Abstract: Computer-implemented systems and methods are described for providing user access to content via customized options for a plurality of regions, a customized option being provided to a user based on a region associated with the user. An upload of content for distribution and metadata describing the content are received. A first option definition is received that defines first criteria for accessing the content in a first region. A second option definition defining second criteria for accessing the content in a second region is received. One or more options for the content are provided to the user based on the region associated with the user. An identification of an option is received from the user, and access to the content is provided according to the criteria of the option that the user has identified.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing enhanced or interactive features over a network. In one embodiment, the exemplary apparatus and methods leverage extant high-bandwidth capabilities of a managed network, and are implemented to enable a user to create a playlist of content, clips, advertisements, from among currently broadcast content, stored content, user generated content, web or other network content. The user can upload user-generated or other content to the network such as for selection into a playlist at higher rates using a network operator-provided wireless dongle. Additional interactive features include, among other, enhancements which enable user participation individually or with other subscribers in live or recorded content-based group activities (such as e.g., cooking, exercising, group viewing, dating, and learning/teaching). Further interactive gaming and couponing options are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting multiplexed ignition signals in an engine system based on engine operating conditions, each cylinder of the engine system including a main chamber spark plug and a pre-chamber system. In one example, a method may include multiplexing spark signals to a first spark plug, a second spark plug, a third spark plug, and a fourth spark plug, the first spark plug coupled to a pre-chamber of a first cylinder, the second spark plug coupled to a pre-chamber of a second cylinder, the third spark plug coupled to a main chamber of the first cylinder, and the fourth spark plug coupled to the main chamber of the second cylinder. In this way, one ignition coil may be used to actuate two different spark plugs coupled to separate cylinders.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for using non-standard haptic commands to control and operate applications or websites. A computer-implemented method may include use non-standard haptic commands to initiate a conversation interface for operating a mobile application. For example, the method may display the conversation interface adjacent to the GUI of the mobile application in response to obtaining a command for initiating a conversation interface. Next, the method may determine a user input area of the mobile application associated with a touchscreen location of the haptic input and obtain information specifying user input received by the user input area of the mobile application. Further, the method may determine a potential user action based the user input received by the user input area of the mobile application, display a first suggestion based on the potential user action the conversation interface, and update the mobile application based on the first suggestion.

Abstract: A host device configures a first plurality of block devices each corresponding to a path between the host device and a control device of a storage system. The host device submits an inquiry to the storage system using a given block device of the first plurality of block devices. The host device receives from the storage system an indication that the given block device corresponds to a data logical volume that has been provisioned for use by the host device and issues a command to remove the first plurality of block devices based at least in part on receiving the indication. The host device performs a scan of the plurality of paths and configures, based at least in part on the scan, a second plurality of block devices each corresponding to a path of the plurality of paths between the host device and the data logical volume.

Abstract: A pod that enables crack climbing on climbing surfaces of manufactured climbing structures includes a body and face. The body may include two sides with adjacent side walls having opposed interior surfaces that define a crack, which extends to the face of the pod. The crack may resemble a crack in a natural rock climbing formation or even simulate a crack of a natural rock climbing formation. The pod may be part of a crack climbing module that also includes a frame that can be mounted to a climbing surface of a conventional manufactured climbing wall to enable crack climbing on such a wall. The pod may also be used with manufactured climbing structures (e.g., climbing walls, climbing towers, artificial boulders, etc.) that include pod-receiving channels. Pods with cracks of different shapes may interchanged to provide varied crack climbing experiences.

Abstract: A compressed netting sleeve for in situ formation of a compost filter sock comprises a sleeve of netting material having a pair of opposed open ends, wherein the sleeve of netting material is bunched primarily along a longitudinal axis, whereby each of the open ends of the netting material remains accessible to form a compression bundle netting material; and a protective sleeve extending through the open ends of the sleeve of netting material to extend through the interior of the sleeve of netting material and around the exterior of the sleeve of netting material thereby surrounding the compression bundle netting material with the protective sleeve.

Abstract: A device and method of using the device to detect the presence and composition of clots and other target objects in a circulatory vessel of a living subject is described. In particular, devices and methods of detecting the presence and composition of clots and other target objects in a circulatory vessel of a living subject using in vivo photoacoustic flow cytometry techniques is described.

Abstract: Some embodiments disclosed here provide for a method fragmenting a cataractous lens of a patient's eye using an ultra-short pulsed laser. The method can include determining, within a lens of a patient's eye, a high NA zone where a cone angle of a laser beam with a high numerical aperture is not shadowed by the iris, and a low NA zone radially closer to the iris where the cone angle of the laser beam with a low numerical aperture is not shadowed by the iris. Laser lens fragmentation is accomplished by delivering the laser beam with the high numerical aperture to the high NA zone, and the laser beam with the low numerical aperture to the low NA zone. This can result in a more effective fragmentation of a nucleus of the lens without exposing the retina to radiation above safety standards.

Abstract: An improved method for manufacture of chewing gums containing active ingredient(s) that preserves the efficacy of the active ingredient(s) by avoiding exposure to high heat and extreme cold during milling that can otherwise degrade the active's efficacy. A chewing gum base is used, along with one or more therapeutically-active ingredients, one or more sweeteners (alcohol-based and/or natural), and one or more flavorings and optional flavor modifiers. The method generally comprises heating the gum base in ovens to melt the gum base. Separately, the active ingredient(s), sweeteners and flavorings are combined in a mixer. The melted gum base is added to the mixer and cools to produce a particulate mixture. As mixing continues the mass cools to room temperature and forms granular pieces. The granular pieces are ground into a powder at room temperature, mixed at room temperature with tableting excipients, and tableted. Several variations on the foregoing are also described.

Abstract: A query is received from a particular endpoint device identifying a particular wireless access point encountered by the particular endpoint device. Pre-existing risk assessment data is identified for the identified particular wireless access point and query result data is sent to the particular endpoint device characterizing pre-assessed risk associated with the particular wireless access point. In some instances, the query result data is generated based on the pre-existing risk assessment data. In some instances, pre-existing risk assessment data can be the result of an earlier risk assessment carried-out at least in part by an endpoint device interfacing with and testing the particular wireless access point.

Abstract: A container for an electronic device having a battery and a method of maintaining electrical charge in the battery are described. The container includes a cushioning material, such as molded expanded foam, to receive and secure the device (e.g. for shipping or storage) and to position its battery charging interface near a charging terminal within the container. The charging terminal itself cushions the device, and is electrically connected to charging terminals on the top and bottom of the container, such as a plate on the top and a pogo pin on the bottom. Connecting the charging terminals to a power source supplies power to the charging terminal, hence the battery charging interface of the device either via a physical contact or wireless power transfer. The container and method may be used to deliver the electronic device fully charged to an end user.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to calibrating a phase interpolator by amplifying timing differences are described. An example system includes a calibration stage configured to output a calibration code for a phase interpolator. The system further includes control logic configured to: (1) at least partially discharge a first pre-charged capacitive load in response to a signal output by the phase interpolator based on the calibration code, and (2) at least partially discharge a second pre-charged capacitive load in response to a reference signal associated with the phase interpolator. The system further includes a feedback path configured to provide feedback to the calibration stage to allow for a modification of the calibration code, where the feedback is dependent on a first voltage provided by the first pre-charged capacitive load and a second voltage provided by the second pre-charged capacitive load.

Abstract: A vehicle-to-building power system allows a vehicle to power a building. The system includes a power-receiving unit remote from a vehicle. The unit includes a cable configured to mate with a vehicle port and support high-voltage electrical loads between the vehicle and the power-receiving unit. The unit further includes a high-voltage inverter configured to convert a direct current (DC) power supplied from a vehicle battery to an alternating current (AC) power compatible with a building electrical system, and a high-voltage DC bus electrically connected to the inverter. The bus has one or more contactors that electrically connect the cable to the high-voltage inverter when closed and electrically disconnect the cable and the high-voltage inverter when open.

Abstract: A system and method may provide for spatial and semantic auto-completion of an augmented or mixed reality environment. The system may detect physical objects in a physical environment based on analysis of image frames captured by an image sensor of a computing device. The system may detect spaces in the physical environment that are occupied by the detected physical objects, and may detect spaces that are unoccupied in the physical environment. Based on the identification of the detected physical objects, the system may gain a semantic understanding of the physical environment, and may determine suggested objects for placement in the physical environment based on the semantic understanding. The system may place virtual representations of the suggested objects in a mixed reality scene of the physical environment for user consideration.

Abstract: The application describes a computer-implemented apparatus that includes a non-transitory memory having instructions stored thereon for assigning address space in a network. The apparatus also includes a processor, operably coupled to the non-transitory memory, configured to execute at least the instruction of receiving a solicitation from a router in the network. The processor is also configured to execute the instruction of replying to the solicitation with address space. The processor is also configured to execute the instruction of receiving a second solicitation from the router to register a new address. The processor is further configured to execute the instruction of determining if the new address is from a dedicated address space or a shared address space. The processor is even further configured to execute the instruction of sending a neighbor advertisement with the address registration to the router.

Abstract: During operation, a radio node may provide, at a transmit time during a first time interval, a first instance of a keep-alive message to a computer. Then, the radio node may receive, at a receive time prior to a first instance of a transmit expire time, an instance of a keep-alive response from the computer, where the instance of the keep-alive response authorizes the radio node to transmit in a granted portion of the spectrum until a second instance of the transmit expire time has elapsed. Moreover, the radio node may determine, based at least in part on the receive time and the first instance of the transmit expire time, an updated transmit time. Next, the radio node may provide, at the updated transmit time, which is prior to the second instance of the transmit expire time, a second instance of the keep-alive message addressed to the computer.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus that is automated to measure controlled and applied forces to sport surfaces allowing for safety assessment of athletic apparel and athletic surfaces, such as natural or artificial turf. The apparatus is capable of using not only horizontal and vertical forces, but also rotational moments, and all prescribed forces and moments in combination at the same or different times. The apparatus and related system can apply horizontal and vertical forces, and rotational moments, and link these forces and moments together and combine them to more closely mimic behavior of human foot during an athletic movement, thereby applying and measuring interactions between all forces and moments at the same or different times.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating events between applications. A first application receives event information for an event. A first action is performed by the first application in response to receiving the event information. The first application generates an event message comprising an event name and a message payload. The message payload comprises at least a portion of the event information. The first application publishes the event message by sending the event message to an event message pipeline. A second application may listen for the event message in the event message pipeline, receive the event message from the event message pipeline, and use the message payload to perform a second action, wherein the second action is different from the first action.

Abstract: According to one configuration, a user operating a communication device communicates a request for retrieval of content to a server resource. In response to communicating the request, the communication device receives content display information defining how to produce a rendition of the requested content for display on a display screen of the communication device. The display information indicates multiple portions of individually retrievable content in which to populate the rendition of the requested content. The computer device utilizes the priority information to select an order of retrieving the multiple portions to populate the rendition of the requested content.