Abstract: Implementations related to configurable strip-line quarter wavelength and/or antenna structures are described herein.

Abstract: A random yet smart selection of layouts is provided when viewing a set of photos. A set of layouts may be chosen such that a reasonable sense of variety and uniqueness is provided when viewing the photos. For instance, photos may be randomly assigned to one of a plurality of groups, where each group may have its own layout type and its own number of photos. An iterative algorithm may be applied to determine which photos are assigned to which groups. In addition, smart cropping of photo thumbnails may be provided to fit frames provided in the various presented layouts. The amount and/or type of cropping provided may depend upon the aspect ratios of both the thumbnail and the frame in which the thumbnail is to be placed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for removably securing payloads are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes coupling the payload to a body of a locking assembly, engaging an insertion portion of the body into the channel, translating the insertion portion of the body along the track from a first position to a second position, the body being substantially constrained from movement away from the track in the second position, and actuating at least one engagement member from an unsecured position to a secured position, a portion of the track being clampably engaged by the at least one engagement member and the insertion portion of the body when the at least one engagement member is positioned in the secured position such that the body is substantially constrained from movement along the track by the at least one engagement member.

Abstract: The adaptive bandwidth throttling system implements a graceful diminution of services to the clients by delaying a first class of services provided by a network server in response to the effective bandwidth utilized by this network server exceeding a first threshold. If the demand for the bandwidth by this network server exceeds a second threshold, the bandwidth throttling system escalates the throttling response and blocks the first class of services from execution and can also concurrently delay execution of a second class of services. The implementation of the throttling process can be varied, to include additional levels of response or finer gradations of the response, to include subsets of a class of services. In addition, the threshold levels of bandwidth used to trigger the throttling response can be selected as desired by the system administrator.

Abstract: A method comprising generating a surface detail model using a modeling technique, and rendering surface detail in accordance with the developed surface detail model over an object surface. The described method enables computer-generated images containing representations of hair to be rendered in real time.