Abstract: A fastening system includes first and second fastening members and a penetrating member. The first fastening member includes a backspan and a set of lobes that extend from the backspan. The second fastening member includes a backspan and a set of lobes that extend from the backspan. The penetrating member includes a first body which is substantially planar, a set of teeth, and a first trailing wall that extends from the first body orthogonal to a plane that is defined by the first body. The set of teeth extend from a leading edge of the first body which is opposite a trailing edge of the first body and are configured to pierce and spread tissue over the set of lobes of the first fastening member. The first trailing wall is configured to support the backspan of the first fastening member.

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: A drain stopper apparatus is disclosed and configured for being installed within a drain hole of a fixture, for preventing any buildup of hair or other materials within an associated drainpipe of the fixture. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus provides a stopper body sized and shaped for being positioned within the drain hole of the fixture, in contact with an inner surface of a basin of the fixture. A stopper tailpiece is engaged with a bottom of the stopper body. A stopper is positioned within the stopper body and configured for selectively moving between one of an open position and a closed position. A drive coupler interconnects a lower end of the stopper tailpiece with an upper end of the drainpipe, the drive coupler providing a drive mechanism positioned and configured for selectively actuating the stopper between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: The present methods and systems relate to using and accessing data stored in a blockchain, and in particular, interacting with the blockchain and users via smart contracts to handle account funding and distribution methods. The methods and systems include receiving a transaction from a participant, and verifying the transaction, such as by accessing a smart contract stored on the blockchain and checking a set of parameters against a set of conditions stored in the smart contract. Depending on whether the set of parameters satisfy the conditions, the results may be communicated to participants about the success or failure of the transaction.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to managing file systems over a network. Jobs may be provided to a storage computer in a file system. Control models may be associated with the jobs. Scores may be generated based on the control models. Each job may be associated with a score provided by its associated control model. And, each job that may be behind its corresponding schedule may be associated with a higher score value than each other job that may be either on its corresponding other schedule or ahead of its corresponding other schedule. Commands may be selected for execution based on the commands being associated with a job that may be associated with the higher score value that may be greater than score values associated with other jobs. The jobs may be ranked based on the updated scores. Subsequent commands may be selected and executed based on the ranking of the jobs.

Abstract: A communication console may include a moveable plunger including a body and an arm. The arm may connect to and extend away from the body. A first element may be coupled to the arm. The first element may include a top point and a bottom point, the axis of displacement extending between the top point and the bottom point. The first element may move with the arm along the axis of displacement. A second element may be detached from the arm and positioned adjacent to the axis of displacement. Additionally, one of the first element or the second element may be a sensing element and another may be a detectable element. The sensing element may sense a spatial position of the detectable element and output an indication of a position of the plunger based on the spatial position of the detectable element.

Abstract: Artificial intelligence is introduced into an electronic meeting context to perform various tasks before, during, and/or after electronic meetings. The tasks may include a wide variety of tasks, such as agenda creation, participant selection, real-time meeting management, meeting content supplementation, and post-meeting processing. The artificial intelligence may analyze a wide variety of data such as data pertaining to other electronic meetings, data pertaining to organizations and users, and other general information pertaining to any topic. Capability is also provided to create, manage, and enforce meeting rules templates that specify requirements and constraints for various aspects of electronic meetings.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed to optimize reference signature matching using watermark matching. An example disclosed herein includes selecting first unhashed reference signatures to evaluate for a second time segment of monitoring data based on watermark coverage of a first time segment of the monitoring data, the monitoring data obtained from a meter monitoring media presented by a media device and comparing the first unhashed reference signatures with first unhashed monitored signatures from the second time segment of the monitoring data.

Abstract: A product use and behavior instrument includes a housing defining a central compartment therein. A controller is positioned within the central compartment. The controller includes a first connector. The first connector is configured to operatively and removably couple the product use and behavior instrument to a battery element. A second connector is configured to operatively and removably couple the product use and behavior instrument to a tank element. A sensor circuit is structured to collect at least one use data characteristic of a smoking action. The smoking action is associated with use of at least one of the tank and battery element. Local memory is structured to store the at least one use data characteristic of the smoking action. A communication interface is structured to communicate the stored at least one use data characteristic of the smoking action to a remote computing device.

Abstract: A tie knot system, including a necktie and a tie knot member with an interior and first and second upper apertures and a lower aperture, including an inner knot member positioned in the interior, such that a narrow tail of the necktie protrudes through the lower aperture and out of the first upper aperture and loops back via the second upper aperture and out of the lower aperture. The inner knot member can be made of a resilient material, have elongated openings, and can be folded and assembled from a tie knot sheet, including a bridge portion and left and right elongated portions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved sports helmet including a quick release connector assembly for the faceguard that allows for rapid disconnection of the faceguard from the helmet shell. The connector includes a bracket, and a coupler mechanism featuring an elongated pin, a head component, a spring, a retractable engaging element and a washer. The connector assembly is moveable between a use position, wherein the faceguard is secured to the shell by the bracket and the coupler mechanism, and a released position wherein the bracket and the faceguard are disconnected from the shell. An inwardly directed actuation force that lacks a rotational component is applied to the elongated pin to move from the use position to the released position.

Abstract: A tape measure attachment with a brush and wiper element is shown and described. The tape measure attachment with a brush and wiper element includes a front section, wherein the front section has an aperture therein. The aperture contains a brush and wiper element therein. The aperture and the brush and wiper element are proportioned to accept a tape of a measuring tape therein. The front section is attached to a base at one end of the base. A pair of prongs are attached to the base near one end of the base, wherein the prongs are configured to frictionally engage a tape measure housing. A second pair of prongs are attached to the base near one end of the base, wherein the prongs are configured to frictionally engage a tape measure housing.

Abstract: Example techniques are provided for controlling volume of A/V devices using an improved volume control. The volume control may be implemented as a slider, where the sliding element is temporarily slid in response to user input (e.g., touched and dragged by the user), but then automatically “snaps” back to the center of the slider's range when the user input ends (e.g., is released by the user). Movement of the element from the center is interpreted as a relative volume adjustment, with the rate of volume change being proportional to the distance between the center of the range and the temporary position of the element. An indicator is provided indicating the rate, to provide user feedback. The volume control may be utilized as a master volume control in a home automation system.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the systems and methods built in accordance with the present disclosure may analyze audience engagement with a presentation displayed during a meeting and provide feedback to a presenter during and/or after the presentation. In some embodiments, the provided feedback may include determining metrics indicative of participant engagement levels. Participant engagement levels may then be used to adjust meetings in real-time and/or after the meeting has ended. In some embodiments, the system may include a hybrid configuration where a subset of the presenters, participants and moderators are physically present in the same environment. In some embodiments, the system may include a fully virtual configuration where all of the presenters, participants and moderators are physically remote from each other.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, a fresh food compartment disposed within the cabinet, a freezer compartment disposed within the cabinet, an ice compartment disposed within the cabinet, and an electronic control system associated with the refrigerator and adapted to monitor and control the fresh food compartment, the freezer compartment and the ice compartment. The control system provides for energy efficient control and operation through various means, including by monitoring state of an ice maker associated with the ice compartment and controlling temperature within compartments of the refrigerator based on the ice maker state. A damper controls air flow between the fresh food and freezer compartments. The control system can direct heat to the damper if the damper becomes frozen.

Abstract: Implementations of the subject technology provide for receiving a registration request for registering and associating phone numbers for at least one service on a particular device, where the registration request includes information related to a phone authentication certificate (PAC) that was generated for the particular device. The PAC authenticates that each of the phone numbers is associated with the particular device. The subject system performs an authentication of user identifiers associated with the particular device based at least on the PAC. The subject system performs a registration of at least one service for the particular device using the authenticated user identifiers, in which the registration includes at least one respective handle for accessing the at least one service via each respective user identifier. The subject system transmits to the particular device, information related to the at least one respective handle for accessing the service via each respective user identifier.

Abstract: A system and method for storing, shipping, preserving and ripening produce. Packaging of respiring produce, particularly avocados, in sealed tray systems. The tray systems include a lower bowl-shaped tray having an upper lip to which a flexible film is adhered. The flexible film has an aperture covered by a breathable membrane. The film permits passage of water vapor to reduce the chance of mold formation during packaging and shipping. The breathable membrane controls gaseous exchange at different temperatures and has pores that open above the threshold temperature. The breathable membrane alters the O2 and CO2 within the tray above the threshold temperature, thus slowing up the ripening process at elevated temperatures.