Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle that includes a torque converter is described. In one example, the method adjusts torque of an electric machine in response to a requested torque converter speed. The requested torque converter speed linearizes torque output of a torque converter so that vehicle wheel torque control may be improved.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for determining the depth of a trench opened by an agricultural planter. Sensors are provided for detecting the position of a ground-engaging element of the planter such as a gauge wheel or seed firmer of a row unit of the planter. Apparatus and methods are provided for installing such sensors onto a row unit of the planter. Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for controlling downpressure on a row unit based on the trench depth. Methods are provided for mapping trench depth measured by the depth sensors.

Abstract: An accessory mounting device for removably mounting an accessory or fixture to a wall, ceiling, or other supporting surface. The device includes a bracket or clip which is affixable to the wall or other surface. The device further includes a cover which releasably mounts to the bracket or clip. The cover is configured to support and anchor various accessories and devices to the wall, ceiling, or other surface. The cover is mounted to and removed from the bracket by overcoming a biasing force provided between members of the bracket.

Abstract: Some variations provide an atomic vapor-cell system comprising: a vapor-cell region configured with vapor-cell walls for containing an atomic vapor; and a coating disposed on at least some interior surfaces of the walls, wherein the coating comprises magnesium oxide, a rare earth metal oxide, or a combination thereof. The atomic vapor-cell system may be configured to allow at least one optical path through the vapor-cell region. In some embodiments, the coating comprises or consists essentially of magnesium oxide and/or a rare earth metal oxide. When the coating contains a rare earth metal oxide, it may be a lanthanoid oxide, such as lanthanum oxide. The atomic vapor-cell system preferably further comprises a device to adjust vapor pressure of the atomic vapor within the vapor-cell region. Preferably, the device is a solid-state electrochemical device configured to convey the atomic vapor into or out of the vapor-cell region.

Abstract: A die apparatus including a first die element, a plurality of second die elements, a plurality of actuators, and a controller is provided. Each of the plurality of actuators is mounted to one of the plurality of second die elements. The controller is programmed to activate the actuators to contact and compress portions of a blank disposed between the die elements at separate pressures to influence microstructure forming for one of a geometry transition region, a deformation region, and a joining region. One of the separate pressures applied to one of the portions of the blank may be approximately 5 N/mm2 or less to form a soft strength zone. The pressure of approximately 5 N/mm2 or less may be applied to the one of the portions of the blank for approximately one to two seconds.

Abstract: Example embodiments of systems and methods for data transmission system between transmitting and receiving devices are provided. In an embodiment, each of the transmitting and receiving devices can contain a master key. The transmitting device can generate a diversified key using the master key, protect a counter value and encrypt data prior to transmitting to the receiving device, which can generate the diversified key based on the master key and can decrypt the data and validate the protected counter value using the diversified key. Example embodiments of systems and methods can be used to provide further authentication and added levels of security for transactions.

Abstract: The film sealing and wrapping machine with a rotary cut and seal jaw is provided. The rotary cut and seal jaw has an internal sliding mechanism which provides for smooth and quiet operation. The rotational speed of the jaw may be varied to increase through put and to provide for a title bag around products. The rotary cut and seal jaw may comprise a seal bar and pressure pad may both be spring loaded to self align the seal bar and pressure pad during the sealing and cutting process. Lastly, a gap defined by a belt disposed upstream and downstream of the seal bar and pressure pad may be mechanically linked to the pressure pad through a control carriage.

Abstract: A device for loading a plurality of ammunition rounds or cartridges, containing a rim, groove, or flange, of non-determined size or into a firearm magazine of a non-determined capacity by means of a magazine adapter, in one or more hand strokes. The main chassis, or cartridge retainer, may be asymmetric in design allowing for ambidextrous operation and accessory expansion.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally related to a data processing system to determine operational statuses of agents interfacing with digital assistant applications. The data processing system can access a log database. The log database can maintain response metrics for an agent service. Each response metric can correspond to a response by the agent service to a request generated by a digital assistant application responsive to an input audio signal. The data processing system can transmit a ping request to the agent service and can wait for a second response from the agent service. The data processing system can determine an operational status of the agent service based on the response metrics and on a time elapsed since the transmission of the ping request. The data processing system can cause the digital assistant application to perform an action based on the operational status.

Abstract: Techniques for obfuscating user selections during user-input of sensitive information, involving receiving a user input entered via a user input device and, in response, causing a first visual indication to move over a period of time through a first subset of displayed targets to enter user selections of targets. In a concurrent process, control signals are generated to display a second visual indication in addition to the first visual indication. The second visual indication moves through a second subset of the displayed targets during the period of time in a manner that is different from the first visual indication moving through the first subset of the displayed targets. The current user target is thus obfuscated as two or more different visual indicators move through the displayed targets.

Abstract: Techniques and apparatus for providing peer-based management of user accounts are described. In one embodiment, for example, an apparatus may include at least one memory and logic coupled to the at least one memory. The logic may be configured to receive a request from at least one first user account to unlock a second user account locked responsive to a fraud event, determine a safe authentication value for the fraud event, and unlock the second user account responsive to the at least one first user account being a safe authentication account and the safe authentication value being over a safe authentication threshold value. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: A system for correcting HD map images is provided. The system is configured to: receive, from a plurality of vehicles, ground view image data of a map anomaly hotspot captured by the vehicles; convert the ground view image data to bird view image data using homography; remove outliers from the bird view image data; apply an error reduction algorithm; stitch together a sequence of consecutive images from the image data after error reduction to produce a high-definition image, wherein each of the consecutive images has been generated through converting ground view image data to bird view image data using homography, removing outliers from the bird view image data, and applying an error reduction algorithm; compare the stitched sequence of consecutive images to a high-definition image of the hotspot to determine revisions to the high-definition image; and provide revised high-definition image data for use in navigating near the map anomaly hotspot.

Abstract: A technique for performing deduplication traverses a deduplication database and assigns digest values in the database to buckets, where each bucket covers a respective range of digest values. To deduplicate a particular candidate block, the technique generates a digest from the candidate block and searches for the computed digest in a subset of the buckets, where the subset is selected based on the computed digest. If a target block providing an exact match or a suitably close partial match is found in the subset of buckets, the technique effects storage of the candidate block at least in part by providing a reference to the target block.

Abstract: A method for generating training data for training a natural language processing system comprises loading, into a computer memory, a computer-readable transcript representing an ordered sequence of one or more dialogue events. The method further comprises acquiring a computer-readable command describing an exemplary ordered subsequence of one or more dialogue events from the computer-readable transcript. The method further comprises re-parametrizing the computer-readable command with an alternative semantic parameter. The method further comprises generating an alternative ordered subsequence of one or more dialogue events based on the re-parametrized computer-readable command. The method further comprises outputting, to a data store, an alternative computer-readable transcript including the alternative ordered subsequence of one or more dialogue events, the alternative computer-readable transcript having a predetermined format usable to train the computerized assistant.

Abstract: A scratch-resistant mop, and methods of making same are presented. The mop has a pole having first and second ends and a rubber end cap secured to the first end of the pole. The mop has strips of absorbent chamois material cut from chamois sheets. The strips from each sheet have a common end margin. The common end margins are wrapped in alternating directions and attached to the end cap using waxed lines wrapped over each of the common end margins and about the base of the end plug. The strips of absorbent chamois material are pulled tightly back over the common end margins and waxed lines so that all the strips may be gathered and secured at a distal end of the end cap with a final waxed line, forming a scratch-resistant “apple” of the absorbent chamois material and free strips of the absorbent chamois material.