Abstract: An absorbent article including a side panel having an ultrasonically bonded, gathered laminate is provided. The laminate has an elastomeric layer and a substrate and is joined to the absorbent article chassis at a chassis attachment bond and positioned in one of a first or second waist region. The ultrasonically bonded, gathered laminate also includes an ear structural feature comprising a surface modification to the substrate and comprising at least one of the following: embossing, apertures, perforations, slits, melted material or coatings, compressed material, secondary bonds that are disposed apart from a chassis attachment bond, plastic deformation, and folds.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a first waist region, a second waist region, and a crotch region disposed between the first and second waist regions; and a chassis having a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet. The article also includes a side panel having an ultrasonically bonded, gathered laminate. The laminate has an elastomeric layer and a substrate and is joined to the chassis at a chassis attachment bond and positioned in one of the first or second waist regions. The ultrasonically bonded, gathered laminate also includes an ear structural feature comprising a surface modification to the substrate and comprising at least one of the following: embossing, apertures, perforations, slits, melted material or coatings, compressed material, secondary bonds that are disposed apart from a chassis attachment bond, plastic deformation, and folds.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to techniques for transmitting ephemeral content messages. A sending client may establish an end-to-end encrypted session with possible recipients of the message, using a first decryption key during initial session setup. The client may send an ephemeral content message, including encrypted content and a second key, to the recipients through a server. The server may be unable to retrieve the encrypted content due to a lack of the second key. The server may filter a list of intended recipients, and may forward the ephemeral content message to the recipients on the filtered list. The recipients may retrieve the second key from the message, and use the first and second keys to decrypt the encrypted content. The sending client may change the second key each time the recipient list changes from the perspective of the sending client, as determined at the time the ephemeral content message is transmitted.

Abstract: Techniques for media album display and management are described. An apparatus may comprise a messaging component operative to receive a plurality of messaging packages from a messaging server and determine a plurality of visual media items referenced by the plurality of messaging packages; a media layout component operative to determine a visual media item layout; and a display component operative to display the plurality of visual media items based on the visual media item layout Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Systems and methods of the disclosure include receiving a message from a user at a user client device for a multi-agent entity. The message initiates a message thread between the user and the multi-agent entity. An administrator user for the multi-agent entity is determined and the message thread is forwarded to the administrator at an administrator client device. The method facilitates an exchange of security information between the administrator client device and the user client device. The method includes receiving a message thread forwarding a command from the administrator client device to forward the message thread to an agent of the multi-agent entity at an agent client device. The command can comprise a payload containing the security information.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and methods are provided for facilitating payment for a third party's use of an application by a current user. The current user, or payor, initiates the process within the application by selecting one or more recipients. The system that hosts the application then determines which of the third parties are eligible. A target recipient may be ineligible because her application subscription never expires, because it doesn't expire within a threshold period of time, or for some other reason. The system identifies the target recipients that are eligible, and the payor may configure the gift payment (e.g., by choosing a duration of the subscription). The payor then chooses a method of electronic payment and, depending on the method selected, may redeem a coupon with the application host system, or the process may complete automatically. The payor and/or the recipient(s) may be notified of successful activation of the subscription(s).

Abstract: A system and methods are provided for aggregating communication connections. Multiple users connect to a system (e.g., a web-based system) that hosts an application or service for exchanging communications. Users who exchange communications among themselves may be considered “associates.” When one user who is on-line with the application sends a communication through the system for an associate, the system determines whether the associate is on-line or off-line. If the associate is off-line, the system crafts and sends toward the associate a notification regarding the communication, including an address of the communication server to which the one user is connected. When the associate's device receives the notification, the application may attempt to connect to the specified address. In this way associated users' connections will aggregate or gravitate toward the same communication server, thereby eliminating the latency and cost of exchanging users' communications between multiple communication servers.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to techniques for transmitting ephemeral content messages. A sending client may establish an end-to-end encrypted session with possible recipients of the message, using a first decryption key during initial session setup. The client may send an ephemeral content message, including encrypted content and a second key, to the recipients through a server. The server may be unable to retrieve the encrypted content due to a lack of the second key. The server may filter a list of intended recipients, and may forward the ephemeral content message to the recipients on the filtered list. The recipients may retrieve the second key from the message, and use the first and second keys to decrypt the encrypted content. The sending client may change the second key each time the recipient list changes from the perspective of the sending client, as determined at the time the ephemeral content message is transmitted.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, graphical user interface and methods are provided for conducting electronic voice communications with status notifications. A user of a first portable device executing a communication application selects a multi-function control that automatically initiates an audio recording, which is automatically sent toward another participant of an active communication session when the control is released. The same multi-function control may be used to transmit a textual message. A representation of the recording is displayed on the user's device, with an indicator that changes appearance when the other participant plays the recording. In addition, when one user initiates an audio recording that will be automatically sent to another user, the other user's device is advised of the initiation of recording and displays that status for the other user.

Abstract: Techniques for multi-agent messaging authorization are described. In one embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a message processing component operative to receive an incoming message for a multi-agent entity from a user client device associated with a user account; determine an agent client device associated with the agent account; and send the incoming message to the agent client device associated with the agent account; and an agent management component operative to determine the agent account associated with the multi-agent entity to receive the incoming message. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Techniques for media album display and management are described. An apparatus may comprise a messaging component operative to receive a plurality of messaging packages from a messaging server and determine a plurality of visual media items referenced by the plurality of messaging packages; a media layout component operative to determine a visual media item layout; and a display component operative to display the plurality of visual media items based on the visual media item layout Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Techniques for multi-agent messaging authorization are described. In one embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a message processing component operative to receive an incoming message for a multi-agent entity from a user client device associated with a user account; determine an agent client device associated with the agent account; and send the incoming message to the agent client device associated with the agent account; and an agent management component operative to determine the agent account associated with the multi-agent entity to receive the incoming message. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to techniques for sending ephemeral content messages via a communications service. An interface may be presented to allow a user to initially access ephemeral content functionality and select content for inclusion in the ephemeral content message. The interface may present a streamlined set of use cases without regard to the manner in which the content was initially captured. Different types of content may be used as ephemeral content, including images, videos, weather reports, news stories, text, audio recordings, location tags, etc. The ephemeral content may be sent through the communications service as an end-to-end encrypted message. When a user replies to an ephemeral content message, the reply may trigger a one-to-one conversation between the originating user and the replying user. Alternatively, an ephemeral content message may be initially sent to a selected group, and replies may be sent back to the entire group.

Abstract: Techniques to dynamically engage a reduced-color mode for streaming video encoding are generally described. For example, in one embodiments, an apparatus may include an encoding configuration component operative to receive network performance information for a video stream at a sending device, the video stream using a first number of variable bits for color encoding; and assign a reduced-color mode to a media component based on the network performance information, the media component operative to generate the video stream in the reduced-color mode, wherein the reduced-color mode uses a second number of variable bits for color encoding, the second number less than the first number, and a network component operative to send the video stream from the sending device to a receiving device using the reduced-color mode. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Techniques to dynamically engage a reduced-color mode for streaming video encoding are generally described. For example, in one embodiments, an apparatus may include an encoding configuration component operative to receive network performance information for a video stream at a sending device, the video stream using a first number of variable bits for color encoding; and assign a reduced-color mode to a media component based on the network performance information, the media component operative to generate the video stream in the reduced-color mode, wherein the reduced-color mode uses a second number of variable bits for color encoding, the second number less than the first number, and a network component operative to send the video stream from the sending device to a receiving device using the reduced-color mode. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Techniques for managing a remote web client from an application on a mobile device are described. In one embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a messaging application operative on the processor circuit to receive a request from a remote web browser, the request for the remote web browser to receive messaging updates from the messaging application; establish an encrypted connection between the messaging application and the remote web browser, receive a messaging update at the messaging application; and transmit the messaging update from the messaging application to the remote web browser. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to techniques for sending ephemeral content messages via a communications service. An interface may be presented to allow a user to initially access ephemeral content functionality and select content for inclusion in the ephemeral content message. The interface may present a streamlined set of use cases without regard to the manner in which the content was initially captured. Different types of content may be used as ephemeral content, including images, videos, weather reports, news stories, text, audio recordings, location tags, etc. The ephemeral content may be sent through the communications service as an end-to-end encrypted message. When a user replies to an ephemeral content message, the reply may trigger a one-to-one conversation between the originating user and the replying user. Alternatively, an ephemeral content message may be initially sent to a selected group, and replies may be sent back to the entire group.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vibrating livestock prod with pneumatic actuation. The prod includes a pneumatically actuated vibratory stylus adapted for contacting a skin of an animal. A pneumatic system connects the prod to a pneumatic source, and a method contacts the animal with the vibratory stylus. The livestock prod is pneumatically actuated and vibrates against the skin of an animal to motivate and compel animal movement.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vibrating livestock prod with pneumatic actuation. The prod includes a pneumatically actuated vibratory stylus adapted for contacting a skin of an animal. A pneumatic system connects the prod to a pneumatic source, and a method contacts the animal with the vibratory stylus. The livestock prod is pneumatically actuated and vibrates against the skin of an animal to motivate and compel animal movement.

Abstract: A controller for a kiln plant, typically a cement plant, has a thermodynamic controller which measures a number of variables including the kiln hood temperature and one or more output gas concentrations, and controls the fuel input to the kiln to maintain the hood temperature within a desired range and a main impeller of the kiln to maintain the measured gas concentrations within a predetermined range. The invention includes a quality controller wich controls the amount of 3CaO.SiO2 present in clinker produced by the plant. The controller comprises an inner controller which controls free-lime content in the clinker and a thermodynamic outer controller.