Abstract: Techniques are described for automatically distributing validated user safety alerts from a networked computing device. The networked computing device may be configured to operate as an autonomous agent to perform actions on behalf of a user without receiving direct instructions from the user. For example, the autonomous agent computing device may be configured to make certain purchases, send alerts or reminders, or perform other functions in accordance with preprogrammed rules. According to the disclosed techniques, the autonomous agent computing device is configured to automatically generate and send an alert to one or more computing devices associated with the user upon detecting a safety concern for the user. The autonomous agent also uses a signing key associated with its digital certificate, which verifies the identity of the autonomous agent, to sign the alert such that a third-party server may validate the alert prior to distribution to the destination computing devices.

Abstract: An article includes a glass or glass-ceramic substrate having a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface, and at least one via extending through the substrate from the first major surface to the second major surface over an axial length in an axial dimension. The article also includes a metal connector disposed within the via that hermetically seals the via. The article has a helium hermeticity of less than or equal to 1.0×10?8 atm-cc/s after 1000 thermal shock cycles, each of the thermal shock cycle comprises cooling the article to a temperature of ?40° C. and heating the article to a temperature of 125° C., and the article has a helium hermeticity of less than or equal to 1.0×10?8 atm-cc/s after 100 hours of HAST at a temperature of 130° C. and a relative humidity of 85%.

Abstract: A method and apparatus involving a euthanasia process are provided. The euthanasia process is carried out in a chamber including electric stunning to induce insensibility and reduced atmospheric pressure to induce hypoxia. The described method and apparatus provide a more humane system for euthanizing animals and reducing any negative impacts for people carrying out the process.

Abstract: Improved processes for liberating trichome fibers from non-seed portions of a trichome-bearing host plant are provided. The processes include one or more steps for disassociating trichome fibers that are already separated from leaves, stems, and still-attached fibers so that the separated trichome fibers can be collected and not lost through a waste stream.

Abstract: A system and method of forming an optical connection. A fiber optic cable includes a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber. The second optical fiber includes a reflective device. An optical device receives the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber. A first signal is observed to verify an optical connection between the first optical fiber and the optical device to verity the optical connection. The fiber optic cable is extended into the optical device to form a secure mating between the first optical fiber and the optical device, thereby changing a state of the reflective device. The secure mating between the first optical fiber and the optical device is determined from the state of the second signal in the second optical fiber.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of reducing power consumption in a wireless network device, comprising determining a duration prior to a beacon being received by the device; comparing the duration against a predetermined value; and adjusting a duration of a sleep period in response to the comparison.

Abstract: A method of enabling remote access to a console of a virtual machine (VM) running in a host and managed by a VM management server, from a remote computing device, includes the steps of: in response to a request to access the console of the VM from the remote computing device, issuing a request for a first ticket, the first ticket including an identifier of the host in which the VM is running; upon receiving the first ticket, issuing a request for a second ticket to access a proxy server; and upon receiving the second ticket, transmitting a uniform resource locator (URL) identifying the proxy server and the second ticket to the remote computing device. The remote computing device accesses the console of the VM through the URL and the proxy server.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and computer program product for evaluating a maturity of a model for a product. A selected maturity state is determined by a computer system for the model for evaluation. A determination is made by the computer system as to whether the model meets a set of criteria for the selected maturity state and a confidence level for the selected maturity state. A model action is performed by the computer system using the model when the model meets the set of criteria for the selected maturity state and the confidence level for the selected maturity state.

Abstract: A system and method of forming an optical connection. A fiber optic cable includes a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber. The second optical fiber includes a reflective device. An optical device receives the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber. A first signal is observed to verify an optical connection between the first optical fiber and the optical device to verity the optical connection. The fiber optic cable is extended into the optical device to form a secure mating between the first optical fiber and the optical device, thereby changing a state of the reflective device. The secure mating between the first optical fiber and the optical device is determined from the state of the second signal in the second optical fiber.

Abstract: A gaming machine comprises a symbol selector for selecting a plurality of symbols from a set of symbols for display during play of a base game, the set of symbols including a plurality of non-configurable symbols and a plurality of configurable symbols; a random number generator for generating random prize values; a value assigner for assigning a generated random prize value to each selected configurable symbol; and an outcome evaluator for monitoring play of the base game, wherein a feature game is triggered in response to a trigger event, the trigger event comprising a predefined number of the plurality of configurable symbols being selected by the symbol selector for display.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for providing content to virtual machines. A request for content can be received, wherein the request originates from a virtual machine hosted by the computing device, comprises a unique identifier for the content, and is received from the virtual machine through an inter-process communication mechanism. The unique identifier can be validated. Content can then be retrieved using the unique identifier. A copy of the content can then be provided to the virtual machine in response to validation of the unique identifier, the content being provided to the virtual machine through the inter-process communication mechanism.

Abstract: Methods and devices for providing a haptic responses to a haptic feedback device may include receiving, by an application providing a virtual environment executing on a computer device, physical movement input based at least on movement of the haptic feedback device that corresponds to a virtual movement interaction with a virtual object in the virtual environment. The methods and devices may include accessing a haptic signature associated with the virtual object. The methods and devices may include determining a haptic response based at least upon the haptic signature to identify the virtual object through the haptic response. The methods and devices may include transmitting the haptic response to the haptic feedback device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of reducing power consumption in a wireless network device, comprising determining a duration prior to a beacon being received by the device; comparing the duration against a predetermined value; and adjusting a duration of a sleep period in response to the comparison.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a bottom-up electrolytic via plating method wherein a first carrier substrate and a second substrate having at least one through-via are temporarily bonded together. The method includes applying a seed layer on a surface of the first substrate, forming a surface modification layer on the seed layer or the second substrate, bonding the second substrate to the first substrate with the surface modification layer to create an assembly wherein the seed layer and the surface modification layer are disposed between the first and second substrates, applying conductive material to the through-via, removing the second substrate having the through-via containing conductive material from the assembly.

Abstract: An electronic package assembly includes a glass substrate including an upper glass cladding layer, a lower glass cladding layer, a glass core layer coupled to the upper glass cladding layer and the lower glass cladding layer, where the upper glass cladding layer and the lower glass cladding layer have a higher etch rate in an etchant than the glass core layer, a first cavity positioned within one of the upper glass cladding layer or the lower glass cladding layer, and a second cavity positioned within one of the upper glass cladding layer or the lower glass cladding layer, a microprocessor positioned within the first cavity, and a micro-electronic component positioned within the second cavity.

Abstract: In accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure, the invention provides a sports apparatus having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface designed to slide on slippery surfaces such as snow, ice or sand and the lower surface having wheels and thus designed to glide along smooth hard surfaces.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for converting a target file into a multimedia presentation. A target file including text is received. A class of the target file is identified based on characteristics of the target file. A multimedia presentation is created that contains speech rendered from a portion of the text, additional text, wherein the portion of the text is selected in accordance with a template programmed with content and logic for the identified class, a visual representation of the document, and one or more manipulations of the visual representation defined in accordance with the content and logic of the template. In response to a user command to run the multimedia presentation, the speech, visual representation, and/or the manipulations are output in accordance with the logic of the template.

Abstract: An air extractor assembly includes, among other things, a housing, a first valve, and a second valve. The first valve is coupled to the housing and configured to transition from a sealed position to a pressure releasing position in response to a first pressure differential. The second valve is coupled to the housing and configured to transition between a sealed position and a pressure releasing position in response to a second pressure differential that is different than the first pressure differential.

Abstract: A robot actor, or character mobility hardware platform, adapted to unleash or provide a wide variety of characters in the physical world. The robot actor enables the often screen-constrained characters to become life-like, interactive participants with nearby people in ways not presently achievable. The robot actor is an untethered, free-roaming robot that is has two (or more) legs, is adapted for high dexterity, is controlled and designed to be self-balancing, and, due to this combination of characteristics, the robot can provide characters with an illusion of life and, in many cases, in correct proportion and scale. The hardware and software of the robot actor will become a new generation of animatronic figures by providing a hardware platform capable of continuously evolving to become more capable through advances in controls and artificial intelligence (AI).