Abstract: A method for estimating a pose of an object includes: receiving, by a processor, an observed image depicting the object from a viewpoint; computing, by the processor, an instance segmentation map identifying a class of the object depicted in the observed image; loading, by the processor, a 3-D model corresponding to the class of the object; computing, by the processor, a rendered image of the 3-D model in accordance with an initial pose estimate of the object and the viewpoint of the observed image; computing, by the processor, a plurality of dense image-to-object correspondences between the observed image of the object and the 3-D model based on the observed image and the rendered image; and computing, by the processor, the pose of the object based on the dense image-to-object correspondences.

Abstract: A computer model is trained to account for data samples in a high-dimensional space as lying on different manifolds, rather than a single manifold to represent the data set, accounting for the data set as a whole as a union of manifolds. Different data samples that may be expected to belong to the same underlying manifold are determined by grouping the data. For generative models, a generative model may be trained that includes a sub-model for each group trained on that group's data samples, such that each sub-model can account for the manifold of that group. The overall generative model includes information describing the frequency to sample from each sub-model to correctly represent the data set as a whole in sampling. Multi-class classification models may also use the grouping to improve classification accuracy by weighing group data samples according to the estimated latent dimensionality of the group.

Abstract: A portable disinfecting apparatus with effective disinfection properties against pathogens, such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses is disclosed. Embodiments of the portable disinfecting apparatus include a portable sterilization box having at least one path configured to receive drawn air and to irradiate the drawn air with UV radiation along the path to produce disinfected air. The path may be provided using baffles that are configured, for example, in a serpentine or spiral configuration to provide a non-linear flow path for the air. The UV light sources, such as UV LEDs may be mounted on the baffles. Embodiments of the apparatus include an intake tube connected to the sterilization box for drawing air into the sterilization box from a point high within the room that is to be disinfected. The disinfected air is released from the sterilization box a point lower in the room.

Abstract: A method for estimating a pose of an object includes: receiving, by a processor, an observed image depicting the object from a viewpoint; computing, by the processor, an instance segmentation map identifying a class of the object depicted in the observed image; loading, by the processor, a 3-D model corresponding to the class of the object; computing, by the processor, a rendered image of the 3-D model in accordance with an initial pose estimate of the object and the viewpoint of the observed image; computing, by the processor, a plurality of dense image-to-object correspondences between the observed image of the object and the 3-D model based on the observed image and the rendered image; and computing, by the processor, the pose of the object based on the dense image-to-object correspondences.

Abstract: A portable disinfecting apparatus with effective disinfection properties against pathogens, such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses is disclosed. Embodiments of the portable disinfecting apparatus include a portable sterilization box having at least one path configured to receive drawn air and to irradiate the drawn air with UV radiation along the path to produce disinfected air. The path may be provided using baffles that are configured, for example, in a serpentine or spiral configuration to provide a non-linear flow path for the air. The UV light sources, such as UV LEDs may be mounted on the baffles. Embodiments of the apparatus include an intake tube connected to the sterilization box for drawing air into the sterilization box from a point high within the room that is to be disinfected. The disinfected air is released from the sterilization box a point lower in the room.

Abstract: A slope sensitive pitch adjustor for a bicycle seat includes a rotatable seat support, a gravity sensor mounted thereto, a means for rotating the rotatable seat support, and an automated controller configured to drive the rotating means in response to an acceleration signal received from the gravity sensor. The automated controller stores data representing an initial condition of a pitch angle of the rotatable seat support with respect to horizontal and executes a control algorithm to maintain the initial condition when the bicycle is ridden over changing gradients.

Abstract: A slope sensitive pitch adjustor for a bicycle seat includes a rotatable seat support, a gravity sensor mounted thereto, a means for rotating the rotatable seat support, and an automated controller configured to drive the rotating means in response to an acceleration signal received from the gravity sensor. The automated controller stores data representing an initial condition of a pitch angle of the rotatable seat support with respect to horizontal and executes a control algorithm to maintain the initial condition when the bicycle is ridden over changing gradients.

Abstract: A slope sensitive pitch adjustor for a bicycle seat includes a rotatable seat support, a gravity sensor mounted thereto, a means for rotating the rotatable seat support, and an automated controller configured to drive the rotating means in response to an acceleration signal received from the gravity sensor. The automated controller stores data representing an initial condition of a pitch angle of the rotatable seat support with respect to horizontal and executes a control algorithm to maintain the initial condition when the bicycle is ridden over changing gradients.

Abstract: Air mattress systems and assemblies allowing adjustment between different portions to achieve a generally level sleeping surface. An air mattress may have a base chamber that, when inflated, has generally planar upper and lower boundaries. A lower angled chamber disposed above the base chamber may be formed as a generally elongated wedge extending the length of the mattress and has an angled upper boundary. An upper angled chamber may be disposed above the lower angled chamber and formed as a generally elongated wedge extending the length of the mattress and having a lower boundary defined by the upper boundary of the lower angled chamber and a generally planar upper boundary. The upper and lower angled chambers may be variably inflated to result in a generally level planar upper surface, where the base chamber is in contact with a sloped surface.

Abstract: A method for highly efficient and parallel data transfer and display with event alerting includes employing an aggregation server to receive and filter multiple Internet data feeds, including an event list, streaming each Internet data feed to an input device as a streamed data segment, displaying each data segment in an interactive stacked ticker display on the remote computing device, determining a location of the input device, displaying an event alert in the interactive stacked ticker display if the input device location comes within a threshold distance of an event location, and enabling a user to purchase tickets to the event corresponding to the event alert.

Abstract: A method for highly efficient and parallel data transfer and display includes employing an aggregation server to receive and filter multiple Internet data feeds, streaming each Internet data feed to a touch screen device as a streamed data segment, displaying each data segment in an interactive stacked ticker display on the remote computing device, and enabling gesture-based interaction with the stacked ticker display.

Abstract: A method and system identifies a data file for transfer to a user. The invention also detects the movement of the user device from which the data file transfer was made and calculates a projected path for movement of the user device. Based on the projected path of movement, the sections of the requested data file are transferred in parallel to node areas where the user device is projected to move according to the projected path. As the user enters a node area, the section of the data file downloaded to that node area is locally transferred to the user device and thereby substantially reducing download time of a large data file.

Abstract: Device authentication is implemented at the application layer of a computer communication model to add a factor to user authentication without requiring any action by the user. User space applications, such as web browsers, e-mail readers, and such, can remain completely unaffected. Instead, the additional authentication factor is provided at the application layer, typically in an operating system, where protocols such as HTTP(s), FTP(s), POP, SMTP, SNMP and DNS are implemented. Authentication is performed by a challenge/response transaction and the client device's digital fingerprint is compared to a whitelist of digital fingerprints of authorized client devices.

Abstract: A method and system identifies a data file for transfer to a user. The invention also detects the movement of the user device from which the data file transfer was made and calculates a projected path for movement of the user device. Based on the projected path of movement, the sections of the requested data file are transferred in parallel to node areas where the user device is projected to move according to the projected path. As the user enters a node area, the section of the data file downloaded to that node area is locally transferred to the user device and thereby substantially reducing download time of a large data file.

Abstract: An artificial lift system provides a lifting mechanism located in a well. The lifting mechanism communicates with a remote intake that is located below in the well. A compressed gas source provides compressed gas to the well annulus at a pressure that is sufficient to move the well fluid from the remote intake up to the lifting mechanism. The well has an annulus and tubing. The well has isolation elements that isolate the producing formation from compressed gas in the annulus. Various sources of compressed gas can be used such as a compressor, an accumulator or a gas sales line. A controller is provided to control the intermittent application and removal of compressed gas in the annulus and also to control the operation of the lifting mechanism. The well could be a horizontal well or a vertical well. The well could be a cased hole or an open hole well.

Abstract: A method and system identifies a data file for transfer to a user. The invention also detects the movement of the user device from which the data file transfer was made and calculates a projected path for movement of the user device. Based on the projected path of movement, the sections of the requested data file are transferred in parallel to node areas where the user device is projected to move according to the projected path. As the user enters a node area, the section of the data file downloaded to that node area is locally transferred to the user device and thereby substantially reducing download time of a large data file.

Abstract: A downhole pump has a barrel and plunger. The barrel has a first one-way valve and the plunger has a second done-way valve. The plunger reciprocates with respect to the barrel. The plunger has a first end which has a tapered leading edge. Ports are adjacent to the leading edge. The ports communicate with a passage in the plunger. A sucker rod string coupling is located at the plunger first end. The sucker rod string coupling is coupled to walls located between the ports. The end of the sucker rod string coupling that is coupled to the plunger is tapered so that fluid can flow out of the ports. The sucker rod string coupling and the plunger first end form an integral member that couples to the remainder of the plunger.

Abstract: Device authentication is implemented at the application layer of a computer communication model to add a factor to user authentication without requiring any action by the user. User space applications, such as web browsers, e-mail readers, and such, can remain completely unaffected. Instead, the additional authentication factor is provided at the application layer, typically in an operating system, where protocols such as HTTP(s), FTP(s), POP, SMTP, SNMP and DNS are implemented. Authentication is performed by a challenge/response transaction and the client device's digital fingerprint is compared to a whitelist of digital fingerprints of authorized client devices.

Abstract: A downhole pump has a barrel and plunger. The barrel has a first one-way valve and the plunger has a second done-way valve. The plunger reciprocates with respect to the barrel. The plunger has a first end which has a tapered leading edge. Ports are adjacent to the leading edge. The ports communicate with a passage in the plunger. A sucker rod string coupling is located at the plunger first end. The sucker rod string coupling is coupled to walls located between the ports. The end of the sucker rod string coupling that is coupled to the plunger is tapered so that fluid can flow out of the ports. The sucker rod string coupling and the plunger first end form an integral member that couples to the remainder of the plunger.

Abstract: An artificial lift system provides a lifting mechanism located in a well. The lifting mechanism communicates with a remote intake that is located below in the well. A compressed gas source provides compressed gas to the well annulus at a pressure that is sufficient to move the well fluid from the remote intake up to the lifting mechanism. The well has an annulus and tubing. The well has isolation elements that isolate the producing formation from compressed gas in the annulus. Various sources of compressed gas can be used such as a compressor, an accumulator or a gas sales line. A controller is provided to control the intermittent application and removal of compressed gas in the annulus and also to control the operation of the lifting mechanism. The well could be a horizontal well or a vertical well. The well could be a cased hole or an open hole well.