Abstract: Provided herein is a fastener that may be used to secure objects to a channel strut or attach a channel strut to a structure. In an arrangement, the fastener is a fastener block configured for disposition within the interior of a channel strut. The fastener block has a body that includes at least one aperture that extends through the fastener block between upper and lower surfaces. A fastener receptacle is formed around the aperture. A standard nut or bolt may be inserted into the fastener receptacle.

Abstract: In general, the subject matter described in this disclosure can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products for detecting motion in images. A computing system receives first and second images that were captured by a camera. The computing system generates, using the images, a mathematical transformation that indicates movement of the camera from the first image to the second image. The computing system generates, using the first image and the mathematical transformation, a modified version of the first image that presents the scene that was captured by the first image from a position of the camera when the second image was captured. The computing system determines a portion of the first image or second image at which a position of an object in the scene moved, by comparing the modified version of the first image to the second image.

Abstract: A valve trim assembly configured to be disposed in a fluid flow control valve, including, a valve seat adapted to be disposed in a fluid passageway of the fluid flow control valve. The valve seat includes an annular flange and a seating surface spaced from the annular flange. The valve trim assembly additionally includes a fluid control member movable relative to the valve seat to control fluid flow through the fluid passageway, wherein the fluid control member is movable from a closed position, in which the fluid control member sealingly engages the seating surface of the valve seat, and an open position, in which the fluid control member is spaced from the seating surface, by moving the fluid control member away from the annular flange of the valve seat.

Abstract: Examples are disclosed that relate to allocating power to peripheral device interfaces. One example provides, at a computing device, a method, comprising obtaining a measurement of power consumption by one or more peripheral devices, and based at least on the measurement and on a maximum power tolerance of a power source, allocating to each respective interface a minimum portion of power output from the power source. The method further comprises rendering a remainder of the maximum power tolerance available for consumption by one or more processors, the remainder including the maximum power tolerance minus a sum of the minimum portions, where the remainder and a system portion of power output are available for consumption by the one or more processors, and where a performance attribute of the one or more processors is not throttled while total power consumption does not exceed a threshold power output from the power source.

Abstract: A system for an automated-taxi includes a display and a controller. The display is viewable by one or more of a plurality of clients of an automated-taxi. The controller-circuit is in communication with the display. The controller is configured to determine a seating-arrangement of the plurality of clients transported by the automated-taxi. The seating-arrangement is determined in accordance with destinations of the plurality of clients. The controller is also configured to operate the display to show the seating-arrangement to one or more of the plurality of clients. A method of operating an automated-taxi includes receiving destinations of a plurality of clients to transported by an automated-taxi; determining a seating-arrangement of the plurality of clients in accordance with the destinations; and operating a display viewable by one or more of a plurality of clients of an automated-taxi to show the seating-arrangement to one or more of the plurality of clients.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for vehicular operation on a road comprising a road network configured to communicate with one or more vehicles on the road, the method comprising sending a signal from a first vehicle to the road network, the signal comprising an intended path of the first vehicle on the road; receiving the signal at the road network; and adjusting at least one of a speed and a path of a second vehicle with respect to the road in response to the signal.

Abstract: The example system and method enable a user to post comments to appear as textual content in a streaming graphical content presentation. The textual content and the graphical content may be provided to the user's set top box for presentation on an associated display device and may be provided to another user's set top box for presentation on the other user's display device. Each of the users utilize a wireless remote control enabled to accept text and/or voice inputs of a comment for inclusion in the streaming graphical content. The set top box generates a comment based on the inputted text and/or voice received from the remote control. The set top box provides the generated comment to a media server which distributes textual content based on the generated comment to other set top boxes for presentation with the streaming graphical content.

Abstract: Techniques for adaptive scanning with a laser scanner include obtaining range measurements at a coarse angular resolution and determining a range gate subset and a characteristic range. A fine angular resolution is based on the characteristic range and a target spatial resolution. If the fine angular resolution is finer than the coarse angular resolution, then a minimum vertical angle and maximum vertical angle is determined for a horizontal slice of the subset of angular width based on the first angular resolution. The scanning laser ranging system is then operated to obtain second range measurements at the second angular resolution in the slice between the minimum vertical angle and the maximum vertical angle. In some embodiments, the scanning is repeated for each horizontal slice in the range gate subset using a minimum vertical angle and maximum vertical angle for that slice.

Abstract: Disclosed are assemblies, methods, and means for installing attachments in barbecue grills. A barbecue grill may include, in a cooking body of the barbecue grill, an opening and a plurality of holes configured to facilitate installation of an attachment for the barbecue grill. In some embodiments, an attachment comprises a smoke box and is configured to be installed in the opening and securely fastened to the barbecue grill by using fasteners receivably positioned in the plurality of holes. In some embodiments, an attachment comprises a cover plate and is configured to be installed in the opening and securely fastened to the barbecue grill by using fasteners receivably positioned in the plurality of holes. In some embodiments, the barbecue grill comprises a plurality of means for interfacing with attachments, and a means for substantially covering the opening including a plurality of means for interfacing with the cooking body.

Abstract: A vaporizer includes an outer tube configured to receive a flow of heated gas and an inner tube disposed at least partially within the outer tube. The inner tube is spaced apart from the outer tube such that the flow of heated gas is channeled through an annular space therebetween. The vaporizer also includes a crucible disposed at least partially within the inner tube. The crucible is extendable and retractable relative to the inner tube and within the outer tube. The crucible is configured to hold a molten metal such that a surface area of the molten metal exposed to the flow of heated gas is adjustable based on the position of the crucible relative to the inner tube. A heater is configured to vaporize the molten material and the vapor mixes with the flow of heated gas.

Abstract: Methods of encoding and decoding for video data are describe in which significance maps are encoded and decoded using non-spatially-uniform partitioning of the map into parts, wherein the bit positions within each part are associated with a given context. Example partition sets and processes for selecting from amongst predetermined partition sets and communicating the selection to the decoder are described.

Abstract: A system and method of calibrating an ADAS sensor of a vehicle by aligning a target with the sensor, where the vehicle is initially nominally positioned in front of a target adjustment stand that includes a stationary base frame and a movable target mount configured to support a target, with the target adjustment stand including one or more actuators for adjusting the position of the target mount. A computer system is used to determine an orientation of the vehicle relative to the target adjustment stand, with the position of the target mount being adjusted based on the determined orientation of the vehicle relative to the target adjustment stand. Upon properly orienting the target mount, and the target supported thereon, a calibration routine is performed whereby the sensor is calibrated using the target.

Abstract: A method includes positioning, by a robot, a servo press proximate one or more reference identifiers of the vehicle. The method includes applying, by the servo press, a known weight to the vehicle. The method includes calibrating the payload monitoring system of the vehicle based on data from a plurality of payload sensors in response to applying the known weight.

Abstract: Methods for snapshot isolation query transactions in distributed systems are performed by systems and devices. Distributed executions of queries are performed in a processing system according to an isolation level protocol for data management and data versioning across one or more data sets, one or more compute pools, etc., within a logical server via a single transaction manager that oversees the isolation semantics and data versioning. Read transactions of queries are performed lock-free via the isolation semantics, and instant rollbacks, point-in-time queries, single-phase commits in the distributed systems are also provided. Abort and cleanup operations are performed based on a distributed abort protocol and a determined oldest active transaction for the system in which the single transaction manager does not track read-only transactions, and client nodes do not maintain commit tables for transactions.

Abstract: An example method of operation may include identifying speakers and microphones connected to a network controlled by a controller, assigning a preliminary output gain to the speakers used to apply test signals, measuring ambient noise detected from the microphones, recording chirp responses from all microphones simultaneously based on the test signals, deconvolving all chirp responses to determine a corresponding number of impulse responses, and measuring average sound pressure levels (SPLs) of each of the microphones to obtain a SPL level based on an average of the SPLs.

Abstract: A pivot unit comprising a linear actuator; a rod assembly driven by the linear actuator; an output shaft driven by the rod assembly; a housing enclosing the rod assembly and a portion of the output shaft, and attached to the linear actuator; a saddle driven by the output shaft; a first stop arm operatively attached to the first arm and a first end of the output shaft; a second stop arm operatively attached to the second arm and a second end of the output shaft; a first shock absorber secured to a first side of the housing and constructed and arranged to accept a first end of the first stop arm; and a second shock absorber secured to a second side of the housing and constructed and arranged to accept a first end of the second stop arm.

Abstract: A new user seeking a base station to join must first implement a grueling series of complex steps, which may be especially challenging for the majority of devices expected in next-generation 5G and 6G systems. If the user has a real emergency, such as an imminent traffic collision, then the time wasted in locating (“discovering”) a nearby base station and finally logging on may make the difference between life and death. Disclosed herein are procedures for new users to transmit a “hailing” message on an allocated frequency that multiple base stations continuously monitor. The base stations can then reply at a standard amplitude, so that the new user can determine which base station is closer (or provides the best signal reception) according to the received amplitude. In addition, the reply messages can include a characteristic frequency of the replying base station, such as its entry frequency.

Abstract: Augmented reality displays for locating vehicles are disclosed herein. An example method includes determining a current location of a mobile device associated with a user, determining a current location of a vehicle, and generating augmented reality view data that includes a first arrow that identifies a path of travel for the ridehail user towards the vehicle. The path of travel is based on the current location of the mobile device and the current location of the vehicle. The first arrow is combined with a view obtained by a camera of the mobile device or a view obtained by a camera of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for automated blockchain custody service for managing a set of custodial assets includes a blockchain service circuit structured to interpret a plurality of access control features corresponding to parties associated with a secured loan; a data collection circuit structured to receive first collateral data from at least one sensor associated with the collateral used to secure the loan; receive second collateral data regarding an environment of the collateral from an IoT circuit; and associate the first collateral data and second collateral data with a unique identifier associated with the item of collateral, wherein the blockchain service circuit is structured to store the unique identifier and associated collateral data as blockchain data; a smart contract circuit structured to create a smart lending contract; and a secure access control circuit structured to receive access control instructions from a lender of the loan via an access control interface.

Abstract: The method, system, and non-transitory computer-readable medium embodiments described herein provide for identifying invalid identification documents. In various embodiments, an application executing on a user device prompts the user device to transmit an image of the identification document. The application receives an image including the identification document in response to the identification document being within a field of view of a camera of the user device. The identification document includes a plurality of visual elements, and one or more visual elements of the plurality of visual elements are one or more invalidating marks. The application detects a predetermined pattern on the identification document in the image, the predetermined pattern formed from the one or more invalidating marks. The application determines that the identification document is invalid based on the detected predetermined pattern.