Abstract: A home automation (HA) system may include addressable HA devices each having a respective HA device signature associated therewith and each wirelessly communicating using respective different wireless communications protocols from among different wireless communications protocols. The HA system may also include a controller and a memory coupled thereto. The memory may store HA device signatures for paired and unpaired ones of the addressable HA devices. The controller may poll the addressable HA devices, determine an unpaired addressable HA device based upon the polling, and compare the associated HA device signature of the unpaired addressable HA device with the stored HA device signatures. The controller also, when there is a match between the HA device signature of the unpaired addressable HA device and one of the stored HA device signatures, may permit pairing of the unpaired addressable HA device to communicate therewith using the respective wireless communications protocol.

Abstract: A grip pressure measurement device is embedded in a swing object used for sports, such as a golf club or a racquet. Embedding can occur during manufacturing or as an after-market modification. The grip measurement device comprises one or more pressure sensors, a local processor, and a network interface. One embodiment of the pressure sensors measures from two sides, a side of contact with a player's hand and a side of contact with the swinging object.

Abstract: Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for conversion of mercaptans are provided. In one example, an apparatus comprises a vessel that is capable to receive a feed stream that comprises liquid hydrocarbons and the mercaptans. The vessel comprises a catalyst bed section that is capable of contacting the feed stream with a catalyst in the presence of oxygen (O2) and caustic at reaction conditions effective to oxidize the mercaptans and form a caustic-containing, sweetened liquid hydrocarbon-containing stream. A coalescing bed section is capable to coalesce and separate at least a portion of the caustic from the caustic-containing, sweetened liquid hydrocarbon-containing stream for forming a caustic-depleted, sweetened liquid hydrocarbon-containing product stream.

Abstract: An exercise and gait-training apparatus has a framework adapted for location above a surface, a harness adapted to support a person relative to the framework, an orthosis adapted for attachment to a lower leg or foot of one leg of the person, a first pair of actuators that are angled with respect to one another and pivotally connected to the framework and connected on a common pivot axis to the harness, a second pair of actuators that are angled with respect to one another and pivotally connected to the framework and connected on a common pivot axis to the orthosis, and a controller that is adapted to control and to synchronize operation of the actuators such that the leg is moved in an arcing pathway simulating a natural movement of the leg.

Abstract: Techniques and arrangements for allowing modification of transaction flows, user interfaces (UIs), receipt configuration and control of buyer-facing displays associated with transactions between a payment service, a merchant and a buyer are provided. Payment service payment functionality is exposed by the payment service via one or more application programming interfaces (API)s, software development kits (SDKs), or some other web-based communication technique (e.g., a uniform resource locator). The payment service payment functionality exposed by the payment service allows a merchant to customize one or more steps of a transaction between a user and a merchant. A merchant can use the exposed payment service payment functionality to configure and modify the look and feel and/or the steps within a transaction flow. The merchant can also modify a receipt to include other information from the information that is included in a default receipt.

Abstract: Techniques and arrangements for allowing modification of transaction flows, user interfaces (UIs), receipt configuration and control of buyer-facing displays associated with transactions between a payment service, a merchant and a buyer are provided. Payment service payment functionality is exposed by the payment service via one or more application programming interfaces (API)s, software development kits (SDKs), or some other web-based communication technique (e.g., a uniform resource locator). The payment service payment functionality exposed by the payment service allows a merchant to customize one or more steps of a transaction between a user and a merchant. A merchant can use the exposed payment service payment functionality to configure and modify the look and feel and/or the steps within a transaction flow. The merchant can also modify a receipt to include other information from the information that is included in a default receipt.

Abstract: Techniques and arrangements for allowing modification of transaction flows, user interfaces (UIs), receipt configuration and control of buyer-facing displays associated with transactions between a payment service, a merchant and a buyer are provided. Payment service payment functionality is exposed by the payment service via one or more application programming interfaces (API)s, software development kits (SDKs), or some other web-based communication technique (e.g., a uniform resource locator). The payment service payment functionality exposed by the payment service allows a merchant to customize one or more steps of a transaction between a user and a merchant. A merchant can use the exposed payment service payment functionality to configure and modify the look and feel and/or the steps within a transaction flow. The merchant can also modify a receipt to include other information from the information that is included in a default receipt.

Abstract: Techniques and arrangements for allowing modification of transaction flows, user interfaces (UIs), receipt configuration and control of buyer-facing displays associated with transactions between a payment service, a merchant and a buyer are provided. Payment service payment functionality is exposed by the payment service via one or more application programming interfaces (API)s, software development kits (SDKs), or some other web-based communication technique (e.g., a uniform resource locator). The payment service payment functionality exposed by the payment service allows a merchant to customize one or more steps of a transaction between a user and a merchant. A merchant can use the exposed payment service payment functionality to configure and modify the look and feel and/or the steps within a transaction flow. The merchant can also modify a receipt to include other information from the information that is included in a default receipt.

Abstract: Techniques and arrangements for allowing modification of transaction flows, user interfaces (UIs), receipt configuration and control of buyer-facing displays associated with transactions between a payment service, a merchant and a buyer are provided. Payment service payment functionality is exposed by the payment service via one or more application programming interfaces (API)s, software development kits (SDKs), or some other web-based communication technique (e.g., a uniform resource locator). The payment service payment functionality exposed by the payment service allows a merchant to customize one or more steps of a transaction between a user and a merchant. A merchant can use the exposed payment service payment functionality to configure and modify the look and feel and/or the steps within a transaction flow. The merchant can also modify a receipt to include other information from the information that is included in a default receipt.

Abstract: An off-board battery charger for a vehicle may include a high-voltage connector having first, second and power supply connector ports. The first connector port connects to a vehicle controller via a first cable. The second connector port connects to a vehicle battery via a second cable. And, the power supply connector port is electrically connected with the second port and receives power via a power supply cable from a separate and external power supply.

Abstract: A home automation (HA) system may include addressable HA devices each having a respective HA device signature associated therewith and each wirelessly communicating using respective different wireless communications protocols from among different wireless communications protocols. The HA system may also include a controller and a memory coupled thereto. The memory may store HA device signatures for paired and unpaired ones of the addressable HA devices. The controller may poll the addressable HA devices, determine an unpaired addressable HA device based upon the polling, and compare the associated HA device signature of the unpaired addressable HA device with the stored HA device signatures. The controller also, when there is a match between the HA device signature of the unpaired addressable HA device and one of the stored HA device signatures, may permit pairing of the unpaired addressable HA device to communicate therewith using the respective wireless communications protocol.

Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle includes an internal combustion engine, a traction battery, and a hybrid electric powertrain including an electric motor powered by the traction battery and an electric generator coupled to the internal combustion engine and the traction battery. A control method includes determining minimum and maximum engine power limits based on desired wheel torque and traction battery charge and discharge power limits. A generator torque command is calculated to track engine speed to the desired engine speed. The generator torque command is limited based on the minimum and maximum engine power limits to limit engine power transmitted to the powertrain.

Abstract: A home automation (HA) system may include addressable HA devices that are not publicly accessible via the Internet and a remote user device configured to generate a connection request to communicate with a given addressable HA device. The HA system may also include a cloud server configured to cooperate with the remote user device to generate a connection file based upon the connection request, and store the connection file so that the connection file is publicly accessible via the Internet. The connection file may include instructions for establishing an encrypted connection to the given addressable HA device. The given addressable HA device may be configured to retrieve the connection file and establish the encrypted connection with the remote user device via the cloud server.

Abstract: An Internet of things (IoT) controller may execute a first IoT application, associated with operating an IoT device, and a second IoT application associated with operating the IoT device. The IoT controller may load an IoT application program interface (API) associated with the first IoT application and the second IoT application, and may identify a first set of functions including a first function, associated with the first IoT application, and a second function associated with the second IoT application. The IoT controller may translate, based on the IoT API, the first set of functions to a second set of functions including a third function, associated with the first IoT application, and a fourth function associated with the second IoT application. The IoT controller may cause the IoT device to operate, based on the second set of functions, during the execution of the first IoT application and the second IoT application.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a hybrid powertrain. The hybrid powertrain includes an engine and an electric machine. In response to a loss of controllability of the electric machine, a controller is programmed to operate the powertrain in a limited operating mode. In the limited operating mode, the powertrain is controlled so that a speed of the engine is within a speed range such that the electric machine generates a current to charge a traction battery. In response to a loss of communication with a power inverter that controls the electric machine, the powertrain is controlled so that the speed of the engine is within the speed range and the current flowing to the traction battery is monitored. If the current flow is above a threshold, then the limited operating mode is entered.

Abstract: An off-board battery charger for a vehicle may include a high-voltage connector having first, second and power supply connector ports. The first connector port connects to a vehicle controller via a first cable. The second connector port connects to a vehicle battery via a second cable. And, the power supply connector port is electrically connected with the second port and receives power via a power supply cable from a separate and external power supply.

Abstract: Methods for bioremediation of environmental media contaminated with at least one perchlorate compound. A Pseudomonas consortium of P. putida strain B, P. putida strain E, and P. fluorescens strain G was provided to contaminated water, soil, etc. under conditions to result in bioremediated water, soil, etc. In embodiments, the method is used ex-situ, e.g., in a reactor vessel, or is used in-situ.

Abstract: A composite heat spreader includes a first flexible graphite layer, a second flexible graphite layer, and a gas evolving layer positioned between the first flexible graphite layer and the second flexible graphite layer. The gas evolving layer is temperature sensitive and when a threshold temperature is reached, the thermal conductivity of the gas evolving layer is reduced by at least factor of five.

Abstract: A battery pack includes a plurality of cell assemblies each of which include one or more prismatic batteries. A frame has legs sized and configured to be positioned around the prismatic batteries. At least one leg includes a rear face, curved outer edge and a side face. A thermal transfer sheet is made from a sheet of a compressed mass of exfoliated graphite particles. Each thermal transfer sheet is positioned to contact the major surface of the at least one prismatic battery and is bent over the curved outer edge. At least a portion of each thermal transfer sheet is secured between a heat sink and the side face.