Abstract: An audio system and method for enhancing audio quality in telecommunications applications. Specifically, a graphical user interface (GUI) is provided to allow an observer to visualize pickup zones within an environment that schematically represent areas of heightened microphone sensitivity. A microphone array and camera are arranged to obtain an audio signal and an image which correspond to a talker within the environment. The images are displayed via a first device or are transmitted to a second device and are displayed to the observer, while the audio signal is converted into an audio output by the second device. Visual overlays are provided, via the visualization window, corresponding with pickup zones within the environment corresponding to areas of heightened microphone sensitivity. The observer may adjust the visual overlay corresponding with each pickup zone using the GUI provided, resulting in an adjustment of the pickup zones by the microphone array within the environment.

Abstract: The disclosure is related to compositions and methods for strengthening wellbores. Specific embodiments include compositions and uses for self-degrading WBS materials which do not damage a wellbore, thus, leading to increased production.

Abstract: A luminaire includes a housing, a luminous zone coupled with the housing, and one or more transition zones coupled with the housing and disposed adjacent to the luminous zone. The luminous zone provides a first light to an illuminated area, and the one or more transition zones provide a second light to the illuminated area. The first light is harsher than the second light. A method of illuminating an area includes providing a first light to the area from a luminous zone of a luminaire and providing a second light to the area from one or more transition zones disposed adjacent to the luminous zone within the luminaire. The first light is a harsher light than the second light.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods and compositions for identifying and/or selecting soybean plants that have resistance to lodging, have improved resistance to lodging, or are susceptible to lodging. The methods use molecular genetic markers to identify, select and/or construct resistant plants or identify and counter-select susceptible plants. Also provided are soybean plants that display resistance or improved resistance to lodging that are generated by the methods described herein. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

Abstract: Silicone-containing light fixture optics. A method for manufacturing an optical component may include mixing two precursors of silicone, opening a first gate of an optic forming device, moving the silicone mixture from the extrusion machine into the optic forming device, cooling the silicone mixture as it enters the optic forming device, filling a mold within the optic forming device with the silicone mixture, closing the first gate, and heating the silicone mixture in the mold to at least partially cure the silicone. Alternatively, a method for manufacturing an optical component may include depositing a layer of heat cured silicone optical material to an optical structure, arranging one or more at least partially cured silicone optics on the layer of heat cured silicone optical material, and heating the heat cured silicone optical material to permanently adhere the one or more at least partially cured silicone optics to the optical structure.

Abstract: An audio system and method for enhancing audio quality in telecommunications applications. Specifically, a graphical user interface (GUI) is provided to allow an observer to visualize pickup zones within an environment that schematically represent areas of heightened microphone sensitivity. A microphone array and camera are arranged to obtain an audio signal and an image which correspond to a talker within the environment. The images are displayed via a first device or are transmitted to a second device and are displayed to the observer, while the audio signal is converted into an audio output by the second device. Visual overlays are provided, via the visualization window, corresponding with pickup zones within the environment corresponding to areas of heightened microphone sensitivity. The observer may adjust the visual overlay corresponding with each pickup zone using the GUI provided, resulting in an adjustment of the pickup zones by the microphone array within the environment.

Abstract: In some examples, a payment processing system may receive, from a plurality of merchant computing devices associated with a plurality of merchants, respectively, transaction data of transactions performed between the plurality of merchants and a plurality of customers. Based at least on the transaction data, the payment processing system may provide financing to an account of a first merchant, the financing including repayment terms for repayment of the financing. In addition, the payment processing system may determine that the first merchant is predicted to have a change in sales during an upcoming time period. Based on the predicted change in sales, the payment processing system may determine updated repayment terms for repayment of the financing from the first merchant, and may apply the updated repayment terms for repayment of the financing.

Abstract: Methods and systems for identifying content of interest. Accessed textual information is processed by at least one of character unification, phrase unification, and concept unification. A configured processor executes at least one predefined rule to determine whether the unified content includes certain types of information. Unified content that matches may be subject to further action such as alerts, encryption, logging, etc.

Abstract: Determining dimensions of an object can include determining a distance between the object and an imaging device, and an angle of an optical axis of the imaging device. One of more features of the object can be identified in an image of the object. The dimensions of the object can be determined based upon the distance, the angle, and the one or more identified features.

Abstract: Silicone-containing light fixture optics. A method for manufacturing an optical component may include mixing two precursors of silicone, opening a first gate of an optic forming device, moving the silicone mixture from the extrusion machine into the optic forming device, cooling the silicone mixture as it enters the optic forming device, filling a mold within the optic forming device with the silicone mixture, closing the first gate, and heating the silicone mixture in the mold to at least partially cure the silicone. Alternatively, a method for manufacturing an optical component may include depositing a layer of heat cured silicone optical material to an optical structure, arranging one or more at least partially cured silicone optics on the layer of heat cured silicone optical material, and heating the heat cured silicone optical material to permanently adhere the one or more at least partially cured silicone optics to the optical structure.

Abstract: A payment processing system is configured to expose an API to provide financing terms to a financial institution. The payment processing system receives, via the API, a request from the financial institution to calculate financing terms for providing capital to a merchant based on the merchant's financial history with the payment processing system and/or the financial institution. The payment processing system calculates the financing terms including an approved financing amount and repayment terms, which may include a portion of the transaction processed by the payment processing system or the financial institution to be withheld for repayment of the approved financing amount. The payment processing system transmits the financing terms to the financial institution via the API.

Abstract: Silicone-containing light fixture optics. A method for manufacturing an optical component may include mixing two precursors of silicone, opening a first gate of an optic forming device, moving the silicone mixture from the extrusion machine into the optic forming device, cooling the silicone mixture as it enters the optic forming device, filling a mold within the optic forming device with the silicone mixture, closing the first gate, and heating the silicone mixture in the mold to at least partially cure the silicone. Alternatively, a method for manufacturing an optical component may include depositing a layer of heat cured silicone optical material to an optical structure, arranging one or more at least partially cured silicone optics on the layer of heat cured silicone optical material, and heating the heat cured silicone optical material to permanently adhere the one or more at least partially cured silicone optics to the optical structure.

Abstract: A system for magnetically securing an electronics enclosure proximate a surface of a separate structure. The system includes a mounting apparatus that has a first surface, a second surface, and an interface structure that is constructed and arranged to allow the mounting apparatus to be secured to the surface of the separate structure, with the first surface of the mounting apparatus closer to the surface of the separate structure than is the second surface of the mounting apparatus. One or more magnets are fixed to one or both of the mounting apparatus and the electronics enclosure such that the one or more magnets are arranged to magnetically couple the electronics enclosure to the mounting apparatus.

Abstract: Silicone-containing light fixture optics. A method for manufacturing an optical component may include mixing two precursors of silicone, opening a first gate of an optic forming device, moving the silicone mixture from the extrusion machine into the optic forming device, cooling the silicone mixture as it enters the optic forming device, filling a mold within the optic forming device with the silicone mixture, closing the first gate, and heating the silicone mixture in the mold to at least partially cure the silicone. Alternatively, a method for manufacturing an optical component may include depositing a layer of heat cured silicone optical material to an optical structure, arranging one or more at least partially cured silicone optics on the layer of heat cured silicone optical material, and heating the heat cured silicone optical material to permanently adhere the one or more at least partially cured silicone optics to the optical structure.

Abstract: A method for establishing the routing of audio signals between a plurality of audio inputs and a plurality of audio outputs in a conferencing system. The method includes establishing a matrix comprising at least one available cross-point, where each cross-point defines a particular mapping of an audio input to an audio output, receiving user input that results in the selection of one or more available cross-points, and based on the selection of one or more available cross-points, automatically establishing in a programmable processor the mapping of audio inputs to audio outputs defined by the selected cross-points.

Abstract: A payment processing system receives, from merchant computing devices, transaction information of transactions performed between a plurality of merchants and customers. The merchant computing devices may each execute a merchant application that configures the merchant computing devices as point-of-sale (POS) terminals. The payment processing system receives, from a first POS terminal, a request to finance a purchase between a customer and a first merchant. The payment processing system determines financing terms for the purchase from the transaction information received from the merchant computing devices. The payment processing system sends the financing terms, including an approved financed amount and repayment terms for the approved financed amount, to the first POS terminal for presentation to the customer. In response to receiving an indication of acceptance by the customer of the financing terms, the payment processing system transfers the approved financed amount to an account of the first merchant.

Abstract: Determining dimensions of an object can include determining a distance between the object and an imaging device, and an angle of an optical axis of the imaging device. One of more features of the object can be identified in an image of the object. The dimensions of the object can be determined based upon the distance, the angle, and the one or more identified features.

Abstract: Various implementations include devices and approaches for managing multimedia communications. In one aspect, a computer-implemented method of controlling a device connection includes: receiving audio data and video data from an input device connected with a peripheral bus input port; converting the audio data for transmission over an audio over internet protocol (IP) connection or a balun connection and converting the video data for transmission over a video over internet protocol (IP) connection or the balun connection; and transmitting the converted audio data and the converted video data for decoding and output to at least one output device via a multimedia audiovisual interface output port, where the peripheral bus input port is configured to support bidirectional audio and bidirectional video exchange with the input device and bidirectional exchange of IP-based control signals or balun-based control signals with the input device.

Abstract: An attachment for use with a mobile device with an imaging device and a mobile-device light source can include one or more of an attachment base and an attachment body. The attachment base can be configured to secure the attachment body to the mobile device via a case for the mobile device. The attachment body can include at least one optical device for use with the imaging device, and an optical sensor to receive optical control signals from the mobile-device light source.

Abstract: Hydrocarbons concentrations are determined in drilling cuttings samples by generating a model for predicting hydrocarbons concentrations. Methods include dividing multiple samples removed from drilling fluid into two one set analyzed using a retort, and another set analyzed using a handheld NIR spectrometer to obtain NIR diffuse reflectance data. PLS analysis is used to correlate the retort data with the diffuse reflectance data to generate a calibration model. The model is validated with samples having unknown hydrocarbons concentration. The model is used to predict the hydrocarbons concentration for samples removed from drilling fluid taken from the rig site using the spectrometer to obtain diffuse reflectance data. During measurements, each sample contains 0.1 to 10 wt % moisture and each sample is in a clear container pressed against the spectrometer window such that the IR source from the handheld device can pass to the drilled solids sample within the clear container without opening the clear container.