Abstract: A system and method for an asynchronous media fabric service. The system includes at least one host configured with the asynchronous media fabric service. The asynchronous media fabric service is configured to: create and delete shared memory pools that are used to allow processes running on a single host direct access to grain data; send and receive grains from other hosts; and serve as an API end-point for asynchronous media fabric function processes to create, delete and obtain references to streams.

Abstract: Technologies are disclosed for creating a digital signage system and network that can be installed in retail stores by brands at a reduced cost versus the current market while also creating as little disruption as possible for the retail store. Such technologies can enable a distributed digital signage network for brands to be deployed in a short period of time across a broad range of drugstore, grocery-store and super-store retailers. Other embodiments are also disclosed and described herein.

Abstract: A method for managing requests for input streams associated with at least one incoming network stream received from a network interface. The input streams include at least one of video data, audio data and ancillary data. The method includes receiving a request for an input stream associated with a network stream identifier and determining whether the network stream identifier associated with the input stream matches an existing network stream identifier, the existing network stream identifier associated with at least one existing input stream. The method further includes: if a match is found, associating the input stream and the at least one existing input stream with a common area of memory; and if a match is not found, associating the input stream with a first area of memory that differs from a second area of memory that is associated with the at least one existing input stream.

Abstract: A system and method of using printed mail to retrieve consumer interest data includes printing a scannable code on a printed mail piece, sending the printed mail piece out for postal delivery to a consumer and receiving a request from a mobile device to access a server-based resource based on the consumer scanning the scannable code on the printed mail piece. The system and method includes providing access to the server-based resource, the server-based resource serving questions regarding consumer interests to the mobile device, and retrieving consumer interest data based on the responses of the consumer to the questions.

Abstract: Systems and methods relating to preparing data for use in a printing operation are provided. One method includes receiving selected records from a first data source. The selected records have been subjected to a first record characteristic updating step and the selected records comprise mail information useful for delivery of printed materials. The method further includes updating the selected records with a second record characteristic updating step. A time at which the second record characteristic updating step is performed is determined in relation to a print production schedule for the printed materials. The method further includes creating a postal pre-sort file based upon the updated selected records for use in the printing operation. The printing operation is performed on a printing device based on the pre-sorted records.

Abstract: Systems and methods for printing data on a substrate including a color-changeable material are provided. One system includes a processing circuit and a device including an energy source. At least a portion of a printed publication is printed on the substrate using a commercial printing press based on fixed data. The device including the energy source is configured to add variable data to the substrate. The processing circuit is configured to receive the variable data and to control the energy source to change a color of the color-changeable material based on the variable data to provide at least a portion of the printed publication. The processing circuit is configured to control the energy source to change the color of the color-changeable material in-line with a flow of the substrate through one of a printing line, a finishing line, or a packaging line of the commercial printing press.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling compression of a stream of pictures according to a target bit rate are described. A first configuration parameter for a first portion is determined based at least in part on a first relative weight of the first portion with respect to a first set of N portions, where the first set of N portions includes the first portion and N-1 portions which succeed the first portion. A second configuration parameter for a second portion of a second picture is determined based at least in part on a second relative weight of the second portion with respect to a second set of M portions of pictures, where the second set of M portions includes a subset of the N-1 portions from the first set and zero or more additional portions of pictures from the stream of pictures.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a packaging comprises a substrate comprising a first panel including a first end, a second end spaced a first distance from the first end, and opposing first and second perimeter side edges extending the first distance between the first end and the second end. The entire first panel is symmetric about a first longitudinal axis thereof extending between the first end and the second end and each of the first and second perimeter side edges is disposed at first and second widths, respectively, from the first longitudinal axis at a first portion of the first panel. The first portion is disposed at least one of at the second end and proximal the second end and the first portion has a longitudinal extent along the first longitudinal axis less than the first distance.

Abstract: The present invention provides image processing apparatus, an image processing system and an image processing method, whereby the accuracy of evaluation can be improved.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system that transforms one or more project plans to create a graphical project view. The project view contains a set of markers in rows and along a time axis, with each marker having associated text that must be placed into the project view in a manner that does not interfere with other nearby markers or other nearby text. To avoid such collisions, the user may turn on an algorithm that finds an optimal text position by seeking available white space. The user may also choose to invoke one or more escape paths which apply transformations to the conflicting text to either change the amount of space that they require, change the location of the text to a less-crowded location, increase the amount of available whitespace, or a combination of these approaches.

Abstract: Systems and methods relating to generated printed products are provided. One system includes a transceiver configured to transmit commands to a printing press, the commands used by the printing press to execute print operations to generate printed products. The system further includes a processing circuit configured to receive data indicating a first amount of a printed product for a print operation. The processing circuit is further configured to determine a second amount of the printed product to be printed by modifying the first amount using a characteristic of the printed product. The processing circuit is further configured to transmit, using the transceiver, a first command to the printing press configured to cause the printing press to print the second amount of the printed product. In some implementations, a plant selection system determines where to print the product based on the amount to be printed and/or characteristics of the product.

Abstract: An embodiment may involve receiving input information related to an offered product or service, two or more layouts of a print advertisement for the offered product or service, demographics of potential buyers of the offered product or service, and online behavior of the potential buyers. The information may be normalized into a predefined schema for a machine-learning-based recommendation engine operated by a computing device. The embodiment may further involve determining respective selections of the two or more layouts for the potential buyers. The machine-learning-based recommendation engine may select a layout for a potential buyer based on the offered product or service, content and organization of the layout, demographics of the potential buyer, and online behavior of the potential buyer. The embodiment may also involve transmitting, to a printing system, one or more output files representing the offered product or service, the layout, and the potential buyer.

Abstract: Sign and display systems including a faceplate, lens, backing plate, and at least one magnet are described. In some embodiments, the faceplate includes a viewing aperture and the back of the faceplate includes a recess in which the at least one magnet is mounted. The recess in the faceplate is configured to receive the lens and backing plate. In some embodiments, the faceplate includes two recesses in the back surface, where the first level recess is configured to receive a backing plate and the second lower level recess is configured to receive the lens. The at least one magnet can be mounted in either a first recessed surface of the first level recess or the backing plate. When the lens and backing plate are positioned in the faceplate, the one or more magnets exert a force to secure the faceplate, lens, and backing plate together.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a packaging includes a first panel including a first end and a second end, wherein first and second opposing perimeter side edges define the first panel and extend between the first end and the second end, and a first area having an inside surface is defined by the first end, the second end, and the perimeter side edges. A second panel includes a third end and a fourth end, wherein third and fourth opposing perimeter side edges define the second panel and extend between the third end and the fourth end, a second area having an inside surface is defined by the third end, the fourth end, and the perimeter side edges and wherein the second end is coupled to the third end at a first fold line. First and second tongues extend from third and fourth opposing perimeter side edges, respectively, at second and third fold lines, respectively.

Abstract: Systems and methods relating to preparing data for use in a printing operation are provided. One method includes receiving selected records from a first data source. The selected records have been subjected to a first record characteristic updating step and the selected records comprise mail information useful for delivery of printed materials. The method further includes updating the selected records with a second record characteristic updating step. A time at which the second record characteristic updating step is performed is determined in relation to a print production schedule for the printed materials. The method further includes creating a postal pre-sort file based upon the updated selected records for use in the printing operation. The printing operation is performed on a printing device based on the pre-sorted records.

Abstract: Systems, methods, devices, and non-transitory media of the various embodiments provide for a three dimensional tool for depicting the variability of probability of collision (Pc) inputs to Pc estimates. The depictions generated by the various embodiments may be used to quantify the quality of Pc input data required to yield actionable Pc estimates. Various embodiments may provide a graphical user interface (GUI) for a computing device that may display a three dimensional depiction of the variability of Pc inputs to Pc estimates.

Abstract: Systems, methods, devices, and non-transitory media of the various embodiments provide for a three dimensional tool for depicting the variability of probability of collision (Pc) inputs to Pc estimates. The depictions generated by the various embodiments may be used to quantify the quality of Pc input data required to yield actionable Pc estimates. Various embodiments may provide tools for depicting Pc validation results. Various embodiments may provide a GUI for a computing device that may depict Pc validation results.

Abstract: Systems, methods, devices, and non-transitory media of the various embodiments may enable formalized execution of model integrated descriptive architecture languages, such as Unified Modeling Language (UML). In addition, the systems, methods, devices, and non-transitory media of the various embodiments may be used to generate a graphical representation of a simulation. In an embodiment, a Unifying Framework for Orchestration and Simulation (UFOS) environment may be implemented to generate an agent behavior model using abstract objects from an ontological model.

Abstract: Systems and methods relating to preparing data for use in a printing operation are provided. One method includes receiving selected records from a first data source. The selected records have been subjected to a first record characteristic updating step and the selected records comprise mail information useful for delivery of printed materials. The method further includes updating the selected records with a second record characteristic updating step. A time at which the second record characteristic updating step is performed is determined in relation to a print production schedule for the printed materials. The method further includes creating a postal pre-sort file based upon the updated selected records for use in the printing operation. The printing operation is performed on a printing device based on the pre-sorted records.

Abstract: Systems and methods for printing data on a substrate including a color-changeable material are provided. One system includes a processing circuit and a device including an energy source. At least a portion of a printed publication is printed on the substrate using a commercial printing press based on fixed data. The device including the energy source is configured to add variable data to the substrate. The processing circuit is configured to receive the variable data and to control the energy source to change a color of the color-changeable material based on the variable data to provide at least a portion of the printed publication. The processing circuit is configured to control the energy source to change the color of the color-changeable material in-line with a flow of the substrate through one of a printing line, a finishing line, or a packaging line of the commercial printing press.