Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to validate position parameters of a valve are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a field device, the field device further including a sensor interface to receive an unprocessed valve position parameter from a sensor and a position comparator to determine a deviation between the unprocessed valve position parameter and an interpreted valve position parameter and a valve position validator apparatus, the valve position validator apparatus further including a parameter comparator to determine if the deviation exceeds a threshold and an alert generator to generate an alert when the parameter comparator determines the deviation exceeds the threshold.

Abstract: A network customer may support a plurality of network connectivity services (such as an E-line). A network connectivity service may experience spikes of traffic, and therefore, spikes of bandwidth usage. Dynamic capacity allows a network connectivity service to increase its available bandwidth during such traffic spikes. A computer-implemented method is disclosed that facilitates identifying network customers that might be interested in purchasing dynamic capacity. The method comprises collecting bandwidth utilization data of network connectivity services supported by each network customer, and identifying those connectivity services that exhibit patterns (e.g., cogent peaks) in their utilization data indicating the network connectivity service is a candidate for dynamic capacity.

Abstract: A technique for optimizing a physical device includes receiving an initial description of the physical device that describes the physical device with voxels that each describes one or more structural parameters of the physical device. The initial description includes a characterization including a desired output signal generated at an output region of the physical device in response to a source signal at a source region of the physical device. A field response is forward simulated from the source region to the output region to generate a forward simulated output signal. Structural parameter weights of the voxels are adjusted with an adaptive algorithm configured to reduce an error between the forward simulated output signal and the desired output signal. The structural parameters of the voxels are revised based upon the adjusting. The forward simulating, adjusting, and revising are iteratively repeated and a revised/optimized description of the physical device is generated.

Abstract: A system includes one or more memory devices storing instructions, and one or more processors configured to execute the instructions to perform steps of providing automated natural dialogue with a customer. The system may generate one or more events and commands temporarily stored in queues to be processed by one or more of a dialogue management device, an API server, and an NLP device. The dialogue management device may create adaptive responses to customer communications using a customer context, a rules-based platform, and a trained machine learning model.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein concern mobile gaming environments. Portable electronic devices can be supported by the mobile gaming environments. The locations of the portable electronic device can influence how the portable electronic devices operate or what services or features are available to the portable electronic device or their users. According to one embodiment, a mobile gaming system can concern gaming/betting opportunities that can be secured using a portable electronic device even when an individual is located in a location where betting or games of chance are not permitted. According to another embodiment, a mobile gaming system can concern an application program operating on a portable electronic device that supports multiple modes of operation depending upon whether the portable electronic device is in a location where betting or games of chance are permitted.

Abstract: An advanced mobile energy storage device includes an energy storage component for the storage of electrical energy and characterized by a state of charge representative of an amount of energy stored within the energy component and by an energy storage rate into and out of the energy storage component. At least one power input transfers electrical energy into the device for storage in the energy storage component. At least one power output transfers electrical energy out of the device from the energy storage component. A processor determines, for indication to a user, an estimate of time until the state of charge at least reaches one or more particular levels, the estimate determined at least from the state of charge in conjunction with the energy storage rate. The device can network with an external computing device and can generate solar adjustment information.

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 shield assembly is employed for a friction brake used to decelerate a road wheel of a vehicle. The vehicle has a body with a first body end configured to face an incident ambient airflow, a second body end opposite of the first body end, and an underbody section spanning a distance between the first and second ends. The shield assembly includes a first shield component arranged proximate the brake and rotationally fixed relative to the vehicle body. The shield assembly also includes a second shield component operatively connected to the first shield component for shifting relative thereto. The shield assembly additionally includes an actuator employing a shape memory alloy element to shift the second shield component relative to the first shield component in response to a temperature of the brake to thereby direct at least a portion of the airflow to the brake and control temperature thereof.

Abstract: Generally described, dampers having shimmed pistons are configured for use with vehicle suspensions. The dampers generally include a shaft having a piston with compression and rebound valves extending therethrough. The piston interfaces a shim assembly at the valve outlets such that damping fluid flow is controlled through a set of valves in one direction, and the damping fluid flow is limited through the same set of valves in the opposite direction. In this regard, the shim assembly is configured to provide bleed relief of the hydraulic damping fluid at lower shaft speeds and deflect away from the piston higher shaft speeds. The shim assembly generally includes a ring shim that interfaces a shim stack to provide a configurable preload for the deflectable shims and a flow path for the hydraulic damping fluid during bleed relief.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for opportunistically mitigating an intermittent degradation of an active exhaust valve. In one example, a method may include differentiating between a permanent degradation of the active exhaust valve and an intermittent degradation of the active exhaust valve and adjusting actuation of the valve based on a vehicle operating condition and a road condition to mitigate the intermittent degradation.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to multiple view optical systems. An example optical system includes at least one primary optical element configured to receive incident light from a scene and a plurality of relay mirrors optically coupled to the at least one primary optical element. The optical system also includes a lens optically coupled to the plurality of relay mirrors, and an image sensor configured to receive focused light from the lens. The image sensor includes a first light-sensitive area and a second light-sensitive area. The primary optical element, the plurality of relay mirrors, and the lens interact with the incident light to form a first focused light portion and a second focused light portion. The first focused light portion forms a first image portion of the scene on the first light-sensitive area and the second focused light portion forms a second image portion of the scene on the second light-sensitive area.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for aperture-free hologram recording are described. The apertures typically used for hologram recording create unwanted secondary holograms by diffracting light. Aperture-free hologram recording eliminates these unwanted secondary holograms. Aperture-free hologram recording includes applying a mask to the holographic recording medium. The mask controls the size of the recorded hologram like an aperture but does not create unwanted secondary holograms. Hologram fringes are only present in the desired recording area and a thin boundary region. The mask may be present during recording, or the mask may be used to pre-bleach the holographic recording medium. Pre-bleaching the holographic recording medium renders a portion of the holographic recording medium insensitive to light, the hologram is recorded in the light-sensitive portions of the holographic recording medium.

Abstract: A wrench rotational axis re-positioning apparatus includes a housing, an interior cavity defined in the housing, input and output gear assemblies mounted to the housing and disposed in the interior cavity in a meshing contact with one another and rotatable about respective first and second axes arranged in a right angle configuration with one another, the input and output gear assemblies having respective input and output fittings for connection to respective drive and driven devices, and a ratcheting mechanism mounted to the housing and extending from exterior thereof into the interior cavity such that the ratcheting mechanism is presettable, or manually manipulatable, in either one of first and second orientations relative to the output gear assembly to enable the latter to correspondingly rotate in one or the other opposite direction about the second axis in response to the input gear assembly being rotated in either opposite direction about the first axis.

Abstract: A backlight for a display screen, an electronic device and a method of operating a backlight are described. A backlight includes a light guide, a lead frame, and at least one visible light-emitting diode (LED) and at least one infrared (IR) LED on the lead frame. The backlight includes at least one light entry face and a light exit face. The lead frame includes a first lead and a second lead isolated from each other. The at least one visible LED is optically coupled to one of the at least one light entry face and includes a counter electrode contacted by the first lead and an electrode contacted by the second lead. The at least one IR LED is optically coupled to one of the at least one entry face and includes a counter electrode contacted by the second lead and an electrode contacted by the first lead.

Abstract: A data storage system can employ multiple concurrent domains with data storage devices each having a single data port. The data storage system may connect a number of hosts to a data storage device via a network controller, an expander, and an expander module with the data storage device having a single data port. A first data domain and a second data domain are each established from the network controller to the data storage device with the first data domain being independent of the second data domain. At least one illegal loop can be identified between the first data domain and the second data domain with the expander module and subsequently corrected with the expander as directed by the expander module.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, software made in accordance with the present invention generates a request for quote (RFQ) based on user-provided information, presents a user interface allowing a user to customize the RFQ, generates an e-mail including the RFQ, and sends the e-mail to one or more suppliers. Various corresponding and related systems, methods, and software are described.

Abstract: System and methods for providing a target price for a target vehicle with a target mileage are provided. One exemplary method includes receiving attributes for the target vehicle, receiving prices for sold vehicles having attributes corresponding to the target vehicle attributes, and receiving mileages for the sold vehicles. The exemplary method may further include generating a linear regression model relating the sold vehicle mileages to the sold vehicle prices, and providing the target price for the target vehicle based on the model.

Abstract: Techniques for predicting an offsite entity interaction rate are provided. One approach involves using a first machine-learned model that includes a first plurality of features that correspond to entity and campaign attributes. The approach also involves training a second machine-learned model that includes a second plurality of features that includes a particular feature corresponding to predicted entity interaction rates. Thus, output of the first machine-learned model is input to the second machine-learned model. The second machine-learned model includes multiple weights that include a particular weight for the particular feature. A content request is received and a set of campaigns is identified based on an entity identifier associated with the content request. Scores are generated based on the first and second machine-learned models. Based on the scores, a campaign is selected and campaign data associated with the campaign is transmitted over a computer network.

Abstract: A method, computer system, and computer program product that aggregates data regarding a plurality of factors correlated with income; performs iterative analysis on the data using machine learning to construct a predictive model; populates, using the predictive model, a database with predicted income values for a selected range of housing costs; converts the predicted income values in the database into percentages of observed income values for a selected group of people within the selected range of housing costs over a specified time period to create indices of financial stress; and rank orders the people within the selected group according to their indices of financial stress.

Abstract: A transmission includes an input shaft coupled to a prime mover, a countershaft, main shaft, and an output shaft, with gears between the countershaft and the main shaft. A shift actuator selectively couples the input shaft to the main shaft by rotatably coupling gears between the countershaft and the main shaft. The shift actuator is mounted on an exterior wall of a housing including the countershaft and the main shaft. An integrated actuator housing includes a single external power access for the shift actuator. A controller interprets a shaft displacement angle, determines if the transmission is in an imminent zero or zero torque region, and performs a transmission operation in response to the transmission in the imminent zero or zero torque region.