Abstract: A method of inverting workpieces in a mass production process includes: advancing an end effector in electronic synchronization with advancement of a carrier to synchronize arrival of the carrier at a stop position with arrival of the end effector at an unloading position, in which the end effector is in alignment with a workpiece held by the carrier for engaging the workpiece; while the end effector is in engagement with the workpiece, retracting the end effector away from the carrier to unload the workpiece from the carrier and advancing the end effector back toward the carrier to load the workpiece back into the carrier; and rotating the end effector relative to the carrier to invert the workpiece in electronic synchronization with the retracting and advancing of the end effector for loading the workpiece back into the carrier when inverted.

Abstract: Systems and methods of flow testing different workpieces in an automated testing station are described. Each workpiece comprises a flow path from an inlet to an outlet and the automated testing station comprises first and second sealing heads for injecting gas into the inlets of workpieces and collecting gas from the outlets of workpieces. The method includes performing a flow test by moving the flow test heads toward the workpieces while at the same time priming a flow of gas from the first sealing heads to the second sealing heads, prior to engaging the workpiece.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for mass producing different products in an automated production station having a plurality of part-processing devices. An example method includes identifying a workpiece received in the production station; selecting control parameters associated with the identified workpiece; electronically synchronizing the part-processing devices based on the selected control parameters to perform coordinated operations on the workpiece for producing one of the different products; and automatically repeating the identifying, selecting, and synchronizing steps for different workpieces received in the production station to produce a plurality of different products in a continuous mass production process.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing hardware approximation of function are provided. In one example, a system comprises a controller, configurable arithmetic circuits, and a mapping table. The mapping table stores a first set of function parameters in a first mode of operation and stores a second set of function parameters in a second mode of operation. Depending on the mode of operation, the controller may configure the arithmetic circuits to compute a first approximation result of a function at an input value based on the first set of function parameters, or to compute a second approximation result of the function at the input value based on the second set of function parameters and to perform post-processing, such as quantization, of the second approximation result.

Abstract: There is a damper wedge for a railroad car truck. It has a removable and replaceable friction element that reciprocates on the wear plate of the side frame column of the railroad car truck. It has a non-metallic wear surface; a spring seat that, in use, engages a spring of the railroad car truck; and an inclined damper wedge surface having a primary angle, alpha, and a secondary angle, beta. The inclined damper wedge surface has a curvature. The curvature has a working point. The working point is located in a central region of a contact patch, or working surface patch. The nonmetallic wear surface material is mounted to a carrier that mounts removably to the damper wedge body. The carrier has fingers that span the wedge and that transfer shear and resist torsion, the fingers preventing the non-metallic member from migrating out of position.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing hardware computations of mathematical functions are provided. In one example, a system comprises a mapping table that maps each base value of a plurality of base values to parameters related to a mathematical function; a selection module configured to select, based on an input value, a first base value and first parameters mapped to the first base value in the mapping table; and arithmetic circuits configured to: receive, from the mapping table, the first base value and the first plurality of parameters; and compute, based on a relationship between the input value and the first base value, and based on the first parameters, an estimated output value of the mathematical function for the input value.

Abstract: A universal mounting panel for a motorcycle saddlebag is an apparatus that serves as a universal mounting system for motorcycles. The apparatus includes an adapter plate and at least one bracket. The adapter plate positions and connects the at least one bracket. The at least one bracket mounts a desired accessory within the saddlebag. The adapter plate includes an elongated plate body, a main hole, a plurality of first mounting holes, at least one left slot, and at least one right slot. The elongated plate body upholds the at least one bracket. The main hole allows a twist lock to fasten the elongated plate body with the saddlebag. The plurality of first mounting holes secures the position of the at least one bracket along the elongated plate body. The at least one left slot and the at least one right slot allows the at least one bracket to be angled.

Abstract: There is provided a device, system, and method for flexible feeding capable of being integrated into an assembly system. The device includes a disperser, a part retainer, a vibrator, an excess part removal device, a pick-and-placer, carriers, a transporter, a carrier inspection disc, a part remover, a gate, a transfer station, and re-entry tracks. The method includes dispersing parts, agitating parts, removing excess parts, picking captured parts, placing the captured parts into carriers, inspecting the carriers, positioning the carriers at a transfer station, and transferring the parts to a downstream processor. The system includes a flexible feeding device configured to perform flexible feeding operations, a data processor, and a medium having machine-readable instructions executable by the data processor and configured to cause the data processor to generate signals useful in the synchronization of two or more flexible feeding operations.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and media for presenting advertisements relevant to nearby users on a public display device are provided. In some implementations, a method for presenting content on a public display device, the method comprising: receiving location information associated with mobile devices that is indicative of a position of the mobile device relative to a display device associated with a retail outlet; receiving interests associated with the mobile devices; identifying a plurality of advertising sources associated with the display device, including a retailer associated with the retail outlet; determining a topic based on the received interests and the location information associated with the mobile devices; determining that the topic is related an advertisement associated with the retailer; causing the advertisement associated with the retailer to be selected based on the topic; and causing the selected advertisement to be presented by the display device.

Abstract: A filtered cigarette possesses at least one breakable capsule in its filter element. The filter element can possess a central cavity extending from the cigarette tobacco rod towards the middle of the filter element. The central cavity may be defined by an inner filter portion. The inner filter portion can be surrounded by an outer filter portion comprised of filter tow material that is generally permeable to the smoke generated by the cigarette. At least one breakable capsule is disposed in the central cavity of the filter element. The breakable capsules are spherical in shape, and are composed of a gelatin outer shell that encloses a payload of triglycerides and flavoring agents. The breakable capsules are adapted to rupture in response to pressure applied by the smoker to the outside region of the filter element.

Abstract: A fire protection system is provided for a space having a pitched roof constructed of structural members extending from a ridgeline to an eave, with respective channels therebetween. A first row of sprinklers is mounted to a first branch line extending generally parallel to the ridgeline. Each sprinkler is positioned within a respective channel, with consecutive sprinklers spaced apart having no less than one, and no more than five, channels therebetween. A second row of sprinklers, downslope from the first row, is mounted to a second branch line extending generally parallel to the first branch line. Each sprinkler thereof is positioned within a respective channel, with consecutive second row sprinklers spaced apart as in the first row. Each second row sprinkler is also placed within a different channel from each first row sprinkler. A farthest number of channels between a first row sprinkler and a second row sprinkler is three.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and media for presenting advertisements relevant to nearby users on a public display device are provided. In some implementations, a method for presenting content on a public display device, the method comprising: receiving location information associated with mobile devices that is indicative of a position of the mobile device relative to a display device associated with a retail outlet; receiving interests associated with the mobile devices; identifying a plurality of advertising sources associated with the display device, including a retailer associated with the retail outlet; determining a topic based on the received interests and the location information associated with the mobile devices; determining that the topic is related an advertisement associated with the retailer; causing the advertisement associated with the retailer to be selected based on the topic; and causing the selected advertisement to be presented by the display device.

Abstract: A railroad freight car has an underframe that includes a center sill and lateral cross-members such as bolsters, cross-bearers and cross-ties. Side sills run along the edges of the car. A floor sheet is welded to the center sill and side sills and above the cross-members. Floor stringers are welded to the top side of the floor sheet. A surface covering is mounted on top of the stringers. Thermal insulation may be installed between the surface covering and the floor sheets.

Abstract: A container system includes several carry items or containers for carrying items, the carry items or containers each have a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The carry items or containers include magnetic coupling elements on at least one side to magnetically couple to another one of the carry items or containers. The magnetic coupling elements can be arranged so that a specific orientation of the carry items or containers can be enforced by there not being a magnetic attraction when the items are not properly oriented and aligned.

Abstract: A filtered cigarette possesses at least one breakable capsule in its filter element. The filter element can possess a central cavity extending from the cigarette tobacco rod towards the middle of the filter element. The central cavity may be defined by an inner filter portion. The inner filter portion can be surrounded by an outer filter portion comprised of filter tow material that is generally permeable to the smoke generated by the cigarette. At least one breakable capsule is disposed in the central cavity of the filter element. The breakable capsules are spherical in shape, and are composed of a gelatin outer shell that encloses a payload of triglycerides and flavoring agents. The breakable capsules are adapted to rupture in response to pressure applied by the smoker to the outside region of the filter element.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for examining the integrity of a structure having a visually repetitive pattern such as a fence, includes an imaging system having a light source and an optical element to produce a narrow substantially vertical light beam, and a photodetector to receive reflected light. The light beam is directed at the structure while moving laterally, producing a planar image of the structure which is continually refreshed. The system processes the images and identifies an anomalous feature from an anomaly in the repetitive pattern.

Abstract: A reconfigurable processing circuit and system are provided. The system allows a user to program machine-level instructions in order to reconfigure the way the circuit behaves, including by adding new operations. The system can include a profile access content-addressable memory (CAM) configured to receive an execution step value from a step counter. The execution step value can be incremented and/or reset by a step management logic. The profile access CAM can select an entry of a profile table based on an opcode and the execution step value, and the processing engine can execute microcode based on the selected entry of the profile table. The profile access CAM can translate the opcode to an internal short instruction identifier in order to select the entry of the profile table. The system can further include an instruction decoding module configured to merge multiple instruction fields into a single effective instruction field.

Abstract: A polymer melt candle filter having a support which comprises a hollow cylindrical body defined by a first end, a second end, and a cylinder wall having a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion includes a screw thread on its outside surface and optionally a hex fitting on its inside surface for receiving a hex wrench. The second end portion includes a plurality of holes in the cylinder wall. The area of the openings of the holes on the outside surface of the cylinder wall may be larger than the area of the openings of the corresponding holes on the inside surface of the cylinder wall. The shape of the openings of the holes on the outside surface may be non-circular.

Abstract: A gondola car has a door and an associated door frame the end. The door hangs hingedly from the header of the frame. The header runs across the top of the door opening and is connected to the top chords at either side. The door posts are positioned inside the side sheets and tie into the header at each upper corner. The side sheets lap onto the door posts to allow longitudinal adjustment of the side assemblies and the door frame relative to each other, at assembly. The side posts are connected to the header with a tie plate that is bolted to both members. The car may also have a tarp dome at each end. The tarp dome has non-welded connections that have play to permit the tarp dome to accommodate movement of the top chords.

Abstract: A container system includes several carry items or containers for carrying items. The carry items or containers each have a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The carry items or containers include magnetic coupling elements on at least one side to magnetically couple to another one of the carry items or containers. The magnetic coupling elements can be arranged so that a specific orientation of the carry items or containers can be enforced by there not being a magnetic attraction when the items are not properly oriented and aligned.