Abstract: An insertion system for inserting a bushing assembly defining first and second end configurations into a housing opening defined by a structural member comprises a brace assembly, an actuator assembly, and a drive plate. The brace assembly comprises a brace rod, an anchor member defining an anchor edge surface and a spacing portion, and a brace nut. The actuator assembly comprises an actuator housing and a drive member. Displacement of the drive member causes displacement of the bushing assembly through the drive plate such that the anchor edge surface acts on the structural member and the drive plate displaces the bushing assembly into the housing opening towards the anchor member. The spacing portion of the anchor member is configured to engage the second end configuration of the bushing assembly to prevent further displacement of the bushing assembly when the bushing assembly is in a desired position.

Abstract: A system having components coupled to an aircraft in operation processes sensor-derived data, performs a localization cross-checking procedure, and dynamically generates updated analyses of the position and orientation of the aircraft. Based on the updated analyses, the system can generate instructions for flight control of the aircraft and can update flight control instructions as new data is received and processed. The system functions to reduce the “worst-case” bounds on a localization estimate for the aircraft to a low enough level that is appropriate for completing a flight operation.

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: Our system describes Unlimited Range Drive (URD) capabilities of an electrical automotive vehicle using machine learning technique, assisted by newly designed intelligent battery modules (IBM-R, IBM-D/R) and newly invented high voltage continuous variable power plant (CVPP), our intelligent battery and power plant modules work in harmony and continuously provide feedback to each other, causing a high voltage battery to recharge while other high voltage battery is in use to drive a vehicle, this charging/recharging process and dynamically switching high voltage battery in use is continued until physical life of batteries is exhausted which may be 10 to 15 years, dynamic coordination of the modules with dynamic switching of battery in use archives Unlimited Range Drive (URD) capabilities which may exceed more than 1 million miles drive on a single high voltage battery charge, our URD system provides clean environment and cost effective more than 1 million miles drive solution.

Abstract: Described herein are techniques to ensure a user using an external device is authorized to connect and connecting to a correct implantable medical device using a wireless communication protocol. A request for authorization is sent to the external device from the implantable medical device, and the authorization can be provided by an authorization pulse sent using the implantable medical device charger over the inductive link between the charging device and the implanted device. The authorization pulse can be trusted because the inductive link is short range, ensuring the patient is aware of the connection to the implanted device. Once the implanted device receives the authorization pulse, it may finalize the pairing over the first connection.

Abstract: Computer-implemented systems and methods for rendering a visual effect on a graphical element, including: generating an initial visual effect based on the graphical element; computing a mask shape based on the graphical element; generating a mask based on the mask shape from the graphical element; masking the initial visual effect based on the mask to generate a masked visual effect; and combining the masked visual effect with the graphical element into a combined graphical element and visual effect.

Abstract: According to one aspect, an additive for an iron negative electrode of an alkaline electrochemical cell may include a powder of discrete granules including agglomerated particles, the agglomerated particles including at least one metal sulfide.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed, including transistors, semiconductor devices and systems with isolation structures. Example semiconductor devices and methods include isolation structures with tapered sidewalls that intersect along a line at a trench bottom. Example semiconductor devices and methods are shown with different isolation structures in peripheral circuitry compared to isolation structures in a memory array.

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: At least some embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to pump assemblies. In some embodiments, the pump is a high-pressure pump for an engine. The pump includes: an inlet valve configured to receive fuel; an armature coupled to the inlet valve and configured to actuate the inlet valve; and a pump barrel comprising a barrel guide, the barrel guide comprising a protrusion and configured to guide a motion of the armature.

Abstract: Implementations relate to generating multi-modal response(s) through utilization of large language model(s) (LLM(s)). Processor(s) of a system can: receive natural language (NL) based input, generate a multi-modal response that is responsive to the NL based output, and cause the multi-modal response to be rendered. In some implementations, and in generating the multi-modal response, the processor(s) can process, using a LLM, LLM input (e.g., that includes at least the NL based input) to generate LLM output, and determine, based on the LLM output, textual content for inclusion in the multi-modal response and multimedia content for inclusion in the multi-modal response. In some implementations, the multimedia content can be obtained based on a multimedia content tag that is included in the LLM output and that is indicative of the multimedia content. In various implementations, the multimedia content can be interleaved between segments of the textual content.

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 rotary valve including a port housing, a port, an axially actuated rotary sleeve disposed within the port housing, the sleeve having a plurality of apertures in fluid communication with the port; and an insert disposed within the sleeve, the insert having an opening, the sleeve being rotatable to align one of the plurality of apertures with the opening. A rotary valve including a port housing, having a port, an axially actuated rotary sleeve disposed within the port housing, the sleeve having an aperture; and an insert disposed within the sleeve, the insert having a plurality of openings of distinct size from one another, the aperture of the sleeve being selectively alignable with one of the plurality of openings.

Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and tangible non-transitory computer readable media for saliency visualization are provided. The disclosed technology can include receiving a data input including a plurality of features. The data input can be segmented into regions. At least one of the regions can include two or more of the features. Attribution scores can be respectively generated for features of the data input. The attribution scores for each feature can be indicative of a respective saliency of such feature. A respective gain value for each region can be determined over one or more iterations based on the respective attribution scores associated with the features included in the region. Further, at each iteration one or more of the regions with the greatest gain values can be added to a saliency mask. Furthermore, at each iteration a saliency visualization can be produced based on the saliency mask.

Abstract: A smoking article is provided, having a component housing including a power source, and a tubular housing having a first end and a longitudinally-opposed second end, wherein the first or second end is configured to receive the component housing. The tubular housing includes an outer wall defining a cylindrical cavity. An aerosol-generating element is configured to be received within the cylindrical cavity, wherein the aerosol-generating element is configured to produce an aerosol in response to heat. An associated aerosol-generating element and related production methods are also provided.

Abstract: A method includes determining, by an assistant executing at one or more processors, a default group of actions that the assistant is configured to execute in response to receiving a particular audible command. The method includes determining, by the assistant, based on the default group of actions and a user profile associated with a particular user, a custom group of actions that the assistant is configured to execute in response to receiving the particular audible command from the particular user. The method also includes receiving, by the assistant, an indication of the particular audible command, and determining, by the assistant, whether the indication of particular audible command originated from the particular user. The method further includes, responsive to determining that the indication of particular audible command originated from the particular user, executing, by the assistant, each action from the custom group of actions.

Abstract: The present invention may be embodied as a DC-DC step-up converter assembly comprising a multiple-layer PCB and a converter circuit. The converter circuit comprising a boost controller, an inductor, a capacitor, and a resistor. The boost controller, inductor, capacitor, and resistor are all supported on one side of the multiple-layer PCB.

Abstract: Implementations are directed to utilizing an assistant to automatically navigate an interactive voice response (IVR) tree to arrive at a target state during an assisted telephone call. The assistant can receive input to initiate the assisted telephone call, identify an entity to engage with, on behalf of the user, and during the assisted telephone call, based on the input, and identify an IVR tree stored in association with the entity. In various implementations, navigation of the IVR tree can be modified based on interaction(s) detected at a client device subsequent to initiating the assisted telephone call. In various implementations, the assisted telephone call can be initiated from a search interface, and the target state can be associated with a given search result. In various implementations, the IVR tree can be dynamic in that only a subset of candidate state(s) of the IVR tree may be available as the target state.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of preparing whitened tobacco composition including chemically pulping a tobacco material to form a tobacco pulp, extracting the tobacco pulp with an extraction solution, treating the tobacco pulp with a solution comprising an oxidizing agent for a time and at a temperature sufficient to lighten the color of the tobacco pulp to give a whitened tobacco pulp, and drying the whitened tobacco pulp to provide the whitened tobacco composition. Alternative bleaching processes and treatment methods effective for preparing whitened tobacco compositions are also provided herein.