Abstract: A portable item reporting device (PIRD) automatically learns a use of a portable item which is selected by an owner or authorized user of the portable item, where the PIRD is configured to be attached to and in substantial collocation with the selected portable item, or to be integrated into the portable item. The PIRD includes environmental monitors which monitor item location, item movement, and/or other environmental factors. The PIRD detects obtains and analyzes environmental data during usage of the portable item by the authorized user, or during user-designated storage of the portable item in a storage location. The PIRD further identifies and/or learns, based on the detected environmental data, one or more repeated patterns and/or context-determined patterns of usage or physical storage of the user's portable item. The PIRD then stores the past, learned pattern(s) of usage data as indicative of expected and/or normal, future use/storage by the authorized user of the portable item.

Abstract: Light emitting displays can be used in cinemas for cinema presentations that integrate a sound system to achieve immersive conditions in cinema theatres. In an example, a theatre includes a viewer seating area, an active display, and one or more sound wave emitters. The active display includes light emitting elements configured to output, toward the viewer seating area, light representing a visual presentation. The one or more sound wave emitters can be positioned proximate to the viewer seating area. The one or more sound wave emitters are configured to output, toward the active display, sound waves corresponding to at least a portion of sound for the visual presentation. The active display can be positioned to reflect, toward the viewer seating area, the sound waves from the one or more sound wave emitters.

Abstract: A method for conducting an offline data exchange associated with a blockchain includes: storing a structured data set associated with a blockchain network, the data set including a network identifier, unspent output hash, output index, output value, and key pair; receiving the network identifier and a transaction amount from a point of sale; validating the structured data set as including the network identifier and an output value greater than or equal to the transaction amount; transmitting the unspent output hash and output index to the point of sale; receiving a destination address from the point of sale; generating transaction data including the destination address and a payment amount based on the transaction amount; and transmitting the transaction data to the point of sale.

Abstract: A projection system includes a projection lens to project image light along an image light path towards a port window and to redirect a portion of the image light away from the image light path as result of being scattered or reflected away from the image light path. The projection system includes a port window for transmitting projected image light from the projection lens. The port window has a surface for redirecting a portion of the projected image light as result of being scattered or reflected away from the image light path. The projection system includes an enclosure positioned between the port window and the projection lens to surround the image light path between the port window and the projection lens. The enclosure absorbs the portion of the image light redirected by the projection lens and absorbs the portion of the projected image light redirected by the surface.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide devices, systems, and methods that precisely identify a minimum of one predetermined spot which is hidden under a skin. The system comprises a locator device and corresponding implanted target device. The port locator device preferably comprises one magnet with north and south magnetic pole, a body and a suspending component. The body may utilize specific geometry which improves accuracy. The implanted target device may include at least one magnet and at least one target or a plurality of targets and at least one magnet. Various configurations can be provided that precisely identify a single spot or a plurality of spots which are hidden under a skin.

Abstract: A tissue expander comprising: a port assembly including a drain port and a fill port, a magnet housing assembly fitted to the port assembly, the magnet housing assembly including a single magnet having a magnetic field that is detectable on an exterior surface of a biological tissue of a patient; a shell defining the interior cavity of the tissue expander; and a drain assembly in fluidic communication with the drain port via the drain tubing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems for use for radio frequency ablation. The systems can include one or more of an ablation tool, power source for use with the ablation tool and a backstop for use in conjunction with the ablation tool during surgical procedures. Preferred ablation tools comprise a series of three or more blade-shaped electrodes disposed in a linear, curved, curvilinear or circular array. The backstops are useful for reducing direct physical and thermal heat transfer injuries to the patient or surgeon during procedures using radiofrequency (RF) ablation devices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for uplink power control based on power spectral density are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method for use by a terminal in a satellite communication system, the terminal having an antenna, a modem and a controller, the method comprising: determining the scan and skew of the antenna; obtaining, using the controller, a value representing a maximum allowed Power Spectral Density (PSD) for the determined scan and skew; determining, using the controller, a maximum allowable modem power based on the value representing a maximum allowed PSD, where the maximum allowable modem power is that which ensures that transmissions from the terminal do not exceed the maximum allowed PSD if the maximum allowable modem output power is not exceeded by the modem; sending, using the controller, an indication of the allowable modem output power to the modem; and performing one or more transmissions from the terminal based on modem outputs in accordance with the maximum allowable modem output power.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a test article for additive manufacture and related methods. A test article formed may include a body having a forward face and a rearward face horizontally opposite the forward face. A first surface extending between the forward face and the rearward face of the body may include a plurality of protrusions for removable coupling of the body to a build plate. A second surface on the body may extend between the forward face and the rearward face of the body, and may include a plurality of angled flat surface portions. Each of the plurality of angled flat surface portions may have a distinct angle with respect to a horizontal plane of the body. An angular difference between each adjacent angled flat surface portion in the plurality of angled flat surface portions is substantially uniform.

Abstract: A portable item reporting device automatically learns a use of a portable item which is selected by an authorized user of the portable item, where the device is configured to be attached to and in substantial collocation with the selected portable item, or to be integrated into the portable item. The portable item reporting device monitors item location, item movement, and/or other environmental factors. The portable item reporting device detects and analyzes environmental data during usage of the portable item by the authorized user, or during user-designated storage of the portable item in a storage location. The device further identifies and/or learns, based on the detected enviromental data, one or more repeated patterns and/or context-determined patterns of usage or physical storage of the user's portable item. The device then stores the past, learned pattern(s) of usage data as indicative of expected and/or normal, future use/storage by the authorized user of the portable item.

Abstract: A method for generating motion-corrected medical images includes obtaining, via a processor, k-space data of a region of interest acquired by a magnetic resonance imaging system utilizing a 3D radial pulse sequence with ZTE acquisition including optional magnetization preparation pulses. The method also includes sampling, via the processor, the k-space data to obtain a plurality of interleaved k-space segments. The method further includes reconstructing, via the processor, one or more interleaved k-space segments of the plurality of interleaved k-space segments to generate a respective motion navigator volume. The method even further includes co-registering, via the processor, each respective motion navigator volume to estimate motion and performing motion correction on the one or more interleaved k-space segments and their corresponding k-space trajectories.

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 combined ball valve for compressor bleed air modulation is provided. The combined ball valve includes a housing defining an inlet, and first and second outlets. A metering element is positioned within the housing and within a flow path extending from the inlet to the first and second outlets. The metering element includes first and second flow ports and is rotatable within the housing to modulate compressor bleed air from the inlet to neither, one, or both of the first and second outlets. The combined ball valve utilizes high temperature materials in a relatively lightweight package.

Abstract: Exemplary systems and methods for the addition of a block to a permissioned blockchain using efficient consensus are disclosed. The methods and systems may include receiving transaction messages having transaction values from consensus nodes and generating a Merkle root for the transaction messages using transaction references and a proposed block header having the Merkle root and a hash of the header of the most recently added block in a blockchain. The proposed block header may be hashed and transmitted with a proposal message having a digital signature to auditing nodes. A response message accepting the digital signature may be received and an accept message may be transmitted to the auditing nodes and a confirmation message may be transmitted to the consensus-nodes. A new block may be written to the blockchain having the transaction values from the transaction messages and a header including the proposed block header and digital signature.

Abstract: A system (100) for detecting tissue inflammation, gingivitis specifically, including a light emitter (102) configured to emit light at a tissue region within a user's mouth; at least four wavelength-sensitive photodetectors (110, 112, 114, and 116) configured to detect optical signals diffusely reflected through the tissue region, each of the at least four wavelength-sensitive photodetectors comprising a filter (BPF1, BPF2, BPF3, and BPF4) and a photodiode (D1, D2, D3, and D4), where the photodiodes are stacked on top of each other to generate current differential signals for amplifiers corresponding with the photodiodes, wherein the generation of the current differential signals removes an unwanted component from the optical signals prior to amplification; and an inflammation detection unit (136) configured to receive outputs from the corresponding amplifiers and detect inflammation at the tissue region.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide devices, systems, and methods that precisely identify a minimum of one predetermined spot which is hidden under a skin. The system comprises a locator device and corresponding implanted target device. The port locator device preferably comprises one magnet with north and south magnetic pole, a body and a suspending component. The body may utilize specific geometry which improves accuracy. The implanted target device may include at least one magnet and at least one target or a plurality of targets and at least one magnet. Various configurations can be provided that precisely identify a single spot or a plurality of spots which are hidden under a skin.

Abstract: A system (100) for detecting tissue inflammation, and gingivitis specifically, including a light emitter (102); a diffuse reflective spectroscopy probe (107) having a source-detector distance between 300 ?m-2000 ?m; and a plurality of detectors (106, 108, 112) configured to detect: a first wavelength that is less than 615 nm and having a first bandwidth; and second and third wavelengths that are equal to or greater than 615 nm and have second and third bandwidths, respectively, wherein the second or third bandwidth is greater than the first bandwidth.

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 generating a universal distributed data storage includes: receiving a plurality of data values; generating a key for each of the plurality of data values, wherein the respective key is generated via application of a hashing algorithm to the associated data value; storing, in a database, each of the plurality of data values and the associated generated key as a plurality of key-value pairs; receiving a plurality of additional key-value pairs, wherein each value of the plurality of additional key-value pairs is not included in the plurality of data values; and storing, in the database, each of the plurality of additional key-value pairs, wherein each key included in the plurality of additional key-value pairs is generated via application of the hashing algorithm to the associated value and is not included in the keys generated for each of the plurality of data values.

Abstract: A system (100) for detecting tissue inflammation, and gingivitis specifically, including a light emitter (102) configured to emit light at a tissue region (104) within a user's mouth; a light detector (106) configured to detect optical signals diffusely reflected through the tissue region over a period of time; a controller (130) configured to: determine a slope signal (Q) based on at least two signals (R(?1), R(?2)) from the optical signals, the at least two signals including at least one signal from a hemoglobin-dominated wavelength range; determine one or more characteristics of the slope signal; and select a best measurement signal based on the one or more characteristics of the slope signal. The system further includes a user interface (116) configured to provide information regarding a position of a probe for accurate detection of tissue inflammation based on the one or more characteristics of the slope signal.