Abstract: A modular biometric retrofit device and universal mounting assembly are disclosed herein. The device integrates RGB and near-infrared imaging, anti-spoofing optics, an internal rechargeable battery, and a USB-C power and data interface within a compact housing that can be attached to existing point-of-sale terminals, kiosks, handheld payment units, drive-thru menu boards, order-confirmation screens, speaker boxes, and humanoid robots for adding biometric identification capabilities thereto. The universal mounting assembly includes a variety of interchangeable mechanical and electrical adapters—clamp, suction, recessed, magnetic, adhesive, and vendor-specific brackets—enabling attachment without modification of host hardware. The retrofit device provides multi-spectral liveness detection, extended-range operation, and secure data communication for payment authorization, creating a standardized platform for biometric identification across retail and service environments.

Abstract: A catheter comprising a catheter body defining an inner lumen having a working length between a proximal end and a distal end of the catheter body, wherein the catheter body comprises a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the proximal portion is stiffer than the distal portion by at least 10×, wherein the catheter is configured to be advanced through a patient's vasculature without a guide sheath so the distal portion reaches an intracranial vessel without prolapse of the proximal portion without aid of a guide sheath. Related devices, systems, kits, and methods are provided.

Abstract: A vendor agnostic biometric kernel provides preprocessing, canonical template generation, multi signal liveness aggregation, interoperability adapters, a secure template vault, and a policy engine that selects among matcher pipelines responsive to context. The kernel records user consent and emits signed audit logs. Portions of the kernel execute on an edge device while other portions execute in cloud services. The system outputs authentication assertions suitable for merchant payment authorization.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a methodology which quickly provides for the analysis of multiple luminescence decays from individual phosphor samples. The disclosed method utilizes a Trust-Region method to provide non-physical solutions when the fitting application was not provided with bounds for the respective intensities and decay times. Results from Double Decay were found to be statistically similar to data analyzed in methodologies known in the art.

Abstract: An implantable pulse generator (IPG) including a case containing an energy storage device and one or more electrode leads. A header is coupled to the case. The header includes a cassette, an antenna coupled to the cassette and electrically coupled to the case, the case configured as a part of the antenna for receiving and transmitting electromagnetic signals, and an electrode attachment structure configured to couple with the cassette and configured to couple with the one or more electrode leads.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for applying container carriers to unitize a plurality of containers. A supply of container carriers are provided in a stack and grouped into sticks of multiple adjacent container carriers. A magazine accommodates the stack of container carrier sticks and a carrier feed draws a single container carrier stick from the magazine. A transport section comprising two or more container carrier sticks aligned in a queue provides single container carrier sticks to an applicating drum configured to apply to a corresponding group of containers.

Abstract: Disclosed is an article for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The article includes a sheet including smokable material, and heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field to heat the smokable material. The sheet may be a planar sheet or a rolled sheet. Also disclosed is a system including the article and apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The apparatus includes a heating zone for receiving at least a portion of the article, and a magnetic field generator for generating a varying magnetic field to be used in heating the smokable material when the portion of the article is in the heating zone.

Abstract: An external pulse generator (EPG) for stimulating a nerve includes a housing including an electrical contact configured to receive a lead type for stimulating the nerve. The housing includes a door covering the electrical contact. The door is configured to be nested within and latched to the housing. The door is configured to swing open to uncover the electrical contact. A receptacle is located on the housing and is configured to receive a first end of an electrical cable. The is configured to be connected to a second lead type for stimulating the nerve. The EPG includes a battery that carries a communication signal and is located between a circuit board and the housing. The EPG includes a ground pad connector extending through the housing. The ground pad connector is attached to a ground pad that is configured to be placed on a surface of a skin of the patient.

Abstract: An external pulse generator (EPG) for stimulating a nerve includes a housing including an electrical contact configured to receive a lead type for stimulating the nerve. The housing includes a door covering the electrical contact. The door is configured to be nested within and latched to the housing. The door is configured to swing open to uncover the electrical contact. A receptacle is located on the housing and is configured to receive a first end of an electrical cable. The is configured to be connected to a second lead type for stimulating the nerve. The EPG includes a battery that carries a communication signal and is located between a circuit board and the housing. The EPG includes a ground pad connector extending through the housing. The ground pad connector is attached to a ground pad that is configured to be placed on a surface of a skin of the patient.

Abstract: An external pulse generator (EPG) for stimulating a nerve includes a housing including an electrical contact configured to receive a lead type for stimulating the nerve. The housing includes a door covering the electrical contact. The door is configured to be nested within and latched to the housing. The door is configured to swing open to uncover the electrical contact. A receptacle is located on the housing and is configured to receive a first end of an electrical cable. The is configured to be connected to a second lead type for stimulating the nerve. The EPG includes a battery that carries a communication signal and is located between a circuit board and the housing. The EPG includes a ground pad connector extending through the housing. The ground pad connector is attached to a ground pad that is configured to be placed on a surface of a skin of the patient.

Abstract: An external pulse generator (EPG) for stimulating a nerve includes a housing including an electrical contact configured to receive a lead type for stimulating the nerve. The housing includes a door covering the electrical contact. The door is configured to be nested within and latched to the housing. The door is configured to swing open to uncover the electrical contact. A receptacle is located on the housing and is configured to receive a first end of an electrical cable. The is configured to be connected to a second lead type for stimulating the nerve. The EPG includes a battery that carries a communication signal and is located between a circuit board and the housing. The EPG includes a ground pad connector extending through the housing. The ground pad connector is attached to a ground pad that is configured to be placed on a surface of a skin of the patient.

Abstract: A system and method for normalizing device counts from recorded device observation data has been developed. The observation data includes locations of the devices recorded at various points in time. The system normalizes the device counts to account for devices that are not accurately represented in the data. The method includes calculating a probability that a device is observed at a location based on the observation frequency of the device and the dwell time at that location. The method further includes calculating a normalization factor based on the population of the geographic region that the device is located. In one example, the method further includes calculating a number of visitor devices and/or a number of overnight visitors at a location.

Abstract: A system and method for normalizing device counts from recorded device observation data has been developed. The observation data includes locations of the devices recorded at various points in time. The system normalizes the device counts to account for devices that are not accurately represented in the data. The method includes calculating a probability that a device is observed at a location based on the observation frequency of the device and the dwell time at that location. The method further includes calculating a normalization factor based on the population of the geographic region that the device is located. In one example, the method further includes calculating a number of visitor devices and/or a number of overnight visitors at a location.

Abstract: A recycling kiosk for recycling and financial remuneration for submission of an electronic device such as a mobile phone is disclosed herein. The recycling kiosk includes electrical connectors and an inspection area with an upper chamber, a lower chamber, a transparent plate and at least one camera in order to perform a visual analysis and an electrical analysis of the electronic device for determination of a value of the electronic device. The recycling kiosk also includes a processor and a display for user interaction.

Abstract: A system for processing vehicle speed data is disclosed that includes a plurality of speed data systems operating on one or more electronic devices, each speed data system configured to detect vehicle speeds, to generate vehicle speed data for each vehicle and to transmit the vehicle speed data to a central data processing system. The central data processing system operating on one or more electronic devices and configured to receive the vehicle speed data, to transmit user interface control data to a remote device, and to process the vehicle speed data as a function of user-entered data from the remote device to generate a display that incorporates the processed speed data.

Abstract: A method for making a cylindrical centrifuge basket according to the present disclosure includes pre-perforating a metal sheet to form a perforated metal sheet having perforations aligned along rows extending across a width of the perforated metal sheet. Each row is skewed at a prescribed nonzero skew angle relative to a surface line on the perforated metal sheet, the surface line parallel to an axis of rotation of the cylindrical centrifuge basket. The method further includes roller forming the perforated metal sheet to produce a perforated basket wall sheet, coupling a first edge of the perforated basket wall sheet to a second edge of the perforated basket wall sheet to form a cylindrical basket wall, and coupling a first end of the cylindrical basket wall to a ring, coupling a second end of the cylindrical basket wall to a baseplate, or both to form the cylindrical centrifuge basket.

Abstract: A navigation device provides for autonomous interactions with animals and navigation of the animal environment, such as a poultry barn. The navigation device includes one or more cameras for detecting animals. The navigation device also includes one or more cameras for object detection purposes. The navigation device also includes a camera or a LiDAR for mapping the position and orientation (pose) of the navigation device within the environment. By the object detection and the pose information, the navigation device autonomously travels within the environment. The navigation device also includes a spinner assembly for deterring animals from the path of the navigation device.

Abstract: A packaging system for the packaging of a plurality of canning jars each including a canning container, a lid element, and a retainer element includes a first tray formed by a first wall. The first wall includes a plurality of first container retention structures formed therein with each of the first container retention structures forming an indentation configured to receive a first end portion of one of the canning containers therein. The first wall further includes a plurality of lid retention structures formed therein with each of the lid retention structures configured to threadably engage one of the retainer elements to couple each of the retainer elements to the first tray with a corresponding one of the lid elements disposed between the first tray and one of the retainer elements.

Abstract: A method for making a cylindrical centrifuge basket according to the present disclosure includes pre-perforating a metal sheet to form a perforated metal sheet having perforations aligned along rows extending across a width of the perforated metal sheet. Each row is skewed at a prescribed nonzero skew angle relative to a surface line on the perforated metal sheet, the surface line parallel to an axis of rotation of the cylindrical centrifuge basket. The method further includes roller forming the perforated metal sheet to produce a perforated basket wall sheet, coupling a first edge of the perforated basket wall sheet to a second edge of the perforated basket wall sheet to form a cylindrical basket wall, and coupling a first end of the cylindrical basket wall to a ring, coupling a second end of the cylindrical basket wall to a baseplate, or both to form the cylindrical centrifuge basket.