Abstract: A method includes selecting, from an image, a target block of pixels to be compressed, selecting a neighbor column of the target block, selecting a neighbor row of the target block, generating two or more basis values based on at least one of a portion of pixels of the neighbor column and a portion of pixels of the neighbor row, calculating a gradient based on the two or more basis values, and assigning at least one predictor for the target block using the calculated gradient.

Abstract: A protective packaging formation device is provided herein. The device includes an inflation assembly having a fluid conduit that directs fluid between overlapping plies of a polymeric web. The device also includes a driving mechanism that drives the film in a downstream direction. The device also includes a sealing mechanism that includes a thin film heater that heats the plies to create a longitudinal seal that seals the plies of film together. The driving mechanism drives the web such that the web slides across the heating assembly in a downstream direction to trap fluid between the plies.

Abstract: Technology disclosed herein provides an object tracking multi-camera system including a plurality of cameras to capture images of one or more objects and one or more pattern recognition modules, each of the pattern recognition modules configured to identify an object in a video frame using pattern recognition and assigning a tracking number to the identified object, collect a plurality of object frames related to the identified object and associating the plurality of object frames to the assigned tracking number, compare a newly obtained object frame with the plurality of object frames related to the identified object to determine if the newly obtained object frame is related to the identified object, and in response to the comparison determine that facial recognition does not need to be performed on the newly obtained object frame.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products are provided for managing contactless transactions. A first tap is performed when a system is placed within a predetermined proximity to a payment terminal. A first select command including an AID corresponding to a first application is received from the payment terminal. A first response based on the first select command is transmitted to the payment terminal. A data request including information indicating supported data types is received from the payment terminal. A second response based on the data request and including transaction data is transmitted to the payment terminal. The transaction data includes at least a portion of commerce data stored in the at least one memory.

Abstract: The disclosure herein describes transmitting data from a satellite using a primary ground station and a set of secondary ground stations. An orbit of the satellite is determined over a schedule period and a subset of secondary ground stations is identified based on the determined orbit of the satellite, wherein secondary ground stations are configured to receive from the satellite and not transmit to the satellite. A transmission schedule associated with the satellite is then generated. For each secondary ground station of the subset, a time interval during which the satellite is within communication range is determined, an expected transmission rate is estimated, and the time interval and the expected transmission rate are included in the transmission schedule. The transmission schedule is provided to the satellite via the primary ground station, whereby the satellite is configured to transmit data to the subset of ground stations based on the transmission schedule.

Abstract: The techniques disclosed herein enable systems to perform ordered reconvergence operations following a change to a topology of a communications network. To perform ordered reconvergence, a system detects a change to network topology such as a link failure or node addition. In response, the system determines a global delay based on a maximum distance between two nodes within the network, a local delay for each node within the network, and an ordered delay for each node based on the global delay and the local delay. Upon detecting that the ordered delay for a node has elapsed, the system can then update a routing table for the node. After updating routing tables for every node, the system can route data in the changed network topology using the updated routing tables.

Abstract: A valve is provided for a sheath, catheter, or other tubular device that includes a first face, a second face opposite the first face and an axis extending between the first and second faces. A first slit extends substantially parallel to the axis from the first face towards the second face to a first intermediate location within the valve body, a second slit extends substantially parallel to the axis from the second face towards the first face to a second intermediate location within the valve body, and a bore extends along the axis between the first intermediate location and the second intermediate location.

Abstract: An assembly includes a housing defining a chamber and having an air inlet. The assembly includes a blower in the chamber and in fluid communication with the air inlet. The assembly includes a sensor defining a field of view and supported by the housing. The housing has an outlet vent of variable size. The outlet vent is in communication with the blower and aimed across the field of view of the sensor.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for forming a graded index (GRIN) on a substrate. In one implementation the method may involve applying a metal layer to the substrate. A fluence profile of optical energy applied to the metal layer may be controlled to substantially ablate the metal layer to create a vaporized metal layer. The fluence profile may be further controlled to control a size of metal nanoparticles created from the vaporized metal layer as the vaporized metal layer condenses and forms metal nanoparticles, the metal nanoparticles being deposited back on the substrate to form a GRIN surface on the substrate.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for loop escape analysis in executing computer instructions. In one embodiment, a method comprises instructions performed by at least one computer process. The method comprises receiving a set of executable computer instructions stored on a storage medium (e.g., by reading the instructions from a tangible, non-transitory storage medium). The method further comprises analyzing the computer instructions to determine a loop, analyzing the computer instructions to determine at least one new variable in the loop, and storing, in a data structure, at least one of an operation related to the variable or a value related to the variable. The method further comprises determining whether to compress the data structure upon reaching the end of the loop, and, based on the determination, compressing the data structure. Systems and computer-readable media are also provided.

Abstract: The disclosure discloses a canvas flocking diamond picture, and relates to the technical field of canvas flocking diamond picture devices and making methods, solving the problem that the gray cloth of diamond canvas is shrunk after encountering water so that the diamond picture becomes uneven. The picture frame is internally provided with a protective film and a canvas, and the protective film is located at one side of the canvas; the upper end surface of the canvas is provided with a flash layer; an ink-receiving layer is arranged under the flash layer; an upper back cover layer is arranged under the ink-receiving layer; a cingico layer is arranged under the upper back cover layer; a lower back cover layer is arranged under the cingico layer; a flocking layer is arranged under the lower back cover layer, and the flocking layer is located on the lower end surface of the canvas; an adhesive layer is arranged between the lower back cover layer and the flocking layer.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a first sound generator supported at a front of the vehicle and positioned to generate sound in a vehicle-forward direction. The vehicle includes a second sound generator supported at a right side of the vehicle and positioned to generate sound in a vehicle-right direction. The vehicle includes a third sound generator supported at a left side of the vehicle and positioned to generate sound in a vehicle-left direction. The vehicle includes a computer in communication with the first, second, and third sound generators, the computer having a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to identify an anticipated maneuver of the vehicle as a right-turn maneuver or a left-turn maneuver, actuate the first sound generator, and then, selectively actuate the second sound generator or the third generator based on the anticipated maneuver.

Abstract: An open tip downhole expansion tool including a frustoconical member having a base at a diametrically smaller portion of the frustoconical member and a tip at a diametrically larger portion of the frustoconical member, the member having a radially outer zone and a radially inner zone and having an axial length extending from the base to the tip; an outer void in a material of the member along a length of the radially outer zone; and an inner void in a material of the member along a length of the radially inner zone, the outer and inner voids being located at different positions along the axial length of the frustoconical member, the outer and inner voids each causing the frustoconical member to present a first resistance to deformation when the voids are open and a higher resistance to deformation of the frustoconical member when the voids are collapsed.

Abstract: A sacrificial anode for a water heater system is provided. The anode may comprise a proximal end, a distal end, and a passage running longitudinally between the distal and proximal end. A first current carrying lead and a first voltage lead may be connected to the distal end of the anode, while a second current carrying lead a second voltage lead may be connected to the proximal end of the anode. The first current carrying lead and first voltage lead may be connected to the distal end of the anode in such a manner that the leads may be fed through the passage of the anode and protrude from the proximal end of the anode. A method of determining the health of a sacrificial anode is further provided, which involves utilizing the resistance drop across the anode to determine the radius of the anode during use.

Abstract: Techniques are described for facilitating the coordination of audio video (AV) production using multiple actors in respective locations that are remote from each other, such that an integrated AV product can be generated by coordinating the activities of multiple remote actors in concert with one another. A director can indicate in the virtual world a desired location of a stage prop, and a beacon may then be transmitted toward a real world location corresponding to the desired location to aid in placement of the prop.

Abstract: A set of the pulses of light in a light beam is passed through a mask toward a wafer during a single exposure pass; at least a first aerial image and a second aerial image on the wafer based on pulses of light in the set of pulses that pass through the mask is generated during a single exposure pass, the first aerial image is at a first plane on the wafer and the second aerial image is at a second plane on the wafer, the first plane and the second plane being spatially distinct from each other and separated from each other by a separation distance along the direction of propagation; and a three-dimensional semiconductor component is formed.

Abstract: Operations for facilitating establishment of connections in an online network are disclosed. A set of connection recommendations for a first entity associated with the online network is accessed. For each connection recommendation in the set of connection recommendations, a ranking value associated with the connection recommendation is accessed, a utility value corresponding to the connection recommendation is determined, and an adjusted the ranking value for the connection recommendation is calculated. The utility value is a two-sided utility value that combines a prediction of a utility of the first entity and a prediction of a utility of a second entity with respect to a key performance indicator. A set of connection recommendations is communicated for presentation in an interactive user interface of a client device associated with the first entity in accordance with the adjusted ranking value of each connection recommendation.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method for running an application, an electronic device, and a computer program product. The method includes determining, based on historical data associated with running of the application, a target time period and a computing resource to be used for running the application within the target time period, a load rate associated with the computing resource being higher than a threshold load rate in the target time period. The method further includes determining an interruption tolerance of the application based on a type of the application, determining costs for running the application by a plurality of types of virtual machines and determining a target type from the plurality of types based on the costs and the computing resource, to cause the application to be run by a virtual machine of the target type.