Abstract: A computer system with access to a database of curated content receives a content request (e.g., based on words spoken by a human user interacting with a virtual assistant). The content request relates to a feature of a property (e.g., a vacation rental house) or an area in which the property is located. The computer system determines, based on analysis of the content request, that curated content related to the content request is not available in the database. The computer system transmits a representation of the content request to a property host computing device or a location-based search service. The computer system receives content from the host computing device or search service, which is responsive to the content request. The received content may then be presented to a user (e.g., via email, SMS message, or as synthesized voice output generated by the virtual assistant).

Abstract: A system for providing help includes a smartphone having a cellular transceiver and a global positioning subsystem. A call center server computer system has a plurality of agent computers. Software running on the smartphone is configured to recognize a preprogrammed specific utterance and to connect with the call center server computer system. After the preprogrammed specific utterance is detected, the software running on the smartphone initiates a call to the call center server computer system. When the call center server computer system receives the call, the call center server computer system retrieves a data record associated with the smartphone using a caller-id of the call and the call center server computer system assigns an agent computer. At least part of the data record is displayed on a display of that agent computer and an audio connection is made between that agent computer and the smartphone.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for computer controlled cooking devices is provided. The cooking apparatus may include an outer housing, an inner lining, a housing cavity, an insert, a controller, a heating element, and a user interface. The base may include a plurality of feet. The plurality of feet may comprise a plurality of pressure sensors. The controller may be configured to receive input signals corresponding to electrical communications from a plurality of pressure sensors. The user interface may include a display and the display may present an image corresponding to a pressure sensed by the plurality of pressure sensors.

Abstract: Passenger restraint systems are provided. The restraint systems can include: a passenger seat supported by a frame; a restraint bar pivotably attached to the frame; and at least one piston operably engaged between the restraint bar and the frame. Restraint system pistons are provided. The pistons can include: a central chamber housing a piston head and rod; a fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the central chamber; and at least one electromechanical valve operable between an open and a closed position. Methods for restraining a passenger within a seat are also provided.

Abstract: A method, computer program, and computer system is provided for compressing a neural network model. One or more coding tree units are identified corresponding to a multi-dimensional tensor associated with a neural network. A set of weight coefficients associated with the coding tree units is unified. A model of the neural network is compressed based on the unified set of weight coefficients.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for generating a backup of configuration information files at a system controller and storing this backup at a server via the use of a network device.

Abstract: One example provides a ferrule for an implantable medical device including a frame body having an upper surface and an opposing lower surface, an interior perimeter surface extending between the upper and lower surfaces for attachment to an insulator body, and an exterior perimeter surface extending between the upper and lower surfaces for attachment to a housing. A flange extends from the exterior perimeter surface and has an upper surface facing the upper surface of the frame body, the upper surface of the flange to engage an interior surface of a housing of the implantable medical device to limit a position of the housing along the exterior perimeter surface in a direction toward the bottom surface of the frame body, wherein a distance of the top surface of the flange from the top surface of the frame body is greater than and proportional to a thickness of the housing.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector module for coupling to a ferrule terminated to at least one fiber in a ribbon cable is provided. The optical fiber connector module may include a first connector body member for coupling to the ferrule, the first connector body member including at least one alignment component coupling section, at least one biasing component coupling section, and a first through-channel for the ribbon cable. The optical fiber connector module may include a second connector body member coupled to the first connector body member, the second connector body member including at least one biasing component coupling section, a second through-channel for the ribbon cable, and an open side spanning the length of the second connector body member providing access to the second through-channel for the ribbon cable.

Abstract: A communication system for statically allocating physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resources on a PUCCH. The communication system includes a base station configured to exchange radio frequency (RF) signals with a plurality of user equipment terminals (UEs). The base station is also configured to identify two PUCCH resources, each sharing the same orthogonal code sequence and located in different resource block of adjacent slots of a subframe. The base station is also configured to statically allocate the two PUCCH resources to two of the UEs, where both UEs are legacy UEs or Category-M1 (Cat-M1) UEs.

Abstract: Methods for producing hydrocarbon-based polymers and hydrocarbon-based polymeric structures that are capable of removing carbon dioxide from an ambient environment to produce breathable oxygen. The methods produce enclosed, solar-exposed polymeric structures capable of expanding in area through the reuse of at least a portion of the hydrocarbon-based polymers. As such, the method produces self-sustaining polymeric/hydrocarbon-based structures capable of in-situ resource harvesting and reuse to create a sustainable, habitable area. The methods can be used to create a habitable environment in otherwise harsh conditions, such as those associated with high concentrations of carbon dioxide and low pressure, without the need to use external, non-renewable resources, and instead using renewable, in-situ resources to improve the viability of habitation within the environment of the manufactured three-dimensional structures.

Abstract: The technology described herein is directed to generating a video. In this regard, one or more computing devices may receive a set of encoded video feeds. The one or more computing devices may store video frames from each encoded video feed in the set of encoded video feeds. The one or more computing devices may composite two or more of the stored video frames into a single frame and render the single frame onto a video wall. In some instances, video frames may be transmitted to other computing devices.

Abstract: The description relates to rendering directional sound. One implementation includes receiving directional impulse responses corresponding to a scene. The directional impulse responses can correspond to multiple sound source locations and a listener location in the scene. The implementation can also include encoding the directional impulse responses to obtain encoded departure direction parameters for individual sound source locations. The implementation can also include outputting the encoded departure direction parameters, the encoded departure direction parameters providing sound departure directions from the individual sound source locations for rendering of sound.

Abstract: An edge detection system is provided that generates a scanning electron microscope (SEM) linescan image of a pattern structure including a feature with edges that require detection. The edge detection system includes an inverse linescan model tool that receives measured linescan information for the feature from the SEM. In response, the inverse linescan model tool provides feature geometry information that includes the position of the detected edges of the feature.

Abstract: A protective case for a mobile device having a multi-layered construction is disclosed herein. The multi layered construction includes three layers that are co-molded to one another. The construction is lightweight and low-profile, and also provides a high level of impact protection. The first layer generally forms the external back face surface of the case, the third layer generally forms the perimeter bumper of the case, and the second layer forms the internal liner and includes an elevated pattern of walls upon which the back face of the mobile device rests. The first layer is comprised of material that has a hardness greater than the other two layers. The third layer is comprised of a material that has a hardness that is greater than the hardness of the second layer. The layers are configured to interact with one another to distribute and absorb impact forces.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods and systems are provided for blockchain-mediated user authentication. Consistent with disclosed embodiments, authentication may comprise operations including receiving, from a user system, an authentication request for a user. The operations may also include determining a root system for the user using a blockchain, and redirecting the user system to the root system. The operations may include receiving, following redirection, a verification message indicating that the root system successfully authenticated the user, and including an authorization code for receiving, from the root system, a root system secret. The operations may include receiving from a database, identification data using the root system secret. Determining the root system may comprise identifying, using the authentication request and index information stored in the blockchain, a block of the blockchain storing root system information for the user.

Abstract: An algae-elastomer composite including an elastomer matrix; algae; and a mixing additive sufficient to achieve a desired property. The algae can be present in a milled condition having a particle size value of between about 10 and 120 microns. The algae is mixed with the elastomer matrix in a dry condition having a moisture content of below about 10%. A method of preparing the algae-based elastomer composite is provided that includes the steps of: premixing an elastomer matrix; adding an algae filler; adding a mixing additive that includes a plasticizer; forming an elastomer-algae blend by blending the algae and elastomer to a temperature sufficient to be further mixed, wherein the temperature is about 10° C. higher than the temperature sufficient for the elastomer alone; adding and mixing a curing or vulcanizing agent for the elastomer dispersing the elastomer-algae blend; and heating and curing the elastomer-algae blend into a final form.

Abstract: An implantable blood pump system is disclosed herein. The implantable blood pump system includes an implantable blood pump, a controller coupled to the blood pump, a connector receptacle, and a connector insert. The connector receptacle can include a plurality of contacts, and a following surface. The connector insert can be received within the connector receptacle to couple a plurality of insert contacts with the plurality of contacts of the connector receptacle. The connector insert can include walls defining a follower receptacle that can receive a portion of the following surface when the connector insert is in a desired alignment with respect to the connector receptacle, and a cam surface that can engage with the following surface to bias the connector insert to the desired alignment with respect to the connector receptacle when the connector insert is inserted into the connector receptacle.

Abstract: A method for data communication between a first node and a second node includes forming one or more redundancy messages from data messages at the first node using an error correcting code and transmitting first messages from the first node to the second node over a data path, the transmitted first messages including the data messages and the one or more redundancy messages. Second messages are received at the first node from the second node, which are indicative of: (i) a rate of arrival at the second node of the first messages, and (ii) successful and unsuccessful delivery of the first messages. A transmission rate limit and a window size are maintained according to the received second messages. Transmission of additional messages from the first node to the second node is limited according to the maintained transmission rate limit and window size.

Abstract: Various embodiments are generally directed to techniques provide and control applets for transaction cards. More specifically, embodiments discussed here include permitting or denying applets of transaction cards based on whether they are enabled or disabled. Embodiments may also include enabling and disable applets for transaction cards.

Abstract: An electrical computer system processing architecture for providing an indication of activity in the electrical computer system, the electrical computer system processing architecture comprising a plurality of client computers connected to at least one server by a computer network. Each of the client computers is configured to provide requests to the at least one server. The or each server comprises a store for storing requests provided by the plurality of client computers. The or each server is configured to match complementary requests from the plurality of client computers stored in the store. Following the matching of complementary requests, the or each server counts unmatched requests corresponding to one or other of the complementary requests in the store, and outputs the counted number of unmatched requests to provide the indication of activity in the computer system.