Abstract: Computer vision and image characteristic search is described. The described system leverages visual search techniques by determining visual characteristics of objects depicted in images and comparing the determined characteristics to visual characteristics of other images, e.g., to identify similar visual characteristics in the other images. In some aspects, the described system performs searches that leverage a digital image as part of a search query to locate digital content of interest. In some aspects, the described system surfaces multiple user interface instrumentalities that include images of patterns, textures, or materials and that are selectable to initiate a visual search of digital content having a similar pattern, texture, or material. The described aspects also include pattern-based authentication in which the system determines authenticity of an item in an image based on a similarity of its visual characteristics to visual characteristics of known authentic items.

Abstract: Computer vision and image characteristic search is described. The described system leverages visual search techniques by determining visual characteristics of objects depicted in images and comparing the determined characteristics to visual characteristics of other images, e.g., to identify similar visual characteristics in the other images. In some aspects, the described system performs searches that leverage a digital image as part of a search query to locate digital content of interest. In some aspects, the described system surfaces multiple user interface instrumentalities that include images of patterns, textures, or materials and that are selectable to initiate a visual search of digital content having a similar pattern, texture, or material. The described aspects also include pattern-based authentication in which the system determines authenticity of an item in an image based on a similarity of its visual characteristics to visual characteristics of known authentic items.

Abstract: A transmitter assembly is useful in optimizing in the delivery of wireless power to a plurality of receivers. Each receiver measures its own battery need for power and transmits that measurement as a request to the transmitter. The transmitter is configured to normalize and compare battery need requests. The transmitter then allocates pulses of wireless power among the requesting receivers according to their battery need.

Abstract: Examples are disclosed that relate to watercraft with retractable drive mechanisms. One example provides a watercraft including a hull having a receiving compartment, and also having a deck. The watercraft also includes a drive unit extending through the deck and the hull of the watercraft and being configured to receive rotational input. The drive unit includes a driveshaft and propeller moveable between an extended position in which the propeller is positioned underneath the hull and a retracted position in which the propeller is positioned at least partially within the receiving compartment.

Abstract: A water sensing assembly includes: a valve box securely mountable on an underground water pipe; a sensor mounted inside the valve box, the sensor configured to sense a property of water within the underground water pipe; a top section connected to the valve box; and an electrical communication device mounted at a top portion of the adjustable top section such that the electrical communication device is positioned at or near the surface of the ground.

Abstract: Systems and methods of measuring properties of water in a water distribution system are provided. An analysis system, according to one embodiment, comprises a plurality of water sensors connected at various points to the water distribution system, each of the plurality of water sensors configured to measure a property of water. The analysis system also includes a computer server configured to communicate with the plurality of water sensors via a network and receive water measurement data from the plurality of water sensors. The computer server comprises a processor, a database configured to store the water measurement data, and a system health monitoring module configured to evaluate the health of the water distribution system to obtain health data. The analysis system further includes at least one client device configured to communicate with the computer server via the network and receive the health data from the computer server.

Abstract: A force damping dental bridge assembly which damps compressive, tensile, and lateral forces on a prosthetic tooth and jawbone through use of synthetic periodontal ligament fibers in the form of a damping membrane. Multiple layers of arcuate components and Morse taper interconnections secure the assembly. A threaded implant that penetrates the jawbone defining a tapered, conical inner cavity which receives a shank protruding downwardly from a full bar. An arcuate damping membrane positions on the bar and a half-bar positions over the membrane; whereby the damping membrane is sufficiently resilient to enable lateral and axial movements by the prostheses affixed to the half-bar.

Abstract: A Morse taper dental implant providing two or more Morse taper interactions to secure a dental abutment within an implant and beneath a prosthesis. The implant (or anchor) penetrates the jawbone. The abutment having a conical male Morse taper component positions within a female socket forming part of a prosthesis. The abutment comprises an abutment platform from which a conical male Morse taper component extends for creating a second Morse taper interaction with a female socket. At least one aperture forms in the female socket to enable an implement to pass through for engaging the abutment, so as to release the Morse taper interaction(s).

Abstract: A method of damping compressive, tensile, and lateral compressive and tensile forces on one or more prosthetic teeth and an implant recessed into jawbone through use of synthetic periodontal ligament fibers in the form of a damping membrane within a dental bridge assembly. An arcuate damping membrane positions on a full bar and a half-bar positions over the membrane; whereby the damping membrane is sufficiently resilient to enable lateral and axial movements by the prostheses affixed to the half-bar.

Abstract: Systems and methods of measuring properties of water in a water distribution system are provided. An analysis system, according to one embodiment, comprises a plurality of water sensors connected at various points to the water distribution system, each of the plurality of water sensors configured to measure a property of water. The analysis system also includes a computer server configured to communicate with the plurality of water sensors via a network and receive water measurement data from the plurality of water sensors. The computer server comprises a processor, a database configured to store the water measurement data, and a system health monitoring module configured to evaluate the health of the water distribution system to obtain health data. The analysis system further includes at least one client device configured to communicate with the computer server via the network and receive the health data from the computer server.

Abstract: Systems and methods of measuring properties of water in a water distribution system are provided. An analysis system, according to one embodiment, comprises a plurality of water sensors connected at various points to the water distribution system, each of the plurality of water sensors configured to measure a property of water. The analysis system also includes a computer server configured to communicate with the plurality of water sensors via a network and receive water measurement data from the plurality of water sensors. The computer server comprises a processor, a database configured to store the water measurement data, and a system health monitoring module configured to evaluate the health of the water distribution system to obtain health data. The analysis system further includes at least one client device configured to communicate with the computer server via the network and receive the health data from the computer server.

Abstract: Systems and methods of measuring properties of water in a water distribution system are provided. An analysis system, according to one embodiment, comprises a plurality of water sensors connected at various points to the water distribution system, each of the plurality of water sensors configured to measure a property of water. The analysis system also includes a computer server configured to communicate with the plurality of water sensors via a network and receive water measurement data from the plurality of water sensors. The computer server comprises a processor, a database configured to store the water measurement data, and a system health monitoring module configured to evaluate the health of the water distribution system to obtain health data. The analysis system further includes at least one client device configured to communicate with the computer server via the network and receive the health data from the computer server.

Abstract: A head restraint may include a support structure with an opening, adjustable flexible elongated members, and an adjustment mechanism. The elongated members may be attached to the support structure, may span the opening in the support structure, and may be configured to support a user's head. The adjustment mechanism may be configured to at least one of automatically and/or manually adjust tension of at least portions of the elongated members spanning the opening.

Abstract: A system for managing and updating an internal product catalog, including an internal product catalog database, at least one external product catalog database, and an application program interface. The internal product catalog database includes a plurality of existing item files in which each existing item file is associated with a product and includes at least one attribute of the product. The at least one external product catalog database includes a plurality of external item files in which each external item file is associated with a product and includes at least one attribute of the product. The application program interface is communicatively coupled with the internal product catalog database and the at least one external product catalog database. The application program interface is configured to accept a user search request to search for a new product in which the user search request includes at least one attribute of the new product.

Abstract: Systems and methods of measuring properties of water in a water distribution system are provided. An analysis system, according to one embodiment, comprises a plurality of water sensors connected at various points to the water distribution system, each of the plurality of water sensors configured to measure a property of water. The analysis system also includes a computer server configured to communicate with the plurality of water sensors via a network and receive water measurement data from the plurality of water sensors. The computer server comprises a processor, a database configured to store the water measurement data, and a system health monitoring module configured to evaluate the health of the water distribution system to obtain health data. The analysis system further includes at least one client device configured to communicate with the computer server via the network and receive the health data from the computer server.

Abstract: A gate valve includes a body, a stem, and a sensing bore. A subassembly includes a body, the body defining a sensing bore; and at least one of a vein and a plug in the sensing bore. A method of sensing an aspect of a water control system includes gaining access to the water control system through an access bore in a gate valve; at least temporarily removing water for testing from the access bore; and sensing an aspect of the removed water.

Abstract: A device for indicating the status of a valve includes a position indicator, wherein the position indicator includes a monitoring element, and a communication element. A method for indicating the status of at least one valve includes monitoring positions of a device enclosed by a first valve with a position indicator and communicating the positions of the device enclosed by the first valve with a communications element.

Abstract: Examples are disclosed that relate to watercraft with retractable drive mechanisms. One example provides a watercraft including a hull having a receiving compartment, and also having a deck. The watercraft also includes a drive unit extending through the deck and the hull of the watercraft and being configured to receive rotational input. The drive unit includes a driveshaft and propeller moveable between an extended position in which the propeller is positioned underneath the hull and a retracted position in which the propeller is positioned at least partially within the receiving compartment.

Abstract: A head restraint may include a support structure with an opening, adjustable flexible elongated members, and an adjustment mechanism. The elongated members may be attached to the support structure, may span the opening in the support structure, and may be configured to support a user's head. The adjustment mechanism may be configured to at least one of automatically and/or manually adjust tension of at least portions of the elongated members spanning the opening.

Abstract: Examples are disclosed that relate to watercraft with retractable drive mechanisms. One example provides a watercraft including a hull having a receiving compartment, and also having a deck. The watercraft also includes a drive unit extending through the deck and the hull of the watercraft and being configured to receive rotational input. The drive unit includes a driveshaft and propeller moveable between an extended position in which the propeller is positioned underneath the hull and a retracted position in which the propeller is positioned at least partially within the receiving compartment.