Abstract: Techniques disclosed herein provide a user experience with virtual reality content and user-selected, real world objects. An exemplary technique involves receiving input selecting a subset of the real world objects in a selection view. The subset of the real world objects is selected for inclusion in the user experience. The technique further involves identifying virtual reality content for inclusion in the user experience. The technique provides the user experience by combining a live view of the user's real world environment with the virtual reality content. The real world objects in the live view that are in the subset selected by the user are visible in the user experience. The real world objects in the live view that are not in the subset selected by the user are replaced with virtual reality content.

Abstract: A system and method allow a user or business entity to create customized rules for bidding on keywords to/from a search engine. A bid automation engine allows a user or business entity to specify a number of rules for bidding on keywords used in Internet advertising campaigns. The bid automation engine may be part of, or interface with, a web analytics tool and/or a bid management system to provide user-defined strategies for bidding on keywords. Accordingly, a user or business entity may set up a customized bidding strategy for keywords by building sets of bidding rules.

Abstract: A method is described of mixing fluid materials, including solids and gases. The materials to be mixed are introduced between two cylindrical rotors mounted in parallel on a motorized shaft. The rotors have arrays of cavities on their cylindrical surfaces and rotate within close proximity to the interior of a cylindrical shell. Passage of the fluid between the rotating rotors and the interior surface of the cylindrical shell causes cavitation, which mixes the materials. The mixture is passed to outlets on the far sides of the rotors from the inlet. Apparatus is described for extending the flow path of the materials and thus increasing exposure to the cavitation process.

Abstract: A self-contained illuminated sign for mounting on a vehicle is disclosed. The sign includes a front panel, a rear panel situated opposite and substantially parallel to the front panel in spaced relation therefrom to define a space therebetween, and a light source comprising a plurality of LEDs. The light source is positioned between the front and rear panels and is configured to emit light that emanates from the front panel. The front panel is thus backlit to display indicia. A system for supporting a self-contained illuminated sign on a vehicle is also disclosed. The system includes the sign and a separate mounting frame mountable on a vehicle. The mounting frame is configured to removably receive the sign and, when the sign is received in the mounting frame, to surround a perimeter of the sign while permitting visibility of the front display area. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and non-transitory computer readable storage media are disclosed for dynamically generating discounted product digital notifications based on remaining product shelf life. For example, in one or more embodiments, the disclosed system determines an expiration date or a target product available for purchase from a merchant. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the disclosed system utilizes a machine-learning model to dynamically generate discount prices for the target product over time based on the expiration date. In one or more embodiments, the disclosed system identifies a client device of a customer and provides a discount price for the target product for a given time window to the client device of the customer.

Abstract: A portable liquid-filtration device includes an inlet port, a filtering portion including a filtering medium and fluidly coupled to the inlet port, a filtered-liquid output port fluidly coupled to the filtering portion, a flush port fluidly coupled to the filtering portion, and a manually activated pump assembly fluidly coupled to the inlet port, filtering portion, output port and flush port. The pump assembly is configured, when activated, to create a negative fluid pressure at the inlet port and a positive fluid pressure at the output port and the flush port. As a consequence of activation of the pump assembly, the filtering portion receives unfiltered liquid from the inlet port, the output port receives from the filtering portion only liquid traversing the filtering medium in a first direction, and the flush port receives from the filtering portion liquid traversing the filtering medium in a second direction different from the first direction.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for determining a noise level associated with an autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle can include a passenger compartment configured to house one or more passengers. A method can include positioning one or more microphones at one or more locations in the passenger compartment, collecting first data indicative of a first sound level by the one or more microphones with the autonomous vehicle operating at a first operating condition, implementing an operating condition change for the autonomous vehicle from the first operating condition to a second operating condition, collecting second data indicative of a second sound level by the one or more microphones, and determining a noise level associated with the autonomous vehicle based at least in part on the first data and the second data.

Abstract: A cyclonic separation apparatus for a vacuum cleaner comprising: a cyclone with a longitudinal central axis; a discharge nozzle at a longitudinal end of the cyclone; an air inlet port arranged tangentially through a side of the cyclone; an air outlet port through an opposite longitudinal end of the cyclone; and a dirt container in communication with the cyclone, wherein the dirt container comprises: a base wall penetrated by the discharge nozzle; a top wall spaced apart from the base wall; and a perimeter wall interposing the base wall and the top wall, wherein the dirt container is arranged to convey air flow from the cyclone in an elongate circuit defined by the perimeter wall. A vacuum cleaner comprising: a motor coupled to a fan for generating air flow; and the cyclonic separation apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of indirectly determining the optical signal-noise ratio of an optical fibre communications link. In a test environment, the relationship between OSNR and pre-FEC BER (forward error-corrected bit error rate) is determined for a particular type of optical transponder. When a transponder of that type is connected to an optical communications link then the pre-FEC BER can be measured and the OSNR inferred from the pre-determined OSNR-BER relationship. The OSNR value can then be used to select a transponder modulation format or other transmission parameters.

Abstract: A support pedestal is provided that includes a substrate having a top resistive layer defining a first set of zones and a bottom resistive layer defining a second set of zones. Each zone of the first and second set of zones is coupled to at least two electric terminals from among a plurality of electric terminals, and a total number of electric terminals is less than or equal to a total of the first and second set of zones.

Abstract: A method of constructing a heater includes the steps of forming a sintered assembly including a ceramic substrate and a plurality of first slugs embedded therein, forming a functional element on one of opposing surfaces of the sintered assembly such that the functional element is connected to the plurality of first slugs, and forming a monolithic substrate in which the functional element and the plurality of first slugs are embedded.

Abstract: A method of constructing a heater includes providing a substrate, forming at least one trench into the substrate, depositing a functional material onto the substrate and into the at least one trench to form a functional element, and providing an electrical termination in contact with the functional element.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a support pedestal that includes a support member including a resistive layer having at least two zones, a routing layer, and a plurality of conductive vias. The resistive layer and the routing layer are disposed in different planes of the support member and are connected by the plurality of vias. The number of zones of the resistive layer is greater than or equal to a number of wires coupled to the routing layer. The routing layer may include a plurality of arm portions that extend from a central region of the routing layer. The support pedestal may further include a second resistive layer disposed along the same plane as the routing layer.

Abstract: The disclosure describes systems and methods of analyzing interactions with a user interface for an application, where the user interface is implemented at least partly within a virtual reality environment. Certain embodiments provide for receiving interactions that include gestures, spatial contexts, and applications contexts, and receiving results from the application, such as application behavior or error conditions. The user interface interactions and the application results are analyzed. Events, metrics, and relationships are determined based on the analysis. In some cases, additional data (such as historical interactions and results, system environment data, or system configuration data) are received and analyzed, and the determined relationships are further based on the additional data.

Abstract: Heavy fluids are made from calcium bromide and at least one hydrogen bond donor such as a low molecular weight polyol or an organic acid. The combination of a hydrogen bond donor and calcium bromide as a hydrogen bond acceptor in an appropriate molar ratio forms a higher density clear completion fluid at a low temperature not otherwise obtainable with heavy aqueous solutions of calcium bromide such as are used in oilfield wells. A method of making the fluid comprises mixing calcium bromide with the polyol(s) in the presence of water and then reducing the water content, thus forming a heavy fluid. A crystallization inhibitor such as nitrilitriacetamide or a particulate silicate is included in the formulation. When the heavy fluid “freezes,” its physical form is somewhat amorphous and pumpable rather than crystalline. The heavy fluid is useful as a drilling fluid as well as a completion fluid and for other purposes in oil recovery processes where extreme density is beneficial.

Abstract: An electric machine coupled to rotating machinery includes a rotor and a stator, and the method of control of an electric machine and an electric machine control system. The method includes sensing one or more parameters indicative of one or more resonance conditions of the rotating machinery, and comparing the sensed parameter to a predetermined threshold to determine whether the rotating machinery is operating at the resonance condition. Where the rotating machinery is determined to be operating at the resonance condition, adjusting a magnetic field of one or both of the rotor and the stator to provide a predetermined torque to the rotating machine, to modulate the stiffness of the rotational machinery, and thereby move the resonance condition away from the current rotating machinery conditions.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable storage media for improving predictive analytics for performance of digital design assets. In particular, one or more embodiments train a machine-learning model based on previously used digital design assets. One or more embodiments use the machine-learning model to analyze attributes of a user-generated digital design asset to generate an asset score that predicts the performance of the user-generated digital design asset for a target audience segment. One or more embodiments also use the machine-learning model to generate attribute scores for the attributes, and then generate the asset score based on the attribute scores. Additionally, one or more embodiments then provide the asset score to a user (e.g., a content creator) within an asset creation application to allow the user to improve the digital design asset for use in one or more digital content campaigns directed to the target audience segment.

Abstract: The disclosure describes systems and methods of analyzing interactions with a user interface for an application, where the user interface is implemented at least partly within a virtual reality environment. Certain embodiments provide for receiving interactions that include gestures, spatial contexts, and applications contexts, and receiving results from the application, such as application behavior or error conditions. The user interface interactions and the application results are analyzed. Events, metrics, and relationships are determined based on the analysis. In some cases, additional data (such as historical interactions and results, system environment data, or system configuration data) are received and analyzed, and the determined relationships are further based on the additional data.

Abstract: Methods and systems for inserting targeted advertisements into video content. One or more embodiments analyze video content to identify media insertion locations on digital object surfaces for inserting advertisements. Additionally, one or more embodiments select advertisements to insert into the video content at the media insertion locations based on the media insertion locations, a viewer, or a viewing device of the viewer. One or more embodiments also digitally insert the advertisements into the video content by placing the selected advertisements at the media insertion locations corresponding to the digital object surfaces. One or more embodiments then provide the video content with the targeted advertisements to the viewing device of the viewer.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes methods and systems for providing virtual reality content based on user biometric data. In particular, the disclosed systems and methods can modify virtual reality content to elicit target user responses and/or target user actions. Specifically, the disclosed systems and methods generate biometric response thresholds and determine user responses by comparing biometric data with the biometric response thresholds. The disclosed systems and methods select virtual reality content based on the user response to drive the user toward a particular target user response and/or target user action. The disclosed systems and methods also tailor virtual reality content to individual characteristics of the user. For example, the disclosed systems and methods select virtual reality content based on baseline biometric characteristics and corresponding response categories of a user.