Abstract: Systems and methods for dispensing water or ice are provided. In particular, a dispensing system can include a sensor configured to detect the presence of a container proximate the dispensing system. The sensor can be further configured to detect a top lip of the container and a level of contents in the container relative to the top lip. When a container is detected, the dispensing system can be configured to dispense water or ice, for instance, responsive to a user input. The dispensing system can be further configured to cease dispensing water or ice when the level of water or ice reaches a threshold level.

Abstract: A temporary tattooing ink is produced from concentrated genipin. In one embodiment, the concentrated genipin forms part of a solution. In another embodiment, the genipin is provided in a gel form which also includes a solvent and a thickening agent. Finally, an applicator is described into which genipin may be embedded for applying to a user's skin.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to corrugated pipe, and more particularly to corrugated pipe with an outer wrap. In one embodiment, a pipe includes an axially extended bore defined by a corrugated outer wall having axially adjacent, outwardly-extending corrugation crests, separated by corrugation valleys. The pipe also includes an outer wrap applied to the outer wall. The outer wrap may include fibers and plastic. The outer wrap may span the corrugation crests producing a smooth outer surface.

Abstract: An example exercise device includes an arm structure configured to pivot in response to a movement of at least a portion of a head of a user. An example method of exercising includes moving a portion of a head to pivot a weight arm that resists the moving.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is a method utilizing a CAPTCHA to generate a human likeness score including blocks: a) receiving a user solution to the CAPTCHA; b) receiving a user interaction pattern descriptive of an interaction undertaken by the user, through a graphical interface of the CAPTCHA, to achieve the user solution; c) determining the accuracy of the user solution; d) comparing the user interaction pattern against an interaction model generated from interaction patterns of previous users; e) calculating the human likeness score based upon the determination of block c) and the comparison of block d), wherein the human likeness score lies within a continuum of human likeness scores.

Abstract: A cord organizing assembly includes a housing that may be coupled to a support surface. The housing has a well therein such that the well may have a plurality of cords positioned within the well. A pair of retainers is provided and each of the retainers is coupled the housing. Each of the retainers is positioned within the well such that each of the retainers may retain the cords within the well. A power supply is coupled to the housing such that the power supply may have each of the cords is electrically coupled to the power supply thereby facilitating the power supply to provide electrical power to each of the cords.

Abstract: A launching device comprises a shaft having a first end and a second end, a head coupled to the first end of the shaft and a handle coupled to the second end of the shaft. The head comprises a cavity and a launch ramp curved both upwardly and outwardly from the cavity, wherein a distal portion of the launch ramp extends outwardly beyond the cavity in a forward launching direction. An angle is defined by the longitudinal grip axis and the distal portion of the launch ramp to direct a projectile disposed in the cavity in the forward launching direction.

Abstract: A feature shown as trim piece or tab intended to provide a barrier or obstruction for items placed on top of the trim piece are disclosed. An interior trim component includes multiple substantially parallel ribs each configured to engage a track to facilitate movement of the interior trim component along the track. The interior trim component also includes a substrate having an outer surface and a rear surface. The outer surface is configured to face an interior of a vehicle and the rear surface is coupled to the substantially parallel ribs. The interior trim component further includes a barrier or obstruction extending upwardly from the outer surface while in an open position. The barrier or obstruction is configured to engage an item adjacent to the outer surface to block movement of the item relative to the interior trim component. The barrier or obstruction is configured to retract into a retracted position that facilitates movement of the interior trim component relative to a proximate structure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing an open collector output at a general purpose input/output (GPIO) pin of a microcontroller are provided. A pull-up resistor can be coupled between an external supply voltage and an output node associated with the GPIO pin. The microcontroller can be configured to provide an open collector high logic level at the output node by setting the GPIO pin as an input pin. In such configuration, the output at the output node can be determined based at least in part on the supply voltage. The microcontroller can be further configured to provide an open collector low logic level at the output node by setting the GPIO pin as an output pin and further configuring the GPIO pin to have a low logic output level.

Abstract: A sleeve, rotary seal, rotary seal assembly, shaft with an integrated primary surface, rotary seal assembly component, and/or any combination thereof which preferably results in rotary seals having a higher tolerance for radial eccentricity (static eccentricity and/or dynamic eccentricity). Related methods of manufacturing, using, and/or providing same are also set forth.

Abstract: A shuttle valve has a valve body including a first valve seat defining a first fluid inlet, a second valve seat defining a second fluid inlet, and a center portion that is connected to the valve seats, the center portion defining a fluid outlet and a bore. A moveable is moveable within the bore between a first position against the first valve seat and a second position against the second valve seat to control the flow of fluid from either of the first or second inlet to the outlet. The moveable member may be configured to have a unitary construction formed of a single component, by which a unitary shell defines a substantially hollow interior. The moveable member has a hollow interior and a weep hole for equalizing pressure between the hollow interior and exterior of the moveable member.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods that generate and send interactive elements to a plurality of wearable electronic devices are discussed. One or more mobile applications and one or more remote backend servers may cooperate to send information in the interactive elements to the instances of the time synchronous application resident in their wearable electronic device in order to bring different types of content such as timely and relevant data, events, and notifications to a user of that wearable electronic device without the users intervention to actively retrieve the different types of content. The interactive elements may be generated and sent from any of i) a public application programming interface hosted on a server, ii) one or more mobile applications resident on one or more mobile computing devices, and iii) one or more remote backend servers. In addition, these sources may merely send content and commands for the interactive elements to the public application programming interface.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods that relate selectable actions embedded in two or more interactive elements from a plurality of wearable computing devices are discussed. The selected actions taken by the user of the first wearable computing device in the first interactive element are evaluated against the data including the actions taken by the user of the second wearable computing device in the second interactive element. A resultant interactive element is generated based on the evaluation of the data of the first interactive element against the data of the second interactive element. The resultant interactive element relates the selectable actions indicated by the first and second interactive elements from the first and second wearable computing devices. The resultant interactive element is then broadcast to at least the respective input communication circuits of the first and second wearable computing devices.

Abstract: A seal and method of manufacturing same that provides increased service life and is preferably configured to provide both a dynamic seal and a static seal while demonstrating improved rigidity.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a contamination status of an ultrasonic sensor assembly included in a refrigeration appliance are provided. An exemplary refrigerator includes a sensor assembly. The sensor assembly includes a first ultrasonic sensor configured to transmit an ultrasonic signal and a second ultrasonic sensor configured to receive the ultrasonic signal. The refrigerator is configured to perform operations comprising detecting whether the sensor assembly is contaminated based on one or more characteristics of the received ultrasonic signal. An exemplary method includes monitoring a change in a characteristic of a plurality of crosstalk components of a plurality of ultrasonic signals of over a period of time to detect a contaminated state of an ultrasonic sensor.

Abstract: A low flying unmanned vehicle is disclosed that may be able to determine whether a collision is possible and may take evasive action in response to the possible collision. The vehicle may wirelessly communicate and may use a standard protocol such that a variety of additional objects may be taken into account when determining the possible collision risk.

Abstract: A cartridge seal for sealing a space between a housing and a rotatable shaft includes a rotary sealing member having an inner surface defining a bore for receiving the shaft and a circular outer flange extending radially outwardly from and circumferentially about a central axis, the outer flange having a radial sealing surface. A static seal assembly is disposed about the rotary member and includes an annular casing coupleable with the housing and an annular static sealing member disposed within the casing and having a radial sealing surface engageable with the rotary member sealing surface to form a sealing interface. A biasing member axially biases at least a portion of the static sealing member toward the rotary member flange. An annular collar is disposed within the casing and axially retains the rotary member within the casing such that the seal assembly is mountable on a shaft as a single unit.

Abstract: An example apparatus for a user in a wheelchair includes an exercise device providing an exercise area configured to receive a wheelchair. A primary handle is moveable by a first user in the wheelchair from a first position to a second position. A resistance assembly opposes movement of the at least one primary handle. A spotter handle is coupled to move together with the at least one primary handle. The spotter handle accessible by a second user from a position outside the exercise area. An example exercise device for a user in a wheelchair includes an automatically adjustable pick.

Abstract: A refrigerator appliance and a method for monitoring a water filter assembly within the same are provided. The method includes monitoring signal communication between an RFID tag of the water filter assembly and an RFID reader of the refrigerator appliance and terminating a flow of water to the water filter assembly if the signal communication between the RFID tag of the water filter assembly and the RFID reader of the refrigerator appliance is lost or disrupted.

Abstract: A seal assembly includes an annular static sealing member disposed within an annular channel in a housing or shaft. An annular dynamic sealing member is disposed coaxially within or about the static member and has a circumferential sealing surface engageable with the shaft or housing. An annular biasing member is disposed radially between the static and dynamic sealing members and is configured to bias the dynamic sealing member radially to maintain engagement of the sealing surface and the shaft or housing. The static member is configured to prevent relative angular displacement between the static and biasing members and the dynamic member is configured to prevent relative angular displacement between the dynamic and biasing members. As such, the dynamic sealing member, the biasing member and the static sealing member angularly displace within the channel as a single unit when torque above a particular magnitude is applied to the dynamic sealing member.