Abstract: A home automation (HA) system may include a cloud media content server and HA operation devices within a structure. The HA system may also include HA user interface devices for respective users within the structure. Each HA user interface device may be configured to wirelessly communicate with at least one of the HA operation devices to perform at least one HA operation and provide stored media content to the respective user. A designated HA user interface device from among the HA user interface devices may be configured to download media content from the cloud media content server, and push the downloaded media content to others of the HA user interface devices within the structure for storage so that the others of the HA user interface devices do not communicate with the cloud media content server relating to the downloaded media content.

Abstract: A home automation (HA) system may include, within a senior living facility, a cloud server, HA operation devices and HA user interface devices for respective users. Each HA user interface device may wirelessly communicate with the HA operation devices and the cloud server. HA hub devices may provide communications for the HA user interface devices, the HA operation devices, and the cloud server. A caregiver interface device may cooperate with the cloud server to display contextual information for a respective user. The cloud server may cooperate with the caregiver interface device to determine when the caregiver interface device is within a room in the senior living facility associated with the respective user, and when so, determine a current operation of a given HA operation device, determine the contextual information based upon the current operation of the given HA operation device, and communicate the contextual information to the caregiver interface device.

Abstract: A home automation (HA) system to be used within a structure may include a communications network extending within the structure and HA operation devices within the structure. The HA system may also include HA user interface devices for respective users within the structure and HA hub devices within the structure to provide communications via the communications network for the HA user interface devices and the HA operation devices. Each HA hub device may have a processing capacity associated therewith and determine a shareable processing capacity for sharing with at least one other HA hub device based upon a current processing capacity and at least one of the HA operation devices. Each HA hub device may also communicate the amount of shareable processing capacity to another HA hub device and perform processing operations for the other HA hub device based upon the communicated shareable processing capacity.

Abstract: A home automation (HA) system may include addressable HA devices each having associated therewith a respective device capability, device configuration, and device state. The HA system may also include a cloud message queue controller and a cloud message queue memory coupled thereto in the cloud for storing the device configurations, device capabilities, and device states for the addressable HA devices. The HA system may also include a home device message queue controller and a home device message queue memory coupled thereto for storing the device configurations, device capabilities, and device states for the addressable HA devices. The cloud message queue controller and the home device message queue controller may synchronize device configurations, device capabilities, and device states for the addressable HA devices.

Abstract: Techniques for analyzing stored video upon a request are described. For example, a method of receiving a first application programming interface (API) request to analyze a stored video, the API request to include a location of the stored video and at least one analysis action to perform on the stored video; accessing the location of the stored video to retrieve the stored video; segmenting the accessed video into chunks; processing each chunk with a chunk processor to perform the at least one analysis action, each chunk processor to utilize at least one machine learning model in performing the at least one analysis action; joining the results of the processing of each chunk to generate a final result; storing the final result; and providing the final result to a requestor in response to a second API request is described.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a battery control module and a controller. The battery control module is configured to issue at regular intervals a message indicative of a state of charge (SOC) of a battery. The controller is configured to, in an absence of receiving the messages at the regular intervals while in a key-on state and a torque demand is present, restrict power flow between the battery and an electric powertrain to a limit that is based on a predicted SOC to provide limited propulsive force.

Abstract: Techniques and arrangements for creating a data structure for recording interactions between a first user and a second user for interactions to occur at a specified future time. The techniques and arrangements include facilitating annotation of the data structure. At the specified future time, the created data structure may be used to track items ordered, track tenders used to pay for items, and the like.

Abstract: A humidification system can include a heater base, a humidification chamber, and a breathing circuit. A cartridge can be removably coupled to the heater base. The cartridge can include various sensors, probes, sensor wire connectors, heater wire connectors, and/or other features. The cartridge can include features configured to mate with corresponding features on the humidification chamber and the heater base. The cartridge includes a memory, such as an EEPROM, or other suitable storage device. When the cartridge is installed on the heater base, the memory is electrically connected to a processor and/or memory of the heater base. Various models of cartridges can be produced for use with different humidification chambers, breathing circuits, and/or therapies. A connector can couple an inspiratory conduit to an outlet port of the humidification chamber. The connector can provide a pneumatic connection to the outlet port and an electrical connection to the cartridge.

Abstract: An automated commissioning and floorplan configuration (CAFC) device can include a CAFC system having a transceiver and a CAFC engine, where the transceiver communicates with at least one device disposed in a volume of space, where the CAFC engine, based on communication between the transceiver and the at least one device, commissions the at least one device.

Abstract: A motor vehicle seating assembly for a motor vehicle has upwardly extending seat back assembly comprising a seat back frame, a decorative seat back rear panel module, and a seat back cushion and suspension module attached to the seat back frame. The seat back cushion and suspension module further comprises a one-piece composite inner carrier substrate having a pair of vertically extending side members, an upper transverse member, and a lower transverse member having an outer perimeter. A plurality of attachment openings is disposed about the outer perimeter at discrete locations. A seat back trim cover has an outer perimeter having a plurality of seat back trim cover attachment fasteners disposed about a perimeter of the seat back trim cover at locations corresponding to the discrete locations of the outer perimeter of the one-piece composite inner carrier substrate.

Abstract: A home automation (HA) system may include addressable HA devices, and a processor and a memory associated therewith. The processor implements a message queue for generating generic messages for respective ones of the plurality of addressable HA devices and implements sandboxed bridges each configured to convert a generic message from the message queue into a specific message for a given one of the addressable HA devices. Upon a failure of one of the sandboxed bridges, the processor reloads the failed sandboxed bridge while maintaining operational the other sandboxed bridges.

Abstract: This disclosure describes, in part, techniques for collecting customer information of users at a centralized location and utilizing the information in an intelligent manner to assist customers in improving spending habits and in meeting budgetary goals. In some instances, the centralized location is a payment service that functions to both authorize payment instruments of users for costs of transactions conducted at the merchant, and to collect, generate and propagate budgetary profiles, to make budgetary suggestions and perform budgetary operations with regard to interactions of the merchants and the users.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for analyzing the material properties and behavior of cement as it hydrates under simulated downhole conditions. A wellbore cement simulator includes a temperature and pressure controlled innermost oil-filled container; an annulus in contact with the innermost container configured to hold a cement sample; a mesh sleeve in contact with the annulus wherein the mesh sleeve is water permeable to permit hydration of the cement sample; a steel sleeve in contact with the mesh sleeve; an elastomeric bladder surrounding the steel sleeve; and a temperature and pressure controlled outermost oil-filled container.

Abstract: A home automation (HA) system may include addressable HA devices each having associated therewith a respective device capability, device configuration, and device state. The HA system may also include a cloud message queue controller and a cloud message queue memory coupled thereto in the cloud for storing the device configurations, device capabilities, and device states for the addressable HA devices. The HA system may also include a home device message queue controller and a home device message queue memory coupled thereto for storing the device configurations, device capabilities, and device states for the addressable HA devices. The cloud message queue controller and the home device message queue controller may synchronize device configurations, device capabilities, and device states for the addressable HA devices.

Abstract: Techniques and arrangements for analyzing previous tickets of a customer at different merchants—specifying interactions of the customer at the different merchants—to determine subsequent recommendations to send to a particular merchant in real-time when the customer is located at the particular merchant. Other techniques and arrangements facilitate annotation of merchant tickets by the merchants to enrich the data maintained by the tickets and, in some instances, to enhance the described real-time recommendations. Still other techniques and arrangements create a merchant ticket for recording interactions between a merchant and customer upon the customer creating a reservation at the merchant for a specified future time, or being added to a waitlist of the merchant. Upon the customer arriving at the merchant proximate to the specified future time, the merchant may use the created ticket to track items ordered by the merchants, track tenders used to pay for items, and the like.

Abstract: A method, implemented in one or more controllers in a vehicle, includes, in a presence of a propulsive demand of the vehicle that is driven by an engine and an electric machine, holding electric machine current at a predetermined magnitude and sweeping an angle, defined between a reference current and a reference Iq component, through a predetermined range. The method further includes operating the electric machine thereafter according to a resolver offset derived from a value of the angle corresponding to an Iq component crossing zero.

Abstract: A content server system provides a client device with content, such as an audio stream. Using various techniques, an estimate is made of the actual size of an audience associated with the provided content, rather than assuming that the audience is limited to a single user of the client device. The estimate may be made by the content server system, the client device, or the content server system and the client device collectively. Using the estimate of actual size of the audience, the content server system can take actions appropriate for the audience, such as providing advertisements appropriate for the size of the audience and for the collective characteristics of the audience members. The estimate of the actual audience size additionally allows the content server system to be compensated more precisely for any advertisements provided to that audience.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for monitoring amounts of submerged solid consumable. A GWR (Guided Wave Radar) component can provide a measurement of a reflection at a fixed position in a particle bed. The reflection represents aggregate dielectric properties in a vessel. The measurement includes hydrocarbon and solid consumable properties of a mixture in the vessel, wherein a measurement value is indicative of a greater amount of the solid consumable in the mixture in the vessel. If data is measured by the GWR component indicating that the measurement value is approaching the measurement value of the hydrocarbon, this data is indicative that the material (e.g., solid consumable such as salt) in the vessel should be replenished.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a hybrid powertrain. The hybrid powertrain includes an engine and an electric machine. In response to a loss of controllability of the electric machine, a controller is programmed to operate the powertrain in a limited operating mode. In the limited operating mode, the powertrain is controlled so that a speed of the engine is within a speed range such that the electric machine generates a current to charge a traction battery. In response to a loss of communication with a power inverter that controls the electric machine, the powertrain is controlled so that the speed of the engine is within the speed range and the current flowing to the traction battery is monitored. If the current flow is above a threshold, then the limited operating mode is entered.

Abstract: A method of managing torque at a vehicle standstill includes outputting torque from a powertrain to satisfy a driver torque demand. The method also includes, in response to a nonzero torque demand resulting in vehicle standstill, applying a friction brake to maintain the vehicle standstill and substantially reducing output torque of the powertrain during friction brake application. The method further includes satisfying driver torque demand using the powertrain and releasing the friction brake in response to the driver torque demand deviating from the nonzero torque demand by more than a predetermined amount.