Abstract: A method performed by a user device may include obtaining biometric information relating to a user of the user device using a biometric sensor of the user device; determining that the biometric information is valid; generating a biometric indicator indicating that the biometric information is valid; providing a request for a callback from an entity, wherein the request includes the biometric information indicating that the biometric information is valid; and receiving the callback from the entity, wherein the callback is received based on the biometric information indicating that the biometric information is valid, and wherein the callback is associated with an entity identifier that is not provided to the user.

Abstract: A method of identifying a background type in a photograph includes extracting a background image from a photograph, feeding the background image into a first convolution neural network to obtain a first decision, extracting color features in the background image, transforming the color features into a two-dimensional color feature matrix, feeding the two-dimensional color feature matrix into a second convolution neural network to obtain a second decision by the one or more computer processors, extracting texture features in the background image, transforming the texture features into a two-dimensional texture feature matrix image by the one or more computer processors, feeding the two-dimensional texture feature matrix into a third convolution neural network to obtain a third decision, computing a hybrid decision based on the first decision, the second decision, and the third decision, and identifying a background type in the background image based on the hybrid decision.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining a set of training samples. During each of a plurality of training iterations, the method also includes sampling a batch of training samples from the set of training samples. The method includes, for each training sample in the batch of training samples, determining, using a data value estimator, a selection probability. The selection probability for the training sample is based on estimator parameter values of the data value estimator. The method also includes selecting, based on the selection probabilities of each training sample, a subset of training samples from the batch of training samples, and determining, using a predictor model with the subset of training samples, performance measurements. The method also includes adjusting model parameter values of the predictor model based on the performance measurements, and updating the estimator parameter values of the data value estimator based on the performance measurements.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices systems and methods for removing moisture from a material via radio frequency electromagnetic wave exposure. A moisture-removal system can include having spaced apart a first and a second electrical conductor extending along a same first direction, each of the first and second electrical conductor comprising opposing broad top and bottom sides, the broad bottom side of the first electrical conductor facing the broad top side of the second electrical conductor. The system includes a material containing moisture at least partially filling the space between the first and the second electrical conductor. The system further includes at least one first wire attached to a first radio frequency generator and to the first end of the first electrical conductor. The system also includes at least one second wire attached to the electrical ground of the first radio frequency generator to the first end of the second electrical conductor.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, articles of manufacture, and methods for viewer authentication are disclosed. An example system comprises memory, first instructions, and processor circuitry to execute the first instructions to send one or more second instructions to the device, the second instructions to cause the device to trigger collection of audio metering data from a sensed audio signal based on a programming schedule that is to identify when the program is to be broadcast, the program associated with a first time duration, the audio metering data associated with a second time duration, accept voting data from the user for a ballot presented in the program, and transmit the audio metering data and the voting data, determine a level of exposure of the user to the program based on the first time duration and the second time duration, and adjust the voting data based on the level of exposure.

Abstract: An aerodynamic deflector on the vehicle is repositionable. An actuator is coupled with the aerodynamic deflector. A controller configured to: detect a performance mode of operation of the vehicle; determine a requested lateral acceleration; calculate a control adjustment of the aerodynamic deflector to generate a downforce to achieve the requested lateral acceleration and maximize lateral grip of the vehicle; and operate the actuator to effect the control adjustment of the aerodynamic deflector to generate the downforce on the vehicle.

Abstract: A drilling rig and methods are provided for using multiple types of drilling when installing geothermal systems. The drilling rig can perform sonic drilling such as percussive sonic drilling and a type of non-sonic drilling. Control switching valves are added to the hydraulics of the drilling rig to selectively provide sufficient flow of hydraulic fluid to motors used in the multiple types of drilling, depending on which type of drilling is currently most efficient for the underground formation being drilled. The water pump and hydraulic motor for such have been designed to handle both types of drilling on a small drilling rig frame, thereby allowing for the drilling to occur in space-constrained environments. A method of recycling water used to remove cuttings during drilling to put back downhole is also provided.

Abstract: A system and method for improved security in a networked computing environment. The method includes receiving, from a user device, a registration request comprising a user identifier for a user; receiving, from the user device, user credentials to access one or more online accounts associated with the user; accessing the one or more online accounts to retrieve user activity data for the user; analyzing the retrieved user activity data to determine one or more merchants associated with the user; storing, in a database coupled to a server device, a mapping between the user and the one or more merchants; receiving, from a monitoring service, an indication that a first merchant of the one or more merchants has experienced a data breach; and sending a notification to the user in response to determining that the first merchant has experienced a data breach.

Abstract: A recoil management system.

Abstract: The present invention is related to an UV LED curing apparatus, and more particularly, to an UV LED curing apparatus with improved housing and switch controller. The light reflective inner casing is preferably provided as an effective UV light reflector and as a supporting substrate of the UV LED light source while being capable of transmitting heat from the UV LED light source away for further heat dissipation to the ambient by the outer casing. The outer casing is detachably attached to the inner casing and allows a greater user interaction for decorative and entertainment purposes while also being a protective and heat dissipation means.

Abstract: A method of forming a projectile for use in a firearm ammunition cartridge, the method including mixing a first material and a second material having different densities to produce a core mixture, disposing the core mixture in a die, heating the core mixture to the melting point, removing the core mixture from the die, quenching the core mixture, and plating the core mixture with a jacket material.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing a native general-purpose controller for reconciling desired states for resources across a plurality of clusters in a cloud computing environment. An indication is received of one or more custom resources of the cloud computing environment. An API is instantiated at each of the clusters that are to be accessed. In response to receiving an indication that a desired state of one of the objects does not match a current state of the one object, a message is sent that indicates an action to reconcile the desired state with the current state. A message is received that indicates that the action to reconcile the desired state with the current state has been completed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for constructing an itinerary for a user based on articles of multimedia content are disclosed. One computer-implemented method may include: receiving, at the server and from a user device hosting a media streaming platform, an indication of selection by a user of a travel option associated with an aspect featured in an article of multimedia content presented on the media streaming platform; identifying, based on the receiving, a real-world location of the aspect; ascertaining, by the server, contextual information associated with the user; establishing, based on the real-world location of the aspect and the contextual information associated with the user, the itinerary for travel to the aspect; and presenting, subsequent to the establishing, a visual display of the itinerary on the media-streaming platform. Other aspects are described and claimed.

Abstract: A load control system may comprise an electrical load control device and/or a computing device. The electrical load control device may control, for example, motorized window treatments (e.g., shades), lighting controls, and/or sensors (e.g., occupancy, radio window, daylight, etc.). For example, a load control device comprising a motorized window treatment may control the position of a covering material in the window treatment. The computing device may comprise a processor and/or a graphical user interface (GUI). The computing device may be a server and/or a user device, such as a wireless user device (e.g., a cellular phone, tablet, or laptop computer). The computing device may be configured to provide graphical representations that may be displayed on a GUI based on load control information.

Abstract: A light fixture may include a light fixture housing defining an internal cavity. A light fixture may also include one or more light engines positioned within the internal cavity of the light fixture housing and designed to emit light for illumination. A light fixture may also include an external power driver positioned within the internal cavity of the light fixture housing and designed to receive power from an external power source, and provide power to and control the one or more light engines. A light fixture may also include a backup power supply positioned within the internal cavity of the light fixture housing, and a backup power driver positioned within the internal cavity of the light fixture housing and designed to receive power from the backup power supply, and provide power to and control the one or more light engines.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining transaction locations are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, from a computing terminal, information indicating the completion of a transaction associated with a mobile device, sending, to the mobile device, a confirmation of the completion of the transaction, receiving, from the mobile device, location information indicating latitude and longitude information of the mobile device, confirming that the location information is within a predetermined distance of a stored location of the computing terminal, updating the location information associated with the computing terminal to include the received location information, and determining, based on the location information associated with the computing terminal, a location of the computing terminal.

Abstract: An image processing system is described which has a memory holding at least one image depicting at least one person previously unseen by the image processing system. The system has a trained probabilistic model which describes a relationship between image features, context, identities and a plurality of names of people, wherein at least one of the identities identifies a person depicted in the image without an associated name in the plurality of names. The system has a feature extractor which extracts features from the image, and a processor which predicts an identity of the person depicted in the image using the extracted features and the probabilistic model.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating and utilizing an interactive causal loop diagram using a causal loop designer are provided. In one or more examples, a computer-implemented method for creating a causal loop diagram comprising visually emphasized elements can comprise displaying a first element and a second element, wherein the first element and the second element comprise visually emphasizable elements. In response to receiving a user command to connect the first element to the second element, the method can comprise displaying a connection between the first element and the second element, wherein the connection comprises a visually emphasizable element. In one or more examples, the method comprises displaying a causal loop diagram comprising the first element, the second element, and the connection. In response to a user activating a visual emphasis tool, the method can comprise visually emphasizing one or more of the visually emphasizable elements.

Abstract: Polyolefins having the same or different functional groups covalently bound to the polyolefin, such as polyolefins having hindered phenol groups bound thereto, can be prepared by from a maleic anhydride modified polyolefin, with or without a coupling agent, and a hindered phenol reagent under heat, e.g., by heating the components to at least about 170° C., such as by reactive extrusion. A polyolefin having hindered phenol groups can be added to the components as a stabilizer prior to or during reacting the components together under heat.

Abstract: A source wireless access node handsover a wireless User Equipment (UE) to a target wireless access node based on UE capability. The source node receives UE capabilities for the UE. The source node receives a source signal strength indicator for the UE and the source node. The source node receives a target signal strength indicator for the UE and the target node. The source node determines to handover the UE to the target node based on the source signal strength indicator and the target signal strength indicator. In response to the handover determination, the source node identifies a UE capability to disable. The source node signals the target node to serve the UE. The source node signals the UE to wirelessly attach to the target wireless access node without reporting the identified UE capability. The UE wirelessly attaches to the target node without reporting the identified UE capability.