Abstract: A method of machining cooling holes in a component includes the steps of inserting an electro discharge machining guide that houses an electrode into an internal cavity of a component, and machining a cooling hole into a wall of the component with the electrode. A gas turbine engine component includes first and second spaced apart walls providing an internal cavity. The first wall has outer and inner surfaces. The inner surface faces the internal cavity. A cooling hole extends through the first wall from the inner surface to the outer surface. The cooling hole includes entry and exit openings respectively provided in the inner and outer surfaces. The exit opening includes a cross-sectional area that is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the entry opening.

Abstract: Determining a fuel card usage exception with the use of a computer that receives fuel card transaction data responsive to a fuel purchase event. The fuel card transaction data identifies a quantity of fuel purchased for a vehicle using a fuel card. In addition, the computer receives first fuel level data and second fuel level data of the vehicle that identifies a quantity of fuel present in a fuel tank of the vehicle prior to a fuel purchase event and after a fuel purchase event respectively. The computer can determine an exception associated with the fuel purchase event based on the fuel card transaction data, the first fuel level data, and the second fuel level data. Responsive to detecting an exception associated with the fuel purchase event, the computer may generate an alert and transmit the alert for presentation by a computing device of a user.

Abstract: A method and system for matching users of a network, such as a language learning network, employs user profile data to determine point match scores and/or compatibility match scores between users of the network such as a social network. A point match score is a measure of strength for a single interest that two users share. A compatibility match score is an aggregate measure of similarity of multiple interests that two users share. When a first user asks the system to propose another user or users for interaction, the system uses the point match scores, compatibility match scores, or both to determine which additional users to recommend to the first user. The system may present the first user with a profile for each recommended user. The first user may select one of the recommended users and engage in interaction, such as language skills learning or practice, with that user via a text, audio and/or video interface.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for authorizing a user to access an access-controlled environment. The system includes a system server platform that communicates with mobile devices (e.g., smartphones) and on-board vehicle computing devices accessed by users. The embodiments enable a series of operations whereby a user accessing a vehicle is prompted to biometrically authenticate using the user's smartphone or on-board vehicle computer. In addition, the system can further authorize the user and electronically facilitate access to the vehicle as well as perform other authorized operations relating to the use of the vehicle. In addition the vehicle access system integrates with various computing devices and computer-based services accessible to the user. The systems and methods also facilitate active monitoring of the vehicle occupants and environmental conditions using optical sensors and the like so as to enhance security, convenience and safety of the occupants during use of the vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide an ability to split multiple email addresses having the same email domain across a plurality of email service providers. A first email server receives a forwarded email message from a second email server, the forwarded email message including an original domain and an intermediary domain, the intermediary domain added by the second email server. The first email server removes the intermediary domain from the recipient address and delivers the email message to a corresponding email account that is serviced by the first email server.

Abstract: A medical device communications network comprises a plurality of medical devices including either or both of a first number of surgical instruments and a second number of implants configured for subcutaneous implantation in a biological body. A corresponding plurality of wireless communication circuits are each mounted to a different one of the plurality of medical devices. Each of the plurality of wireless communication circuits is configured to broadcast medical device information relating to the medical device to which it is mounted and to receive information relating to any other of the plurality of medical devices. The network may or may not include a master wireless communications circuit configured to receive the medical device information broadcast by any of the plurality of slave wireless communication circuits and to broadcast the information relating to any other of the plurality of medical devices.

Abstract: In one embodiment, techniques approximate concurrent monitoring of a large number of geo-fences, potentially beyond a number supported by a mobile device, The mobile device may activate a subset of geo-fences to be monitored, the subset of geo-fences selected from the set of geo-fences based on proximity to a current location of the mobile device. The mobile device may also establish and monitor an envelope geo-fence that encompasses the subset of geo-fences. In response to detecting that the mobile device has moved to a new location proximate to the envelope geo-fence, a new subset of geo-fences is activated to be monitored. Geo-fences of the subset of geo-fences that are not part of the new subset of geo-fences are deactivated.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming device according to one embodiment includes a controller configured to provide a page countdown for a replaceable toner cartridge of the image forming device on a display screen. The controller, upon detecting an installation of an imaging unit previously mated with a first toner cartridge that was out of usable toner and detecting a presence of a second toner cartridge, is configured to determine whether the second toner cartridge is out of usable toner. The controller is configured to determine a number of pages remaining for a page countdown associated with the life of the second toner cartridge and whether the toner sump of the imaging unit contains sufficient toner to print the number of pages remaining for the page countdown associated with the life of the second toner cartridge if the second toner cartridge is out of usable toner.

Abstract: One system herein is operable to determine effectiveness of asset insertion in VOD content. The VOD content is selected by a user through a CPE. The system is operable to analyze upstream internet traffic through a cable television network, to identify household identifications from the upstream internet traffic, and to detect an internet website selected by the user from the upstream internet traffic based on the user's household identification. The system is also operable to couple to a VOD asset insertion system of a headend in the cable television network to detect an asset inserted into the VOD content selected by the CPE, to associate the internet website with the inserted asset, to determine a period of time between insertion of the asset and the selection of the internet website by the user, and to determine an effectiveness of the asset based on the determined period of time.

Abstract: A system for decoding video data includes a processing unit. The processing unit includes a plurality of processing pipelines and a driver. The driver includes a decoder configured to generate a plurality of intermediate control maps containing control information including an indication of which macro blocks or portions of macro blocks may be processed in parallel in the plurality of processing pipelines.

Abstract: A tool computes fitness values for a first generation of a first sub-population of a plurality of sub-populations. A population of candidate solutions for an optimization problem was previously divided into the plurality of sub-populations. The population of candidate solutions was created for an iterative computing process in accordance with an evolutionary algorithm to identify a most fit candidate solution for the optimization problem. The tool determines a speculative ranking of the first generation of the first sub-population prior to the fitness values being computed for all candidate solutions in the first generation of the first sub-population. The tool generates a next generation of the first sub-population based, at least in part, on the speculative ranking prior to completion of computation of the fitness values for the first generation of the first sub-population.

Abstract: A method for delivering a target volume of fluid to a destination is provided. The method includes delivering a first volume of fluid to the destination in increments each having approximately a first incremental volume, the first volume of fluid being less than the target volume and delivering a second volume of fluid to the destination in increments each having approximately a second incremental volume, the second incremental volume being less than the first incremental volume, such that the sum of the first volume and the second volume is approximately equal to the target volume.

Abstract: A method and system for providing real-time communication via text between multiple user devices, the method including receiving, at an application server, a conversation request from a first user device, wherein the conversation request is based upon a selection of a second user device from a contact list that is stored on the first user device, sending the conversation request from the application server to a push server, receiving, at the application server, a conversation session ID from the second user device, if the conversation request is accepted by the second user device, sending the conversation session ID from the application server to the push server, receiving, at the application server, a first datagram message from the first user device, sending the first datagram message from the application server to the second user device, receiving, at the application server, a second datagram message from the second user device, and sending the second datagram message from the application server to the fir

Abstract: The passage of a container along a conveyor is lubricated by applying to the container or conveyor a mixture of a water-miscible silicone material and a water-miscible lubricant. The mixture can be applied in relatively low amounts, to provide thin, substantially non-dripping lubricating films. In contrast to dilute aqueous lubricants, the lubricants of the invention provide drier lubrication of the conveyors and containers, a cleaner conveyor line and reduced lubricant usage, thereby reducing waste, cleanup and disposal problems.

Abstract: An electrical power cable for high temperature environments comprises two or more sheathed conductors; each sheathed conductor comprising an electrical conductor, an electrical insulator surrounding the electrical conductor, and a sheath surrounding the electrical insulator; and a bonding material interconnecting the sheaths of the two or more sheathed conductors positioned adjacent to one another to form a cable.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed to correct for tilt and/or perspective distortion in image capture devices. In some embodiments, the method may include reading an orientation measurement associated with a relative position of an image capture device with respect to an object, determining if the orientation measurement is less than a threshold, and in the event that the orientation measurement is less than the threshold, correcting an image obtained by the image capture device. In some embodiments, the apparatus may include an image sensor, a memory coupled to the image sensor, an orientation measurement device coupled to the image sensor, and a distance measurement device coupled to the image sensor, where the image data may be stored in the memory along with a measurement from the accelerometer and along with a measurement from the distance measurement device.

Abstract: A nasal cannula for use in a system for providing a flow of respiratory gases to a user is described. The nasal cannula comprises a body made from a pliable material. The body has an inlet and at least one nasal prong fluidly connected to the inlet. In use a conduit providing a flow of gases to the cannula is connected to the inlet, and the nasal prong is inserted into a user's nostril. The cannula is arranged to direct the flow of gases from the nasal prong towards the front wall of the user's nasal passage within the user's nose.

Abstract: A formulation includes a base resin, a nucleating agent, and a blowing agent. The formulation can be used to form a container.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing object versioning in a storage system may support the logical deletion of stored objects. In response to a delete operation specifying both a user key and a version identifier, the storage system may permanently delete the specified version of an object having the specified key. In response to a delete operation specifying a user key, but not a version identifier, the storage system may create a delete marker object that does not contain object data, and may generate a new version identifier for the delete marker. The delete marker may be stored as the latest object version of the user key, and may be addressable in the storage system using a composite key comprising the user key and the new version identifier. Subsequent attempts to retrieve the user key without specifying a version identifier may return an error, although the object was not actually deleted.

Abstract: Anionic surfactants have a formula: RfSO2N(H)—CH2CH(CH3)OH; or RfSO2N(H)—(CH2CH2O)xH, where x is an integer from 2-6. Rf is a fluoroalkyl group having 3 to 8 carbon atoms. Neutral surfactants having a formula: (a) RfSO2N[CH2CH(CH3)OH]2; (b) RfSO2N[CH2CH(CH3)OH][(CH2CH2O)nH], where n is an integer from 1-6; (c) RfSO2N(R)[(CH2CH2O)pH], where p is an integer from 2-6, and R is an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; or (d) RfSO2N[(CH2CH2O)qH][(CH2CH2O)mH], where q is an integer from 1-6 and m is an integer from 3-6. Rf is a fluoroalkyl group having 3 to 8 carbon atoms.