Abstract: A dross extraction system for a printer is disclosed, which includes an ejector defining an inner cavity associated therewith, the inner cavity retaining a liquid printing material. The dross extraction system also includes a first inlet coupled to the inner cavity of the ejector, a probe external to the ejector, which is selectably positionable to contact the liquid printing material to attract dross thereto, thereby extracting dross from the liquid printing material when the probe is withdrawn from the liquid printing material. A method of extracting dross from a metal jetting printer is also disclosed, which includes pausing an operation of the metal jetting printer, advancing a probe into a melt pool within a nozzle pump reservoir in the metal jetting printer, extracting dross from the metal printing material and onto the probe, retracting the probe from the nozzle pump reservoir, and resuming the operation of the metal jetting printer.

Abstract: A method includes determining, by an assistant executing at one or more processors, a default group of actions that the assistant is configured to execute in response to receiving a particular audible command. The method includes determining, by the assistant, based on the default group of actions and a user profile associated with a particular user, a custom group of actions that the assistant is configured to execute in response to receiving the particular audible command from the particular user. The method also includes receiving, by the assistant, an indication of the particular audible command, and determining, by the assistant, whether the indication of particular audible command originated from the particular user. The method further includes, responsive to determining that the indication of particular audible command originated from the particular user, executing, by the assistant, each action from the custom group of actions.

Abstract: This disclosure provides corrosion-resistant coatings that significantly improve corrosion resistance compared to the prior art. The corrosion protection system senses gradients in electrical potential, pH, and metal ion concentration, and then automatically halts corrosion. Some variations provide a gradient-responsive corrosion-resistant coating comprising: a first layer comprising a transition metal oxide and mobile cations; a second layer comprising a biphasic polymer, wherein the biphasic polymer contains ionic groups, wherein the biphasic polymer comprises a discrete phase and a continuous transport phase, wherein the continuous transport phase is capable of delivering oligomers in response to corrosion byproducts, and wherein the oligomers are ionically crosslinkable with metal cations from a base metal substrate.

Abstract: Configuring chargers at a charging site is provided. A data processing system can include a processor coupled with memory and configured to identify a configuration. The configuration can indicate a plurality of chargers coupled with a first line of an electrical panel to conduct power at a first phase and a second line of the electrical panel to conduct power at a second phase different than the first phase. The one or more processors can cause, based on the configuration and operational characteristics associated with one or more of the plurality of chargers, a controller to deliver power to a charger of the plurality of chargers via the first line and the second line based on the power capacity of the electrical panel.

Abstract: An email ranking system assigns scores to emails of a user based on actions that other recipients of the emails have taken with respect to the emails. In determining the scores, the email ranking system may weight each recipient's action based on how closely connected the recipient is to the user and a type of connection the recipient has to the user. Each email's score may represent a likelihood that the email contains content that is important to the user. A client device may display the user's emails based on the scores. The client device may list the emails in descending order based on the scores, enabling the user to prioritize review of emails that are more likely to be important to the user. In this way, the email ranking system improves the client device by helping the user more quickly identify important emails.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an optical fiber alignment device that has an alignment housing that includes first and second ends. The alignment housing defines a fiber insertion axis that extends through the alignment housing between the first and second ends. The alignment housing includes a fiber alignment region at an intermediate location between the first and second ends. First and second fiber alignment rods are positioned within the alignment housing. The first and second fiber alignment rods cooperate to define a fiber alignment groove that extends along the fiber insertion axis. The first and second fiber alignment rods each having rounded ends positioned at the first and second ends of the alignment housing.

Abstract: A cable assembly includes a cable and a cable mounting clamp. The cable mounting clamp includes a base removably connectable to a surface. The base may include a tab removably insertable into an aperture defined in the surface and a lock releasably connectable to the surface. The base further includes an outer body which defines an inner channel and a support ramp disposed within the inner channel, the inner channel extending along a longitudinal axis. The cable mounting clamp further includes a cap connectable to the base to further define the inner channel therebetween. The cable mounting clamp further includes a roller tube disposed within the inner channel and rotatably mounted on the support ramp, the roller tube rotatable about the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: The description relates to hinged devices, such as hinged computing devices. One example can include a first portion having a first display surrounded by a first bezel and a second portion having a second display surrounded by a second bezel. A hinge assembly can rotatably secure the first and second portions. The hinge assembly can include a first friction band that is secured to the first portion and is friction fit around a first hinge shaft, and a second friction band that is secured to the second portion and is friction fit around a second hinge shaft. The first friction band and the first hinge shaft are located entirely within the first bezel and do not underly the first display, and the second friction band and the second hinge shaft are located entirely within the second bezel and do not underly the second display.

Abstract: An image including a first object can be input to a deep neural network trained to detect objects. The deep neural network can output a first feature vector corresponding to the first object. A first distance can be measured from the first feature vector to a feature vector subspace determined using a k-means single value decomposition algorithm on an overcomplete dictionary of feature vectors. The first object can be determined to correspond to an anomaly based on the first distance.

Abstract: Decentralized computer systems and methods are disclosed for establishing and conducting payment processing with loyalty points using distributed ledger. One method includes: receiving a consumer identification, an issuer identification, and transaction information from a point of sale system when the loyalty card is presented for a transaction of a good or service at a merchant, identifying the network node containing distributed ledger associated with the issuer according to received issuer identification prompting, to participants of the shared ledger, to validate whether the consumer distributed ledger has required loyalty points for the transaction; if all of the participants of the shared ledger accepts the transaction, generating, a new immutable entry to the distributed ledger for the transaction with remaining loyalty points in the loyalty card after deducting the points required for the transaction; and sending a transaction approved message to the point of sale system at the merchant.

Abstract: A system includes a proposal engine configured to present quotes and/or proposals to customers at a network site.

Abstract: The invention describes an imaging device (1) comprising an image sensor (2), an imaging lens (3), an infrared light source (5) to illuminate a scene (SC), and an infrared autofocus system (6) for providing an autofocus function, wherein the image sensor (2) comprises an array (21) of sensor pixels each arranged as dual pixel (22) comprising two separate pixel sensors (22a, 22b) per dual pixel (22) to record the image data (D1) as a sum signal from both pixel sensors (22a, 22b) and providing infrared data (D2) as individual signals from each of the two pixel sensors (22a, 22b) for phase contrast (PC) autofocusing, wherein an infrared filter (7) arranged between an aperture (4) of the imaging device (1) and an imaging sensor (2) and is adapted to locally transmit only a portion of the infrared light (IR) to the imaging sensor (2) by comprising at least one first area (71) arranged as infrared blocking area and at least one second area (72) arranged as infrared bandpass area.

Abstract: A wireless device monitors a downlink control channel of a transmission reception point (TRP) on an active bandwidth part (BWP) of a cell, where the TRP is in an active state. First channel state information reports of the TRP for the active BWP are transmitted. The TRP transitions from the active state into a dormant state in response to a first time period of inactivity on the TRP. The monitoring is stopped. Second channel state information reports of the TRP for the active BWP are transmitted when the TRP is in the dormant state.

Abstract: A locking tree stand comprising a basin with a plurality of bolt mounts configured to accommodate locking bolts to slide into position. When a tab on the bolt mount is closed a threaded portion of the locking bolt comes in contact with a grip on the tab, preventing the bolt from sliding freely within the bolt mount. The bolt may slide on the thread base where a spring extends from, causing an arm from the spring to push the tab away from the locking bolt, when a locking tab is in an unlocked position. A foot pad may also be attached to the locking screw to provide a greater contact surface between the locking bolt and the trunk of a tree. The footpad may also include a plurality of nubs to provide greater grip between the footpad and the tree trunk.

Abstract: According to some illustrative embodiments, a modular mounting system for mounting accessories on vehicles includes: a) a plurality of support members, each of said plurality of support members having i) a lower upright planar member configured to extend downward along a peripheral wall around a vehicle bed, ii) a cross planar member extending laterally from the lower upright planar member and configured to extend across the peripheral wall around the vehicle bed, and iii) an upper upright planar member extending upwardly from the cross planar member and configured to extend upwardly above a height of the peripheral wall around the vehicle bed; and b) at least one of: i) a removable cross-bar removably supported by a plurality of said upper upright planar members; and ii) a removable side panel removably supported by a plurality of said upright planar members.

Abstract: Metal transaction cards with removable indicia are provided. In some approaches, a transaction card may include a metal body having a first main side and a second main side, and an identification chip coupled to the first main side of the metal body. The transaction card may further include an exterior layer along the second main side, the exterior layer containing identifying indicia, wherein at least a portion of the exterior layer is removable from the second main side by at least one of: a set of perforations through the exterior layer, and a channel provided along an outer edge of the second main side.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to identify a presence of a volumetric medium in an environment associated with a LIDAR system. In some implementations, the LIDAR system may emit a light pulse into the environment, receive a return light pulse corresponding to reflection of the emitted light pulse by a surface in the environment, and determine a pulse width of the received light pulse. The LIDAR system may compare the determined pulse width with a reference pulse width, and determine an amount of pulse elongation of the received light pulse. The LIDAR system may classify the surface as either an object to be avoided by a vehicle or as air particulates associated with the volumetric medium based, at least in part, on the determined amount of pulse elongation.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to oral care systems and devices. An oral care system includes a container defining an interior portion and a moveable funnel configured to slide in the interior portion of the container. The moveable funnel includes a funnel portion having a base connected to a tube. The system further includes a toothbrush supported by the tube, the toothbrush having a handle extending out from the container.

Abstract: Systems and methods for image retargeting are provided. Image data may be acquired that includes motion capture data indicative of motion of a plurality of markers disposed on a surface of a first subject. Each of the markers may be associated with a respective location on the first subject. A plurality of blendshapes may be calculated for the motion capture data based on a configuration of the markers. An error function may be identified for the plurality of blendshapes, and it may be determined that the plurality of blendshapes can be used to retarget a second subject based on the error function. The plurality of blendshapes may then be applied to a second subject to generate a new animation.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a dry silicone gel. The dry silicone gel comprises a base polymer having a vinylsilicone group, a crosslinker, and a chain extender. The dry silicone gel may be made by reacting (a) a first set of components comprising a base polymer having a vinylsilicone group and an addition cure catalyst with (b) a second set of components comprising a crosslinker, a chain extender, and additional base polymer. In certain circumstances, the base polymer and additional base polymer are vinyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxane.