Abstract: A method for managing a multi-user animation platform is disclosed. A three-dimensional space within a computer memory is modeled. An avatar of a client is located within the three-dimensional space, the avatar being graphically represented by a three-dimensional figure within the three-dimensional space. The avatar is responsive to client input commands, and the three-dimensional figure includes a graphical representation of client activity. The client input commands are monitored to determine client activity. The graphical representation of client activity is then altered according to an inactivity scheme when client input commands are not detected. Following a predetermined period of client inactivity, the inactivity scheme varies non-repetitively with time.

Abstract: Technologies and techniques for biometrically authenticating a user for an apparatus. User biometric data is generated via a biometric capture device. A processor processes the user biometric data to generate one or more biometric templates. A memory stores the biometric templates and one or more previously generated biometric templates. A biometric manager module associates executable applications with respective biometric templates, wherein the processor matches one of the biometric templates with the previously generated biometric templates to determine if the matched biometric template is associated with the executable application. The processor generates at least one of a password and/or a cryptographic key for allowing access to the associated executable application based on the matched biometric template.

Abstract: A mold assembly, for an overhead console button carrier having a unitary body, includes a cavity side and a core side. The core side includes at least one zero draft core insert, a first buried retractor mechanism and a first slide mechanism.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are described for automatic data-driven optimization of a target outcome using machine learning. A server generates a first feature dataset and applies a trained outcome prediction model to the first feature dataset as input to generate a second feature data set and a first predicted value for a target outcome. The server displays the first predicted value on a client device. The server receives input corresponding to one or more preferences or constraints from the client device and adjusts the trained outcome prediction model based upon the received input to incorporate the one or more preferences or constraints. The server applies the adjusted outcome prediction to the second feature dataset as input to generate a third feature data set a second predicted value for the target outcome. The server displays the second predicted value on the client device.

Abstract: Computer systems and processes configured to collect empirical data from a plurality of observations of a person, and to analyze the data to identify a particular state of the person characterized by at least a particular property selected from the group consisting of types of behaviors, types of actions, types of activities, and/or types of emotions. The computer system facilitates transmission of a digital message, the content of which may be determined in response to the instance of the one particular state identified. The content of some digital messages may include experiments performed by the computer system on the person, to test the validity of the state-identification-process. The state-identification-process can then be updated with the observed responses of the person to the experiments, and with the results of the experiments.

Abstract: Disclosed are various approaches for using drag-and-drop to open local files remotely. In one approach, a client device renders a user interface including a first indicium corresponding to a local file of the client device and a second indicium corresponding to a remotely executed application. A drag-and-drop action of the first indicium relative to the second indicium is detected. Responsive to the drag-and-drop action, the remotely executed application opens a copy of the local file.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods that enable parameter-efficient transfer learning, multi-task learning, and/or other forms of model re-purposing such as model personalization or domain adaptation. In particular, as one example, a computing system can obtain a machine-learned model that has been previously trained on a first training dataset to perform a first task. The machine-learned model can include a first set of learnable parameters. The computing system can modify the machine-learned model to include a model patch, where the model patch includes a second set of learnable parameters. The computing system can train the machine-learned model on a second training dataset to perform a second task that is different from the first task, which may include learning new values for the second set of learnable parameters included in the model patch while keeping at least some (e.g., all) of the first set of parameters fixed.

Abstract: A method of fire suppression may include injecting a reactive agent into a reaction zone to produce a catalytically active species for fire suppression and conveying the catalytically active species to a fire to catalytically interfere with flame chemistry of the fire. Fire in a fuel tank may be suppressed by injecting the reactive agent into a convective flow of a mixture of fuel and oxidizer in a fuel tank, the reactive agent reacting in the fuel tank to release a species which catalytically interferes with flame chemistry to suppress fire in the fuel tank. Fire at an airplane crash may be suppressed by releasing the reactive agent from the container at the crash site to produce an active species to catalytically interfere with a fire at the crash site.

Abstract: Techniques, systems, and devices are disclosed for spatial and temporal encoding of transmission in full synthetic transmit aperture imaging to achieve optimal spatial and contrast resolution and large signal-to-noise ratio for medical imaging applications with fewer signal transmissions, which can be equal to or less than the number of array elements within the aperture. In some aspects, a method of signal transmission is disclosed that includes a sequence of one or more sets of transmissions on a plurality of elements with unique, random, and/or optimized combinations of waveforms using amplitude and phase, and/or delay encoding. Sets of echoes corresponding to the sequence are beamformed such that fewer transmissions are needed than the number of array elements within the aperture, while maintaining complete spatial sampling of the aperture as if sampled according to a full set of synthetic transmit aperture transmissions on the same aperture.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying a personalized prior within a generative model's latent vector space based on a set of images of a given subject. In some examples, the present technology may further include using the personalized prior to confine the inputs of a generative model to a latent vector space associated with the given subject, such that when the model is tasked with editing an image of the subject (e.g., to perform inpainting to fill in masked areas, improve resolution, or deblur the image), the subject's identifying features will be reflected in the images the model produces.

Abstract: To provide ride services within a mapping application in a client computing device without directing the user to a separate ride service application, the mapping application invokes one or several ride service APIs to access ride service data from various ride service providers. For example, the mapping application receives a request for travel directions to a destination and generates multi-modal travel directions which include a route segment where the mode of transportation is a ride service. The mapping application invokes one or several ride service APIs to retrieve a price estimate, estimated wait time, or any other suitable information regarding the ride service route segment. Accordingly, the mapping application provides the multi-modal travel directions to a user including information regarding the ride service route segment.

Abstract: Example headsets and electrodes are described herein. Example electrode units described herein include a housing having a cavity defined by an opening in a side of the housing and an electrode. In some such examples, the electrode includes a ring disposed in the opening and an arm, where the arm has a first portion extending outward from the opening away from the housing and a second portion extending from an end of the first portion toward the housing and into the cavity, and the first and second portions connect at a bend.

Abstract: An earbud is configured to detect its location (e.g., in-ear and out-of-ear) based on an acoustical signature with and without user-specific customization. The earbud location may be indicated to a host, e.g., to determine playback. Location determinations are based on features extracted from acoustical samples taken by the earbud compared to features extracted from out-of-ear acoustical samples and non-user-specific and/or user-specific in-ear samples. A non-user-specific machine learning (ML) model trained on features extracted from non-user-specific in-ear and out-of-ear samples may be an initial/default locator. The non-user-specific model may be customized for specific users. A user-specific in-model may be created by training the non-user-specific model on features extracted from user-specific in-ear samples collected when the earbud is located in-ear for a specific user. The user-specific ML model may be selected to classify a location of the earbud for one or more associated hosts.

Abstract: A drinking container has a lid that attaches to a vessel. The lid has a sidewall that forms a chamber with an opening. A spring-loaded door is pivotable between a closed position that seals the chamber opening from the vessel and an open position that allows transfer of fluid or solids between the chamber and the vessel. A lever has a catch that engages and holds the door in the closed position unless the lever is actuated by the user. The lever can be actuated by the user through an area on the lid that allows operation of the lever from the exterior of the container. The drinking container may include additional chambers with corresponding spring-loaded doors that are released through an area on the lid.

Abstract: An example computer-implemented method is provided that includes: determining a remote computing system associated with a task queue comprising a plurality of processing tasks, wherein the remote computing system updates, based on a hidden schedule, prerequisites for the plurality of processing tasks; initiating the plurality of processing tasks according to a test task schedule constructed to probe the hidden schedule of the remote computing system; receiving a plurality of responses respectively for the plurality of processing tasks, wherein a respective response corresponds to at least one of a success indicator or a failure indicator; estimating, based on the plurality of responses, a prerequisite processing time of the hidden schedule; and generating, based on the estimated prerequisite processing time, a main task schedule for the task queue.

Abstract: A system and method for handling slag in a slag pit includes an equilibrium or balance crane equipped with a quick connect coupling. A drop-ball fixture and drop-ball reduces the size of the slag, as needed, then the boom assembly of the crane releases the drop-ball fixture and engages an excavating tool, such as a clamshell bucket, a bucket, or a grapple. An elevated control station provides an operator with improved line-of-sight visibility.