Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method comprising providing services over a network to a device, and constructing device capability and usage profiles. A level of service quality for the device is adjusted by adjusting a latency criterion regarding connection of the device to the network; adjusting a speed of transmissions to or from the device; and altering a routing of transmissions to or from the device. The network can be partitioned so that the adjusted service quality level is provided by a network portion having a predetermined level of resources. The adjusted service quality level can comprise a first level while the device is active and a second level while the device is inactive; the first level is higher than the second level. The first and second levels are lower than a service quality level provided by another network portion. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: In aspects of managing antenna module heat and RF emissions, an antenna module includes antenna elements that emit radio frequency (RF) signals for wireless data communication. The antenna module also includes an integrated heat sink to dissipate heat generated by an amplifier on the antenna module, where the heat sink is formed as a metallic component having a surface approximately coplanar with the antenna elements. The antenna module also includes one or more grooves that are formed into the surface of the heat sink, where the one or more grooves are effective to allow the RF signals being emitted from the antenna elements without deformation of a radiation pattern of the RF signals.

Abstract: A Confidence Broker System is disclosed. One embodiment of the present invention includes a confidence broker (10) which communicates with a plurality of confidence producers (12A, 12B, 12C) and a plurality of confidence consumers (14A, 14B, 14C). Communications between these elements is conducted via a communications infrastructure (16). The confidence broker (10) also includes a communications interface (42) which is connected to a protocol converter (44). The protocol converter (44) is connected to a confidence normalizer (46). The confidence normalizer (46) is connected to a confidence mediator (48). The confidence mediator (48) is connected to a confidence mapper (50). The confidence mapper (50) is connected to the protocol converter (44). Each of the protocol converter (44), the confidence normalizer (46), the confidence mediator (48) and the confidence mapper (50) is connected to a storage device (52).

Abstract: A method of making an electrode material for an electrode in an electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions is provided, where a protective coating is applied to an electrode precursor material. The electrode precursor may be a silicon-containing composition. The protective coating is selected from the group consisting of: an oxide-based coating, a fluoride-based coating, and a nitride-based coating. The method also includes lithiating the electrode precursor material in a continuous process. The continuous process is conducted in a reactor having a first reaction chamber and a second reaction chamber to form a lithiated electrode material comprising the protective coating.

Abstract: A webcam account security system that allows a user to require activation of a webcam when accessing an account. The system may prompt a user attempting to access the account to activate the webcam and may deny access to the account or require additional security procedures when access to the webcam is not granted. Additionally, the system may store any images or footage captured by the webcam for analysis in the case a fraud notification is received. The system may further deny access to the account when the webcam is unable to detect the face or an identifying characteristic of the person attempting to access the account.

Abstract: A tree stand platform assembly includes a platform for supporting a hunter and which has a perimeter edge. The perimeter edge includes a front edge, a rear edge, a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge. The platform has a top surface, a bottom surface and an outer surface positioned between the top and bottom surfaces. The first and second lateral edges each include a front section abutting the front edge and a rear section abutting the rear edge. The rear section includes toe receiver. The toe receiver is formed by an obtuse angle formed in the outer surface of the rear section, wherein the obtuse angle is less than 160°. The toe receiver provides an engagement point for a hunter's foot as the hunter rotates laterally away from the platform.

Abstract: A computerized apparatus for creating a highlight video, including an interface for charting an event by recording information in regard to the event, where the event information is associated with time codes. A camera captures video of the event, where the video is associated with the time codes. The interface also creates triggers including lists of at least one action. An input/output uploads the event information, video, and triggers to a server. A processor produces entries in an action log from the event information, compares the entries in the action log to the triggers to determine if any of the entries in the action log match any of the triggers, collects the time codes of those entries that match the triggers, creates video clips from the video of the event, based on the collected time codes, and compiles the video clips into the highlight video.

Abstract: The invention is an improved method of making an improved carbon molecular sieve (CMS) membrane in which a precursor polymer (e.g., polyimide) is pyrolyzed at a pyrolysis temperature to form a CMS membrane that is cooled to ambient temperature (about 40° C. or 30° C. to about 20° C.). The CMS membrane is then reheated to a reheating temperature less than the pyrolysis temperature to form the improved CMS membrane. The improved CMS membranes have shown an improved combination of selectivity and permeance as well as stability for separating hydrogen from gas molecules (e.g., methane, ethane, propane, ethylene, propylene, butane, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, butylene, and combinations thereof).

Abstract: A method of forming a high purity granular material, such as silicon carbide powder. Precursors are added to a reactor; at least part of a fiber is formed in the reactor from the precursors using chemical deposition interacting with said precursors; and the granular material is then formed from the fiber. In one aspect, the chemical deposition may include laser induced chemical vapor deposition. The granular material may be formed by grinding or milling the fiber into the granular material, e.g., ball milling the fiber. In one example, silicon carbide powder having greater than 90% beta crystalline phase purity and less than 0.25% oxygen contamination can be obtained.

Abstract: A method for repairing/treating a pavement with the use of a rheology modifier is disclosed. The method comprises first applying a layer of a rheology modifier composition comprising a rejuvenating component onto the top surface of the pavement that needs repair, then applying a second layer of a binder onto the rheology modifier layer. The second layer of binder effectively seals the rheology modifier layer with the rejuvenating component for intimate contact with the top pavement surface, thus penetrating the surface layer to extend the life of the pavement surface, arresting the deterioration of visco-elastic properties and restoring some of those properties.

Abstract: A method of video decoding can include receiving a bit stream including coded bits of bins of syntax elements. The syntax elements are of various types that correspond to transform coefficients of a transform block in a coded picture. Context modeling is performed to determine a context model for each bin of the syntax elements. In a given frequency region of the transform block, for one type of the syntax elements, a group of the transform coefficients having different template magnitudes within a predetermined range share a same context model, or one of the transform coefficients uses the same context model for possible different template magnitudes of the one of the transform coefficients. The possible different template magnitudes are within the predetermined range. The coded bits are decoded based on the context models determined for each bin of the syntax elements to determine the bins of the syntax elements.

Abstract: A training system for a neural network system and method of training is disclosed. The method may comprise: receiving, from a sensor, an image frame captured while an operator is controlling a vehicle; using an eye-tracking system associated with the sensor, monitoring the eyes of the operator to determine eyeball gaze data; determining, from the image frame, a plurality of pedestrians; and iteratively training the neural network system to determine, from among the plurality of pedestrians, the one or more target pedestrians using the eyeball gaze data and an answer dataset that is based on the eyeball gaze data, wherein the determined one or more target pedestrians have a relatively-higher probability of collision with the vehicle than a remainder of the plurality of pedestrians.

Abstract: A nose clip and a tail clip for a splitboard ski assembly may each comprise at least three hooks. The nose clip and the tail clip may be adaptable to various splitboard ski designs. A stretcher for a skin assembly may be configured to interface with the tail clip. The tail clip may comprise at least two elongated apertures defining a rail. The stretcher may be configured to interface with the rail via friction and/or secure a skin assembly to a splitboard ski assembly.

Abstract: A two-wire load control device (such as, a dimmer switch) for controlling the amount of power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load (such as, a high-efficiency lighting load) includes a thyristor coupled between the source and the load, a gate coupling circuit coupled between a first main load terminal and the gate of the thyristor, and a control circuit coupled to a control input of the gate coupling circuit. The control circuit generates a drive voltage for causing the gate coupling circuit to conduct a gate current to thus render the thyristor conductive at a firing time during a half cycle of the AC power source, and to allow the gate coupling circuit to conduct the gate current at any time from the firing time through approximately the remainder of the half cycle, where the gate coupling circuit conducts approximately no net average current to render and maintain the thyristor conductive.

Abstract: A method of driving a three-phase motor includes, while a first phase is energized, driving a second phase using a first drive function which is sinusoidal. The first phase is switched to a non-energized state and a back electromotive force (BEMF) voltage of the first phase is detected. For at least a portion of a time when the first phase is non-energized the driving of the second phase depends on the output of a second drive function different from the first drive function. The second drive function may be non-sinusoidal and may be a cosine function. The second drive function may drive the second phase when the output of the second drive function is a modulation ratio less than 1. When the output of the second drive function is a modulation ratio greater than or equal to 1 the second phase may be driven to a modulation ratio of 1.

Abstract: A system and method for a user-centric decentralized digital communication platform aggregating multiple user groups within a defined organization, community or affiliated networks enables secure data transfer of complex multi-party data across multiple information systems, organizations, communities, and external affiliates. A comprehensive digital ecosystem, in which varied user groups within specific industries can identify, interact and manage everyday tasks and requests, provides an intuitive networking communication platform that can utilize distributed ledger technology to reward participation and exchange. The computer-implementable communication platform system is operable in combination with multiple information systems, and includes or provides a central remote abstraction layer, service or system for enabling inter-information system operations, and a single interface for client-to-information system interactions.

Abstract: A conveyor for a combine harvester includes a chain and a sprocket. The sprocket includes an annular body defining an axis of rotation, two opposing sides, an outer perimeter extending between the two opposing sides, and gear teeth disposed on the outer perimeter. A bottom land extends between valleys of adjacent gear teeth. A single continuous edge is defined between two gear teeth at one of the adjacent sides. The bottom land includes (i) a central plateau portion, (ii) a first sloping surface extending from one edge of the central plateau portion to the single continuous edge at one of the two opposing sides, and (iii) a second sloping surface extending from the opposite edge of the central plateau portion to the single continuous edge at the other of the two opposing sides. The sloping surfaces either limit or prevent the accumulation of material thereon.

Abstract: Techniques performed by a data processing system for analyzing the impact of training data changes on a machine learning model herein include training a first instance of a machine learning model with a first set of training data; modifying the first set of training data to produce a second set of training data; training a second instance of the model with the second set of training data; comparing the first instance of the model to the second instance of the model to determine features that differ between the first instance and the second instance of the model; identifying a subset of historical data associated with the features that differ between the first instance and the second instance of the model; and scoring the subset of the historical data to produce a report identifying differences in the output of the first instance and the second instance of the machine learning model.

Abstract: A transparent or translucent carrier sheet is provided with an alignment grid for positioning a decorative transfer.

Abstract: A baking container having one or more rupture lines for ease of removal and separation from a baked foodstuff is described herein. The baking container has a sidewall and a planar bottom face. One or more rupture lines may run down a height of the sidewall and across a portion or all of the planar bottom face. Rupture lines having even spacing may form a strip, and the strip may have a pull tab to easily tear through the sidewall. The strip may be reinforced with a string or ribbon. The rupture lines may be formed by perforating or weakening areas of the baking container.