Abstract: Fiber optic terminals comprising an input connection port in optical communication with an input multi-fiber ferrule of the input connection port and a plurality of output ports for making optical connections are disclosed. The terminals are configured with an input multi-fiber connection port and one or more single-fiber output ports along with a first multifiber output connection port suitable for linking the output of the first terminal with an input connection port of a second terminal. The multi-fiber connection port may include an alignment block supports a length of the adapter sleeve for stabilizing the optical mating of the multi-fiber ferrule associated with respective multi-fiber connection port(s) of the terminal. Terminals may also include other features for securing respective the external plug connector(s) that may be received in the connection port of the fiber optic terminal.

Abstract: Methods for managing non-player characters and power centers in a computer game are based on character hierarchies and individualized correspondences between each character's traits or rank and events that involve other non-player characters or objects. Players may share power centers, character hierarchies, non-player characters, and related quests involving the shared objects with other players playing separate and unrelated game instances over a computer network, with the outcome of the quests reflected in different the games. Various configurations of game machines are used to implement the methods.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector that includes a connector body comprising a ferrule retaining portion, a pusher engagement portion and a body cable passage extending through the pusher engagement portion and the ferrule retaining portion. The connector includes a ferrule assembly structurally configured to be retained by the ferrule retaining portion with an optical fiber bore of the ferrule assembly in alignment with the body cable passage. The connector includes a pusher structurally configured to axially engage the pusher engagement portion with a pusher cable passage in alignment with the body cable passage, and a seal component with superabsorbent properties.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for managing personalized dining checks created by individualized check item ownership or payment enabled by associating device and table indicia. One method includes: receiving information identifying the mobile devices of one or more patrons and information identifying a table indicia as a result of associating the mobile devices of the one or more patrons with a table indicia; receiving requests for dining items, transaction amounts for each dining item, and payment preferences associated with each dining item from each of the one or more patrons; determining the amounts owed by each patron, based on the dining items requested by each patron, transaction amounts for each dining item, and the payment preference of each patron for each requested dining item; and outputting the amount owed by each patron to an electronic storage medium or display of the mobile device of each patron.

Abstract: An electronic component includes an integrated circuit chip and a package surrounding the integrated circuit chip. The electronic component includes at least a first conductive region at least partially coating one side of the integrated circuit chip. The first conductive region includes an alloy predominantly comprising bismuth.

Abstract: A system for determining accuracy of a surgical procedure to implant an implant on a patient bone. The system including at least one computing device configured to perform the following steps. Receive preoperative patient data including preoperative images of the patient bone and planned implant position and orientation data. Receive postoperative patient data including postoperative images of the patient bone and an implant implanted on the patient bone. Segment the patient bone and the implant from the postoperative images of the patient bone and the implant. Register separately the patient bone and the implant from the postoperative images to the patient bone from the preoperative images. And compare an implanted position and orientation of the implant from the postoperative images relative to the patient bone from the preoperative images to the planned implant position and orientation data relative to the patient bone from the preoperative images.

Abstract: Male plug fiber optic connectors and a conversion adapter for mating with a dissimilar connector are disclosed along with cable assemblies using the same, thereby providing backwards compatibility with existing optical networks. The fiber optic connector comprises a ferrule, a connector housing having a female key disposed on the outer surface along with a threaded portion integrally formed on the connector housing, and a nose-piece having a pocket disposed at a front portion. The pocket of the nose-piece is configured for allowing optical mating with a dissimilar connector using the conversion adapter for legacy connectivity while also mating with other devices without using the conversion adapter. In one embodiment, the conversion adapter comprises a retainer that cooperates with the threaded portion of the connector housing for securing the conversion adapter to the male plug fiber optic connector.

Abstract: Methods for managing non-player characters and power centers in a computer game are based on character hierarchies and individualized correspondences between each character's traits or rank and events that involve other non-player characters or objects. Players may share power centers, character hierarchies, non-player characters, and related quests involving the shared objects with other players playing separate and unrelated game instances over a computer network, with the outcome of the quests reflected in different the games. Various configurations of game machines are used to implement the methods.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for managing personalized dining checks created by individualized check item ownership or payment enabled by associating device and table indicia. One method includes: receiving information identifying the mobile devices of one or more patrons and information identifying a table indicia as a result of associating the mobile devices of the one or more patrons with a table indicia; receiving requests for dining items, transaction amounts for each dining item, and payment preferences associated with each dining item from each of the one or more patrons; determining the amounts owed by each patron, based on the dining items requested by each patron, transaction amounts for each dining item, and the payment preference of each patron for each requested dining item; and outputting the amount owed by each patron to an electronic storage medium or display of the mobile device of each patron.

Abstract: A system for determining accuracy of a surgical procedure to implant an implant on a patient bone. The system including at least one computing device configured to perform the following steps. Receive preoperative patient data including preoperative images of the patient bone and planned implant position and orientation data. Receive postoperative patient data including postoperative images of the patient bone and an implant implanted on the patient bone. Segment the patient bone and the implant from the postoperative images of the patient bone and the implant. Register separately the patient bone and the implant from the postoperative images to the patient bone from the preoperative images. And compare an implanted position and orientation of the implant from the postoperative images relative to the patient bone from the preoperative images to the planned implant position and orientation data relative to the patient bone from the preoperative images.

Abstract: A system includes a carousel apparatus, a support structure configured to hold a receptacle, and a linear actuator apparatus configured to move the support structure. The carousel apparatus includes: a holder in which a first plurality of openings and a second plurality of openings are formed, and a first motor coupled to the holder and adapted to rotate the holder around an axis. A linear actuator apparatus includes: a linear guide which extends underneath the holder and is coupled to the support structure, and a second motor coupled to the linear guide and adapted to move the support structure along the linear guide underneath the holder.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of manufacturing first electronic components, each comprising a second electronic component, each second component comprising at least two contact metallizations, the method comprising: a) forming, on a substrate, at least two metal pillars; b) forming, over a portion of the surface of each pillar, a metallization of the component; c) covering the surface of the substrate, the pillars, and the metallizations of the first components with a first resin layer; d) removing the substrate to expose a surface of the pillars, opposite to the metallizations of the components; e) bonding and electrically connecting the second components, by their metallizations, to the surface of the pillars opposite to the metallizations of the first components; and f) expose the surface of the metallizations of the first components opposite to the pillars.

Abstract: A print apparatus and print method is provided for patterned fabrics, particularly those with surface variations due to threadings. These threadings may be e.g. stitches and/or bindings arranged in the fabric that create the surface variations which create the pattern. The apparatus/method involves a vision system which detects the threadings at a granular level (e.g. detects individual stitches) and then determines how those stitches have moved due to fabric stretching. The computer and its software adjust the print design (often a color design) to match the distortion/warping of the fabric. In some cases, the printer can print along a line of the stitches at a width not much wider than the stitches at high precision and with precise alignment. The fabric printed may have reference markers to aid in identification of the threadings and a calibration process may be used for the printer to align the print and vision systems.

Abstract: A patterned fabric with a number of threadings therein which cause surface variations in the fabric. A selvedge of the fabric includes reference markers therein, preferably also identified by threadings in the fabric (e.g. bindings or stitches). The reference markers include some matching portions that allow for computer imaging identification of the markers at the threading level and a coded portion which varies to identify where along the fabric the marker is located and thus allow a printing and imaging apparatus to identify threadings within a pattern area between the selvedges which pattern area will be printed or is printed with a printed design.

Abstract: A system for generating improved notifications relating to events is disclosed. The system includes a sensing network including an event sensor configured to sense events. The system further includes a sensed-event processing system configured to append meta data to information associated with a sensed event. The system further includes a human-machine interface and at least one communication unit configured to communicate amongst the human-machine interface, the sensing network, and the sensed event processing system, the information communicated from the sensing device via the at least one communication unit. The system further includes a notification generation system configured to generate a notification to a user of the human-machine interface, the notification content including at least one user-selectable action option.

Abstract: A system includes a carousel apparatus including: first openings concentrically arranged around axis to hold first containers adapted to hold first food ingredients, second openings concentrically arranged inside the first openings to hold second containers adapted to hold second food ingredients, a holder in which the first openings and the second openings are formed, and which is adapted to support the first containers and the second containers, and a first motor coupled to the holder and adapted to rotate the holder around the axis; support structure configured to hold a receptacle; and a linear actuator apparatus configured to move the support structure and including: a linear guide which extends underneath the holder and is coupled to the support structure, and a second motor coupled to the linear guide and adapted to move the support structure along the linear guide underneath the first openings and the second openings.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing structurally coloured films, particles and interference pigments comprising cellulose nanocrystals, such as neutralised cellulose nanocrystals. The films and particles can be used as interference pigments or coloured particles such as glitters for various applications. The method comprises steps of depositing a nanocrystal suspension comprising cellulose nanocrystals onto a substrate: spreading the nanocrystal suspension across the substrate using a spreader: ageing the nanocrystal suspension to partially or completely recover the cholesteric structures lost during deposition and spreading: drying the deposited nanocrystal suspension so that the nanocrystals self-assemble to form a structurally coloured film: and annealing the structurally coloured film to increase the water resistance of the film. The structurally coloured film comprises nanocrystals which are organized into chiral nematic structures to provide the structural colour.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a system and methods for waking-up a wireless receiver on a wireless network. The method includes the steps of: listening, by the wireless receiver, for signals in a predetermined frequency band periodically and decoding a wake-up key; validating the wake-up key by correlating the wake-up key with values stored in a memory using a first processing device; if the wake-up key is validated, decoding at least one PHY Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) and checking the value of one or more bits of the PPDU to validate the decoded PPDU as a wake-up PPDU; if the wake-up packet is validated, decoding a wake-up address and comparing the wake-up address to the station (STA) wake-up address; if the decoded wake-up address matches the STA wake-up address, powering-up a second processing device and confirming wake-up by exchanging an encrypted frame with Access Point (AP).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the treatment of agitation caused by noradrenergic hyperarousal in an agitated subject. The present disclosure provides oromucosal dosage forms comprising effective amounts of latrepirdine either alone or in combination with dexmedetomidine or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and/excipients. Methods of their use are also provided. The present disclosure also provides a method of treating depression by administering oromucosally a therapeutically effective amount of dexmedetomidine alone or in combination with latrepirdine.