Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to determining a disposition path for a returned item. In some embodiments, a system comprises a database including item-specific data for a plurality of items and customer data for a plurality of customers, a control circuit configured to determine a suggested disposition path for each of the items, transmit the suggested disposition path for each of the plurality of items, and a user device configured to receive, from a user, a return initiation including an indication of an item and a customer, and transmit the return initiation, wherein the control circuit is further configured to receive the return initiation, determine a trust score for the customer, determine a suggested disposition path for the item, determine, based on the trust score and the suggested disposition path, a disposition path for the item, and transmit an indication of the disposition.

Abstract: As provided herein, a user of a client device is identified as viewing content (e.g., a movie) and generating user signals related to the content (e.g., a social network post about the movie). An expression of interest may be determined from the user signals (e.g., the user may write “this scene is amazing!” within the social network post). Responsive to the expression of interest exceeding an interest threshold, a timestamp is generated for a portion of the content occurring at a time corresponding to the expression of interest. A segment is extracted from the content based upon the timestamp. Summary content, such as a trailer or a summary video for the movie that depicts relatively interesting segments of the movie, is generated to comprise the segment and/or other segments. Users may view the summary content in order to obtain a brief overview of relatively interesting portions of the movie.

Abstract: A method for identifying a source of high pressure leakage of a fuel system of an engine comprising determining pressure decay values at a first pressure and at a second pressure and identifying the source of high pressure leakage based on the pressure decay values at each pressure.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for automated patent preparation are described. A patent preparation system may facilitate efficient preparation of patent documents by identifying user input that includes an association of patent features (e.g., claims) with the components of a system that performs those features. The input may also include aspects of patent figures, acronyms, and other aspects of a patent disclosure. The user input may be used to create an application data object, which may then be used to create components of a patent including patent specification components and patent figures such as diagrams and flow charts. The generated components may be combined with templates to generate patent documents.

Abstract: A method for identifying a source of high pressure leakage of a fuel system of an engine comprising determining pressure decay values at a first pressure and at a second pressure and identifying the source of high pressure leakage based on the pressure decay values at each pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling use of an electrical device. The apparatus includes at least one power connector, a first electrical plug, an electrical socket, a lock configured to retain an electrical plug in the electrical socket, a switch electrically coupling the at least one power connector and the electrical socket, and wireless communication circuitry communicatively coupled to the switch and configured to receive a signal for causing the switch to electrically couple the at least one power connector and the electrical socket.

Abstract: Examples provide a system for managing disposition of returned items and/or items having damaged packaging. An item is identified based on item scan data. Item data associated with the item and condition data describing the condition of the item, including describing defects in the item or item packaging. The system identifies a set of applicable disposition options customized for the item. The system recommends a disposition from the set of applicable disposition options to assist the user with selection of an appropriate disposition. The disposition can include a price markdown, donation of the item, return of the item to a supplier, and so forth. If the selected option is a markdown of the item, the item disposition component generates a markdown amount for the selected item which avoids loss for the item. The item disposition system generates a label for the item including details of the selected disposition.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for identifying environmental stimuli in an artificial nervous system using both spiking onset and spike counting. One example method of operating an artificial nervous system generally includes receiving a stimulus; generating, at an artificial neuron, a spike train of two or more spikes based at least in part on the stimulus; identifying the stimulus based at least in part on an onset of the spike train; and checking the identified stimulus based at least in part on a rate of the spikes in the spike train. In this manner, certain aspects of the present disclosure may respond with short response latencies and may also maintain accuracy by allowing for error correction.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for automating patent preparation are described. A patent preparation system may facilitate efficient preparation of patent documents by identifying user input that includes an association of patent features (e.g., claims) with the components of a system that performs those features. The input may also include aspects of patent figures, claim types, acronyms, and other aspects of a patent disclosure. The user input may be used to create a patent application data object, which may then be used to create components of a patent including patent specification components and patent figures such as diagrams and flowcharts. The generated components may be combined with templates and information from a library of background information to generate patent documents.

Abstract: A system for launching aerospace payloads includes a wingless, unmanned modified lifting body spacecraft (100), with a payload compartment in the forward section of the spacecraft. The spacecraft is propelled by hybrid rockets clustered in the aft section of the spacecraft. Reaction control system (RCS) modules control the flight path and its associated avionics hardware and software. This system also includes a carrier aircraft (200) configured to air-launch the spacecraft. The carrier aircraft includes a flight operations control system, which monitors the spacecraft's payload and monitors and controls launch and flight operations of the spacecraft. A ground-based mission control system monitors and controls the spacecraft's payload and monitors and controls the launch and flight operations of the spacecraft.

Abstract: The present teaching, which includes methods, systems and computer-readable media, relates to techniques to manage representation of a content topic in a content pool. The disclosed techniques may include determining availability of content related to the content topic based on a set of content items in the content pool, and determining a level of interest of a set of users in the content topic based at least on information related to interaction of the set of users with the set of content items. A level of representation of the content topic in the content pool may be determined based at least on the determined availability of content and the determined level of interest. Based on the level of representation, at least some of the set of content items related to the content topic may be updated, e.g., content items may be added to or removed from the content pool.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide systems and methods for allowing non-compliant communication devices to receive multimedia messages. In a particular embodiment, a method provides receiving, from a multimedia messaging system, a content identifier that a destination communication device will use to access content of a multimedia message transferred from a first communication device. The method further provides determining a device identifier for the destination communication device and inserting the device identifier into the content identifier. After inserting the device identifier, the method provides transferring the content identifier to the destination communication device.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure support a method and apparatus for analog signal reconstruction and recognition via sub-threshold modulation. The analog waveform recognition in a sub-threshold region of an artificial neuron of the artificial nervous system can be performed by providing a predicted waveform in parallel to an input associated with the artificial neuron. The predicted waveform can be compared with the input and the signal can be generated based at least in part on the comparison.

Abstract: The present invention, LB-1A, is a system for launching satellites, including small-sats, mini-sats, nano-sats, medical and scientific experiments, sub-orbital, orbital, and other aerospace payloads, which includes a modified existing carrier aircraft and a streamlined, unmanned rocket propelled lifting body spacecraft, air-launched from said carrier aircraft.

Abstract: A context aware system, for use in a mobile device, includes a context change detector (CCD) coupled to a context classifier (CCL). The CCD is configured to receive sensor data and to detect a change in a current context state of the mobile device based on the received sensor data. The CCL is configured to transition from a low power consumption mode to a normal power consumption mode in response to the CCD detecting the change in the current context state. The CCL is further configured to determine a next context state of the mobile device while in the normal power consumption mode.

Abstract: A context aware system, for use in a mobile device, includes a context change detector (CCD) coupled to a context classifier (CCL). The CCD is configured to receive sensor data and to detect a change in a current context state of the mobile device based on the received sensor data. The CCL is configured to transition from a low power consumption mode to a normal power consumption mode in response to the CCD detecting the change in the current context state. The CCL is further configured to determine a next context state of the mobile device while in the normal power consumption mode.

Abstract: As provided herein, a user of a client device is identified as viewing content (e.g., a movie) and generating user signals related to the content (e.g., a social network post about the movie). An expression of interest may be determined from the user signals (e.g., the user may write “this scene is amazing!” within the social network post). Responsive to the expression of interest exceeding an interest threshold, a timestamp is generated for a portion of the content occurring at a time corresponding to the expression of interest. A segment is extracted from the content based upon the timestamp. Summary content, such as a trailer or a summary video for the movie that depicts relatively interesting segments of the movie, is generated to comprise the segment and/or other segments. Users may view the summary content in order to obtain a brief overview of relatively interesting portions of the movie.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for piecewise linear neuron modeling and implementing artificial neurons in an artificial nervous system based on linearized neuron models. One example method for operating an artificial neuron generally includes determining that a first state of the artificial neuron is within a first region; determining a second state of the artificial neuron based at least in part on a first set of linear equations, wherein the first set of linear equations is based at least in part on a first set of parameters corresponding to the first region; determining that the second state of the artificial neuron is within a second region; and determining a third state of the artificial neuron based at least in part on a second set of linear equations, wherein the second set of linear equations is based at least in part on a second set of parameters corresponding to the second region.

Abstract: A method for creating and maintaining short-term memory using short-term plasticity, includes changing a gain of a synapse based on pre synaptic spike activity without regard to postsynaptic spike activity. The method also includes calculating the gain based on a continuously updated synaptic state variable associated with the short-term plasticity.