Abstract: An electrified vehicle includes a vehicle frame, a battery pack mounted to the vehicle frame, a primary bracket secured to each of the vehicle frame and the battery pack, and a support bracket secured to the battery pack and the primary bracket. The support bracket increases the stiffness of the primary bracket.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes a relay and coil of a contactor. The relay is configured to transfer current between a traction battery and an electrical load when closed. The system also includes a controller configured to operate a switch such that current flow from the traction battery through the coil and switch, and bypassing the relay, causes the relay to close to permit pre-charging of the load.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to form fully self-aligned vias are described. First conductive lines are recessed in a first insulating layer on a substrate. A first metal film is formed in the recessed first conductive lines and pillars are formed from the first metal film. Some of the pillars are selectively removed and a second insulating layer is deposited around the remaining pillar. The remaining pillars are removed to form vias in the second insulating layer. A third insulating layer is deposited in the vias and an overburden is formed on the second insulating layer. Portions of the overburden are selectively etched from the second insulating layer to expose the second insulating layer and the filled vias and leaving portions of the third insulating layer on the second insulating layer. The third insulating layer is etched from the filled vias to form a via opening to the first conductive line.

Abstract: A game call capable of providing a variety of sounds produced by wild game is provided. The game call includes a first end cap, a second end cap, and a collapsible member coupled to the first end cap and the second end cap wherein the collapsible member can be extended and retracted to simulate a rustling foliage sound. The game call may also include a clip member coupled to the first end cap wherein the clip member may be configured to simulate a branch breaking sound. The game call may still additionally include one or more knob members coupled to the first end cap and/or the second end cap where the one or more knob members may be configured to be scraped against a surface to simulate an antler rubbing sound.

Abstract: Synchronization of data layouts and resource utilizations at one or more remote replica sites with the workload and data access statistics at the primary site allows for an efficient and effective workload support transfer in the event of site failover from a primary site to a remote site. Relevant data access information about workload being supported at the primary site is monitored and access pattern information is generated that provides relevant information about frequency and/or rate of access of data on the primary site. The access pattern information is generated and transmitted by a host and/application running on the host. The access pattern information is exported and imported to enable independent decisions to be made a remote site, storing replicated data from the primary site, on how best to utilize its available resources to match the performance requirements currently being supported by the primary site.

Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be implemented in, among other things, a method including identifying one or more blocks in an electronic image that depicts text characters. The method includes identifying one or more text blocks among the blocks that depict the text characters. The method includes identifying an average text contrast for each of the text blocks. The method includes identifying a type for each pixel in each of the text blocks based on the average text contrast. The method includes performing local adaptive filtering on a first neighborhood of pixels around each pixel in each of the text blocks to determine a brightness for the pixel based on the identified type. The method includes storing, in at least one memory, the electronic image including the determined brightness for each pixel in each of the text blocks.

Abstract: A cable management assembly configured for selective attachment to an electrified vehicle according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a cable management structure, and an electromagnet configured to be selectively activated to attach the cable management structure to an exterior of the electrified vehicle. A theft prevention feature and a method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A control valve monitoring system is disclosed. The control valve monitoring system includes at least one sensor connected to one of a valve stem or valve shaft, and the at least one sensor detects a change in mechanical integrity of one of the valve stem or valve shaft. A device for providing data regarding the change in mechanical integrity of one of the valve stem or valve shaft is provided, allowing maintenance of the valve shaft or valve stem to be conducted in an efficient manner.

Abstract: Systems and methods for synchronizing game play of a video game include detecting selection of a video game for game play at a game server. In response, an instance of the video game is executed at the game server. The execution causes the game play to be provided to a game client for rendering on a main portion of a display screen of the game client. A pre-recorded video associated with the video game is provided for rendering in a second portion of the display screen while the game play is being rendered on the main portion of the display screen. The pre-recorded video rendering in the second portion is dynamically synchronized with the game play of the video game rendering in the main portion so that a game scene rendering in the pre-recorded video matches to a game scene of the game play rendering in the main portion of the display screen.

Abstract: A material moving machine including an implement, a camera, an augmented display, and a controller. The controller is programmed to store a three-dimensional model of underground features of terrain, capture an implement image comprising the implement and terrain, generate a superimposed image by superimposing corresponding portions of the implement image and the three-dimensional model of underground features, overlay a virtual trench on the superimposed image to generate an augmented reality overlay image, generate the augmented reality overlay image, and display the augmented reality overlay image on the augmented display.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer system may determine an orientation in a 3D space based on sensor data generated by a virtual reality device. The system may generate ray footprints in the 3D space based on the determined orientation. For at least one of the ray footprints, the system may identify a corresponding number of subsamples to generate for that ray footprint and generate one or more coordinates in the ray footprint based on the corresponding number of subsamples. The system may determine visibility of one or more objects defined within the 3D space by projecting a ray from each of the one or more coordinates to test for intersection with the one or more objects. The system may generate an image of the one or more objected based on the determined visibility of the one or more objects.

Abstract: Provided are methods, systems, and apparatus for hierarchical decorrelation of multichannel audio. A hierarchical decorrelation algorithm is designed to adapt to possibly changing characteristics of an input signal, and also preserves the energy of the original signal. The algorithm is invertible in that the original signal can be retrieved if needed. Furthermore, the proposed algorithm decomposes the decorrelation process into multiple low-complexity steps. The contribution of these steps is generally in a decreasing order, and thus the complexity of the algorithm can be scaled.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for use within a wireless OFDM network that receives a first packet type in a first channel bandwidth and a second packet type in a second channel bandwidth, the first channel bandwidth being at least two times wider than the second channel bandwidth. The first packet type has a header field with two parts with each part comprising a different set of header bits. The two parts of the header field are received using two OFDM symbols. The second packet type has a header field with four parts with the first and second parts comprising the same first set of header bits and the third and the fourth part comprising the same second set of header bits. The four parts of the header field are received using four OFDM symbols. The second packet type provides more reliable reception than the first packet type.

Abstract: Enhanced data buffer control in data systems is presented herein. In one example, a method of handling data buffer resources in a graphics processor includes establishing a pool of available memory pages tracked by memory pointers for use in a growable data structure. Responsive to requests by at least a shader unit of the graphics processor for space in the growable data structure in which to write shader data, the method includes providing to the shader unit at least write pointers to locations within memory pages from the growable data structure in accordance with data sizes indicated in the requests. Responsive to exceeding a threshold fullness of the growable data structure, the method includes allocating at least one further memory page from the pool of available memory pages for inclusion in the growable data structure.

Abstract: Techniques for presenting data visualizations are described. Consistent with some embodiments of the present invention, a data visualization system includes an approximate query engine to derive approximate query results and present approximate data visualizations, in interactive time. The data visualization system also includes a precise query engine, thereby enabling a data analyst to selectively request that a precise query result be generated for a specific query, so that the data analyst can confirm a data observation made when viewing the approximate visualization for that specific query. The precise visualization is presented in a manner that allows the data analyst to view, and thus confirm or disprove, a data observation recorded when viewing the approximate visualization, and also compare the precise visualization with the previously generated and presented approximate visualization.

Abstract: Systems and methods include a gaming device configured to receive a monetary value and a user interface configured to enable a player to select a wager for a game of chance and enable the player to initiate a cash out operation. The gaming device also includes a processor programmed to add the monetary value to a credit balance for the player, deduct the selected wager from the credit balance, and decrease the credit balance in response to the cash out operation. A prize selector is also provided that includes a plurality of randomly or skill based or partially skill based selectable bonus prizes that are selectable by operating the prize selector to oscillate or rotate the prize selector until the prize selector stops at a stopping position. The player is enabled to influence the stopping or starting position of the prize selector to influence the prize that is selected.

Abstract: Systems and methods for crowdsourced noise monitoring are provided. An example for crowdsourced noise monitoring includes a noise monitoring system receiving and storing audio files and context data associated with a noise event in a database. A log of the audio files and context data can be created. Noise complaints can also be received from users by the noise monitoring system. Additional logs of the noise complaints can then be created. The log of the noise event and the additional logs of the noise complaints are analyzed to determine whether the noise complaints are related to the noise event. If the noise complaints are related to the noise event, the log and additional logs can automatically be forwarded to an authorized user.

Abstract: An electrical power interconnection system is described. The electrical interconnection system may comprise an electrical power connector and a substrate, such as a printed circuit board. The electrical power connector may comprise a housing and a plurality of electrical power contacts supported by the housing. The electrical power contacts may comprise a mounting end, a mating end, and a contact body disposed between the mounting end and the mating end. The electrical power contacts may have planar portions. The mating ends may comprise opposing first second beams defining a slot. The slot may be configured to receive the substrate therein, such that the first beam contacts the first side of the substrate and the second beam contacts the second side of the substrate.

Abstract: A communications system includes a plurality of transmitting units that each generate a pilot signal modulated using quantum level overlay modulation to apply at least one orthogonal function to the pilot signal and transmit the modulated pilot signal from the transmitting unit over a pilot channel. A base station unit including a MIMO receiver for receiving the pilot signals over the pilot channels from the plurality of transmitting units, demodulating the modulated pilot signals using the quantum level overlay modulation to remove the at least one orthogonal function from the pilot signals and outputting the demodulated pilot signal. The at least one orthogonal function applied to the pilot signals are orthogonal to each other and substantially reduces pilot channel contamination between the pilot channels.

Abstract: Systems and methods for routing communications received via a PTSN are disclosed. A communication session server facilitates communication sessions between a first computing device, a second computing device and a public service accessible via a PSTN. The first computing device establishes a communication session with the communication session server using a first communication mode. The second computing device establishes a communication session with the public service using a second communication mode and a communication session with the communication session server using the first communication mode. Communications received by the second computing device from the public service via the second communication mode are routed to the communication session server via the first communication mode. The communication session server then sends the received communications to the first computing device using the first communication mode.