Abstract: A method includes flowing gas within a chamber for first process parameters at a predetermined point in a laser focal plane and simulating the step of flowing gas within the chamber based on the value of the flow characteristic of the gas at the predetermined point in the laser focal plane so that a value of a simulated-flow characteristic of the gas at a predetermined point away from the laser focal plane is identified. The method comprises comparing the value of the simulated-flow characteristic of gas at the predetermined point away from the laser focal plane to a desired value of the simulated-flow characteristic and flowing gas within the chamber for second differing process parameters, when the value of the simulated-flow characteristic of the gas at the predetermined point away from the laser focal plane differs from the desired value of the simulated-flow characteristic is outside a predetermined range.

Abstract: A technique controls regenerative braking to reduce skidding of an electric vehicle. Such a technique may involve imparting rotation to an electric motor to move the vehicle to a first speed; and adjusting the limit regenerative braking power available based on a grade/slope on which the vehicle is operating. Processing circuitry may be configured to both: (a) allow a vehicle to have unrestricted or less restricted regenerative braking for more quickly slowing the vehicle when desired such as on flat dry pavement and/or on flat ground, and (b) limit, or more significantly limit, the vehicle's deceleration in situations such as when traveling downhill on a steep grade to reduce chances of sliding/skidding.

Abstract: A method includes receiving operational data from a plurality of vehicles comprising a fleet of vehicles operating in an area of interest, the operational data indicating a motion and a corresponding location of the vehicle; processing the received operational data to identify events of interest, wherein each of the identified events of interest has an event type and has associated therewith a geographic area in which the event of interest occurred; and identifying clusters of the events of interest, wherein each of the clusters comprises multiple occurrences of ones of the events of interest having the same type and having associated therewith the same geographic area. A responsive action to mitigate operating conditions associated with the event type of the events of interest of the at least one of the identified clusters may subsequently be taken.

Abstract: A technique provides power-limiting regenerative braking to a utility vehicle. The technique involves detecting that the utility vehicle is moving in a forward direction at a first speed. The technique further involves applying a first regenerative braking power level to the utility vehicle in response to detecting that the utility vehicle is moving in the forward direction at the first speed. The technique further involves detecting that the utility vehicle is moving in the forward direction at a second speed which is less than the first speed. The technique further involves applying a second regenerative braking power level to the utility vehicle in response to detecting that the utility vehicle is moving in the forward direction at the second speed. The second regenerative braking power level is lower than the first regenerative braking power level.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus is provided and includes a housing having an actuator; an elongated member extending from the housing; an end effector disposed on an end of the elongated member, the end effector having a first jaw and a second jaw, the first jaw having a staple cartridge and the second jaw having a plurality of staple forming recesses; the staple cartridge having at least a first segment and a second segment, the first segment and the second segment each having a tissue contacting surface and staple receiving slots defined in the tissue contacting surface, the first segment and the second segment being biased toward the second jaw and movable; a biasing members for each of the first segment and the second segment; and a pressure sensor for each of the first segment and the second segment.

Abstract: Techniques to control a utility vehicle involve initially setting a maximum speed constraint imposed on the utility vehicle to an initial value. Such techniques further involve receiving a state of charge signal that indicates a current state of charge of a lithium battery which provides electric power for utility vehicle propulsion. Such techniques further involve, based on the state of charge signal that indicates the current state of charge of the lithium battery, adjusting the maximum speed constraint imposed on the utility vehicle from the initial value to an adjusted value that is different from the initial value.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides an exemplary computer system that includes at least the following components: at least one processor; a non-transitory memory storing software instructions; and where, when executing the software instructions by the processor, the computer system is configured to perform at least: controlling a plurality of first software objects; controlling a plurality of second software objects; controlling a plurality of third software object; where each software object includes at least one property programmed with at least one trigger condition and at least one programmed action; where the at least one pre-programmed action is configured to dynamically change a value of at least one property of at least one other software object based on: i) the at least one trigger condition; and ii) a value of at least one other property.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine has a shaft having an inner diameter surface. A plug is mounted in the shaft. An oil nozzle is positioned to direct a flow of oil to an interior of the shaft. The plug has: a first section; a second section having an outer diameter periphery; and an axial gap between the first section and the second section.

Abstract: A vehicle anti-theft device that is configured to be surroundably mount a brake pedal inhibiting access thereto and as such disabling features of the vehicle such as but not limited to starting of the vehicle. The invention includes a housing having a plurality of walls forming an interior volume being of suitable size to accommodate a vehicle brake pedal therein. The housing includes a front wall that is hingedly mounted operable to move between an open and closed position. A top wall is slidably secured to the housing so as to facilitate placement of the housing around the vehicle brake pedal. A wedge member is placed within the interior volume of the housing and is configured to engage the brake pedal applying an upwards bias thereagainst so as to inhibit movement of the vehicle brake pedal. A lateral stability member is secured to the housing to inhibit lateral movement thereof.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the disclosure include systems and methods that generate and utilize digital visual codes. In particular, in one or more embodiments, the disclosed systems and methods generate digital visual codes comprising a plurality of digital visual code points arranged in concentric circles, a plurality of anchor points, and an orientation anchor surrounding a digital media item. In addition, the disclosed systems and methods embed information in the digital visual code points regarding an account of a first user of a networking system. In one or more embodiments, the disclosed systems and methods display the digital visual codes via a computing device of the first user, scan the digital visual codes via a second computing device, and provide privileges to the second computing device in relation to the account of the first user in the networking system based on the scanned digital visual code.

Abstract: A technique controls an electric brake of a vehicle. The technique involves continuously providing power to the electric brake of the vehicle to continuously disengage the electric brake and allow the vehicle to move. The technique further involves, while power is continuously provided to the electric brake and the vehicle is moving, sensing a fault condition. The technique further involves, in response to sensing the fault condition, providing electric pulses to the electric brake in place of continuously providing power to the electric brake, the electric pulses having varying pulse timing that controls braking of the vehicle. Accordingly, the vehicle is able to provide a more consistent braking response regardless of variations in certain factors such as brake calibration and/or current wear, the current weight in the vehicle, the current temperature, etc.

Abstract: A technique controls an electric brake of a vehicle. The technique involves continuously providing power to the electric brake of the vehicle to continuously disengage the electric brake and allow the vehicle to move. The technique further involves, while power is continuously provided to the electric brake and the vehicle is moving, sensing a fault condition. The technique further involves, in response to sensing the fault condition, providing electric pulses to the electric brake in place of continuously providing power to the electric brake, the electric pulses having varying pulse timing that controls braking of the vehicle. Accordingly, the vehicle is able to provide a more consistent braking response regardless of variations in certain factors such as brake calibration and/or current wear, the current weight in the vehicle, the current temperature, etc.

Abstract: A payment processing system receives from a user device at least one message including information identifying user profile information to be associated with a prepaid account, funding source identification identifying a financial source to be used for temporarily funding the prepaid account, and a schedule identifying when the prepaid account is to be used to pay for a purchase. The system sends an account key through the network interface, and generates the prepaid account with a logical association to the account key, the user profile information, the funding source identification, and the schedule. The system determines when a funding rule has become satisfied based on at least the schedule, and responds to determining the funding rule has become satisfied by funding the prepaid account from the financial source identified by the funding source identification.

Abstract: Methods for assessing a skin surface of a patient and associated systems and devices are described herein. A method configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology can include, for example, receiving a three-dimensional data set representative of the patient's skin surface and determining a boundary of a feature of the patient's skin in the three-dimensional data set. The method can further include determining, with a processor, a three-dimensional surface area of the feature within the boundary. In some embodiments, the method can also include identifying a plurality of sub-regions within the boundary and identifying one or more tissue types in each sub-region.

Abstract: A method includes flowing gas within a chamber for first process parameters at a predetermined point in a laser focal plane and simulating the step of flowing gas within the chamber based on the value of the flow characteristic of the gas at the predetermined point in the laser focal plane so that a value of a simulated-flow characteristic of the gas at a predetermined point away from the laser focal plane is identified. The method comprises comparing the value of the simulated-flow characteristic of gas at the predetermined point away from the laser focal plane to a desired value of the simulated-flow characteristic and flowing gas within the chamber for second differing process parameters, when the value of the simulated-flow characteristic of the gas at the predetermined point away from the laser focal plane differs from the desired value of the simulated-flow characteristic is outside a predetermined range.

Abstract: Methods for assessing a skin surface of a patient and associated systems and devices are described herein. A method configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology can include, for example, receiving a three-dimensional data set representative of the patient's skin surface and determining a boundary of a feature of the patient's skin in the three-dimensional data set. The method can further include determining, with a processor, a three-dimensional surface area of the feature within the boundary. In some embodiments, the method can also include identifying a plurality of sub-regions within the boundary and identifying one or more tissue types in each sub-region.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the disclosure include systems and methods that generate and utilize digital visual codes. In particular, in one or more embodiments, the disclosed systems and methods generate digital visual codes comprising a plurality of digital visual code points arranged in concentric circles, a plurality of anchor points, and an orientation anchor surrounding a digital media item. In addition, the disclosed systems and methods embed information in the digital visual code points regarding an account of a first user of a networking system. In one or more embodiments, the disclosed systems and methods display the digital visual codes via a computing device of the first user, scan the digital visual codes via a second computing device, and provide privileges to the second computing device in relation to the account of the first user in the networking system based on the scanned digital visual code.

Abstract: A method of configuring an additive-manufacturing machine comprises a chamber, a platform, movable inside the chamber and comprising a build-plane surface, and a laser, having a laser focal plane within the chamber. The method comprising steps of flowing a gas within the chamber in accordance with a first set of process parameters and identifying a value of a flow characteristic of the gas at a predetermined point in the laser focal plane while flowing the gas within the chamber in accordance with the first set of process parameters. The method also comprises additively manufacturing a test coupon using the laser while flowing the gas within the chamber in accordance with the first set of process parameters, wherein the test coupon has a test-coupon peripheral surface.

Abstract: A protective case for a bicycle, which is an enclosed hollow rectangular cuboid including a top half; a lower half; wherein the top and lower halves releasably connect together to form the enclosed cuboid; and wherein each of the halves has: rigid outer wall sections for each surface of the cuboid so that the cuboid is fully enclosed; wherein at least the lower half has a stand attached thereto and the stand being adapted to connect to a bicycle frame of the bicycle and the case being adapted to support the bicycle when the stand is in, either: a non-extended position; and an extended position; wherein the stand is releasably attached to a mounting system; and the mounting system can hold the bicycle either in alignment or orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the lower half.