Abstract: In one embodiment, a driving behavior of a following vehicle that follows an autonomous driving vehicle is perceived by the ADV. A distance between the ADV and the following vehicle is determined based on the perceived driving behavior of the following vehicle. The ADV determines whether the distance is shorter than a predetermined threshold. In response to determining that the distance between the ADV and the following vehicle is shorter than the predetermined threshold, one or more brake lights of the ADV are turned on without issuing a brake command to slow down the ADV. The brake lights may flash according to a predetermined pattern. The turned-on or flashed brake lights may signal the driver of the following vehicle to slow down, as it provides an impression to the driver of the following vehicle that the ADV is about to slow down.

Abstract: Asset tracking systems and methods include one or more tracking devices that pair with one or more hub devices to transmit sensor data from a tracking device only to a paired hub device with a hub device state quality rating, and from the paired hub device to a network server, thereby reducing redundant communications and communication network usage.

Abstract: A modular arrangement is provided for housing electronic equipment and associated cooling structure in a data center environment. The modular units provide cooling air on an as-needed basis to individual pieces of equipment by way of individual plenums and associated valves. The units can be interconnected by vertical stacking, in side-to-side arrangements, and back-to-back arrangements. A number of units can be interconnected to form a cell. The cells can be interconnected to form larger units. In this manner, data centers can be configured in any desired arrangement without requiring complicated cooling design.

Abstract: A voice enabled device can assist a computing device, such as a server, in processing/analyzing a voice input. The voice enabled device can initiate a network communication session and transmit the voice input to the computing device. The computing device can classify the voice input as a type of communication session (e.g., conversation, etc . . . ). Based on the type of communication session, the computing device can either remain in communication with the voice enabled device and continue to process voice input or terminate the communication after instructing the voice enabled device to process the voice input.

Abstract: A computerized mechanism to formulate a data flow representation from a syntax tree. The syntax tree may be, for instance, an abstract syntax tree (AST) that is formulated by compiling query script, such as big data query script. Each node in the syntax tree is composed of one or more tokens (script portions) that are taken from the query script, which relationships between the tokens being syntactically represented by links between those tokens. Accordingly, the data flow representation may also be a data flow representation of the original query script itself. In order to formulate the data flow representation from the syntax tree, the data types of the various inputs and outputs of the syntax tree nodes are identified and bound to a corresponding data flow. This may be performed whilst honoring dependencies between the nodes. The data flow may be visualized to an author or reviewer of the script.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for a method of calibrating a detection system that is mounted on a vehicle. The method includes detecting characteristics of the mirror and characteristics of a vehicle portion using the detection system. The mirror reflects the vehicle portion to be detected using the detection system. The method also includes determining a first transform based on the detected one or more of mirror characteristics, determining a second transform based on the one or more vehicle portion characteristics, and determining a third transform based on a known position of the vehicle portion in relation to the vehicle. Further, the method includes determining a position of the detection system relative to the vehicle based on the first, second, and third transforms and then calibrating the detection system using the determined position of the detection system relative to the vehicle.

Abstract: A follower mechanism including an outer cup having a substantially cylindrical side wall, an annular lip portion disposed at a first end of the side wall, an annular ledge disposed on the side wall, the annular ledge being disposed in a plane that is transverse to a longitudinal center axis of the follower mechanism, and an anti-rotation device disposed on the annular ledge. An inner cup includes an annular lip extending radially-outwardly therefrom and a pair of shaft apertures, the inner cup being disposed in the outer cup so that the lip abuts the annular ledge of the outer cup as well as the anti-rotation devices so that the inner cup is non-rotatable with respect to the outer cup. A shaft is received in the shaft apertures, and a roller follower is rotatably received on the shaft.

Abstract: Highly efficient and rapid filtration-based concentration devices, systems and methods are disclosed with sample fluidic lines and a filter packaged in a disposable tip which concentrate biological particles that are suspended in liquid from a dilute feed suspension. A sample concentrate or retentate suspension is retained while eliminating the separated fluid in a separate flow stream. The concentrate is then dispensed from the disposable tip in a set volume of elution fluid. Suspended biological particles include such materials as proteins/toxins, viruses, DNA, and/or bacteria in the size range of approximately 0.001 micron to 20 microns diameter. Concentration of these particles is advantageous for detection of target particles in a dilute suspension, because concentrating them into a small volume makes them easier to detect. All conduits by which the disposable tip attaches to the instrument are combined into a single connection point on the upper end of the tip.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a sway bar for a suspension system of a motor vehicle. The sway bar includes a first lever arm for attachment to a left wheel suspension component and a second lever arm for attachment to a right wheel suspension component. The sway bar further includes a torsion spring device in connection between the first lever arm and the second lever arm to provide variable torsional stiffness. The torsion spring device includes a first torsion bar, a second torsion bar, and a clutch connected to the first torsion bar and the second torsion bar. The clutch is configured to move between a disengaged position and an engaged position where both of the first and second torsion bars transmit torque between the first and second lever arms to provide torsional stiffness.

Abstract: A method of forming a flat panel array antenna includes the steps of: (a) providing a digitized design for a flat panel array, the flat panel array comprising a plurality of geometric features that vary in area along a thickness dimension of the flat panel array; (b) subdividing the digitized design into a plurality of thin strata stacked in the thickness dimension; (c) forming a thin layer of material corresponding to one of the thin strata; (d) fixing the thin layer of material; and (e) repeating steps (c) and (d) to form a flat panel array.

Abstract: An electroacoustic transducer includes an armature that is mounted for deflection between magnets where an elongated portion of the armature includes a protrusion on opposite sides thereof for limiting the deflection of the armature. The protrusions are arranged transversely with respect to the elongated portion of the armature. Among other advantages, deflection of the armature is limited to provide improved shock performance. In one example, the protrusions are located within a magnet zone of the electroacoustic transducer.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present application provides an herbal supplement and method for treating bloating, constipation and/or weight gain in a human subject comprising orally administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of the herbal supplement comprising a red quebracho extract. In other embodiments, the supplement may additionally include a triterpenoid saponin, an anti-spasmodic agent, or both.

Abstract: A mobile data storage device (102) may be housed in a mobile computing device (142) without an active cooling feature. The mobile data storage device (102) can have at least a controller (122) configured to delay command execution in response to a predicted mobile data storage device (102) temperature. The controller (122) can insert a plurality of delays into a command queue to prevent the mobile data storage device (102) from reaching the predicted mobile data storage device (102) temperature.

Abstract: A system includes a method for detecting a signal interference in a communication signal of a wireless communication system. An identified source of the signal interference is determined according to an interference profile of a plurality of interference profiles associated with an interference profile library having information that approximates characteristics of the signal interference. The signal interference of the communication signal is mitigated according to an interference parameter associated with the identified source by filtering the communication signal according to the interference parameter.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a utility vehicle having a pivotable seat connected by a hinge to a fixed platform. The pivotable seat configured to pivot between a first position and a second position defining a standard seat location and a first wall of a cargo bay, respectively. A seatback is configured to form a second wall of a cargo bay when the pivotable seat is in the second position. First and second opposing side walls are positioned on either side of the pivotable seat. The side walls are configured to form barriers at either side of the cargo bay when the pivotable seat is in the second position.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing bleed emissions and exhaust emissions from a vehicle that may be operated autonomously as well as part of a car-sharing model. A parking location of the vehicle is selected at the end of a vehicle event requested by an operator as a function of fuel system and evaporative emissions system variables such that the solar loading of the parking location enables reduced emissions. The parking location selection is further coordinated with the pick-up time and location of a subsequent vehicle event requested by another vehicle operator.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for an oil filter system for a vehicle system. In one example, an oil filter system comprises a housing within which a plurality of oil filter elements are disposed and a frame supporting the housing, the frame including one or more mountings configured to support one or more vehicle sub-assemblies.

Abstract: A centrifugal well pump assembly has a non-rotating diffuser between upper and lower rotating impellers. The upper impeller has a cylindrical skirt on a lower side that rotates within a diffuser receptacle. The lower impeller has a cylindrical balance ring on an upper side that rotates within a diffuser cavity. Impeller sleeves are bonded to the skirt and balance ring. Diffuser sleeves are bonded to the diffuser receptacle and cavity. The diffuser sleeves are of a harder material than the impeller sleeves. Each of the impeller sleeves has upper, intermediate and lower circumferential rows of inserts. Each insert has a face flush with the impeller sleeve and is in sliding engagement with one of the diffuser sleeves. The inserts in the intermediate row may be rotationally staggered relative to the inserts in the upper and lower rows to create serpentine flow paths for well fluid leakage.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems and methods for iris liveness determination. A sensor can acquire a first image of an iris with pupillary constriction, and a second image of the iris without the pupillary constriction. A processor can extract an iris portion of the first image into a first iris image, and an iris portion of the second image into a second iris image. The processor can normalize the first iris image and the second iris image. The normalized first iris image can have same dimensions as that of the normalized second iris image, in pixels. The processor can compute a minimum average difference between values of specific pixels of the normalized first iris image and values of corresponding pixels of the normalized second iris image. The specific pixels can correspond to an innermost annular portion of the iris.