Abstract: One example method of operation may include identifying a plurality of mobile device telephone numbers associated with a plurality of mobile devices, forwarding the plurality of mobile device telephone numbers to a content delivery device, hashing the plurality of mobile device telephone numbers, storing the hashed plurality of mobile device telephone numbers in the content delivery device, identifying a scheduled call campaign to the plurality of mobile devices, forwarding call content associated with schedule call campaign to the plurality of mobile devices prior to calling the plurality of mobile devices, and responsive to receiving confirmation that the content was successfully forwarded to the plurality of mobile devices, initiating a calling device to begin calling the plurality of mobile devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cassette for determining optimised solid phase extraction (SPE) purification conditions, wherein said cassette comprises: (i) a flowpath comprising a first end and a second end; and (ii) a plurality of valves oriented along said flowpath, wherein each of said plurality of valves is selectively fluidly connected to one of a number of components, wherein said components comprise: (a) 1-5 composition vials; (b) 1-3 SPE cartridges; (c) 4-10 solvent vials; (d) a water vial; and (e) a transfer line.

Abstract: An optical transformer includes a light source and an array of photovoltaic cells optically coupled to the light source, where at least a portion of the photovoltaic cells are connected in series. An optical connector such as a waveguide or an optical fiber may be disposed between an output of the light source and an input of the array of photovoltaic cells. Configured to generate a high voltage output, the optical transformer may be configured to power a device such as an actuator that provides a tunable displacement as a function of voltage.

Abstract: A chute apparatus is comprised of a guide member, an arched member, and a floor member. The guide member guides an object entering the chute apparatus. The arched member receives the object from the guide member and redirects the object toward an exit port of the chute apparatus. The floor member receives the object from the arched member and directs the object toward the exit port of the chute apparatus. It is contemplated that the object may comprise a fruit, such as a berry or the like.

Abstract: A transducer is described that includes a substrate configured to be deposited on a solid object, and a transparent medium coupled to the substrate and configured to oscillate at a pre-selected frequency upon receipt of an electrical excitation or a mechanical excitation and to provide a first acoustic wave. The transducer also includes an actuator configured to receive an electrical power, and to provide the electrical excitation or the mechanical excitation to the transparent medium, wherein at least a portion of the solid object is viewable through the transparent medium, and the first acoustic wave is at least partially transmitted through an interface of the transparent medium. A system and a non-transitory, computer-readable medium storing instructions to cause the system to perform a method to use the transducer for generating acoustic waves in a transparent medium are also disclosed.

Abstract: A computing device is provided, including one or more processing devices, one or more temperature sensors, a fan, and a fan tachometer. The one or more processing devices may be configured to execute an application program. While executing the application program, the one or more processing devices may be further configured to collect performance data including temperature data received from the one or more temperature sensors and fan speed data received from the fan tachometer. The one or more processing devices may be further configured to generate a fan control signal at least in part by applying a machine learning model to the performance data. The one or more processing devices may be further configured to control the fan according to the fan control signal.

Abstract: A wire terminating apparatus and method which allows for determining the quality of a wire termination. The method includes terminating the wire, monitoring the thermal properties of the termination with one or more thermal sensors and comparing the monitored thermal properties to stored thermal properties to determine if the termination is defective. If the termination is defective, the termination is discarded. The apparatus includes a wire termination zone. A thermal sensor is mounted on the wire terminating apparatus proximate the wire termination zone. The thermal sensor monitors the thermal properties of the termination to determine if the termination is defective.

Abstract: One example method of operation may include identifying a call to a mobile device, determining whether the call includes call content data intended for the mobile device, initiating an active session and a time to live (TTL) associated with the call content data, forwarding the call content data to the mobile device when the call includes call content data associated with the caller, and receiving a content confirmation from the mobile device that the call content data was received.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for policy-validated transactions using a centralized or distributed ledger. A request to execute a transaction and a transaction signature is received from a user's computing device. The transaction signature is generated with a private key of the user's computing device. The transaction corresponds to a token associated with the user's computing device and the transaction is subject to a first policy of a set of one or more policies. The transaction signature corresponds to the request to execute the transaction is determined using a public key of the user's computing device. In response to the determination, the token associated with the user's computing device is retrieved from the centralized or distributed ledger. The transaction is executed if the token is associated with the first policy and the token is valid.

Abstract: In a drill bit which has hard-faced cutting or gauge protection elements positioned to be in direct contact with subterranean formation as the bit is rotated, at least one of these elements includes a window positioned to be in direct contact with the formation or cuttings from the formation as the bit rotates and moves forward to drill into the formation. Electromagnetic radiation with wavelength in the range from 100 nm to 2600 nm is transmitted through the window to the formation in contact with the window. Electromagnetic radiation such as fluorescence that returns through the same window is received by a spectrometer. The source and receiver of electromagnetic radiation are both accommodated within the downhole drilling equipment but spaced from the windowed element. The electromagnetic radiation travels along light guides from the source to the window and from the window to the receiver.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for policy-validated transactions using a centralized or distributed ledger. A request to execute a transaction and a transaction signature is received from a user's computing device. The transaction signature is generated with a private key of the user's computing device. The transaction corresponds to a token associated with the user's computing device and the transaction is subject to a first policy of a set of one or more policies. The transaction signature corresponds to the request to execute the transaction is determined using a public key of the user's computing device. In response to the determination, the token associated with the user's computing device is retrieved from the centralized or distributed ledger. The transaction is executed if the token is associated with the first policy and the token is valid.

Abstract: A method of mitigating whirl on a rotating device includes detecting force on a outer surface of the rotating device and switching the rotating device between a rotating mode and a non-rotating mode. In the rotating mode, the outer surface may rotate with an inner sleeve. In the non-rotating mode, the outer surface may be rotationally isolated from the inner sleeve. The rotating device may include a stabilizer with an active or passive system for switching modes. The stabilizer can include an outer collar, an inner sleeve, and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is changeable between a first mode in which the outer collar is rotationally fixed to the inner sleeve and a second mode in which the outer collar is rotationally isolated relative to the inner sleeve. An example passive device may include a magnetic clutch where the detected force overcomes magnetic forces to change mode.

Abstract: A tubular connection includes a first joint of casing having an integral box end with an internal female wedge threaded zone having wedge threads disposed on a portion of the integral box end, and a second joint of casing having an integral pin end with an external male wedge threaded zone having wedge threads disposed on a portion of the integral pin end. The external male wedge threads engage with the internal female wedge threads. The second joint of casing has an internal diameter D1, and also includes an internal annular recess with an internal diameter D2. D2 is greater than D1, and the annular recess is disposed longitudinally along an inner surface of the second joint of casing. The annular recess is positioned radially adjacent to a portion of the external male threads disposed on a lower portion of the pin end.

Abstract: A rotary tool for operation within an underground borehole or within tubing in a borehole has a tool body and at least one sensor-containing unit attached to the tool body and positioned to contact the conduit wall. The sensor-containing unit includes an exterior portion to contact the borehole or tubing wall and one or more sensors is located in a cavity between the exterior portion and the tool body. The sensor-containing unit may be formed from the exterior portion, an attachment portion for attachment to the tool body, and one or more connecting portions extending between the attachment and exterior portions, with the sensor-containing cavity between the attachment and exterior portions. Possible rotary tools include drill bits, reamers, mills, stabilizers, and rotary steerable systems.

Abstract: A method of forming a high voltage optical transformer includes forming a via through a transparent carrier wafer, forming a conductive layer within the via, bonding a solid state lighting (SSL) package to a first side of the carrier wafer, and bonding a photovoltaic (PV) wafer to a second side of the carrier wafer opposite to the first side. The photovoltaic wafer may include an active area and a conductive area located outside of the active area that is in electrical contact with the conductive layer. The method further includes forming both an SSL contact with the solid state lighting package and a PV contact with the conductive layer on the same side of the carrier wafer.

Abstract: An electrical indicator includes an interface unit receiving an electrical value to be displayed and a display unit displaying the electrical value. The display unit has a reflective display device with a scale and a pointer. The pointer is formed by selectively controllable light reflecting areas of an electronic ink layer.

Abstract: A tire tread includes a plurality of circumferential grooves, each of the plurality extending continuously in a tire circumferential direction. The plurality of circumferential grooves define a circumferentially extending shoulder rib. The shoulder rib has a plurality of shoulder elements. Each shoulder element is defined by two lateral shoulder grooves. Each shoulder element has an axially outer shoulder element and a corresponding axially adjacent and axially inner shoulder element separated by a circumferential groove. The axially outer shoulder elements each have a pair of angled outer lateral S-shaped blind grooves extending axially away from the inner shoulder elements.

Abstract: A device includes a light source to emit light and a light detector to receive the light emitted by the light source. The device may include a high voltage optical transformer and may be configured such that the light detector is laterally spaced away from the light source. In some architectures, the light source and the light detector may be arranged in a common plane. A photonic integrated circuit may be used to couple light emitted from the light source to the light detector.

Abstract: An example component of a machine includes a core layer and an outer layer encasing the core layer. The outer layer has a greater carbon concentration and hardness than the core layer. The outer layer may also be compressively stressed, while the core layer may have tensile stress. The stress and/or hardness profile of the component may enhance its resistance to cracking, particularly in applications where the component is impacted by other object and/or operates at elevated temperatures. The component, such as parts of a fuel injector, may be formed by rough forming the component, carburizing the component, quenching the component, subzero processing the component, and then performing a tempering process. The components may have relatively sharp transition from the high carbon outer layer to the lower carbon core layer. Additionally, the components have a relatively high tempering resistance when used in relatively high temperature environments.

Abstract: A transducer is described that includes a substrate configured to be deposited on a solid object, and a transparent medium coupled to the substrate and configured to oscillate at a pre-selected frequency upon receipt of an electrical excitation or a mechanical excitation and to provide a first acoustic wave. The transducer also includes an actuator configured to receive an electrical power, and to provide the electrical excitation or the mechanical excitation to the transparent medium, wherein at least a portion of the solid object is viewable through the transparent medium, and the first acoustic wave is at least partially transmitted through an interface of the transparent medium. A system and a non-transitory, computer-readable medium storing instructions to cause the system to perform a method to use the transducer for generating acoustic waves in a transparent medium are also disclosed.