Abstract: An imaging device may include (1) an aperture, (2) a camera lens positioned to direct light received through the aperture to a plurality of image sensor elements at a front side of an image sensor array, and (3) the image sensor array. The plurality of image sensor elements may collect a portion of the light received through the aperture. A light-disrupting element may be disposed at a back side of the image sensor array. The light-disrupting element at the back side of the image sensor array may prevent at least a portion of the light that is not collected by the plurality of image sensor elements from reflecting back to the plurality of image sensor elements. Various other devices, systems, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A head-mounted display (HMD) includes a fabric hood shaped and dimensioned to be worn over a user's head. The HMD also includes a rigid body housing a display panel at one side and open at an opposite side to receive with the user's face. A fixture is configured to secure the fabric hood to the rigid body.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to optimizing data writes in a distributed computing system, e.g., a social networking application. The system employs a write-ahead log (WAL) and a hybrid logical clock (HLC) together to improve data writes across data centers in the distributed computing system, including improving: (1) consensus monitoring and enforcement in replicating data across the data centers; (2) scalability of data writes, e.g., so that different data centers can together handle a sudden increase in data writes during specified periods and consistently maintain the time ordering of the data writes; (3) replication configuration of data centers so that client devices can specify a replication hierarchy per transaction, e.g., at the time of writing the data, rather than specifying at data center configuration time; and (4) a draining process to write transactions committed to the WAL to data storage systems in the data centers.

Abstract: An online system more efficiently streams multimedia content over the Internet for play back on client devices with varying computing power and network bandwidths by generating enhanced manifest files that more efficiently identify suitable media representations of the multimedia content. Each media representation has multiple media segments according to predefined byte ranges and a manifest file, which identifies location of the media file, bitrates, resolution, byte range, total duration, and other metadata. The online system customizes a manifest file for a user based on various factors including device capacity, network connectivity type and geolocation of the user. The online system also generates manifest fetch commands, which more efficiently fetch media segments for streaming. In response to changes of streaming server and media file (e.g., increased popularity), the online system dynamically updates corresponding manifest files.

Abstract: Several embodiments include a live stream system in a media distribution network. The live stream system can divide a broadcast stream from a broadcaster device into one or more media segments. The live stream system can generate an original manifest uniform resource locator (URL) and a duplicate manifest URL to associate with the media segments. The live stream system can generate a broadcast manifest that identifies the media segments via one or more segment identifiers. The live stream system can upload the broadcast manifest and the media segments to a cache system to make the broadcast manifest accessible via either the original manifest URL or the duplicate manifest URL.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a display configured to emit display light, an optical system configured to provide the display light to an eye of a user and an eye tracking system. The optical system includes a plurality of optical surfaces. The optical system is disposed between an eye tracking light detector and the eye of the user such that a portion of the eye tracking light that is reflected from the eye of the user and is transmitted through the optical system and also reflects from an optical surface of the optical system to generate one or more parasitic reflections of the eye tracking light. At least one of the plurality of optical surfaces is configured to reduce an intensity of the one or more parasitic reflections as measured on a surface of the eye tracking detector.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable media can acquire an image that depicts at least one character. A set of pixels, within the image, through which the at least one character is depicted can be identified. At least one linear portion, within the image, can be identified based on the set of pixels. For each sub-portion within the at least one linear portion, a respective first confidence score representing a respective first likelihood that a respective sub-portion depicts the at least one character can be determined.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward systems and methods for identifying and providing a user of a networking system with other users of the networking system that have a facial resemblance to the user (e.g., look-alike users). In particular, a facial resemblance system uses an image of a user to identify other users that have a facial resemblance to the user (e.g., look-alike users). The facial resemblance system can present look-alike users to the user based on a resemblance score and/or a commonality score. Further, the facial resemblance system can employ feedback from users to improve the accuracy of the facial resemblance system. Upon receiving one or more look-alike users, the user can then engage (e.g., communicate or socially connect) with one or more of the look-alike users.

Abstract: A camera system captures images from a set of cameras to generate binocular panoramic views of an environment. The cameras are oriented in the camera system to maximize the minimum number of cameras viewing a set of randomized test points. To calibrate the system, matching features between images are identified and used to estimate three-dimensional points external to the camera system. Calibration parameters are modified to improve the three-dimensional point estimates. When images are captured, a pipeline generates a depth map for each camera using reprojected views from adjacent cameras and an image pyramid that includes individual pixel depth refinement and filtering between levels of the pyramid. The images may be used generate views of the environment from different perspectives (relative to the image capture location) by generating depth surfaces corresponding to the depth maps and blending the depth surfaces.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include a network switch having a first number of switch elements and a second number of switch elements cross-connected to the first switch elements to passively route network traffic through the network switch in accordance with a predefined configuration.

Abstract: A method for preparing a die for molding of a Fresnel lens includes obtaining a first die block that defines at least one or more portions of a Fresnel lens. The one or more portions defined in the first die block correspond to a plurality of slope facets and a plurality of draft facets. The method also includes adding textures to one or more portions of the first die block that correspond to at least a portion of the plurality of draft facets. A method of making a Fresnel lens includes obtaining the first die block, obtaining a second die block, and coupling the first and the second die blocks. The method also includes providing a molding material into a space defined between the first and the second die blocks, curing the molding material, and removing the Fresnel lens from the first and/or the second die block.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a registration request from an application running on a client system. The registration request includes a messaging token associated with a message-distribution server. In response to the received registration request, the messaging token is registered to a user profile on a social-networking system. A push notification is generated for display at the client system. The push notification and the messaging token are sent to the message-distribution server, where the messaging token identifies the client system to the message-distribution server for delivery of the push notification.

Abstract: A haptic glove comprises a glove body including a glove digit corresponding to a phalange of a user hand with the glove digit having a bend location that is located along the glove digit. A haptic apparatus is coupled to the glove body at the bend location with the haptic apparatus comprising a plurality of sheets that are flexible and inextensible and a pressure actuator coupled to one or more of the plurality of sheets. The plurality of sheets are stacked and configured to translate relative to each other along the centerline with bending of the glove digit. The pressure actuator is configured to adjust an applied pressure to the plurality of sheets to adjust friction between the sheets. The adjustment of friction is proportional to a bending resistance of the glove digit.

Abstract: An online system optimizes selection content items for a user based on total value of presenting a selected content item, rather than discrete actions with the content item. To account for the total value of presenting a content item, the online system receives information from a third party system associated with the content item identifying actions by users captured by the third party system and values associated with the identified actions. The online system matches the identified actions with presentations of the content item to various users by identifying users of the online system corresponding to information identifying users received from the third party system and retrieves information describing presentation of content items to the information identifying presentation of content items. Based on historical actions and presentations of a content item, the online system obtains a model determining value of presenting a content item for use in selecting content.

Abstract: An online system provides a social networking environment for a set of users, such as members of an organization. The online system allows generation of groups of users within the set to allow users to more easily communicate content with other users. When a user creates a new group, the online system identifies multiple categories to the user, and the user selects a category for association with the group. Categories are associated with access rights regulating user access to content associated with the group or users capable of performing various actions with the group. Additionally, a member of the group may invite entities outside of the online system, or outside of the set of users, to join the group. If the entity joins the group, the online system provides content associated with the group to the entity, allowing the entity to receive content from the group.

Abstract: A disclosed expansion card may include a printed circuit board and a hardware accelerator. The hardware accelerator may be disposed on the printed circuit board and may include application-specific hardware circuitry designed to perform a computing task. The hardware accelerator may offload a portion of the computing task from a central processing unit of a computing device by executing, via the application-specific hardware circuitry, the portion of the computing task. The expansion card may also include an edge connector, disposed on a connecting edge of the printed circuit board, that may couple the hardware accelerator to the central processing unit via a computing bus. The edge connector may also include a primary pinout and a secondary pinout that may each conform to a compact pinout specification that may be more compact than a pinout specification defined for the computing bus. Various other systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable media can acquire a first media content item. First mage dimensions associated with the first media content item can be determined. A first compression amount to be applied to the first media content item can be determined based on the first image dimensions associated with the first media content item. The first compression amount can be variable based on the first image dimensions associated with the first media content item. The first media content item can be compressed based on the first compression amount.

Abstract: A near-eye display includes a light source assembly, a first waveguide, an output waveguide, and a controller. The light source assembly emits image light including light within a first band and a second band. The first waveguide receives the image light, expands the received image light in at least one dimension, and outputs an image light. The output waveguide includes an output area and a plurality of input areas. Each input area receives the image light from the first waveguide. The output waveguide includes a holographic Bragg grating and the output waveguide expands the image light at least along two dimensions to form an expanded image light, and outputs the expanded image light toward an eyebox. The controller controls the scanning of the light source assembly and the first waveguide.

Abstract: Advertisement content associated with an entity having a physical location is selected for display to a user by a client device. A proximity of the client device to the physical location is determined. In response to determining the proximity between the client device and the physical location, an advertisement is generated that includes the advertisement content and an indicator of the physical location. The generated advertisement is sent to the client device for display to the user.

Abstract: An online system selects advertisements for inclusion in a scrollable advertisement unit that includes a display area and multiple advertisements, each associated with a position in the scrollable advertisement unit. Positions in the scrollable advertisement unit are ranked based on a measure of predicted performance of an advertisement in each position. Advertisements are ranked based on a probability of being viewed by a user if associated with a particular position in the scrollable advertisement unit and, optionally, on a probability of presenting an advertisement based on characteristics of the advertisement. The position ranking and the advertisement ranking are used to associate advertisements with positions. For example, an advertisement is associated with a position having a location in the position ranking corresponding to the advertisement's position in the advertisement ranking.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to performing haptic communication using frequency decomposition of speech where dominant frequencies of a speech is detected at a speech source and then sent to a signal generator to actuate actuators mapped to the dominant frequencies. The digitized version of the speech is segmented into a plurality of frames and then a predetermined number of dominant frequencies are detected from each frame. The dominant frequencies of frequencies are sent over to the signal generator so that the actuators corresponding to the dominant frequencies are activated for a time period corresponding to the frame.

Abstract: The disclosed method may include (1) receiving a precision level of each weight associated with each input of a node of a computational model, (2) identifying, for each weight, one of a plurality of multiplier groups, where each multiplier group may include a plurality of hardware multipliers of a corresponding bit width, and where the corresponding bit width of the plurality of hardware multipliers of the one of the plurality of multiplier groups may be sufficient to multiply the weight by the associated input, and (3) multiplying each weight by its associated input using an available hardware multiplier of the one of the plurality of multiplier groups identified for the weight. Various other processing elements, methods, and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable media can receive at least one request for performing one or more operations, the request originating from a media application running on a media device, the request being broadcasted by the media device over a network to which the computing device is also connected. Information describing the request can be provided through a software application running on the computing device. A determination is made when user operating the computing device has approved the request. The operations are performed by at least the software application running on the computing device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes analyzing content of an image, identifying a category of the image based on the analyzed content of the image, identifying, based on the category of the image, a set of one or more compression parameters for a compression algorithm, and compressing the image using the compression algorithm, wherein the compression parameters are provided as input to the compression algorithm. The category of the image may include a category of an object depicted in the image, and identifying the category of the image may include detecting one or more objects in the image, selecting a primary subject of the image from the objects in the image, and identifying a category of the primary subject, wherein the category of the image comprises the category of the primary subject. The primary subject may be the largest of the objects in the image.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, from a first client system of a first user of the online social network, an indication that a media-player device is proximate to the first client system. Content information associated with media-content items may be accessed. The media-content items may be accessible to the first user via the media-player device. Responsive to the received indication and content information, social-networking information of the first user may be accessed. A media-content item may be selected based on the content information and the social-networking information of the first user. A customized notification may be sent to the first client system. The customized notification may include a reference to the selected media-content item and a deep link to the media-player device. The deep link may be selectable by the first user and may include instructions for accessing the selected media-content item via the media-player device.

Abstract: An online system receives a request to install an application on a client device associated with a user of the online system and initiates retrieval of the application by the client device for installation. While the client device retrieves the application, the online system presents the user with a user interface for receiving information about the user for use by the application. Information provided via the user interface is stored by the online system, which generates a link for launching the application and communicating the stored information to the application. When the application has been installed on the client device, the online system sends the link to the client device for presentation to the user. When the user interacts with the link to launch the application, stored information identified by the link is communicated to the application.

Abstract: Techniques for asynchronous rendering are described. An apparatus may comprise a layout component, a view component, and a display component. The layout component may be operative on one or more background threads to receive a plurality of layout objects and to calculate layout parameters for each of the plurality of layout objects. The view component may be operative on a main thread to instantiate a plurality of view objects, wherein a view object is created for and associated with each of the plurality of layout objects. The display component may be operative on the main thread to create a display of a plurality of placeholders, wherein a placeholder is displayed for each of the plurality of view objects according to layout parameters of an associated view object. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, from a first application via a social plug-in associated with the online social network, a request for content from a second application. The content may be related to an entity associated with the online social network. The first application may be a third party application. The request may include an entity-identifier of the entity, an application-identifier of the first application, and a deep link to the first application including instructions for accessing a display state of the first application associated with the request. The method further includes accessing a deep-link index of the online social network including a plurality of records indexing deep-links to third-party applications, and then generating a record in the deep-link index corresponding to the requested entity. The record may include the entity-identifier of the entity, the application-identifier of the first application, and the deep link to the first application.

Abstract: The principles described herein provide methods and systems of providing new user assistance information for performing actions within a user interface as a user navigates the user interface. For example, information may be presented to the user in a way that aids the user in discovering and performing available actions within the user interface without being overly disruptive to the user.

Abstract: A head-mounted display includes an electronic display configured to output image light, an optics assembly configured to direct image light in a first band from the electronic display to an eye box, an eye tracking unit configured to generate eye tracking information, and a beamsplitter configured to redirect light in a second band reflected from the eye box toward the eye tracking unit and transmit the image light in the first band. The beamsplitter includes a first region and a second region, and a first portion that joins the first region and the second region is curved such that an angle between the first region and the optical axis is larger than an angle between second region and the optical axis, and the beamsplitter is positioned along the optical axis between the optics assembly and the electronic display.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-color light source device including a first light source configured to emit light of a first color, a second light source configured to emit light of a second color that is distinct from the first color, and a first geometric phase lens associated with a first focal length for the light of the first color and a second focal length, distinct from the first focal length, for the light of the second color. The first light source is located at a first distance from the first geometric phase lens, and the second light source is located at a second distance, distinct from the first distance, from the geometric phase lens. Also disclosed is a head mounted display system including the multi-color light source device, a light modulator configured for modulating light from the multi-color light source device, and one or more lenses.

Abstract: A depth measurement assembly (DMA) measures depth information of an object in a local area. The DMA includes structured light projector, a depth camera assembly, and a controller. The structured light projector projects structured light patterns into the local area. The structured light projector includes a diffractive optical unit that includes diffractive optical elements (DOEs) and selects a DOE. The selected DOE is illuminated by light from a light source and converts the light into a structured light pattern. In some embodiment, the diffractive optical units selects multiple DOEs associated with multiple structured light patterns. The structured light pattern is projected into the local area by a projection assembly of the structured light projector and illuminates the object. The depth camera assembly captures images of the object. The controller uses the captured images to determine depth information of the object.

Abstract: An illumination source in a depth camera assembly (DCA) includes multiple emitters on a single substrate and a diffractive optical element (DOE) assembly including multiple DOEs. Each DOE is configured to generate a structured light pattern from the light emitted from a corresponding emitter. The DOE assembly projects the structured light patterns onto portions of a local area based in part on DOE projection geometries associated with the DOEs. The illumination source may also include a second DOE assembly common to the multiple emitters.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems, methods, and devices for sending and receiving payments using an integrated payment and messaging system. In particular, the integrated payment and messaging system allows users to send and receive electronic payments as well as exchange messages. For example, one or more implementations involve facilitating message exchanges and payment transactions using push notifications via separate message and payment queues. To illustrate, one or more implementations involve pushing status updates to a payment transaction using a payment queue specific to a user. Additionally, one or more implementations involve associating payment transactions with messages within a messaging thread for providing updates to each user in the messaging thread.

Abstract: A depth camera assembly (DCA) includes a projector, a detector and a controller. The projector emits a tiled structured light (SL) pattern onto a local area. Each illumination source of the projector includes one or more light emitters and an augmented diffractive optical element (ADOE) designed with a pattern mask. The ADOE diffracts at least a portion of light beams emitted from the light emitters to form a first SL pattern projection having a field-of-view corresponding to a first tileable boundary. The pattern mask prevents projection of light that would otherwise be diffracted outside the first tileable boundary. The first SL pattern projection is combined with at least a second SL pattern projection into the tiled SL pattern illuminating objects in the local area. The detector captures images of the objects illuminated by the SL pattern. The controller determines depth information for the objects using the captured images.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes compiling one or more references to content items based on information known about a user stored in one or more object stores of a social-networking system. Each reference is associated with one or more call-to-action elements applicable to the content item associated with the reference. The call-to-action elements are selectable by the user to initiate the execution of an action modifying the related content item on the social-networking system. Modifying the related content item may include modifying metadata associated with the content item in one or more object stores of the social-networking system. The method includes sending, to a client device of the user after the user accesses a tool provided by the social-networking system, the references with their associated call-to-action elements for presentation to the user. The call-to-action elements are presented to the user in proximity to their associated references.

Abstract: Various of the disclosed embodiments reduce the impact of RTCP overhead by including RTCP information in the media packets themselves. The values in the RTCP headers may be selected based on the context and organized in a unique format for transport in the media packets. For example, RTT, packet loss, and bandwidth estimates may dictate when and how RTCP data is moved into the media packet. An interface may be provided for extracting the data so that clients may easily integrate the embodiments with existing RTCP-based systems. Inclusion of the RTCP information in the media packet may increase the media packet size, which may be anticipated in bandwidth assessments and accommodations.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes sending notifications to one or more users of a social-networking system. Information may be received regarding actions taken by the users of the social-networking system. The information may include parameters associated with each of the actions taken by the users. The method further includes determining correlations between the parameters and the users, and sending notifications to the users of the social-networking system based on the determined correlations.

Abstract: Online communication sessions may be joined in an environment that includes receiving a first communication between a first user and a second user and enabling the rendering of the first communication at devices associated with the first and second users. A second communication between the first user and a third user is received and the rendering of the second communication at devices associated with the first and third users is enabled. After receiving the first and second communications, a trigger to join at least the communication sessions associated with the first, second, and third users is received from the first, second, or third user. Information structured and arranged to render, in a single window, text associated with the first and second communications at the devices associated with the first, second, and third users is generated.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes accessing one or more content objects associated with a first user of an online social network; generating a set of tag candidates by extracting one or more n-grams from the content objects, wherein each tag candidate comprises one or more text strings or ideograms from the extracted n-grams; calculating, for each tag candidate of the set of tag candidates, a quality-score for the tag candidate based on an affinity coefficient between the first user and a respective content object from which the n-grams or ideograms comprising the tag candidate were extracted; and sending, to a client system for display, one or more of the tag candidates as suggested tags for the first user, wherein each suggested tag has a quality-score greater than a threshold quality-score.

Abstract: A social networking system enables users to interact through a content item in real time by presenting an interaction bar to a user viewing a content item page associated with the content item. The social networking system presents the content item pages for content items along with a content item header. The content item header remains at a fixed position on the display of a viewing user's client device at the top of the display. If the social networking system receives an interaction with a content item, the social networking system can identify users who are viewing the content item page associated with the content item and present an interaction bar that describes the interaction in the content item header. To determine whether to present an interaction bar to a viewing user, the social networking system can calculate an affinity score of a viewing user for the interaction.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to techniques for sharing live video while maintaining an asynchronous copy of the video. According to some embodiments, a user begins to record video and shares the video with selected other users. If one of the other users opts to join the original user, the shared video upgrades to a live video conversation. If no one (or only some participants) joins the original user, the recorded video becomes an asynchronous artifact in the users' messaging history. In some embodiments, the live video may be recorded and shared in response to a first user initiating a video call with at least a second user, but receiving no answer. The first user begins to share a live video (which may become an asynchronous artifact). If the second user joins the call while the video is being recorded, the conversation may upgraded to a video conversation.

Abstract: An over-ear speaker system for a head mounted display includes a speaker, an impedance detection circuit, and a sound processor. The impedance of the speaker changes according to the temperature of the speaker. The sound processor coupled to the impedance detection circuit receives an impedance signal representing the impedance of the speaker and adjusts the boosting of frequency components in the sound signal based on the impedance signal. The adjusting of boosting of frequency components in the sound signal includes boosting of a frequency range of the sound signal below a resonance frequency of a speaker and may enable the protection of the speaker from damage by adjusting boosting of frequency components near a resonance frequency of the speaker at which maximum excursion of the speaker occurs.

Abstract: A head-mounted display (HMD) includes a dichroic element, an eye tracking system, a controller, and an external focus camera. The dichroic element is transmissive to the light in a first optical band (e.g., visible light) but reflective to light in a second optical band (e.g., IR light). The eye tracking system includes a source assembly and a tracking camera. The source assembly projects light in the second optical band into an eyebox of the HMD. The tracking camera captures images of at least a portion of a user's eye in the eyebox. The controller of the HMD determines a gaze direction of the user based on the captured images. An orientation of the external focus camera corresponds to the gaze direction. The external focus camera captures image data of a portion of a local area surrounding the HMD at the orientation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are light emitting diodes (LEDs) having a high efficiency. A light emitting diode including an active light emitting layer within a semiconductor layer is provided. The semiconductor layer has a mesa shape. The light emitting diode also includes a substrate having a first surface on which the semiconductor layer is positioned and an outcoupling surface opposite to the first surface. Light generated by the active light emitting layer is incident on the outcoupling surface and propagates toward an optical element downstream of the outcoupling surface. The light emitting diode also includes a first anti-reflection coating adjacent to the outcoupling surface; an index-matched material between the outcoupling surface and the optical element, wherein an index of refraction of the index-matched material is greater than or equal to an index of refraction of the optical element; and/or secondary optics adjacent to the outcoupling surface.

Abstract: Techniques for contact exploring are described. An apparatus may comprise a web component and a data retrieval component. The web component may be operative to receive a remote command from a web server, and to transmit a plurality of contacts to the web serve. The data retrieval component operative to retrieve the plurality of contacts from a contacts storage on the device in response to the received remote command. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: A method for adjusting a landing position of a movable viewing-window of a device, to modify display of a content item at the landing position. A user of the device initiates scrolling along a feed of content items on the device. This scrolling input is used by the method to generate an initial scroll trajectory for movement of the viewing-window along the feed. Using this initial scroll trajectory, the method looks ahead to the landing position of the viewing-window with respect to the feed to determine the positioning of the content items that will be presented to the device user when scrolling is complete. The method identifies an adjustment to the viewing-window landing position to increase visibility of a content item in the viewing-window. The scroll trajectory is adjusted such that the viewing-window comes to a rest at the desired landing position, on a desired view of content items.

Abstract: An online system determines the pricing of an advertisement included in a scrollable advertisement unit including multiple advertisements and a display area presenting one or more advertisements. When an advertisement is included in a scrollable advertisement unit, a price for presentation of the advertisement is determined based on bid amounts of advertisements evaluated for inclusion in the scrollable advertisement unit and a scaling factor. The scaling factor is based on the probability of the advertisement being presented to a user based on the position in the scrollable advertisement unit associated with the advertisement. Advertisement characteristics affecting the likelihood of an advertisement being presented to a user may also be considered in the scaling factor.