Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards skimmer systems for above-ground pools. In particular, the present disclosure relates to skimmer systems that are easily installed to the side wall of an above-ground pool. In addition, aspects of the present disclosure relate to a skimmer system for an above-ground pool that provides for an improved watertight seal between the skimmer system and the side wall of the pool. Further, aspects of the present disclosure relate to a weir that is easily installed into and removed from a skimmer system according to a user's needs.

Abstract: The disclosed technology includes an illumination system for a tree trunk of an artificial tree. The system may include a cylindrical shaped body, such that the outer surface of the body has a cylindrical shape. The inner surface of the body may include one or more diameters. One or more lighting modules may be positioned along the tree trunk to impart an internal lighting and/or glowing effect radiating therefrom.

Abstract: The disclosed technology includes a universal tree stand for supporting trees with tree trunks of various sizes. The universal tree stand may include a clamping element to flexibly receive and secure tree trunks of different sizes. The universal tree stand may further include a fastening element that can tighten the grip of the clamping element around the tree trunk.

Abstract: The disclosed systems and methods relate to improved tamper-proof cases for securely storing and shipping products. In one example, a tamper-proof case comprises a unibody frame constructed from a single piece of material. The unibody frame can comprise six sides and include one or more living hinges that allow the unibody frame to fold into a completed case. Various sides can be configured to receive panels to give the crate additional structure, rigidity, and security. Additionally, the frame can comprise a split-top lid with a self-locking mechanism with a tamper-proof pull tab for opening the lid.

Abstract: The disclosed technology includes a universal tree stand for supporting trees with tree trunks of various sizes. The universal tree stand may include a clamping element to flexibly receive and secure tree trunks of different sizes. The universal tree stand may further include a fastening element that can tighten the grip of the clamping element around the tree trunk.

Abstract: An air temperature control system controls the air temperature inside of an air mattress. The air temperature control system includes an air intake component having inner and outer seals to inhibit or facilitate the flow of air into and out of the air mattress. The air temperature control system also includes a temperature control element in fluid communication with the air intake component. The temperature control element is positioned within the air mattress inside of the outer seal. The air temperature control system further includes a controller configured to direct the air intake component to open and close the inner and outer seals and operation of the temperature control element.

Abstract: A system for counting steps comprising a 3-D accelerometer is disclosed. The system also includes a pre-processor module coupled to the 3-D accelerometer and a dominant component computation unit coupled to the pre-processor module. The dominant component computation unit is configured to identify a dominant component in an output of the 3-D accelerometer. The system further includes a step counter for counting a number of steps using the output of the dominant component computation unit. The step counter includes a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) module and a direct current (DC) remover module to remove a static component from the output of the FFT module. The step counter also includes a derivative filter and a zero crossing detector.

Abstract: A power transfer system to facilitate the transfer of electrical power between tree trunk sections of an artificial tree is disclosed. The power transfer system can advantageously enable neighboring tree trunk sections to be electrically connected without the need to rotationally align the tree trunk sections. Power distribution subsystems can be partially disposed within the trunk sections. The power distribution subsystems can comprise a male end, a female end, or both. The male ends can have prongs and the female ends can have channels, and the prongs and channels may be positioned outside of the trunk sections. The prongs can be inserted into the channels to electrically connect the power distribution subsystems of neighboring tree trunk sections. The prongs and channels may be configured to engage one another without the need to rotationally align the tree trunk sections.

Abstract: A system for counting steps comprising a 3-D accelerometer is disclosed. The system also includes a pre-processor module coupled to the 3-D accelerometer and a dominant component computation unit coupled to the pre-processor module. The dominant component computation unit is configured to identify a dominant component in an output of the 3-D accelerometer. The system further includes a step counter for counting a number of steps using the output of the dominant component computation unit. The step counter includes a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) module and a direct current (DC) remover module to remove a static component from the output of the FFT module. The step counter also includes a derivative filter and a zero crossing detector.

Abstract: A power transfer system to facilitate the transfer of electrical power between tree trunk sections of an artificial tree is disclosed. The power transfer system can advantageously enable neighboring tree trunk sections to be electrically connected without the need to rotationally align the tree trunk sections. Power distribution subsystems can be partially disposed within the trunk sections. The power distribution subsystems can comprise a male end, a female end, or both. The male ends can have prongs and the female ends can have channels, and the prongs and channels may be positioned outside of the trunk sections. The prongs can be inserted into the channels to electrically connect the power distribution subsystems of neighboring tree trunk sections. The prongs and channels may be configured to engage one another without the need to rotationally align the tree trunk sections.

Abstract: The disclosed technology includes an internal support structure for providing structural stability to an inflated airbed. The internal support structure may include an internal support wall connected to side panels by one or more side support beams. The internal support structure may further include corner support walls and a plurality of internal support beams to provide additional support.

Abstract: The disclosed technology includes an illumination system for a tree trunk of an artificial tree. The system may include a cylindrical shaped body, such that the outer surface of the body has a cylindrical shape. The inner surface of the body may include one or more diameters. One or more lighting modules may be positioned along the tree trunk to impart an internal lighting and/or glowing effect radiating therefrom.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method for communicating in a wireless mesh network, a method for communicating in a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) mesh network, and a wireless communications device are described. In one embodiment, a method for communicating in a wireless mesh network involves at a first wireless communications device, scanning the wireless mesh network for a unit time period to discover a first transmission time slot within the unit time period that is used by a second wireless communications device in the wireless mesh network, at the first wireless communications device, choosing a second transmission time slot within the unit time period for the first wireless communications device, where the second transmission time slot is different from the first transmission time slot, and from the first wireless communications device, broadcasting data in the wireless mesh network in the second transmission time slot within a subsequent unit time period.

Abstract: A power transfer system to facilitate the transfer of electrical power between tree trunk sections of an artificial tree is disclosed. The power transfer system can advantageously enable neighboring tree trunk sections to be electrically connected without the need to rotationally align the tree trunk sections. Power distribution subsystems can be partially disposed within the trunk sections. The power distribution subsystems can comprise a male end, a female end, or both. The male ends can have prongs and the female ends can have channels, and the prongs and channels may be positioned outside of the trunk sections. The prongs can be inserted into the channels to electrically connect the power distribution subsystems of neighboring tree trunk sections. The prongs and channels may be configured to engage one another without the need to rotationally align the tree trunk sections.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bio-electrochemical system (BES) and a method of in-situ production and removal of H2O2 using such a bio-electrochemical system (BES). Further, the invention relates to a method for in-situ control of H 2O2 content in an aqueous system of advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) involving in-situ generation of hydroxyl radical (OH) by using such a bio-electrochemical system (BES) and to a method for treatment of wastewater and water disinfection. The bio-electrochemical system (BES) according to the invention comprises:—an aqueous cathode compartment comprising a first cathode and a second cathode,—an aqueous anode compartment comprising an anode at least partly covered in biofilm, wherein the first cathode is connected to a first circuit and the second cathode is connected to a second circuit, wherein the first and the second circuit are connected to the system by an external switch.

Abstract: The disclosed technology includes a universal tree stand for supporting trees with tree trunks of various sizes. The universal tree stand may include a clamping element to flexibly receive and secure tree trunks of different sizes. The universal tree stand may further include a fastening element that can tighten the grip of the clamping element around the tree trunk.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosed technology include a lighted inflatable pool including: a wall including a first inflatable chamber; a base; at least one lighting element disposed within the wall, the at least one lighting element being configured to emit light; and a receiver connected to the at least one lighting element, the receiver being configured to receive a command for controlling the lighting element and to control the at least one lighting element in correspondence with the command.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method for communicating in a wireless mesh network, a method for communicating in a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) mesh network, and a wireless communications device are described. In one embodiment, a method for communicating in a wireless mesh network involves at a first wireless communications device, scanning the wireless mesh network for a unit time period to discover a first transmission time slot within the unit time period that is used by a second wireless communications device in the wireless mesh network, at the first wireless communications device, choosing a second transmission time slot within the unit time period for the first wireless communications device, where the second transmission time slot is different from the first transmission time slot, and from the first wireless communications device, broadcasting data in the wireless mesh network in the second transmission time slot within a subsequent unit time period.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for activity tracking based on time domain and frequency domain processing are disclosed. Embodiments according to the present invention are used to improve the accuracy of activity detection and step counting. The activity tracking starts from sample collection to generate 3-D accelerometer data. By pre-processing, the 3-D accelerometer data is calibrated and filtered. Then, the dominant component is calculated and statistical attributes or features used for activity detection are extracted. The statistical attributes are derived from time domain sensor data, frequency domain transformed data, or both. A classifier is developed using representative training data set. The activity detector determines the current activity status based on the statistical attributes and the classifier. To further refine the activity, post-processing is performed on the activity status.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards skimmer systems for above-ground pools. In particular, the present disclosure relates to skimmer systems that are easily installed to the side wall of an above-ground pool. In addition, aspects of the present disclosure relate to a skimmer system for an above-ground pool that provides for an improved watertight seal between the skimmer system and the side wall of the pool. Further, aspects of the present disclosure relate to a weir that is easily installed into and removed from a skimmer system according to a user's needs.