Abstract: An apparatus includes a controller and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the controller to initiate or perform operations including adjusting a lock between a first state and a second state and adjusting a container bar between a locked state and an unlocked state. The lock is configured to, in the first state, secure a cover over an opening of a container body or couple an end of a membrane to a container base.

Abstract: A computing system that analyzes the network effects of avoidance areas on autonomous vehicle routing is described herein. The computing system includes a data store that comprises a set of avoidance areas through which the autonomous vehicle is prohibited from being routed. A routing system generates an initial route from a source location to a target location irrespective of avoidance areas included on the initial route. When a number of avoidance areas on the initial route exceed a predetermined threshold, one or more alternative routes are generated from the source location to the target location that respectively circumvent a corresponding identified avoidance area on the initial route. Metrics are evaluated for the one or more alternative routes and a subset of avoidance areas are outputted to desirably be removed from the set of avoidance areas.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for control and operate a mobile application comprising a graphical user interface (GUI) via natural language commands using a conversation or chat interface associated with a chat application. The chat application may be initiated after obtaining a respective command from a computing device operated by a user. The conversation interface may be displayed adjacent to a mobile application. The conversation interface may be configured to receive user input comprising user commands, and display assistant user input comprising responses generated by an assistant user based on the user input. The mobile application may be updated based on the user input received from the user. The mobile application may be updated by outputting an output command associated with one or more actions that may occur in the mobile application.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a motor vehicle floor assembly, and further relates to a method of constructing a motor vehicle which reduces the number of fixing points (i.e., fastener attachment points) on a vehicle chassis. An example floor assembly includes a vehicle frame, a floor panel, and at least one underbody vehicle component forming a subassembly with the floor panel installed to an underside of the vehicle frame. The floor panel comprises at least one recess configured to receive a portion of the vehicle frame.

Abstract: Disclosed are various systems and methods for monitoring and maintaining networks, such as networks associated with a wireless access point. In an aspect, a user device that was connected the wireless access point and loses connectivity to the access point can receive network parameters for implementing a new wireless network, where the network parameters are associated with the network as implemented by the wireless access point that is no longer available. The user device can activate a new wireless hotspot mode using the received network parameters. The resulting new wireless hotspot can implement various aspects of the wireless access point and associated network. The new wireless hotspot enabled by the user device can allow other devices, previously connected to the access point, to automatically connect to the new wireless hotspot.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provides for a method for performing checks for a vehicle. In this regard, a plurality of performance checks may be identified including a first check for a detection system of a plurality of detection systems of the vehicle and a second check for map data. A test route for the vehicle may be determined based on a location of the vehicle and the plurality of performance checks. The vehicle may be controlled along the test route in an autonomous driving mode, while sensor data may be received from the plurality of detection systems of the vehicle. An operation mode may be selected based on results of the plurality of performance checks, and the vehicle may be operated in the selected operation mode.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing a machine control system within a construction machine. The machine control system may include a chassis orientation sensor configured to be mounted to a chassis of the construction machine for detecting a chassis pitch angle. The machine control system may also include an implement orientation sensor configured to be mounted to an implement of the construction machine for detecting an implement pitch angle. The machine control system may further include one or more processors configured to perform operations including receiving, from the chassis orientation sensor, the chassis pitch angle, receiving, from the implement orientation sensor, the implement pitch angle, determining a target pitch angle of the implement based on the chassis pitch angle and the implement pitch angle, and causing movement of one or more implement arms so as to set a pitch angle of the implement to the target pitch angle.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a rotatable electrical coupling assembly having a first part and a second part that electrically couple and rotate relative to each other. The second part is carried by and rotates with a tube collar coupled to a transducer. A portion of the transducer is inserted through an aperture of the second part, but does not contact the second part. The first part of the assembly may electrically couple to the second part via pogo pins, brush contacts, or ball bearings. Alternatively, the first part may comprise conductive channels formed in the casing. The second part may comprise a rotatable drum with a conductive trace. In some versions, one or more components may comprise MID components. In another version, the rotatable electrical coupling assembly comprises a rotatable PC board and brush contact. Further still, a circuit board may be provided with the transducer inside a transducer casing.

Abstract: A display system comprises a light source assembly, a display assembly, a camera assembly, and a controller. The light source assembly is configured to generate visible light and infrared light. The display assembly is configured to generate image light using the visible light and to generate tracking light using the infrared light. The tracking light and the image light pass through a beam splitter prior to being projected into a local area. The camera assembly is configured to capture one or more images of the local area illuminated with the tracking light. The images are illuminated with the tracking light that passes through the beam splitter prior to be being captured by the camera assembly. The controller is configured to calculate depth information for objects in the local area using the one or more images.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, method, and program product is disclosed for reserve management for a continuous bidding portal. A method includes receiving a notification comprising bid information for an auction item posted on a first auction platform. The bid information includes a bid amount. A method includes determining that the bid amount satisfies a reserve price for the auction item posted on the first auction platform. A method includes sending a notification to one or more second auction platforms where the auction item is posted to remove auction listings for the auction item from the one or more second auction platforms in response to the reserve price for the auction item being met at the first auction platform.

Abstract: An ablation catheter comprises an elongated catheter body; at least one ablation element disposed in a distal portion which is adjacent the distal end of the catheter body; an illumination optical element disposed in the distal portion, the illumination optical element being light-transmissive to emit light from the illumination optical element to the targeted tissue region; and a collection optical element disposed in the distal portion, the collection optical element being light-transmissive to collect one or more of returned, backscattered or newly excited light from the targeted tissue region. The illumination or excitation optical element and the collection optical element are axially spaced from one another and axially optically isolated from one another within the distal portion to substantially prevent light from traveling between the illumination optical element and the collection optical element along a path within the distal portion.

Abstract: An actuation system used to actuate one or more buttons on a remote control device, such as a key fob of a vehicle, based upon commands generated from a mobile device, such as a smartphone. The actuation system includes a key fob drawer that defines an isolation enclosure that prevents RF signals from entering into or leaving the isolation enclosure. A controller receives the command signals from the mobile device and converts the command signals into position commands that are used to activate a button actuator to move a plunger into alignment with one of the buttons on the key fob. The button actuator moves the plunger into contact with one of the buttons which generates an RF signal from the key fob. The key fob is contained in the isolation enclosure and the system includes a RF receiver and transmitter to re-transmit vehicle command signal for receipt by the vehicle.

Abstract: A handheld article carrier is designed to accommodate dumbbells and other personal items such as water bottles, cellphone, keys etc. The carrier may be formed from a single piece of sheet metal material and is generally U-shaped. The carrier includes sidewalls each having a slot for supporting the shaft portion of one or more dumbbells. The carrier includes a handle that may be integrally formed in a central portion of the frame of the carrier, or attached as a separate piece. The article carrier can be made from a single sheet of metal, multiple sheets of metal, a combination of metal and natural materials, all natural materials, a combination of metal and synthetic materials, or all synthetic materials.

Abstract: Subject matter involves using natural language to Web application program interfaces (API), which map natural language commands into API calls, or API commands. This mapping enables an average user with little or no programming expertise to access Web services that use API calls using natural language. An API schema is accessed and using a specialized grammar, with the help of application programmers, canonical commands associated with the API calls are generated. A hierarchical probabilistic distribution may be applied to a semantic mesh associated with the canonical commands to identify elements of the commands that require labeling. The identified elements may be sent to annotators, for labeling with NL phrases. Labeled elements may be applied to the semantic mesh and probabilities, or weights updated. Labeled elements may be mapped to the canonical commands with machine learning to generate a natural language to API interface. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A user of a content sharing platform is identified a playlist is generated for the user. The playlist is generated based on one or more of the user's social interactions with other entities and the user's actions associated with other media items. The playlist may be modified or deleted if the user does not access the playlist or does not consume media items from the playlist within a threshold period of time.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method may comprise providing an electronic gaming machine (EGM) in a casino, the EGM comprising at least one processor, a display and an input interface. The EGM may be configured to generate a virtual game play environment enabling wager-based game play by a player using the input interface. A computing device may be disposed within the enclosure of the EGM, the computing device being separate from and unconnected to the at least one processor and the input interface of the EGM. The computing device may be further configured to periodically couple to a wireless network and request content that is unrelated to the virtual game play environment or the wager-based game play. The processor(s) of the EGM may be configured to control a first portion of the display of the EGM the computing device may be configured to control a second portion of the display of the EGM.

Abstract: Implementations of methods of singulating a plurality of die included in a substrate may include forming a plurality of die on a first side of a substrate, forming a backside metal layer on a second side of a substrate, applying a photoresist layer over the backside metal layer, patterning the photoresist layer along a die street of the substrate, and etching through the backside metal layer located in the die street of the substrate. The substrate may be exposed through the etch. The method may also include singulating the plurality of die included in the substrate through removing a substrate material in the die street.

Abstract: Some embodiments providing antenna systems comprising: a frame; a power transfer antenna cooperated with the frame, wherein the power transfer antenna is configured to enable at least one of wirelessly and inductively receiving electrical power from another consumer electronic device and wirelessly and inductively transmitting electrical power to another consumer electronic device; one or more low power communications antennas cooperated with the frame and configured to wirelessly transmit and receive communications with one or more other remote consumer electronic devices; wherein the frame is configured to readily be positioned within and mounted with multiple different consumer electronic devices and provide the consumer electronic device within which it is mounted with wireless power transfer capabilities and communication capabilities with a separate consumer electronic device with which wireless power transfer is to occur.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing robotically-assisted surgery in conjunction with intra-operative imaging. A method includes moving a robotic arm with respect to a patient and an imaging device to move an end effector of the robotic arm to a pre-determined position and orientation with respect to the patient based on imaging data of the patient obtained by the imaging device. The robotic arm maintains the end effector in the pre-determined position and orientation with respect to the patient and does not collide with the imaging device or with the patient when the imaging device moves with respect to the patient.

Abstract: Emulsion-based and micromolded (“MM”) or three dimensional printed (“3DP”) polymeric formulations for single injection of antigen, preferably releasing at two or more time periods, have been developed. Formulations are preferably formed of biocompatible, biodegradable polymers. Discrete regions encapsulating antigen, alone or in combination with other antigens, adjuvants, stabilizers, and release modifiers, are present in the formulations. Antigen is preferably present in excipient at the time of administration, or on the surface of the formulation, for immediate release, and incorporated within the formulation for release at ten to 45 days after initial release of antigen, optionally at ten to 90 day intervals for release of antigen in one or more additional time periods. Antigen may be stabilized through the use of stabilizing agents such as trehalose glass. In a preferred embodiment for immunization against polio, antigen is released at the time of administration, and two, four and six months thereafter.