Abstract: Levulinic-capped estolides having improved physical properties that make them more desirable and suitable as bio-based industrial or commercial products are disclosed. The physical properties of the disclosed estolide compositions have surprisingly low pour points that are substantially lower than previously known estolide compounds and superior to petroleum-based compounds designed for similar applications.

Abstract: A composite film is disclosed. The composite film includes a substrate, a thermal barrier layer located on top of the substrate, wherein the thermal barrier layer has a higher decomposition temperature than the substrate, and a thin film located on top of the thermal barrier layer, wherein the thin film is to be thermally processed by a pulsed light from a flashlamp.

Abstract: A ride system includes at least one ride vehicle. The at least one ride vehicle is configured to receive a ride passenger. The ride system includes electronic goggles configured to be worn by the ride passenger. The electronic goggles include a camera and a display. The ride system includes a computer graphics generation system communicatively coupled to the electronic goggles, and configured to generate streaming media of a real world environment based on image data captured via the camera of the electronic goggles, generate one or more virtual augmentations superimposed on the streaming media of the real world environment, and to transmit the streaming media of the real world environment along with the one or more superimposed virtual augmentations to be displayed on the display of the electronic goggles.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for operating an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle may include identifying a vehicle operator and retrieving an associated vehicle operator profile. Operating data regarding operation of the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle may be received that includes data from sensors disposed within the vehicle. When a request to enable an autonomous operation feature is received, (i) autonomous operation risk levels associated with vehicle operation by the autonomous operation feature based upon the received operating data, and (ii) operator risk levels associated with vehicle operation by the vehicle operator based upon the vehicle operator profile are determined. Autonomous operation feature enablement may be allowed based upon a comparison of (i) autonomous operation risk levels with (ii) operator risk levels.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring the use of a shared vehicle are described. In various aspects, telematics data regarding operation of a shared vehicle is collected from one or more sensors, where the shared vehicle is associated with a shared vehicle operator and a shared vehicle stakeholder. One or more processors determine whether a driving event has occurred based upon the telematics data, where the driving event is indicative of improper usage of the shared vehicle by the shared vehicle operator. The one or more processors generate a notification regarding the driving event. The notification includes a driver rating determined from the telematics data regarding operation of the shared vehicle by the shared vehicle operator. The notification is transmitted, via a network, to the shared vehicle stakeholder for presentation to the shared vehicle stakeholder.

Abstract: A grilling device includes a housing includes a fixed lower heating plate and a rotatable swing arm disposed at a primary pivot positioned proximate a rear end of the housing. An operable upper heating plate is coupled to the swing arm such that an intermediate portion of the swing arm rotationally engages a central portion of the upper heating plate at a secondary pivot to define an adjacent face-up position, a stacked face-up position and a face-down position. A leveling mechanism maintains the upper heating plate in parallel with the lower heating plate as the swing arm operates about at least a portion of the primary pivot.

Abstract: Disclosed is a stacked array of a plurality of thin film batteries electrically connected in a staggered configuration, where the side edges of the array preferably generally conform to an interior surface of an electronic device or component thereof in order to save space. In an embodiment, a stacked array comprises at least one battery having a single surface in contact with a plurality of batteries. In another embodiment, a shaped array of a plurality of thin film batteries electrically are connected together, whereby a plurality of batteries are arranged in a single layer on a non-rectangular substrate adjacent to one another generally in the shape of the surface of the substrate. Additionally, a thin film battery is described having at least one via through the substrate and at least one other via through an insulation layer to provide electronic connection to the battery cell.

Abstract: Pairing data associated with a second device may be received at a first device. The pairing data may be received from a server. A first authentication proof may be generated based on the pairing data received from the server. A second authentication proof may be received from the second device. Furthermore, an authentication status of the second device may be updated based on a comparison of the first authentication proof that is based on the pairing data received from the server and the second authentication proof that is received from the second device.

Abstract: A method of tuning a fiber optic connector includes: assembling the fiber optic connector to a partially assembled state; tuning the fiber optic connector in the partially assembled state; assembling the fiber optic connector to an assembled state; and tuning the fiber optic connector in the assembled state.

Abstract: Described herein are various technologies pertaining to delivery of token-authenticated encrypted data. Content descriptor(s) (e.g., playlist(s)) can be modified to facilitate exchange of a token for a decryption key for browser(s) that do not provide logic to manage a flow of the token.

Abstract: Systems and methods for control systems for facilitating situational awareness of a vehicle are provided. Sensors located around a stationary vehicle may detect moving objects that pose potentially dangerous situations for the vehicle occupants and for the object. This can cause the doors to lock automatically in order to make the situation safer. Additionally, electromagnetic radiation sensors located around the vehicle may detect the lights and sounds of emergency vehicles. If the electromagnetic data from the electromagnetic radiation sensors match a known pattern of electromagnetic data emitted by emergency vehicles stored in a library an alarm may be sounded through the speakers of the vehicle in order to alert the vehicle occupants of an emergency vehicle in the vicinity.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) automatic vehicle identification (AVI) system configured to mitigate signal interference, the system comprising a plurality of RFID readers, comprising a first RFID reader and a second RFID reader; and a plurality of antennas, wherein a first antenna is connected to the first RFID reader and a second antenna is connected to the second RFID reader. Prior to the first RFID reader transmitting a signal through the first antenna, the first RFID reader samples a received radio frequency (RF) signal from the first antenna, and if the received RF signal meets predetermined strength and frequency criteria, the first RFID reader inhibits transmission of the signal through the first antenna.

Abstract: A multi-directional fire extinguishing nozzle is disclosed. The multi-directional fire extinguishing nozzle may comprise a pylon fitting configured to receive a fire extinguishing agent. The multi-directional fire extinguishing nozzle may comprise a hose fitting coupled to the pylon fitting via a coupling nut. The multi-directional fire extinguishing nozzle may comprise a plurality of fluid distribution outlets configured to deliver the fire extinguishing agent. The fluid distribution outlets may define voids on the surface of the coupling nut, and extending through the coupling nut and the hose fitting.

Abstract: A continuous glucose monitoring system may utilize externally sourced information regarding the physiological state and ambient environment of its user for externally calibrating sensor glucose measurements. Externally sourced factory calibration information may be utilized, where the information is generated by comparing metrics obtained from the data used to generate the sensor's glucose sensing algorithm to similar data obtained from each batch of sensors to be used with the algorithm in the future. The output sensor glucose value of a glucose sensor may also be estimated by analytically optimizing input sensor signals to accurately correct for changes in sensitivity, run-in time, glucose current dips, and other variable sensor wear effects.

Abstract: A fluid injector for a reductant delivery unit includes a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, the injector defining a fluid path from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet; an actuator unit including a pole piece disposed in a fixed position within the injector, a movable armature, a spring coupled to the pole piece and the moveable armature, and a coil disposed near the pole piece and the movable armature. A valve assembly includes a valve seat and a seal member connected to the armature and engageable with the valve seat. The armature includes an armature pocket receiving a first end of the spring and the pole piece includes a pole piece pocket receiving a second end of the spring, each of the armature pocket and the pole piece pocket includes an end wall, the end wall of the armature pocket contacting the first end of the spring and the end wall of the pole piece pocket contacting the second end of the spring.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for inducing multiaxial vibrations to simulate an environment for transporting a stack of products is provided. A lower platform is provided for inducing uniaxial vibrations. A link is connected to the lower platform by a lower end of the link. The upper end of the link has a universal joint, through which the link is connected to an upper platform. The upper platform has a top surface, on which the stack of products can be placed. In operations, the uniaxial vibrations of the lower platform are transferred to the upper platform through the link and the universal joint, to induce pivotal movement of the upper platform with respect to the shaft of the link. As a result, multiaxial vibrations can be induced to the stack of products placed on the top surface of the upper platform.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for inducing multiaxial vibrations to simulate an environment for transporting a stack of products is provided. A lower platform is provided for inducing uniaxial vibrations. A link is connected to the lower platform by a lower end of the link. The upper end of the link has a universal joint, through which the link is connected to an upper platform. The upper platform has a top surface, on which the stack of products can be placed. In operations, the uniaxial vibrations of the lower platform are transferred to the upper platform through the link and the universal joint, to induce pivotal movement of the upper platform with respect to the shaft of the link. As a result, multiaxial vibrations can be induced to the stack of products placed on the top surface of the upper platform.

Abstract: An amusement park attraction system includes a plurality of autonomous vehicles configured to accommodate one or more guests and located in an attraction dispatch area. An individual autonomous vehicle includes a vehicle controller including a memory storing instructions and a processor configured to execute the instructions, the instructions configured to cause the vehicle controller to receive an indication that the individual autonomous vehicle is loaded at capacity within the dispatch area and drive autonomous operation of the individual autonomous vehicle from the dispatch area to enter the ride path.

Abstract: A method for archiving files includes determining when a change in an operating file is imminent, capturing the operating file immediately before the change in the operating file occurs, if the operating file has not already been captured; and capturing the operating file immediately after the change in the operating file has occurred.