Abstract: A generation identifier is employed with various systems and methods in order to identify situations where a workload has been reassigned to a new node and where a workload is still being processed by an old node during a failure between nodes. A master node may assign a workload to a worker node. The worker node sends a request to access target data. The request may be associated with a generation identifier and workload identifier that identifies the node and workload. At some point, a failure occurs between the master node and worker node. The master node reassigns the workload to another worker node. The new worker node accesses the target data with a different generation identifier, indicating to the storage system that the workload has been reassigned. The old worker node receives an indication from the storage system that the workload has been reassigned and stops processing the workload.

Abstract: A recording device comprising a base, a top cover, at least one computer with a wi-fi dongle coupled to the base that is configured to automatically upload a .zip file of the audio files to a cloud network when the device is turned on and in range of a preferred wifi network, a hook switch coupled to the base, and electrically coupled to the computer, at least one rechargeable battery electrically coupled to the computer, an LED that indicates battery charge electrically coupled to the computer, at least one USB-A connector electrically coupled to the computer for charging the power source, a rotary dial coupled to the base and configured to extend through an opening in the top cover, a power button electrically coupled to the computer, and a handset removably supported by the top cover and electrically coupled to the computer.

Abstract: Electric vehicle predictive range estimating systems and methods are provided herein. An example method includes determining an initial state of charge (SOC) for an energy source of a vehicle at a first point in time; determining one or more boundary conditions for the vehicle during a time frame extending from the first point in time to a second point in time, the one or more boundary conditions causing a loss in the energy source during the time frame; determining a predicted future SOC for the energy source based on the one or more boundary conditions and the initial SOC; and predicting an availability of a vehicle operating condition based on the predicted future SOC for the energy source.

Abstract: New or improved lead acid batteries with vapor pressure barriers and/or improved battery separators, as well as systems, vehicles, and/or methods of manufacture and/or use thereof are disclosed herein. In at least select embodiments, the instant disclosure provides new or improved lead acid batteries with a vapor pressure barrier. In at least select embodiments, the instant disclosure provides new or improved lead acid battery vapor pressure barriers along with new or improved battery separators, and/or methods of manufacture and/or use thereof. In at least select embodiments, the instant disclosure provides a new or improved lead acid battery with a vapor pressure barrier that reduces the water loss from the battery. In at least select embodiments, a method of reducing the water loss of a lead acid battery may include providing a vapor pressure barrier, such as a layer of oil, inside the lead acid battery along with an improved battery separator.

Abstract: An assembly for shoring temporary surface excavations includes a base unit and a first extension unit. The base unit includes features for allowing the assembly to be jacked out of the excavation when hoisting becomes impossible of impractical. The shoring structure may also be jacked into an unstable excavation from above.

Abstract: An actuator system includes a piston-cylinder arrangement including a piston that is movable with respect to a cylinder. A first flow path is in fluid communication with the piston-cylinder arrangement and a second flow path is in fluid communication with the piston-cylinder arrangement. A control system is operable to fluidly connect the first flow path to a source of high-pressure fluid and to connect the second flow path to a drain to move the piston in a first direction. A pressure sensor is fluidly connected to the first flow path and is operable to measure sufficient pressure data during the movement of the piston to generate a pressure versus time curve. The control system is operable to compare the generated pressure versus time curve to a known standard pressure versus time curve stored in the control system to determine the condition of the piston-cylinder arrangement.

Abstract: A hand grip system for a skiing, hiking or trekking pole. The pole grip system includes a primary grip with a conical shape designed to fit the natural anatomical shape of a human hand grasping the grip. An optional secondary ascent grip, also conical in shape and located just below the primary grip, may be used for climbing steep terrain without adjusting pole length. The conical shape of the primary grip and the ascent grip provides a mechanism for axial force to be transferred from the user's hand to the pole without requiring a tight grasp. A grip top located above the primary grip prevents the user's hand from sliding upward, and serves as a gripping surface for alternate grasps such as a palm grip. A break-away wrist strap attached at the lower end of the primary grip is usable with either the primary grip or the ascent grip.

Abstract: The current document is directed to methods and systems that employ call traces collected by one or more call-trace services to generate call-trace-classification rules to facilitate root-cause analysis of distributed-application operational problems and failures. In a described implementation, a set of automatically labeled call traces is partitioned by the generated call-trace-classification rules. Call-trace-classification-rule generation is constrained to produce relatively simple rules with greater-than-threshold confidences and coverages. The call-trace-classification rules may point to particular services and service failures, which provides useful information to distributed-application and distributed-computer-system managers and administrators attempting to diagnose operational problems and failures that arise during execution of distributed applications within distributed computer systems.

Abstract: Systems as described herein may include predicting item level data based on merchant advertisement information. A transaction pattern may be detected. The merchant advertisement information may be retrieved and parsed to generate a price list. A number of transactions that each shares a common payment amount may be determined and the number may reach a threshold value. Items from the price list may be matched with the common payment amount. The transaction records may be updated to indicate likely item level transaction information. In a variety of embodiments, the likely transaction information may be presented to a user.

Abstract: Techniques of dynamic authentication scheme selection in distributed computing systems are disclosed herein. One example technique includes analyzing a received authentication request for an indicator of an authentication scheme that is supported by a computing service submitting the authentication request. The example technique can also include determining whether the authentication scheme associated with the indicator is also supported by the authentication service and in response to determining that the authentication scheme associated with the indicator is also supported by the authentication service, initiating an authentication process with the computing service according to the authentication scheme that is supported by both the computing service and the authentication service. As such, the authentication scheme can be dynamically selected at the authentication service for the received authentication request.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for encoding or decoding a video sequence includes applying a Cross-Component Linear Model (CCLM) to a video sequence, and applying an interpolation filter in the Cross-Component Linear Model (CCLM), wherein the interpolation filter is dependent upon a YUV format of the video sequence.

Abstract: A persistent media player is disclosed. A method for providing the persistent media player includes displaying, by an electronic device, a first portion of a scrollable document in a user interface (UI) of an application executed on the electronic device. The first portion includes a media player that is to present a first media item. The method further includes receiving an input to scroll to a second portion of the scrollable document. The method also includes displaying the second portion of the scrollable document, where the first portion is no longer visible and where the media player continues to be visible.

Abstract: An approach for reconstructing a Network Abstraction Layer (NAL) unit for video decoding using at least one processor includes decoding a first syntax element included in a NAL unit header; determining, based on the first syntax element, a NAL unit class including a plurality of NAL unit types; decoding a second syntax element included in the NAL unit header; and based on the NAL unit class being a first NAL unit class, determining a NAL unit type from among the NAL unit types using a combination of the NAL unit class and the second syntax element, and reconstructing the NAL unit based on the determined NAL unit type; and based on the NAL unit class being a second NAL unit class, determining a temporal identifier (TID) based on the second syntax element, and reconstructing the NAL unit based on the determined TID.

Abstract: A packaging machine is provided for producing single and multiple compartment film wrapped pouches. Multiple linear motors allow aspects of the forming, filling, cutting and discharging to run at different speeds. The pouches are formed, filled and discharged from platens that are secured to movers that proceed through the packaging process by following magnetic fields created by independently controlled linear motors. Overall, cycle time is decreased as a result of speeding up parts of the process, including the platen return process, possible because there is no mechanical connection and not a single conveyor moving the platens while the other parts of the process may be simultaneously slowed down or even temporarily stopped. Changeover of platens, to accommodate different products, such as single compartment pouch to multiple compartment pouches, is also simplified because platens are simply connected to the movers and are thus easily removed and replaced.

Abstract: A manually rotatable sonar transducer mounting apparatus for mounting a sonar transducer to a boat and providing a means to mechanically rotate a submerged sonar transducer with little mechanical effort or movement and with very little sound. A method for rotating a submerged sonar transducer using the manually rotatable sonar transducer mounting apparatus.

Abstract: Time-based functionality restrictions may be provided. Periodic scans may be performed to identify requests to perform functions on user devices, to determine whether the functions are compliant with compliance rules associated with the user devices that specify time periods during which the user devices are authorized to perform the functions, and to perform remedial actions if the functions are not compliant with the compliance rules.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to coated articles. A substrate is coated with an underlayer having at a first underlayer film made of a first high refractive index material. A transparent conductive oxide layer over at least a portion of the underlayer. An embedded film is embedded within the transparent conductive oxide layer wherein the embedded film comprises a second high refractive index material.

Abstract: A longitudinal adjuster for a motor vehicle seat may have a first rail, a second rail, a spindle, and a gear. The gear may be fastened to the second rail by a substantially U-shaped gear holder, and the gear holder may have at least two limbs arranged opposite one another in the longitudinal direction. The gear holder may have at least one recess in a base connecting the two limbs, and a gear housing surrounding the gear projects at least in sections into the at least one recess. A motor vehicle seat may have the longitudinal adjuster for adjusting a seat longitudinal position.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for detecting wafer defects. Example techniques include exciting a wafer using an acoustic signal to cause the wafer to exhibit vibrations, measuring one or more of linear frequency response metrics or nonlinear frequency responses metrics associated with the vibrations, and identifying any defects in the wafer based at least in part on one or more of the linear frequency response metrics or nonlinear frequency responses metrics. In embodiments, the wafer includes bismuth telluride (Bi2Te3).

Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present invention encompass a variety of polymers derived from polycyclic olefin monomers, such as hydrocarbon functionalized norbornenes. The polymers so formed function as ionomers and are suitable as anion exchange membrane for fabricating a variety of electrochemical devices, among others. More specifically, the ionomeric polymers used herein are derived from a variety of quaternized amino functionalized norbornene monomers and are lightly crosslinked (less than ten mol %). The membranes made therefrom exhibit very high ionic conductivity of up to 198 mS/cm at 80° C. This invention also relates to using an anion conducting solid polymer electrolyte as the ion conducting medium between the two electrodes and the ion conducting medium within the electrodes acting as the ionic conduit between electroactive material and electrolyte. The electrochemical devices made in accordance of this invention are useful as fuel cells, gas separators, and the like.