Abstract: A robotic coordinate measurement machine (CMM) having a contact direction sensitive (CDS) probe is usable to detect internal dimensions for an object of interest. A robot arm may contact a surface with the CDS probe which may then detect a magnitude and direction of the resulting reaction force. The robotic CMM may monitor the magnitude and/or direction of the reaction force while the CDS probe is being slide across a surface to determine dimensions for the surface. Changes in the reaction force sensed by the CDS probe may be used to identify contact with other surfaces of contours in the surface the CDS probe is being slid across. A path of the CDS probe may be altered based on the contact with other surfaces or the contours.

Abstract: A wireless charging system including a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter is formed of a coil of wire that includes a first loop portion, a second loop portion, and a crossing portion. The crossing portion electrically couples the first loop portion and the second loop portion such that when current is generated in the coil, electrical current flows through the first loop portion in a different rotational direction than in the second loop portion. The receiver is formed of a ferromagnetic core and multiple (e.g., three) coils disposed about the ferromagnetic core. Each coil may be disposed about a different axis of the core such that current may be induced in at least one of the coils by a magnetic field in any direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a steam reforming process for heavy oil or hydrocarbons using a circulating fluidized bed reactor, the process having a reforming step and a regeneration step, wherein the reforming step and the regeneration step comprise a bubbling fluidized reactor containing a fluidizable nickel-containing reforming catalyst and produce hydrogen as a product of the reforming bed. The API gravity of the feedstock may be between ?11 and 54, preferably between ?11 and 20.

Abstract: Systems and methods for intermedullary bone fracture fixation are described herein. The fixation device includes a main body having a flexible state and a rigid state. The fixation device further includes a proximal interface coupled to a proximal end of the main body to anchor the fixation device to an exterior surface of the bone and a distal interface coupled to a distal end of the main body to anchor the fixation device to an interior cavity of the bone. The fixation device further includes a locking interface to configured to convert the main body from the flexible state to the rigid state.

Abstract: A gas switch includes an anode and a cathode spaced apart from the anode, wherein the cathode includes a conduction surface. The gas switch also includes a plurality of magnets arranged to generate a magnetic field that defines an annular path over a portion of the conduction surface at a radial distance from a switch axis, and a control grid positioned between the anode and the cathode. In operation, the control grid is arranged to establish a conducting plasma between the anode and the cathode, wherein, in the presence of the conducting plasma, a voltage drop between the anode and the cathode is less than 150 volts, and wherein the conducting plasma forms a cathode spot that circles the annular path.

Abstract: Improved techniques for facilitating emergency access to one or more contacts stored on a portable electronic device are disclosed. One or more contacts on the portable electronic device are designated as emergency contacts. While the portable electronic device is password-locked, a request to display the one or more emergency contacts on the password-locked portable electronic device is received. Without requiring a password, the one or more emergency contacts are displayed on the portable electronic device.

Abstract: Medical breathing tubes have a tubular body that defines a lumen extending between open terminal ends of the tubular body. An internal form is enclosed within the lumen and supportive of the tubular body. The internal form may be a coated encapsulated internal form where the coating secures the internal form to the tubular body. The internal form may provide for a series of alternative crests and troughs of the tubular body. A patient interface and/or a securement system may be attached to the tubular body.

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 system for presenting an electronic device on a display table is disclosed. The system includes a table, a processor, an electronic device, and a cable. The table includes a display screen, and the display screen is operably connected to the processor. The electronic device is disposed on the table and includes a touch screen. The cable connects the electronic device to the processor. The touch screen of the electronic device is configured to display an image that changes in response to an input to the touch screen. The display screen of the table is configured to display an image that changes in response to the input to the touch screen of the electronic device. A change in the display screen image comprises a graphical continuation of a change in the touch screen image.

Abstract: A nasal cannula arrangement for use as part of systems for delivery respiratory gases to a patient is disclosed. The nasal cannula arrangement includes a manifold part adapted to receive gases from a delivery conduit. The manifold includes one but preferably a pair of prongs extending upward and curving towards the rear of the manifold. The prongs are inserted into the nostrils of the patient and deliver gases to a patient. The prongs have a cut out on the rear side of the prongs. The cut out forms a gases outlet in the prongs and are shaped such that the area of the cut out area is greater than the cross sectional area of the prongs at the entry point to the prongs.

Abstract: A method for addition of a block to a permissioned blockchain using efficient consensus includes: generating a Merkle root for received transaction messages and hashing the header of the most recent block in a blockchain; hashing a new header consisting of the Merkle root and prior block hash; sending the new header to auditing nodes; receiving approval of the new header from a majority of auditing nodes; informing the auditing nodes of the approval of the new header; and providing the new header and a digital signature to each consensus node for writing of a new block to the blockchain that includes the new header and the received transaction messages.

Abstract: Attachment assemblies for oral hygiene devices and, in particular, attachment assemblies having improved designs to more effectively clean an individual's tongue or other inter-oral surface are described herein. These improved attachment assembly correspond, amongst other aspects, to improved fluid chamber configurations, improved fluid channel configurations, improved fluid exit hole configurations, improved air inlet hole configuration, and air channel features. Furthermore, these improvements to attachment assemblies are capable of being implemented separately from, or in combination with, one another.

Abstract: A method for recovery of missing or extra data using a bloom filter includes: storing a plurality of transaction messages, each including a transaction value; generating a bloom filter of the transaction messages, the bloom filter being generated using a number of hash rounds and with a size at least double the number of transaction messages; generating a recover message including the number of transaction messages, the number of hash rounds, the size, and the generated bloom filter; transmitting the recover message to a consensus node; receiving a response message from the consensus node, the response message including at least one additional transaction message; and inserting the at least one additional transaction message into the plurality of transaction messages.

Abstract: A method for processing of a cryptographically auditable transaction includes: receiving payment data, wherein the payment data includes at least a primary account number; transmitting the primary account number to a computing system; receiving a confirmation associated with the primary account number from the computing system; transmitting a payment request to the computing system, wherein the payment request includes at least a reference value associated with a payment transaction; receiving an acceptance request from the computing system, wherein the acceptance request includes at least the reference value, an acceptance address, one or more fee values, and a first digital signature generated by a third party; generating a second digital signature using at least the acceptance address; and transmitting at least the second digital signature to the computing system.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented that allow for selection of tumor neoepitopes that are filtered for various criteria. In particularly contemplated aspects, filtering includes a step in which the mutation leading to the neoepitope is ascertained as being located in a cancer driver gene.

Abstract: A portable item reporting device is configured to be attached to and in substantial collocation with a portable item, or to be integrated into a portable item. The device includes an environmental sensor to monitor two or more real-time environmental factors, such as item location, item movement, ambient light, ambient sounds, ambient temperature, etc. The device is configured to store usage expectation data indicative of historical and/or expected item usage and environments when the item is in normal use/storage associated with an authorized user. The device monitors current environmental conditions surrounding and pertaining to the item. The device compares the expected environment with the current environment, and/or with the recent historical environment.

Abstract: An oral cleaning system provides motivating feedback to a user before brushing and includes: a power toothbrush (10); one or more sensors (26) on or within the toothbrush; a processor (30) within the toothbrush configured to process sensor information obtained from the one or more sensors during a first brushing session of a user; and a feedback system (40) on or within the toothbrush responsive to the processor and configured to communicate brushing information to the user at a time subsequent to the first brushing session but before a second brushing session of the user.

Abstract: System, method, and a computer program product that generate a dynamic digital contract are provided. A category that is included in the digital contract is selected using a graphical user interface of an application executing on a client device. A template associated with the category is retrieved from memory storage. The template is also associated with a plurality of options that specify the layout of the digital contract, display text of the digital contract and receive additional input. Data associated with the template is retrieved. The digital contract is generated by incorporating the data into the plurality of options. The digital contract is then formatted using parameters of the client device. Once generated, the digital contract is displayed on the display screen of the client device.

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 for generation of blocks for a partitioned blockchain includes: storing blocks comprising a partitioned blockchain, wherein each block includes a header and transaction entries; receiving transaction data entries for each of a plurality of subnets; generating a hash value of the header included in the most recently added block; generating a new block header, the new block header including the generated hash value, a timestamp, and a sequence of pairs including a pair for each of the plurality of subnets, each pair including a subnet identifier associated with the respective subnet and a merkle root of each of the transaction data entries received for the respective subnet; generating a new block, the new block including the generated new block header and the transaction data entries for each of the plurality of subnets; and transmitting the new block to a plurality of nodes associated with the partitioned blockchain.