Abstract: Methods and apparatus for managing information relating to recycling activities are described. One embodiment described herein is directed to a method for accessing aggregated recycling information for use and/or display in connection with an account-based recycling program. The method comprises receiving first and second container information, the first container information concerning a plurality of first containers for a first recycling transaction and the second container information concerning a plurality of second containers for a second recycling transaction. The first and second container information is stored and associated account information concerning at least one consumer account. The method further comprises accessing, in response to receiving a query relating to a plurality of recycling transactions, information relating to at least the first and second containers so as to enable the use and/or display of aggregated recycling information.

Abstract: A windshield, vehicle and antenna assembly for the vehicle is disclosed. The antenna assembly includes an antenna and a signal coupler. The antenna is embedded within the windshield of the vehicle. The antenna is configured to receive signals over a first frequency band and a second frequency band separated from the first frequency band. The signal coupler electromagnetically couples to the antenna through the windshield.

Abstract: A lateral disc cutter for morcellating and decorticating tissue of an intervertebral disc from between adjacent vertebrae. The device can be arranged in a retracted configuration for insertion via an access tube, and in an extended configuration for cutting of tissue in the target region. The blades may be extended to contact the concave endplate in an orientation that is substantially parallel to a mid-plane of the intervertebral disc. Blades of the device may be configured with a convex profile that substantially conforms to the concave shape of the endplate for enhanced contact length between the blade and the endplate. In some embodiments, the blades are configured for removal and replacement without need for tools, with the blades selectively determining a maximum displacement width of the morecellator assembly.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products are described to improve machine learning (ML) model-based classification of data items by identifying and removing inaccurate training data. Inaccurate training samples may be identified, for example, based on excessive variance in vector space between a training sample and a mean of category training samples, and based on a variance between an assigned category and a predicted category for a training sample. Suspect or erroneous samples may be selectively removed based on, for example, vector space variance and/or prediction confidence level. As a result, ML model accuracy may be improved by training on a more accurate revised training set. ML model accuracy may (e.g., also) be improved, for example, by identifying and removing suspect categories with excessive (e.g., weighted) vector space variance. Suspect categories may be retained or revised. Users may (e.g., also) specify a prediction confidence level and/or coverage (e.g., to control accuracy).

Abstract: A method for facilitating uses of a code for vehicle experiences includes receiving code data from the code in a sign. The sign is disposed outside a host vehicle. The method further includes establishing a connection with a service using the code data obtained from the code and in response to establishing the connection with the service, receiving service data. The service data includes information about the service. The method further includes, in response to receiving the service data, controlling the host vehicle according to the service data received after establishing the connection with the service.

Abstract: Example embodiments described herein involve reducing the formation of ice on external modules by incorporating a heater within the module. The system may include a microphone module for an autonomous vehicle. The microphone module may include a housing and a microphone inside an opening of the housing. The system may further include a cover abutting the opening of the housing. The cover may enclose the microphone within the housing and seal the opening of the housing. The system may also include a heater adjacent to the opening of the housing and configured to prevent ice from forming over the opening. The heater may at least partially surround the opening.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved formaldehyde-free coated fibrous substrate. The coating includes a crosslinked binder system which forms three dimensional networks when heat cured. After the coating is applied to the back of fibrous substrate and cured, the coating is capable of hygroscopic expansion which imparts excellent anti-sag properties. The coating is compatible with other coating systems with neutral or mild alkaline pH. The improvement being the binding system is neutralized with a volatile base so that it evaporates quickly so as not to hinder the cross-linking reaction.

Abstract: The invention includes a dilator comprising a tube and an elastic, unitary sleeve that is slidable both longitudinally and transversely to the cylindrical barrel when disposed on the tube.

Abstract: An air turbine starter comprising a housing defining an inlet, an outlet, and a flow path, a turbine having a rotor with circumferentially spaced blades extending into the flow path, a drive shaft operably coupled to and rotating with the rotor, and at least one vane located within the flow path, upstream of the blades. The at least one blade being defined by an acute axial angle and an acute tangential angle.

Abstract: A computing device includes a processor and a machine-readable storage storing instructions. The instructions are executable by the processor to: receive an input string including sensitive data to be encrypted; identify a first portion and a second portion of the input string, the first portion comprising the sensitive data; select, from a plurality of hash functions, a hash function based on the second portion; and generate a hash value of the first portion using the selected hash function.

Abstract: In example embodiments, computing systems may be configured to create, transmit, receive, store, and execute an active data executable comprising (i) a representation of given data content that is combined with (ii) an executable kernel that, when executed, causes the given data content to be extracted in a user-specified data format and provided to a user-specified destination location for storage.

Abstract: Methods for pen-specific user interface controls are performed by systems and devices. Users activate pen-specific menus at user devices by activating controls of a touch pen such as a tail button. A communication is received by a device, from a touch pen, that indicates an activation control of the touch pen has been physically activated. The user device selects a touch pen menu that includes selectable menu options for respective launching of separate pen applications from among available menus based at least on the received communication. The device determines menu presentation information specifying a location within a user interface (UI) from a state of the UI at a time associated with the communication. The touch pen menu is displayed via the UI according to the menu presentation information. A detection for selection of a selectable menu option causes the device to launch a pen application associated therewith.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of associating digital tags with digital files comprises storing a plurality of digital files having embedded therein content data and metadata including tags; receiving, via a user interface device of a client device, a first tag label containing alphanumeric text created and inputted by a user of the client device; modifying, using a controller device, a selected first one of the tags of the metadata in a first of the digital files to include the first tag label; receiving, via the user interface device or another user interface device, an instruction to search for all of the digital files having at least the first tag label; responsive to receiving the instruction, automatically searching for all of the digital files having at least the first tag label; and displaying, on a video display device associated with the client device, a first indication of the first tag label.

Abstract: A computerized method is provided for automatically determining answers to a plurality of questions. The method includes automatically discovering a plurality of questions by processing historical data related to prior customer interactions. The automatically discovering includes applying a linguistic analytical model on the data related to historical customer interactions to detect the plurality of questions, vectoring the plurality of questions to generate mathematical representations of the questions, and grouping the plurality of questions into one or more clusters in accordance with similarities of the questions as measured based on their mathematical representations. The method also includes identifying the questions that do not have an existing answer. The method further includes determining at least one probable answer to each of the representative questions using a content mining technique that mines pertinent data from one or more identified content sources.

Abstract: The present technology is directed to multi-frequency controllers for inductive heating and associated systems and methods. The systems can be configured to precisely heat a module via a coil to a target temperature using oscillating, pulsed electrical signals associated with unique frequencies and/or capacitance values. Each unique frequency can correspond to heating the module to a particular depth, relative to an outer surface of the module. A first pulsed electrical signal having a first frequency can heat the module to a first depth, and a second pulsed electrical signal having a second frequency can heat the module to a second depth different than the first depth. The system can include a thermal sensor for measuring a temperature associated with at least one of the module or a fluid associated with the module. Based on the temperature, the system can adjust signal delivery parameters of the first and/or second electrical signals.

Abstract: A virtualized network function included in a mobile communication network may be capable of performing validation of sensor data. The sensor data may be generated by one or more sensors monitoring a tangible asset that is being transported between geographical locations. The sensor data may be received by the virtualized network function from an Internet-enabled device in communication with the mobile communication network. In some cases, a contract management application included in the virtualized network function may validate the sensor data based on one or more compliance thresholds describing a shipment condition of the tangible asset. Based on determining whether the sensor data indicates a compliant shipment condition for the tangible asset, the contract management application may modify a contract associated with the tangible asset.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for training a neural network. One of the methods includes obtaining a batch of training items and a ground truth assignment; processing the training items in the batch using the neural network to generate respective embeddings for each of the training items; and adjusting the current values of the network parameters by performing an iteration of a neural network training procedure to optimize an objective function that penalizes the neural network for generating embeddings that do not result in, for each possible clustering assignment other than the ground truth assignment, the oracle clustering score being higher than a clustering score for the possible clustering assignment by at least a structured margin between the possible clustering assignment and the ground truth assignment.

Abstract: A taping kit is capable of controlling a depth of a stimulation according to the purpose to structural parts from the epidermis to the dermis and fascia. The taping kit includes two or more tapes to be affixed to the body containing at least a stretchable substrate and an adhesive layer on one surface of the substrate. The taping kit includes a first tape which has a plurality of slits in a longitudinal direction, and a second tape which has a plurality of slits in a longitudinal direction and is overlapped and attached on at least a part of the first tape.

Abstract: A method and system for enhancing petroleum production are provided, in which petroleum is displaced from a fractured formation by selectively injecting fluid into selected fractures in the formation without injecting into the other non-selected fractures. The injected fluid flows out into the fractured formation and enhances recovery from the non-selected fractures. Petroleum is selectively collected from the non-selected fractures.

Abstract: For each seek command of a plurality of seek commands of a hard disk drive, a correction value is determined that adjusts an access time of the seek command. The correction value includes a scaling factor that adjusts an energy variable. The scaling factor is based on a power target of the hard disk drive, and the energy variable may represent an energy used in the seek command as a time value. The seek commands are sorted in a command queue by the adjusted access times. The seek commands are executed by a controller of the hard disk drive based on the sorting within the command queue.