Abstract: Risk-controlled operations cost performance modeling and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. A retail store generates operations data and performance data, where the operations data represents values of an operations parameter collected over a period of time from the retail store and the performance data represents a value of a performance parameter measured for each of the values of the operations data. Based on the operations and performance data, an initial relationship model is generated. A confidence interval for the initial relationship model is generated using intermediate relationship models, generated by subsampling the operations and performance data. The confidence interval is used to select an operations threshold, which modifies the initial relationship model to generate a risk-controlled relationship model. The risk-controlled relationship model is used to select a value of the operations parameter for use in the retail environment to achieve a desired performance value.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods of generating and providing a target topographic map for finishing a photomask blank are disclosed. A method includes receiving topographic data corresponding to an uncompleted photomask blank, receiving functional specifications for flatness of an acceptable photomask blank, and generating the target topographic map for first and/or second major surfaces of the blank, which provides instructions for removing material from the first and/or second major surfaces such that the first and second major surfaces achieve a flatness that passes each functional specification. The amount of material removed reflects a reduction in material necessary to pass the functional specifications.

Abstract: An image recommendation system extracts multiple sets of feature vectors from each of a plurality of images in an image catalog using multiple image classification algorithms. For a first image in the plurality of images, the recommendation system generates multiple similarity scores between the first image and each of one or more other images in the image catalog based on the feature vectors extracted from the first image and the one or more other images using each of the multiple image classification algorithms. A first set of weights is applied to the multiple similarity scores to generate respective weighted similarity scores between the first image and each of the one or more other images. The weighted similarity scores are stored, and used to select images that are similar to the first image.

Abstract: The present technology is directed to high performing trained machine learning models for information retrieval in a web store. In some embodiments, for example, when a search query is received from a user of an online retailer, a computer system associated with the online retailer accesses measurements of performance of sets of search results returned in response to previous user search queries. Each of the previous search results set is a set that was ranked by a machine learning model selected from a store of machine learning models that are each trained to rank search results. Based on the measurements of performance, the computer system selects a machine learning model to rank search results for a response to the received search query. The ranked search results are provided for output to the user.

Abstract: A dual ball valve straw lid assembly for a closed container is provided. The dual ball valve straw lid assembly includes one or more of a lid, a liquid ball, a vent ball, and a tube. The lid includes a top and a bottom, and the bottom is configured to attach to the closed container. Each of the liquid and vent balls are pivotably coupled to the lid top and each configured to rotate between open and closed positions. The vent ball is configured to rotate in response to the liquid ball rotates. The tube extends from the lid bottom to within the closed container, and allows liquid in the closed container to be accessed by suction force applied to the liquid ball in the open position. When open, the vent ball allows air to pass between outside and inside the closed container when in the open position.

Abstract: Techniques and systems for component-based digital image synchronization are described. In one example, a digital image is stored as a composite file with a number of separately compressed individual components. Indicators are generated during an editing process of a digital image. The indicators are usable to correlate altered portions of the digital image with compressed components of the composite digital image file. The altered components are then communicated to a synchronization service for synchronization with a remote representation of the digital image file.

Abstract: The methods disclosed herein include recording at near-vertical first and second measurement positions respective first and second interferograms of the photomask surface and defining a difference map as the difference between the first and second interferograms. Respective first and second normal forces on the photomask are also measured at the first and second measurement positions. The change in the normal force is used define a scaling factor, which is applied to the difference map to define a scaled difference map. A compensated flatness measurement with a reduced shape contribution due to gravity is obtained by subtracting the scaled difference map from the first interferogram. An interferometer-based flatness measurement system is also disclosed.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods can be used including receiving motion data including comparing time-stamped speed data with predetermined cycling speed ranges, categorizing the speed data into portions of a minute that indicate each of the predetermined cycling speed ranges, determining portions of a minute indicate a cycling activity has begun, determining portions of a later minute indicate a cycling activity has paused or ended, confirming a minimum time inactive indicating that a cycling activity has ended, and determining that a minimum time active has elapsed between the indication a cycling activity has begun and indication a cycling activity has ended such that a cycling activity is categorized as a cycling workout.

Abstract: A recommendation system and method access a recommendation bundle pool including multiple recommendation algorithms, each of which is capable of generating one or more recommendations. A first recommendation bundle comprising two or more recommendation algorithms is selected from the pool. Using the first recommendation bundle, recommendations are generated to provide to visitors to a website. When the recommendation system detects a triggering condition for a scaling cycle, the recommendation system applies a scaling mechanism to increase an exploration of additional recommendation bundles from the recommendation bundle pool. Based on the exploration, the recommendation system selects a second recommendation bundle including algorithms selected from the pool. Recommendations are generated using the second recommendation bundle.

Abstract: A method may include receiving radio station data associated with multiple radio stations from one or more radio station providers and filtering the radio stations based at least in part on playback availability. Playback availability may include a broadcast right associated with the one or more radio station providers. The method may also include removing duplicate radio stations and supplying a searchable radio station directory to a platform or a client device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for displaying and interacting with multiple open views in a mobile environment. An example method can include displaying content for a first active web page in a first pane on a display, the first active web page having a first hyperlink for a first target web page, and the first pane being displayed in a maximized state on the display. The method may also include receiving a long touch input on the first hyperlink, and, responsive to receiving the long touch input, opening the first target web page in a second pane, the second pane being displayed in a minimized state in a dock area of the display, wherein a minimized state is a scaled down version of a maximized state.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for displaying and interacting with multiple open views in a mobile environment. An example method can include displaying a current pane in a maximized state and at least a first pane in a minimized state in a dock area. The current pane is a top of a stack list and displays content associated with a first location and the first pane is in a dock list and displays content associated with a second location. The minimized state for a pane is a scaled down version of the maximized state for the pane, the scale applying to the content for the pane and a size of the pane. The method also includes receiving a drag input on the first pane in the dock area and scaling the size of the first pane according to proximity to the dock area.

Abstract: Techniques and systems for component-based digital image synchronization are described. In one example, a digital image is stored as a composite file with a number of separately compressed individual components. Indicators are generated during an editing process of a digital image. The indicators are usable to correlate altered portions of the digital image with compressed components of the composite digital image file. The altered components are then communicated to a synchronization service for synchronization with a remote representation of the digital image file.

Abstract: A rocket engine pintle injector with optimized spray pattern and with integrated ignitor design for providing construction simplicity, throttleable thrust, stop/start/restart capability, optimized operational combustion, and improved ignition combustion stability. A user can start, throttle, and stop the engine by moving the internal concentric injector sleeve forward and backward to cause the fuel/oxidizer to spray out of the pintle head at different flow rates. The concentric ignitor can be deployed so that the hot gasses or spark produced are radially projected into the spray of fuel/oxidizer surrounding the ignitor. Once the fuel/oxidizer spray has been ignited, the ignitor is stopped and retracted to protect the device from the heat of the combustion chamber and is ready for redeployment and restart of the engine as needed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a hardware accelerator that assists a host database system in processing its queries. The hardware accelerator comprises special purpose processing elements that are capable of receiving database query/operation tasks in the form of machine code database instructions, execute them in hardware without software, and return the query/operation result back to the host system.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for identification of fonts include receiving a selection of an area of an image including text, where the selection is received from within an application. The selected area of the image is input to a font matching module within the application. The font matching module identifies one or more fonts similar to the text in the selected area using a convolutional neural network. The one or more fonts similar to the text are displayed within the application and the selection and use of the one or more fonts is enabled within the application.

Abstract: An apparatus includes multiple photonic integrated circuit (PIC) optical spectrometers, and an imaging plane coupled to the PIC optical spectrometers. Each PIC optical spectrometer includes multiple semiconductor chip layers. Each semiconductor chip layer includes multiple arrayed waveguide gratings (AWGs) and a number of on-chip optical detectors.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods can be used including receiving motion data including comparing time-stamped speed data with predetermined cycling speed ranges, categorizing the speed data into portions of a minute that indicate each of the predetermined cycling speed ranges, determining portions of a minute indicate a cycling activity has begun, determining portions of a later minute indicate a cycling activity has paused or ended, confirming a minimum time inactive indicating that a cycling activity has ended, and determining that a minimum time active has elapsed between the indication a cycling activity has begun and indication a cycling activity has ended such that a cycling activity is categorized as a cycling workout.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding a thin substrate includes a plurality of positive pressure regions including a porous material having an upper surface and a gas flowing outward from the upper surface, the gas producing a positive pressure above the upper surface in the positive pressure regions. The apparatus includes a plurality of negative pressure regions interspersed with the plurality of positive pressure regions, the negative pressure regions exerting a holding force on a bottom surface of the thin substrate. The negative pressure regions and the positive pressure regions operate to maintain the bottom surface of the thin substrate a distance from the upper surface of the porous material in the positive pressure regions. Methods of holding a thin substrate with the apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of using an athletic activity heads up display system during an athletic activity includes the steps of a heads up display unit receiving information about a sport ball and the heads up display unit displaying an image to an individual based on the information, where the image is overlaid on the individual's present field of view of an environment.