Abstract: Pluggable connector including a contact array of electrical contacts for engaging corresponding contacts of a communication component. The pluggable connector also includes a connector housing having a mating end configured to mate with the communication component. The connector housing includes a first housing shell and a second housing shell that oppose each other and are coupled together to define a housing cavity therebetween. The contact array is disposed within the housing cavity. The first housing shell includes a plug collar that surrounds the contact array at the mating end. The plug collar has a leading edge and a back edge. The second housing shell interfaces with the back edge of the plug collar such that the plug collar extends from the second housing shell to the mating end.

Abstract: A method for medical device sterilization comprises staggering a stack of packages so that a back surface of each package partially overlaps a front surface of another of the packages. Each package contains a medical device. The stack of packages are positioned so that the front surfaces of the packages face toward a radiation source. The packages are then exposed to radiation.

Abstract: A system for generating custom modular objects is described. The custom modules form part of a modular construction set from which an object can be created by a user. The object acts as a user input device for an interactive software experience. To generate a custom (i.e. non-standard) module, a virtual 3D shape is received by a module generation service. The service converts this shape into a derived 3D shape for the module, for example, ensuring that the module is shaped such that it is compatible with other modules from the modular construction set to which it will be connected for form an object and/or by adding an aperture for receiving a connector and/or electronics core. Once generated, the derived 3D shape is sent to the user in physical form or virtual form and a virtual representation of the module is provided to the interactive software experience.

Abstract: An interactive computer game is described which works in conjunction with a number of physical modules that a user can connect together in different ways to form a coherent physical whole object. The game receives data from the object via a wireless link, the data identifying at least which modules form part of the object and updates game play based on the data received. At some point within the game play, the game presents an objective or goal to the user which the user can only achieve by interacting with the physical object formed from the modules. In an embodiment, this interaction comprises re-arranging the modules or swapping modules to form an object with a different visual appearance, moving all or part of the object and/or interacting with a sensor on a module in the object. The game may receive further data from the object during the user interaction.

Abstract: A data store for a modular assembly system is described. The data store comprises a number of records, each record relating to a physical module in the modular assembly system and comprising a module ID, an owner ID for the module and one or more properties fields. The properties field(s) define any property of the module and different records may define different properties. At least one of the fields in each data record (e.g. the module ID or owner ID) is verified by an authentication service. A user assembles two or more modules into a coherent physical whole object to act as a user input device to an interactive software experience. The data store communicates with the interactive software experience and causes a change in behavior of the interactive software experience in response to a check of the data records for each of the modules in the object.

Abstract: A modular assembly system is described which enables interaction with an interactive software experience such as a game. The system enables a coherent physical whole object to be assembled from a core module and one or more peripheral modules. The core module includes a battery, processor and a wireless module which is able to communicate with the interactive software experience which runs on a separate computing device such as a smartphone, tablet or games console. Each of the peripheral modules stores a module ID and these IDs are collected by the core module and communicated to the interactive software experience. The user experience within the interactive software experience changes dependent upon the set of modules which are connected to form the coherent physical whole object and may also be altered as a result of manipulation of the coherent physical whole object or individual modules.

Abstract: Interactive smart beads are described. The beads are attached to a connecting element and form a fashion item such as a necklace or bracelet. The connecting element detects the presence of beads which are part of the fashion item and also beads which are part of nearby fashion items. The connecting element also autonomously generates interactions between two or more detected beads and transmits data about the interactions to a software experience so that a user can view a graphical representation of the interactions. In various examples each bead represents a character, environment, object, etc. and the software experience displays an animated story based on the characters, environments, objects, etc. represented by the beads involved in an interaction.

Abstract: A modular assembly system is described in which each module comprises a storage element which stores an identifier for the module and data relating to the module. At least some of the module data is variable and is updated based on user interaction with an interactive software experience (e.g. state data). Each module also comprises one or more connectors for connecting to other modules to form a coherent physical whole object. In an embodiment, the system further comprises the interactive software experience which provides user objectives which can only be satisfied by the user interacting with the object or with modules that form the object. At least one of the modules in the object comprises a communication module which passes identifiers and module data to the interactive software experience and receives updated module data from the interactive software experience for storing in one of the modules in the object.

Abstract: Receptacle assembly including a receptacle housing having a front end, a back end, and an elongated module cavity that extends between the front and back ends. The receptacle assembly also includes a communication connector that is positioned to mate with a pluggable module when the pluggable module is inserted into the module cavity. The receptacle assembly also includes a light source that is positioned proximate to the port opening and supported by the receptacle housing. The light source generates light signals that are viewable at the front end. The receptacle assembly also includes a flexible cable coupled to the light source. The light source generates the light signals based on electrical current received through the flexible cable.

Abstract: A thermal management system for a display case having a corner in which a lighting system is located is provided. The lighting system includes a reflector and a light source that generates heat and is mounted with the reflector. A lighting system support is positioned in the corner of the display case and is associated with the lighting system. A mullion is positioned between the lighting system support and the lighting system. The mullion maintains a desired relative position between the lighting system support and the lighting system. A contactor is located between the lighting system support and the lighting system, and provides minimal thermal conduction between the lighting system support and the lighting system. The contactor thus reduces heat transfer from the heat-generating light source to the lighting system support, thereby reducing an amount of heat transferred to the corner of the display case.

Abstract: Flexible light engines capable of being cut, and methods thereof, are provided. A cuttable flexible light engine includes a flexible strip and strings of solid state light sources coupled in parallel. A voltage balancer establishes a desired current flow through the strings of solid state light sources when the flexible strip is cut to a desired length, and may be part of a connector placed where the strip is cut. The strings may be provided in a first set of strings coupled in parallel between a first conductive path and an intermediate conductive path and a second set of strings coupled in parallel between the intermediated conductive path and a second conductive path. A cuttable flexible light engine may also include test points positioned within the strings.

Abstract: Methods and systems for selection radiation exposure in sterilization of medical devices are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for a stabilization device for maintaining a position of a medical device relative to a body surface of a patient. The stabilization device comprises a support portion that defines a groove for receiving the medical device. The groove is structured to allow for positioning of the medical device at a plurality of angles relative to the body surface of the patient. The groove has opposing wall portions for securing the medical device.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly is provided with a shielding cage member having an upper port and a lower port configured to receive pluggable modules therein. The cage member has side walls that extend along sides of the upper and lower ports. The cage member includes a separator member that extends between the side walls and between the upper and lower ports. The separator member has an upper plate and a lower plate with a channel therebetween. A light pipe organizer is positioned within the channel. An RF absorber is positioned within the channel in engagement with the light pipe organizer. The RF absorber reduces an amount of electromagnetic interference (EMI) emitted from the channel.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for facilitating tissue puncture of a portion of biological tissue using a device, the device comprising a tissue supporting member that is adapted to be placed in a proximal position relative to a portion of the biological tissue and a tissue puncturing member that is adapted to be placed in a distal position relative to the portion of the biological tissue, so that the portion of biological tissue is between the tissue supporting member and tissue puncturing member, the method comprising: supporting the portion of biological tissue using the tissue supporting member; and advancing the tissue puncturing member in a distal direction such that the tissue puncturing member passes through the portion of the biological tissue, thereby puncturing the portion of biological tissue.

Abstract: A method for medical device sterilization comprises staggering a stack of packages so that a back surface of each package partially overlaps a front surface of another of the packages. Each package contains a medical device. The stack of packages are positioned so that the front surfaces of the packages face toward a radiation source. The packages are then exposed to radiation.

Abstract: A new cultivar of Lomandra plant named ‘Roma 13’ that is characterized by a compact habit, arching narrow flat variegated leaves that are grey-green with a white center stripe and white margins.