Abstract: Example methods disclosed herein to perform inventory display auditing include comparing a reference image of an inventory display obtained during a prior audit of the inventory display with a current image captured by a camera to determine whether the current image corresponds to the same inventory display as the reference image. Disclosed example methods also include, when the current image is determined to correspond to the same inventory display as the reference image, identifying a difference region in the current image corresponding to a portion of the inventory display that changed relative to the prior audit. Disclosed example methods further include, while the current image is displayed on a display screen, modifying a characteristic of the current image in the difference region to indicate a change in product inventory in the portion of the inventory display.

Abstract: Example headsets and methods for gathering electroencephalographic signals are disclosed herein. An example headset disclosed herein includes a cap to be worn on a head of a person and a first electrode carried by the cap. The first electrode holder defines a first opening therethrough. The example headset includes a first electrode that insertable into the first opening. The first electrode has a first length and is adjustable in the first opening to a first plurality of discrete positions having different depths of insertion relative to the first opening. The first electrode is to engage the head of the person when inserted a sufficient depth into the first opening. The example headset also includes a second electrode that is interchangeable with the first electrode and insertable into the first opening.

Abstract: Systems and methods of ranking adjustment of federated content items in a social network include causing content items from a first content item source to be selectively displayed on a user interface, the content items form the first content item source being ranked according to a first ranking schema. Content items from a second content item source are displayed on the user interface based, at least in part, on a ranking according to a second ranking schema. Activity data related to interactions with the content items are obtained from the first content item source. A utility value adjustment to be applied to the first ranking schema is determined based on the activity data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing diversity of content items of a social network includes determining a utility score individually for each of a plurality of content items. The plurality of content items are ranked according to their individually determined utility scores. At least some of the plurality of content items are assigned to positions in a user interface according to the rank. The assigning of positions is iteratively adjusted according to a diversity criterion. A user interface displays the at least some of the plurality of content items according to the positions as iteratively adjusted.

Abstract: Systems and methods for blending content items in a social network include identifying at least one content item type for each of a plurality of content items stored in an electronic data storage. A utility value is determined individually for each of the content items, based, at least in part, on an engagement value and a monetary value of each of the content items. The content items are ranked according to the utility values and blending concepts to obtain a ranking. The content items are displayed on a user interface according to the ranking.

Abstract: Example headsets and methods for gathering electroencephalographic signals are disclosed herein. An example headset disclosed herein includes a cap to be worn on a head of a person and a first electrode carried by the cap. The first electrode holder defines a first opening therethrough. The example headset includes a first electrode that insertable into the first opening. The first electrode has a first length and is adjustable in the first opening to a first plurality of discrete positions having different depths of insertion relative to the first opening. The first electrode is to engage the head of the person when inserted a sufficient depth into the first opening. The example headset also includes a second electrode that is interchangeable with the first electrode and insertable into the first opening.

Abstract: Example methods disclosed herein to perform inventory display auditing include comparing a reference image of an inventory display obtained during a prior audit of the inventory display with a current image captured by a camera to determine whether the current image corresponds to the same inventory display as the reference image. Disclosed example methods also include, when the current image is determined to correspond to the same inventory display as the reference image, identifying a difference region in the current image corresponding to a portion of the inventory display that changed relative to the prior audit. Disclosed example methods further include, while the current image is displayed on a display screen, modifying a characteristic of the current image in the difference region to indicate a change in product inventory in the portion of the inventory display.

Abstract: Example methods disclosed herein include overlaying a semi-transparent version of a reference image over a sequence of captured images as respective ones of the captured images are displayed on a display of a portable device. Such disclosed example methods also include determining a directional difference between a first one of the captured images and the reference image. Such disclosed example methods further include presenting a directional prompt to indicate a direction to move the portable device to cause a subsequent second one of the captured images to coincide with the reference image.

Abstract: Example headsets and methods for gathering electroencephalographic signals are disclosed herein. An example headset disclosed herein includes a cap to be worn on a head of a person and a first electrode carried by the cap. The first electrode holder defines a first opening therethrough. The example headset includes a first electrode that insertable into the first opening. The first electrode has a first length and is adjustable in the first opening to a first plurality of discrete positions having different depths of insertion relative to the first opening. The first electrode is to engage the head of the person when inserted a sufficient depth into the first opening. The example headset also includes a second electrode that is interchangeable with the first electrode and insertable into the first opening.

Abstract: Signature-based program identification apparatus and methods for use with digital audio and/or video systems are disclosed. The disclosed systems and methods develop signatures of digital audio and/or video content from a digital data stream at two or more sites and compare the signatures to one another to identify the content.

Abstract: Example methods disclosed herein include overlaying a semi-transparent version of a reference image over a sequence of captured images as respective ones of the captured images are displayed on a display of a portable device. Such disclosed example methods also include determining a directional difference between a first one of the captured images and the reference image. Such disclosed example methods further include presenting a directional prompt to indicate a direction to move the portable device to cause a subsequent second one of the captured images to coincide with the reference image.

Abstract: Image overlaying and comparison for inventory display auditing is disclosed herein. An example method to perform inventory display auditing disclosed herein comprises overlaying a reference image over a current image displayed on a camera display, the reference image corresponding to an inventory display to be audited, comparing the reference image and the current image to determine whether the current image and the reference image correspond to a same scene and when the reference image and the current image are determined to correspond to the same scene, indicating a difference region in the current image displayed on the camera display, the difference region being a first region of the current image that differs from a corresponding first region of the reference image.

Abstract: A fluid device includes a displacement assembly and a balance plate assembly disposed adjacent to the displacement assembly. The displacement assembly includes a ring and a rotor disposed in a bore of the ring. The ring and rotor cooperatively define a plurality of volume chambers. The balance plate assembly includes a housing that defines a cavity. A balance plate is disposed in the cavity. The balance plate includes a first end surface and an oppositely disposed second end surface. The balance plate is adapted to move axially between a first position in which the second end surface of balance plate abuts a first end face of the ring to a second position in which the second surface of the balance plate is recessed in the cavity.

Abstract: A device configured for converting energy includes a first surface, a second surface configured for moving with respect to the first surface during operation of the device, and a coating disposed on at least one of the first surface and the second surface. The coating includes a first layer of a ceramic alloy represented by the general formula AlMgB14—X, wherein X is present in an amount of from 0 to 70 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the ceramic alloy and is a doping agent selected from the group of Group IV elements and borides and nitrides thereof, and a second layer disposed on the first layer and including carbon in a gradient concentration. The coating has a hardness of from 10 to 20 GPa and a coefficient of friction of less than or equal to 0.12.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for identifying a digital audio signal are described. An example apparatus for identifying a digital audio signal includes an input to receive the digital audio signal, which includes data from a broadcast or a stored digital program signal. The example apparatus also includes a detector to receive the digital audio signal from the input and determine whether the received digital audio signal is uncompressed as received at the input; a decoder to receive the digital audio signal from the detector when the digital audio signal is compressed as received at the input and identify any first program-identifying code in an auxiliary field of the compressed digital audio signal; and a code reader to receive the digital audio signal from the detector when the digital audio signal is uncompressed as received at the input and receive the digital audio signal from a decompressor when the digital audio signal is compressed as received at the input.

Abstract: Image overlaying and comparison for inventory display auditing is disclosed herein. An example method to perform inventory display auditing disclosed herein comprises overlaying a reference image over a current image displayed on a camera display, the reference image corresponding to an inventory display to be audited, comparing the reference image and the current image to determine whether the current image and the reference image correspond to a same scene and when the reference image and the current image are determined to correspond to the same scene, indicating a difference region in the current image displayed on the camera display, the difference region being a first region of the current image that differs from a corresponding first region of the reference image.

Abstract: Signature-based program identification apparatus and methods for use with digital audio and/or video systems are disclosed. The disclosed systems and methods develop signatures of digital audio and/or video content from a digital data stream at two or more sites and compare the signatures to one another to identify the content.

Abstract: Signature-based program identification apparatus and methods for use with digital audio and/or video systems are disclosed. The disclosed systems and methods develop signatures of digital audio and/or video content from a digital data stream at two or more sites and compare the signatures to one another to identify the content.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to infer operating states of a display based on visible light are disclosed. An example device includes an optical receiver to be positioned with respect to a display to receive visible light from the display. The example device includes a sensor to measure a color and an intensity of the visible light received. The example device includes an operating state detector to analyze the measured intensity and color of the visible light detected by the sensor to generate an output indicative of an operating state of the display.

Abstract: A fluid device includes a displacement assembly and a balance plate assembly disposed adjacent to the displacement assembly. The displacement assembly includes a ring and a rotor disposed in a bore of the ring. The ring and rotor cooperatively define a plurality of volume chambers. The balance plate assembly includes a housing that defines a cavity. A balance plate is disposed in the cavity. The balance plate includes a first end surface and an oppositely disposed second end surface. The balance plate is adapted to move axially between a first position in which the second end surface of balance plate abuts a first end face of the ring to a second position in which the second surface of the balance plate is recessed in the cavity.