Abstract: A system for playback of messages. Context appropriate messages for an environment may be played back. Messages may be user behavior interactive and subject to user behavior initiated message playback conditions. User generated environment events may be automatically analyzed and user behavior interactive messages may be automatically coordinated. An automated themed message playback apparatus may have a self-contained housing within which a stored themed message, an in situ user generated environment event sensor, and an automated themed message playback device are housed. User generated environment events may be automatically sensed in situ.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provide for determining a temperature at a junction of a laser diode when the laser diode is operated in a lasing state that facilitates heat-assisted magnetic recording, comparing the junction temperature and an injection current supplied during the lasing state to stored combinations of junction temperature and injection current, and determining a likelihood of mode hopping occurring for the laser diode during the lasing state based on the comparison to stored combinations of junction temperature and injection current.

Abstract: A firmware provides a setup browser that generates a setup menu. An internal forms representation of setup data for rendering the setup menu is converted to markup language (ML) setup data. The ML setup data is provided to an application that provides a GUI for defining a modified setup UI for the firmware. The application provides a graphical, drag-and-drop, WYSIWYG, UI through which a user can edit existing forms and controls, create new forms and controls, and specify default values and other properties. When a user modifies the setup menu using the application, customized ML setup data is generated that defines the modified setup UI. The customized ML setup data is used to create setup data that is stored in a firmware device for use by the setup browser with the internal format representation of setup data to render the modified setup UI.

Abstract: A natural language query can be received at a main natural language processor inside a data protection compliance boundary in a computer system. The natural language query can be processed via the main natural language processor. The data from the query can be transmitted to a data protection computer component. It can be determined via the data protection component whether the data from the query includes protected data whose transmission to a computerized extension would violate a computer-readable data protection rule. The extension is outside the compliance boundary in the computer system and is configured to participate in responding to natural language queries received by the main natural language processor. In response to determining that the data from the query includes the protected data, transmission of the protected data from the main natural language processor to the extension as part of responding to the query can be inhibited.

Abstract: Images may be automatically annotated with place identifiers based on textual metadata associated with the images. The quality of these place identifiers may be scored based on a number of different factors. For example, these annotations may also include confidence and topicality values indicative of the relationships between the place identifier and the text as well as topics of the text of the textual metadata. Images that also have additional location information that includes GPS coordinates or a location specified by a user, may be used to evaluate the quality of a given place identifier, combination of confidence and topicality values, and the overall annotation system. These valuations may, in turn, be used to score the quality of such automatic annotations of other images that do not have such additional location information.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus include computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage medium, including a method for providing content. Data specifying a post-install activity is received from a provider of an application. An opportunity is identified to provide third-party content to a user. A likelihood is determined that the user will perform the specified post-install activity based on one or more attributes of the user and attributes of users that have previously performed the specified post-install activity in the application. A selection value is adjusted for third-party content that identifies the application based on the determined likelihood, wherein the selection value increases as the likelihood increases. The third-party content identifying the application is selected based on the adjusted selection value. The third-party content identifying the application is distributed to a client device of the user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus reduce latency of Long Term Evolution (LTE) uplink transmissions. Configuration information regarding a first set of resources can be received. A second set of resources can be determined. A transmission resource can be selected from the first set of resources or the second set of resources using a selection criterion. A scheduling request can be transmitted if the transmission resource belongs to the first set of resources. A data transport block can be transmitted if the transmission resource belongs to the second set of resources. The scheduling request can be control information requesting resources for transmission of the data transport block.

Abstract: Embodiments include methods, and systems and computing devices configured to implement the methods of authenticating a computing device. A processor of a first computing device may obtain a transitory identity and may send the transitory identity to a second computing device and a third computing device. A processor of the second computing device may send the transitory identity to the third computing device with a request to authenticate the first computing device. The processor of the third computing device may authenticate the identity of the first computing device in response to determining that the transitory identity received from the first computing device matches the transitory identity received from the second computing device.

Abstract: A flooring product is disclosed herein. The flooring product comprises a pair of oriented strand boards and an acoustic barrier layer. Each oriented strand board includes a first surface, a second surface, a first profiled edge, a stepped section, a second profiled edge, and a recessed section. The acoustic barrier layer is positioned between and at least partially secured to the oriented strand boards. Upon the securing of the acoustic barrier layer to the oriented strand boards, the stepped sections are arranged to form a tongue, where the acoustic barrier layer extends from the tongue to form a first rounded bulge. The recessed sections are arranged to form a groove, where the acoustic barrier layer extends into the groove to form a second rounded bulge. When two flooring products are assembled, the first rounded bulge of one flooring product contacts the second rounded bulge of the other flooring product.

Abstract: A forward rear drive axle of a vehicle having at least two rear drive axles has a multiple ratio gearbox and a power divider or inter-axle differential that can be connected to or disconnected from the rearward rear drive axle, so that the vehicle can be operated in 6×4 mode or in 6×2 mode. A control system is connected to the transmission and to the multiple ratio gearbox, and is configured to shift the gearbox sequentially through its ratios when the transmission is within a subset of its gear ratios chosen to maximize use of transmission gears exhibiting higher gear train efficiency. The control system is further configured to control the use of 6×4 mode or 6×2 mode independently from the shifting of the multiple ratio gearbox.

Abstract: A method of producing a mycological composite material comprises inoculating a substrate of fibrous material with an inoculum of mycelial tissue; rolling the inoculated substrate into a roll; and thereafter incubating the rolled inoculated substrate for a time sufficient for the mycelial tissue to grow hyphae that enmesh with the substrate to form a cohesive unified filamentous network with the rolled inoculated substrate being characterized in being flexible. The rolled inoculated substrate may be subsequently processed by subjecting lengths of the roll to heat and pressure in molds to form rigid products.

Abstract: Techniques for orienting an earth-orbiting spacecraft include determining, using a star tracker on board the spacecraft, a first vector aligned between an ecliptic pole of the earth and the spacecraft, adjusting attitude of the spacecraft so as to align a first axis of the spacecraft with the first vector, and rotating the spacecraft about the first axis until presence of the sun is registered. Rotation rates may be subsequently reduced, such that the sun remains within a field of view of the sun sensor or of a solar array of the spacecraft.

Abstract: Disclosed are examples of a system, techniques and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that enable the selection of a response document template for generating an appropriate response to notification document. Respective components may generate an electronic document from the notification document. A common theme between two or more of the electronic documents may be identified. The electronic documents identified as having the common theme may be grouped in a notification document corpus. The notification document corpus may be analyzed with reference to received notification documents stored in a document repository. Based on results of the analysis, a template of a notification response document appropriate for responding to a specific notification document received by the enterprise may be selected. The selected response document template may be forwarded to a client device for further processing.

Abstract: An apparatus for counting and dispensing tablets includes a vibratory tablet feeder for feeding tablets to be counted to an output opening, at least one electrically-controlled vibrator coupled to the tablet feeder for vibrating the tablet feeder such that a singulated flow of tablets exits the output opening, and an optical system including at least one light source and at least one detector array located about a channel disposed downstream from the output opening of the tablet feeder. The optical system is configured to count tablets that pass through the channel as well as determine a tablet size class for the tablets that pass through the channel. Operation of the at least one electrically-controlled vibrator is controlled based on the tablet size class determined by the optical system.

Abstract: Automated (e.g., robotic) mail tagging, traying, sleeving, and palletizing devices are disclosed. A monitoring system is also disclosed. In embodiments, the monitoring system is configured to operate with (e.g., monitor and/or control) one or more of the automated devices disclosed herein to facilitate actual physical mail matches the digital files provided to the USPS for postage discounts received on same mail. By comparing the digital information regarding the mail item identifier, the tray identifier, and the pallet identifier with the stored physical information received from the one or more scanners; and identifying whether or not any discrepancies exist between the digital information regarding the mail item identifier, the tray identifier, and the pallet identifier and the stored physical information received from the one or more scanners users can ensure actual physical mail matches the digital files submitted to USPS for postage discounts of same mail.

Abstract: Techniques for facilitating telemetry driven configuration of software products in computing systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method can include transmitting an indication of a software product entering a configuration mode for a configuration parameter of the software product to a server. The method can also include receiving, from the server, a list of values for the configuration parameter each previously adopted by additional users for the same configuration parameter of the software product and displaying, on a user interface, the received list of values for the configuration parameter and indicating that one of the displayed values in the list is most commonly adopted by the additional users.

Abstract: A modular rear drive unit for a hybrid vehicle comprises a torque distributing unit, an electric motor-generator, and a gearing arrangement operatively connecting the electric motor-generator with the torque distributing unit. The modular rear drive unit also includes an integrated housing and rear cradle supporting and surrounding the torque distributing unit, the electric motor-generator, and the gearing arrangement. The integrated housing and rear cradle operatively mounts to the vehicle body.

Abstract: A storage maintains charge times for vehicles. A processor of a server is programmed to periodically determine a time interval since each of the vehicles has been started according to the charge times. The server sends a message over a wide-area network requesting remote start of one of the vehicles responsive to the time interval for the one of the vehicles indicating no engine restart for at least a predefined time period. A processor of a vehicle restarts the vehicle according to receipt of a restart request sent responsive to a periodic process performed by a remote server to identify that a most recent vehicle start time sent from the vehicle to the remote server is at least a predefined time interval from a current time identified by the remote server.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on storage devices, for detecting the power status of an electrical device. In one aspect, an apparatus includes a device that comprises a radio transmitter and a sensor configured to detect the power status of the device. The power status may include information that is indicative of whether the device is powered on or off. The apparatus may also include a processor and a data storage device storing a device identifier associated with the device, and instructions that are operable, when executed by a processor, to cause the processor to perform operations. The operations may include receiving data indicating the power status of the device detected by the sensor, receiving a request for the power status of the device, and transmitting, using the radio transmitter, the device identifier associated with the device and the power status associated with the device.

Abstract: Thermal and acoustic insulation is provided to an appliance or a component thereof through a layer of a viscoelastic polyurethane foam. The selection of a viscoelastic foam of this density provides efficient thermal insulation as well as acoustic insulation.