Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for holistically and dynamically managing metabolomics, leading to improvement of users' overall health. A metabolomics enhancement (“ME”) system recommends a metabolomic regiment harmonizing macronutritional and micronutritional consumption for a metabolomics beneficiary. The ME system receives characteristics and palate preferences of the beneficiary.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a circuit structure and method for power amplifier control with forward and reverse voltage biases to transistor back-gate regions. A circuit structure according to the disclosure can include: a power amplifier (PA) circuit having first and second transistors, the first and second transistors each including a back-gate region, wherein the back-gate region of each of the first and second transistors is positioned within a doped substrate separated from a semiconductor region by a buried insulator layer; and an analog voltage source coupled to the back-gate regions of the first and second transistors of the PA circuit, such that the analog voltage source alternatively supplies a forward bias voltage or a reverse bias voltage to the back-gate regions of the first and second transistors of the PA circuit to produce a continuously sloped power ramping profile.

Abstract: The invention comprises a hydraulic pump, wherein wave energy is used to pump a fluid. The apparatus utilizes the oscillation of the free surface of a water column within a moon pool on a floating vessel to lift a floating pump unit. After reaching a peak elevation induced by a passing wave, the gravitational forces on the floater pressurizes and moves a fluid using structurally linked pistons within fixed cylinders on the vessel during the downward return motion of the floater. The pressurized fluid can then be used in a variety of applications including the generation of electricity via hydroelectric turbines.

Abstract: Apparatus for electromagnetic launching system for the linear acceleration of macro particles. The apparatus disclosed is autonomously-powered, compact, and lightweight. The apparatus disclosed has low recoil force, low acoustic report, and low visible and infra-red signature. The apparatus disclosed is capable of automatic operation and the maximum particle velocity can be adjusted. The apparatus disclosed includes a trigger, controller, component power source, particle container, particle loader, propellant container, propellant loader, igniter, combustion chamber, sound suppressor, linear electrical generator, linear electrical motor, and thermal barrier.

Abstract: Techniques for facilitating social networking via a media device are described. Some embodiments provide a social networking facilitator (“SNF”) as part of a media device, such as a set-top box that is configured to receive media content events from a broadcast system, such as a satellite broadcast system. As the media device presents a media content event, a user can share, via the SNF, information about the presented media content event with members of his social network. In particular, the SNF prepares a message that includes information about or from the presented media content event, such as a title, a channel, a summary, rating, video clip, or the like. This message can then be edited by the user, such as by adding a comment or rating, before being transmitted by the SNF a social networking system, to be forwarded as a notification to members of the user's social network.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system and a method for manufacturing a gypsum board can be used to produce a gypsum board having at least one perforated cover sheet via a cover sheet perforator system. The cover sheet perforator system can include a perforator roller is disposed downstream of a forming station along a machine direction, a roller support frame for rotatably supporting the perforator roller such that its rotational axis extends along the cross-machine direction, and a motor arranged with the perforator roller to rotate the perforator roller about the rotational axis. The drive motor can be adapted to rotate the perforator roller with a tangential speed substantially equal to the line speed to produce a series of perforation holes in an upwardly-facing cover sheet as the gypsum board moves past the perforator roller.

Abstract: Apparatus for electromagnetic launching system for the linear acceleration of macro particles. The apparatus disclosed is autonomously-powered, compact, and lightweight. The apparatus disclosed has low recoil force, low acoustic report, and low visible and infra-red signature. The apparatus disclosed is capable of automatic operation and the maximum particle velocity can be adjusted. The apparatus disclosed includes a trigger, controller, component power source, particle container, particle loader, propellant container, propellant loader, igniter, combustion chamber, sound suppressor, linear electrical generator, linear electrical motor, and thermal barrier.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mechanically-actuated switch comprising a deformable conductive element providing a conductive path between a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the effective geometry of the conductive element changes suddenly upon deformation to cause a disproportionately large change in a resistance between the first and second terminals. The switch can be made from lightweight and soft materials, and is particularly suited for integration with dielectric elastomer devices. Also disclosed are various circuits and a method for controlling circuits including the switch.

Abstract: A vehicle display illumination system includes a controller controlling a constant current source. The constant current source receives a variable voltage input and outputs multiple constant current channels to one or more light sources for the vehicle display. The controller is further operable to alter a color or brightness of the light sources in response to a change in status of another vehicle system, thereby providing an indication to the user of the change in status.

Abstract: A tire mold equipped with features for protecting the tread mold segments from damage is described. One or more impact absorbers are positioned between tread mold segments and operate to preclude contact between the shoulders of the tread mold segments when such are biased back into their original position as a tire is removed from the tire mold. By precluding such contact, the tread mold segments are protected from damage that can affect the appearance of the cured tire.

Abstract: A pre-fetching map data system and method identifies a subset of map data to corresponding to one or more points of interest to be displayed on the map. The map data is stored on a remote map database and in the form of map data tiles. The system identifies those map data tiles that correspond to the subset of map data corresponding to the one or more points of interest, where the identified pre-fetch map data tiles are sent from the remote database to a client device for cache storage. The pre-fetch map data tiles are identified using a variable map tile radius, which when extended from the points of interest defines the map tiles that qualify as pre-fetch map data tiles. The tile radius can be fixed or dynamically adjusted and changes across different map zoom levels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pliable capacitive structures such as dielectric elastomers and similar smart materials which can be used for sensing externally applied strains which can be inferred by the determining the capacitance of the structure/material. There is provided an apparatus comprising a pliable capacitive structure for use in detecting shape or strain changes, the pliable capacitive structure having a dielectric material positioned between two electrodes; means for applying a steady-state voltage across the two electrodes; and means for determining changes in capacitance of the pliable capacitive structure using said steady state voltage.

Abstract: Techniques for facilitating social networking via a media device are described. Some embodiments provide a social networking facilitator (“SNF”) as part of a media device, such as a set-top box that is configured to receive media content events from a broadcast system, such as a satellite broadcast system. As the media device presents a media content event, a user can share, via the SNF, information about the presented media content event with members of his social network. In particular, the SNF prepares a message that includes information about or from the presented media content event, such as a title, a channel, a summary, rating, video clip, or the like. This message can then be edited by the user, such as by adding a comment or rating, before being transmitted by the SNF a social networking system, to be forwarded as a notification to members of the user's social network.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for pre-fetching remote resource data from a remote mapping system for display on a client computing device is disclosed. Data received at a client device from an online mapping system in response to a query from the client device includes vector and remote resource data. Vector data is rasterized by the client device to depict graphical elements that are easily described by mathematical formulas. Remote resource data includes digital map elements that are not easily described by vectors, but instead, must be relayed to the client device as either bitmaps or references (e.g., URLs) to remote resources that are resolved at the backend or the client device. This remote resource data is prefetched to a client device so that it will be available for subsequent mapping application searches without resolving a corresponding reference to the remote resource data for each search.

Abstract: An outside air temperature measurement device and method for vehicles derives a useable final value of the outside air temperature within seconds of the beginning of vehicle movement by developing a mathematical expression (i.e., model) for the exponential data series while discriminating against thermal noise components existing in the measurement data.

Abstract: Techniques for facilitating social networking via a media device are described. Some embodiments provide a social networking facilitator (“SNF”) as part of a media device, such as a set-top box that is configured to receive media content events from a broadcast system, such as a satellite broadcast system. As the media device presents a media content event, a user can share, via the SNF, information about the presented media content event with members of his social network. In particular, the SNF prepares a message that includes information about or from the presented media content event, such as a title, a channel, a summary, rating, video clip, or the like. This message can then be edited by the user, such as by adding a comment or rating, before being transmitted by the SNF a social networking system, to be forwarded as a notification to members of the user's social network.

Abstract: A tire mold equipped with features for protecting the tread mold segments from damage is described. One or more impact absorbers are positioned between tread mold segments and operate to preclude contact between the shoulders of the tread mold segments when such are biased back into their original position as a tire is removed from the tire mold. By precluding such contact, the tread mold segments are protected from damage that can affect the appearance of the cured tire.

Abstract: A pre-fetching map data system and method identifies a subset of map data to corresponding to one or more points of interest to be displayed on the map. The map data is stored on a remote map database in map data tiles. The pre-fetching map data system identifies those map data tiles that correspond to the one or more points of interest, where the identified pre-fetch map data tiles are sent from the remote database to a client device for cache storage. The number of pre-fetch map data tiles are determined using a tile budget that is dynamically adjusted in response to changing conditions on a client device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for pre-fetching remote resource data from a remote mapping system for display on a client computing device is disclosed. Data received at a client device from an online mapping system in response to a query from the client device includes vector and remote resource data. Vector data is rasterized by the client device to depict graphical elements that are easily described by mathematical formulas. Remote resource data includes digital map elements that are not easily described by vectors, but instead, must be relayed to the client device as either bitmaps or references (e.g., URLs) to remote resources that are resolved at the backend or the client device. This remote resource data is prefetched to a client device so that it will be available for subsequent mapping application searches without resolving a corresponding reference to the remote resource data for each search.

Abstract: A surface mount post header comprising at least one post and at least one lead, the post and the lead extending from a body and being distinct from each other, the body defining body's longitudinal axis, the lead configured to at least partially define a base of support for the post header on a surface of a substrate; the lead comprising a foot portion distal from the body, wherein at least one longitudinal portion of the foot portion forms an angle between 0 and 90 degrees with a projection of the body's longitudinal axis on the base of support is disclosed. In addition, a surface mount post header with a pick and place pad, and an assembly comprising the header and the substrate are disclosed.