Abstract: Embodiments herein enable fast and easy interconnectivity among multimedia accessories including mobile devices and other devices. There is only limited space on mobile devices yet there are numerous input connectors. The standard TRRS audio jack is one such input that has and remains common, primarily because it is the accepted standard for audio input; namely, headphones and earpieces for listening purposes. Embodiments herein describe an intelligent switch to that audio jack that permits for additional backward and forward compatibility. It transparently allows a user to insert analog or digital audio devices, such as earphones, without the need to manually reconfigure device settings. The device herein automatically converts between input connector types using the same input convention present on their existing mobile devices. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An electrochemical sensor array includes a thermal oxide configured to interface with one or more analytes. There is a transistor device layer that includes a plurality of field effect transistors (FETs) on top of the thermal oxide. A contact and wiring structure layer is on top of the transistor device layer and operative to couple to control nodes of each of the plurality of FETs. The contact and wiring structure are on a side opposite to that of the thermal oxide.

Abstract: A portable multifunction device displays a first user interface object and a second user interface object on a touch screen display. Upon detecting a finger-down event at the first user interface object and one or more finger-dragging events on the touch screen display, the device moves the first user interface object on the touch screen display along a path determined by the finger-dragging events until the first user interface object at least in part overlaps the second user interface object. Upon detecting a finger-up event at the second user interface object, the device visually replaces the second user interface object with the first user interface object.

Abstract: A nail plate debris collection device for collecting nail trimmings includes a shell that defines an interior space. Each of a pair of openings is positioned in a respective opposing side of the shell. The opening extends from a top of the shell to proximate a midpoint of the respective opposing side to define a channel that extends between the opposing sides and a pocket that extends from a bottom of the shell to the channel. One of the pair of opening is configured to insert a digit of a user and the other of the pair of opening is configured to insert a nail care tool, positioning the user to perform maintenance on a nail plate of the digit. The pocket is configured to receive debris that is produced during the maintenance of the nail plate.

Abstract: In an example implementation, a method of reducing inkjet aerosol in a fluid drop ejection system includes imaging fluid drops from an ejection event as the drops travel from an ejection nozzle toward a substrate, determining the momentum of each fluid drop from the imaging, comparing the momentum of each fluid drop with a threshold momentum, and determining that a fluid drop will become aerosol when its momentum does not exceed the threshold momentum.

Abstract: An electrode catalyst for an Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR) is provided that includes a transition metal nitride layer on a substrate, an ORR surface oxide layer deposited on the transition metal nitride layer, where the ORR surface oxide layer includes from sub-monolayer to 20 surface oxide monolayers.

Abstract: A system and method therefor for use with a conveyor carrying cartons inbound to a printing area and outbound away from the printing area. The system has a printer located in the printing area for printing documents to be inserted into corresponding cartons on the conveyor and a controller for cooperatively controlling operations of the conveyor and the printer based on the positions of the cartons relative to the printer. The controller includes a staging processor for determining when to cause the conveyor to carry the cartons inbound past the printer and when to cause the printer to print the documents. In operation, the controller queues the documents for printing, monitors outbound capacity of the conveyor based on detected positions of the cartons, releases a group of the cartons inbound on the conveyor in response to the outbound capacity reaching a predetermined threshold, and initiates printing the queued documents corresponding to the cartons in the group when the group of the cartons is released.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to manipulating pressure-related hysteresis in a pressurized flow system by setting the pressure of the system to a predetermined location in the hysteresis band to advantageously minimize an effect of the pressure related hysteresis on the pressure of the system or to advantageously benefit from the effects of the hysteresis on the pressure of the system.

Abstract: A deformable membrane assembly comprises an at least partially flexible fluid-filled envelope, one wall of which is formed by an elastic membrane that is held around its edge by a resiliently bendable supporting ring, a fixed support for the envelope and selectively operable means for causing relative movement between the supporting ring and the support for adjusting the pressure of the fluid in the envelope, thereby to cause the membrane to deform. The bending stiffness of the ring varies round the ring such that upon deformation of the membrane the ring bends variably to control the shape of the membrane to a predefined form. The moving means comprise a plurality of ring-engaging members that are arranged to apply a force to the ring at spaced control points.

Abstract: A sensing apparatus for measuring at least one parameter includes at least one sensor for detecting at least one parameter and outputting a signal representative of the parameter. The sensing apparatus includes a memory for storing data and computer instructions and a communication component configured to transmit data representative of a value associated with the at least one parameter. A processor of the sensing apparatus communicates with the at least one sensor, the memory and the communication component. The processor receives output signals from said at least one sensor, and calculates at least one parameter based on computer instructions stored in the memory. The parameter is formatted in a human interface device (HID) compliant protocol, and provided to the communication component, which transmits the at least one HID compliant parameter value to a remote processing device.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a unique approach for the synthesis of non-stoichiometric, mesoporous metal oxides with nano-sized crystalline wall. The as-synthesized mesoporous metal oxide is very active and stable (durability >11 h) electocatalyst in both acidic and alkaline conditions. The intrinsic mesoporous metal oxide serves as an electrocatalyst without the assistant of carbon materials, noble metals, or other materials, which are widely used in previously developed systems. The as-synthesized mesoporous metal oxide has large accessible pores (2-50 nm), which are able to facilitate mass transport and charge transfer. The as-synthesized mesoporous metal oxide requires a low overpotential and is oxygen deficient. Oxygen vacancies and mesoporosity served as key factors for excellent performance.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a surgical cutting guide, a surgical cutting guide assembly and a method for using same. The surgical cutting may have first and second slots defining first and second axes respectively. The surgical cutting guide may be positioned away from a vertebral body such that the first and second axes intersect at a distal point located in an interior of the vertebral body. The surgical cutting assembly may include the surgical cutting guide with first and second cutting instruments. A method of performing a pedicle subtraction osteotomy may include the steps of placing the surgical cutting guide over the first and second cutting instruments.

Abstract: A hat with an adjustable visor includes a shell disposed on a user's head, an upper visor coupled to the shell and having a plurality of elongated slots, each elongated slot having a pair of rails extending along opposing side walls of the elongated slot, and a lower visor slidably mounted to the upper visor and having a plurality of tab assemblies, each tab assembly slidably mounted to the pair of rails of one of the plurality of elongated slots in the upper visor. The lower visor slidably adjusts relative to the shell to enable the plurality of tab assemblies of the lower visor to traverse the pairs of rails in the plurality of elongated slots of the upper visor, thereby extending the lower visor beyond the upper visor in an extended position or retracting the lower visor to align with the upper visor in a retracted position.

Abstract: A dual sided innerspring mattress including a first spring assembly having a first support surface formed by a first plurality of discrete zones with a first firmness profile to support an individual and a second spring assembly having a second support surface formed by a second plurality of discrete zones with a second firmness profile to support an individual of a greater height and body weight.

Abstract: An Optical Transport Network (OTN) fault localization method, an iterative OTN fault localization method, and an OTN network use OTN tandem connection monitors operating in a “Monitor” mode to provide fault localization. The methods and network use TCMs for fault localization that can be performed manually or automatically to isolate a fault in a multi-domain OTN network to a particular link, switching fabric, or transport function. Additionally, a roles-based assignment scheme is presented for automatically assigning TCM levels between domains and links in multi-domain OTN networks. The fault localization methods enable fault localization in an automated and non-intrusive manner.

Abstract: Apparatus comprises adapter and speaker system. Adapter is configured to plug into port of personal digital audio player. Speaker system is in communication with adapter, and comprises multiple acoustic transducers, programmable processor circuit, and wireless communication circuit. In first operational mode, processor circuit receives, via adapter, and processes digital audio content from personal digital audio player into which adapter is plugged, and the multiple acoustic transducers output the received audio content from the personal digital audio player. In second operational mode, wireless communication circuit receives digital audio content from a remote digital audio source over a wireless network, processor circuit processes the digital audio content received from remote digital audio source, and the multiple acoustic transducers output the audio content received from the remote digital audio source.

Abstract: A gas spring fastener driving tool, having a cylinder filled with compressed gas that forces a piston/driver through a driving stroke movement; a rotary-to-linear lifter, then moves the piston/driver back to its ready position, preparing the tool for another driving stroke. The driver has protrusions (teeth) along its edges to contact extending pins of the lifter member, for lifting the driver during a return stroke. The driver's movements are detected by position sensors, and the information provided by those position sensors is used to prevent the lifter from impacting against the driver in situations where the driver did not finish its driving stroke in a correct (“in specification”) position. The use of two position sensors allows a Dry Fire diagnostic test to determine if gas pressure in the gas storage chamber is too high, or has become too low.

Abstract: A control strategy is provided for a hybrid vehicle that will increase drivability during low or decreasing driver demands. Coordination between shifting the transmission and stopping or (non-demand) starting of the engine can increase drivability. The vehicle includes a motor/generator with one side selectively coupled to the engine and another side selectively coupled to the transmission. The control strategy acts when an engine start or stop is requested while driver demand is decreasing and a shift of the transmission is demanded. To inhibit these events from proceeding simultaneously, the control strategy delays the engine from starting or stopping until the transmission has finished shifting, or vice versa.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a lift system for a rotor blade of a wind turbine. The lift system includes a lifting device having at least one cradle. The cradle has a profile that corresponds to at least one of the exterior surfaces of the rotor blade so as to support at least a portion of the rotor blade. Further, the lift system includes a positioning assembly having at least one distance sensor mounted to the hub and at least one visual sensor mounted to the lifting device. Thus, the distance sensor is configured to identify a distance from the hub to the lifting device and the visual sensor is configured to identify a position of the rotor blade in the cradle.