Abstract: The disclosed embodiments, collectively referred to as the “Message Ordering Buffer” or “MOB”, relate to an improved messaging platform, or processing system, which may also be referred to as a message processing architecture or platform, which routes messages from a publisher to a subscriber ensuring related messages, e.g., ordered messages, are conveyed to a single recipient, e.g., processing thread, without unnecessarily committing resources of the architecture to that recipient or otherwise preventing message transmission to other recipients. The disclosed embodiments further include additional features which improve efficient and facilitate deployment in different application environments. The disclosed embodiments may be deployed as a message oriented middleware component directly installed, or accessed as a service, and accessed by publishers and subscribers, as described herein, so as to electronically exchange messages therebetween.

Abstract: A method for finding a center of a process kit and/or a process kit ring is provided. An object placed on an end effector is moved past a sensor of a manufacturing system. A first signal indicating a current shape of object is received from the sensor of the manufacturing system. A determination is made whether the first signal corresponds to a second signal indicating a predefined shape for a process kit and/or a process kit carrier. In response to a determination that the first signal corresponds to the second signal, a coordinate correspondence is determined between coordinates of a center of the object and coordinates of a center of the end effector. The determined coordinate correspondence indicates whether a current placement of the object on the end effector satisfies a target placement criterion.

Abstract: A flexible sensor unit is embedded in a tire. The flexible sensor unit includes a plurality of individual circuit boards. Each circuit board includes at least one electronic component. The at least one electronic component includes a radio frequency identification integrated circuit, a microcontroller unit, at least one sensor, a power source and a boost converter. Each one of a plurality of electrically conductive flexible connecting ribbons extends between the circuit boards. An end ribbon is electrically connected to at least one of the circuit boards. An antenna is disposed on the end ribbon. The antenna transmits data from the at least one sensor, as processed by the microcontroller unit, and identification data from the radio frequency identification integrated circuit, to an external reader.

Abstract: Exemplary drone operations support base embodiments disclosed herein may be used to shelter, repower, and/or service drones associated therewith. A drone operations support base may include an enclosure with an entryway that permits drone ingress and egress with respect to the enclosure. Drone launching/landing, drone storage and drone power source repowering areas may be associated with a given drone base. A transfer device may be provided to move drones between the various drone base areas. The transfer device may also be adapted to transfer drone power sources between the drone repowering area and drones located elsewhere within the drone base for repowering of the power sources and of the drones.

Abstract: A sanding apparatus includes a flexible base member which includes a base member bottom side and a base member top side. A quantity of abrasive material is attached to the base member bottom side. A flexible handle is positioned above the base member top side, and attachment means are provided for attaching the flexible base member to the flexible handle. The flexible handle includes a pair of parallel (opposing side) finger grip grooves. The flexible handle also includes a plurality of finger grip indentations located on each side of top edge of the flexible handle to provide a more comfortable gripping of the flexible handle.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments, collectively referred to as the “Message Ordering Buffer” or “MOB”, relate to an improved messaging platform, or processing system, which may also be referred to as a message processing architecture or platform, which routes messages from a publisher to a subscriber ensuring related messages, e.g., ordered messages, are conveyed to a single recipient, e.g., processing thread, without unnecessarily committing resources of the architecture to that recipient or otherwise preventing message transmission to other recipients. The disclosed embodiments further include additional features which improve efficient and facilitate deployment in different application environments. The disclosed embodiments may be deployed as a message oriented middleware component directly installed, or accessed as a service, and accessed by publishers and subscribers, as described herein, so as to electronically exchange messages therebetween.

Abstract: Lamina plates can include various features that allow a surgeon to couple the plate to a vertebra, such as a plurality of receiving holes for receiving a spinal fixation element. The plate can be shaped and the receiving holes positioned such that spinal fixation elements can be installed with reduced exposure of the spine and along a trajectory that enhances purchase with bone. The lamina plate can include one or more features for coupling at least one receiver head to the plate for receiving a spinal stabilization element. Since the receiver head can be coupled to the plate after the plate is implanted, it does not restrict the range of angles or trajectories at which the spinal fixation elements can be installed.

Abstract: Exemplary drone operations support base embodiments disclosed herein may be used to shelter, repower and/or service drones associated therewith. A drone operations support base may include an enclosure with an entryway that permits drone ingress and egress with respect to the enclosure. Drone launching/landing, drone storage and drone power source repowering areas may be associated with a given drone base. A transfer device may be provided to move drones between the various drone base areas. The transfer device may also be adapted to transfer drone power sources between the drone repowering area and drones located elsewhere within the drone base for repowering of the power sources and of the drones.

Abstract: There is described a system for providing an interface with personalized products or product recommendations by capturing user data with sensors and computing a physical and/or emotional signature of the user. The user data comprises at least image data, text input, biometric data, and audio data, and may have been captured using one or more sensors on the user device. The user data is processed using at least: facial analysis; body analysis; eye tracking; behavioural analysis; social network analysis; location analysis; user's activities analysis; speech analysis, and text analysis. Based on the user data, one or more states of one or more cognitive-affective competencies of the user may be determined. An is determined, based on the one or more states of the one or more cognitive-affective competencies of the user. Based on the physical and/or emotional signature, one or more personalized products or product recommendations are generating for improving the emotional signature or physical signature.

Abstract: The invention allows the wearer to easily retain and locate the optics in various positions on the bridge of the nose to enable viewing through different optical field depths as in the case of tri-focals and other progressive lenses. Another benefit of soft hooks is the prevention of the glasses being dislodged due to moisture such as sweat, and sudden movement such as in sports or working activities. The design focusses on the invention being able to apply to eyeglass arms of various shapes and thicknesses including readers, sunglasses and fashionable straight arms. A unique feature is the simple attachment of the invention as a result of the voids between entry and exit points for the prevention of a ‘caterpillar’ effect. The design facilitates robust positional locational stability on the frame arms, but still allows adjustment for varying positioning needs.

Abstract: A flexible sensor unit is embedded in a tire. The flexible sensor unit includes a plurality of individual circuit boards. Each circuit board includes at least one electronic component. The at least one electronic component includes a radio frequency identification integrated circuit, a microcontroller unit, at least one sensor, a power source and a boost converter. Each one of a plurality of electrically conductive flexible connecting ribbons extends between the circuit boards. An end ribbon is electrically connected to at least one of the circuit boards. An antenna is disposed on the end ribbon. The antenna transmits data from the at least one sensor, as processed by the microcontroller unit, and identification data from the radio frequency identification integrated circuit, to an external reader.

Abstract: Implementations disclosed describe an inspection device capable of being transferred by a robot blade into a processing chamber of a manufacturing machine, the inspection device comprising an optical sensor to detect light reflected from a target located within the processing chamber, wherein the optical sensor is to output, to a processing device, a signal representative of a state of a region of a surface of the target.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods for determining a wellness metric for a user. A physiological condition of the user is measured during a number of time intervals using at least one biosensor to acquire a measured signal and the measured signal is transferred to a processing unit. Inputs from the user regarding emotional state and activity can be requested and an emotional state input and an activity input are recorded into a memory unit. The measured signal and the activity input are analyzed to generate a stress value and the emotional state input is analyzed to generate a mood value. The wellness metric for the user is determined based on the stress value and the mood value and a recommendation is provided to the user of activities for improving the wellness metric.

Abstract: A system and method of providing virtualized connectivity in a cloud services environment. A service provider network defines at least a first virtual private network and a second virtual private network for a respective first customer network and a second customer network. The service provider network includes at least one physical connection with a cloud services provider network where the at least one physical connection includes a first private virtual connection between the first virtual private network and the cloud services provider and a second private virtual connection between the second virtual private network and the cloud services provider.

Abstract: A tool kit for decoupling a telescoping tube from a first liner of a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The tool kit includes a base plate coupled to a combustor casing. A post extends outward from the base plate into a combustion chamber defined by the liner. A plunger slidably mounts to the post and is slidable between an extended position and a retracted position. A lever arm pivotably couples to the post and the plunger. Pivoting the lever arm in a first direction slides the plunger to the extended position to decouple the telescoping tube from the liner. A retaining clip couples to the combustor casing and extends into an annular plenum at least partially defined between the liner and the combustor casing. The retaining clip defines a notch that receives the telescoping tube after the plunger assembly decouples the telescoping tube from the liner.

Abstract: An encapsulated sensor unit is embedded in a tire. The encapsulated sensor unit includes a sensor portion and an antenna portion. A first encapsulating layer is disposed about the sensor portion, and not about the antenna portion. A second encapsulating layer is disposed about the first encapsulating layer and the antenna portion. A third encapsulating layer is disposed about the second encapsulating layer.

Abstract: A network (e.g., LAN/WLAN) contains individual private networks, each with an access point assistant (APA) containing an access point, web server, and other components, such as support voice interaction therewith. APAs are separated by device isolation over the LAN, but devices on each individual private network are accessible to each other directly, including cell phones, laptop computers, tablets, iPods, or other network aware devices literally owned or controlled by a guest assigned the APA at a hospitality property. The access management system assigns to an APA a bandwidth limit, which it then administers and accounts for, avoiding the classic problem of “bandwidth hogs” swamping the LAN with no accountability or control.

Abstract: A light bulb changing device with expandable fingers is extendable to allow a person to install and remove light bulbs from an elevated ceiling without need for climbing a ladder. The device includes a tube, with the fingers attached thereto. A horn is slidably disposed on the top, movement of the horn adjusts the movement of the fingers. A compression spring and pulley housing with pulleys therein actuate movement of a tension member allowing for opening of the fingers and closing the fingers around a light bulb with limited torque to avoid breaking the light bulb.

Abstract: A heavy-duty tire is described herein. The heavy duty tire includes a carcass, a tread located radially outward of the carcass, and a tread having a plurality of lugs. The lugs extend radially outward from an inner tread and are located between the first and second lateral tread edges. The tread further includes a first row of lugs extending from the tread lateral edge axially inwards toward the centerplane, and a second row of lugs extending from the opposite tread lateral edge and axially inwards toward the centerplane. The lugs of the first and second rows are separated by a plurality of shoulder grooves, wherein the first row of lugs are aligned with the second row of lugs, a center row of lugs located between a first and second offset lug, wherein all of the lugs in each row are aligned circumferentially. wherein said tire has a molded base width in the range of 44-50 mm. The heavy-duty tire wherein the shoulder drop ranges from 64 mm to 120.

Abstract: A light bulb changing device with expandable fingers which can grasp all light bulbs within a size range between 1 inch and 6 inches diameter and all shapes of light bulbs including incandescent, compact fluorescent and LED having a screw thread base. The disclosed device is extendable to allow a person to install and remove light bulbs from an elevated ceiling without need for climbing a ladder. The device provides for a user to controllably expand the fingers to insert or remove a bulb at both the proximal (bottom)and distal (Ceiling) ends of the device so that a user can reach up to the ceiling, open the fingers to grasp the bulb using the proximal actuation, remove it, bring it down to reachable level, remove the used bulb using the distal actuation, insert a new bulb using the distal actuation, elevate the bulb to the ceiling screw it into the socket and using the proximal actuation open the fingers to complete the job.