Abstract: A portable item reporting device for automatically learning a use of a portable item by an authorized user is configured to be attached to and in substantial collocation with the portable item, or to be integrated into a portable item. The device includes a sensor to monitor item location, item movement, and/or other environmental factors. The device obtains and analyzes environmental data during usage of the portable item by an authorized user or during storage of the portable item. The device is further configured to identify and/or learn, based on the sensed data, one or more repeated or context-determined patterns of usage or storage of the portable item. The device then stores the past pattern(s) of usage data as indicative of expected normal use/storage by the authorized user. The device then monitors current environmental conditions surrounding and pertaining to the portable item.

Abstract: Utilizing several passes of a token among the operating system level virtualization applications (OSLVAs) running on each of an ordered list of nodes selectively upgrade user applications in specific containers after determining that each OSVLA hosting a container to be upgraded is live. A failed liveness check can cause a revision to the list of nodes. Post-upgrade health checks of each application, and a list-wide notification of a completed upgrade of the application instances, can follow a successful upgrade. A roll back of the upgrade across all nodes can follow an unsuccessful upgrade.

Abstract: A top-fill hummingbird feeder is provided having a nectar container removably coupled to a feeding basin, the nectar container including a top opening closed by a cap. The cap has a sealing member configured to have an interference press fit with the top opening of the nectar container. The sealing member includes at least one void to allow air passage so that liquid can flow from the nectar container into the feeding basin when the feeder is in use.

Abstract: A hummingbird feeder is provided that includes a nectar container removably coupled to a feeding basin having at least one feed port therein and a flower assembly fitted within the feed port. The flower assembly includes a flower body and a mounting member fitted in the center of the flower body, the mounting member having an elongated tapered passageway through which hummingbirds can access nectar in the feeding basin. The mounting member also has a semi-conical exterior geometry that facilitates mounting of the flower assembly within the feed port.

Abstract: A method for automatic configuration of a communication network includes: generating a request message, the request message including a communication address associated; transmitting the generated request message as a broadcast message to a plurality of computing devices using a predefined user datagram protocol (UDP) port, the message being broadcast with a predetermined time to live; receiving agreement messages from computing devices transmitted by the respective computing device using the predefined UDP port, each agreement message including a communication address associated with the respective computing device and a specified transmission control protocol (TCP) port; identifying at least one of the one or more agreement messages for establishment of communication; and establishing a communication connection to the computing device associated with each identified agreement message using the specific TCP port.

Abstract: Automated pipetting systems and methods are disclosed for aspirating and dispensing fluids, particularly biological samples. In one aspect, a liquid dispenser includes a manifold and one or more pipette channels. The manifold includes a vacuum channel, a pressure channel, and a plurality of lanes. Each lane includes an electrical connector, a port to the pressure channel, and a port to the vacuum channel. The pipette channels can be modular. Each pipette channel includes a single dispense head and can be selectively and independently coupled to any one lane of the plurality of lanes. In some aspects, a valve in the pipette channel is in simultaneous fluid communication with a pressure port and a vacuum port of the manifold. The valve selectively diverts gas under pressure and gas under vacuum to the dispense head in response to control signals received through the electrical connector of the manifold.

Abstract: A powered oral care apparatus (2) has a pump-free fluid delivery system for delivering one or more fluids to the oral cavity of a user. The oral care apparatus may employ an oral care assembly (30) that has a capsule member (38) for delivering fluid through a number of openings (31, 46) in response to movement of a head (4) of the oral care apparatus. The oral care apparatus may also employ an oral care assembly (62) having a diaphragm member (84) and a mass member (88) coupled thereto wherein, in response to motion being imparted to the brushhead, the mass member and diaphragm member generate a pumping force to cause fluid to be delivered out of the oral care assembly.

Abstract: A method (400) for modifying a user's oral care program. The method includes the steps of: (i) providing (410) a network (200) comprising a first personal care device (10a) in communication with a second personal care device (10b); (ii) cleaning (420) at least a portion of the oral cavity using the first personal care device; (iii) obtaining (440), while cleaning with the first personal care device, sensor data for the at least a portion of the oral cavity; (iv) communicating (450) the obtained sensor data to the second personal care device; and (v) modifying (460), based on the communicated sensor data, a function of the second personal care device.

Abstract: Light emitting displays and sound systems can be used in cinemas for cinema presentations that integrates a sound system to achieve the same or better immersive conditions in cinema theatres with front projection cinema screens. The screen can be active with light emitters, rather than passive and reflect light projected from a projector. Spaces are formed between adjacent light emitters in the display to allow for sound waves to pass from sound wave emitters positioned behind the screen to a cinema seating area in front of the screen. Loudspeakers may be positioned in the spaces. Diffusers or other structures may be positioned proximate to a front of the screen to facilitate visual performance. In addition or in the alternative, loudspeakers can be positioned in each seat of the viewing seating area that produce sound waves that appear to be coming from a non-seating location in the theatre.

Abstract: Implantable devices for fixation of curved bone such as the pelvic ring pubic symphysis and acetabulum, and methods for the use of the devices are disclosed. The implantable devices are convertible between a flexible state and a rigid state, and include an elongate structure having a proximal bone interface, a main body, and a distal bone interface. In a flexible state, the devices may be inserted along, and conform to a curved pathway, and in the rigid state, the devices may support the mechanical loads required to fixate a fracture.

Abstract: There is provided an attachment structure for a personal care appliance, the attachment structure comprising a body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end has a coupling receptacle that is for coupling to a drive shaft of a handle of the personal care appliance; and wherein the coupling receptacle has one or more portions of shear-thickening material on an interior surface thereof. A corresponding personal care appliance and method of securing an attachment structure to a handle of a personal care device are also provided.

Abstract: A method to repair an opening in a metallic device including: mount the device on a positioner; while the device is mounted on the positioner, sense and record positions of a surface of an opening in the device using a probe operated by a manipulator; based on the recorded positions determine a centerline and diameter of the opening; orient a digital model of the opening with respect to the opening of the device based on the centerline and diameter of the opening, and apply an weld or cladding to the opening by a welding torch maneuvered automatically by the manipulator while the device is mounted to the positioner and based on the oriented digital model of the opening.

Abstract: Techniques for context-based queryless presentation of items are described. Without receiving an explicit query, an inferred query is determined based on a first set of context signals associated with a triggering event. Items matching the inferred query are selected based on a second set of one or more context signals associated with the triggering event. One or more results items identifying the one or more matching items are caused to display. Result items may be displayed in association with an explanation that identifies context values used to select an item or one or more attributes of the item that are relevant to a user or the inferred query.

Abstract: A method for distributing multiple cryptographic keys used to access data includes: receiving a data signal superimposed with an access key request, wherein the access key request includes at least a number, n, greater than 1, of requested keys; generating n key pairs using a key pair generation algorithm, wherein each key pair includes a private key and a public key; deriving an access private key by applying the private key included in each of the n key pairs to a key derivation algorithm; generating an access public key corresponding to the derived access private key using the key pair generation algorithm; and electronically transmitting a data signal superimposed with a private key included in one of the n key pairs for each of the n key pairs.

Abstract: A method (500) for characterizing a personal care device (10). The method includes the steps of: (i) providing (510) a personal care device comprising a plurality of tufts (18), where a first one (18a) of the plurality of tufts includes a first tactile sensor (38a) and comprises a first angle relative to a device head, and further where a second one (18b) of the plurality of tufts includes a second tactile sensor (38b) and comprises a second angle relative to the device head; (ii) generating (520), in response to interaction of the plurality of tufts with a use surface (40), first sensor data by the first tactile sensor and second sensor data by the second tactile sensor; and (iii) characterizing (530), by the controller using the first sensor data and the second sensor data, a position of the personal care device within the use area.

Abstract: A device including a processor and a memory that includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations. The operations include receiving a call request from a calling device. The call request includes an identifier of a call alert option. The call alert option is a particular option selected by a user of the calling device from a list of called party approved call alert options. The operations include retrieving a content item based on the identifier. The operations also include, in response to the call request, generating a call alert based on the content item.

Abstract: A brush head assembly (100) comprising a sandwich assembly (200) comprising a flexible matrix (30?) positioned between two layers of stiff or stiffer material (220), a plurality of bristle tufts (21), each of which comprises a plurality of bristle strands, each bristle tuft having a proximal end (23) and a free end (25), a bristle tuft retention element (250) for each bristle tuft (21), the bristle tuft retention elements (250) connecting the proximal end of the bristle tufts (21) to the sandwich assembly.