Abstract: Systems and methods for providing resource isolation in a shared computing environment using reinforcement learning (RL) techniques are disclosed. A resource isolation mechanism may be applied in a shared storage system, or database service, that limits the resource utilization of each namespace to its specified allocation. For example, the mechanism may be used to limit the I/O utilization of database applications in a shared computing system to a specified limit, and may apply RL techniques, along with domain-specific constraints, to the system to automatically control the rate of queries made by an application. RL techniques, such as those based on the State-Action-Reward-State-Action (SARSA) method, may be effective in controlling resource utilization for different workloads, and may be enhanced by their application in conjunction with domain-specific business rules.

Abstract: Techniques are described for managing communications between multiple computing nodes, such as computing nodes that are separated by one or more physical networks. In some situations, the techniques may be used to provide a virtual network between multiple computing nodes that are separated by one or more intermediate physical networks, such as from the edge of the one or more intermediate physical networks by modifying communications that enter and/or leave the intermediate physical networks. In some situations, the computing nodes may include virtual machine nodes hosted on one or more physical computing machines or systems, such as by or on behalf of one or more users (e.g., users of a program execution service). The managing of the communications may include determining whether communications sent to managed computing nodes are authorized, and providing the communications to the computing nodes only if they are determined to be authorized.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a system and method for scheduled delivery of shipments with multiple shipment carriers are described. Various embodiments may include a scheduled delivery component configured to receive delivery availability information for multiple shipment carriers. In various embodiments, for each shipment carrier, delivery availability information may specify one or more delivery periods during which that shipment carrier is available to deliver shipments of one or more items to designated locations. This delivery availability information may be utilized to generate a scheduled delivery tool that enables users to select a particular delivery period during which an item is to be delivered. The scheduled delivery tool may provide multiple selectable delivery periods based on the delivery availability information of multiple shipment carriers. The scheduled delivery component may determine that a particular delivery period has been selected and generate a delivery instruction based on such selection.

Abstract: A smart harness may be coupled to an electronic device. The smart harness may communicate with the electronic device by an exchange of signals when the harness is secured to the electronic device. The electronic device and/or smart harness may operate in various modes based on the communications or lack of communications, such as when the exchange of signals is interrupted. The various modes may be selected from a non-exhaustive group of a limited functionality mode, an alarm mode, a full feature mode, and a non-active mode.

Abstract: Embodiments may include a system configured to, for each of multiple database partitions, generate a respective value of commit latency dependent on the latency of one or more previous commit operations directed to that database partition. The system may also be configured to, for a given work item that includes a commit operation to be initiated on a given database partition of said multiple database partitions, determine whether the value of the commit latency for the given database partition exceeds a configurable commit latency threshold. The system may be configured to, in response to determining that the value of the commit latency for the given database partition exceeds the commit latency threshold, postpone the given work item to reduce load on the database partitions and perform the given work item after the postponement. If the commit latency does not exceed the threshold, the work may be performed without the postponement.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing resource isolation in a shared computing environment using reinforcement learning (RL) techniques are disclosed. A resource isolation mechanism may be applied in a shared storage system, or database service, that limits the resource utilization of each namespace to its specified allocation. For example, the resource isolation mechanism may be used to limit the I/O utilization of database applications in a shared computing system (e.g., a system supporting a database service) to a specified limit. In such embodiments, RL techniques may be applied to the system to automatically control the rate of queries made by an application. RL techniques, such as those based on the State-Action-Reward-State-Action (SARSA) method may be effective in controlling the I/O utilization of database applications for different workloads. RL techniques may be applied globally by the service, or may be applied to particular subscribers, applications, shared resources, namespaces, or query types.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring the performance associated with fulfilling resource requests and determining optimizations for improving such performance are provided. A processing device obtains and processes performance information associated with processing a request corresponding to two or more embedded resources. The processing device uses the processed performance information to determine a consolidation configuration to be associated with a subsequent request for the content associated with the two or more embedded resources. In some embodiments, in making such a determination, the processing device assesses performance information collected and associated with subsequent requests corresponding to the content associated with the two or more embedded resources and using each of a variety of alternative consolidation configurations.

Abstract: A framework can be utilized with conventional networking components to enable those components to process packets of specific formats using conventional algorithms, such as algorithms for receive side coalescing (RCS) and TCP segmentation offloading (TSO). Format and flow information can be added to an opaque field or other portion of a packet, at an appropriate location or pre-configured offset. Placing information at a specific location or offset enables the networking hardware to quickly recognize a packet for processing. Packets can be segmented and coalesced using conventional algorithms on the networking hardware, enabling packets of various formats to be able to take advantage of various performance enhancements.

Abstract: A shared “universal” virtual shopping cart (“the cart”) may be provided by a host to enable information sharing between multiple disparate electronic marketplaces provided by various merchants. The host may obtain user information via the cart to improve interactions with a user. The host may recommend an item to the user that is offered at a lower price and related to an item retained in the user's cart. The host may also recommend items based on a user's purchase history, such as complementary items (e.g., up-sell items) and items other users may recommend. In some aspects, the host may compile best selling lists based on data from multiple electronic marketplaces. The host may also perform user specific operations such as indicate an item in a cart is a duplicate of a previous purchase and monitor a price and/or available quantities of an item in the cart.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for managing data indexed by a search engine. A respective identifier from a set of identifiers is assigned randomly in one or more computing devices to each one of a plurality of data records. A set of search queries is provided. A first one of the search queries encompasses all of the set of identifiers. A second search index is generated from a first search index of the data records. The first search index is queried for at most a predetermined number of unmarked ones of the data records using a search query. Each one of a result set of data records that is thereby obtained is inserted into the second search index. The result set of data records is marked in the first search index.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for facilitating the selection of colors. An initial set of colors from a color space is generated in one or more computing devices for rendering in a user interface. Each color from the color space is expressed as a respective tuple of color component values. A selection of one of the initial set of colors is obtained. A subsequent set of colors from the color space is generated for rendering in the user interface. The subsequent set of colors is determined according to values of the N most significant bits of each of the corresponding color component values of the one of the initial set of colors, where N is a predetermined positive integer that is less than a bit length of each color component value.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable medium for updating request routing information associated with client location information are provided. A content delivery network service provider receives a DNS query from a client computing device. The DNS query corresponds to a resource identifier for requested content from the client computing device. The content delivery network service provider obtains a query IP address corresponding to the client computing device. Based on routing information associated with the query IP address, the content delivery network service provider routes the DNS query. The process further includes monitoring performance data associated with the transmission of the requested resource and updating routing information associated with the query IP address based on the performance data for use in processing subsequent requests form the client computing device.

Abstract: Techniques for delivering digital content to be rendered on electronic book (“eBook”) reader devices are described. The eBook reader devices have different technical features, particularly in terms of display capabilities and navigational capabilities. For instance, eBook reader devices may have differing screen sizes, use different types of display technologies, and have varying browser functionality. The techniques described in this disclosure provide for ways to efficiently and effectively deliver content to various types of reader devices, and to control presentation of that content on individual devices.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for implementing wireless service for a wireless device. In a representative embodiment, a service initiation system is executed in a computing device that communicates with a service provider system over a network to activate a wireless service associated with a newly purchased wireless device. The service initiation system also generates a network page to send to a client over the network, where the network page has a component that initiates a porting of a contact designation associated with a prior wireless device to the newly purchased wireless device separate from the activation of the wireless service for the newly purchased wireless device.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments that provide variants of files in a file system. Multiple file systems are maintained for multiple users. Each file system includes multiple files and one or more folder. Each file includes a respective unique identifier and a respective reference to a data object stored in one or more data store. Multiple file variants are maintained. Each file variant includes the respective unique identifier of a respective file. Each file variant also includes a respective reference to a secondary data object stored in the one or more data stores. The secondary data object is related to the primary data object referenced by the respective file.

Abstract: A method and system for generating transaction price data relating to electronic commerce. In one embodiment, the system classifies items based on an item classification hierarchy. Each item classification in the hierarchy may have associated item-specific attributes. When a commercial transaction relating to an item is conducted, the item is identified based on its item classification and values for the associated item-specific attributes. The system records information relating to commercial transactions for items that have been so identified and uses those records to generate transaction price data. When generating transaction price data, the system may allow the user to specify an item classification along with values of its attributes. The system identifies records of commercial transactions relating to items with that item classification and with matching attribute values and bases the transaction price data on those identified records.

Abstract: Anonymous mobile payments enable a user to make and/or receive payments without disclosing personal or private information to another party. In some aspects, a provider of a payment may request an anonymous payment for a specified value from a host. In response, the host may transmit to the provider a code that is available for redemption. The provider may then relay the code to a recipient, who may redeem the code from the host. In other aspects, a recipient may request a temporary identifier (special code) from a host. The recipient may relay the temporary identifier to a provider, who may in turn transmit a payment, via the host, using the temporary identifier. The recipient may then claim the payment from the host. In additional aspects, the codes of the anonymous payments may include expiration times and/or restrictions on a number of uses of the code.

Abstract: Techniques for providing a single text field and multiple different types of user input modes for inputting information into the single text field are described herein. In some instances, a user may enter a first portion of text into the text field in a first user input mode before inputting a second portion of text into the field in a second user input mode. The techniques may enforce a first set of rules associated with the first user input mode while the user enters the first portion of text. The techniques may then enforce a second, different set of rules associated with the second user input mode while the user enters the second portion of text. As such, the techniques enable a user to provide two or more different pieces of information into a single text field.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a system and method for authoritative item identification based on facility operations are described. Embodiments may include an authoritative item identification component configured to, for each particular item of multiple items in inventory of a materials handling facility, determine multiple identifiers for the particular item, where one or more of the multiple identifiers are electronically obtained from a unit of the particular item during operations of the materials handling facility. The authoritative item identification component may, for each of the multiple identifiers, determine a quantity of instances in which that identifier was electronically obtained from a given unit of the particular item. The authoritative item identification component may, based on a statistical analysis of the quantities, determine one of the multiple identifiers as being an authoritative identifier for the particular item.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a system and associated processes for monitoring a customer's product purchases and product consumption. Further, the system enables the customer to maintain customer-selected preferences by presenting to the customer product information associated with the customer preferences and a product. In one embodiment, the system can monitor the consumption of products over a predefined period of time to facilitate the customer maintaining the customer preferences over the predefined period of time. In one embodiment, the system can present alternative product purchases based on a selected product and the customer preferences. In one embodiment, the system can facilitate monitoring nutrition consumption. In one embodiment, the system can facilitate monitoring pharmaceutical use. In one embodiment, the system can facilitate the customer making environmentally conscious purchases.