Abstract: Provided herein are multi-layered protective coverings, wearable multi-layered protective devices, and methods of using the multi-layered protective coverings and wearable multi-layered protective devices.

Abstract: A system and method are described for implementing latched attributes within an IoT system. For example, one embodiment of a method comprises: specifying an attribute for each of a plurality of items of data managed in an Internet of Things (IoT) device and/or an IoT service, at least some of the attributes comprising latched attributes having a current value and an indication of state changes to the latched attribute over a period of time; when an IoT device is unable to connect with the IoT service for a period of time maintaining an indication of any state changes occurring to the latched attribute over the period of time; upon establishing a successful connection between the IoT device and the IoT service after the period of time, transmitting the indication of state changes of the latched attribute from the IoT device to the IoT service; and analyzing the indication of state changes to determine whether to generate an alert condition on the IoT service.

Abstract: A machine intelligent communication and control system is able to dynamically predict and adapt information presented to various users. The system provides a personalized experience with its ability to identify users, become contextually aware of the user's location and environment, identify objects and actions, and present customized information tailored for the user and the current environment. The system is further able to control connected items within the environment based upon various user preference considerations.

Abstract: A bed comprises a fixed width deck section, a wing movably coupled to the fixed width section, and a rack and pinion mechanism for extending and retracting the wing.

Abstract: An audio hub is disclosed including a plurality of daughterboards and a mainboard communicatively coupled to each of the plurality of daughterboards. Each of the plurality of daughterboards is associated with an audio channel and each audio channel is independent from the other of the audio channels associated with the other ones of the plurality of daughter boards. Further, each daughterboard includes at least one wireless transceiver operably configured to wirelessly transmit an audio signal associated with the corresponding audio channel from a musical instrument over a network to the audio playback device. The mainboard is configured so that, for each of the plurality of daughterboards, the mainboard is operable to independently modify at least one characteristic of the audio signal from the musical instrument before the audio signal is transmitted to the audio playback device.

Abstract: Systems, methods, controllers and algorithms for controlling a vehicle to closely follow another vehicle safely using automatic or partially automatic control are described. The described control schemes are well suited for use in vehicle platooning and/or vehicle convoying applications, including truck platooning and convoying controllers. In one aspect, methods of initiating a platoon between a host vehicle and a platoon partner are described. In another aspect, a number of specific checks are described for determining whether a platoon controller is ready to initiate platoon control of the host vehicle. In another aspect, a platoon controller that includes a state machine that determines the state of the platoon controller is described. In another aspect, methods for generating braking alerts to a driver of a vehicle while the vehicle is being at least semi-automatically controlled by a platoon controller are described.

Abstract: Embodiments of an active in-cell sub-pixel in an LCD panel are provided for time multiplexing image display and touch sensing so as to reduce pin counts required in display driver integrated circuits. In one embodiment, the sub-pixel comprises a liquid crystal capacitor, a storage capacitor and an active switching element. One terminal of the liquid crystal capacitor is connectable to a data line via a thin film transistor switch. The active switching element is connected to another terminal of the liquid crystal capacitor, and is externally controllable. In one configuration, the active switching element connects the liquid crystal capacitor to a second common electrode of the panel, causing the display-driving mode to be turned on. In another configuration, the active switching element connects the liquid crystal capacitor to the data line, causing the touch-sensing mode to be turned on.

Abstract: An educational apparatus has a controller linked with student devices, and a teacher device. Each student device is in the form of a desk with a board, a touch sensor array in the board, a display physically separate from the array, and permanent indicia. The apparatus recognises touch by a student on the board, and this is mapped to content of an overlay sheet of paper placed on the board. Moreover, multiple devices may be juxtaposed, and events may be recognised based on all of the group of devices together. An example is a paper sheet covering four devices together and having a map printed on it, in which the software recognised a particular location of touch on a particular device as being a specific region on the map.

Abstract: A thermal trigger assembly for remote mechanical actuation of another fire protection system component includes an activation component having a base and a movable member. A bias member biases the movable member from a preactivation to an activated position with respect to the base. A thermally responsive element retains the movable member in the preactivation position until a predetermined thermodynamic condition is reached, when the thermally responsive element loses structural integrity. A flexible connector includes a flexible hollow outer cable housing with one end configured to be stationarily (preferably fixedly) connected with the base. A flexible cable is inside the outer cable housing for sliding movement therein and has one end configured to be stationarily (preferably fixedly) connected with the movable member. The flexible cable is moved with respect to the outer cable housing by movement of the movable member upon loss of structural integrity by the thermally responsive element.

Abstract: Pyrazolone derivatives of formula (I) defined herein exhibit human neutrophil elastase inhibitory properties and are useful for the treatment of diseases or conditions in which HNE is implicated.

Abstract: Described are a method and a system for automatically manufacturing shoes. The method includes automatically manufacturing a plurality of soles in a first station and automatically manufacturing a plurality of uppers in a second station, wherein the first and the second station are operating in parallel and are arranged in a common facility so that a manufactured sole and a manufactured upper can be transported to a joining station and be automatically joined there.

Abstract: An onboard inert gas system has an electrochemical and a membrane gas separator. The electrochemical separator includes an electrochemical cell including a cathode and anode separated by an electrolyte separator. An electrical power source provides power to the electrical circuit at a voltage that electrolyzes water at the anode and forms water at the cathode, or reduces oxygen at the cathode and forms oxygen at the anode. Oxygen is consumed at the cathode, providing nitrogen-enriched air. Nitrogen-enriched air from the cathode is connected by a flow path to the membrane gas separator, which comprises a membrane having a greater permeability to oxygen or water than to nitrogen. Nitrogen-enriched air from the membrane gas separator that is further enriched in nitrogen, reduced in water content, or both, is connected by a flow path to a fuel tank, a fire suppression system, or both a fuel tank and a fire suppression system.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product protects client information used for online transactions by storing transaction details on the client side of a network and avoiding storage on the host side. A hash function may be generated representing a transaction and its details on both the client and server sides. For the transaction to be processed, the hash function from the client side must match the hash function on the host side. Once authenticated, the transaction details may be read and processed while maintaining storage of the client information on the client side of the network.

Abstract: A system and method are described for preventing security breaches in an IoT system.

Abstract: An integrated portable sample analysis system includes a portable case including an interior panel and a spectrometer subsystem. The spectrometer subsystem includes a flip top spectrometer sample cell including first and second members each including a window aligned with each other when the first and second members are coupled together defining a predefined spacing between the windows when the first and second members are coupled together, the first and second members decoupled for manually placing a fluid sample on a the window. An analyzer behind the interior panel receives the flip top spectrometer sample cell therein when the first and second members are coupled together for analyzing the fluid sample located between the windows by directing radiation through the windows and the fluid sample. The flip top spectrometer sample cell is configured to be withdrawn out of the analyzer for cleaning of the windows.

Abstract: A method of controlling a plurality of lights of a lighting installation comprises the steps of receiving a framework defining the plurality of lights of the lighting installation, the framework comprising a video frame, creating a plurality of different coloured versions of the framework, locating each of the different coloured versions of the framework on a timeline of video frames, applying transition effects between the located different coloured versions of the framework on the timeline to create intermediate video frames thereby generating a sequence of video frames, transmitting the sequence of video frames to a lighting controller for the lighting installation, and controlling the plurality of lights of the lighting installation according to the sequence of video frames.

Abstract: An illuminating fixture includes forming a hub body, the hub body formed to include a cavity and an opening extending through an end of the hub body. The fixture further includes a mounting plate configured to be secured to the end of the hub body with the opening, and the mounting plate is configured to secure the hub body to an external surface. The hub body and/or the mounting plate includes a transparent portion that can illuminate an area surrounding the fixture. The fixture further includes a system of electronic components including a sensor system, a controller, and a light generating unit. The controller is configured to generate a light beam based on input from the sensor system. The sensor system may include a motion detection sensor and/or an ambient light sensor. An optical assembly of the fixture is configured to direct the light beam through the transparent portion.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and systems that may improve and/or modify images captured using multiscopic image capture systems. In an example embodiment, burst image data is captured via a multiscopic image capture system. The burst image data may include at least one image pair. The at least one image pair is aligned based on at least one rectifying homography function. The at least one aligned image pair is warped based on a stereo disparity between the respective images of the image pair. The warped and aligned images are then stacked and a denoising algorithm is applied. Optionally, a high dynamic range algorithm may be applied to at least one output image of the aligned, warped, and denoised images.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to the harvesting of sugar-bearing ground crops such as sweet sorghum, in cold regions. The sugar crop harvester with various adaptations described is comprised of operational components, or features, that minimize the damage done to the crop during harvesting, particularly those things that result in deterioration of sugars prior to processing. The harvester includes several operational components that are well suited for processing sweet sorghum, particularly the dividers, base cutters, feed conveyor, de-trashing roll, brush rolls, hurler drums, de-bridging thrash roller, air blast, toppers and bin. Other components of the harvester are designed for easy maintenance. The operational components can be used with either a whole-stalk style harvester, or a chopper-style harvester.

Abstract: There are provided methods for preparing lithium hydroxide. For example, such methods can comprise submitting an aqueous composition comprising a lithium compound to an electrolysis under conditions suitable for converting at least a portion of said lithium compound into lithium hydroxide. There are also provided methods for preparing lithium sulphate.