Abstract: An optical probe includes an optical source that generates an optical beam that propagates from a proximal end to a distal end of an optical fiber that imparts a transformation of a spatial profile of the optical beam. An optical control device imparts a compensating spatial profile on the optical beam that at least partially compensates for the transformation of the spatial profile of the optical beam imparted by the optical fiber in response to a control signal from a signal processor. A distal optical source generates a calibration light that propagates through the one or more optical waveguides from the distal end to the proximal end of the optical fiber. An optical detector detects the calibration light and generates electrical signals in response to the detected calibration light.

Abstract: Active intelligent message filtering can be utilized to provide error resiliency, thereby allowing messages to be received without traditional error detection, and, in turn, avoiding the inefficiency of retransmission of network communications discarded due to network transmission errors detected by such traditional error detection mechanisms. Network transmission errors can result in the receiving application receiving messages that appear to comprise values that differ from the values originally transmitted by the transmitting application. Based on the inaccuracy tolerance applicable to the transmitting and receiving applications, rules can be applied to actively intelligently filter the received messages to replace the received values with the replacement values according to the rules. In such a manner, the receiving application can continue to receive usable data from the transmitting application without any error detection at lower network communication levels.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method, apparatus, and system for automatically detecting and notifying a user of a traffic rule violation using sensors and a perception module of an autonomous driving vehicle is disclosed. The operations performed comprise: capturing surrounding road traffic information at an autonomous driving vehicle (ADV) based on sensor data obtained from a plurality of sensors of the ADV; automatically detecting at the ADV a traffic rule violation of a first vehicle within a perception range of the ADV based on the surrounding road traffic information and a set of pre-configured traffic rules maintained by the ADV, including analyzing the surrounding road traffic information in view of the pre-configured traffic rules; and generating an alert in response to the detected traffic rule violation.

Abstract: An electrical meter (M) installed at a facility (F) supplied electrical power by a utility's (U) electrical distribution system (EDS) utilizes a two-way automatic communications system (TWACS) for receiving messages from the utility sent over the electrical distribution system using the TWACS. An improvement to the meter comprises reconfiguring existing components installed in the meter to function as an analog-to-digital (ADC) converter so to facilitate processing of powerline waveforms (WF) propagated through the electrical distribution system by application of a signal based detection algorithm. This improves detection of signal elements comprising a message sent via the TWACS and by other means and incorporated in the electrical waveforms thereby reducing occurrence of a false synchronization with the message elements so a content of a message is readily ascertained by the meter.

Abstract: A better rate distortion ratio is achieved by making interrelationships between coding parameters of different planes available for exploitation for the aim of redundancy reduction despite the additional overhead resulting from the need to signal the inter-plane prediction information to the decoder. In particular, the decision to use inter plane prediction or not may be performed for a plurality of planes individually. Additionally or alternatively, the decision may be done on a block basis considering one secondary plane.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods that leverage machine-learned models (e.g., neural networks) to provide video frame synthesis. In particular, the systems and methods of the present disclosure can include or otherwise leverage a machine-learned video frame synthesis model to allow for video frames to be synthesized from videos. In one particular example, the video frame synthesis model can include a convolutional neural network having a voxel flow layer and provides one or more synthesized video frames as part of slow-motion video.

Abstract: Antenna reflector has a reflector surface which forms a predetermined dish-like shape. The reflector surface includes an inner section which radially extends a first predetermined distance from a main dish axis. This inner section is immovably supported on a fixed backing structure. The reflector surface also includes an outer section comprising a deployable perimeter. A deployable support structure is comprised of a plurality of rib tips hingedly secured to the fixed backing structure, each having an elongated shape, and extending in a direction away from the main dish axis. The rib tips are configured to rotate on hinge members relative to the fixed backing structure from a first position in which the reflector antenna is made more compact for stowage, to a second position in which a diameter of the reflector surface is increased at a time of deployment.

Abstract: A method of dynamic path generation in a navigational controller includes: generating (i) a plurality of paths extending from a starting location to a goal location, and (ii) a cost for each of the paths; selecting, based on the costs, an optimal path for execution from the plurality of paths; storing a subset of the costs in a cost history queue; responsive to detecting an obstacle during execution of the optimal path, retrieving one of the costs from the cost history queue; determining an initial re-planning search space based on the cost retrieved from the cost history queue; and initiating generation of a re-planned path within the initial re-planning search space.

Abstract: In an example, data from a source location is merged into a target location containing existing data, in which the source location and the target location contain tuples of data. For each tuple in the source location, during a single operation, a determination is made as to whether there is a matched tuple in the target location that satisfies a predetermined condition. For each matched tuple that satisfies the predetermined condition, the matched tuple in the target location is updated with a count value that is equal to a count of the matched tuple in the source location and the target location. In addition, for each tuple that does not have a matched tuple that satisfies the predetermined condition, the unmatched tuple is inserted into the target location.

Abstract: A secure remote actuation system is described herein that operates based on voice commands provided by a user and/or owner of the system. The system may include: a remote input receptor having a user interface for receiving one or more user inputs from a user, the user interface having a voice input processor, and the user inputs including vocalization; and a cloud-based network storing one or acceptable inputs and including a network device for obtaining said one or more user inputs from the remote input receptor. The network device may obtain said one or more user inputs from the remote input receptor while the user is using the user interface. The cloud-based network may compare said one or more user inputs to said one or more acceptable inputs. The voice input processor may include a microphone, a speaker, or both, and may perform various types of voice recognition.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) switch includes a phase-change material (PCM) and a heating element underlying an active segment of the PCM, the PCM and heating element being situated over a substrate. A contact dielectric is over the PCM. PCM contacts have upper portions and uniform plate slot lower portions. The uniform plate slot lower portions have a total plate resistance RPLATE, and a total plate slot interface resistance RPLATE-INT. The upper portions have a total capacitance CUPPER to the uniform plate slot lower portions, and the PCM has a total capacitance CPCM to the substrate. The uniform plate slot lower portions significantly reduce a product of (RPLATE+RPLATE-INT) and (CUPPER+CPCM). As an alternative to the uniform plate slot lower portions, PCM contacts have segmented lower portions. The segmented lower portions significantly reduce CUPPER.

Abstract: Exemplary methods, apparatuses, and systems maintain a plurality of summary data structures corresponding to a plurality of logical file system namespaces representing a plurality of hierarchies of one or more directories having one or more files, each file being stored in the storage system as a plurality of segments in a deduplicated manner. In response to a request to estimate a storage usage by a first of the file system namespace, identify a first of the summary data structures corresponding to the first file system namespace, wherein the first summary data structure stores information summarizing deduplicated segments referenced by one or more files of the first file system namespace. Estimate the storage usage of the first file system namespace based on the first summary data structure and a global summary data structure, wherein the global summary data structure stores information summarizing deduplicated segments referenced by all of the file system namespaces.

Abstract: A method of performing aspects of an energy industry operation includes receiving input data at a processing system, the input data describing an assembly for performing the energy industry operation and properties of the formation, the assembly including a downhole component, the processing system configured to estimate production properties based on mathematical models including at least a model of the downhole component and one or more models for simulating fluid flow in the formation. The method also includes, based on the input data, generating a workflow that includes steps for estimating production properties using the models, receiving a selection from a user specifying a type of analysis to be performed and/or a level of complexity of analysis to be performed, customizing the workflow based on the user selection, estimating the production properties based on the models, where estimating is performed according to a procedure specified by the workflow.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and media for sending a message about a new video to a group of related users are provided. In accordance with some embodiments, the method comprises: determining that a new video associated with a content creator has been uploaded to a video sharing service; identifying a group of candidate users to receive a message indicating that the new video is available; identifying a sub-group of users within the group of candidate users based on relationships of users within the group to each other; determining a time to send the message; transmitting the message to the sub-group of users at the determined time; determining that the message has been selected by a user device associated with a user of the sub-group of users; and causing the new video to be presented in a user interface including a communication interface associated with the sub-group of users on the user device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for managing a flashlight function on a mobile electronic communications device having a curved display surface that includes a front screen area, one or more edge screen areas and a back flashlight. By way of example, the disclosed technique entails detecting that the user has turned on the flashlight function, determining whether the back flashlight is facing toward the user, and enabling the back flashlight when it is determined that the back flashlight is not facing toward the user. When it is determined that the back flashlight is facing toward the user, a flashlight on a screen edge facing away from the user is enabled.

Abstract: A productive housing for a coaxial cable connector comprising an elastomeric housing disposed over and engaging a connector and having a plurality of longitudinal slots formed into the inner mold line (IML) surface of the elastomeric housing. The longitudinal slots function to reduce the surface area of frictional engagement between the intermediate surface and the corresponding peripheral surface of the coaxial cable connector. The longitudinal slots serve as a longitudinal passageway for the movement of trapped air from one IML surface to another so as to prevent the built-up of air and/or inducing a pocket of suction resisting the separation of the housing from the jumper cable.

Abstract: Linear actuator mechanisms (100) for vehicle disconnect/connect systems having a stationary guide rod (122); a shift fork (118) the stationary guide rod extends therethough; a drive nut (110); a drive screw (120) extending through the drive nut; a first spring plate (114), a second spring plate (116), and a compression spring (112) positioned between a radially extending portion of the first spring plate and a radially extending portion of the second spring plate. A second radially extending portion of the first spring plate and a second radially extending portion of the second spring plate are in contact with the drive nut on axially opposite sides of the drive nut. The first and second spring plates are moveable axially along the stationary guide rod by the drive nut to compress the compression spring.

Abstract: Bone compression systems for internal fixation of bone portions include one or more spring washers having ultra high load capacity and ultra low displacement to close diminution gaps that develop in a discontinuity between the bone portions after fixation. The spring washers, individually or in stacks of up to four, provide installation loads between 1500 N and 4000 N. After closing diminution gaps, the spring washers or stacks provide sustained loads between 1000 N and 3000 N which stabilize the bone portions sufficiently to permit early load bearing. The sustained loads correspond to sustained average local bone stress just below the bone growth trigger threshold stress. The additional loads of early load bearing will create average local bone stress above the bone growth trigger threshold. By bone stress repeatedly passing through the bone growth trigger threshold stress, bone healing is optimized.

Abstract: A method of placing a prosthetic system over a residual limb, said method comprising the steps of: providing the prosthetic system; and placing an outer shell of the prosthetic system on the residual limb having an above-knee amputation, the outer shell at least partially surrounds the residual limb, an outer side and an inner side of the outer shell on opposite sides of the residual limb, an upper edge of the outer side above a greater trochanter, the inner side below a lowest edge of an ischium without being directly below the lowest edge of the ischium.

Abstract: This disclosure provides microbes engineered to detect virulent and spore states of pathogens and release an appropriate therapeutic response accordingly and compositions and methods of use of the same.