Abstract: Methods and systems for producing cocktail ice cubes are provided. One method includes setting a temperature of an interior surface of a tumbler below a desired temperature for an ice structure loaded into the tumbler; executing a sauce coating cycle for coating the ice structure with a sauce; executing a freeze cycle after the sauce coating cycle, by spraying nitrogen on the ice structure; alternating between the sauce coating cycle and the freeze cycle for applying sauce on the ice structure; and executing a water cycle for applying water to the ice structure coated with the sauce to produce a frozen cocktail ice structure.

Abstract: A storage system is managed. For example, in response to a request at a first storage node for data related to a second storage node, it is determined whether the first storage node and the second storage node belong to the same storage node group having an interconnection structure. If it is determined that the first storage node and the second storage node belong to different storage node groups, data is transmitted between the first storage node and the second storage node based on a mapping between storage nodes in a first storage node group with the first storage node and storage nodes in a second storage node group with the second storage node. Thus, data transmission can be performed between different storage node groups through a mapping relationship.

Abstract: A system includes a high side heat exchanger, a flash tank, a first load, a second load, and a thermal storage tank. The high side heat exchanger is configured to remove heat from a refrigerant. The flash tank is configured to store the refrigerant from the high side heat exchanger and discharge a flash gas. The first load is configured to use the refrigerant from the flash tank to remove heat from a first space proximate to the first load. The second load is configured to use the refrigerant from the flash tank to remove heat from a second space proximate to the second load. The thermal storage tank is configured, when a power outage is determined to be occurring, to receive the flash gas from the flash tank, and remove heat from the flash gas.

Abstract: Lensed antennas are provided that include a plurality of radiating elements and a lens positioned to receive electromagnetic radiation from at least one of the radiating elements, the lens comprising a composite dielectric material. The composite dielectric material comprises expandable gas-filled microspheres that are mixed with an inert binder, dielectric support materials such as foamed microspheres and particles of conductive material that are mixed together.

Abstract: A power conditioner with iterative switching for charging a battery pack from a photovoltaic panel senses sunlight on panel cells, senses battery cells charges, senses panel output voltage and battery pack voltage, connects the panels to battery packs upon sensing sunlight and panel output voltage greater than battery pack voltage, disconnects the panels when battery cells approach full charge, reconnects the panels to the battery pack when battery charges drop and iteratively switches the connections on and off according to the readings from voltage sensors.

Abstract: Host I/O requests directed to a logical storage volume are initially processed by accessing physical pages of non-volatile data storage having a default page size. An indication of an optimal page size for the logical storage volume is received, and the size of the physical pages of non-volatile data storage accessed to process host I/O requests directed to the logical storage volume is changed from the default page size to the optimal page size for the logical storage volume. The default page size is changed to the optimal page size for the logical storage volume by changing a size of physical pages of non-volatile data storage indicated by a mapping structure that maps logical addresses in an address space the logical storage volume to corresponding physical pages of non-volatile data storage from the default page size to the optimal page size for the logical storage volume.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a computing system may access a video including a first frame and a second frame. The computing system may determine first sampling locations for the first frame and determine second sampling locations for the second frame by transforming the first sampling locations to the second frame according to an optical flow between the first frame and the second frame. The computing system may select a subset of the second sampling locations based on a comparison between pixels in the first frame corresponding to the first sampling locations and pixels in the second frame corresponding to the second sampling locations. The computing system may define one or more rejection areas in the second frame based on the subset of the second sampling locations to determine third sampling locations in areas outside of the rejection areas. The computing system may generate a sample of the video.

Abstract: At least one embodiment is directed to a method for automatically activating ambient sound pass-through in an earphone in response to a detected keyword in the ambient sound field of the earphone user, the steps of the method comprising at least receiving at least one ambient sound microphone (ASM) signal; receiving at least one audio content (AC) signal; and comparing the ASM signal to a keyword and if the ASM signal matches a keyword then an AC gain is created.

Abstract: An apparatus to illuminate a target includes a lens having a lens side to be positioned in opposing relation to the target. The apparatus includes a lightguide that circumscribes at least a portion of the periphery of the lens. The lightguide has an input end to receive light and a length along which the receive light propagates. The apparatus includes outcoupling elements that are spaced out along the length of the lightguide. The outcoupling elements couple light out of the lightguide at respective positions along the length of the lightguide. The outcoupling elements are oriented to direct the outcoupled light towards the target when the lens side is positioned in opposing relation to the target. An eye tracking apparatus including the illumination apparatus and a method of eye tracking are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and an apparatus for providing a portable beauty tool assembly is described. The assembly includes multiple accessories, such as a mirror, tray, and container that may be useful as beauty tools. Further, the assembly has a unique structure that allows the apparatus to be adjusted into several different functional positions. Each position configures the assembly for hands-free use of the multiple accessories. The assembly can be placed into a vertical hanging position, a neck position, a leg position, or a tabletop position. The assembly includes a plurality of adjustable arms that provide the adjustable movement, such as extending, collapsing, and rotating, that is necessary for configuring the assembly into the various functional positions. Additionally, the assembly includes a hook arm, which can be used for attaching, securing, or stabilizing the various functional positions. The assembly can include additionally accessories, such as lights, tray inserts and mirrors having different magnifications.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for Internet Protocol television streaming are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a receiver configured to receive encrypted television programming via a secure communication channel from a remote access point that receives the television programming via a data feed from a television service provider. The example receiver is configured to decrypt the encrypted television programming, decode the decrypted television programming, and select at least one of a channel or content of the decoded and decrypted television programming based on input received from a user via an interface. The example apparatus also includes a display device configured to receive and display the selected at least one of a channel or content of the decoded and decrypted television programming.

Abstract: A cap for a filter system includes a housing, a turbine, at least one gear, and a valve. The housing defines an interior of the cap configured for receiving a fluid flow. The turbine is supported on the housing in the interior of the cap and configured for being driven by the fluid flow. The at least one gear is supported on the housing and meshed with the turbine for being driven by the turbine. The valve is supported on the housing and meshed with the at least one gear for being driven by the at least one gear. The valve closes the interior of the cap from receiving the fluid flow after a predetermined number of rotations driven by the at least one gear.

Abstract: A drive sense circuit comprises an analog front-end and a digital back end. The analog front-end generates an analog drive sense signal based on an analog reference signal that includes a varying component. The varying component has a magnitude that is substantially less than a supply rail power of the drive sense circuit. When the drive sense circuit is coupled to a load, the analog front end drives the load with the analog drive-sense signal and detects an analog signal variation in the analog drive-sense signal based on a characteristic of the load. The digital back-end converts the analog signal variation into a digital sensed value corresponding to the characteristic of the load.

Abstract: Methods and systems for combinable conference rooms.