Abstract: A plier assembly comprising first and second handle assemblies each comprising a frame assembly, a support block, a tip assembly, a proximal pin, and a distal pin. A main hinge assembly supports the second handle assembly for movement relative to the first handle assembly. The proximal openings are sized and dimensioned such that, as the second handle assembly moves relative to the first handle assembly, longitudinal axes of the support block are substantially parallel.

Abstract: An air conditioning system comprises a compressor, a rotary engine, and a condenser. The rotary engine comprises at least one drive shaft. The at least one drive shaft is operatively connected to the compressor and to the fuel tank. The condenser is operatively connected to the compressor. The evaporator is operatively connected to the condenser and to the compressor. The rotary engine combusts fuel to rotate the at least one drive shaft. Rotation of the at least one drive shaft operates the compressor to cause working fluid to flow such that the evaporator air conditions the passenger compartment.

Abstract: A viscous sauce suitable for use in a multifunction pressure cooker is provided. The sauce comprises a starch, a low temperature viscosity agent, and a high temperature viscosity agent. The sauce provides desirable viscosity at ambient temperature and after cooking in a pressure cooker. A method of preparing the viscous sauce is also provided. A method of preparing a preparing a meal in a pressure cooker utilizing the viscous sauce is also provided.

Abstract: An automated packaging station is capable of being used to package objects. The automated packaging station includes a supply of web material, a surface (202), an aperture (206) therein, and a closing system. The automated packaging station is configured to form the web material into a pouch. The aperture (206) is configured such that an object can be inserted therethrough. The automated packaging station is configured to bias open the pouch beneath the surface such that the object inserted through the aperture falls into the pouch. The closing system is configured to close the pouch to form a package around the object in response to the object being inserted through the aperture. The object is capable of being shipped to a recipient in the package.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to methods and/or apparatuses involving stations (102, 104, 105) participating in wireless station-to-station communications in which each of a plurality of stations shares a wireless communications channel (101). Information is collected wirelessly (102) from transmissions associated with a first communication protocol and from transmissions associated with a second communication protocol. A current communication environment is dynamically discerned therefrom (102), and used to characterize a dynamic relationship of the collected information, which is indicative of respective usage of the wireless communication channel by data transmitted via the respective protocols. Usage of the channel is allocated (102) for respective communications that use the first and second communication protocols based on the dynamic relationship.

Abstract: Implementations are directed to using an assistant to initiate automated telephone calls with entities. Some implementations identify an item of interest, identify a group of entities associated with the item, and initiate the calls with the entities. During a given call with a given entity, the assistant can request a status update regarding the item, and determine a temporal delay before initiating another call with the given entity to request a further status update regarding the item based on information received responsive to the request. Other implementations receive a request to perform an action on behalf of a user, identify a group of entities that can perform the action, and initiate a given call with a given entity. During the given call, the assistant can initiate an additional call with an additional entity, and generate notification(s), for the user, based on result(s) of the given call and/or the additional call.

Abstract: A system configured to perform a method for estimating external noise in a communication channel between a transmitter and a receiver is described. The method comprises obtaining a measurement of effective noise on decoded symbols at the receiver, the decoded symbols comprising noisy versions of symbols conveyed by a communication signal transmitted over the communication channel. The method further comprises storing a representation of a relationship between the effective noise, external noise in the communication channel, and one or more variable parameters. The method further comprises storing applicable values of the variable parameters, wherein each applicable value is associated with current properties of the transmitter or current properties of the receiver or both. The method further comprises calculating an estimate of the external noise in the communication channel using the effective noise, the applicable values of the variable parameters, and the representation of the relationship.

Abstract: A vacuum exhaust system includes a plurality of low pressure vacuum pumps that operate in a molecular flow region and evacuate a plurality of vacuum chambers. A plurality of chamber valves are positioned between the low pressure vacuum pumps and the plurality of vacuum chambers. A plurality of branch channels are each connected to a corresponding exhaust of the plurality of low pressure vacuum pumps and a main channel is formed from a confluence of the branch channels. An intermediate vacuum pump is connected to the main channel and operates in a viscous flow region. A higher pressure vacuum pump operates in a higher pressure viscous flow region and is connected to an exhaust of the intermediate pressure vacuum pump. A plurality of bypass channels, each having a valve, provide a fluid communication path between at least some of the plurality of vacuum chambers and a higher pressure vacuum pump.

Abstract: A system describing Unlimited Range Drive capabilities of electric vehicles using machine learning techniques, assisted by intelligent battery modules and high voltage continuous variable power plant, the intelligent battery and power plant modules work in harmony and continuously provide feedback to each other, causing a battery to recharge while the other is in use to drive, this charging/recharging process and dynamically switching battery in use is continued until physical life of batteries is exhausted approximately 10 to 15 years, dynamic coordination of modules with dynamic switching of batteries, achieves unlimited range drive capabilities which may exceed 1 million mile drive on a single high voltage battery charge, the system provides clean environment and cost effective solution, this platform can be implemented in larger chassis including, but not limited to light duty trucks and vans up to heavy duty cargo tractor trailer and commercial public transportation buses.

Abstract: A system describing Unlimited Range Drive capabilities of electric vehicles using machine learning techniques, assisted by intelligent battery modules and high voltage continuous variable power plant, the intelligent battery and power plant modules work in harmony and continuously provide feedback to each other, causing a battery to recharge while the other is in use to drive, this charging/recharging process and dynamically switching battery in use is continued until physical life of batteries is exhausted approximately 10 to 15 years, dynamic coordination of modules with dynamic switching of batteries, achieves unlimited range drive capabilities which may exceed 1 million mile drive on a single high voltage battery charge, the system provides clean environment and cost effective solution, this platform can be implemented in larger chassis including, but not limited to light duty trucks and vans up to heavy duty cargo tractor trailer and commercial public transportation buses.

Abstract: Apparatuses and method are disclosed for protecting the integrity of data stored in a protected area of memory. Data in the protected area of memory is retrieved in data blocks and an authentication code is associated with a memory granule contiguously comprising a first data block and a second data block. Calculation of the authentication code comprises a cryptographic calculation based on a first hash value determined from the first data block and a second hash value determined from the second data block. A hash value cache is provided to store hash values determined from data blocks retrieved from the protected area of the memory. When the first data block and its associated authentication code are retrieved from memory, a lookup for the second hash value in the hash value cache is performed, and a verification authentication code is calculated for the memory granule to which that data block belongs.

Abstract: A dual-layered midsole for footwear includes an internal midsole layer and an external midsole layer, which are coupled to and separated by a Strobel board. The internal midsole layer may compress and expand with the movement of a wearer of an article of footwear including the dual-layered midsole, while the external midsole may provide stability and cushion for the wearer. Materials selected for the internal and external midsole layers may provide tuned viscoelastic properties to different areas of the midsole as a function of midsole layer thickness at each sole area.

Abstract: An upper of an article of footwear comprises a plurality of stretch zones each having a respective stretching capability. Suitable example stretch zones may include four-way stretch zones, two-way stretch zones, and/or lock-out zones. In some examples, an upper having a plurality of stretch zones comprises a single continuous piece of material configured to have regions of different stretching capability. The single piece of material may comprise a layered material having two stretchable outer layers, wherein a plurality of stretch zones of the piece of material are defined by corresponding intermediate layers disposed at selected locations between the outer layers. Examples of intermediate layers providing two-way stretch, four-way stretch, and little or no stretch are disclosed.

Abstract: A compressor system for a vehicle comprising a vehicle internal combustion engine and a vehicle heating and cooling system. The compressor system comprising a compressor/motor generator defining a compressor motor/generator shaft, a compressor mechanically connected to the compressor motor/generator shaft; and a engine clutch mechanically connected to the compressor motor/generator shaft and to the vehicle internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A CVD reactor includes a gas inlet member having a circular outline, and a susceptor that can be heated by a heating device. The gas inlet member has a cooled ceiling panel with outlet openings. The CVD reactor further comprises a shield plate, which adjoins the ceiling panel and has a circular outline. The shield plate has a central zone, an annular zone surrounding the central zone, having a rear side that points toward the ceiling panel, and a flat gas outlet surface pointing toward the process chamber, in which gas outlet openings terminate. The rear side in the central zone defines a rear plane running parallel to the gas outlet surface. The shield plate has a material thickness between 3 to 12 mm, and that the shield plate is spaced apart from the ceiling plate by a gap having a height between 0.3 to 1 mm.

Abstract: Implementations are directed to using an assistant to initiate automated telephone calls with entities. Some implementations identify an item of interest, identify a group of entities associated with the item, and initiate the calls with the entities. During a given call with a given entity, the assistant can request a status update regarding the item, and determine a temporal delay before initiating another call with the given entity to request a further status update regarding the item based on information received responsive to the request. Other implementations receive a request to perform an action on behalf of a user, identify a group of entities that can perform the action, and initiate a given call with a given entity. During the given call, the assistant can initiate an additional call with an additional entity, and generate notification(s), for the user, based on result(s) of the given call and/or the additional call.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods described herein are configured to receive a user command line instruction, of a first type, for transmission to a device and convert the user command line instruction to a device specific command line instruction. In some embodiments, the systems, apparatus and methods described herein are further configured to transmit the device specific command line instruction to the device, and convert a device specific response received from the device to a response of the first type.

Abstract: Systems and methods for ensuring safe gripping or locking and release of a cyclist's shoe by a bicycle pedal are disclosed. The system may comprise a computing device, one or more sensors for detecting change of velocity, one or more sensors for detecting a change of angle of the bicycle, and a pedal with one or more retractable members. The retractable member may be configured to grip or lock in a cyclist's shoe by extending to interlock with a portion or a cavity of the cyclist's shoe, or to release the cyclist's shoe by retracting on receiving a command from the computing device based on inputs from the one or more sensors.

Abstract: A driver login device includes: a network communication unit in communication with the server via a network; an image pickup device capturing a target to obtain a login data; an image processing unit electrically coupled to the image pickup unit, and receiving and processing the login data to obtain a digital data; and a central processing unit electrically coupled to the network communication unit, the image pickup device and the image processing unit. The central processing unit, by way of the network communication unit, receives the data of the driver from the server via the network, controls the image pickup device to capture the target, comparing the digital data with the data of the driver to generate a comparing result, and by way of the network communication unit, transmitting the comparing result back to the server via the network.