Abstract: A replaceable unit for an image forming apparatus according to one example embodiment includes a housing and at least one transmissive member positioned on an exterior of the housing. The at least one transmissive member is arranged to receive optical energy from the image forming apparatus and has a transmissivity for modifying an amount of the optical energy that leaves the at least one transmissive member relative to an amount of the optical energy received by the at least one transmissive member. The at least one transmissive member indicates information relating to a characteristic of the replaceable unit.

Abstract: A horizontal pumping system for pumping fluids into downstream piping includes a motor and a pump driven by the motor. The pump includes a discharge assembly for use in connecting a pump within a horizontal pumping system to downstream piping. The discharge assembly preferably includes a discharge head and a stub end configured for sliding engagement with the discharge head. The stub end is captured within the discharge head in a hydraulically balanced condition and the discharge assembly further includes a hydraulic balance chamber and a runner plate within the hydraulic balance chamber. The runner plate is secured to the stub end.

Abstract: In a virtualized computer system in which a guest operating system runs on a virtual machine of a virtualized computer system, a computer-implemented method of providing the guest operating system with direct access to a hardware device coupled to the virtualized computer system via a communication interface, the method including: (a) obtaining first configuration register information corresponding to the hardware device, the hardware device connected to the virtualized computer system via the communication interface; (b) creating a passthrough device by copying at least part of the first configuration register information to generate second configuration register information corresponding to the passthrough device; and (c) enabling the guest operating system to directly access the hardware device corresponding to the passthrough device by providing access to the second configuration register information of the passthrough device.

Abstract: A system and method is provided that facilitates the selection of individually selectable three dimensional objects displayed through a display device. The system may include at least one processor that is configured to determine at least one path that traverses the objects based on at least one motion input received through an input device. The processor may also cause at least two of the objects to be selected in a group while at least one of the objects remains unselected based on an amount of a surface area of each object that was traversed by the at least one path. In addition, the processor may cause at least one operation to be carried out on the group of at least two objects that are selected and not on the at least one object that remains unselected based on whether the objects are selected, responsive to at least one operation input received through the input device.

Abstract: A process for producing polymer-supported metal nanoparticles involves confinement of metal nanoparticles in polymeric nanotubes or nanosheets in an aqueous environment using hydrophobic reactants. Metal nanoparticles supported in the polymeric nanotubes or nanosheets are substantially monodisperse and have an average particle size of 4 nm or less. The polymer-supported metal nanoparticles are useful in fuel cells, sensors, bioanalysis, biological labeling or semi-conductors, especially as catalysts.

Abstract: A device for the protection of wiring and cabling installed prior to the hanging of drywall or other construction or remodel efforts. The device is comprised essentially of at least one wall, a recess, and fastener holes that correspond to the fastener holes on standard old and new work boxes, ceiling boxes, or circuit breaker boxes. The recess and walls in concert form a solid perimeter of a volume, the solid perimeter preventing the intrusion of dust, paint, adhesives, drywall, and tools, as well as other common construction elements, into installed boxes. The solid protective device also prevents the inadvertent cutting or other damage to wiring and cables installed prior to the hanging and cutting of drywall. The device may include a door to allow access to elements while still providing protection from passive intrusion.

Abstract: An electromagnetically operated powertrain system is provided. The system includes a plurality of cylinder assemblies arranged in parallel at least partially along a vehicle. Each of the cylinder assemblies may include one or more cylinders, one or more electromagnetic devices secured to at least one of the ends of each cylinder, one or more pistons reciprocatingly received in the cylinders, and a piston rod coupled to the pistons. Each of the pistons includes a permanent magnet that creates a magnetic field interacting with an electromagnetic field generated by each of the electromagnetic devices. A pulling and/or pushing force may be selectively generated by the magnetic field and the electromagnetic field to enable the pistons to reciprocate within the cylinders. A crankshaft is coupled to the piston rods of the plurality of cylinder assemblies and directly coupled to at least one of front and rear axles of a vehicle.

Abstract: To generate a checkpoint for a virtual machine (VM), first, while the VM is still running, a copy-on-write (COW) disk file is created pointing to a parent disk file that the VM is using. Next, the VM is stopped, the VM's memory is marked COW, the device state of the VM is saved to memory, the VM is switched to use the COW disk file, and the VM begins running again for substantially the remainder of the checkpoint generation. Next, the device state that was stored in memory and the unmodified VM memory pages are saved to a checkpoint file. Also, a copy may be made of the parent disk file for retention as part of the checkpoint, or the original parent disk file may be retained as part of the checkpoint. If a copy of the parent disk file was made, then the COW disk file may be committed to the original parent disk file.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein include a transmitter that transmits a power transmission signal (e.g., radio frequency (RF) signal waves) to create a three-dimensional pocket of energy. At least one receiver can be connected to or integrated into electronic devices and receive power from the pocket of energy. A wireless power network may include a plurality of wireless power transmitters each with an embedded wireless power transmitter manager, including a wireless power manager application. The wireless power network may include a plurality of client devices with wireless power receivers. Wireless power receivers may include a power receiver application configured to communicate with the wireless power manager application. The wireless power manager application may include a device database where information about the wireless power network may be stored.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein include a transmitter that transmits a power transmission signal (e.g., radio frequency (RF) signal waves) to create a three-dimensional pocket of energy. At least one receiver can be connected to or integrated into electronic devices and receive power from the pocket of energy. A wireless power network may include a plurality of wireless power transmitters each with an embedded wireless power transmitter manager, including a wireless power manager application. The wireless power network may include a plurality of client devices with wireless power receivers. Wireless power receivers may include a power receiver application configured to communicate with the wireless power manager application. The wireless power manager application may include a device database where information about the wireless power network may be stored.

Abstract: A process for producing polymer-supported metal nanoparticles involves confinement of metal nanoparticles in polymeric nanotubes or nanosheets in an aqueous environment using hydrophobic reactants. Metal nanoparticles supported in the polymeric nanotubes or nanosheets are substantially monodisperse and have an average particle size of 4 nm or less. The polymer-supported metal nanoparticles are useful in fuel cells, sensors, bioanalysis, biological labeling or semi-conductors, especially as catalysts.

Abstract: A virtual machine (VM) runs on system hardware, which includes a physical network interface device that enables transfer of packets between the VM and a destination over a network. A virtual machine monitor (VMM) exports a hardware interface to the VM and runs on a kernel, which forms a system software layer between the VMM and the system hardware. Pending packets (both transmit and receive) issued by the VM are stored in a memory region that is shared by, that is, addressable by, the VM, the VMM, and the kernel. Rather than always transferring each packet as it is issued, packets are clustered in the shared memory region until a trigger event occurs, whereupon the cluster of packets is passed as a group to the physical network interface device. Optional mechanisms are included to prevent packets from waiting too long in the shared memory space before being transferred to the network.

Abstract: A multifunctional rotating element is usable as various parts of a powertrain. The multifunctional rotating element includes a body and a plurality of contact elements. The body has an axis of rotation and is configured to rotate about the axis of rotation, and defines a rim portion. The plurality of contact elements are arranged around the rim portion. Each of the contact elements is independently movable between a raised position and a depressed position and biased to the raised position. Each of the contact elements is configured to move to the depressed position when engaged with an object.

Abstract: In a non-limiting example of the present disclosure, an intelligent personal assistant service may be added as an active participant within a thread of an application. A query directed to an intelligent personal assistant service may be entered into a message thread of a messaging application. An indication that the intelligent personal assistant service is added as an active participant within the message thread may be received, at a processing device. Content from the intelligent personal assistant service may be received directly into the message application. As an example, content may be provided, within the messaging application, as a message draft that may be modified before inclusion within a message thread. An input may be provided indicating to include the received content within the message thread. In response to providing the input, content received from the intelligent personal assistant service may be displayed within the message thread.

Abstract: Non-limiting examples of the present disclosure describe proactive action by an intelligent personal assistant application/service to improve functionality of one or more applications. In one example, an intelligent personal assistant service may interface with a messaging application to analyze a message thread within the messaging application. The intelligent personal assistant service may analyze the message thread by evaluating context of message content within the message thread. Analysis of the message thread may occur proactively without requiring an explicit request for assistance from a user of a processing device. In response to the analyzing of the message thread, the intelligent personal assistant service may proactively provide a cue that includes content retrieved by the intelligent personal assistant service. An input may be received to include the cue within the message thread. In response to receiving the input, the cue may be displayed within the message thread.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention include an equivalent-time sampling oscilloscope that receives a carrier signal, the carrier signal after it has been modulated with a repeating data pattern, and a pattern trigger signal that is synchronous with the data pattern. The carrier signal and the modulation are asynchronous, that is, they are not phase-locked in any way. The oscilloscope simultaneously samples the modulated carrier signal and quadrature phases of the unmodulated carrier signal at a plurality of timebase delays relative to the pattern trigger signal, and a plurality of times at each timebase delay. After collecting this information, the oscilloscope uses the quadrature samples to calculate phases of the unmodulated carrier signal that correspond to the samples of the modulated carrier signal.

Abstract: A shaft coupling for connecting a first shaft to a second shaft includes a first hub that has a shaft sleeve that fits over a portion of the first shaft. The first hub also includes a connection flange connected to the shaft sleeve. The shaft coupling further includes a compression fitting that fits over the shaft sleeve to apply a compressive force to the shaft sleeve and first shaft. The shaft coupling further includes a second hub that is connected to the second shaft and to the first hub.