Abstract: A time code to byte conversion system is provided herein that maps time codes to byte ranges such that a user device can retrieve a portion of, but not all of, a media file by specifying a time range. For example, the time code to byte conversion system can play a media file and identify the byte at which each time code begins. The time code to byte conversion system can then store the byte to time code mapping in an index accessible by a media retrieval server. A user device can then provide a time range to the media retrieval server, the media retrieval server can query the index to identify the range of bytes that corresponds to the provided time range, and then the media retrieval server can retrieve the identified range of bytes from a media database for transmission to the user device.

Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques for distributed storage of files that represent video content across different storage tiers to reduce the amount of computing resources used to store the files, while maintaining a low latency when responding to user requests to stream the video content. Video streaming services support the streaming of video content at different resolutions to support various user devices and/or user preferences. To provide streaming of a particular video content item at different resolutions, the video streaming services may store multiple files that represent the video content item for the different resolutions and stream at different bitrates to user devices. The techniques described herein include storing files configured to stream a video content item at different bitrates (and for different display resolutions) in a tiered storage structure to reduce the amount of computing resources taken to store the files.

Abstract: A time code to byte conversion system is provided herein that maps time codes to byte ranges such that a user device can retrieve a portion of, but not all of, a media file by specifying a time range. For example, the time code to byte conversion system can play a media file and identify the byte at which each time code begins. The time code to byte conversion system can then store the byte to time code mapping in an index accessible by a media retrieval server. A user device can then provide a time range to the media retrieval server, the media retrieval server can query the index to identify the range of bytes that corresponds to the provided time range, and then the media retrieval server can retrieve the identified range of bytes from a media database for transmission to the user device.

Abstract: A time code to byte conversion system is provided herein that maps time codes to byte ranges such that a user device can retrieve a portion of, but not all of, a media file by specifying a time range. For example, the time code to byte conversion system can play a media file and identify the byte at which each time code begins. The time code to byte conversion system can then store the byte to time code mapping in an index accessible by a media retrieval server. A user device can then provide a time range to the media retrieval server, the media retrieval server can query the index to identify the range of bytes that corresponds to the provided time range, and then the media retrieval server can retrieve the identified range of bytes from a media database for transmission to the user device.

Abstract: Incompatible item pairings may be eliminated or at least reduced when multiple items are presented. A pairwise approach is taken to train a machine learning model to return an incompatibility score for any given pair of items, which indicates a degree of incompatibility between the pair of items. Once trained, the machine learning model may be used to determine an incompatibility score for each unique pairing of items in a set of multiple items. In some embodiments, a graph is generated having nodes that correspond to the multiple items and undirected edges between pairs of the nodes. Scores are generated for each edge of the graph, a minimum spanning tree in the graph is determined, and the items are ranked based at least in part on the minimum spanning tree so that the items can be presented according to the ranking.

Abstract: Techniques for detecting dimensions of an object from a three dimensional (3D) image may be provided. Dimensions of an object may be determined based upon a received 3D image and calibration information for calibrating a dimension related to the 3D image. The calibration information may be utilized for calibrating aspect ratios of the 3D image. In an example, a recommended item may be identified and presented to the user based on the determined dimensions of the object.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining dimensional criteria of a physical space and identifying a set of items that satisfy the dimensional criteria. For example, the dimensional criteria may be determined based on an image depicting the physical space or search terms provided by a user. Composite keys may be generated based on the dimensional criteria and one or more search terms provided by the user, and the generated composite keys may be used to search one or more databases storing sorted item keys and corresponding item identifiers.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for initiating playback of audio scripts that correspond to content such as books or songs. Verbal content can be captured via a microphone. The text of the verbal content can be assessed to determine whether an audio script specifies a sound effect that should be played at particular cue words within the content. The verbal content is assessed to determine whether a user reading aloud or singing a song has reached a cue word. When a cue word is reached, the sound effect can be played.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and/or system for providing an action with respect to a mobile device using a robotic device that tracks the user. In accordance with at least one embodiment, a request to perform an action with respect to an electronic device is received. Information may be sent to one or more robotic devices within a proximity of the electronic device. A robotic device of the one or more robotic devices may be selected to perform the action. An indication may be received from the robotic device that indicates that the user has interacted with the robotic device. Instructions may be sent to the robotic device to perform the action with respect to the electronic device. A location of the user may be tracked while charging is performed by the robotic device. The robotic device may be instructed to follow the user at a threshold distance from the user.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and/or system for providing an action with respect to a mobile device using a robotic device that tracks the user and that interacts with a charging management engine. In accordance with at least one embodiment, a request to perform an action with respect to an electronic device is received. Information may be sent to one or more robotic devices within a proximity of the electronic device. A robotic device of the one or more robotic devices may be selected to perform the action. An indication may be received from the robotic device that indicates that the user has interacted with the robotic device. Instructions may be sent to the robotic device to perform the action with respect to the electronic device.

Abstract: A method of converting a treatment for pain comprising intravenous administration of opioids, to a treatment for pain comprising oral administration of a first dose of an immediate release morphine-oxycodone combination in patients in need of analgesia. The method may comprise (1) determining a four-hour average oral morphine equivalents, a one-hour average oral morphine equivalents, or determining a net average hourly intravenous dose, and (2) orally administering to the patient a first dose of a morphine-oxycodone combination in a 3:2 ratio by weight every four to six hours. Also, a method of treating pain in patients who had been administered opioids intravenously, comprising using a dosing algorithm to determine the first dose of the immediate release morphine-oxycodone combination.

Abstract: A method of converting a treatment for pain comprising intravenous administration of opioids, to a treatment for pain comprising oral administration of a first dose of an immediate release morphine-oxycodone combination in patients in need of analgesia. The method may comprise (1) determining a four-hour average oral morphine equivalents, a one-hour average oral morphine equivalents, or determining a net average hourly intravenous dose, and (2) orally administering to the patient a first dose of a morphine-oxycodone combination in a 3:2 ratio by weight every four to six hours. Also, a method of treating pain in patients who had been administered opioids intravenously, comprising using a dosing algorithm to determine the first dose of the immediate release morphine-oxycodone combination.

Abstract: A method of converting a treatment for pain comprising intravenous administration of opioids, to a treatment for pain comprising oral administration of a first dose of an immediate release morphine-oxycodone combination in patients in need of analgesia. The method may comprise (1) determining a four-hour average oral morphine equivalents or determining a net average hourly intravenous dose, and (2) orally administering to the patient a first dose of a morphine-oxycodone combination in a 3:2 ratio by weight every four to six hours. Also, a method of treating pain in patients who had been administered opioids intravenously, comprising using a dosing algorithm to determine the first dose of the immediate release morphine-oxycodone combination.

Abstract: A polarized light-emitting layer that comprises a porous silica film formed on a substrate and a conjugated polymer held in the uniaxially oriented, tubular mesopores in the porous silica film. The film can emit fluorescence polarized in a direction parallel to the alignment direction of the mesopores. The film can act as a lasing layer with a low excitation threshold.

Abstract: Solid state lasers based upon conjugated polymers are disclosed. A conjugated polymer useful in the practice of this invention is a conjugated polymer which has a ground state and an excited state and which, in the form of a nondiluted thin film, meets the criteria of;i. having a strong absorption in the ground state with an absorption coefficient of at least about 10.sup.4 cm.sup.-1 and an absorption depth not greater than about 1 .mu.m,ii. having an efficient luminescence emission from the excited state; this emission being shifted to lower energy relative to the ground state absorption, andiii. providing stimulated emission which is not overwhelmed by photoinduced absorption, such that the thin film exhibits gain narrowing and amplified spontaneous emission. These conjugated polymers have gain lengths in the micron or even sub-micron regime and therefore exhibit laser action with low pumping threshold as thin solid films with thicknesses in the micron or even sub-micron regime.