Abstract: A method begins with a processing module obtaining a data object from a user and identifying a plurality of virtual storage vaults (VSVs) for storage of the data object. The method continues with the processing module determining dispersal error encoding parameters associated with a first virtual storage vault and error encoding the data object in accordance with those dispersal error encoding parameters to produce a corresponding plurality of sets of encoded data slices (EDSs), issuing write slice requests for the EDSs and receiving EDS information from at least some of the plurality of VSVs. When the EDS information indicates that a threshold number of VSVs have successfully stored the plurality of sets of encoded data slices within a synchronization timeframe, the method continues with the processing module issuing a favorable response to the user, or when a threshold number of VSVs have not successfully stored the plurality of sets of encoded data slices initiating a retry process.

Abstract: An automated granule portioning system includes at least one volumetric measuring chamber capable of adjusting the volume of the chamber automatically to a programmed target volume and arranged to receive a first portion of granules into the chamber to fill the target volume. A transport system automatically delivers the target volume of granules from the chamber to a weighing device. A granule metering device dispenses granules and, depending on a signal from the weighing device that the first portion of granules is below a programmed target weight, dispenses granules to the first portion to increase the weight to achieve a second portion having the target weight.

Abstract: A window positioning apparatus for a vehicle comprising a window panel, a frame in which the window panel is guided between a closed position closing a window opening in the frame and an open position opening the window opening, and a multi-stage telescoping screw actuator mechanism connected between the window panel and the frame, the actuator mechanism being extendible to move the window panel from its open position to its closed position and collapsible to move the window panel from its closed position to its open position. The multi-stage telescoping screw actuator mechanism includes a plurality of screw members of progressively decreasing diameter respectively telescopically disposed within a next adjacent screw member of larger diameter.

Abstract: Methods and sensors for detection and quantification of one or more analyte in a test sample are described. A response profile of an ion sensor to a control sample of a known interrogator ion is determined. The ion sensor is exposed to a test sample then to a second sample comprising the known interrogator ion, and a test sample response profile of the ion sensor is determined. One or more test sample sensor response profiles are compared with one or more control sensor response profiles for detecting, identifying, and quantifying one or more analytes in the test sample.

Abstract: Methods and associated data processing system for handling sensitive data required by an application in a secure computer system. The secure computer identifies sensitive data in one or more data aspects of a request message. The secure computer system tokenizes the sensitive data in the one or more data aspects by replacing the sensitive data with tokenized data and stores a mapping between the sensitive data and the tokenized data in the secure computer system. The secure computer system sends the request message to an external computer system. After the request message is sent to the external computer system, the secure computer system receives a response message from the external computer system. The response message includes annotations for the tokenized data with transform instructions for the tokenized data. The secure computer system replaces the tokenized data with the sensitive data and performs the transform instructions on the sensitive data.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to minimizing the execution time of compute workloads in a distributed computing system. An example method generally includes receiving, from each of a plurality of server clusters, an estimated completion time and cost information predicted to be consumed in processing the compute workload. A workload manager compares the received estimates to a completion time and threshold cost criteria. Upon determining that the estimated completion time and cost information from any of the plurality of server clusters does not satisfy the completion time and threshold cost criteria, the workload manager partitions the compute workload into a plurality of segments, requests estimated completion time and cost information from the plurality of server clusters for each of the plurality of segments, and selects a cluster to process each segment of the compute workload based on the estimated completion time and cost reported for each segment.

Abstract: A method of automatically generating lighting data for a three-dimensional computer generated entity is described. A mesh representation of at least a part of the entity is received and simplified by removing vertices from the mesh. For each vertex in the simplified mesh, a plurality of rays are propagated from the vertex and a cone-shaped region is then defined for the vertex using those of the plurality of rays that do not intersect with the simplified mesh, wherein the cone-shaped region is defined in terms of a vector and an angular parameter. An angular parameter and a vector for each vertex in the received mesh is then calculated by interpolating the angular parameters and vectors for each vertex in the simplified mesh and lighting data is output, the lighting data comprising the angular parameter and vector for each vertex in the received mesh.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are contactor devices, for example, devices that can be utilized as switching elements, comprising fixed contacts that are electrically isolated from one another and one or more moveable contacts that are configured to electrically contact the fixed contacts to provide an electrical connection between them. Movement of the fixed contacts into and out of electrical contact with the fixed contacts controls flow of electricity through the devices. The contactor devices also include pyrotechnic disconnect elements, which function as a circuit break or fuse-like element to protect against overcurrent. When the electrical current through the contactor device reaches a threshold level, a pyrotechnic charge activates, permanently forcing the moveable contacts out of electrical contact with the fixed contacts.

Abstract: A concrete anchor point includes an internally threaded member and a spacer. The internally threaded member and the spacer are cast in a volume of concrete. The internally threaded member terminates in an open end. The spacer has a hole extending therethrough which provides a through-hole in the volume of concrete extending from the opening in the exposed face to the open end. The spacer functions to space the open end away from the exposed face at a non-zero depth within the volume of concrete.

Abstract: A recurrent neural network including an input layer, a hidden layer, and an output layer, wherein the hidden layer includes hybrid memory cell units, each of the hybrid memory cell units including a first memory cells of a first type, the first memory cells being configured to remember a first cell state value fed back to each of gates to determine a degree to which each of the gates is open or closed, and configured to continue to update the first cell state value, and a second memory cells of a second type, each second memory cell of the second memory cells including a first time gate configured to control a second cell state value of the second memory cell based on phase signals of an oscillatory frequency, and a second time gate configured to control an output value of the second memory cell based on the phase signals, and each second memory cell of the second memory cells being configured to remember the second cell state value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating a joint between tubulars such as tubing, pipes, casing and liner for location in a well bore. A connector (16) in the form of a sleeve is located over the ends of each tubular (12, 14) and the ends of the tubulars are morphed onto the sleeve to provide a metal to metal seal. In an embodiment the sleeve (16) is morphed onto the ends of the tubulars (12, 14). The connector may also have a profiled inner surface with circumferential grooves (266) and a sectioned locating groove (90) to provide axial and torsional load bearing capacity.

Abstract: Various embodiments are described herein for methods and systems that can be used to track a position of a mobile receiver on a production line. In one example embodiment, the position of the mobile receiver is tracked by receiving at least information signal from at least one location tag from among a plurality of location tags positioned at fixed locations along the length of a conveyor belt in a production line, by determining a signal strength of the at least one information signal, and by determining the position of the mobile receiver based on the signal strength of the at least one information signal.

Abstract: An automated flushing system includes a base having a flow inlet, flow outlets and a flow manifold, the system also including solenoid valves and a pressure switch mounted upon the manifold. The flow manifold includes a main flow channel connected to the flow inlet, and auxiliary flow channels interconnecting the main flow channel with respective ones of the flow outlets so as to provide flow communication in parallel to the flow outlets from the main flow channel. Each solenoid valve extends into a respective auxiliary flow channel and is actuatable between an activated status and a deactivated status to allow and block flow communication of liquid through the respective auxiliary flow channels to a flow outlet. The pressure switch in flow communication with the flow inlet is configured to sense that the pressure of liquid entering the flow inlet is above a preset minimum before initiation of automated flushing system operation.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are described herein for generating a triangle mesh for an image represented by curves (e.g., Bezier segments). An outline of an image is determined and reduced to a set of connected polylines that are efficiently represented in an edge list. A triangle mesh is generated based on the edge list, rather than by directly sampling the curves of the image and using the samples as vertices of triangles. Thus, the triangle mesh is generated with a number of triangles independent from a number of curves representing the image. Samples of the curves are bound to the triangle mesh by representing the samples with barycentric coordinates with respect to a triangle in the mesh. Hence, once a mesh is deformed, locations of the samples are determined from the barycentric coordinates and triangles in the deformed mesh, and used to reconstruct the curves of the deformed image.

Abstract: A network for an aircraft including a master device and slave devices connected in daisy-chain arrangement series. Each slave device has a unique identifier. The master transmits polling data packets along the slave devices, each including only one identifier. Polling data packets are transmitted in successive sequences, each including for each slave device only one polling data packet and including the polling data packets in a predetermined order. Each slave device includes a first data interface for connection in an upstream direction, a second data interface for connection in the downstream direction, and a processing unit to compare for each received polling data packet the identifier thereof with the identifier of the respective slave device, and output a response data packet to the master device if the two identifiers match, and forward the polling data packet to the second interface at least if the two identifiers do not match.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable medium are disclosed for identifying sources of variation in complex manufacturing processes via a variation identification operation. In certain embodiments, the variation identification operation is performed via a variation identification system. The variation identification operation addresses special class of analytic problems, namely the estimation of variance components and related statistics from very large (big data) hierarchically nested designs of random factors. These types of data structures occur frequently across various industries, and in particular in automated and batch manufacturing where the variability in product quality as measured in final product testing should be related to batches, lots, wafers, suppliers, etc. upstream of the process.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to protecting the privacy of a user of a dispatching service for driverless vehicles. For example, a request for a vehicle identifying user information is received. A client computing device may be identified based on the user information. In response to the request, a driverless vehicle may be dispatched to the location of the client device. Signaling information may be generated based on a set of rules including a first rule that the signaling information does not identify, indirectly or directly, the user as well as a second rule that the signaling information does not identify, indirectly or directly, the user information. The location of the client computing device and the signaling information may be sent to the driverless vehicle for display. In addition, the signaling information may also be sent to the client computing device for display.

Abstract: A high flow valve for use in conjunction with a compressed gas, an aerosol or in bag-on-valve applications, and particularly to a valve having a housing that is supported by a mounting cup for a product container or can, and communicates with a product or product containment bag inside the can. A radial opening or orifice of the valve is positioned closer to a lower seal of the valve stem, rather than an upper seal or mounting cup gasket, to facilitate an increased flow rate for dispensing the product from the container and the valve.

Abstract: The shower head nozzle as disclosed herein includes a quick-connect coupling for selectively attaching the nozzle to a downwardly extending conduit or tube for directing tested water through a test unit and into a bucket or drain, wherein the test unit may include a flow meter for measuring real-time water flow rate and a temperature sensor for measuring real-time water temperature dispensed from the shower head, thereby reducing the testing time, more accurately determining flow-rate and water temperature, and decreasing the amount of waste water.