Abstract: In a ray tracer, to prevent any long-running query from hanging the graphics processing unit, a traversal coprocessor provides a preemption mechanism that will allow rays to stop processing or time out early. The example non-limiting implementations described herein provide such a preemption mechanism, including a forward progress guarantee, and additional programmable timeout options that can be time or cycle based. Those programmable options provide a means for quality of service timing guarantees for applications such as virtual reality (VR) that have strict timing requirements.

Abstract: A single layer capacitor can include a substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. A resistive layer can be formed over at least a portion of the first surface of the substrate. A first conductive layer can be formed over at least a portion of the resistive layer. A second conductive layer can be formed over at least a portion of the second surface of the substrate. As such, the single layer capacitor can include a resistor and a capacitor formed in series with one another.

Abstract: A metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) capacitor can include a substrate comprising a semiconductor material, an oxide layer formed over a first surface of the substrate, a resistive layer formed over at least a portion of the oxide layer, and a conductive layer formed over at least a portion of the resistive layer. As such, the MOS capacitor can include a resistor and a capacitor formed in series with one another.

Abstract: A field data capture system is disclosed. Comprising one or more computers comprising of a first computers having a processor, a memory, a communication hardware and a data storage. said first computers capable of storing and modifying a SLMS data records. a device application stored in said memory and execute in said processor of said first computers. said device application is configured for receiving, modifying and storing as an SLMS data records of an input of one or more starting points, one or more lines, one or more equipment arranged on said one or more lines, and one or more end points. said device application is configured for receiving one or more symbols, analyzing said one or more symbols, displaying a match for said one or more symbols, receiving a confirmation or rejection of said match, receiving one or more variables with said one or more symbols.

Abstract: In a ray tracer, to prevent any long-running query from hanging the graphics processing unit, a traversal coprocessor provides a preemption mechanism that will allow rays to stop processing or time out early. The example non-limiting implementations described herein provide such a preemption mechanism, including a forward progress guarantee, and additional programmable timeout options that can be time or cycle based. Those programmable options provide a means for quality of service timing guarantees for applications such as virtual reality (VR) that have strict timing requirements.

Abstract: A leash has a length of material folded back at a first end and joined to itself, forming a loop having an inside surface rounded on one side and converging to a point on an opposite side, with leash material extending from the loop to a second end, a clasp mechanism joined at the second end, adapted to clip to a collar or a harness of an animal, and a closure mechanism implemented in the loop, adapted to urge one side of the inside surface of the loop for a closure distance from the pointed end to the rounded end into intimate contact with a second side of the inside surface of the loop for the closure distance.

Abstract: Intelligent vehicle repair estimating techniques include an image processing component that extracts image attributes from one or more images of a damaged vehicle, and utilizes the attributes to predict an initial set of parts that are globally-identified. Based on a jurisdiction associated with the damaged vehicle, the initial set of parts is transformed into a set of jurisdictionally-based repairs (e.g., parts, labor operations, time intervals, costs, etc.), which may be included in a draft vehicle repair estimate. An estimate refinement component iteratively modifies/refines the draft estimate using a machine-only loop nested within a larger human-machine loop, where system-generated modifications are incrementally incorporated into the draft within the smaller loop, and user-generated modifications are incrementally incorporated into the draft within the larger loop.

Abstract: A method for determining the validity of a parallax image, comprising: receiving a captured two-dimensional image of a parallax image having at least three target identifiers, where at least two target identifiers are located at different depth planes in the parallax image; identifying the at least three target identifiers in the captured two-dimensional image of the parallax image and determining the spatial relationship between the at least three target identifiers in the two-dimensional image of the parallax image; comparing the spatial relationship of the at least three target identifiers in the captured two-dimensional image of the parallax image against a predetermined spatial relationship of the at least three target identifiers that indicates authenticity; and adjudicating the authenticity of the parallax image based on the degree of difference between the spatial relationship of the at least three target identifiers in the captured two-dimensional image of the parallax image and the predetermined spa

Abstract: A method for determining the validity of a parallax image, including: receiving a parallax image's captured two-dimensional image having at least three target identifiers, where at least two target identifiers are located at different depth planes in the parallax image; identifying at least three target identifiers in the parallax image's captured two-dimensional image and determining spatial relationship between at least three target identifiers in the two-dimensional image of the parallax image; comparing the spatial relationship of at least three target identifiers in the parallax image's captured two-dimensional image against a predetermined spatial relationship of at least three target identifiers that indicates authenticity; and adjudicating the authenticity of the parallax image based on the degree of difference between spatial relationship of at least three target identifiers in the parallax image's captured two-dimensional image and the predetermined spatial relationship of at least three target iden

Abstract: Intelligent vehicle repair estimating techniques include an image processing component that extracts image attributes from one or more images of a damaged vehicle, and utilizes the attributes to predict an initial set of parts that are globally-identified. Based on a jurisdiction associated with the damaged vehicle, the initial set of parts is transformed into a set of jurisdictionally-based repairs (e.g., parts, labor operations, time intervals, costs, etc.), which may be included in a draft vehicle repair estimate. An estimate refinement component iteratively modifies/refines the draft estimate using a machine-only loop nested within a larger human-machine loop, where system-generated modifications are incrementally incorporated into the draft within the smaller loop, and user-generated modifications are incrementally incorporated into the draft within the larger loop.

Abstract: Intelligent vehicle repair estimating techniques include an image processing component that extracts image attributes from one or more images of a damaged vehicle, and utilizes the attributes to predict an initial set of parts that are globally-identified. Based on a jurisdiction associated with the damaged vehicle, the initial set of parts is transformed into a set of jurisdictionally-based repairs (e.g., parts, labor operations, time intervals, costs, etc.), which may be included in a draft vehicle repair estimate. An estimate refinement component iteratively modifies/refines the draft estimate using a machine-only loop nested within a larger human-machine loop, where system-generated modifications are incrementally incorporated into the draft within the smaller loop, and user-generated modifications are incrementally incorporated into the draft within the larger loop.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for deterring pets or other animals from biting or chewing into medication containers. In some embodiments, the invention consists of two or more conductive metal sheets or strips in layers around the side of the container, which are wired to complete a circuit when pressed by the force of an animal's bite or touched by an animal's tongue. In some embodiments, the sheets or strips are spaced or held apart so that a normal human grip would not have sufficient force to complete the circuit. In some embodiments, the device slides onto the medication container with a friction fit, and is removable for use on future containers. In some embodiments, the circuit includes a battery-powered alarm to deter the animal. In other embodiments, the circuit delivers a mild electrical shock to the animal's mouth or tongue through the metal strips or sheets.

Abstract: An oil ring for a piston of an internal combustion engine is provided. The oil ring is disposed in a ring groove of the piston and includes a counterbore along an inner diameter surface. A land in the piston which is located above the ring groove containing the oil ring includes a plurality of holes extending radially inwardly to the ring groove behind the counterbore of the oil ring. During operation, the oil ring will be energized during the power stroke by channeling combustion pressure from the piston land above the oil ring through the holes and to the area in the ring groove behind the oil ring. The oil ring is not energized during the remaining strokes, which results in a reduction of oil ring friction while still maintaining oil film control.

Abstract: A method for determining the validity of a parallax image, including: receiving a parallax image's captured two-dimensional image having at least three target identifiers, wherein at least two target identifiers are located at different depth planes in the parallax image; identifying at least three target identifiers in the parallax image's captured two-dimensional image and determining spatial relationship between at least three target identifiers in the two-dimensional image of the parallax image; comparing the spatial relationship of at least three target identifiers in the parallax image's captured two-dimensional image against a predetermined spatial relationship of at least three target identifiers that indicates authenticity; and adjudicating the authenticity of the parallax image based on the degree of difference between spatial relationship of at least three target identifiers in the parallax image's captured two-dimensional image and the predetermined spatial relationship of at least three target id

Abstract: A vehicle image capture and labeling system operates to enable a user to capture vehicle photos, pictures, and/or images that are automatically labeled, i.e., annotated. In particular, the captured vehicle photos, pictures, or images are automatically labeled with certain vehicle identifier information, like a vehicle identification number (VIN), and pose information, that identifies a portion or view of the vehicle depicted within the image of the vehicle. The vehicle images may also be automatically labeled with one or more other image attributes or indicia, such as geospatial information corresponding to a location at which the photo or image was captured (e.g., global positioning system (GPS) data), time and date of image capture data, etc. The captured vehicle image and its label(s) may then be stored and used by other applications such as vehicle insurance claim applications, automobile repair estimate applications, etc.

Abstract: A piston ring assembly for sealing a cylinder wall to a piston body is provided. The piston ring assembly includes a plurality of rings stacked in an axial direction one in abutment with another. Each ring has an inner face and an outer face. The piston ring assembly also includes a spring which substantially circumferentially surrounds the stacked rings and abuts the outer faces of the rings. The spring biases the stacked rings in a radially inward direction for sealing the inner faces of the rings against the piston body. The spring may be of a strip of material bent into a serpentine pattern when in an at rest condition to apply the biasing force against the piston body.

Abstract: A pet carrier and kennel which has an interior space for housing or storing animals. The interior space is fully enclosed on all sides by walls, a floor, and a roof to contain animals and related accessories such as blankets, beds, or bowls. The interior of the kennel can be accessed through an opening. A door is positioned in the opening to cover the opening. The door includes a locking mechanism that is easy to operate and can be opened from either side of the kennel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for deterring pets or other animals from biting or chewing into medication containers. In some embodiments, the invention consists of two or more conductive metal sheets or strips in layers around the side of the container, which are wired to complete a circuit when pressed by the force of an animal's bite or touched by an animal's tongue. In some embodiments, the sheets or strips are spaced or held apart so that a normal human grip would not have sufficient force to complete the circuit. In some embodiments, the device slides onto the medication container with a friction fit, and is removable for use on future containers. In some embodiments, the circuit includes a battery-powered alarm to deter the animal. In other embodiments, the circuit delivers a mild electrical shock to the animal's mouth or tongue through the metal strips or sheets.

Abstract: A vehicle image capture and labeling system operates to enable a user to capture vehicle photos, pictures, and/or images that are automatically labeled, i.e., annotated. In particular, the captured vehicle photos, pictures, or images are automatically labeled with certain vehicle identifier information, like a vehicle identification number (VIN), and pose information, that identifies a portion or view of the vehicle depicted within the image of the vehicle. The vehicle images may also be automatically labeled with one or more other image attributes or indicia, such as geospatial information corresponding to a location at which the photo or image was captured (e.g., global positioning system (GPS) data), time and date of image capture data, etc. The captured vehicle image and its label(s) may then be stored and used by other applications such as vehicle insurance claim applications, automobile repair estimate applications, etc.

Abstract: A system for preparing vehicle repair estimates and sourcing parts for vehicles includes a processor, a display in communication with the processor, and an input device in communication with the processor. The display is configured to display information generated by the processor, while the input device is configured to receive inputs from a user and transmit the inputs to the processor. The processor is configured to identify records in a first electronic database that relate to a particular vehicle, identify records in a second {or multiple} electronic database relating to a source of parts for the particular vehicle, display a repair estimate illustrating recommended parts and part sources on the display, and receive user input identifying parts other than recommended, or identifying a different source for a recommended part, and automatically updating the estimate and notification of guideline exceptions.