Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems and methods for searching names using name clusters. A method includes training a supervised machine learning system to learn a connection strength between a member and peers of the member; clustering the member with the peers in response to a threshold number of profile similarities between the member and the peers and the connection strength between the member and the peers being above a connection strength threshold value; and applying an unsupervised machine learning system using output from the supervised machine learning system and the clustering to generate a connection between the member and at least one of the peers.

Abstract: A method for ad delivery placements to consumer devices within managed service provider networks. Real-time, targeted video advertisements delivery to at least one consumer device is provided across multiple content delivery services accessible to viewers. A unified system capable of simultaneous targeting and delivery of a video advertisement is supported across multiple content delivery platforms to one or more consumer devices. Delivery of the targeted video advertisements is supported to managed service provider devices. Efficient IP delivery of video advertisements is supported to service provider managed networks of consumer devices. Real-time targeted advertisements to all IP connected devices and managed consumer devices are supported based on targeting criteria.

Abstract: An events and data management system includes a computing device having a processor, an input device, an output device; and memory. The system further includes an external input device communicatively coupled to the computing device over a network. The memory stores information from the computing device and the input device; and a user accesses the information on the computing device via a graphical user interface.

Abstract: A crowdsourced virtual sensor generator is provided which could be generated by a vehicle or provided to the vehicle as, for example, a service. The crowdsourced virtual sensor generator may include, but is not limited to, a communication system configured to receive contributing vehicle sensor data from one or more contributing vehicles, a location of the one or more contributing vehicles and a target vehicle, and a processor, the processor configured to filter the received contributing vehicle sensor data based upon the location of the one or more contributing vehicles and the location of the target vehicle, aggregate the filtered contributing vehicle sensor data into at least one of a data-specific dataset and an application-specific data set, and generate a virtual sensor for the target vehicle, the virtual sensor processing the filtered and aggregated contributing vehicle sensor data to generate output data relative to the location of the target vehicle.

Abstract: Fuel dispensers, systems and methods are provided for electronically transmitting data characterizing fueling transactions in a fueling environment, and in particular from a fuel dispenser. In an exemplary embodiment, a fuel dispenser is provided having a printer module that can perform operations that enable any one or more of replacing a printer, providing a user with a printed transaction record at a remote location, and/or provide the user with an electronic transaction record. The application of the printer module can facilitate providing a user with a printed and/or electronic transaction record, while minimizing, or eliminating, changes to standard communication protocol associated with components of a payment terminal that can deliver formatted transaction data to a typical printer.

Abstract: Continuous extraction concentration and isolation units are constructed with at least one extraction chambers containing extractable material. Without disruption of total fluid flow in the unit: an extraction chamber completely depleted of extract can be refilled with fresh extractable material or can be replaced with an extraction chamber containing fresh extractable material. Extract are continuously separated from one or more solvents in expansion chambers and removed. All solvents can be retained within the unit. One or more compressors circulate the fluids through the extraction chambers, the expansion chamber, and a condenser, where the expansion chamber and the condenser can be coupled as a heat exchanger. One or more isolators can be included for selectively removing components that are extracted from the plant material without disruption of the process and provide the removed components in concentrated or pure form.

Abstract: A nasal splint and methods for using such splints are provided. The nasal splint may include an elongate generally planar member comprising first and second ends, and a first outer surface and an opposite second outer surface; a tubular airway extending along the first outer surface at least partially between the first and second ends, thereby defining a lumen having an opening adjacent the first end; and a structure on one of the elongate member and tubular airway adjacent the first end supporting a feature that is spaced apart from the first outer surface and configured to support a suture across the opening when the suture is directed through the elongate member adjacent the first end and the feature.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates generally to various embodiments of holders and packaging for giving gifts. In particular, the invention relates to various gift card holders that hold a gift card and enhance the presentation and gift giving experience for recipients and gift givers alike. The holders and packing also permit a gift card disposed therein to be visible, scanned, accessed, or otherwise activated without removing the gift card from the holder.

Abstract: A reversible load floor for a vehicle includes a first side defining a planar surface. The reversible load floor also includes a second side disposed opposite of the first side. The second side includes a container, which extends from the second side along a vertical axis at a center of a spare tire such that, in a first position, the first side is accessible via a cargo compartment and the container is disposed over the spare tire, and, in a second position, the first side extends across a top of the spare tire and the container is accessible via the cargo compartment.

Abstract: Mechanisms for improving resource usage of a computing system by properly balancing the timing of performance degradation analysis of an executable action set of a query based on an impact on the workload of that query. The mechanism collects workload metrics for each of multiple queries and their associated executable action sets. Performance degradation occurs when the current executed action set is no longer appropriate for the corresponding query such that more resources are used than are necessary. For each query, the system determines whether to perform degradation analysis of the current executable action set in a manner that is workload aware. That is, queries that occupy more computing resources or that impact the overall workload more will tend to have degradation analysis performed more frequently than those queries that have less impact on the overall workload. This results in improved resource usage for the workload with low overhead.

Abstract: The invention is a planar motion mechanism with a mechanical end effector. The mechanism has a vertical slide table that moves along one or more vertical tracks. The vertical slide table includes one or more horizontal tracks, an arcuate guide rail parallel to the horizontal tracks, and a horizontal slide table that moves along the horizontal tracks. The horizontal slide table comprises an end effector, which is a suspended perpendicular arm with a lip on the bottom edge that supports a load. The end effector, when unloaded, follows the path of the arcuate guide rail as the horizontal slide table moves along the one or more horizontal tracks. In this way, the end effector engages the load in positions near the edge of the arcuate guide rail, but in central positions along the arcuate guide rail, the end effector is distanced from the load so that it can freely maneuver.

Abstract: Beneficial query parameterization of one or more databases may be automatically determined. Data associated with a workload of the one or more databases may be automatically gathered and accessed. The gathered data may then be automatically analyzed to determine whether query parameterization would be beneficial to the one or more databases. Based on the analysis one or more query parameterization recommendations may be generated for presentation to a user of the one or more databases. A user response associated with implementing at least one of the one or more query parameterization recommendations may then be received. Upon implementing at least one of the one or more recommendations, the at least one implemented recommendation may be automatically verified whether an expected improvement of the one or more databases has been realized. When the expected improvement has not been realized, the one or more databases may be reverted to a previous state.

Abstract: An immersive three dimensional (3-D) virtual reality sharing program is disclosed. The system comprises a content controller configured to determine the physical locations of a reference point and boundary in a physical space and map them to a corresponding point and boundary in a virtual world. The physical location and orientation of a user device relative to the reference point and boundary are used to determine a corresponding location and orientation in the 3-D virtual world. A representation of a portion of the 3-D virtual world corresponding to the determined location and orientation is rendered at the user device. As the user device is moved in the physical world, a corresponding updated location in the 3-D virtual world is determined, and the rendered representation updated. Thus, the user device acts as a window into the 3-D virtual world.

Abstract: A system for facilitating the provision of health care services to patients comprises a computer-readable medium containing information associated with the provision of health care services to patients; an electronic display disposed in a health care environment; and software configured to effect display of some of the information on the electronic display. A method for facilitating the provision of health care services to patients comprises inputting, via an electronic touch screen display, information corresponding to a patient or room; displaying, via the electronic touch screen display, the information; and providing, to a patient, physical health care services, based on the viewed information. The electronic touchscreen display preferably is not a part of a computer workstation and is configured for simultaneous viewing by a plurality of health care providers and caregivers.

Abstract: Devices and methods for assisting valve function, replacing venous valves, and predicting valve treatment successes. In an exemplary embodiment of an endograft body configured for expansion within a luminal organ, the endograft body comprises (a) a first portion having a proximal end defining a proximal end aperture and a distal end defining a distal end aperture, the first portion configured to increase a velocity of fluid flowing therethrough, (b) a second portion having a second portion proximal end defining a second portion proximal end aperture and a second portion distal end defining a second portion distal end aperture, wherein the distal end of the first portion is adjacent to the second portion proximal end, and (c) a valve portion positioned at or near the second portion proximal end, the valve portion configured to receive the fluid flowing through the distal end aperture of the first portion.

Abstract: The disclosed technology includes systems and methods for controlling enrollment and secure persistent SMS texting account servicing communications. A method is provided that includes receiving, at an enrollment web portal, enrollment data including: enrollment credentials identifying a user for authentication, a phone number of a mobile device associated with the user, and consent by the user to persistently interact with an account servicing system via SMS texting. The method includes: processing the received enrollment data, authenticating the user responsive to processing the received enrollment data, storing the phone number of the mobile device associated with the user in a phone number data storage, and generating, responsive to the authenticating, a revocable token for persistent access to a natural dialogue module via a SMS texting gateway for the mobile device identified by the phone number.

Abstract: An enhanced layout for a multiple-finger ESD protection device has several embodiments. In these embodiments, the base contacts of the NPN (or PNP) transistors utilized as voltage clamps in the multiple-finger NPN-based (or PNP-based) multiple-finger ESD protection device are disposed at opposite edges of the multiple-finger ESD protection device and oriented perpendicularly to the orientation of the fingers in the multiple-finger ESD protection device. Similarly, the body contacts of the NMOS (or PMOS) transistors utilized as voltage clamps in the multiple-finger NMOS-based (or PMOS-based) multiple-finger ESD protection device are disposed at opposite edges of the multiple-finger ESD protection device and oriented perpendicularly to the orientation of the fingers in the multiple-finger ESD protection device.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein may relate to training an artificial neural network (ANN) using a differentiable Jaccard Loss approximation. An example embodiment may involve obtaining a training image and a corresponding ground truth mask that represents a desired segmentation of the training image. The embodiment may further involve applying an ANN on the training image to generate an output segmentation of the training image that depends on a plurality of weights of the ANN and determining a differentiable Jaccard Loss approximation based on the output segmentation of the training image and the ground truth mask. The embodiment also involves modifying one or more weights of the ANN based on the differentiable Jaccard Loss approximation and providing a representation of the ANN as modified to a mobile computing device.

Abstract: Techniques and systems are disclosed for context-dependent speech recognition. The techniques and systems described enable accurate recognition of speech by accessing sub-libraries associated with the context of the speech to be recognized. These techniques translate audible input into audio data at a smart device and determine context for the speech, such as location-based, temporal-based, recipient-based, and application based context. The smart device then accesses a context-dependent library to compare the audio data with phrase-associated translation data in one or more sub-libraries of the context-dependent library to determine a match. In this way, the techniques allow access to a large quantity of phrases while reducing incorrect matching of the audio data to translation data caused by organizing the phrases into context-dependent sub-libraries.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for prioritizing network traffic. In one aspect, a method includes collecting, for local networks, traffic data representing communication traffic over the local network for a period of time; determining, for each of the network devices included in the networks, a device type of the network device and at least one device priority value for the network device; training a device prioritization model, using the traffic data and the device priority values of the devices, receiving, by the device prioritization model, for a local network, a list of network devices that are included in the local network; and generating, by the device prioritization model, a prioritization scheme for the local network that prioritizes device traffic among the network devices based on the device types and device priority values of the network devices.