Abstract: A user of a personal computing device may identify multiple travel items of interest displayed for purchase by a network-based travel service. However, the user may not desire to purchase the travel items in a single purchase. Upon making a travel purchase that includes a first travel item that does not include a second travel item corresponding to the first travel item, the user may employ the network travel package service to search for second travel items corresponding to the first travel item, select from discounted travel packages including the first travel item and second travel items returned from the search, and purchase a discounted travel package. Beneficially, multiple travel items may be purchased separately while obtaining a package discount as compared to the stand-alone price of the travel items.

Abstract: There is described a method for interrogating optical fiber comprising fiber Bragg gratings (“FBGs”), using an optical fiber interrogator. The method comprises (a) generating an initial light pulse from phase coherent light emitted from a light source, wherein the initial light pulse is generated by modulating the intensity of the light; (b) splitting the initial light pulse into a pair of light pulses; (c) causing one of the light pulses to be delayed relative to the other of the light pulses; (d) transmitting the light pulses along the optical fiber; (e) receiving reflections of the light pulses off the FBGs; and (f) determining whether an optical path length between the FBGs has changed from an interference pattern resulting from the reflections of the light pulses.

Abstract: An electronic device, method and computer program product are provided. The electronic device comprises a memory to store program instructions, one or more processors to execute the program instructions, and a main body unit. The main body unit has a housing comprising a top side. The main body unit further includes a keyboard and a touchpad disposed along the top side of the housing. The keyboard and the touchpad are located in discrete areas. The touchpad includes a touch sensor and a touchpad display covering at least a portion of the touch sensor. The one or more processors display a graphical user interface (GUI) on the touchpad display.

Abstract: A system and a method for creating a stable and reproducible interface of an optical sensor system for measuring blood glucose levels in biological tissue include a dual wedge prism sensor attached to a disposable optic that comprises a focusing lens and an optical window. The disposable optic adheres to the skin to allow a patient to take multiple readings or scans at the same location. The disposable optic includes a Petzval surface placed flush against the skin to maintain the focal point of the optical beam on the surface of the skin. Additionally, the integrity of the sensor signal is maximized by varying the rotation rates of the dual wedge prisms over time in relation to the depth scan rate of the sensor. Optimally, a medium may be injected between the disposable and the skin to match the respective refractive indices and optimize the signal collection of the sensor.

Abstract: There is described a method for interrogating optical fiber comprising fiber Bragg gratings (“FBGs”), using an optical fiber interrogator. The method comprises (a) generating an initial light pulse from phase coherent light emitted from a light source, wherein the initial light pulse is generated by modulating the intensity of the light; (b) splitting the initial light pulse into a pair of light pulses; (c) causing one of the light pulses to be delayed relative to the other of the light pulses; (d) transmitting the light pulses along the optical fiber; (e) receiving reflections of the light pulses off the FBGs; and (f) determining whether an optical path length between the FBGs has changed from an interference pattern resulting from the reflections of the light pulses.

Abstract: An electronic assembly is provided comprising an electronic device and a self-aligning electronic accessory. The device includes a housing, a device connector and one or more processors to manage operation of the electronic device. The housing includes a device mating face that includes a device alignment feature. The self-aligning electronic accessory includes a body with electronic components and an accessory connector. The body includes an accessory mating face that includes an accessory alignment feature. The accessory alignment feature and accessory connector are spaced and dimensioned to align with the device alignment feature and device connector to physically join and communicatively couple the accessory and electronic device.

Abstract: Optical coherence tomography (herein “OCT”) based analyte monitoring systems are disclosed. In one aspect, techniques are disclosed that can identify fluid flow in vivo (e.g., blood flow), which can act as a metric for gauging the extent of blood perfusion in tissue. For instance, if OCT is to be used to estimate the level of an analyte (e.g., glucose) in tissue, a measure of the extent of blood flow can potentially indicate the presence of an analyte correlating region, which would be suitable for analyte level estimation with OCT. Another aspect is related to systems and methods for scanning multiple regions. An optical beam is moved across the surface of the tissue in two distinct manners. The first can be a coarse scan, moving the beam to provide distinct scanning positions on the skin. The second can be a fine scan where the beam is applied for more detailed analysis.

Abstract: Methods and systems of the invention provide a variety of techniques for processing microtransactions. In accordance with the invention, the method starts with a customer initiating a purchase through interaction with a merchant. The purchase is associated with purchase information, which includes the particulars of the purchase, such as the purchase price. In the purchase, the customer uses a transaction account, obtained from a payment enabler. The purchase is classified as a microtransaction, if the purchase price is below a predetermined monetary amount. Thereafter, the purchase information is forwarded for processing based on the classifying, i.e., either as a regular transaction or as a microtransaction. Then, upon receipt of the purchase information by an appropriate recipient, such as an interchange entity or an alternate interchange entity, the purchase information is processed to effect the microtransaction, if so classified, between the customer and the merchant.

Abstract: An electronic device is provided that includes a display unit, a memory storing program instructions, a processor to execute the program instructions in connection with operating the electronic device, and a main body unit housing the memory and processor. The display unit is rotatably mounted to the main body unit. The main body unit has a sidewall divided into first and second sidewall segments that are moved relative to one another corresponding to the main body unit being shifted between active and storage states. An interface component is mounted within the sidewall of the main body unit. The interface component includes members spaced apart from one another by gaps. The members are moved relative to one another between an operative position corresponding to the main body unit in the active state and a collapsed position corresponding to the main body unit in the storage state.

Abstract: A charging device can include a base that includes power transmission circuitry, a charger panel and a coil operatively coupled to the power transmission circuitry, where the charger panel includes a transparent material, and where the coil is visible via the transparent material.

Abstract: An optical fiber interrogator for interrogating optical fiber that includes fiber Bragg gratings (“FBGs”). The interrogator includes a light source operable to emit phase coherent light, amplitude modulation circuitry optically coupled to the light source and operable to generate pulses from the light, and control circuitry communicatively coupled to the amplitude modulation circuitry that is configured to perform a method for interrogating the optical fiber. The method includes generating a pair of light pulses by using the amplitude modulation circuitry to modulate light output by the light source without splitting the light.

Abstract: Optical coherence tomography (herein “OCT”) based analyte monitoring systems are disclosed. In one aspect, techniques are disclosed that can identify fluid flow in vivo (e.g., blood flow), which can act as a metric for gauging the extent of blood perfusion in tissue. For instance, if OCT is to be used to estimate the level of an analyte (e.g., glucose) in tissue, a measure of the extent of blood flow can potentially indicate the presence of an analyte correlating region, which would be suitable for analyte level estimation with OCT. Another aspect is related to systems and methods for scanning multiple regions. An optical beam is moved across the surface of the tissue in two distinct manners. The first can be a coarse scan, moving the beam to provide distinct scanning positions on the skin. The second can be a fine scan where the beam is applied for more detailed analysis.

Abstract: A multilateral tool and methods and systems related thereto, the multilateral tool conveyable into a parent wellbore and a lateral wellbore and having a plurality of components operatively coupled together such that movement of a component correspondingly moves the adjacent component. The plurality of components comprise a whipstock having a latch anchor, a drill bit, a measurement while drilling (MWD) tool, a motor, at least one well screen, and a multilateral junction having a primary leg and a lateral leg.

Abstract: A method for cleaning firearm suppressors comprising: providing a used suppressor having an internal cavity with a fouling material deposited on a surface of the internal cavity; providing a cleaning solution; providing an ultra-sonic probe; introducing the cleaning solution into the internal cavity of the used suppressor; contacting at least part of the ultra-sonic probe with the cleaning solution that is introduced inside the internal cavity of the used suppressor; operating the ultra-sonic probe; removing at least part of the fouling material from the surface of the internal cavity of the used suppressor; and, draining the cleaning solution from the used suppressor.

Abstract: A method for filtering noise for imaging includes receiving an image frame having position and range data. A filter size divides the frame into filter windows for processing each of the filter windows. For the first pixel, a space to the center pixel and a range difference between this pixel and the center pixel is determined and used for choosing a selected weight from weights in a 2D weight LUT including weighting for space and range difference, a filtered range value is calculated by applying the selected 2D weight to the pixel, and the range, filtered range value and selected 2D weight are summed. The determining, choosing, calculating and summing are repeated for at least the second pixel. A total sum of contributions from the first and second pixel are divided by the sum of selected 2D weights to generate a final filtered range value for the center pixel.

Abstract: Techniques describing methods and systems for validating different versions of a set of rules for performing automated workflow processes. Sets of input data, each disjoint from one another, are obtained that are optimized from inputs contained in data storage. A first output is produced using one or more of the sets of inputs as input to a first version of the set of rules, and a second output is produced using the one or more of the sets of inputs as input to a second version of the set of rules. The first output is compared with the second output and, in response to a determination that the first output and the second output do not match, an indication of inconsistency is recorded.

Abstract: A firearm training device can include a firearm frame that has a barrel with a camera disposed at a distal end of the barrel, a grip attached to the barrel, and a trigger in proximity to the grip. The trigger can be configured to toggle an electronic switch. The firearm frame can also include a controller communicatively coupled to the camera and the electronic switch. The controller can be configured to collect an image frame or video segment, via the camera, when the electronic switch is toggled, and generate a composite image or video including the image frame or video segment and a strike indicator overlaid onto the image frame or video segment, whereby the composite image or video demonstrates where a firearm strike would have occurred. In other embodiments, the firearm training device is configured as an attachment for a firearm (e.g., a live firearm or mock firearm).

Abstract: An aspect provides an apparatus, including: a receptacle for an information handling device having a user display, the receptacle having at least a first side, a second side, and at least one edge, wherein the first side of the receptacle has at least one opening therein through which the information handling device is insertable there-through and the second side forms a back of the receptacle; a protrusion from the second side of the receptacle pivotably attached to the second side of the receptacle and of sufficient length such that the protrusion will wrap around an edge of the receptacle and cover the opening in the first side of the receptacle; and wherein at least a portion of the protrusion comprises thereon a mechanism that permits the edge of the receptacle to be held in position. Other aspects are described and claimed.

Abstract: An animal feeding system includes a receptacle comprising a microcontroller, one or more applications running on at least one processor of a mobile device, and an access point, wherein the microcontroller, the one or more applications, and the access point are communicatively coupled through a wireless communications network. The receptacle holds pet food consumables. A chute receives dispensed consumables as they pass through an opening in the receptacle. A sensor monitors a level of the consumables in the receptacle, wherein the sensor is communicatively coupled with the microcontroller and transmits information of the monitored level to the microcontroller, wherein the microcontroller uses the information to determine whether the level of the consumables is below a threshold level. The microcontroller initiates communication with a remote vendor through the wireless communications network when the level falls below the threshold level.

Abstract: A method for a data processing system includes retrieving a first set of multimedia content identifiers having a first sequential order and a first category, retrieving a second set of multimedia content identifiers having a second sequential order and a second category and combining the first and second set of the multimedia content identifiers to produce a chronological scheduling order. The method continues with the data processing system determining whether one or more conflicts exist in the chronological scheduling order and based on a determination that one or more conflicts exist, exchanging a slot position of either of the one of the first set and the one of the second set with another corresponding one of either of the first set and the second set of the multimedia content identifiers based upon a predetermined number of slot value to resolve the conflict and to modify the chronological scheduling order.