Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for cleaning, decontaminating, and/or sterilizing an instrument during the intraoperative phase of a surgical procedure. In exemplary embodiments, the apparatus comprises: a container having an aperture, a bottom portion, and at least one sidewall defining an instrument bath configured to hold a cleaning agent; a vibration means and radiation means coupled to the container; and a power supply. It is contemplated that at least one of the sidewalls of the container comprises a longitudinal channel disposed within the sidewall for housing the radiation means. It is further contemplated that the cleaning agent can comprise an aqueous solution of chlorohexidine, that the radiation means is configured to emit ultraviolet radiation in a range of at least 100 nanometers to 400 nanometers, and that the vibration means is configured to emit ultrasonic radiation in a range of at least 20 kilohertz to 120 kilohertz.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for cleaning, decontaminating, and/or sterilizing an instrument during the intraoperative phase of a surgical procedure. In exemplary embodiments, the apparatus comprises: a container having an aperture, a bottom portion, and at least one sidewall defining an instrument bath configured to hold a cleaning agent; a vibration means and radiation means coupled to the container; and a power supply. It is contemplated that at least one of the sidewalls of the container comprises a longitudinal channel disposed within the sidewall for housing the radiation means. It is further contemplated that the cleaning agent can comprise an aqueous solution of chlorohexidine, that the radiation means is configured to emit ultraviolet radiation in a range of at least 100 nanometers to 400 nanometers, and that the vibration means is configured to emit ultrasonic radiation in a range of at least 20 kilohertz to 120 kilohertz.

Abstract: Presented are anti-buckling cables for battery assembly shear plates, methods for making/using such anti-buckling cables, and electric-drive vehicles equipped with traction battery packs having impact-attenuating shear plates joined by anti-buckling cables. A battery assembly includes multiple battery cells, such as lithium-class prismatic, pouch, or can-type cells arranged in rows and columns, that are housed inside a protective battery container, such as an electrically insulated battery pack housing. A pair of rigid, impact-attenuating (top and bottom) shear plates is attached to opposing (top and bottom) sides of the battery container, sandwiching therebetween the battery cells. An engineered pattern of tether cables extends through the battery container with cable each rigidly secured at opposing ends thereof to the two shear plates. The tether cables are electrically non-conductive and structurally join together the vertically spaced, mutually parallel shear plates.

Abstract: Storing a plurality of cloud-bots, each of the plurality of cloud-bots including a respective service. Gathering first data over a communication network, the first data being associated with a first Internet-of-Things (IoT) device. Gathering second data over the communication network, the second data being associated with a second IoT device. Triggering execution of a particular cloud-bot of the plurality of cloud-bots. Evaluating at least a portion of the first data and at least a portion of the second data against a response condition of a cloud-bot model of the particular cloud-bot. Initiating one or more response actions in response to satisfaction of the response condition, the one or more response actions controlling one or more device actions of a particular IoT device.

Abstract: A method includes building at least a first data structure by storing artist identifiers and media identifiers as nodes within the at least a first data structure, wherein edges between the nodes correspond to relationships among artists and media identified by the artist identifiers and the media identifiers. User input including a seed identifier is received, wherein the seed identifier corresponds to one of the artist identifiers or one of the media identifiers. A first node corresponding to the seed identifier is located within the at least a first data structure. A first media identifier within the at least a first data structure having particular relationships to the seed identifier is located based on relationships corresponding to the edges between the nodes. A first media associated with the first media identifier is added to a playlist associated with a customized media station.

Abstract: The presence of saxophonists furthering their musical horizons by playing keyboard instruments inspires the invention of a novel device to connect a light-weight keyboard or MIDI grid controller to a saxophone to facilitate the convenient and rapid switching between playing either instrument. Battery power and Bluetooth technology combine with innovations in plastics technology to facilitate the creation of strong, lightweight structures to facilitate such a device. With the addition of looping software on a laptop computer, a saxophonist so equipped can create music to accompany themselves, obviating the need for other musicians to function as a musical ensemble. This innovation may be the harbinger for other musicians on other single note instruments—trumpet, trombone, violin, etc. to join this trend using either instrument-attached, strap-on or wearable keyboards.

Abstract: A device includes a processor that is configured to identify a base topic of a personalized media stream and to identify a first media item based on first data. The first data is assigned a first weighting based on an identified level of familiarity associated with the first media item and an identified level of popularity of the first media item in another personalized media stream. The processor is configured to build a collection of candidate media items that includes the first media item and a second media item and to order the collection of candidate media items to form the personalized media stream. Ordering the collection includes ordering the first media item within the collection based on the first weighting. The processor is configured to initiate transmission of the first media item to a client device for playback based on ordering of the first media item within the collection.

Abstract: Storing a plurality of cloud-bots, each of the plurality of cloud-bots including a respective service. Gathering first data over a communication network, the first data being associated with a first Internet-of-Things (IoT) device. Gathering second data over the communication network, the second data being associated with a second IoT device. Triggering execution of a particular cloud-bot of the plurality of cloud-bots. Evaluating at least a portion of the first data and at least a portion of the second data against a response condition of a cloud-bot model of the particular cloud-bot. Initiating one or more response actions in response to satisfaction of the response condition, the one or more response actions controlling one or more device actions of a particular IoT device.

Abstract: Storing a plurality of cloud-bots, each of the plurality of cloud-bots including a respective service. Gathering first data over a communication network, the first data being associated with a first Internet-of-Things (IoT) device. Gathering second data over the communication network, the second data being associated with a second IoT device. Triggering execution of a particular cloud-bot of the plurality of cloud-bots. Evaluating at least a portion of the first data and at least a portion of the second data against a response condition of a cloud-bot model of the particular cloud-bot. Initiating one or more response actions in response to satisfaction of the response condition, the one or more response actions controlling one or more device actions of a particular IoT device.

Abstract: A device includes a processor that is configured to identify a base topic of a personalized media stream and to identify a first media item based on first data. The first data is assigned a first weighting based on an identified level of familiarity associated with the first media item and an identified level of popularity of the first media item in another personalized media stream. The processor is configured to build a collection of candidate media items that includes the first media item and a second media item and to order the collection of candidate media items to form the personalized media stream. Ordering the collection includes ordering the first media item within the collection based on the first weighting. The processor is configured to initiate transmission of the first media item to a client device for playback based on ordering of the first media item within the collection.

Abstract: A device includes a processor and an interface. The processor is configured to identify a base topic of a personalized media stream. The processor is also configured to identify a first media item based on first data from a first source. The first data is assigned a first weighting of the first source based on an identified level of familiarity associated with the base topic and an identified level of popularity in another personalized media stream. The processor is also configured to build a collection of candidate media items that includes the first media item and a second media item. The processor is further configured to order the collection of candidate media items to form the personalized media stream. Ordering the collection includes ordering the first media item within the collection based on the first weighting. The interface is configured to communicate the personalized media stream to a client device.

Abstract: A collimator taking the form of a prolate spheroid (40) comprising radiation attenuating material and featuring a twisted slit comprising radiation transmissive material. The twisted slit featuring first (43) and second (44) apertures arranged such that for each entrance point in one of the apertures there is a direct pathway through the major axis ‘B’ of the prolate spheroid (40), at a pre-determined angle, to a point in the other aperture, such that a compound aperture is formed. For each compound aperture the length of the direct pathway through the prolate spheroid (40) is constant. Rotation of the collimator about the major axis ‘B’, relative to a stationary point at the first aperture (43), steers in angle the compound aperture through the collimator from said stationary point.

Abstract: A collimator taking the form of a prolate spheroid (40) comprising radiation attenuating material and featuring a twisted slit comprising radiation transmissive material. The twisted slit featuring first (43) and second (44) apertures arranged such that for each entrance point in one of the apertures there is a direct pathway through the major axis ‘B’ of the prolate spheroid (40), at a pre-determined angle, to a point in the other aperture, such that a compound aperture is formed. For each compound aperture the length of the direct pathway through the prolate spheroid (40) is constant. Rotation of the collimator about the major axis ‘B’, relative to a stationary point at the first aperture (43), steers in angle the compound aperture through the collimator from said stationary point.

Abstract: The invention provides a computer-based method for logging a user mobile device onto a server computer system including registering a unique identifier of a user mobile device, receiving a first message from the user mobile device, detecting an Internet Protocol address associated with the user mobile device, receiving the unique identifier corresponding to the Internet Protocol address; and transmitting to the user mobile device a second message.

Abstract: A recessed lighting unit for mounting to a ceiling or a wall is provided. The recessed lighting unit includes an interface module having a through-duct. The through-duct may be coupled to a wire connector assembly to secure an electrical wire to the interface module and allow the electrical wire to reach a light source module. The wire connector assembly may be twisted and locked to the interface module without the use of tools. The lighting trim may be snapped on to an interface module through the use of a flexible retainer ring. The lighting trim may also be twisted and locked to an interface module without the use of tools. The present invention provides for a reduced set of components while ensuring adaptability and easy installation of lighting units. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: Storing a plurality of cloud-bots, each of the plurality of cloud-bots including a respective service. Gathering first data over a communication network, the first data being associated with a first Internet-of-Things (IoT) device. Gathering second data over the communication network, the second data being associated with a second IoT device. Triggering execution of a particular cloud-bot of the plurality of cloud-bots. Evaluating at least a portion of the first data and at least a portion of the second data against a response condition of a cloud-bot model of the particular cloud-bot. Initiating one or more response actions in response to satisfaction of the response condition, the one or more response actions controlling one or more device actions of a particular IoT device.

Abstract: A hand held forming tool includes a first arm member having a forming portion that includes a base that is connected to a pressure pad and a bending member. The tool also includes a second arm member pivotally connected to the first arm member. The second arm member includes a die portion. The forming portion and the die portion move between an open and a closed position in response to a force applied to handles of the first and second arm members. The die portion includes a die body having a slot and a bending channel. The slot is complementary to the pressure pad and the bending channel is complementary to the bending member. The tool further includes a shearing plate that is arranged so as to cut a work piece that has been inserted into the slot.

Abstract: A recessed lighting unit for mounting to a ceiling or a wall is provided. The recessed lighting unit includes an interface module having a through-duct. The through-duct may be coupled to a wire connector assembly to secure an electrical wire to the interface module and allow the electrical wire to reach a light source module. The wire connector assembly may be twisted and locked to the interface module without the use of tools. The lighting trim may be snapped on to an interface module through the use of a flexible retainer ring. The lighting trim may also be twisted and locked to an interface module without the use of tools. The present invention provides for a reduced set of components while ensuring adaptability and easy installation of lighting units. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A hand held forming tool includes a first arm member having a forming portion that includes a base that is connected to a pressure pad and a bending member. The tool also includes a second arm member pivotally connected to the first arm member. The second arm member includes a die portion. The forming portion and the die portion move between an open and a closed position in response to a force applied to handles of the first and second arm members. The die portion includes a die body having a slot and a bending channel. The slot is complementary to the pressure pad and the bending channel is complementary to the bending member. The tool further includes a shearing plate that is arranged so as to cut a work piece that has been inserted into the slot.