Abstract: Soft start systems for electrically powered tools are described. The soft start systems use direction feedback signal(s) from a direction selection switch of the power tool. Also described are power tools using such soft start systems. In addition, electrical power circuits using the soft start systems are described.

Abstract: A drain cleaning apparatus is described that uses a FlexShaft type drain cleaning cable. The drain cleaning apparatus includes a drum housing, a rotatable cable carrier mounted within an interior of the drum housing and a transmission assembly for transferring rotary power to an end of a FlexShaft cable residing in the interior of the drum housing. Also described are systems using these apparatuses in combination with a rotary power source such as a drill. In addition, various methods of use are described.

Abstract: A method of forming a cast component and a method of forming a casting mold is provided. The method is performed by connecting at least one wax gate component to a ceramic core-shell mold. The ceramic core-shell mold includes at least a filter, a first core portion, a first shell portion, and at least one first cavity between the core portion and the first shell portion. The ceramic core-shell mold may be manufactured using an additive manufacturing process and may include an integrated ceramic filter. At least a portion of the ceramic core-shell mold and the wax gate component is coated with a second ceramic material. The wax gate component is then removed to form a second cavity in fluid communication with the first cavity.

Abstract: Systems and methods for minimally intrusive instruction pointer-aware processing resource activity profiling are disclosed. In one embodiment, a graphics processor includes a grouping of processing resources and control logic that is associated with the grouping of processing resources. The control logic is configured to sample a state of at least one processing resource of the grouping of processing resources and to determine activity data from the state with the activity data including at least one of stalls and reason counts for stalling activity, instruction types, pipeline utilization, thread utilization, and shader activity.

Abstract: A stem-guided valve for use inside of a fluid end. The valve body is installed in a conduit that traverses the fluid end housing. A removable guide element is installed within a bore formed in the valve body. A static component that is interposed within the conduit includes an elongate projecting stem. As the stem reciprocates axially with the guide element, the valve is caused to move between open and closed positions. In its closed position, the valve body engages a valve seat that surrounds the conduit. A plurality of perforations are formed in the walls of the guide element, the perforations allow fluid to drain from the guide element during operation.

Abstract: Motor dampening provisions are described. Incorporation and use of the motor dampener(s) in a rotary type drain cleaning machine enables elimination of a clutch in the machine. Also described are clutch-free drive systems using the motor dampener(s). Also described are torque countering members that are used in conjunction with the motor dampener(s).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for stereoscopic image encoding and decoding are described. Left and right eye images are encoded following an entropy reduction operation being applied to one of the eye images when there is a difference between the left and right images of an image pair. Information about regions of negative parallax within the entropy reduced image of an image pair is encoded along with the images. Upon decoding a sharpening filter is applied to the image in an image pair which was subjected to the entropy reduction operation. In addition edge enhancement filtering is performed on the regions of the recovered entropy reduced image which are identified in the encoded image data as regions of negative parallax. Interleaving of left and right eye images at the input of the encoder combined with entropy reduction allows for efficient encoding, storage, and transmission of 3D images.

Abstract: Apparatus and method contemplating a high pressure fluid end assembly having a body defining a body bore and defining a recess in the body intersecting the body bore. A closure is joined to the body and forms a sealing surface. A seal is mounted to the body in the recess and configured to extend from the recess beyond the body bore to seal against the sealing surface formed by the closure.

Abstract: A method of vehicle detection is provided. The method comprises receiving an image from a traffic camera, wherein the image contains vehicle traffic flow. A number of regions in the image that exceed a predetermined number of candelas are identified and masked. Contrast edges are added around the masked regions in the image. One or more vehicles are detected in the image based on the contrast edges.

Abstract: A storybook application to provide an audio recording of a story recorded by Reader and delivered to Recipient via a link, eliminating the need for paper books and recording devices. A Reader, guided by highlighted story text, records their voice reading a story into the application. Upon completion of the recording, Reader saves or deletes the recorded story. A link to the recorded story is delivered to the chosen Recipient via email or text message with an optional note. The Recipient receives a link and clicks the link to access the recorded story within the application via Recipient's personal device. The words of the story are also highlighted to guide the reading pace of the Recipient, which may be altered to suit the Reader. The application also presents the stories in other languages to facilitate the acclimation and learning of foreign language for Recipients.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for capturing and displaying stereoscopic images are described in a manner that allows a user to obtain a 3d virtual reality experience simulating that of being in a seat at a football game or other event. Rear images are modified, e.g., in luminance intensity, to make them consistent with the luminance intensity of the forward images to avoid or reduce edges or differences in luminance intensity as a users turns his head from viewing a main image area to a side or rear image area. A seamless 3D presentation is made possible through the use of fisheye lenses at capture time and combining of images corresponding to forward and rear image areas as a user turns his or her head requiring a change in the captured image area which is displayed to the user.

Abstract: Polymeric coatings, their applications, and the methods of their preparation are described. The coatings may be used to confer desirable properties to the consumer and/or medical products. Also described are methods of loading therapeutic agents on the polymeric coatings and the applications of the drug eluting polymeric coatings thus obtained.

Abstract: A drain cleaning apparatus is described that uses a FlexShaft type drain cleaning cable. The drain cleaning apparatus includes a drum housing, a rotatable cable carrier mounted within an interior of the drum housing and a transmission assembly for transferring rotary power to an end of a FlexShaft cable residing in the interior of the drum housing. Also described are systems using these apparatuses in combination with a rotary power source such as a drill. In addition, various methods of use are described.

Abstract: A fluid end is formed from a first body attached to a separate second body. Each body includes an external surface. When the bodies are attached, their respective external surfaces are in flush engagement. A plurality of bores are formed in the second body that are alignable with a plurality of corresponding bores formed in the first body. The fluid end may be used with seals disposed within recesses within each bore to seal against corresponding sealing surfaces. Further, retaining closures may be bolted to the fluid end bodies, such that the closures have a threadless connection to the fluid end bodies. Various combinations of such components may be utilized.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for stereoscopic image encoding and decoding are described. Left and right eye images are encoded following an entropy reduction operation being applied to one of the eye images when there is a difference between the left and right images of an image pair. Information about regions of negative parallax within the entropy reduced image of an image pair is encoded along with the images. Upon decoding a sharpening filter is applied to the image in an image pair which was subjected to the entropy reduction operation. In addition edge enhancement filtering is performed on the regions of the recovered entropy reduced image which are identified in the encoded image data as regions of negative parallax. Interleaving of left and right eye images at the input of the encoder combined with entropy reduction allows for efficient encoding, storage, and transmission of 3D images.

Abstract: A method of managing traffic flow. The method includes receiving, at a camera, an image containing vehicle traffic flow. The method also includes processing, using a processor, the image to mask areas in the image that exceed a predetermined number of candelas. The method also includes thereafter analyzing, using the processor, the image to determine a parameter related to the vehicles, whereby an analysis is performed. The method also includes managing the traffic flow based on the analysis.

Abstract: A knee prosthesis kit includes an implant and an augment. The implant has a base and a stem extending from the base, and the augment has a base and a conical, cylindrical, or anatomic portion extending from the base. The augment base has at least two openings for receiving fasteners for securing the knee augment to the implant. The portion and the base define a bore for receipt of the implant post. A coupler includes a mating portion for receipt in a bore of an implant post, and a cone-shaped portion extending from the mating portion. A method of providing fixation of knee implants includes securing an augment to an implant and positioning a conical, cylindrical, or anatomic portion of the augment within the intramedullary canal of the tibia or femur.

Abstract: A mounting bracket comprising a first (top) surface with a slot, second (bottom) surface, and a shield (front) surface extending between the top and bottom surfaces, and two side (right and left) surfaces coupled with the top, bottom, and front surfaces. A cavity is formed by the top, bottom, front, left, and right surfaces. Mounts on the top surface enable a housing to be mounted on the top surface. Mounts coupled with the left and right edge surfaces enable the bracket to mounted on an external surface. Optionally, the top surface may further comprise a hidden mount on the distal edge of the top surface, the hidden mount is hidden when a housing is mounted on the top surface and/or a security pin. When the bracket is mounted to an external surface, the slot in the top surface allows a connector to extend from the cavity to the housing.

Abstract: A knee prosthesis kit includes an implant and an augment. The implant has a base and a stem extending from the base, and the augment has a base and a conical, cylindrical, or anatomic portion extending from the base. The augment base has at least two openings for receiving fasteners for securing the knee augment to the implant. The portion and the base define a bore for receipt of the implant post. A coupler includes a mating portion for receipt in a bore of an implant post, and a cone-shaped portion extending from the mating portion. A method of providing fixation of knee implants includes securing an augment to an implant and positioning a conical, cylindrical, or anatomic portion of the augment within the intramedullary canal of the tibia or femur.

Abstract: A system for verifying information associated with a user can include at least three devices. The first device is configured to transmit, to the second device, user-associated information, a unique identifier associated with the user-associated information and an identity digital signature generated using an identity private key associated with the user and a message comprising a previously determined hash of a portion of the user-associated information combined with the unique identifier. The second device is configured to generate the hash of the portion of the user-associated information combined with the unique identifier and transmit the generated hash and the identity digital signature to the third device. The third device is configured to lookup the generated hash in a database, verify the identity digital signature using the identity public key related to the generated hash in the database, and upon successful verification, transmit a success response to the second device.