Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes receiving audio input by a microphone of an access control device that controls access through a passageway, processing an audio signal associated with the audio input to identify and authenticate a user, determining a command corresponding with the audio signal in response to identification and authentication of the user, and performing at least one action that corresponds with the command.

Abstract: A method and device for detecting leaks of a containment barrier. The method may comprise placing the barrier in contact with one or more volumes of fluid such that the one or more volumes of fluid is in contact with a first surface and a second surface of the containment barrier, then placing a first electrode in contact with a first volume of fluid within in a first area defined by the first surface of the containment barrier. The method may then comprise placing a second electrode in contact with a second volume of fluid in a second area defined by the second surface of the containment barrier, measuring electrical conductivity between the first and second electrodes; and determining a presence of a leak in the containment barrier based on a calculation using properties of the one or more volumes of fluid, the containment barrier, and the measured electrical conductivity.

Abstract: A nanostructured article includes a substrate; a plurality of first nanostructures disposed on, and extending away from, the substrate; and a covalently crosslinked fluorinated polymeric layer disposed on the plurality of first nanostructures. The plurality of first nanostructures includes polyurethane. The polymeric layer at least partially fills spaces between the first nanostructures to an average minimum height above the substrate of at least 30 nm such that the polymeric layer has a nanostructured surface defined by, and facing away from, the plurality of first nanostructures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polarization filter for ophthalmic lenses. The polarization filter comprises a mesogen layer coated onto a retardation film, either directly or through an adhesive layer. The present invention further discloses that the polarization filter formed by employing a thin film or sheet, having a defined level of retardation between the light source and the mesogen layer, for example, a cholesteric mesogen layer, the multilayered laminate structure demonstrates linear polarization of the light transmitted through the mesogen laminate structure, and, hence, can be used in ophthalmic lenses, e.g. spectacle or eyeglass lenses. The polarization filter enhances the performance by allowing transmission of the polarization filter closer to the theoretical maximum transmission.

Abstract: A beverage preparation machine having an inlet arrangement and a gasket arrangement is provided, where the inlet arrangement is configured with a plurality of inlet ports to deliver liquid to a beverage cartridge. The gasket arrangement may include a plurality of openings, wherein each of the plurality of inlet ports is received within one of the plurality of openings. The gasket arrangement may be integrally formed and may include one or more ribs disposed about each of the plurality of openings. A perimeter rib may extend along a perimeter of the gasket arrangement.

Abstract: A system may include a datacenter supervisory control system (SCS). A system may include at least one datacenter sensor in data communication with the SCS to communicate a datacenter state variable to the SCS. A system may include at least one environmental sensor in data communication with the SCS to communicate an environmental state variable to the SCS. A system may include a water aware controller in data communication with the SCS, wherein the water aware controller includes a predictor that receives a datacenter state input based on the datacenter state variable, the environmental state input based on the environmental state variable, and at least one user objective function, and the water aware controller transmits a selected action to the SCS to meet a setpoint based on the datacenter state input and the environmental state input.

Abstract: Systems, computer program products, and methods are described herein for analyzing micro-anomalies in anonymized electronic data. The present disclosure is configured to import or retrieve a first data set, process the first data set to develop at least one event-outcome projection, define an outcome projection data set, import or receive a monitored user data set, anonymize the monitored user data set, define an avatar data set process the avatar data set, wherein the steps of import or receive a monitored user data set, anonymize the monitored user data set, and define an avatar data set are repeated one or more times.

Abstract: An inlet arrangement of a beverage forming apparatus is provided, where the inlet arrangement is configured to deliver liquid to a beverage cartridge. The inlet arrangement includes a central inlet port and a plurality of inlet ports arranged around the central inlet port. The beverage forming apparatus has the ability to implement different dispensing operations in which dispensing occurs through selectable subsets of the inlet ports. A gasket arrangement may be used with the inlet arrangement.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for leveraging a virtual distributed trustless database using access-enabling codes. The computations use private codes. Each computation includes the information from all previous computations so that a chain of computations is maintained and controlled. A central system insures that dual computations do not occur.

Abstract: A visualization system for a planter row unit having closing and furrow opening disks. The visualization system includes a structured light unit and a camera mounted between the closing wheels and the furrow opening disks. The structured light unit is operable to project a patterned light on a trench in a ground surface formed by the planter row unit, and the camera is operable to record a field of view that includes the patterned light on the trench to determine and measure a three-dimensional trench measurement. The camera captures the 2D image of the trench with the projected patterned light. Optionally, the visualization system includes a general illumination light to illuminate the visual characteristics of the trench. The visualization system can determine the depth of the actual trench, the commodity depth of the commodity in the actual trench, and the 3D actual trench profile.

Abstract: A method of detecting and warning an operator of an off-road vehicle of objects in limited-visibility environments. The method includes: detecting a potentially-hazardous object within the vicinity of the vehicle, using a sensor of the vehicle; transmitting data relating to the potentially-hazardous object to a vehicle processor; determining whether the potentially-hazardous object is in a projected path of the vehicle or in a proximity zone of the vehicle; and alerting the operator of the vehicle to the presence and location of the potentially-hazardous object when the potentially-hazardous object is in the projected path of the vehicle or in the proximity zone of the vehicle.

Abstract: A ladder having a plane having a periphery. The plane having a body opening to receive a body of an impact driver and a trigger recess extending from the body opening to receive a trigger of the impact driver. The body opening conforming to a shape of the body and the trigger recess conforming to the shape of the trigger. The body opening and the trigger recess holding the impact driver when the impact driver is placed on the top. A ladder top. A method for using an impact driver with a ladder.

Abstract: A method for engaging and disengaging a surgical instrument of a surgical robotic system including receiving a sequence of user inputs from one or more user interface devices of the surgical robotic system; determining, by one or more processors communicatively coupled to the user interface devices and the surgical instrument, whether the sequence of user inputs indicates an intentional engagement or disengagement of a teleoperation mode in which the surgical instrument is controlled by user inputs received from the user interface devices; in response to determining of engagement, transition the surgical robotic system into the teleoperation mode; and in response to determining of disengagement, transition the surgical robotic system out of the teleoperation mode such that the user interface devices are prevented from controlling the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A non-spill drinking container assembly having a container with an open upper portion and closed lower portion. A collar may be removably attached to the upper portion of the container and may have an upper surface with a contour. A seal may be removably attached to the collar and cover the contour of the upper surface of the collar.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for manufacturing a joint. The method may include depositing a first plurality of paths within a first layer. Each of the first plurality of paths may have a center portion, a first portion extending away from the center portion to at least partially form a first branch, and a second portion integral extending away from the center portion opposite the first portion to at least partially form a second branch. The method may further include depositing a second plurality of paths primarily within the first layer. Each of the second plurality of paths may have a center portion, and a first portion extending away from the center portion to at least partially form a third branch of the joint. The second plurality of paths may cross over and be bonded to the first plurality of paths to form spaced-apart bumps that extend into a second layer.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for manufacturing a joint. The method may include depositing a first path of composite material within a first layer at the joint. The first path may have a center at a center of the joint, a first portion integral with the center portion and extending away from the center portion, and a second portion integral with the center and extending away from the center portion. The method may further include depositing a second path of composite material within the first layer at the joint. The second path may have a center at the center of the joint, and a first portion integral with the center of the second path and extending away from the center of the second path. The center portion of the second path may be parallel with, abut and be bonded to the center portion of the first path.

Abstract: A stand-alone modular removable rudder system for watercraft having a rudder comprising a steering handle coupled to a quick release mechanism adapted to releasably secure said steering handle to said watercraft in proximity to the operator, said system further comprising, a rudder mount adapted to be coupled to the rear of the watercraft by a quick release mechanism adapted to releasably secure said rudder mount to said watercraft, said rudder being carried by a rudder support pivotal about said rudder mount and cables operatively connecting said steering handle to said rudder mount whereby the steering handle can be operated to steer the rudder.

Abstract: A container lid is provided herein having structurally reinforcing ribs therein. The ribs increase the strength of the lid across a central region thereof. Specifically, the lid can have an outer perimeter and the ribs can be spaced inwardly from the outer perimeter. The inwardly spaced ribs can provide a distinct look for consumer differentiation. Additionally, the ribs can be arcuate so that they generally follow a curvature of the outer perimeter of the lid. As such, a label region within the lid central region is preserved, while the lid is still strengthened by the ribs.

Abstract: Antibody molecule-drug conjugates (ADCs) that specifically bind to lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are disclosed. The antibody molecule-drug conjugates can be used to treat, prevent, and/or diagnose bacterial infections and related disorders.