Abstract: A system for bulk pet food dispersing. The system has one or more scales, and for each scale a pulley system and a pair of rails which can be used to lift a bulk bag of pet food into place above the scale and a gravity-fed dispenser, which can include a dispenser control. The bulk bag of pet food can attach to the pulley system using hooks, eyelets, knots, chains, etc., then raised into place using a crank which moves the pulley system. Users can then disperse the pet food from the raised bulk bag into their own bag using a dispenser control, such as a handle or lever.

Abstract: A method comprises providing a current state image and at least one reference image, taken from a similar angle range. The image and the at least one reference image are superimposed and a visual representation visualizing the relation between the image and the reference image is provided in order to track displacements of the bone during subsequent operation steps. A system is provided which can use the image data to track displacements and determine deviation from a current state of the elements in question to a target state.

Abstract: A semiconductor layer structure may include a substrate, a blocking layer disposed over the substrate, and one or more epitaxial layers disposed over the blocking layer. The blocking layer may have a thickness of between 50 nanometers (nm) and 4000 nm. The blocking layer may be configured to suppress defects from the substrate propagating to the one or more epitaxial layers. The one or more epitaxial layers may include a quantum-well layer that includes a quantum-well intermixing region formed using a high temperature treatment.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for gripping of a workpiece with a layer jamming structure having rigid datum structures. A system includes a layer jamming structure configurable in an inactivated conformable state, with a membrane defining an internal cavity containing a number of overlapping material layers. The rigid structures engage the layer jamming structure. A pressure system includes a pump coupled with the internal cavity to change a pressure therein to transform the layer jamming structure from the inactivated conformable state to an activated rigid state disposed around the workpiece. The rigid structures help conform the layer jamming structure to the workpiece during transformation to the activated rigid state and to present datum fixturing surfaces in the activated rigid state.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring conditions in a crawl space is provided. The system generally comprises at least one sensor, computing device, data aggregator operably connected to the at least one sensor, processor operably connected to the computing device, power supply, and non-transitory computer-readable medium coupled to the processor and having instructions stored thereon. The system is designed to collect condition data via the at least one sensor and determine whether the conditions within the crawl space could have a detrimental impact on the building. In particular, the system is designed to alert a third-party when a condition might cause damage to a building so that the third-party might correct the cause of the condition.

Abstract: An electronic mail (email) system generates an email user interface display, with a timeslot actuator, for composing an email message. Actuation of the timeslot actuator is detected and the email system accesses available timeslots from a calendar system corresponding to the user. User selectable display elements, corresponding to each available timeslot, are displayed on the email user interface display, along with message content. When a user selectable display element corresponding to an available timeslot is selected, the email message content is populated with a selectable timeslot element, corresponding to the available timeslot, that can be sent to recipients in the email message.

Abstract: In some implementations, a language proficiency of a user of a client device is determined by one or more computers. The one or more computers then determines a text segment for output by a text-to-speech module based on the determined language proficiency of the user. After determining the text segment for output, the one or more computers generates audio data including a synthesized utterance of the text segment. The audio data including the synthesized utterance of the text segment is then provided to the client device for output.

Abstract: Providing a coordinated primary media stream with an aggregate supplemental media stream is disclosed. A request is received from an end user device associated with a user for supplemental media. Metadata and a broadcast time associated with a primary media stream transmitted to the end user device are determined. Based on the metadata and the broadcast time, first supplemental media from a first account of the user on a first platform and second supplemental media from a second account of the user on a second platform are determined. The first supplemental media and the second supplemental media are merged into an aggregate supplemental media stream. The aggregate supplemental media stream is streamed in synchronization with the primary media stream.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for supporting wireless networks, e.g., mesh networks, which are well suited for use in metropolitan areas are described. In various embodiments, vehicle based communications systems are used to support a mesh network. A communications device, e.g., vehicle's WiFi communications system, scans for access points and selects between available access points based on, e.g., speed and/or direction of the vehicle in which the communications device is located and, when available, information about the speed, direction and/or route of the access point to which the communications device is considering attaching. Access points are prioritized based on the QOS they can support and/or the amount of time that they are likely to be in communications range. Traffic load can be split between multiple access points. Client devices can also act as access points with respect to other devices allowing for a dense mesh network to be formed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are provided. The method includes providing a set of coils that generate multidirectional pulsed electromagnetic fields in the prostate. The apparatus comprises a power source, an intelligent controller and an applicator positioned in proximity to the prostate and generating multidirectional pulsed fields according to instructions from the controller. The electric component of the electromagnetic fields generated by a PEMF interacts with cells, increases the number of Ata receptors on their membranes and thus enhances the anti-inflammatory actions of the adenosine A2aAR pathway.

Abstract: Integrated systems comprising both i) heat and mass exchange systems and ii) electrolysis stacks are disclosed, together with related methods of use. The disclosed systems cool and/or dehumidify air using two streams of salt solutions as liquid desiccants.

Abstract: The subject invention provides compositions and methods for preserving food products. Specifically, the subject compositions and methods can be used to prolong the consumable life of food products, as well as to reduce and/or prevent spoilage and/or contamination by microbial agents. The compositions comprise a blend of one or more glycolipids and one or more lipopeptides. The compositions comprise sophorolipids and surfactin, lichenysin or another lipopeptide biosurfactant.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, computer program-product, and system for generating predicate-weighted histograms in a database management system. Further, the methods, computer program-products and systems in accordance with the present invention generate histograms that are biased towards the predicate literals of the queries that are submitted to the database management system. The resulting histograms will improve query performance by generating histograms with greater resolution near predicate literals that represent the queries submitted to the database management system.

Abstract: A method of identifying, tracking, and counting human objects of interest based upon at least one pair of stereo image frames taken by at least one image capturing device, comprising the steps of: obtaining said stereo image frames and converting each said stereo image frame to a rectified image frame using calibration data obtained for said at least one image capturing device; generating a disparity map based upon a pair of said rectified image frames; generating a depth map based upon said disparity map and said calibration data; identifying the presence or absence of said objects of interest from said depth map and comparing each of said objects of interest to existing tracks comprising previously identified objects of interest; for each said presence of an object of interest, adding said object of interest to one of said existing tracks if said object of interest matches said one existing track, or creating a new track comprising said object of interest if said object of interest does not match any of sai

Abstract: A user may create an avatar and/or animated sequence illustrating a particular object or living being performing a certain activity, using images of portions of the object or living being extracted from a still image or set of still images of the object or living being.

Abstract: A hitch tightener is used around the lip of a hitch receiver tube and a shank inserted into the hitch receiver tube. The hitch tightener has a U-bolt with two threaded legs, and a crossbar with throughholes for the legs of the U-bolt, positioned so the crossbar and the U-bolt encircle the shank and the receiver tube lip. A standard threaded nut holds the crossbar onto one of the legs, and a cam lock lever is pivotally attached on the other leg by a threaded trunnion nut. When the cam lock lever is pivoted from its opened position to its closed position, it moves the crossbar toward the connecting portion of the clamp component, tightening the hitch tightener around shank and lip.

Abstract: An intention of a road user to traverse a passage between a first vehicle and a second vehicle is determined. A required width of the passage is determined based on a nature of the road user. A current width of the passage is determined. Upon determining the current width of the passage is less than the required width of the passage, a drive of at least one of the first vehicle or the second vehicle is actuated to increase the current width of the passage at least to the required width of the passage.

Abstract: A system includes a crowdsourcing request circuit that configures parameter(s) of a crowdsourcing request related to obtaining information on a condition of a collateral for a loan, a crowdsourcing publishing circuit that publishes the crowdsourcing request to a group of information suppliers, and a crowdsourcing communications circuit that collects and processes response(s) from the group of information suppliers, and provides a reward to at least one of the group of information suppliers in response to a successful information supply event.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer readable media for performing task assignment, completion, and management within a crowdsourced surveillance platform. A remote server may identify targets for image capture and may assign capture tasks to users based on travel plans of the user. Users may be assigned task to capture image of target locations lying along a travel path. The remote server may aggregate data related to the captured images and use it to update a map and log changes to the target location over time.