Abstract: A meter apparatus and method of operating a removable meter apparatus are described. The meter apparatus includes a tag associated with unique tag identification information and configured to be permanently affixed to a location housing at a unique physical location, and includes a removable meter unit configured to mate with the location housing and receive the tag identification from the tag and report the tag identification to a data manager configured to associate an identifier of the removable meter unit with the tag identification and unique physical location, and associate configuration information for the physical location with the removable meter unit and the tag identification. The unique physical location can comprise a single-space parking location.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include computer-implemented systems and processes that facilitate an initiation and a performance of one or more trustless transactions between counterparty devices operating within a trusted, secure computer-networking environment. For example, an apparatus may receive, through a touchscreen display unit, first data that identifies a session identifier associated with a transaction session, and may determine a validity of the session identifier based on the received first data. The apparatus may establish the transaction session in response to the determined validity of the session identifier. The transaction session may be associated with first and second operations characterized by values of corresponding parameters.

Abstract: A signal generator has a generator output. The signal generator is configured to generate first and second signals at the generator output. The first signal has a first frequency, and the second signal has a second frequency. Switching circuitry has a circuitry input and a circuitry output. The circuitry input is coupled to the generator output. The circuitry output is adapted to be coupled to an ultrasonic transducer mechanically coupled with a surface. The switching circuitry is configured to: provide the first signal to the ultrasonic transducer at the first frequency to reduce a fluid droplet on the surface from a first size to a second size; and provide the second signal to the ultrasonic transducer at the second frequency to reduce the fluid droplet from the second size to a third size.

Abstract: The invention relates to a urinal system (10), a water consumer system having such a urinal system, and a method for operating a urinal system.

Abstract: A can decorator includes a plate cylinder shaft, a plate cylinder structured to be installed on the plate cylinder shaft, and a plate cylinder locking and unlocking mechanism structured to selectively lock the plate cylinder to the plate cylinder shaft such that the plate cylinder shaft and plate cylinder rotate in conjunction and to selectively unlock the plate cylinder from the plate cylinder shaft such that the plate cylinder shaft and plate cylinder do not rotate in conjunction and the plate cylinder is permitted to be removed from the plate cylinder shaft. The plate cylinder locking and unlocking mechanism uses at least one of pneumatic, magnetic, and mechanical power to selectively lock and unlock the plate cylinder.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for tracking the location of an individual during a fitness activity are disclosed. A method of tracking a participant engaged in a fitness activity includes determining a location of the participant during the fitness activity based on data received at a portable fitness device used by the participant; determining a location of a spectator during the fitness activity based on data received at a mobile spectator device used by the spectator; from a server, sending an alert to a spectator at a spectator device during the fitness activity indicating that the participant is within a predetermined distance of the spectator; and sending an alert to the portable fitness device during the fitness activity indicating that the spectator is within a predetermined distance of the participant.

Abstract: A fluid tip for use with a spray gun. The fluid tip comprises an air cap and a paint nozzle. The air cap comprises an inner surface 206 and the paint nozzle comprises an outer surface 208. The inner and outer surfaces define sides of an air channel 203. The inner and outer surfaces are defined by contours, each contour terminating to form an air channel outlet 207 for discharging an air jet proximal a paint nozzle outlet of the paint nozzle. The contours are configured to provide a velocity profile 400 across the air channel outlet 207 of an air flow 401 through the air channel 203 in which velocities of air radially closer to the paint nozzle outlet are substantially higher than velocities radially further from the paint nozzle outlet.

Abstract: Pool stands, trays, devices, and methods for supporting beverage containers on the edge of a swimming pool while supporting a pool umbrella. One embodiment of the stand can be generally disc shaped with a lower front step portion, and a through-hole passing through the stand to allow an umbrella post to be supported therein. A clamping screw knob can lock the umbrella post to the stand. The stand can be positioned on the edge of a swimming pool so that shade from the umbrella can be provide to person(s) in the pool. Another embodiment can have a generally rectangular configuration with a lower front step portion that can also be positioned on the edge of a swimming pool so that shade from the umbrella can be provided to person(s) in the pool. The interior of the stands can be hollow, and can be filled with a ballast, such as sand or water.

Abstract: The disclosed end-to-end product customization systems and methods receive custom orders from customers or consumers, evaluate them, and generate production-ready custom orders that are able to be used by decorator to create the custom products. The system receives a customization option and an order file type in the custom order. The system or a third party evaluates that customization option to identify a change order that is required and also determines a conversion recommendation to convert the order file type or a production-ready file type. The production-ready custom order is generated based on the change order and the conversion recommendation.

Abstract: Multispecific antibody having a binding site for ICOS and a binding site for a second antigen, e.g., an immune checkpoint molecule such as PD-L1. Use of the multispecific antibody in immuno-oncology, including for treatment of solid tumours.

Abstract: In one variation, a pulley arrangement includes a base pulley portion rotatable within a driving plane, an adjustable pulley portion coupled to the base pulley portion wherein the adjustable pulley portion is rotatable relative to the base pulley portion within the driving plane, and a driving member including an end coupled to the adjustable pulley portion wherein at least a portion of the driving member is wrapped at least partially around the adjustable pulley portion. In another variation, a pulley arrangement includes a base pulley portion rotatable around an axis, an adjustable pulley portion coupled to the base pulley portion and movable in a first direction parallel to the axis, and a sliding block engaged with the adjustable pulley portion, wherein the sliding block moves in a second direction different from the first direction, in response to compression of the adjustable pulley portion against the base pulley portion.

Abstract: Various aspects of the subject technology relate to systems, methods, and machine-readable media for cross-chain communication in a blockchain platform. Various aspects may include accepting, at a first blockchain, a first transaction including a message and a message payload. Aspects may also include validating, at the first blockchain, the message by signing the message using signature keys of one or more validators in a first set of validators of the first blockchain. Aspects may also include generating an aggregate signature based on the signature keys of the one or more validators in a first set of validators. Aspects may also include submitting a second transaction on to a second blockchain, the second transaction including the message and the aggregate signature. Aspects may include validating, at the second blockchain, the second transaction based on a shared registry.

Abstract: A modular panel is provided and includes a sill plate, a top plate, a plurality of vertical studs, and having at least one skin applied to a major face of the modular panel that presents a first edge having a waveform profile configured to connect to an opposing edge of an adjacent modular panel. At least one of the vertical studs is an end stud having a connector element configured to be secured to a complementing connector of the adjacent modular panel. Two or more of the modular panels may be connected together to form part of a shelter.

Abstract: A method at a computing device within an Intelligent Transportation System, the method comprising: determining, at the computing device, whether a short-term certificate is available to sign a message; if the short-term certificate is available, signing the message with a private key associated with the short-term certificate; if the short-term certificate is not available, signing the message with a private key associated with a long-term certificate; and sending the message to a recipient.

Abstract: System, apparatus, device and methods relating to a telematic vehicle sharing platform ecosystem and a telematic vehicle share I/O expander to automate sharing and management of a vehicle that is shared by more than one operator.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a humidity sensor (10) for a cooking appliance (100). The humidity sensor (10) comprises: a sensor assembly (30) comprising: conductive plates (50) having a space located therebetween, wherein the conductive plates (50) are electrically charged and subsequently discharged over time; a dielectric plate (60) locatable in the space between the conductive plates (50), wherein the dielectric plate (60) is removable from the space between the conductive plates (50) for cleaning; a controller (20), in electrical communication with the sensor assembly (30), configured to: measure a capacitive characteristic across the conductive plates (50) whilst the dielectric plate (60) is located in the space; and determine, based on the capacitive characteristic, a humidity measurement indicative of the humidity within the cooking appliance (100).

Abstract: A power management unit architecture including a set of batteries connected to a load via a bus; a controller in operative communication with the batteries; a telemetry unit in operative communication with the controller and the batteries; at least one power switch in operative communication with the controller, the batteries and the bus; a squib unit operatively connected to the batteries; wherein the controller is configured to pull a battery current from a first battery and drive the first battery current into a second battery responsive to a predetermined current.

Abstract: A battery staging system including a first and second battery in operative communication with each other and an electrical load; a boost controller in operative communication with the first and second battery; an inductor in operative communication with the boost controller, the first battery, a ground and the second battery; the inductor connected between first battery and ground for a predetermined time to obtain an inductor current; the boost controller is configured to pull a first battery current and drive it into the second battery responsive to the predetermined inductor current; the inductor being connected to the second battery responsive to the inductor obtaining the predetermined inductor current; the inductor is reconnected between the first battery and the ground before the inductor current reaches zero; and the boost controller configured to pull the first battery current from the first battery until the first battery voltage reaches a target voltage.

Abstract: The smoke detector unit according to the present disclosure has a detection chamber (or test chamber) and an aerosol generator, both of which are disposed inside the smoke detector unit. The aerosol generator can generate a test aerosol using an aerosolisable material, and is able to release the test aerosol directly into the detection chamber. The aerosolisable material may be a solid, or a fluid (e.g. a liquid or a gas). The smoke detector unit, or an external device such as a control panel, may determine that a safety test has been validly passed if the test aerosol clears from the detection chamber within a specified time period.

Abstract: A power management unit having battery switchover topology including a first battery in operative communication with a first battery first power switch in parallel with a first battery second power switch, and in operative communication with a first battery power dump unit; a second battery in operative communication with a second battery first power switch in parallel with a second battery second power switch, and in operative communication with a second battery power dump unit; an nth battery in operative communication with an nth battery first power switch in parallel with an nth battery second power switch; the first battery, the second battery and the nth battery are connected to a bus that supplies an electrical load; and the electrical load being supplied sequentially by a first battery current from the first battery, a second battery current from the second battery, and an nth battery current from the nth battery.