Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for predicting the future locations of objects that are perceived by autonomous vehicles. An autonomous vehicle can include a prediction system that, for each object perceived by the autonomous vehicle, generates one or more potential goals, selects one or more of the potential goals, and develops one or more trajectories by which the object can achieve the one or more selected goals. The prediction systems and methods described herein can include or leverage one or more machine-learned models that assist in predicting the future locations of the objects. As an example, in some implementations, the prediction system can include a machine-learned static object classifier, a machine-learned goal scoring model, a machine-learned trajectory development model, a machine-learned ballistic quality classifier, and/or other machine-learned models. The use of machine-learned models can improve the speed, quality, and/or accuracy of the generated predictions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for time proximity based map user interactions with a user interface are provided. In one example implementation, a method includes providing for display a user interface on a display device. The user interface can display imagery of a geographic area. The method can include obtaining data indicative of a relevant time for contextual information. The method can include obtaining contextual information associated with the geographic area. The method can include obtaining a configuration for a user interface element associated with the time based contextual information based at least in part on time proximity of the contextual information to the relevant time. The method can include providing for display the user interface element based at least in part on the configuration.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems and methods for managing multiple messages. In one example, a method includes determining a message transmission frequency threshold for a member of an online social networking service using responses from the member; receiving a message that is to be transmitted to the member; storing the message, without transmitting the message to the member, in a digest of messages for the member; and transmitting the digest to the member in response to a send score for the digest exceeding a send score threshold, the send score calculated using the number of messages in the digest.

Abstract: A pipe rack system and a multi-plane coupling for such a pipe rack system are provided. The multi-plane coupling includes a coupling body that forms at least a first receiver aligned with a first axis, a second receiver aligned with a second axis, and a third receiver aligned with a third axis. The pipe rack system includes pipe sections that are received and coupled in the receivers. The multi-plane coupling may be in the form of a three-way, four-way, five-way, or a six-way pipe fitting. The receivers may be female threaded sockets. The pipe sections may be threaded pipe that are threadedly received within the female threaded sockets of the pipe fittings.

Abstract: Lit image projection lamp and method. In an exemplary embodiment of a projection device of the present disclosure, the projection device comprises a light source; a first lens positioned at a first distance from the light source; and a second lens at a second distance from the first lens; wherein the first lens and the second lens are lenticular lenses, each having an optical axis; and wherein the projection device is configured to generate a three-dimensional image from light emitted from the light source that passes through the first lens and the second lens.

Abstract: The invention includes pet toys made of multiple layers of material, and more particularly, to pet toys with an exterior constructed with multiple layers assembled in an offset manner resembling protective armor. The body or core of the pet toy is made of a plurality of armor plates or pieces that overlap one another in a desired configuration to present the desired armor. A central core or spine element may serve as a threading element to secure armor plates to one another. One embodiment includes armor plates that are stacked upon one another and are therefore disposed along a longitudinal axis. Another embodiment includes armor plates that are placed laterally or side-by-side with one another to form a row, and a plurality of rows are then connected to one another. The invention also includes a method for entertaining an animal with the pet toy having the multiple layers of material.

Abstract: An illumination device, system and method are provided herein for emulating sunlight along a daytime or nighttime locus. Sunlight is emulated depending on the path length of the sun relative to a structure containing the illumination device and system. One or more illumination devices can be grouped together and perform the sunlight emulation along the locus by producing different color temperatures throughout the day by all illumination devices within that group producing the same color temperature changes throughout the day. Moreover, a particular advantage of the preferred embodiments is the ability to manually change at any time the emulated natural sunlight output from the one or more groups of illumination devices and advantageously change the color output more so at certain times than at other times by simply actuating a trigger on a dimmer associated with a virtual or physical keypad.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is an asphalt roofing shingle, adapted to be laid up in courses on a roof, comprising an upper headlap portion, a lower tab portion, vertically spaced apart upper and lower edges, laterally spaced apart right and left edges and top and bottom surfaces. The bottom surface is configured to be laid up on a roof facing the roof and the tab portion of the top surface is configured to be substantially weather-exposed when laid up on a roof. The upper headlap portion is configured to be substantially covered by the tab portion of roofing elements in a next-overlying course of roofing elements when laid up on a roof. The upper headlap portion further comprises a plurality of parallel, evenly laterally spaced, first markings, the first markings being useful, at least, for aligning adjacent shingles, cutting books of shingles, forming starter shingles from full shingles and forming a grid of shingles without external measuring devices.

Abstract: This document relates to camera calibration. One example uses real-world distances and image coordinates of object features in images to determine multiple candidate camera calibrations for a camera.

Abstract: In an example, a method includes receiving a data package, the data package including a contact identification and a message payload; in response to determining that a key for the contact identification does not exist in a contact table: generating a key for the contact identification; and updating the contact table with the generated key to indicate an association between the key and the contact identification; calculating a hashed identification based on the generated key and contact identification; and associating the message payload with the hashed identification in a message table.

Abstract: Silicone membranes and methods of manufacturing membranes are provided.

Abstract: Example embodiments can help to more efficiently charge unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in a plurality of UAVs that provide delivery services. An example method includes: determining demand data indicating demand for item-transport services by the plurality of UAVs during a period of time; determining battery state information for the plurality of UAVs, wherein the battery state information is based at least in part on individual battery state information for each of two or more of the UAVs; based at least in part on (a) the demand data for item-transport services by the plurality of UAVs, and (b) the battery state information for the fleet of UAVs, determining respective charge-rate profiles for one or more of the UAVs; and sending instructions to cause respective batteries of the one or more of the UAVs to be charged according to the respectively determined charge-rate profiles.

Abstract: A flexible spring member and bead guard assembly. A gas spring assembly including a flexible spring member with a mounting bead and a bead guard disposed along the mounting bead. A method of manufacturing a gas spring assembly includes providing bead guard, and securing the bead guard along a flexible spring member.

Abstract: To reduce the pre-programming cost, an efficient three-dimensional one-time-programmable read-only memory (3D-OTP) is disclosed. It comprises a dummy word line and a plurality of dummy bit lines. Only the dummy OTP cells at the intersections of the dummy word line and dummy bit lines are programmed. All other dummy OTP cells are unprogrammed.

Abstract: A node is operable to communicate in an ad hoc peer-to-peer network using a predefined communication protocol. The node includes a local area wireless communication circuit and one or more processors. The one or more processors can cause the local area wireless communication circuit to broadcast a local name of an electronic device using a discovery protocol of the predefined communication protocol. Upon receiving one or more responses from one or more remote devices, the one or more processors can change the local name to a new local name including at least one communication protocol parameter, and can cause the local area wireless communication circuit to rebroadcast the new local name using the discovery protocol to communicate the at least one communication protocol parameter to the one or more remote devices. This can continue until an ad hoc peer-to-peer network is established.

Abstract: A laser diode firing circuit for a light detection and ranging device is disclosed. The firing circuit includes a laser diode coupled in series to a transistor, such that current through the laser diode is controlled by the transistor. The laser diode is configured to emit a pulse of light in response to current flowing through the laser diode. The firing circuit includes a capacitor that is configured to charge via a charging path that includes an inductor and to discharge via a discharge path that includes the laser diode. The transistor controlling current through the laser diode can be a Gallium nitride field effect transistor.