Abstract: Techniques and systems for component-based digital image synchronization are described. In one example, a digital image is stored as a composite file with a number of separately compressed individual components. Indicators are generated during an editing process of a digital image. The indicators are usable to correlate altered portions of the digital image with compressed components of the composite digital image file. The altered components are then communicated to a synchronization service for synchronization with a remote representation of the digital image file.

Abstract: A server computing device can execute the steps of (1) managing a plurality of album artwork templates, wherein each album artwork template of the plurality of album artwork templates includes a plurality of entries, and each entry of the plurality of entries defines a respective manner by which a respective album artwork image is to be generated, (2) receiving, from a client device, a request for an album artwork image, wherein the request includes: a first identifier that corresponds to a particular image of an artist, a second identifier that corresponds to a particular album artwork template of the plurality of album artwork templates, and locale information that corresponds to a particular entry of the particular album artwork template, and (3) generating the album artwork image according to the respective manner defined by the particular entry, wherein the album artwork image is based at least in part on the particular image of the artist.

Abstract: Scales for use with cooking appliances such as pressure cookers, and associated systems and methods, are disclosed herein. In several implementations, a scale includes load cells configured to detect a weight of a cooking appliance placed on the scale and any food therein. The scale can further include temperature sensors positioned proximate to corresponding ones of the load cells and configured to detect the temperature proximate to each of the load cells. A processor within or external to the scale is communicatively coupled to the load cells and the temperature sensors, and is configured to determine the weight of the cooking appliance and food based at least in part on the detected weights and the detected temperatures.

Abstract: A server computing device can execute the steps of (1) managing a plurality of album artwork templates, wherein each album artwork template of the plurality of album artwork templates includes a plurality of entries, and each entry of the plurality of entries defines a respective manner by which a respective album artwork image is to be generated, (2) receiving, from a client device, a request for an album artwork image, wherein the request includes: a first identifier that corresponds to a particular image of an artist, a second identifier that corresponds to a particular album artwork template of the plurality of album artwork templates, and locale information that corresponds to a particular entry of the particular album artwork template, and (3) generating the album artwork image according to the respective manner defined by the particular entry, wherein the album artwork image is based at least in part on the particular image of the artist.

Abstract: A system is provided for imaging an underwater environment. The system includes one or more arrays of transducer elements. Each array is operated at a fixed phase shift and varies in frequency so as to beamform multiple sonar return beams of a first range of angles and a second range of angles. The arrays can be oriented to cover the gap in sonar coverage for other arrays to create a continuous arc of sonar coverage. Accordingly, a 2D live sonar image can be formed. One or more of the multiple sonar return beams facing downwardly can be selected and used to form downward sonar images that anglers are used to, without requiring separate transducer elements. Fish arches formed using multiple sonar return beams can be positioned appropriately within a high resolution downward sonar image to form a desirable combined sonar image.

Abstract: A system is provided for imaging an underwater environment. The system includes one or more arrays of transducer elements. Each array is operated at a fixed phase shift and varies in frequency so as to beamform multiple sonar return beams of a first range of angles and a second range of angles. The arrays can be oriented to cover the gap in sonar coverage for other arrays to create a continuous arc of sonar coverage. Accordingly, a 2D live sonar image can be formed. One or more of the multiple sonar return beams facing downwardly can be selected and used to form downward sonar images that anglers are used to, without requiring separate transducer elements. Fish arches formed using multiple sonar return beams can be positioned appropriately within a high resolution downward sonar image to form a desirable combined sonar image.

Abstract: A rocket engine pintle injector with optimized spray pattern and with integrated igniter design for providing construction simplicity, throttleable thrust, stop/start/restart capability, optimized operational combustion, and improved ignition combustion stability. A user can start, throttle, and stop the engine by moving the internal concentric injector sleeve forward and backward to cause the fuel/oxidizer to spray out of the pintle head at different flow rates. The concentric igniter can be deployed so that the hot gasses or spark produced are radially projected into the spray of fuel/oxidizer surrounding the igniter. Once the fuel/oxidizer spray has been ignited, the igniter is stopped and retracted to protect the device from the heat of the combustion chamber and is ready for redeployment and restart of the engine as needed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a beverage nucleator system that can initiate ice crystal nucleation by application of a directed flow of pressurized gas to the exterior of the fluid container containing a supercooled beverage. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a beverage nucleator system for a supercooled beverage container which may include a frame having a beverage container aperture for receiving a beverage container therein and a gas outlet positioned within the beverage container aperture for directing a flow of pressurized gas at a beverage container received therein.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first light source to produce a first reference light, a first pair of arrayed waveguide gratings (AWGs) to demultiplex a first optical signal and the first reference light, respectively, into multiple first signal beams and multiple first reference beams. A first heterodyne optical detector can mix the multiple first signal beams and the multiple first reference beams to generate first quadrature optical signals. A first pair of photo-detectors can convert the first quadrature optical signals to first in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) electrical signals. The apparatus is implemented as a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) incorporating the first pair of AWGs, the first heterodyne optical detector and the first pair of photo-detectors.

Abstract: A dual ball valve straw lid assembly for a closed container is provided. The dual ball valve straw lid assembly includes one or more of a lid, a liquid ball, a vent ball, and a tube. The lid includes a top and a bottom, and the bottom is configured to attach to the closed container. Each of the liquid and vent balls are pivotably coupled to the lid top and each configured to rotate between open and closed positions. The vent ball is configured to rotate in response to the liquid ball rotates. The tube extends from the lid bottom to within the closed container, and allows liquid in the closed container to be accessed by suction force applied to the liquid ball in the open position. When open, the vent ball allows air to pass between outside and inside the closed container when in the open position.

Abstract: A filter element is provided that includes a plurality of individual fibers, wherein each individual fiber has a non-circular cross-section. The filter element also includes at least one flat sheet media, wherein the plurality of individual fibers are thermally bound to the at least one flat sheet media, wherein the flat sheet media is spirally wound to create a cylindrical profile.

Abstract: Optimization systems and methods to generate optimized resource allocations are disclosed. To generate an optimized resource allocation, a system or method accesses a relationship model defining a statistical relationship between operations data values and performance data values. The relationship model also includes a confidence score indicating a degree of confidence in the statistical relationship between the operations data values and the performance data values for each of a plurality of the operations data values. Using the relationship model, an operations value is selected to achieve an optimal value of the performance data values. The selected operations value is selected from a set of operations data values for which the corresponding confidence score exceeds a specified threshold, and the optimal value of the performance data represents an optimum of the performance data values that are mapped, by the relationship model, to the operations data values in the set.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for automatic object replacement in an image include receiving an original image and a preferred image. The original image is automatically segmented into an original image foreground region and an original image object region. The preferred image is automatically segmented into a preferred image foreground region and a preferred image object region. A composite image is automatically composed by replacing the original image object region with the preferred image object region such that the composite image includes the original image foreground region and the preferred image object region. An attribute of the composite image is automatically adjusted.

Abstract: A method of securing a filter element within a pressure vessel without a user breaching a plane of the pressure vessel is provided. The method includes attaching a filter locking nut to a removal/installation tool, wherein the removal/installation tool comprises an elongated body, inserting the filter locking nut into the pressure vessel, securing the filter locking nut to a threaded rod to secure a filter element in place, detaching the removal/installation tool from the filter locking nut, and removing the removal/installation tool from the pressure vessel. At least a portion of the elongated body of the removal/installation tool extends outside of the pressure vessel for the duration of the attaching, inserting, securing, detaching, and removing steps.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed at providing a font similarity system. In one embodiment, a new font is detected on a computing device. In response to the detection of the new font, a pre-computed font list is checked to determine whether the new font is included therein. The pre-computed font list including feature representations, generated independently of the computing device, for corresponding fonts. In response to a determination that the new font is absent from the pre-computed font list, a feature representation for the new font is generated. The generated feature representation capable of being utilized for a similarity analysis of the new font. The feature representation is then stored in a supplemental font list to enable identification of one or more fonts installed on the computing device that are similar to the new font. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.

Abstract: Measurement cavities described herein include a cylindrical chamber having a first open end and a second open end; a first cap covering the first open end of the cylindrical chamber and a second cap covering the second open end of the cylindrical chamber, wherein the first and second caps hermetically seal the cylindrical chamber and wherein the first cap is rigidly coupled to the second cap; and a wafer holder positioned within and coupled to the cylindrical chamber. The measurement cavity has a mass m, a stiffness k, and a damping constant c configured such that the transmissibility ? x F ? of an input force at 60 Hz in the measurement cavity is reduced by a factor of at least 10 and the measurement cavity has a natural frequency of greater than 300 Hz.

Abstract: A method of accounting workflow integration includes receiving, by a workflow user interface, a first request from a first worker to generate a project including multiple accounting tasks. The first request includes an assignment of an accounting task in the accounting tasks to a second worker. The method further includes generating the project in response to the request, and providing, by the workflow user interface to the second worker, the accounting task and a deadline to complete the accounting task. The method further includes accounting software of the second worker completing the accounting task, and updating a status of the accounting task in response to completing the accounting task. The method further includes receiving a second request from the first worker, the second request to display a status of the project, and providing, to the first worker in the workflow user interface, an updated status of the project.

Abstract: Risk-controlled operations cost performance modeling and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. A retail store generates operations data and performance data, where the operations data represents values of an operations parameter collected over a period of time from the retail store and the performance data represents a value of a performance parameter measured for each of the values of the operations data. Based on the operations and performance data, an initial relationship model is generated. A confidence interval for the initial relationship model is generated using intermediate relationship models, generated by subsampling the operations and performance data. The confidence interval is used to select an operations threshold, which modifies the initial relationship model to generate a risk-controlled relationship model. The risk-controlled relationship model is used to select a value of the operations parameter for use in the retail environment to achieve a desired performance value.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods of generating and providing a target topographic map for finishing a photomask blank are disclosed. A method includes receiving topographic data corresponding to an uncompleted photomask blank, receiving functional specifications for flatness of an acceptable photomask blank, and generating the target topographic map for first and/or second major surfaces of the blank, which provides instructions for removing material from the first and/or second major surfaces such that the first and second major surfaces achieve a flatness that passes each functional specification. The amount of material removed reflects a reduction in material necessary to pass the functional specifications.