Abstract: Sterile connectors for robotic or robot-assisted surgery and related systems and methods can be used to establish a sterile barrier between a non-sterile robot arm and a surgical site. More particularly, a sterile connector can include a first component connector to couple to a distal end of a robot arm, a second component connector to couple to an end effector, and a sterile drape extending from the sterile connector. The sterile drape can drape the robot arm and can maintain a sterile barrier around the robot arm throughout the course of a surgical procedure. In this manner, an end effector can be swapped out during the procedure without the need to re-drape or re-establish the sterile surgical field. In some embodiments, the sterile connector can facilitate the passage of electrical signals and/or light between the sterile connector and at least one of the robot arm and end effector.

Abstract: A product delivery system includes a product transport vehicle having at least a plurality of tank compartments, internal valves, control valves, fluid property sensors, temperature sensors, overfill sensors, pressure sensors, a system controller, and a memory module. The product delivery system may be operable to communicatively connect with the loading system at a loading station, a fleet management system, or a cloud system to obtain information, such as the amount of liquid product to be loaded into a tank compartment. The product delivery system may be operable to compare the volumes of the tank compartments with the amounts of liquid product to be loaded at a loading station and maintain the internal valve or control valve in a locked state or transition the internal valve or control valve to an unlocked state based on the comparison. Other comparisons based on liquid type or distribution tank volume can also be made.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for providing multi-factor authentication with Uniform Resource Locator (URL) validation (MFAUV). One of the multiple authentication factors used may include a unique, user-specific URL that is sent to the user within a message. In this way, the user may simply click on, or otherwise execute or select, the provided URL, directly from within the message in which the URL is provided.

Abstract: An optical fluid sensor (OFS) is disclosed that includes a body defining a chamber and having one or more apertures to allow a fluid to enter the chamber, a light source optically coupled to the chamber and configured to emit light into the chamber, and a detector optically coupled to the chamber and configured to receive light from the chamber. The light source may emit IR, visible, and UV light into the chamber, and the detector may measure an intensity of one or more wavelengths of IR or visible light received by the detector. When fluid is disposed within the chamber, the light emitted by the light source may pass into and through the fluid disposed in the chamber before being received by the detector. A crossover protection system is also disclosed that includes an OFS for determining a transported liquid type.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for providing multi-factor authentication with Uniform Resource Locator (URL) validation (MFAUV). One of the multiple authentication factors used may include a unique, user-specific URL that is sent to the user within a message. In this way, the user may simply click on, or otherwise execute or select, the provided URL, directly from within the message in which the URL is provided.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for providing multi-factor authentication with Uniform Resource Locator (URL) validation (MFAUV). One of the multiple authentication factors used may include a unique, user-specific URL that is sent to the user within a message. In this way, the user may simply click on, or otherwise execute or select, the provided URL, directly from within the message in which the URL is provided.

Abstract: A crossover protection system including a product transport vehicle having a tank compartment for containing a liquid product, a fluid property sensor positioned to contact liquid product stored in the tank compartment, a system controller, and a valve coupled to the tank compartment. The valve regulates a flow of liquid product from the tank compartment and has a normally locked state. The system controller may compare a received transported liquid type signal from the fuel property sensor indicative of the type of liquid product in the tank compartment and compare the type of liquid product to a stored liquid product type. If the two types match, the crossover protection controller transitions the valve to an unlocked state to allow the liquid product to unload from the tank compartment. If the two types do not match, the crossover protection controller will disable the valve from transitioning to the unlocked state.

Abstract: An optical fluid sensor (OFS) is disclosed that includes a body defining a chamber and having one or more apertures to allow a fluid to enter the chamber, a light source optically coupled to the chamber and configured to emit light into the chamber, and a detector optically coupled to the chamber and configured to receive light from the chamber. The light source may emit IR, visible, and UV light into the chamber, and the detector may measure an intensity of one or more wavelengths of IR or visible light received by the detector. When fluid is disposed within the chamber, the light emitted by the light source may pass into and through the fluid disposed in the chamber before being received by the detector. A crossover protection system is also disclosed that includes an OFS for determining a transported liquid type.

Abstract: An improved bead setting assembly includes at least one bead setter. The bead setter in turn includes a frame member and magnetic segments pivotally mounted on the frame member at positions about an opening in the frame member. Means are provided to selectively rotate the magnetic segments radially inwardly to a bead retaining position and radially outwardly from the bead retaining position. A plurality of clamp segments are pivotally mounted on the frame member at positions about the frame opening, and each clamp segment in turn includes a clamp arm with a multi-piece construction. Means are provided for selectively rotating the clamp segments radially inwardly into engagement with the bead and radially outwardly from the bead engagement. A rotary encoder is mounted on the frame member and is operatively connected to a selected one of the clamp segments for determining a disposition of the bead.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for supporting a cross in a magnetic field is provided comprising the positioning of at least one electromagnet above the cross to be levitated and connecting the electromagnet to a switchable electrical power source. The display stand preferably has a support base, a pair support members extending upwardly from the base, and an electromagnetic housing positioned between the support members and disposed over the base, spaced a distance apart from the base. A permanent magnet is disposed in an upper portion of the cross. Rotational stability magnets are positioned on distal ends of each arm of the cross, and corresponding magnets are positioned on the support members adjacent the distal ends of the cross arms, in order to provide rotational stability to the cross during levitation.

Abstract: An optical fluid sensor (OFS) is disclosed that includes a body defining a chamber and having one or more apertures to allow a fluid to enter the chamber, a light source optically coupled to the chamber and configured to emit light into the chamber, and a detector optically coupled to the chamber and configured to receive light from the chamber. The light source may emit IR, visible, and UV light into the chamber, and the detector may measure an intensity of one or more wavelengths of IR or visible light received by the detector. When fluid is disposed within the chamber, the light emitted by the light source may pass into and through the fluid disposed in the chamber before being received by the detector. A crossover protection system is also disclosed that includes an OFS for determining a transported liquid type.

Abstract: An apparatus builds an uncured tire. The apparatus includes a cylindrical tire building drum for receiving a ply structure, an applicator for applying a first wedge strip and a second wedge strip to each of two shoulder portions of the ply structure, an extruder for dispensing a strip of material, and a cutting device for splitting the strip of material into the first wedge strip and the second wedge strip.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for providing multi-factor authentication with Uniform Resource Locator (URL) validation (MFAUV). One of the multiple authentication factors used may include a unique, user-specific URL that is sent to the user within a message. In this way, the user may simply click on, or otherwise execute or select, the provided URL, directly from within the message in which the URL is provided.

Abstract: A message identifier collector may collect message identifiers identifying sent messages having been sent by originating devices and identifying received messages of the sent messages that have been received at corresponding recipient devices. A message identifier matcher may match a sent message identifier for a sent message of the sent messages with a received message identifier for a corresponding received message of the received messages at a corresponding recipient device, and a delivery notification generator may send a delivery notification to an originating device of the originating devices that originally sent the sent message, thereby indicating receipt of the message at the corresponding recipient device. A delivery notification network path along which the message identifiers and the delivery notification are sent is different from a message delivery network path along which the message is sent.

Abstract: A connection hub connects a plurality of service providers and a plurality of mobile operators, and facilitates authentication of service consumers on behalf of the plurality of service providers. The connection hub may use authentication information of the plurality of mobile operators, to thereby enable provision of network resources from the plurality of service providers to the service consumers. The connection hub may include an operator discovery engine configured to access a number resolution service and match a telephone number of a mobile device of the service consumer with a corresponding mobile operator of the plurality of mobile operators, and an operator interface configured to forward the authentication request to the corresponding mobile operator, for use of the telephone number and the mobile device in completing an authentication of the service consumer at the service provider, and associated provision of a corresponding network resource to the service consumer.

Abstract: A connection hub connects a plurality of service providers and a plurality of mobile operators, and facilitates authentication of service consumers on behalf of the plurality of service providers. The connection hub may use authentication information of the plurality of mobile operators, to thereby enable provision of network resources from the plurality of service providers to the service consumers. The connection hub may include an operator discovery engine configured to access a number resolution service and match a telephone number of a mobile device of the service consumer with a corresponding mobile operator of the plurality of mobile operators, and an operator interface configured to forward the authentication request to the corresponding mobile operator, for use of the telephone number and the mobile device in completing an authentication of the service consumer at the service provider, and associated provision of a corresponding network resource to the service consumer.