Abstract: A vehicle includes a first pillar. The vehicle includes a second pillar having a distal end and spaced from the first pillar. The vehicle includes an extendible member supported by the first pillar and moveable from a retracted position where the extendible member has a first length to an extended position where the extendible member extends to the second pillar spaced from the distal end and has a second length greater than the first length.

Abstract: A launch system comprises a nose section comprising a nose coupling surface, a tail section comprising a tail coupling surface facing the nose coupling surface and a mast coupling the nose and tail sections. The mast is configured to expand and retract to displace the nose and tail sections within a range of distances from one another. In a retracted state, the nose and tail sections are either structurally coupled to one another at the nose and tail coupling surfaces or structurally coupled to at least one integrated module located between the nose and the tail sections.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon conversion process is described. The process involves contacting a hydrocarbon feed with a non-cyclic amide or thioamide based ionic liquid catalyst in a reaction zone under reaction conditions to form a mixture comprising reaction products, and the non-cyclic amide or thioamide based ionic liquid catalyst. Typical hydrocarbon conversion processes include alkylation, oligomerization, isomerization, disproportionation, and reverse disproportionation.

Abstract: Techniques for an experience mode transition are described. Generally, an experience mode refers to a visual and functional arrangement that is presented to a user of a device. Different experience modes present different visual and functional arrangements to a user. According to various embodiments, a computing device is configured to operate in multiple experience modes and may transition between different experience modes and based on a variety of different triggering events. Generally, a transition between different experience modes causes a visual and/or functional reconfiguration of a user experience on a device.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide method and apparatus for video coding. In some examples, an apparatus includes receiving circuitry and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry decodes, from a coded video bitstream, a syntax element for an adjusted version of an initial quantization parameter (QP) value at a picture level for a picture. The adjusted version is in a range with an upper boundary that is changed with a maximum QP value. Then, the processing circuitry determines the initial QP value of a segment (such as a slice, a tile, a group of tiles and the like) in the picture based on the syntax element and determines a QP value for a block in the segment according to the initial QP value of the segment and adjustments associated with the block. Then, the processing circuitry performs an inverse quantization on quantized data of the block according to the determined QP value.

Abstract: A “Predictive Controller” operates with any type of controller or user input device to predict user inputs or responses to a current state of an application. A predictive model of the current state of the application is applied to prior user inputs to jointly predict a current user-specific psychological state or profile of the user and a predicted next user response or input. The predicted response or input is provided as the user input to the particular application prior to receiving the actual user input, thereby reducing latency of the response of the application to that actual user input. In addition, a tangible feedback corresponding to the predicted next user input is provided. Further, the predictive capabilities of the Predictive Controller can be applied to locally or remotely hosted instances of the application to reduce latencies associated with user inputs received from any type of controller or user input device.

Abstract: Safe and effective exercise poses a specific set of challenges for subjects diagnosed with diabetes. These challenges include the coordination of exercise with blood glucose monitoring and insulin administration. Failure to coordinate these factors effectively can lead to various pathologies related to aberrant blood glucose levels. Presented herein are methods, systems, algorithms, computer program products, and computer-executable code for exercise guidance and instruction specific to diabetes relief and management. The approaches as disclosed herein can help ameliorate, slow, or reduce a likelihood of developing a diabetic condition.

Abstract: Identifying messages transferred to and from a mobile user device may provide a way to monitor message transfers. One example method of operation includes receiving a message from a user device, processing the message to identify message content, determining whether the message should be modified based on the message content, and determining whether the message should be transmitted to its intended destination based on the message content.

Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques in which one or more computing devices receive a signal from a first client computing device. The signal indicates that the first client computing device is available for participation in a communication session that enables communication between the first client computing device and one or more other client computing devices. The one or more computing devices determine a context for a topic of discussion associated with the communication session. The context is associated with a content item capable of being outputted by the first client computing device. Responsive to receiving the signal, the one or more computing devices initiate the communication session and send an invitation to at least one of the one or more other client computing devices to join the communication session. The invitation indicates the context of the communication session to at least one of the one or more other client computing devices.

Abstract: In a general aspect, a data communication circuit can include a transmitter configured to transmit a first digital bit stream via a first unidirectional isolation channel. The data communication circuit can further include a receiver configured to receive a second digital bit stream via a second unidirectional isolation channel. The first unidirectional isolation channel and the second unidirectional isolation channel can be defined on a common dielectric substrate. The data communication circuit can further include a crosstalk suppression circuit configured to provide at least one negative feedback signal to suppress crosstalk between the transmitter and the receiver due to parasitic capacitive coupling between the first unidirectional isolation channel and the second unidirectional isolation channel in the common dielectric substrate.

Abstract: Setting up and supporting the computer infrastructure for a remote satellite office is a difficult task for any information technology department. To simplify the task, an integrated server system with a hierarchical storage system is proposed. The hierarchical storage system includes the ability to store data at an off-site cloud storage service. The server system is remotely configurable and thus allows the server to be configured and populated with data from a remote location.

Abstract: A thermal storage system includes a thermally insulated storage container and a payload container adapted to retrievably house a temperature sensitive payload. The system includes layers of first and second phase change materials arranged in a stack with the payload container. The first phase change material has a phase change temperature within a target temperature range of the payload, and the second phase change material has a phase change temperature outside the target temperature range. The layers are arranged to isolate the payload from the second phase change material. In the case of biological materials that must not freeze while stored in the container, this arrangement enables a cold pack containing the layers of phase change materials to be placed in direct contact with the contents container even with a cold pack starting temperature well below the freezing point of the contents.

Abstract: A system for calibrating a liquid crystal display (LCD) includes a plurality of temperature sensors, a storage medium, and a controller. Each temperature sensor measures a current temperature of at least one pixel in the LCD. The storage medium stores information about latencies for any LC-based pixel, wherein each latency corresponds to a time period for transition from a starting to an ending illumination state for one temperature of the LC-based pixel. The controller determines, based on the current temperature, the transition information and frame information, a time for each pixel in at least a portion of the LCD to transition from a first to a second illumination state. The controller computes, based on transition times, an LC transition time for at least the portion of the LCD and performs calibration of at least the portion of the LCD based on the LC transition time.

Abstract: A system discloses analyzing global positioning system (GPS) parameters of a mobile device to determine if the mobile device is outside a predetermined range and if it is determined that the mobile device is outside the predetermined range, communicating a notification to the mobile device to download maps on the mobile device using an alternate communication channel.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for frequency offset estimation are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a method includes determining a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) frequency offset estimate from DMRS symbols in a received signal, and determining a cyclic prefix (CP) frequency offset estimate from cyclic prefix values in the received signal. The method also includes combining the DMRS and CP frequency offset estimates to determine a final frequency offset estimate. In an exemplary embodiment, an apparatus includes a DMRS frequency offset estimator that determines a DMRS frequency offset estimate based on DMRS symbols received in an uplink transmission, and a cyclic prefix (CP) frequency offset estimator that determines a CP frequency offset estimate based on cyclic prefix values in the uplink transmission. The apparatus also includes an offset combiner that combines the DMRS frequency offset estimate with the CP frequency offset estimate to generate a final frequency offset estimate.

Abstract: Technology for determining an effective capacity of a drive extent pool that is generated from at least one group of storage drives. A sub-group of storage drives having relatively higher physical capacities is selected from the group. The number of storage drives in the sub-group is equal to a total number of drive extents indicated by each entry in a RAID mapping table. Each storage drive in the sub-group is assigned an individual effective capacity equal to an individual physical capacity of a storage drive in the sub-group having the smallest individual physical capacity. Each storage drive in the group not contained in the sub-group is assigned an individual effective capacity equal to its own physical capacity. An effective capacity of the drive extent pool is set to a sum of the all the individual effective capacities assigned to the storage drives in the group of storage drives.