Abstract: Automatically optimizing a predictive dynamic bending light function of a vehicle lighting system comprises configuring a bending light control unit for controlling the lighting system with initial bending light control parameter values as control parameter values to be used, configuring a classification unit for automatically classifying a performance of the bending light control unit into a desired and at least one further performance class, depending on output values of the control unit, configuring a control parameter optimization unit for ascertaining updated control parameter values depending on input values of the control unit and classifications of the performance assigned to them, as well as acquiring driving trajectory parameter values as the input values during a journey, ascertaining output values of the control unit, automatically classifying the performance depending on the ascertained output values, ascertaining updated control parameter values and adapting the control parameter values to be us

Abstract: A synthetic leather article comprising a top coating derived from an internally emulsified PUD, a barrier layer derived from an externally emulsified PUD and a 2K non-solvent PU foam layer is provided. The leather article exhibits high delamination resistance while retaining superior mechanical properties and appearance comparable with those derived from the organic solvent-based PU. A method for preparing the synthetic leather article is also provided.

Abstract: A smart cable lock is provided that is configured to mechanically secure items and provide an automatic determination that securing is achieved. The smart cable may be integrated into a vehicle, or otherwise may communicate with a vehicle. The vehicle includes one or more ports configured to house the cable when not in use. In some embodiments, an accessory includes one or more ports configured to engage with the connector. In some embodiments, the cable is affixed to the vehicle at one end, using a retractor, for example, and can be unspooled, intertwined with equipment, and then secured to a port on the vehicle. The smart cable lock secures and releases a latch based on user indications and authorizations. For example, if the cable is destroyed or damaged, or an unauthorized indication is made, the cable lock system may sound an alarm, or otherwise alert the user.

Abstract: A method and system for aligning a component within a turbine casing, and a related turbine casing, are disclosed. In a top-on position, a location of a reference point and another, vertically spaced reference point on the lower casing are measured. After removing at least the upper casing, the reference points' locations are measured again, and the locations of a reference point on an upper surface of the HJ flange are measured. A prediction offset value is calculated for the component support position in the top-on position based on the locations. The prediction offset value may include a vertical adjustment based, in part, on a translation of a triangular spatial relationship of a number of the reference points and/or a tilt angle, a horizontal adjustment, and a HJ flange surface distortion adjustment. The component support position is adjusted by the prediction offset value to improve alignment.

Abstract: An electronic device that generates an electronic-device-specific application is described. During operation, the electronic device may receive a request to create the electronic-device-specific application, where the electronic-device-specific application is associated with a services manager in a system hierarchy. In response to the request, the electronic device may provide instructions for a user interface, wherein the user interface is configured to present predefined configuration alternatives for configuration parameters for the electronic-device-specific application and/or to receive inputs for the configuration parameters for the electronic-device-specific application.

Abstract: A method for efficient autonomous driving planning includes receiving a current driving-scene data and a predicted driving-scene data. The current driving-scene data is indicative of a current driving scene around a host vehicle. The predicted driving-scene data is indicative of a predicted driving scene around the host vehicle. The predicted driving scene around the host vehicle is different from the current driving scene around the host vehicle. The method further includes converting the current driving-scene data and the predicted driving-scene data into a first scene-graph and a second scene-graph, respectively. The method further includes determining a plurality of scene change metrics using the first scene-graph and the second scene-graph. The method further includes selecting between a first trajectory planning process and a second trajectory planning process based on the plurality of scene change metrics.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying and authenticating a physical article to a virtual environment. A physical article, such as a decorative pin used in gameplay or some purchased article with anti-counterfeiting tag information, may be scanned by a mobile device and verified by a mobile device application. Such a process may uniquely identify a product as being associated with one particular customer, which may limit counterfeiting and may also allow the article to be incorporated in some form into a game or other virtual environment, such as in the form of an accessory for a game character.

Abstract: The invention relates to the alfalfa variety designated R414W277. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the alfalfa variety R414W277. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the alfalfa variety R414W277 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing alfalfa plants by crossing the alfalfa variety R414W277 with itself or another alfalfa variety and plants produced by such methods.

Abstract: An umbrella with an adjustable canopy comprises a canopy adjustment device having a transverse rod connector, an upper clutch gear, a lower clutch gear and a handle; and a transverse rod rotation device disposed on the middle of a transverse rod; the front end of a tilted rod is rotatably connected to the transverse rod rotation device; the bottom end of the transverse rod is rotatably connected to a sliding block through the canopy adjustment device. The upper clutch gear is fixedly connected to the transverse rod; the bottom end of the transverse rod connector is rotatably connected to the sliding block; one end of the handle is rotatably connected to the periphery the upper clutch gear which is against the upper surface of the lower clutch gear. The invention has the advantages of simple and reasonable structure, convenient operation, stable and reliable positioning, and can realize the canopy adjustment only by operating the handle.

Abstract: A wheel housing for a vehicle includes an axially facing surface, a curvilinear surface extending outwardly from the axially facing surface, and a plurality of strakes protruding outwardly from one of the axially facing surface and the curvilinear surface. The plurality of strakes conditioning an air flow produced by a vehicle wheel.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method includes establishing a connection between a digital content control device that is part of a first LAN and an RCM server. A first authentication code is transmitted from the digital content control device to the RCM server via the network connection such that the RCM server: a) validates the first authentication code, and b) transmits a second authentication code to the digital content control device via the network connection. Using the first authentication code and the second authentication code, a secure two-way communication channel is established between the digital content control device and the RCM server. A set of auxiliary content is received at the digital content control device and from a content provider of a second LAN via the RCM server to be presented with the available programming content on the at least one media device.

Abstract: A database system is operable to store a plurality of column values for a first column of a plurality of rows. A query having a query predicate indicating a negation of a condition for the first column based on a first value is executed. A first index element is applied to identify a first proper subset of the plurality of rows having values for the first column meeting the condition based on accessing index data. At least one second index element is applied to identify a second proper subset of the plurality of rows having values for the first column meeting at least one missing data-based condition based on accessing the index data. A set difference between the plurality of rows and a union of the first proper subset and the second proper subset is identified. A query resultant for the query is generated based on the set difference.

Abstract: A membrane removing instrument comprising a surgical blank having a surgical blank distal end and a surgical blank proximal end, the surgical blank configured for being at least partially disposed in a hypodermic tube wherein the surgical blank has dimensions configured for performing ophthalmic surgical procedures, and at least one micro-pick proximate to the surgical blank distal end, the micro-pick being configured to engage and incise an ophthalmic membrane and form a membrane flap.

Abstract: A fountain apparatus may include a wall insert that can be threadably attached to a water inlet port in the wall of a pool. The wall insert may split water flow into two streams, one that passes through a jet nozzle ball and into the pool, and the other that flows into a reservoir that supplies water to a stream nozzle tip to form a water fountain. A water insert reservoir cap may be releasably engageable with the wall insert and include two fluid passageways, one corresponding to the flow path to the jet nozzle ball and the other corresponding to the reservoir and the flow path to the stream nozzle tip. A reservoir locking cap may be used to secure the wall insert reservoir cap to the wall insert. A jet nozzle cap may be used to secure the jet nozzle ball to the reservoir locking cap.

Abstract: A multi-directional viewing camera system for a motor vehicle including a vehicle body defining an interior compartment and a body panel having an exterior surface and an interior surface facing the interior compartment. The camera system includes a mirror module for mounting to the body panel exterior surface. The mirror module is configured to capture and transmit incident light from at least one field of view (FOV) and has a polarizing beam splitter configured to reflect an s-polarized component and transmit a p-polarized component of the incident light in a visible spectral range. The camera system also includes a camera module having a video camera for mounting to the body panel interior surface. The camera module is configured to receive from the mirror module the s-polarized or the p-polarized component of the incident light and selectively display at least one FOV within the interior compartment.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus and method for enabling verification of performance improvements of an optimized service provided by a service provider receives a request to perform testing operations with respect to the optimized service, wherein the request includes one or more parameters for configuring the testing operations, transmits test packets to a test server on a standard path and on an optimized path, receives the test packets from the test server via the standard path and the optimized path, performs measurements related to timing of the test packets on the standard path and the test packets on the optimized path, respectively, processes the respective measurements related to timing to generate results of the testing operations, and outputs the results of the testing operations for display.

Abstract: An information technology platform for personalizing an experience of a visitor at a non-profit venue comprising: a network; a server in communication with the network; a mobile computing device to be carried by a visitor to a non-profit venue, wherein the platform determines personalized information about the visitor and a recommendation engine outputs a suggestion for a personalized experience to the visitor to encourage philanthropic activity related to an ongoing philanthropic campaign; and a machine learning system for learning on a training set of photographic data or video data, the learning to train the machine learning system to predict a sentiment towards the ongoing philanthropic campaign of the visitor based, at least in part, on photographic images or video images that are taken by the visitor, that are shared to the visitor, that are shared by the visitor or that include the visitor as a subject.

Abstract: Determining contexts of mobile devices. Particular embodiments described herein include machines that determine two estimated positions of a mobile device that respectively correspond to first and second locations at first and second times, acquire sets of terrain or structural information for first and second areas that respectively include the first and second estimated positions, use the acquired sets of information and the estimated positions to determine if the mobile device was near or within a structure at the first and second times, determine one or more values that are indicative of vertical movement by the mobile device during a period of time between the first time and the second time, compare the one or more values to one or more threshold conditions, and determine a context of the mobile device based on the comparison.

Abstract: Efficiency of a battery module is achieved using an actively cooled high power electrical interface. The battery module comprises a plurality of battery cells, at least one busbar coupled to the battery cells, a connector electrically coupled to the at least one busbar, and at least one cooling component that is thermally coupled to the first connector. The battery cells may be arranged in two layers, each layer containing a plurality of battery cells connected by a busbar. The connector comprises a contact through which the battery module may be coupled to an external circuit. The at least one cooling component provided cooling for the battery cells and the connectors and may be placed on the surface of the battery module or between layers of battery cells.

Abstract: The disclosure generally provides zeolites having the CHA crystalline framework and methods of preparing the same. Provided herein are CHA zeolites containing intergrowths, a controlled framework aluminum distribution, or both. Further provided are CHA zeolites wherein crystals of the zeolite material have a predominantly flake-like morphology as determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Further provided are catalyst compositions, articles, and systems including CHA zeolites promoted with a metal.