Abstract: Active superhydrophobic surface structures are actively-controlled surface structures exhibiting a superhydrophobic state and an ordinary state. Active superhydrophobic surface structures comprise an outer elastomeric covering defining an exposed surface, a controlled group of MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical system) actuators at least covered by the elastomeric covering, and, a controlled region of the exposed surface corresponding to the controlled group. The controlled region has a superhydrophobic state in which the controlled region is textured. The controlled region also has an ordinary state in which the controlled region is smooth (i.e., less textured than in the superhydrophobic state). Active superhydrophobic surface structures may be part of an apparatus that includes a controller and/or one or more sensors. The controller, sensors, and the controlled region may form a feedback loop in which the active superhydrophobic surface is actively controlled.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a vehicle suspension system gas spring. In one embodiment, a vehicle suspension system gas spring includes a compressible main gas chamber and an additional volume combinable with the main chamber to change a gas spring rate of the system. In one embodiment, a low friction piston seal is created by a flexible seal member.

Abstract: Transfer of objects between spacecraft can be achieved in a low gravity environment. A capture device can be part of a module that facilitates visualization of a vessel that approaches the capture device. The module can facilitate positioning of the capture device for reception of the vessel. The capture device can include spring-loaded locking arms that both allow receipt and prevent escape of the vessel. At least a portion of each locking arm can extend radially inwardly and axially toward a cushion damper of the capture device. The locking arms can move radially away from each other upon application of a force from the vessel that is axially toward the cushion damper. The locking arms can move radially toward each other upon application of a force from the vessel that is axially away from the cushion damper.

Abstract: Aneurysm embolization devices made from laser cut NITINOL types of metals are highly differentiated by their form, which governs function, in addressing acute states of aneurysm to achieve improved clinical outcomes, namely better results with fewer devices needed, alone or in complement with conventional coils and devices.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein cover a hierarchical machine learning system with a separated perception subsystem (that includes a hierarchy of nodes having at least a first layer and a second layer) and application subsystem. In one example embodiment a first node in the first layer processes a first input and processes at least a portion of the first input to generate a first feature vector. A second node in the second layer processes a second input comprising at least a portion of the first feature vector to generate a second feature vector. The first node generates a first sparse feature vector from the first feature vector and/or the second node generates a second sparse feature vector from the second feature vector. A third node of the perception subsystem then processes at least one of the first sparse feature vector or the second sparse feature vector to determine an output.

Abstract: Described herein are various embodiments of systems, methods, and apparatus that allow a user to share data, such as one or more files from within an application with one or more other (not necessarily co-located) computing devices using a gesture-based sharing function. In a particular example, systems, methods, and apparatus described herein may be used to share graphical representations of chemical structures within a chemical structure rendering application between two or more user devices. By offering a user a quick and visually intuitive option for sharing a file with other user(s) without exiting a current application, the systems, methods, and apparatus described herein provide efficient and engaging tools for sharing work product in real time between two or more users.

Abstract: Pressure-sensitive valves are incorporated within a dampening system to permit user-adjustable tuning of a shock absorber. In one embodiment, a pressure-sensitive valve includes an isolated gas chamber having a pressure therein that is settable by a user.

Abstract: Aneurysm embolization devices made from contiguous superelastic shape-memory material that self-expands for intrasaccular aneurysm treatment.

Abstract: Systems and method for delivering and deploying an expandable stent to treat Intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) involving large and medium-sized blood vessels. The disclosed systems include a catheter, a shaft comprising a distal end disposed within the catheter, an expandable stent comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the shaft is coupled to the expandable stent and the shaft is disposed within the expandable stent, and a plurality of struts, wherein a first end of each strut is coupled to the shaft and a second end of each strut is coupled to the expandable stent. Longitudinal movement of the shaft relative to the expandable stent extends the plurality of struts radially outward and expands the expandable stent, similar to umbrella. The plurality of struts provides radial force to the expandable stent in an expanded configuration to the vessel walls of the patient.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a vehicle suspension system gas spring. In one embodiment, a vehicle suspension system gas spring includes a compressible main gas chamber and an additional volume combinable with the main chamber to change a gas spring rate of the system. In one embodiment, a low friction piston seal is created by a flexible seal member.

Abstract: An endoluminal prosthesis system deployable in a region of a patient's vasculature having one or more branch vessels, having a main graft body having a first opening in a wall portion of the main graft body and a pre-loaded guidewire positioned inside the main graft body and advanced through the first opening. One or more branch grafts can be attached to the main graft body to cover one or more openings in the main graft body.

Abstract: Artificial assistant system notification techniques are described that overcome the challenges of conventional search techniques. In one example, a user profile is generated to describe aspects of products or services learned through natural language conversations between a user and an artificial assistant system. These aspects may include price as well as non-price aspects such as color, texture, material, and so forth. To learn the aspects, the artificial assistant system may leverage spoken utterances and text initiated by the user as well as learn the aspects from digital images output as part of the conversation. Once generated, the user profile is then usable by the artificial assistant system to assist in subsequent searches.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension damper for providing a variable damping rate. The vehicle suspension damper comprises a first damping mechanism having a variable first threshold pressure, a second damping mechanism having a second threshold pressure, and a compressible chamber in communication with a damping fluid chamber, wherein the second damping mechanism is responsive to a compression of said compressible chamber.

Abstract: Some embodiments described herein cover a machine learning architecture with a separated perception subsystem and application subsystem. These subsystems can be co-trained to yield a lifelong learning system that can capture spatio-temporal regularities in its inputs. In one example embodiment a first node of the machine learning architecture receives a data item. The first node receives a first feature vector that was generated at a first time. The first node processes information from at least a portion of the data item and at least a portion of the first feature vector at a second time to generate a second feature vector. The first node generates a sparse feature vector from the second feature vector, wherein a majority of feature elements in the sparse feature vector have a value of zero. A second node of the machine learning architecture then processes the sparse feature vector to determine a first output.

Abstract: An endoluminal prosthesis system deployable in a region of a patient's vasculature having one or more branch vessels, having a main graft body having a first opening in a wall portion of the main graft body and a pre-loaded guidewire positioned inside the main graft body and advanced through the first opening. One or more branch grafts can be attached to the main graft body to cover one or more openings in the main graft body.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension damper for providing a variable damping rate. The vehicle suspension damper comprises a first damping mechanism having a variable first threshold pressure, a second damping mechanism having a second threshold pressure, and a compressible chamber in communication with a damping fluid chamber, wherein the second damping mechanism is responsive to a compression of said compressible chamber.

Abstract: In one embodiment synthetic training data items are generated, each comprising a) a textual representation of a synthetic sentence and b) one or more transcodes of the synthetic sentence comprising one or more actions and one or more entities associated with the one or more actions. For each synthetic training data item, the textual representation of the synthetic sentence is converted into a sequence of phonemes that represent the synthetic sentence. A first machine learning model is then trained as a transcoder that determines transcodes comprising actions and associated entities from sequences of phonemes, wherein the training is performed using a first training dataset comprising the plurality of synthetic training data items that comprise a) sequences phonemes that represent synthetic sentences and b) transcodes of the synthetic sentences. The transcoder may be used in a conversational agent.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein cover a hierarchical machine learning system with a separated perception subsystem (that includes a hierarchy of nodes having at least a first layer and a second layer) and application subsystem. In one example embodiment a first node in the first layer processes a first input and processes at least a portion of the first input to generate a first feature vector. A second node in the second layer processes a second input comprising at least a portion of the first feature vector to generate a second feature vector. The first node generates a first sparse feature vector from the first feature vector and/or the second node generates a second sparse feature vector from the second feature vector. A third node of the perception subsystem then processes at least one of the first sparse feature vector or the second sparse feature vector to determine an output.

Abstract: Systems, methods and articles of manufacture to perform an operation comprising receiving, from one of a plurality of stations, a message which includes at least a random number and a first hash value of the random number concatenated with a first key, comparing the first hash value to one or more second hash values, wherein each second hash value is generated by hashing the random number concatenated with one of a plurality of second keys and wherein each second key corresponds to a registered device of a device identification system, upon determining the first hash value matches one of the second hash values, determining an identity of the mobile device based on the corresponding second key, and based on the location of the station which sent the message, assigning a location to the mobile device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a computer system and method for facilitating a transaction between a buyer and a seller. The seller is one of multiple available providers of a product and/or service. Initially, the buyer sends out an order, and the order is automatically verified. A seller is then determined based on at least one desirable characteristic of that particular seller. Then, the order is automatically translated into a format understandable by the desired seller. The order is communicated to the desired seller and the status of the order is later communicated to the buyer.