Abstract: A computing device provides enhancement of the capabilities of text messaging applications that execute on user devices. The computing device includes a processor that receives a text message via a network from a user device, the text message including a character representation of a product bundle of a merchant. The processor determines bundle data for the product bundle by referencing a database using the character representation. The processor provides one or more text messages via the network to the user device with transaction data including the bundle data, payment data, and shipping data. The processor receives a text message via the network from the user device confirming the transaction data. The user may use text commands presented by the computing device or natural language conversation in the text messages to the computing device to modify the transaction data and perform other ecommerce actions.

Abstract: Safety metrics and/or statistical system assurance of a particular package of autonomy driving software may be substantially measured using data collected from manually driving a vehicle in the real word, simulations of scenarios which may be faced by a vehicle in the real world, simulations executed with actual software and/or hardware on a vehicle, and/or end-to-end testing of a vehicle in a test environment. Safety metrics and performance of AV software and hardware may be further evaluated through vehicle-in-the-loop testing. During each test scenario, a corresponding set of simulated perception data may be injected to the systems of the autonomous vehicle to cause the autonomous vehicle to react and behave as if one or more simulated objects described by the set of simulated perception data were in the environment of the autonomous vehicle. Each test scenario may be triggered to be performed based on, for example, the autonomous vehicle's location within a real-world vehicle testing space.

Abstract: A method for patterning a layer increases the density of features formed over an initial patterning layer using a series of self-aligned spacers. A layer to be etched is provided, then an initial sacrificial patterning layer, for example formed using optical lithography, is formed over the layer to be etched. Depending on the embodiment, the patterning layer may be trimmed, then a series of spacer layers formed and etched. The number of spacer layers and their target dimensions depends on the desired increase in feature density. An in-process semiconductor device and electronic system is also described.

Abstract: Vehicles according to at least some embodiments of the disclosure include a sensor, and a computing device comprising at least one hardware processing unit. The computing device is programmed to perform operations comprising capturing an image with the sensor, identifying an object in the image, and in response to an accuracy of the identification meeting a first criterion, pre-loading a braking system of the autonomous vehicle. In some aspects, the computing device may predict that an object not currently within a path of the vehicle has a probability of entering the path of the vehicle that meets a second criterion. When the probability of entering the path meets the second criterion, some of the disclosed embodiments may pre-load the braking system.

Abstract: Vehicles according to at least some embodiments of the disclosure include a sensor, and a computing device comprising at least one hardware processing unit. The computing device is programmed to perform operations comprising capturing an image with the sensor, identifying an object in the image, and in response to an accuracy of the identification meeting a first criterion, pre-loading a braking system of the autonomous vehicle. In some aspects, the computing device may predict that an object not currently within a path of the vehicle has a probability of entering the path of the vehicle that meets a second criterion. When the probability of entering the path meets the second criterion, some of the disclosed embodiments may pre-load the braking system.

Abstract: A business accesses a campaign server and inputs information relevant to a marketing campaign. The server sends invitations to social media influencers, who then post content to various platforms to influence customers to act in ways beneficial to the business, either by further advancing the marketing campaign or by actually generating revenue for the sponsor. The system tracks the social media reactions of customers (likes, shares, etc.), as well as real-world activity (product purchases, physical attendance at advertised locations, etc.), attributable to each influencer, and points are awarded based on the activity they generate among customers. The points are weighted according to the type of activity generated and/or the social media platforms on which the activity is generated, and the running point totals of the influencers are published to foster competition among them. A total reward is allocated and paid to the influencers according to their relative total accumulated points.

Abstract: A business accesses a campaign server and inputs information relevant to a marketing campaign. The server sends invitations to social media influencers, who then post content to various platforms to influence customers to act in ways beneficial to the business, either by further advancing the marketing campaign or by actually generating revenue for the sponsor. The system tracks the social media reactions of customers (likes, shares, etc.), as well as real-world activity (product purchases, physical attendance at advertised locations, etc.), attributable to each influencer, and points are awarded based on the activity they generate among customers. The points are weighted according to the type of activity generated and/or the social media platforms on which the activity is generated, and the running point totals of the influencers are published to foster competition among them. A total reward is allocated and paid to the influencers according to their relative total accumulated points.

Abstract: Vehicles according to at least some embodiments of the disclosure include a sensor, and a computing device comprising at least one hardware processing unit. The computing device is programmed to perform operations comprising capturing an image with the sensor, identifying an object in the image, and in response to an accuracy of the identification meeting a first criterion, pre-loading a braking system of the autonomous vehicle. In some aspects, the computing device may predict that an obj ect not currently within a path of the vehicle has a probability of entering the path of the vehicle that meets a second criterion. When the probability of entering the path meets the second criterion, some of the disclosed embodiments may pre-load the braking system.

Abstract: System and methods of automatically assessing power outage risks using geospatial data are provided. For example, a computing device may obtain geospatial data for an area, and may generate classification data based on classifying a plurality of points of the geospatial data. The computing device may also generate a plurality of segments of the area based on the classification data, where each of the plurality of segments includes a subset of the plurality of points. The computing device may also determine an impact value for each of the plurality of points based on the classification data. Further, the computing device may determine an attribute value for each of the plurality of segments based on the impact values of the corresponding subset of the plurality of points. In some examples, the computing device determines a risk value for a classified point based on one or more segment attribute values.

Abstract: Vehicles according to at least some embodiments of the disclosure include a sensor, and a computing device comprising at least one hardware processing unit. The computing device is programmed to perform operations comprising capturing an image with the sensor, identifying an object in the image, and in response to an accuracy of the identification meeting a first criterion, pre-loading a braking system of the autonomous vehicle. In some aspects, the computing device may predict that an object not currently within a path of the vehicle has a probability of entering the path of the vehicle that meets a second criterion. When the probability of entering the path meets the second criterion, some of the disclosed embodiments may pre-load the braking system.

Abstract: This disclosure is generally drawn to systems, devices, apparatuses, and/or methods, related to monitoring a shaker used for separating solids from fluid. Specifically, the disclosed systems, devices, apparatuses, and/or methods relate to capturing infrared images of a shaker or components thereof (e.g., shaker baskets, decks, screens) and performing actions on the shaker, its components, and/or the its operation based at least in part on the captured infrared images.

Abstract: Vehicles according to at least some embodiments of the disclosure include a sensor, and a computing device comprising at least one hardware processing unit. The computing device is programmed to perform operations comprising capturing an image with the sensor, identifying an object in the image, and in response to an accuracy of the identification meeting a first criterion, pre-loading a braking system of the autonomous vehicle. In some aspects, the computing device may predict that an object not currently within a path of the vehicle has a probability of entering the path of the vehicle that meets a second criterion. When the probability of entering the path meets the second criterion, some of the disclosed embodiments may pre-load the braking system.

Abstract: This disclosure is generally drawn to systems, devices, apparatuses, and/or methods, related to monitoring a shaker used for separating solids from fluid. Specifically, the disclosed systems, devices, apparatuses, and/or methods relate to capturing infrared images of a shaker or components thereof (e.g., shaker baskets, decks, screens) and performing actions on the shaker, its components, and/or the its operation based at least in part on the captured infrared images.

Abstract: A business accesses a campaign server and inputs information relevant to a marketing campaign. The server sends invitations to social media influencers, who then post content to various platforms to influence customers to act in ways beneficial to the business, either by further advancing the marketing campaign or by actually generating revenue for the sponsor. The system tracks the social media reactions of customers (likes, shares, etc.), as well as real-world activity (product purchases, physical attendance at advertised locations, etc.), attributable to each influencer, and points are awarded based on the activity they generate among customers. The points are weighted according to the type of activity generated and/or the social media platforms on which the activity is generated, and the running point totals of the influencers are published to foster competition among them. A total reward is allocated and paid to the influencers according to their relative total accumulated points.

Abstract: A method of operating a cluster of machines includes receiving a request for a disruption, determining a subset of machines of the cluster affected by the requested disruption, and determining a set of jobs having corresponding tasks on the affected machines. The method also includes computing a drain time for a drain that drains the tasks of the jobs from the affected machines, and scheduling on a drain calendar stored in non-transitory memory a drain interval for the drain. The drain interval has a start time and an end time. A maintenance system that includes a scheduler may execute such a method to maintain a cluster of machines.

Abstract: A method for routing input/output (IO) data in a telecommunication system including a network node having a plurality of first integrated circuit (IC) cards, a plurality of second IC cards and a switching fabric, each second IC card connected to a corresponding first IC card in a respective slot of the network node is described. The method involves receiving the IO data at an external port of any of the plurality of first or second IC cards. When packets of the IO data are received at an external port of a given second IC card, the given second IC card performs a packet classification of the packets to at least in part determine a destination for the packets. A further step of the method includes delivering the packets to a first or second IC card destination according to the packet classification performed by the given second IC card via a logical network layer existing on the first and second IC cards and the switching fabric.

Abstract: A method for routing input/output (10) data in a telecommunication system including a network node having a plurality of first integrated circuit (IC) cards, a plurality of second IC cards and a switching fabric, each second IC card connected to a corresponding first IC card in a respective slot of the network node xs described. The method involves receiving the IO data at an external port of any of the plurality of first or second IC cards. When packets of the IO data are received at an external port of a given second IC card, the given second IC card performs a packet classification of the packets to at least in part determine a destination for the packets. A further step of the method includes delivering the packets to a first or second IC card destination according to the packet classification performed by the given second IC card via a logical network layer existing on the first and second IC cards and the switching fabric.

Abstract: A leash apparatus includes a housing containing a spool assembly, a spring biased lever arm, and a first tensioning line. The first tensioning line is attached to a first end of the lever arm and wrapped at least once around the spool assembly, and has an opposite end attached to other than the rotatable portion of the spool assembly, such as a fixed location on the leash housing on a mounting of the spool assembly. A surface of the spool assembly slidingly rotates relative to the tensioning line portion that wraps at least once around the spool assembly. A second tensioning line is wound about the spool assembly and extends outside of the housing. The second tensioning line is guided around a wheel attached to a second end of the lever arm located on an opposite side of the lever arm.

Abstract: A method for routing input/output (10) data in a telecommunication system including a network node having a plurality of first integrated circuit (IC) cards, a plurality of second 1C cards and a switching fabric, each second IC card connected to a corresponding first IC card in a respective slot of the network node xs described. The method involves receiving the IO data at an external port of any of the plurality of first or second 1C cards. When packets of the IO data are received at an external port of a given second IC card, the given second IC card performs a packet classification of the packets to at least in part determine a destination for the packets. A further step of the method includes delivering the packets to a first or second IC card destination according to the packet classification performed by the given second IC card via a logical network layer existing on the first and second IC cards and the switching fabric.