Abstract: According to an embodiment, a system generates a number of sample trajectories from a trajectory sample space for a driving scenario. The system determines a reward based on a reward model for each of the sample trajectories, where the reward model is generated using a rank based conditional inverse reinforcement learning algorithm. The system ranks the sample trajectories based on the determined rewards. The system determines a highest ranked trajectory based on the ranking. The system selects the highest ranked trajectory to control the ADV autonomously according to the highest ranked trajectory.

Abstract: In general, in one aspect, the invention relates to a method for accessing backup data includes receiving a live mount connection request from a client device, in response to the live mount connection request: generating a directory, populating the directory with a backup control file image and a plurality of pointers to backup data file images in a second directory, wherein the backup control file image is obtained from the second directory, restoring at least a portion of the backup data file images in the directory using the backup control file image and at least a portion of the backup data file images in the second directory, and providing after the restoring, a handle to the directory to the client device.

Abstract: An e-commerce search ranking system is provided and generally includes a server (e.g., application server), a database, and a customer computing device. The server can obtain user search query listings associated with a search term of users' search sessions to determine user engagement of the items. The server also determines that the items, and any items appearing before the items in each user search query listing, were examined. The server can then aggregate the information in the database. The server can also determine additional search terms related to the search term of the users' search session, and obtain user search query listings for the additional search terms. The server can determine user engagement for items appearing in those user search query listings, and can aggregate that information in the database as well. The aggregated information can be used to determine a final item ranking for a search request inquiry.

Abstract: A “flame show” is responsive to an audio input signal such as music. A base unit including an analog base unit controller circuit is arranged to receive an audio input signal and generate an analog control signal that is responsive to the audio input signal. The analog control signal is distributed, by wire or wireless, to one or more flame display units such as a “tiki torch.” Each flame display unit has a fuel source, and a proportional valve for controlling an amount of fuel supplied to a burner. Preferably, the control signal controls a gate terminal of a MOSFET semiconductor device, which in turn is coupled to control current in the proportional valve each each unit. By deploying multiple flame display units, all coupled to the same base unit, all of the flame display units contribute synchronously to the overall flame show.

Abstract: An automated rig apparatus for drilling or servicing a well is provided. The apparatus can include a motor vehicle having a frame, and a hinged derrick mast pivotally attached to the frame. The apparatus can further include a rack disposed in the mast and a carriage assembly with pinion motors configured to travel up and down the rack when the mast is raised to a vertical position. A tool carrier configured to receive a top drive unit or a power swivel unit can be attached to the carriage assembly. The apparatus can further include a movable platform and an operators cab configured to be moved to a desired position relative to the derrick mast when the mast is raised to a vertical position. The apparatus can further include a hydraulic drive assembly to operate the apparatus, and a mud pump and manifold for pumping drilling mud.

Abstract: A vehicle exhaust system includes an injector assembly having an injector mount configured to mount an injector to an exhaust component. The injector mount includes a spray opening surrounding a spray axis. An injector housing extends from an inlet end that receives exhaust gases to an outlet end. The inlet end defines a planar area that is transverse to the spray axis. A spray protector extends axially from the injector mount to break the planar area. A vehicle exhaust component assembly comprising a mixer with the injector assembly and a method for injecting a fluid into an exhaust component using the injector assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to a system and method for managing distributed encrypted combination over-locks from a remote location. In an exemplary embodiment, the invention is a distributed management system for that controls access to various locations, such as, for example, self-storage units, hotel rooms, apartment buildings, storage containers, short-term housing rentals, lockers, equipment rooms, vaults, hospitals, airports, government facilities, nuclear power facilities, water treatment facilities, weapon storage facilities, aircraft cockpits, and any other setting that requires restricted, selective, or monitored access that can be remotely controlled.

Abstract: A surgical simulator for simulating a surgical scenario comprises a display system, a user interface, and a controller. The controller includes one or more processors coupled to memory that stores instructions that when executed cause the system to perform operations. The operations include generating simulated surgical videos, each representative of the surgical scenario. The operations further include associating simulated ground truth data from the simulation with the simulated surgical videos. The ground truth data corresponds to context information of at least one of a simulated surgical instrument, a simulated anatomical region, a simulated surgical task, or a simulated action. The operations further include annotating features of the simulated surgical videos based, at least in part, on the simulated ground truth data for training a machine learning model.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling access to wireless gaming devices and networks are provided. For example, access is controlled through one or more levels of security checks, such as a hard security check instead of or in addition to a soft security check. In a hard security check, the user employs an apparatus such as a card or other physical token that can be used to access the wireless gaming device. Such an apparatus may communicate information that identifies the user to the device or may simply be used to produce a signal without which the device is locked to users.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a system receives a captured image perceiving an environment of an ADV from an image capturing device of the ADV. The system identifies an obstacle in motion near the ADV based on the captured image. The system predicts a location for the moving obstacle at each of a number of time points. The system generates a probability ellipse based on the predicted location at the each time point, where the probability ellipse includes a probability indicator indicating different probabilities of the moving obstacle for different locations within the probability ellipse at the each time point.

Abstract: A targeted quantitation system for mass spectrometry may acquire, while operating in a watch mode, a watch mode mass spectrum including mass peaks for ions produced from a plurality of internal standard variants added to a sample comprising a target analyte. Each internal standard variant included in the plurality of internal standard variants includes a unique isotopologue of the target analyte and is added to the sample in a unique amount. The targeted quantitation system may generate a calibration curve based on the watch mode mass spectrum. The targeted quantitation system may acquire, while operating in a quantitation mode, a quantitation mode mass spectrum including mass peaks for ions produced from the target analyte included in the sample. The targeted quantitation system may determine a concentration of the target analyte included in the sample based on the calibration curve and the second mass spectrum.

Abstract: A photocontrol circuit includes a set of light level detection circuitry which is powered by a 0 to 10V dimming input. In response to a determination that light sensed in ambient environment is at or below the light level threshold, the light level detection circuitry switches a 0 to 10V dimming input line to approximately 10V, controlling a luminaire to emit maximum light. In response to a determination that light sensed in ambient environment is above the light level threshold, the light level detection circuitry switches the 0 to 10V dimming input line to less than approximately 1 Volt, thereby controlling the luminaire to emit minimum or no light. The photocontrols embodiments described herein advantageously employ the 0 to 10V dimming line as the luminaire control line, and photocontrol power source, unlike previous photocontrols which typically switch the power input to the luminaire. The photocontrol circuit may be housed in a photocontrol module comprising a base and a cover.

Abstract: A downhole tool, such as a fracture plug used during a fracture operation, installs in a downhole tubular, such as casing. The tool has a mandrel with a sealing element disposed thereon between uphole and downhole ends. Slip assemblies on the mandrel can be moved to engage the downhole tubular. The slip assemblies have inserts. The inserts have a body defining an internal cavity at least partially therein. The body is composed of a ceramic material having a first density of about 3 g/cc to about 6 g/cc. A volume of the insert can be about 0.4 cc to about 0.6 cc, and a mass of the insert can be about 1.2 g to about 3.6 g. In one example, the ceramic material is silicon nitride. The cavity can be filled with a low density filler material.

Abstract: An asymmetric polyvinylidene chloride copolymer membrane is made by a method using a dope solution comprised of a polyvinylidene chloride copolymer and a solvent that solubilizes the polyvinylidene chloride copolymer that is shaped to form an initial shaped membrane. The initial shaped membrane is then quenched in a liquid comprised of a solvent that is miscible with the solvent that solubilizes the polyvinylidene chloride copolymer but is immiscible with the polyvinylidene chloride copolymer to form a wet asymmetric polyvinylidene chloride copolymer membrane. The solvents are removed from the wet membrane to form the asymmetric polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) copolymer membrane. The membrane then may be further heated to form a carbon asymmetric membrane in which the porous support structure and separation layer of the PVDC membrane is maintained.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for analyzing phase noise in a signal. A plurality of signal samples, each signal sample representing a value of phase noise in a signal-under-test at a corresponding offset frequency, and filter data representing filter characteristics on a first side of a spectrum boundary, are used to derive filtered signal samples. A measure of noise is derived from the filtered signal samples. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: Examples are disclosed that relate to grouping query clusters based on intent of a search query. One example provides a system for generating recommended queries related to a search query, the system including a logic subsystem, and memory holding instructions executable by the logic subsystem to receive the search query, execute the search query on an index of pre-computed query clusters to identify a baseline query cluster and one or more neighboring query clusters, form a data structure including queries from within the baseline query cluster and the one or more neighboring query clusters, traverse the data structure to form a hierarchical arrangement of queries, and send the hierarchical arrangement of queries to a computing device from which the search query was received.

Abstract: Some implementations provide input-triggered user verification. This may involve trigging a user verification (e.g., capture of an image, sound, fingerprint, etc.) to verify a user's identity based on input (e.g., typing) received ad the device. Triggering the user-verification based on receiving input may help ensure that the image, sound, fingerprint, etc. is captured at a time when the user is close to the device, touching the finger-print sensor, and/or in view of the camera during the capturing. Some implementations provide user verification based on a user-identification of a previously selected image. This may involve using an inmate-selected picture or other image to recover a forgotten alphanumeric reference. Some implementations of the invention disclosed herein provide user verification based on a computer-vision identification of a wearable identification tag. This may involve using an image of the user's identification tag worn on the user's wrist to verify the user's identity.

Abstract: To employ beamforming to increase signaling distances, one wireless device trains a beamformer using a signal being received from another wireless device. The trained beamformer can then communicate with the other device via a signal beam until channel conditions change. In example implementations, a base station (BS) reserves an air interface resource unit for beamformer training in conjunction with allocating an air interface resource unit for downlink data. The BS transmits a downlink control channel communication to a user equipment (UE) with a downlink data grant indicative of the allocated resource unit. During the reserved resource unit, the UE transmits an uplink tracking communication, which can include a pilot signal, to the BS for beamform training. The BS then uses the freshly trained beamformer to transmit the downlink data as a downlink data channel communication via a downlink beam during the allocated resource unit.

Abstract: In at least some implementations, a coupler for a spark plug includes a body formed from an electrically conductive material and including a first connecting portion defining a first cavity, and a second connecting portion defining a second cavity spaced from the first cavity, and the body includes an intermediate portion physically and electrically coupling the first connection portion and the second connecting portion. In at least some implementations, the first connecting portion is formed from a wire coiled to define the first cavity within the coil. In at least some implementations, the second connecting portion is formed from a wire coiled to define the second cavity within the coil.