Abstract: A server system is disclosed that is capable of providing responsive content to a user when a request for an invalid URL is received. In a preferred embodiment, the server system implements multiple rescue strategies for attempting to rescue the invalid URL. One such rescue strategy involves repairing the URL by correcting for encoding errors, such as errors introduced by some web clients. Another rescue strategy involves determining that the URL contains an obsolete or outdated item identifier (e.g., product identifier) that renders the URL invalid, and returning information regarding one or more related items to the user. Another rescue strategy involves mining the invalid URL for one or more text strings reflective of the type of content desired, and then using the one or more text strings to execute a keyword search to identify content to provide to the user. The various rescue strategies may be attempted in sequence according to a hierarchy.

Abstract: An electrowetting display device comprising at least one picture element with a first support plate including a first electrical element, a second electrical element and a through-connection electrically connecting the first electrical element to the second electrical element. The through-connection is arranged outside a projected display area of the at least one picture element.

Abstract: A method includes determining, by a management module, to complete an inventory request, the inventory request identifying an inventory item. The method also includes identifying, by the management module, an inventory holder storing the inventory item, and identifying, by the management module, a mobile drive unit to transport the inventory holder to an inventory station.

Abstract: Techniques and solutions for providing a cloud browse service are described. For example, a client can request a web page. In response to the request, the client can receive a processed layer tree representing the web page. The processed layer tree can be created by a server environment (e.g., by creating an original DOM from obtained HTML and associated web page resources for the web page and creating the processed layers from the original DOM). The client can create a simplified DOM from the received processed layers and display the web page using the simplified DOM. Techniques and solutions for providing a browser as a service are described. For example, a web browser component can receive a processed layer tree representing a web page, create a simplified DOM, and display the web page.

Abstract: A content publisher can use a publisher tool to tag various content elements, which enables a user viewing content from the publisher to view related advertising. In at least some embodiments, the tool is a toolbar that the publisher can use to tag content elements such as images and text, whereby the toolbar can recommend related items to be linked to those content elements. The items can be associated with an entity, such as an advertiser or electronic retailer, that will provide some level of compensation to the publisher in return for the linking. Such an approach enables the publisher to monetize the content in a way that is minimally intrusive for the end user.

Abstract: A just-in-time data center cabling infrastructure is installed incrementally and concurrently with incremental changes in computing capacity in a data center. Based at least in part upon a determination to install one or more rack computer systems in a row of rack positions of the data center, a network switch device can be installed in the row, linked with a network zone via fiber optic cable connections, and linked to rack computer systems via patch cable connections. The fiber optic cables and patch cables are installed in the data center concurrently with installation of the rack computer system. A transverse bridge spans over an aisle space between opposite rows and includes console switch devices. The console switch devices, installed concurrently with one or more rack computer systems in the rows, enable remote access to console systems in the rack computer systems.

Abstract: Inventory systems may include one or more sensors capable of detecting spatial positioning of inventory holders and associated inventory items. Data can be received from a sensor, a boundary corresponding to a face of the inventory holder can be determined from the data, and items projecting across the boundary can be determined as items protruding from the inventory holder.

Abstract: Technologies are disclosed herein for executing commands within virtual machine (“VM”) instances. A public web service application programming interface (“API”) is exposed within a service provider network that includes methods relating to the execution of commands within VM instances. For example, the API might include a method for obtaining a list of the commands that can be executed within a VM instance. The API might also include a method for requesting the execution of a command within a VM instance. The API might also include a method for requesting data describing the status of the execution of a command within a VM instance. The API might also expose other methods. A software agent executing on a VM instance may be utilized to provide a list of commands that can be executed in the VM, to execute requested commands, and to provide data describing the status of execution of a command.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for improving automated question-answering using real-world knowledge from a knowledge base. The system can be used to answer questions from various users. The system can generate answers to these questions using data stored in a knowledge base. In some embodiments, the system is provided with a list of questions separate from any user questions. The system can be trained using these questions in advance of a user question. The system can process the presented questions to determine that it can generate high-quality correct answers. The system can take various steps to determine a high-quality answer to a question. The system can utilize human intelligence providers to improve this process, such as through a human interactive task system. Human intelligence can be used to determine that a question is understood, that a question is answered, and that the answer is of high quality.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for a streaming video application. The application downloads, decodes, and renders video frame data at different frame rates. Based on the differences between these frame rates, the downloading frame rate is adjusted to minimize performance degradation.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for pre-fetching resources referenced on a network page using a browser application executable on a client device. A network page predicted to be accessed by a user of a browser application may be identified that references resources, such as image, video, text, and multimedia resources. A prioritization of retrieval may be determined for the resources according to retrieval criteria. The browser application may retrieve at least a portion of the resources according to the prioritization of retrieval and store the retrieved sources in memory, thereby causing the network page predicted to be accessed to render more quickly, when accessed.

Abstract: A remirror buffer can be used in failover situations so as to backup storage volumes in a service provider. The remirror buffer is dynamically resized to meet current usage metrics captured from a data center. A risk boundary can be defined through which resource hosts are grouped together so as to determine the usage metrics. The risk boundary can be based on a topology of the data center, such as a room/rack/sharing of power supplies, or other characteristics of the resource hosts.

Abstract: A method of providing speech transcription performance indication includes receiving, at a user device data representing text transcribed from an audio stream by an ASR system, and data representing a metric associated with the audio stream; displaying, via the user device, said text; and via the user device, providing, in user-perceptible form, an indicator of said metric. Another method includes displaying, by a user device, text transcribed from an audio stream by an ASR system; and via the user device, providing, in user-perceptible form, an indicator of a level of background noise of the audio stream. Another method includes receiving data representing an audio stream; converting said data representing an audio stream to text via an ASR system; determining a metric associated with the audio stream; transmitting data representing said text to a user device; and transmitting data representing said metric to the user device.

Abstract: Techniques are described for managing preloading of data for client computing systems. A client computing system may provide one or more persistent data storage caches on local storage, such as to support a particular software program executing on the client computing system (e.g., a Web browser program, with the persistent data storage cache designed to store browser cookies and other data for later access by the Web browser program). Additional data may be stored in such a persistent data storage cache by preloading those data groups before they are requested by the client computing system (e.g., based on interactions of a user of the client computing system with an executing program on the client computing system). Particular data groups to preload may be selected in various manners, including to provide a specified type of minimum functionality to a client computing system based on the preloaded data groups.

Abstract: When a scene is generated, a content item may identify graphics object service requests associated with the scene. Each scene may have any number of associated graphics object service requests that may be sent to any number of different graphics object services. The graphics object services may be accessible over a network such as the Internet. By requesting object data from graphics object services, a content item may, for example, reduce at least part of the computational burden on a graphics processing unit of a client device.

Abstract: Systems and methods can optimize or attempt to optimize portions of scripts that might be overlooked by traditional compilers. These systems and methods can include a code analysis module that develops an aggregate execution profile for a script by aggregating individual execution profiles of a plurality of users. These systems and methods can use the aggregate execution profile to emphasize aspects of the script that can be optimized for a plurality of users, enabling improved script performance for users.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems and methods for profiling user behavior through biometric identifiers. A first biometric identifier associated with a first user of a user device may be captured. The first user may be identified based at least in part on the first biometric identifier. The first request for content and first information retrieved from the user profile may be transmitted. First data that corresponds to the first request for content may be received. A second biometric identifier associated with a second user of the user device may be captured during an active session associated with the first user profile. The second user may be identified based at least in part on the second biometric identifier. A second request for content and second information retrieved from the second user profile may be transmitted. A second data corresponding to the second request for content may be received.

Abstract: Augmented reality systems and associated methods, computer-readable media, techniques, and methodologies for improving contrast between projected or emitted computer-generated images and ambient light of a visible real-world environment are disclosed. Devices that incorporate such augmented reality systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: Techniques are described for applying data usage policies through data tagging. A metadata tag may be applied to data to indicate a type of the data. In some cases, the tag may be applied to the data when the data is decrypted, and the tag may propagate with the data as the data is passed between processes. A software module may include control logic that is configured to apply data usage policies based on the type tag of data. When the software module attempts an action on the data, such as storing or communicating the data, the control logic may access policy information. Based on the policy information, the control logic may allow the action, prevent the action, or allow the action to proceed on a modified version of the data.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to a cover for an electronic device. The cover can be deployed on a transparent surface of the electronic device and can reversibly occlude the view through the transparent surface. In certain embodiments, the cover can include a closed bounding surface region that is transparent and has a specific volume. The bounding surface can define an interior open space that can be partitioned into multiple cavities, where nearest-neighboring cavities can share a surface that defines each of such cavities. In one embodiment, in order to occlude the view through the transparent surface, an opaque liquid can be injected into the cavities, where the liquid can solidify and, thus, can form an opaque solid layer. To reverse such an occlusion and, effectively, uncover the transparent surface, the solid layer can be melted by applying a suitable voltage to at least one of the multiple cavities.