Abstract: Described herein is a mechanism of constructing a cluster placement group in a cloud environment. A request is received from a first customer of a cloud environment, where the request corresponds to creating a cluster placement group (CPG). The CPG identifies a first set of requested resources comprising a first type of resource and a second type of resource requested by the first customer, wherein the first type of resource is different than the second type of resource. An availability domain is identified in the cloud environment that includes a second set of available resources comprising all resources included in the first set of requested resources. From the second set of available resources in the availability domain, a set of resources corresponding to the first set of requested resources to the first customer are allocated. The set of resources allocated to the first customer is associated with the CPG.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for effecting an RFID-based finger input sensing system using a transmission line connected to at least two RFID tags, by analyzing a plurality of features relating to the number of spikes in the derivatives of the RSS, timing of maximum RSS and the spikes of the RSS derivatives, relative RSS magnitude between the at least two RFID tags, and increase/decrease trend of the RSS, thereby eliminating the need for calibration and training.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for effecting an RFID-based finger input sensing system using a transmission line connected to at least two RFID tags, by analyzing a plurality of features relating to the number of spikes in the derivatives of the RSS, timing of maximum RSS and the spikes of the RSS derivatives, relative RSS magnitude between the at least two RFID tags, and increase/decrease trend of the RSS, thereby eliminating the need for calibration and training.

Abstract: In various embodiments, an illumination apparatus is provided. The illumination apparatus includes a housing, in which at least one radiation source is fixed. A phosphor that is fastened to the housing is arranged downstream of the radiation source. The phosphor is connected to a crack detector, which is used for crack monitoring of the phosphor. A signal path is provided. The signal path connects the crack detector to an evaluation unit that is fixed to the housing. The signal path is formed by at least two contact pins and a flexible printed circuit board that is connected to the crack detector.

Abstract: In various embodiments, an illumination apparatus is provided. The illumination apparatus includes a housing, in which at least one radiation source is fixed. A phosphor that is fastened to the housing is arranged downstream of the radiation source. The phosphor is connected to a crack detector, which is used for crack monitoring of the phosphor. A signal path is provided. The signal path connects the crack detector to an evaluation unit that is fixed to the housing. The signal path is formed by at least two contact pins and a flexible printed circuit board that is connected to the crack detector.

Abstract: A piston-connecting rod assembly for an internal combustion engine includes a piston pivotally mated to a connecting rod by a piston pin. The piston pin includes a first pin end, a second pin end, and a midsection. When assembled, the first pin end and second pin end are respectively received in a first pin bore and second pin on the piston while the midsection is accommodated in a cross-bore through the connecting rod. The piston pin may include a wear resistant layer applied over at least a portion of its external surface that may include at least one of tungsten disulfide and molybdenum disulfide. The wear resistant layer may be applied as part of a manufacturing process performed on the piston pin.

Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention uniquely identify players in a video game based on how a player interacts with a game and/or other players to generate a unique player identifier or player fingerprint. The player may also be categorized by player data or category to identify certain behavior (e.g., fraud). This unique information may be used to accurately authenticate the player to address fraud and other situations involving an unauthorized player. By verifying the identity of the player, an embodiment of the present invention may detect, minimize and/or prevent fraud and/or other situations where someone else is improperly playing or accessing another player's account. Authentication of player identity can also be used to detect cheating, improper sale of accounts, and other undesirable player behavior. Player fingerprint information may also be used to tailor information to the player (e.g., suggestions for other games, advertisements, instructional information, etc.).

Abstract: A connection arrangement for connecting two tube pieces of a crossmember for a vehicle has a first attachment element made of a first material, wherein the first attachment element is provided for a solid material-bonded connection to at least a first tube piece which comprises the first material. Furthermore, the first attachment element has a second attachment element which is fastened to the first attachment element, wherein the second attachment element consists essentially of a second material differing from the first material, wherein the second attachment element is provided for a solid material-bonded connection to a second tube piece which comprises the second material. Furthermore, a crossmember has such a connection arrangement.

Abstract: A ball joint assembly may include a housing having a cavity, a friction seat received within the cavity, and a ball stud having a ball that frictionally contacts the friction seat. In one embodiment, a friction control mechanism moves the friction seat within the cavity to adjust the friction between the ball and the friction seat. In another embodiment, both the cavity and an outer surface of the friction seat may be substantially frustoconically shaped.

Abstract: A controllable steering rack guide system includes a pinion having pinion gear teeth and a steering rack having rack gear teeth engaged with the pinion gear teeth of the pinion. A rack guide is radially moveable relative to the steering rack for applying a radial force to the steering rack. A primary spring applies a compression force on the rack guide for forcing the rack guide radially toward the steering rack. The compression force of the primary spring is continuously adjustable during operation of the pinion and the steering rack.

Abstract: A connection arrangement for connecting two tube pieces of a crossmember for a vehicle has a first attachment element made of a first material, wherein the first attachment element is provided for a solid material-bonded connection to at least a first tube piece which comprises the first material. Furthermore, the first attachment element has a second attachment element which is fastened to the first attachment element, wherein the second attachment element consists essentially of a second material differing from the first material, wherein the second attachment element is provided for a solid material-bonded connection to a second tube piece which comprises the second material. Furthermore, a crossmember has such a connection arrangement.

Abstract: A gas pressure measuring cell configuration has a thermal conduction vacuum cell according to Pirani (Pi), with a measuring chamber housing enclosing a measuring chamber and with a measuring connection which channels the gas pressure P to be measured into the measuring chamber. The measuring chamber has a heatable measuring filament connected to an electronic measuring circuitry. The electronic measuring circuitry is in thermal contact on one side of an insulating carrier plate and the carrier plate forms on the opposite side a component of the measuring chamber housing, wherein the measuring filament in series with a measuring resistor (Rm) is supplied directly by the electronic measuring circuitry in feedback and wherein the electronic measuring circuitry directly determines the resistance of the measuring filament.

Abstract: An integrated steering gear, frame structure and engine mount base for a vehicle includes an elongate, generally hollow housing having at least one mounting portion at each of opposing ends. A steering gear including a steering gear input and a pair of opposingly-oriented tie rods is assembled within the hollow housing such that the steering gear input and the tie rods extend from the interior of the housing. An engine mount base is integrated into the housing. The integrated steering gear, frame structure and engine mount base is mountable to a vehicle support frame to function as a subframe member of the support frame.

Abstract: A controllable steering rack guide system includes a pinion having pinion gear teeth and a steering rack having rack gear teeth engaged with the pinion gear teeth of the pinion. A rack guide is radially moveable relative to the steering rack for applying a radial force to the steering rack. A primary spring applies a compression force on the rack guide for forcing the rack guide radially toward the steering rack. The compression force of the primary spring is continuously adjustable during operation of the pinion and the steering rack.

Abstract: A ball joint assembly may include a housing having a cavity, a friction seat received within the cavity, and a ball stud having a ball that frictionally contacts the friction seat. In one embodiment, a friction control mechanism moves the friction seat within the cavity to adjust the friction between the ball and the friction seat. In another embodiment, both the cavity and an outer surface of the friction seat may be substantially frustoconically shaped.

Abstract: An integrated steering gear, frame structure and engine mount base for a vehicle includes an elongate, generally hollow housing having at least one mounting portion at each of opposing ends. A steering gear including a steering gear input and a pair of opposingly-oriented tie rods is assembled within the hollow housing such that the steering gear input and the tie rods extend from the interior of the housing. An engine mount base is integrated into the housing. The integrated steering gear, frame structure and engine mount base is mountable to a vehicle support frame to function as a subframe member of the support frame.

Abstract: The input device (1) comprises a touch-sensitive surface (10a) forming at least one isotonic input area and elastic abutment means (11) forming at least one passive elastic input area that is adjacent to the isotonic input area. A position control is performed in the isotonic input area and a rate control is performed in the elastic area.

Abstract: Techniques and technologies are provided which can allow for touch input with a touch screen device. In response to an attempt to select a target displayed on a screen, a callout can be rendered in a non-occluded area of the screen. The callout includes a representation of the area of the screen that is occluded by a selection entity when the attempt to select the target is made.

Abstract: Techniques and technologies are provided which can allow for touch input with a touch screen device. In response to an attempt to select a target displayed on a screen, a callout can be rendered in a non-occluded area of the screen. The callout includes a representation of the area of the screen that is occluded by a selection entity when the attempt to select the target is made.

Abstract: Systems and methods comprising a general purpose framework to facilitate automated layout are provided. Such systems and methods can be utilized to automatically generate visual content over a wide range of domains. One example of a framework comprises a set of general purpose layout components adjustable to a plurality of domains. The general purpose layout components facilitate the automated arrangement of visual elements according to a plurality of style rules. One example of a method performed utilizing one or more elements of a general purpose adaptable layout framework comprises quantifying at least one aesthetic quality of a depiction in relation to one or more non-mandatory objectives to produce a quantified aesthetic quality, and automatically optimizing the quantified aesthetic quality to produce an enhanced depiction.