Abstract: A handheld trash compaction apparatus for compacting trash downwardly into a trash can using a portable, handheld device includes a housing lid with a handle attached thereto, a bottom press configured to fit within the housing lid, and a drive mechanism mounted within the housing lid and coupled to the bottom press. The drive mechanism is actuatable to move in a compacting direction which urges the bottom press downwardly and outwardly from the housing lid. When actuated in the compacting direction, the bottom press is configured to compact waste into the waste container. The drive mechanism is also actuatable to move in a retracting direction which urges the bottom press upwardly and inwardly toward the housing lid. When actuated in the retracting direction, the bottom press is configured for storage within the housing lid.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling operations of an electronic device. The methods comprising: obtaining, by a processor, a first AI DNA structure and a second AI DNA structure (each of the first and second AI DNA structures comprising at least one branch defined by data objects connected to each other by one or more links, at least one of said data objects in said branch specifying one or more actions of the electronic device that were determined by an ontogenesis engine in view of a stimuli or an impingement action); analyzing, by the processor, human or other AI system, the first AI DNA structure and second AI DNA structure to detect differences therebetween; selectively editing, by the processor, the first AI DNA structure based on the differences; and using the first AI DNA structure, which has been selectively edited, to control, modify or advance AI operations of the ontogenesis engine.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling operations of an electronic device (ED), comprising: receiving first information associated with a first iteration of artificial intelligence (AI) operations performed by an ontogenesis engine (OE); generating a behavior data object (BDO) using the first information; building a DNA AI intelligence structure comprising BDO linked to a root data object (RDO) (wherein RDO comprises information concerning ED being controlled to take action(s) determined by OE in view of a stimuli and/or an impingement action; receiving second information associated with a second iteration of AI operations performed by OE; generating a next DBO using the second information; adding the next BDO to the DNA AI intelligence structure so as to be linked directly to RDO or indirectly to RDO via BDO; and using the DNA AI intelligence structure to control, modify or advance AI operations performed by OE in a third iteration.

Abstract: A handheld trash compaction apparatus for compacting trash downwardly into a trash can using a portable, handheld device includes a housing lid with a handle attached thereto, a bottom press configured to fit within the housing lid, and a drive mechanism mounted within the housing lid and coupled to the bottom press. The drive mechanism is actuatable to move in a compacting direction which urges the bottom press downwardly and outwardly from the housing lid. When actuated in the compacting direction, the bottom press is configured to compact waste into the waste container. The drive mechanism is also actuatable to move in a retracting direction which urges the bottom press upwardly and inwardly toward the housing lid. When actuated in the retracting direction, the bottom press is configured for storage within the housing lid.

Abstract: Method of forming a fiber-reinforced composite by applying multiple layers of prepreg material at the same time such that the proportion of unidirectional fibers which are orientated in the performing direction are greater than the proportion of unidirectional fibers which are obliquely orientated relative to said performing direction. This method controls the presence of overlaps, non-overlaps or gaps between the adjacent turns of the winding, thus improving the quality of the tube. This method also permits a reduction of the manufacturing costs. This method further enables production of tubes in a continuous way with different mandrels arranged to follow each other in a sequence which lead to an improvement of the production rate.

Abstract: A sports article comprising an elongate tubular shaft comprised of a fiber-reinforced resin matrix composite material, wherein the elongate tubular shaft has a longitudinal direction and the shaft is multilaminar and includes at least two fibrous layers, each of which is helically wrapped about a wrapping direction extending along the longitudinal direction to form the elongate tubular shaft, wherein each fibrous layer comprises a plurality of oriented structural fibers which are substantially aligned along the longitudinal direction so as to be oriented within +/?10° of the longitudinal direction, the oriented structural fibers having a length, along the longitudinal direction, of less than the length of the elongate tubular shaft to form discontinuous structural fibers serially oriented along the elongate tubular shaft. Also disclosed is a method to produce such a multilaminar elongate tubular shaft.

Abstract: A positive displacement pump comprising a cam for driving a piston assembly. The cam having an odd number of lobes, a first face, a second opposing face, and a peripheral surface extending between the first face and the second face. Each of the first face and the second face having a shoulder formed thereon conforming to the contour of the peripheral surface. The piston assemblies having at least two connector members extending from a piston in a spaced apart, parallel relationship to one another. A compression stroke bearing extends between the connector members in rolling contact with the peripheral surface, a first retraction bearing extends inwardly from one of the connector members and is rollingly positioned in contact with the shoulder of the first face, and a second retraction bearing extends inwardly from another one of the connector members and is rollingly positioned in contact with the shoulder of the second face.

Abstract: A sports article comprising an elongate tubular shaft comprised of a fiber-reinforced resin matrix composite material, wherein the elongate tubular shaft has a longitudinal direction and the shaft is multilaminar and includes at least two fibrous layers, each of which is helically wrapped about a wrapping direction extending along the longitudinal direction to form the elongate tubular shaft, wherein each fibrous layer comprises a plurality of oriented structural fibers which are substantially aligned along the longitudinal direction so as to be oriented within +/?10° of the longitudinal direction, the oriented structural fibers having a length, along the longitudinal direction, of less than the length of the elongate tubular shaft to form discontinuous structural fibers serially oriented along the elongate tubular shaft. Also disclosed is a method to produce such a multilaminar elongate tubular shaft.

Abstract: Method of forming a fiber-reinforced composite by applying multiple layers of prepreg material at the same time such that the proportion of unidirectional fibers which are orientated in the performing direction are greater than the proportion of unidirectional fibers which are obliquely orientated relative to said performing direction. This method controls the presence of overlaps, non-overlaps or gaps between the adjacent turns of the winding, thus improving the quality of the tube. This method also permits a reduction of the manufacturing costs. This method further enables production of tubes in a continuous way with different mandrels arranged to follow each other in a sequence which lead to an improvement of the production rate.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a matching network including a tunable reactance circuit configured to be coupled to at least one of a transmitter portion and a receiver portion of a communication device, wherein the tunable reactance circuit is adjustable to a plurality of tuning states, and wherein the determination of a tuning state is based on parameters associated with a detected interference. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A positive displacement pump comprising a cam for driving a piston assembly. The cam having an odd number of lobes, a first face, a second opposing face, and a peripheral surface extending between the first face and the second face. Each of the first face and the second face having a shoulder formed thereon conforming to the contour of the peripheral surface. The piston assemblies having at least two connector members extending from a piston in a spaced apart, parallel relationship to one another. A compression stroke bearing extends between the connector members in rolling contact with the peripheral surface, a first retraction bearing extends inwardly from one of the connector members and is rollingly positioned in contact with the shoulder of the first face, and a second retraction bearing extends inwardly from another one of the connector members and is rollingly positioned in contact with the shoulder of the second face.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a matching network including a tunable reactance circuit configured to be coupled to at least one of a transmitter portion and a receiver portion of a communication device, where the tunable reactance circuit is adjustable to a plurality of tuning states, and where the determination of a tuning state is based on whether detected signal measurements are determined to be invalid and is based on information from at least one of an open-loop or closed-loop feedback configuration of the tunable reactance circuit. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a matching network including a tunable reactance circuit configured to be coupled to at least one of a transmitter portion and a receiver portion of a communication device, wherein the tunable reactance circuit is adjustable to a plurality of tuning states, and wherein the determination of a tuning state is based on parameters associated with a detected interference. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A sports article comprising an elongate tubular shaft comprised of a fiber-reinforced resin matrix composite material, wherein the elongate tubular shaft has a longitudinal direction and the shaft is multilaminar and includes at least two fibrous layers, each of which is helically wrapped about a wrapping direction extending along the longitudinal direction to form the elongate tubular shaft, wherein each fibrous layer comprises a plurality of oriented structural fibers which are substantially aligned along the longitudinal direction so as to be oriented within +/?10° of the longitudinal direction, the oriented structural fibers having a length, along the longitudinal direction, of less than the length of the elongate tubular shaft to form discontinuous structural fibers serially oriented along the elongate tubular shaft. Also disclosed is a method to produce such a multilaminar elongate tubular shaft.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a matching network including a tunable reactance circuit configured to be coupled to at least one of a transmitter portion and a receiver portion of a communication device, wherein the tunable reactance circuit is adjustable to a plurality of tuning states, and wherein the determination of a tuning state is based on parameters associated with a detected interference. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system for inspecting an underground structure and a method of inspecting an underground structure, for example a shaft, tunnel or excavation, is provided. The system comprises a memory configured to store a plurality of images captured whilst moving along a predetermined path through the underground structure, a position determination module configured to generate position data associating each of the stored images with a position on the predetermined path, and a user terminal configured to receive a user input specifying a position on the predetermined path and to display at least one of the stored images corresponding to the specified position based on the position data. Accordingly, the user may retrieve and inspect images of the underground structure, based on the position at which the image was captured therein.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a matching network including a tunable reactance circuit configured to be coupled to at least one of a transmitter portion and a receiver portion of a communication device, wherein the tunable reactance circuit is adjustable to a plurality of tuning states, and wherein the determination of a tuning state is based on parameters associated with a detected interference. Additional embodiments are disclosed.