Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for handing off a user conversation between computer-implemented agents. One of the methods includes receiving, by a computer-implemented agent specific to a user device, a digital representation of speech encoding an utterance, determining, by the computer-implemented agent, that the utterance specifies a requirement to establish a communication with another computer-implemented agent, and establishing, by the computer-implemented agent, a communication between the other computer-implemented agent and the user device.

Abstract: This application relates to video encoding and decoding, and specifically to tools and techniques for using and providing supplemental enhancement information in bitstreams. Among other things, the detailed description presents innovations for bitstreams having supplemental enhancement information (SEI). In particular embodiments, the SEI message includes picture source data (e.g., data indicating whether the associated picture is a progressive scan picture or an interlaced scan picture and/or data indicating whether the associated picture is a duplicate picture). The SEI message can also express a confidence level of the encoder's relative confidence in the accuracy of this picture source data. A decoder can use the confidence level indication to determine whether the decoder should separately identify the picture as progressive or interlaced and/or a duplicate picture or honor the picture source scanning information in the SEI as it is.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems for performing machine learning (ML) for robotic arthroscopic surgery are disclosed. The disclosed systems use ML to provide recommendations and methods for automated robotic ankle arthroscopic surgery. Historical patient data is filtered to match particular parameters of a patient. The parameters are correlated to the patient. A robotic surgical system or a surgeon reviews the historical patient data to select or adjust the historical patient data to generate a surgical workflow for a surgical robot to perform the robotic arthroscopic surgery.

Abstract: A method of disinfecting a surface that is contaminated with a virus or suspected of contamination with a virus, including: producing a reactive gas by forming a high-voltage cold plasma (HVCP) from a working gas with a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) system at a voltage of 20 kV to 150 kV; transporting the reactive gas at least 1 meter away from the HVCP; followed by contacting the surface with the reactive gas.

Abstract: A method increases user interaction with deep learning agents. A generation request for a content slot is received. A subsequent tag vector, for the content slot, is generated from a previous tag, for a previous content slot, using a subsequent tag model. A context vector is generated from a set of subsequent tag vectors, which include the subsequent tag vector, using a context vector generator. A selection vector is generated from the context vector using a contextual bandit model. A content set is generated for a content slot using the selection vector. The content set for the content slot is presented.

Abstract: A waste cartridge in combination with a waste machine or apparatus that maintains waste pads for a pet owner, automatically or manually by removing and sealing soiled pads and waste and then replacing the soiled pad with a clean pad on a pet bed of the machine. The apparatus senses when a pet is using a waste pad portion and when the pet is finished, the machine takes up the soiled portion of the pad and removes and seals the soiled portion of the pad roll and the waste automatically, moving the pad into a repository for later removal and disposal of the waste cartridge when the pad roll is used up and then replacing removed pad with a new waste cartridge. The waste cartridge is comprised of a pad roll and a take-up rod attached to one end of the pad by any means such as a clip, slot or adhesive on the take-up rod.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle (AV) uses an authentication system to verify that a person on the street attempting to control behavior of the AV is authorized to do so. An authorized person (e.g., a construction worker or a police officer) has an associated beacon that provides a beacon signal, such as a visual symbol or wireless signal. The AV perceives the beacon signal and transmits it to the authentication system. The authentication system looks up the beacon signal in a database and retrieves conditions associated with the beacon signal. If the authentication system and/or AV confirms that the beacon signal is in the database, and the conditions under which the person associated with the beacon signal is authorized to control the AV are met, the AV follows instructions from the person.

Abstract: An illuminating device can comprise two substrates each having two surfaces, one of each can be configured to mount solid-state lighting devices wherein the two substrates are separated by a defined gap. The two substrates are electrically and mechanically connected and can support or be supported with an enclosure such as an optic. This configuration provides thermal decoupling and uniform illumination when assembled as per the embodiments explained.

Abstract: An x-ray apparatus includes a vacuum chamber that includes a window for exit of x-rays. Electrons are generated at a cathode within the vacuum chamber and accelerated toward a target anode associated with the window. An x-ray generating layer is included as a surface of the target anode to receive the electrons emitted by the cathode and to create x-rays. A blocking path blocks over 70% of the free electrons reaching said target anode from continuing on to exit through the window, while allowing x-rays leaving the x-ray generating layer to continue along the selectively blocking path to exit through the window. The x-ray apparatus is capable of operating at low voltage and relatively high power to reduce the necessary shielding and the corresponding weight of the apparatus yet allow more ready absorption of x-rays by items being irradiated.

Abstract: An ammonia capture and recovery system comprises five process steps, including an ammonia removal step, an ammonia recovery step, a product granulation step, a granulated product wax-coating step, and a granulated product encapsulation step. These steps are modular in that multiple approaches are valid for each step if it meets the process requirements for the next influent. Also, a method of taking ammonia-containing wastewater and producing several water fractions (preferably of decreasing volume and increasing purity) and a time-release ammonium-containing fertilizer, resulting in a sustainable nitrogenous fertilizer product that reduces fertilizer use and subsequent nutrient runoff while being produced from wastewater and not fossil fuel or hydrogen sources.

Abstract: A lamination system is contemplated. The system may have a modular design configured to fabricate a laminate from an incoming material. The system may be configured to produce the laminate with an outer layer comprising the incoming material such that the resulting layer has a width greater than a width of the incoming material prior to lamination.

Abstract: An arm load control system for a work vehicle including a controller comprising a memory and a processor. The controller is configured to determine whether a lift arm is in a maximum load configuration based on a position of the lift arm relative to a chassis of the work vehicle and output a control signal to a propulsion assembly of the work vehicle indicative of instructions to adjust a tractive effort of the work vehicle based on whether the lift arm is in the maximum load configuration.

Abstract: Technologies for providing augmented reality wayfinding experiences in ridesharing applications are provided. In some examples, a method for providing augmented reality wayfinding experiences can include determining a first location of an autonomous vehicle (AV) relative to a second location of a client device associated with a user that requested a ride from the AV; based on the first location of the AV relative to the second location of the client device, determining a direction from the second location of the client device to the first location of the AV; presenting, at the client device, a feed from a camera sensor associated with the client device, the feed including a local scene captured by the camera sensor; and presenting a virtual content overlay on the feed, the virtual content overlay including an indication of the direction from the second location of the client device to the first location of the AV.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for automatically limiting video surveillance collection to authorized uses and authorized users. To achieve this control, the authorization system can be configured to manage and secure a plurality of crypto keys associated with encrypting a plurality of corresponding video footages and release a crypto key for a video footage at approved times to limit user access to the video footage. In particular, the surveillance system can generate a video collection including a copy of portions of a received video footage that include one or more approved events from a watchlist of a user. Thereafter, the video footage can be encrypted by a first key managed by the authorization system and prevents the user from accessing video content of the video footage once encrypted. Accordingly, the user may be limited to accessing the video collection and not all the portions in the encrypted video footage.

Abstract: A three-dimensional memory device includes an alternating stacks of insulating layers and electrically conductive layers. Memory opening fill structures located in memory openings include a memory film and plural vertical semiconductor channels.

Abstract: Described herein is a coating composition suitable for application to a building panel. The coating composition comprises inorganic pigment, liquid carrier, and a humectant comprising a first ester-containing compound. The liquid carrier may be present in an amount ranging from about 10 wt. % to about 30 wt. % based on the total weight of the coating composition. Described herein are also building panels coated with the coating composition and methods of their production.

Abstract: A leak-resistant pipe connection has an annular seal bulge on a pin end of the connection and a tapered seal area adjacent a secondary box shoulder of a box end of the connection. The annular seal bulge is coined on contact with the tapered seal area on initial make-up of the connection which provides a metal-to-metal seal that is very resistant to high-pressure fluid leakage even after the connection is subjected to extreme shear and tensile stresses.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for providing proxy mechanisms for DNS services, such as resolving DNS requests. In some embodiments, the systems and methods establish a Proxy DNS module at a DNS resolver of an internet service provider, and access, with the proxy DNS module, DNS queries destined for a public name server. The name server may be accessible by the DNS resolver via a publically-accessible network. Further, the systems and methods may route the accessed DNS queries to a private name server associated with the proxy DNS module and accessible via a private communications channel, and receive, from the private name server and via the private communications channel, IP addresses associated with the DNS queries.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for thermally protecting a product, when storing and/or shipping a product, to control temperatures products are exposed to. Embodiments increase the amount of time portions of the product experience a desired temperature range and/or reduce the amount of time portions of the product experience temperatures outside a desired temperature range and/or experience an undesirable temperature range. Embodiments incorporate thermally conductive materials, referred to as conductive equalizers, positioned around and/or near the product positioned inside a packaging container, where the conductive materials conduct heat from locations in the package interior to other locations in the package interior.

Abstract: A spiral heat exchanger features: a cold fluid inlet manifold, a hot fluid inlet manifold and at least one spiral fluid pathway. The cold fluid inlet manifold receives cold fluid and provide cold inlet manifold fluid. The hot fluid inlet manifold receives hot fluid and provide hot inlet manifold fluid. The at least one spiral fluid pathway includes cold spiral pathways configured to receive the cold inlet manifold fluid and provide cold spiral fluid pathway fluid, and hot spiral pathways configured to receive the hot inlet manifold fluid and provide hot spiral fluid pathway fluid. The cold spiral pathways and the hot spiral pathways are configured in relation to one another to exchange heat between the cold spiral pathway fluid and the hot spiral pathway fluid so that the hot spiral fluid pathway fluid warms the cold spiral fluid pathway fluid, and vice versa.