Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, to share information in a community of robots and users to perform tasks. In one aspect, a method includes registering, a plurality of robots in a system including creating for each robot of the plurality of robots a robot profile; publishing the robot profile; providing an application programming interface to the plurality of registered robots; providing a user interface to users; receiving a service request; determining that a user or registered robot is qualified to obtain service information in response to the service request; determining, responsive to the user or registered robot being qualified, the service information for the service request based on the published robot profiles; selecting one or more registered robots to receive the service information; and sending the service information to the one or more selected registered robots.

Abstract: A single deck shuffler includes a pre-shuffle bin, card-selector assembly, drive wheel and post-shuffle bin. The pre-shuffle bin is configured to accept a single deck of cards. While in the pre-shuffle bin, a modest downward force is applied to the single deck of cards. A base of the pre-shuffle bin is an independent member that selectively raises and lowers the deck of cards pursuant to a randomly-selected card number (e.g., 1-52). Once positioned correctly based on the randomly-selected card number, an upper body of the card-selector assembly moves forward to push a number of cards off the top of the deck corresponding to the randomly-selected card number thereby exposing a bottom card (i.e., the randomly-selected card) to a drive wheel. The drive wheel propels the card from the pre-shuffle bin into the post-shuffle bin. The process is repeated until each card is propelled into the post-shuffle bin.

Abstract: An automatic playing card shuffler incorporating means for detecting marked cards. One or more light spectrum emitters or variable light spectrum illuminators transmit light at frequencies/wavelengths which is reflected off card backs through one or more spectrum filters causing invisible markings to become visible. A camera may capture images of the now visible markings. A camera and software collaborate to capture images and analyze the same for markings on the card backs such as smudges, nicks and scuffs and edge demarcations. The automatic playing card shufflers are configured to not only detect marked cards but to detect patterns relative to the card markings. The automatic card shufflers are communicatively linked with a casino management system and/or security system such that casino personnel may be alerted in real time to the discovery of marked cards.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a storage medium, for integrating components into objects that are to be 3D printed. One of the methods includes obtaining a three-dimensional model of a first object; receiving an input identifying an additional component; generating a digital representation of the additional component; integrating the digital representation of the additional component with the three-dimensional model; and providing the three-dimensional model with the integrated digital representation to a 3D printer for fabrication.

Abstract: A method inducing chimerism and allograft tolerance by co-infusion of stem/progenitor-like cells and donor cells, wherein the donor cells can be bone marrow cells. The method also comprises the conditioning comprising depletion of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells and administration of low doses of anti-neoplastic drugs. The inventive method comprises an aspect wherein allograft tolerance is induced without systemically suppressing the immune system.

Abstract: A method inducing chimerism and allograft tolerance by co-infusion of stein/progenitor-like cells and donor cells, wherein the donor cells can be bone marrow cells. The method also comprises the conditioning comprising depletion of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells and administration of low doses of anti-neoplastic drugs. The inventive method comprises an aspect wherein allograft tolerance is induced without systemically suppressing the immune system.

Abstract: A design application includes a design engine and a tracking engine. The design engine allows end-users to create and modify a design space. The design space includes a spectrum of possible design options, as well as other information related to the process of creating designs. When changes are applied to the design space, the design engine transmits event data to the tracking engine that reflects those changes. The tracking engine, based on the event data, updates a design space timeline. The design space timeline illustrates the evolution of the design space over time.

Abstract: A design application allows an end-user to define an engineering problem, and then synthesizes a spectrum of design options that solve the engineering problem. The design application then generates various tools to allow the end-user to explore that spectrum of design options. The design application allows the end-user to compare various attributes of each design option, and to filter the spectrum of design options based on those attributes. In response to end-user selections of certain design options, the design application identifies other similar design options, and then displays these design options to the end-user.

Abstract: A design application generates feasible engineering designs that satisfy criteria associated with a particular engineering problem. The design application receives input that outlines a specific engineering problem to be solved, and then synthesizes a problem specification based on this input. The design application then searches a database to identify different classes of approaches to solving the design problem set forth in the problem specification. The design application then selects one or more such classes of approaches, and generates a spectrum of potential design solutions for each such approach. The generated solutions may then be evaluated to determine the degree to which the problems specification has been met.

Abstract: A design application generates a spectrum of design options that meet certain design criteria. Each design option may potentially be composed of a different type of material. The design application filters the spectrum of design options for presentation in a graphical user interface (GUI). The GUI illustrates different design options based on material of composition within a parallel axis plot that includes separate axes for different material attributes. The GUI also displays envelopes of design options for each different material or material type, where each envelope has a different color, pattern, opacity, or other visual attribute. A GUI engine dynamically updates the GUI to reflect constraints and other design criteria applied to the spectrum of design options.

Abstract: A design application interacts with an end-user to generate design problem geometry that reflects a design problem to be solved. Various design objectives, design constraints, boundary conditions, and other design criteria may be associated with the design problem geometry via the design application. When the design problem is sufficiently well defined, a client-side solver generates a solution approximation using a coarse multi-objective solver. The client-side solver favors speed over accuracy, and so the solution approximation provides only a rough representation of various attributes of potentially feasible design solutions. Based on the solution approximation, the end-user may correct any omissions, mistakes, and so forth, before executing pay-per-service cloud-based parallel solver.

Abstract: A design application is configured to determine design problem geometry and design criteria associated with a design problem to be solved. Based on this information, the design application identifies one or more design approaches to creating a custom material having specific material attributes needed to solve the design problem. The design application then executes the design approaches to create material designs that reflect one or more custom materials. With these designs as input, a manufacturing machine may then construct physical instances of those custom materials. A given custom material may have a unique combination of material attributes potentially not found among existing materials. Additionally, a design fabricated from a custom material may better satisfy the design criteria than a design fabricated from a known material.

Abstract: A photovoltaic-thermal (PV-T) system and a method of cooling photovoltaic (PV) cells in the system is described herein. Energy from an excitation source such as the sun hits the PV cells in the PV-T system causing heating that reduces PV efficiency. The PV cells are cooled by fluid in an intact heat-transfer system making a heated water byproduct while the PV cells release a form of energy. In addition, the PV-T system can be implemented in a desalination plant to harvest energy and heat for desalination processes. The present invention also includes methods for transferring heat from PV cells to the earth to improve PV performance and reduce thermal shock to the PV cells.

Abstract: A rodent trap system for alerting a user that a rodent has been trapped having a base panel, a top surface, three lips extending upwardly from three ends of the base panel wherein the lips create an enclosure, a lid pivotally attached to the second and third lips, an alarm housing on the base panel, a flange extending outwardly from the alarm housing formed by the lips which can pivot; a first half contact on a bottom surface of the flange, a second half contact on the top surface of the base panel, the contacts are connected to the actuator or solenoid and to a speaker in the alarm housing, wherein when the contacts contact each other they send an electrical signal causing the actuator or solenoid to pull a plunger to move the lid to the closed position and causing the speaker to emit the sound.

Abstract: A lacrosse stick head fastening system is disclosed that prevents loosening of a lacrosse stick head from a lacrosse stick shaft. The lacrosse stick head fastening system generally includes a fastener body that is located in a head fastening end of a lacrosse stick shaft. A transverse fastener extends transversely through a shaft fastening end of the lacrosse stick head, through the head fastening end of the shaft, and through the fastener body. A longitudinal fastener extends longitudinally through the head and into the fastener body. The transverse fastening device secures the shaft fastening end of the head at both sides, and the longitudinal fastening device applies a force longitudinally to maintain the transverse fastening device in side shear stress, thereby preventing both fastening devices from becoming loose during play. Thus, the lacrosse stick head is held onto the shaft with at least three points of contact as opposed to one.

Abstract: Fragrance delivery devices, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure, may be controlled to deliver a fragrance intermittently and/or selectively. A fragrance delivery device generally includes a housing containing a cartomizer for producing a fragrance vapor from a fragrance liquid, and control circuitry for controlling the production of the fragrance vapor in response to a user input. The fragrance delivery device may include a user interface and/or a wireless interface for connecting to a remote control device, such as a smart phone, tablet, or other computing device, to provide the user input. The fragrance delivery device may deliver the fragrance vapor using natural convection and/or by moving air through the device, for example, with a fan. The fragrance delivery device may also include a power source, such as a battery, and/or may include a connection to an external power source.

Abstract: The present invention provides uses of a glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist in combination with metformin. Uses include treating type 2 diabetes, lowering blood glucose, and improving the therapeutic effectiveness of metformin. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions that comprise a GLP1R agonist and metformin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to substituted azoanthracene derivatives and intermediates for the preparation thereof. The substituted azoanthracene derivatives and associated intermediates may be useful for the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment or prevention of diseases, disorders, and conditions wherein modulation of the human GLP-1 receptor is beneficial.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a storage medium, for integrating components into objects that are to be 3D printed. One of the methods includes obtaining a three-dimensional model of a first object; receiving an input identifying an additional component; generating a digital representation of the additional component; integrating the digital representation of the additional component with the three-dimensional model; and providing the three-dimensional model with the integrated digital representation to a 3D printer for fabrication.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting the breakthrough of hardness in a water softener measures a change in the conductivity of elongated cation-exchange material in contact with the treated water.