Abstract: A convection current vacuum freeze drying method and a computer software program for manufacturing a product are disclosed which include: selecting specific freeze drying settings from a Database for a specific product; loading the specific freeze drying settings into a controller for fully controlling of the convection current freeze drying process; performing the convection current freeze drying process using an ice condenser unit equipped with a plurality of elongate heat exchange tubes having radially arranged fins; determining whether the convection current freeze drying process is operated in accordance to the specific freeze drying settings using a plurality of sensors and the controller, if the specific freeze drying settings are not corrected, then readjusting the specific freeze drying settings using the controller, and if the specific freeze drying settings are correct then packaging product.

Abstract: Techniques for data processing may include: receiving a data chunk and an associated digest; and performing data deduplication processing for the data chunk comprising: determining whether there is an existing entry in a deduplication digest cache for the digest; and responsive to determining there is no existing entry in the deduplication digest cache, performing processing including: determining whether there is an existing entry in a mapping structure for the digest, the mapping structure mapping digests to associated pages of related entries in a deduplication data store; and responsive to determining there is an existing entry in the mapping structure, performing second processing including: obtaining, from the existing entry, a page mapped to the digest; and loading the page of entries from the deduplication data store into the deduplication digest cache. At least some entries of the page may be prefetched and loaded into the deduplication digest cache prior to use.

Abstract: A symmetrical hydrogen gas generating device comprising a symmetrical hydrogen generating device, a housing encapsulating the symmetrical hydrogen generating device, and a center-point rod residing directly in a center of the symmetrical hydrogen generating device. Together, the housing and the center-point rod improving workability and efficiency of the symmetrical hydrogen generating device. The center-point rod may be a single-piece center-point rod or a multi-piece center-point rod that resides directly at the longitudinal center of the symmetrical hydrogen generating device.

Abstract: A lockable tray device is provided including a housing with compartments to receive and securely store smoking articles. The housing defines a jam passage, and a lid is operably connected to the housing with a jam configured for insertion into the jam passage. A locking mechanism is fitted within the housing and includes a latch disposed within the jam passage. The latch is movable between a first locked position and a second unlocked position. A fixed magnet attracts the latch into the first position. The jam is secured to the locking mechanism by inserting the jam into the jam passage toward the locked position by advancing the jam through the jam passage such that the jam contacts and moves the latch to the second position to clear the jam passage. A key is magnetically attracted to the latch and moves the latch into the second position clearing the jam passage and unlocking the locking mechanism when the key is connected to or in close proximity to the housing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a pressure in an annulus between an inner casing and an outer casing. An acoustic transducer is disposed within the casing at a selected depth within the inner casing and is configured to generate an acoustic pulse and receive a reflection of the acoustic pulse from the inner casing. A time of flight is measured of the acoustic pulse to the inner surface of the inner casing. An inner diameter of the inner casing is determined from the time of flight. The pressure in the annulus is determined from the inner diameter. A processor can be used to measure time and determine inner diameter and annulus pressure.

Abstract: Techniques are described for managing synchronized jitter buffers for streaming data (e.g., for real-time audio and/or video communications). A separate jitter buffer can be maintained for each codec. For example, as data is received in network packets, the data is added to the jitter buffer corresponding to the codec that is associated with the received data. When data needs to be read, the same amount of data is read from each of the jitter buffers. In other words, at each instance where data needs to be obtained (e.g., for decoding and playback), the same amount of data is obtained from each of the jitter buffers. In addition, the multiple jitter buffers use the same playout timestamp that is synchronized across the multiple of jitter buffers.

Abstract: An anatomical structure model includes a first component defining a first part of the anatomical structure and a second component defining a second part of the anatomical structure. Each of the first and second components define a respective opening and the two components are adapted to be placed in an assembled position to define an insert receiving passage between the first component and the second component. An insert of the model includes an insert peripheral edge structure extending around a periphery thereof, and is adapted to be received in an operating position between the first component and the second component. A connector arrangement detachably connects the first component and the second component in the assembled position with the insert in the operating position.

Abstract: An assembly includes a vehicle component. The assembly includes a body embedded in the vehicle component, the body defining a chamber and having an outer surface defining an intrusion extending toward the chamber and engaged with the vehicle component. The assembly includes a plurality of dampening particles within the chamber.

Abstract: Installation of a removable tripod foot is facilitated by a cross-axis aperture in the foot and loosening of the threaded connection of the foot and the tripod's leg is resisted by a resilient element engaging interfacing surfaces of the foot and the leg.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for scene aware searching. A system may include a media player configured to play a video stream, a database, and a server configured to host an artificial intelligence (AI) engine. The server may further include a processor and a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising a set of instructions that, when executable by the processor to receive, from the media device, a search query from a user. The AI engine may further be configured to obtain the video stream associated with the search query, identify one or more objects in the video stream, derive contextual data associated with the one or more objects, identify one or more matches based on the contextual data, and determine a result of the search query.

Abstract: A steering wheel cover including a stretch fabric ring having a c-shaped cross-section forming a three-hundred-sixty angular degree circle, a first frictitious layer lining at least some of the inside of the stretch fabric ring excepting an angular fabric-only portion of the three-hundred-sixty degree circle, and a second frictitious layer covering some of the outside of the stretch fabric ring, but not covering the angular fabric-only portion.

Abstract: A system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one more processors and perform training a machine learning model based on historical input data for pickups by users that occurred during a historical time period and output data comprising actual wait times that occurred for the pickups by the users; receiving an order from a user for a pickup from a physical store during a selected time slot of a selected date; adding the order to a queue of assembled checked-in orders; determining an estimated arrival time based on geo-tracking; generating an estimated wait time using the machine learning model, as trained, and can be based on input data; and sending the estimated wait time to at least one of the physical store or the mobile device of the user. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems including processing dredge spoils to reclaim soil therefrom. The techniques may include a feed system for receiving dredge spoils, a dewatering system for removing water from the dredge spoils, and a grinder/mixer for grinding the dredge spoils from the dewatering system while mixing the dredge spoils with one or more additional materials.

Abstract: A vehicle system configured to control a trailer alignment routine comprises a hitch mounted on a vehicle and a controller. The controller is configured to identify a coupler position of a trailer and control motion of the vehicle toward an aligned position. The controller is further configured to calculate a stopping threshold relative to the coupler position. The stopping threshold comprises a semicircle concentric to the coupler position. The controller is further configured to control a braking procedure in response to the hitch passing the stopping threshold.

Abstract: A communication system transmits data signals between communication nodes. A first data signal is transmitted as an electromagnetic wave along a first data transmission path to a receiver using skywave propagation. A second data signal, identical to the first data signal, is transmitted to the receiver along a second data transmission path. The two data signals are compared at the receiver to determine any distortion caused by the skywave propagation. Data regarding the distortion is sent back to the transmitter so that subsequent transmitted data signals may be preconditioned when sent by skywave propagation.

Abstract: Innovations in adaptive encoding and decoding for units of a video sequence can improve coding efficiency. For example, some of the innovations relate to encoding/decoding that includes adaptive switching of color spaces between units within a video sequence. Other innovations relate encoding/decoding that includes adaptive switching of color sampling rates between units within a video sequence. Still other innovations relate encoding/decoding that includes adaptive switching of bit depths between units within a video sequence.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling transmission of digital content stored at a server are disclosed. According to at least one embodiment, a method includes: receiving, at the server, session information from a device, the session information including information for authorizing the server to decrypt the digital content for transmission to a playback device; determining, at the server, to decrypt the digital content for the transmission to the playback device, based on the session information; decrypting, at the server, the digital content for the transmission to the playback device, in response to determining to decrypt the digital content; and transmitting, at the server, the decrypted digital content to the playback device.

Abstract: Systems and methods of generating a compact visual vocabulary are provided. Descriptor sets related to digital representations of objects are obtained, clustered and partitioned into cells of a descriptor space, and a representative descriptor and index are associated with each cell. Generated visual vocabularies could be stored in client-side devices and used to obtain content information related to objects of interest that are captured.

Abstract: A method for transmitting data over networks includes associating Customer Edge Virtual Local Area Network (CE-VLAN) identifiers with an Ethernet Virtual Connection (EVC). Each of the CE-VLAN identifiers is assigned to a respective Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) of a cloud computing environment and the EVC extends between a first network and the cloud computing environment through a second network. The EVC is also configured to transmit packets including any of the CE-VLAN identifiers to the cloud computing environment. The method further includes transmitting a packet received from the first network and including one of the CE-VLAN identifiers to the cloud computing environment using the EVC.

Abstract: A device that permits collection of blood from a patient by a needle and also places a catheter tube in the circulatory system of the patient.