the actuation mechanism including a linear drive that provides transition pins engageable with angled slots defined in the first and second jaw members. Linear movement of the linear drive moves the jaws between the open and closed positions, and the first and second inner surfaces remain substantially parallel to each other as the jaws move between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: An end effector for a surgical clip applier includes an elongate body, a clip revolver rotatably positioned within the body and providing an inner bore that defines a plurality of clip slots angularly spaced from each other about an inner surface of the inner bore, wherein a plurality of surgical clips are receivable within the plurality of clip slots in a nested helical array. First and second jaw members extend past a distal end of the body and aligned to receive a distal-most surgical clip of the plurality of surgical clips, wherein the clip revolver is rotatable to sequentially align each surgical clip with the first and second jaw members.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring an internet-of-things (IoT) battery device (IBD). An example IBD includes a radio transceiver to communicate with an IoT charging device (ICD), a battery, and a battery monitor to determine a state of charge (SoCh) for the battery. An alerter is included to send an alert message to the ICD, via the radio transceiver, to indicate that the SoCh is less than an alert threshold.

Abstract: A protective surface treatment in the form of a coating for steel or another metal or metal alloy capable of providing oxidation resistance in an inert gas furnace or air-containing furnace is provided. The coating is formed by a solution including at least one flux agent, such as boric acid, and at least one binder, such as polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), polyvinylpyrrolidone/vinyl acetate (PVP/VA), hydrooxypropylcellulose (HPC), ethylcellulose, and/or acrylics. The solution also includes at least one solvent, such as methanol or ethanol and can include various additives. The finished coating includes iron borate and provides a glassy surface.

Abstract: The invention provides a component formed of an aluminum alloy for use in a vehicle, for example an automotive vehicle component requiring high strength, light-weight, and a complex three-dimensional shape, and a method of manufacturing the component. The method begins by providing a blank formed of an aluminum alloy which is already solution heat treated and tempered, and thus has a temper designation of about T4. The method further includes heating the blank to a temperature of 150° C. to 350° C., preferably 190° C. to 225° C. The method next includes quickly transferring the blank to a hot or warm forming apparatus, and stamping the blank to form the complex three-dimensional shape. Immediately after the forming step, the component has a temper designation of about T6, but preferably not greater than T6, and thus is ready for use in the vehicle without any post heat treatment or machining.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring operational parameters in an IoT device is provided. An exemplary method includes performing a statistical analysis of a system metric. A determination is made as to whether an alert limit has been breached. If so, a message is constructed and dispatched to a server.

Abstract: In general, surgical devices having monopolar functionality and bipolar functionality are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a surgical device is configured to selectively apply each of bipolar energy and monopolar energy.