Abstract: Methods and systems for location determination are described herein. An example implementation may involve receiving signals from a set of satellites to determine a general location of a receiver. After receiving a signal from a satellite, the receiver may-determine an angle of reception that indicates an orientation of the satellite relative to the receiver. The receiver may further obtain topography information for the general location that indicates the positions and elevations of features (e.g., buildings) at the general location. For instance, the receiver may use elevation maps or sensors to determine the topography information. Using the topography information and determined angles of receptions, the receiver may identify any signals that reflected off a feature prior to reaching the receiver. As a result, the receiver may determine and use the reflected path traveled by a reflected signal to refine the general location of the receiver.

Abstract: The first connector body includes: a recess mating with the second connector body; a first side wall part extending in the longitudinal direction so as to define both sides of the recess; and a projection extending in the longitudinal direction of the recess so as to mate with a recessed groove of the second connector body, the first terminal includes a first contact part contacting the second terminal in a recessed groove between the projection and the first side wall part, the first connector further includes a shield plate which is held in the center in the width direction of the projection so as to extend in the longitudinal direction, the second reinforcing bracket includes a reference potential connection part connected to a reference potential trace; and a tongue part contacting both ends in the longitudinal direction of the shield plate, and the second connector further includes a reference potential terminal which includes a tail part connected to the reference potential trace along with a contact pa

Abstract: Systems and methods for power and thermal management of autonomous vehicles are provided. In one example embodiment, a computing system includes processor(s) and one or more tangible, non-transitory, computer readable media that collectively store instructions that when executed by the processor(s) cause the computing system to perform operations. The operations include obtaining data associated with an autonomous vehicle. The operations include identifying one or more vehicle parameters associated with the autonomous vehicle based at least in part on the data associated with the autonomous vehicle. The operations include determining a modification to one or more operating characteristics of one or more systems onboard the autonomous vehicle based at least in part on the one or more vehicle parameters.

Abstract: A method for using treated biochar to reduce the overall environmental impact of farming and minimize the carbon footprint of farms is provided. The method comprising engaging in one or more of the following practices: (1) combining treated biochar with feed or using biochar as feed for animals to reduce methane from enteric fermentation and increase animal health and nutrition; (2) combining treated biochar with compost, animal bedding or manure piles to reduce odor and increase nutrient retention; (3) applying treated biochar to lagoons to reduce odor and treat water; (4) applying treated biochar to pastures to increase pasture health; (5) applying treated biochar to crops to increase crop productivity, healthier roots and prevent fertilizer leaching; and (6) using the carbon negativity of a produced biochar to reduce the overall farm or ranch carbon footprint.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a roofing system. In some embodiments, the roofing system includes a roofing membrane, which may include a cap, a scrim, and a core. In some embodiments, the roofing system may also include an adhesive film, which may include a first adhesive layer adhered to the roofing membrane, a second adhesive layer configured to adhere the roofing membrane to a roofing substrate, and a barrier layer positioned between the first and second adhesive layers. Methods of manufacturing roofing systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of and systems for forming pipe insulation are disclosed. The pipe insulation has properties that are non-homogenous through its thickness.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system for processing data. During operation, the system receives, over a set of event streams, a set of logging events for actions performed between members and jobs over multiple channels. Next, the system aggregates a subset of the logging events spanning a logging window by a reference identifier (ID) generated based on a user session of a member, a first member ID for the member, and a first job ID for a job. The system then creates, based on a unified data logic, a record containing a subset of the actions represented by the logging events and contexts for the subset of the actions. Finally, the system outputs the record for use in subsequent analysis associated with the member and the job.

Abstract: An interconnect is disclosed that opens a battery circuit when an access cover is removed. The interconnect includes a single installed position, and does not include any throw positions to avoid ambiguity. The interconnect includes a conductive element that closes the battery circuit when the interconnect is installed. The access cover cannot be removed when the interconnect is installed, because the interconnect includes at least one mechanical feature that prevents removal of the access cover. In some instances, the interconnect is integrated into the access cover, such that when the cover is removed, the circuit is opened necessarily during removal. The interconnect interface may include blades, pins, or other electrically conducting elements. The interconnect is arranged in the battery system away from power electronics and other components that may interface to an electrical load, thus providing an added measure of safety when the access cover is off.

Abstract: A self-locking securing device facilitates secure connection to cable or elongated object ends, and employs a retaining jaw, a barrel, a spacer and a sleeve. In various embodiments, the retaining jaw and spacer are formed as part or all of a replaceable cartridge and can include a fastening ring therebetween. Embodiments further include a bottom locking device for securely retaining the cartridge and elements within the barrel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for allocating resources are disclosed. Resources as processing time, writes or reads are allocated. Credits are issued to the clients in a manner that ensure the system is operating in a safe allocation state. The credits can be used not only to allocate resources but also to throttle clients where necessary. Credits can be granted fully, partially, and in a number greater than requested. Zero or negative credits can also be issued to throttle clients. Segment credits are associated with identifying unique fingerprints or segments and may be allocated by determining how many credits a CPU/cores can support. This maximum number may be divided amongst clients connected with the server.

Abstract: A system configured controls access to data associated with a venue-centric event. The system may include one or more hardware processors configured by machine-readable instructions. The processor(s) may be configured to receive from a first remote server a set of first data items associated with a first authenticated event application and store the set of first data on the local appliance. Second data items are received from a second remote server, at least some of the second data items are different from the first data items and thereby form a set of third data items. A request for at least one of the second data items is received from the first authenticated event application and validated. The request may be received after the predetermined start time and before the predetermined end time. The requested at least one second data item is communicated to the first authenticated event application.

Abstract: An imaging directional backlight apparatus including a waveguide, a light source array, for providing large area directed illumination from localized light sources. The waveguide may include a stepped structure, in which the steps may further include extraction features optically hidden to guided light, propagating in a first forward direction. Returning light propagating in a second backward direction may be refracted, diffracted, or reflected by the features to provide discrete illumination beams exiting from the top surface of the waveguide. The directional backlight may be arranged to switch between at least a first wide angular luminance profile mode and a second narrow angular luminance profile mode. The directional backlight is arranged to illuminate an LCD with a bias electrode arranged to switch liquid crystal directors in black state pixels between a first wide angular contrast profile mode and a second narrow angular contrast profile mode.

Abstract: Examples are disclosed that relate to managing workloads provided by a plurality of clients to a shared resource. One example provides a computing device comprising a processor and a storage device storing instructions executable by the processor. The instructions are executable to provide a first workload from a first client and a second workload from a second client to a shared memory accessible by the first client, the second client, and a resource configured to process the first workload and the second workload. The computing device is configured to determine that an exception has occurred while processing the first workload, and to take an action to prevent execution of at least some additional work from the first client. The instructions are further executable to receive a result of processing the second workload after taking the action to prevent the execution of the additional work.

Abstract: A microseal for a metal bead seal joint includes a substantially horizontal surface, first and second substantially vertical surfaces disposed on opposite ends of the substantially horizontal surface, and a contoured surface operatively configured to adhere to a portion of a metal bead. The contoured surface may be disposed opposite the substantially horizontal surface and may be integral to the first and second substantially vertical surfaces. The substantially horizontal surface may be operatively configured to substantially maintain its horizontal surface orientation in both a compression state and a non-compression state.

Abstract: A turbo is connected to a compressor, and includes a turbine, a wheel, and a cone-shaped catalyst that has an inner surface defining a divergent flow channel for fluid exiting the turbine and driving the wheel such that the fluid passes through the inner surface and pores of the catalyst prior to exiting the turbo.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments relating to devices, systems and methods relating to the mounting and inflating of tires for use in automotive applications. There is a need in the art for improved devices, systems and methods for tire mounting and inflation, so as to allow a user to prepare racing tires without mounting on a rim.

Abstract: A system for assisting in aligning a vehicle for hitching with a trailer includes a vehicle steering system, an imager mounted with and directed to a rear of the vehicle and outputting image data, and a controller. The controller receives the image data, applies a location identifier of a vehicle hitch ball to the image data, and identifies a coupler of the trailer within the image data. The controller also outputs a steering control signal to the steering system in reversing of the vehicle to align the location identifier of the vehicle hitch ball in the image data with the coupler of the trailer.

Abstract: An index of a storage system is managed. For example, events in a data stream to be stored are received. According to a predetermined length of a time window and occurrence times of the events, an event among the events that occurs within the time window is determined. Based on the event, a window index node is created including an index of the event. In response to determining that a current time point meets a threshold time point corresponding to the time window, the window index node is added to the index, and the threshold time point indicates that the number of received events that occur within the time window in the data stream reaches a threshold number. Thus, an index can be created in time for a large number of events entering the storage system. Further, the storage system can be queried and updated accurately and effectively.

Abstract: A server includes a memory configured to store a software update for a vehicle; and a processor configured to responsive to receiving first usage data from the vehicle indicative of a usage pattern of the vehicle, analyze the first usage data to identify an entity associated with the vehicle; receive second usage data from the entity indicative of a usage pattern of the entity; predict the entity and the vehicle to be within a predefined distance for establishing a wireless connection based on the usage pattern of vehicle and the usage pattern of the entity; responsive to verifying a capability of the wireless connection, divide the software update into multiple partitions; and transmit one or more partitions to the entity for sharing with the vehicle over the wireless connection.

Abstract: Systems and methods monitor driver behavior for vehicular fleet management in a fleet of vehicles using driver-facing imaging device. The systems and methods herein relate generally to vehicular fleet management for enhancing safety of the fleet and improving the performance of the fleet drivers, and further relate to monitoring the operation of fleet vehicles using one or more driver-facing imaging devices disposed in the fleet vehicles for recording activities of the fleet drivers and their passengers, storing information relating to the monitored activities, selectively generating warnings related to the monitored activities, and reporting the monitored activities to a central fleet management system for use in enhancing the safety of the vehicles of the fleet and for helping to improve the performance of the fleet drivers.