Abstract: A docking station for charging an autonomous floor cleaner includes a transmitter that can transmit a signal for detection by the robot. The docking station can include an opaque shroud for the transmitter and/or spring-loaded charging contacts. The autonomous floor cleaner can comprise a passive receiver that detects signals emitted from the docking station and a time-of-flight sensor for position/proximity sensing. The robot can selectively turn off the time-of-flight sensor when docking with or avoiding the docking station. Methods for docking, re-docking, low power charging, docking station avoidance, obstacle response during docking, and close-proximity docking are disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented method may include (1) accessing a first media data object and a different, second media data object that, when played back, each render temporally sequenced content, (2) comparing first temporally sequenced content represented by the first media data object with second temporally sequenced content represented by the second media data object to identify a set of common temporal subsequences between the first media data object and the second media data object, (3) identifying a set of edits relative to the set of common temporal subsequences that describe a difference between the temporally sequenced content of the first media data object and the temporally sequenced content of the second media data object, and (4) executing a workflow relating to the first media data object and/or the second media data object based on the set of edits. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for preventing collisions between components in a particle beam instrument is disclosed. The system is particularly beneficial in use with instruments wherein moveable components are used within a chamber that obscures them from being viewed from outside the chamber. The system comprises: a capacitance sensor configured to monitor the capacitance between a first component and a second component of the instrument, and a proximity module configured to: derive a capacitance parameter from the monitored capacitance between the first component and the second component; and output a proximity alert signal in accordance with a comparison between the derived capacitance parameter and a predetermined capacitance parameter threshold value.

Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented method may include (1) accessing a first media data object and a different, second media data object that, when played back, each render temporally sequenced content, (2) comparing first temporally sequenced content represented by the first media data object with second temporally sequenced content represented by the second media data object to identify a set of common temporal subsequences between the first media data object and the second media data object, (3) identifying a set of edits relative to the set of common temporal subsequences that describe a difference between the temporally sequenced content of the first media data object and the temporally sequenced content of the second media data object, and (4) executing a workflow relating to the first media data object and/or the second media data object based on the set of edits. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented method may include (1) accessing a first media data object and a different, second media data object that, when played back, each render temporally sequenced content, (2) comparing first temporally sequenced content represented by the first media data object with second temporally sequenced content represented by the second media data object to identify a set of common temporal subsequences between the first media data object and the second media data object, (3) identifying a set of edits relative to the set of common temporal subsequences that describe a difference between the temporally sequenced content of the first media data object and the temporally sequenced content of the second media data object, and (4) executing a workflow relating to the first media data object and/or the second media data object based on the set of edits. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented method may include accessing an audio track that is associated with a video recording, identifying a section of the accessed audio track having a specific audio characteristic, reducing a volume level of the audio track in the identified section, accessing an audio segment that includes a synthesized voice and inserting the accessed audio segment into the identified section of the audio track, where the inserted segment has a higher volume level than the reduced volume level of the audio track in the identified section. The synthesized voice description can be used to provide additional information to a visually impaired viewer without interrupting the audio track that is associated with the video recording, typically by inserting the synthesized voice description into a segment of the audio track in which there is no dialog. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented method may include (1) accessing a first media data object and a different, second media data object that, when played back, each render temporally sequenced content, (2) comparing first temporally sequenced content represented by the first media data object with second temporally sequenced content represented by the second media data object to identify a set of common temporal subsequences between the first media data object and the second media data object, (3) identifying a set of edits relative to the set of common temporal subsequences that describe a difference between the temporally sequenced content of the first media data object and the temporally sequenced content of the second media data object, and (4) executing a workflow relating to the first media data object and/or the second media data object based on the set of edits. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for preventing collisions between components in a particle beam instrument is disclosed. The system is particularly beneficial in use with instruments wherein moveable components are used within a chamber that obscures them from being viewed from outside the chamber. The system comprises: a capacitance sensor configured to monitor the capacitance between a first component and a second component of the instrument, and a proximity module configured to: derive a capacitance parameter from the monitored capacitance between the first component and the second component; and output a proximity alert signal in accordance with a comparison between the derived capacitance parameter and a predetermined capacitance parameter threshold value.

Abstract: A system for preventing collisions between components in a particle beam instrument is disclosed. The system is particularly beneficial in use with instruments wherein moveable components are used within a chamber that obscures them from being viewed from outside the chamber. The system comprises: a capacitance sensor configured to monitor the capacitance between a first component and a second component of the instrument, and a proximity module configured to: derive a capacitance parameter from the monitored capacitance between the first component and the second component; and output a proximity alert signal in accordance with a comparison between the derived capacitance parameter and a predetermined capacitance parameter threshold value.

Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented method may include accessing an audio track that is associated with a video recording, identifying a section of the accessed audio track having a specific audio characteristic, reducing a volume level of the audio track in the identified section, accessing an audio segment that includes a synthesized voice and inserting the accessed audio segment into the identified section of the audio track, where the inserted segment has a higher volume level than the reduced volume level of the audio track in the identified section. The synthesized voice description can be used to provide additional information to a visually impaired viewer without interrupting the audio track that is associated with the video recording, typically by inserting the synthesized voice description into a segment of the audio track in which there is no dialog. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a subtitle timing application detects timing errors between subtitles and shot changes. In operation, the subtitle timing application determines that a temporal edge associated with a subtitle does not satisfy a timing guideline based on a shot change. The shot change occurs within a sequence of frames of an audiovisual program. The subtitle timing application then determines a new temporal edge that satisfies the timing guideline relative to the shot change. Subsequently, the subtitle timing application causes a modification to a temporal location of the subtitle within the sequence of frames based on the new temporal edge. Advantageously, the modification to the subtitle improves a quality of a viewing experience for a viewer. Notably, by automatically detecting timing errors, the subtitle timing application facilitates proper and efficient re-scheduling of subtitles that are not optimally timed with shot changes.

Abstract: A system for preventing collisions between components in a particle beam instrument is disclosed. The system is particularly beneficial in use with instruments wherein moveable components are used within a chamber that obscures them from being viewed from outside the chamber. The system comprises: a capacitance sensor configured to monitor the capacitance between a first component and a second component of the instrument, and a proximity module configured to: derive a capacitance parameter from the monitored capacitance between the first component and the second component; and output a proximity alert signal in accordance with a comparison between the derived capacitance parameter and a predetermined capacitance parameter threshold value.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a subtitle conformance application causes modifications to a subtitle list based on changes associated with an audiovisual program. In operation, the subtitle conformance application performs comparison operation(s) between versions of a subtitle template to identify changes to subtitles associated with the audiovisual program. The subtitle conformance application then determines a mapping between a first change included in the changes and a subtitle list associated with the audiovisual program. Finally, the subtitle conformance application causes the subtitle list to be modified based on the first change and the mapping. Advantageously, the subtitle conformance application enables productive development of subtitles to begin before the audiovisual program is finalized.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a subtitle conformance application causes modifications to a subtitle list based on changes associated with an audiovisual program. In operation, the subtitle conformance application performs comparison operation(s) between versions of a subtitle template to identify changes to subtitles associated with the audiovisual program. The subtitle conformance application then determines a mapping between a first change included in the changes and a subtitle list associated with the audiovisual program. Finally, the subtitle conformance application causes the subtitle list to be modified based on the first change and the mapping. Advantageously, the subtitle conformance application enables productive development of subtitles to begin before the audiovisual program is finalized.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a subtitle timing application detects timing errors between subtitles and shot changes. In operation, the subtitle timing application determines that a temporal edge associated with a subtitle does not satisfy a timing guideline based on a shot change. The shot change occurs within a sequence of frames of an audiovisual program. The subtitle timing application then determines a new temporal edge that satisfies the timing guideline relative to the shot change. Subsequently, the subtitle timing application causes a modification to a temporal location of the subtitle within the sequence of frames based on the new temporal edge. Advantageously, the modification to the subtitle improves a quality of a viewing experience for a viewer. Notably, by automatically detecting timing errors, the subtitle timing application facilitates proper and efficient re-scheduling of subtitles that are not optimally timed with shot changes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for scheduling a heterogeneous communication flow. A heterogeneous flow is a flow comprising packets with varying classes or levels of service, which may correspond to different priorities, qualities of service or other service characteristics. When a packet is ready for scheduling, it is queued in order in a flow queue that corresponds to the communication flow. The flow queue then migrates among class queues that correspond to the class or level of service of the packet at the head of the flow queue. Thus, after the head packet is scheduled, the flow queue may be dequeued from its current class queue and requeued at the tail of another class queue. If the subsequent packet has the same classification, it may be requeued at the tail of the class queue or may remain in place for another servicing round.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for scheduling a heterogeneous communication flow. A heterogeneous flow is a flow comprising packets with varying classes or levels of service, which may correspond to different priorities, qualities of service or other service characteristics. When a packet is ready for scheduling, it is queued in order in a flow queue that corresponds to the communication flow. The flow queue then migrates among class queues that correspond to the class or level of service of the packet at the head of the flow queue. Thus, after the head packet is scheduled, the flow queue may be dequeued from its current class queue and requeued at the tail of another class queue. If the subsequent packet has the same classification, it may be requeued at the tail of the class queue or may remain in place for another servicing round.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for scheduling a heterogeneous communication flow. A heterogeneous flow is a flow comprising packets with varying classes or levels of service, which may correspond to different priorities, qualities of service or other service characteristics. When a packet is ready for scheduling, it is queued in order in a flow queue that corresponds to the communication flow. The flow queue then migrates among class queues that correspond to the class or level of service of the packet at the head of the flow queue. Thus, after the head packet is scheduled, the flow queue may be dequeued from its current class queue and requeued at the tail of another class queue. If the subsequent packet has the same classification, it may be requeued at the tail of the class queue or may remain in place for another servicing round.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for implementing a Multipoint Infrastructure Transport (MINT) protocol in a data network. The present invention includes a method for distributing data in a data network. The data network connects a plurality of nodes and at least a portion of the plurality of the nodes form a multicast group. One of the nodes in the multicast group is designated as a rendezvous node. The method includes a step of maintaining a data store containing a group state at each of the nodes in the multicast group. State updates, received at the rendezvous node are used to update the group state in the data store at the rendezvous node. The state updates are propagated, using a reliable protocol, from the rendezvous node to the other nodes in the multicast group. Finally, the group states in the data stores at the other nodes in the multicast group are updated.

Abstract: An edge network device controls the quality-of-service of incoming network traffic flows by limiting the bandwidth of incoming network traffic flows. To ensure that incoming network traffic classes quickly converge to the desired bandwidth allocations, the maximum bandwidth allocation to each network traffic class is dynamically varied based on current overall usage. The maximum bandwidth allocated to each traffic class at any given moment is the sum of its minimum guaranteed bandwidth and a portion of the available excess bandwidth. Each traffic class' portion of the excess bandwidth is proportional to the ratio between its minimum guaranteed bandwidth and the sum of all traffic classes' minimum guaranteed bandwidths. Phantom network packets equivalent to the difference between each traffic class' allocated and actual bandwidth may be added to its scheduling queue to implement this dynamic variation.