Abstract: A computing device configured for screen-to-screen (STS) communication, the computing device comprising an interface, memory and a processing module coupled to the memory and the interface. The processing module is configured to determine, for an interaction between a user computing device and an interactive computing device, an interaction type associated with the interaction and determine one or more data types for supporting the interaction. The processing module is further configured to determine available communication types for supporting the interaction and determine data type communication restrictions for the one or more data types, where a first data type is restricted to an STS communication via a transmission medium that includes one of a body as a network, a close proximity and a physical surface. The processing module is further configured to determine whether the available communication types allow for the interaction and when allowed, set up communications for executing the interaction.

Abstract: A method for execution by a query processing module includes determining a query expression indicating a query for execution. An operator tree is generated based on a nested ordering of a plurality of operators indicated by the query expression. Conjunctive normal form (CNF) conversion cost data is generated based on the operator tree, and disjunctive normal form (DNF) conversion cost data is also generated based on the operator tree. Conversion selection data is generated based on the CNF conversion cost data and the DNF conversion cost data. The conversion selection data indicates a selection to perform either a CNF conversion or a DNF conversion. A normalized query expression is generated by performing either the CNF conversion or the DNF conversion upon the query expression based on the conversion selection data. Execution of the query is facilitated in accordance with the normalized query expression.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for a customer relationship management system for a retail electric energy provider. A customer valuation engine is applied to evaluate customer data to make customer valuations, continuously or on-demand, in support of customer service through a call center. In a preferred embodiment, monthly average profitability is determined as one customer valuation and probability of attrition is determined as another customer valuation. A customer retention matrix and a customer treatment matrix are developed based constructing a graph of customer monthly average profitability and probability of attrition. The customer retention matrix provides a set of instructions to a call center operator to aid the operator in communicating with the customer while helping retain the customer. The customer treatment matrix provides a set of instructions to a call center operator to aid the operator in communicating with a customer about late bills, disconnects and other treatment situations.

Abstract: To reduce latency in streaming media a playlist requested from a content delivery network may be modified to have modified segmentation. After receiving the playlist from the content delivery network, the location of one or more I-frames in each segment in the playlist may be determined and these locations may be used to generate the modified playlist. The modified playlist may then be sent to a client device. Media segments may be modified in accordance with the modified segmentation of the modified playlist to generate modified media segments that can be sent to the client device.

Abstract: Smart switch devices, systems, and methods for modifying an existing electrical system to utilize the power state output of a physical switch as an indicator or signal for the operation of a smart home device or system or network of such devices to facilitate interoperability of physical switches with smart devices. The smart switch detects or determines the power state of a circuit and infers the corresponding state of a mechanical switch that operates the circuit. This information is then transmitted to associated smart devices, which may not be physically connected to the circuit controlled by the switch. When the mechanical switch is operated, it can control both electrically attached loads, such as a conventional light or appliance, and wirelessly control unconnected smart devices.

Abstract: A first obstacle colliding with the ADV is detected. A minimum deceleration that is required for the ADV to avoid colliding with a second obstacle within a predetermined proximity of a moving direction is determined. A brake command is generated based on the minimum deceleration. Then, the brake command is applied to the ADV, such that the ADV avoids collision with the second obstacle and softens an impact of the collision with the first obstacle.

Abstract: An optical transceiver may include a housing including a surface cutout. The surface cutout may be for receiving a locking tang from a cage and for being disengaged by a slide from an unlocking tool wherein the surface cutout is disposed on the housing at a position such that the surface cutout is entirely within the cage with respect to an electromagnetic interference (EMI) gasket of the cage when the optical transceiver is inserted into the cage.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for presenting data to a user with augmented reality headgear or augmented reality glasses that has been oriented in a direction based upon unique automated generation of a vector are described. Systems for determining a direction of interest are based upon orientation of an apparatus. Data collection systems such as cameras, stereoscopic cameras, and scanner systems may be included in the augmented reality gear. In combination with a geospatial position, the direction of interest may be referenced in the provision of content via a user interface displayed in a worn augmented reality gear of the user at the site of interest. Updating of model data may be coordinated through the interface of an oriented augmented reality headgear with data collection systems.

Abstract: A rear-entry ankle brace includes an elastomeric component defining an inside elbow channel configured to span an ankle joint. A channel opening extends the length of the elastomeric component for direct insertion on top of a leg. One or more leg straps are used to adjustably tension first and second rear edges of the channel opening toward one another and secure the brace to the lower leg. Two foot straps are used to adjustably tension first and second bottom edges of the channel opening toward one another and secure the brace to the mid-foot. The foot straps overlap on the bottom to define a plantar surface of the brace and cross over each other on the topside of the elastomeric component and are secured to a leg strap. A pair of stabilizing stirrups optionally are included on the inside surfaces of the elastomeric component and receive the malleoli.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for polymerization of a monomer, and in particular whereby polymer particles are transferred from an upstream polymerization reactor, which process comprises: (a) discharging a mixture comprising polymer particles and reactive gases, which reactive gases comprise hydrogen, from the upstream reactor, (b) transferring the polymer particles and reactive gases into a first chamber which is in open communication with a second chamber during the transfer such that the polymer particles pass through the first chamber into the second chamber, (c) keeping the first and second chamber in open communication for a time period, t, after completing transfer of the polymer particles to the second chamber, and (d) subsequently isolating the second chamber from the first chamber and transferring the polymer particles from the second chamber into a downstream vessel.

Abstract: A branched and fenestrated prosthesis may include a main tubular graft body including a proximal end opening, a distal end opening, a lumen, and a sidewall. A branch may extend from the sidewall and may include a first end opening, a second end opening, and a lumen. A fenestration may be disposed in the sidewall and positioned distal of the second end opening of the branch. The branched and fenestrated prosthesis may include a plurality of branches and a plurality of fenestrations.

Abstract: A base station antenna includes a first antenna having first and second spaced-apart columns of first radiating elements therein, which are configured to operate within a first frequency band. An active antenna system (AAS) is provided, which is configured to operate within a second, typically higher, frequency band. The AAS includes a second antenna within a space between the first and second columns of first radiating elements. These first radiating elements may include tilted feed stalks which support higher integration by enabling the first radiating elements to overhang at least a portion of the second antenna.

Abstract: Methods of making a paper product can comprise forming a substrate from a first furnish that comprises a plurality of pulp fibers, at least partially dewatering the substrate, treating a second furnish that comprises a plurality of surface enhanced pulp fibers (SEPF) at least by adding one or more enzymes to the second furnish, and sizing the dewatered substrate at least by depositing the treated second furnish onto at least one of opposing first and second surfaces of the dewatered substrate. The SEPF can have a length weighted average fiber length that is greater than or equal to 0.20 millimeters (mm) and an average hydrodynamic specific surface area that is greater than or equal to 10 square meters per gram (m2/g).

Abstract: A machine vision system comprises a camera configured to generate one or more images of a field of regard of the camera, a lidar system, and a processor. The lidar system includes a laser configured to emit light, where the emitted light is directed toward a region within the field of regard of the camera and a receiver configured to detect light returned from the emitted light. The processor is configured to receive an indication of a location based on the returned light and determine, based on the one or more images generated by the camera, whether the indication of the location is associated with a spurious return.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system comprises a first baseboard element, a second baseboard element, and a spline configured to couple with the first baseboard element and the second baseboard element. In another embodiment, a system comprises a first crown element, a second crown element, and a spline configured to couple with the first crown element and the second crown element. In another embodiment, a system comprises a crown spline, a baseboard spline, and a wall element configured to be coupled with the crown spline and the baseboard spline. Other embodiments are disclosed herein.

Abstract: Introduced here are computer programs and associated computer-implemented techniques for adding animations to existing digital and analog art that was not originally created with animation in mind. The technologies described herein enable the content located beneath animated elements to be generated such that the artistic style of the underlying art remains intact.

Abstract: A differential operational transconductance amplifier, or DOTA, intended to be used in zero-drift precision operational amplifiers as chopper amplifier stage is disclosed. The DOTA is configured to function with a low-voltage power supply and to have good performance based on circuitry configured to provide a constant gain over a range of common-mode voltages, or VCM. The DOTA further includes bias circuitry configured to respond to the common mode voltage in order to prevent large currents, which can result from the constant gain circuitry, from negatively affecting performance. The DOTA further includes current sources that are configured to prevent temperature variations from negatively affecting performance. The DOTA further includes VCM-driven bias voltages used to optimize the operating point of the differential output stage. The DOTA uses input and input replica transistors having medium threshold voltage, which results in capability to operate at low supply voltages.

Abstract: When a temporally compressed video stream is decoded and subsequently re-encoded, quality is typically lost. The quality loss may be mitigated using information about how the source video stream was encoded during the re-encoding process. According to some aspects of the disclosure, this mitigation of quality loss can be facilitated by decoders that output such information and encoders that receive such information. These decoders and encoders may be separate devices. The functionality of these decoders and encoders may also be combined in a single device, such as a transcoding device. An example of the information that may be used during re-encoding is whether each portion of the original stream was intra-coded or non-intra-coded.

Abstract: A liquid removal device is for removing a liquid from a surface. The liquid removal device includes a chassis comprising a handle and an absorber drum and an extractor drum both rotationally coupled with the chassis. The absorber drum includes a cylinder, where an absorbent layer is positioned on an outer drum surface of the absorber drum. The extractor drum includes a reservoir configured to retain the liquid absorbed from the surface, an outer extractor surface, and a plurality of apertures defined by the outer extractor surface in fluid communication with the reservoir. The extractor drum is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, at least a first portion of the plurality of apertures are in contact with the absorbent layer. In the second position, the first portion of the plurality of apertures are not in contact with the absorbent layer.

Abstract: A device may be configured to determine whether an audio file is a first type of audio file that is capable of being processed to recognize the voice query based on a characteristic of the audio file itself or a second type of audio file that may require speech recognition processing in order to recognize the voice query associated with the audio file. In determining whether the audio file is a first type of audio file or a second type of audio file, a query filter associated with the device may be configured to access one or more guidance queries. Using the one or more guidance queries, the device may classify the audio file as a first type of audio file or a second type of audio file based on receiving only a portion of the audio file, thereby improving the speed at which the audio file can be processed.