Abstract: Systems and methods for providing content are disclosed. In an embodiment, information encoding at least one keyword that is associated with first content accessed by a user is received. A search query based at least in part on at least one keyword is executed to identify items. In response to a request from the user to access second content, a response is generated to the request that includes item information associated with at least a subset of the identified items. The response is provided to the user.

Abstract: One variation of a dynamic tactile interface includes: a substrate defining a fluid channel and a fluid conduit fluidly coupled to the fluid channel; a tactile layer comprising a peripheral region and a deformable region, the peripheral region coupled to the substrate, and the deformable region arranged over the fluid conduit, disconnected from the substrate, and operable between a retracted setting and an expanded setting, the deformable region elevated above the peripheral region in the expanded setting; a tube comprising a first end fluidly coupled to the fluid channel and constrained relative to the substrate; a volume of fluid within the tube; and a rotary actuator coupled to the tube remote from the first end and configured to transition the deformable region from the retracted setting to the expanded setting by winding the tube to displace a portion of the volume of fluid within the tube into the fluid channel.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for the transport of temperature sensitive products including an insulated container, an insulated lid, a fastener to secure the lid to the container, an active heat exchanger, a thermal circuit to circulate heat exchange, a temperature sensor read by a temperature regulating circuit that maintains a temperature range, a power source, and a support frame that arranges the elements of the device with the overall center of mass at a location adapted for transport and storage of the device. Disclosed is also a method of transport for temperature sensitive products including securing the temperature sensitive product within an insulated container with a lid, removing heat from the container to maintain a temperature range, strapping the device onto the user's back and adjusting to the shape of the user, freeing both hands during transport of the device, and minimizing hindrances to user mobility caused by the device.

Abstract: One variation of a dynamic tactile interface includes: a substrate defining a fluid channel and a fluid conduit fluidly coupled to the fluid channel; a tactile layer comprising a peripheral region and a deformable region, the peripheral region coupled to the substrate, and the deformable region arranged over the fluid conduit, disconnected from the substrate, and operable between a retracted setting and an expanded setting, the deformable region elevated above the peripheral region in the expanded setting; a tube comprising a first end fluidly coupled to the fluid channel and constrained relative to the substrate; a volume of fluid within the tube; and a rotary actuator coupled to the tube remote from the first end and configured to transition the deformable region from the retracted setting to the expanded setting by winding the tube to displace a portion of the volume of fluid within the tube into the fluid channel.

Abstract: An illumination device is disclosed. The illumination device includes a light source a pre-dip material that at least partially encapsulates the light source. The pre-dip material may include one or both of thermally-conductive particles and a cyclo-aliphatic composition. The pre-dip material may further include a resin and a hardener for the resin. Methods of manufacturing an illumination device are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for a variable animal interaction device including an animal interaction device; a shell at least partially embedded into the animal interaction device; a component that is substantially encapsulated within the shell, wherein the shell is a barrier between the animal and the component; a detection device that detects a change in the shell; a deterrent device that has at least an on and an off state wherein the on state substantially changes the animal interaction device to substantially deter further interaction between the animal and the animal interaction device; wherein the deterrent device is actuated into the on state when the detection device detects a change in the shell.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing content are disclosed. In an embodiment, information encoding at least one keyword that is associated with first content accessed by a user is received. A search query based at least in part on at least one keyword is executed to identify items. In response to a request from the user to access second content, a response is generated to the request that includes item information associated with at least a subset of the identified items. The response is provided to the user.

Abstract: An illumination device is disclosed. The illumination device includes a light source a pre-dip material that at least partially encapsulates the light source. The pre-dip material may include one or both of thermally-conductive particles and a cyclo-aliphatic composition. The pre-dip material may further include a resin and a hardener for the resin. Methods of manufacturing an illumination device are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and processes are described for generating a generic relationship dataset that can be adapted for use by multiple domain-specific applications. Such applications can include recommendation applications, search applications, optimization applications, and/or other applications. These systems and processes can analyze some or all actions of users with respect to a network application, such as a web application. Data representing user actions occurring in a time window can be paired together in the relationship dataset, together with one or more metrics related to the user actions. These metrics can represent general measurements that in certain embodiments are not customized for an individual application. As a result, separate domain-specific applications can independently analyze the relationship data according to different criteria without maintaining separate sets of the relationship data.

Abstract: One variation of a dynamic tactile interface includes: a substrate defining a fluid channel and a fluid conduit fluidly coupled to the fluid channel; a tactile layer comprising a peripheral region and a deformable region, the peripheral region coupled to the substrate, and the deformable region arranged over the fluid conduit, disconnected from the substrate, and operable between a retracted setting and an expanded setting, the deformable region elevated above the peripheral region in the expanded setting; a tube comprising a first end fluidly coupled to the fluid channel and constrained relative to the substrate; a volume of fluid within the tube; and a rotary actuator coupled to the tube remote from the first end and configured to transition the deformable region from the retracted setting to the expanded setting by winding the tube to displace a portion of the volume of fluid within the tube into the fluid channel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing content are disclosed. In an embodiment, information encoding at least one keyword that is associated with first content accessed by a user is received. A search query based at least in part on at least one keyword is executed to identify items. In response to a request from the user to access second content, a response is generated to the request that includes item information associated with at least a subset of the identified items. The response is provided to the user.

Abstract: An illumination device is disclosed. The illumination device includes a light source and a remoter phosphor configured to alter the color of light emitted by the light source. The remoter phosphor is provided with a substantially hemispherical shape that substantially corresponds to a radiation pattern of the light source, which helps to reduce or eliminate the occurrence of the yellow ring phenomenon, among other things. Methods of manufacturing an illumination device are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and processes are described for generating a generic relationship dataset that can be adapted for use by multiple domain-specific applications. Such applications can include recommendation applications, search applications, optimization applications, and/or other applications. These systems and processes can analyze some or all actions of users with respect to a network application, such as a web application. Data representing user actions occurring in a time window can be paired together in the relationship dataset, together with one or more metrics related to the user actions. These metrics can represent general measurements that in certain embodiments are not customized for an individual application. As a result, separate domain-specific applications can independently analyze the relationship data according to different criteria without maintaining separate sets of the relationship data.

Abstract: Haze formation in heavy Gas-to-Liquids (GTL) base stock is mitigated by the addition to said GTL base stock of one or more particular additives.

Abstract: A method of generating a panorama background from a set of images comprises dividing each of the images into blocks and comparing color-space features of corresponding blocks of the images to select background blocks. The selected background blocks are merged to generate the panorama background. An apparatus and computer readable medium embodying a computer program for generating a panorama background are also provided.

Abstract: Haze formation in heavy Gas-to-Liquids (GTL) base stock is mitigated by the addition to said GTL base stock of one or more particular additives.

Abstract: A method of estimating a shot boundary in a digital video sequence comprises calculating a measurement of dissimilarity between each frame in the video sequence and its previous frame based on at least one of de-emphasized luminance differences and absolute color differences. Each frame is tested against shot boundary dissimilarity thresholds using the dissimilarity measurement for the frame thereby to detect the shot boundary.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for the transport of temperature sensitive products including an insulated container, an insulated lid, a fastener to secure the lid to the container, an active heat exchanger, a thermal circuit to circulate heat exchange, a temperature sensor read by a temperature regulating circuit that maintains a temperature range, a power source, and a support frame that arranges the elements of the device with the overall center of mass at a location adapted for transport and storage of the device. Disclosed is also a method of transport for temperature sensitive products including securing the temperature sensitive product within an insulated container with a lid, removing heat from the container to maintain a temperature range, strapping the device onto the user's back and adjusting to the shape of the user, freeing both hands during transport of the device, and minimizing hindrances to user mobility caused by the device.

Abstract: A method of automatically estimating the layout of a sequentially ordered series of frames to be used to form a panorama comprises examining frames of the series to determine an initial flow direction and identifying a first interruption in the series of frames. The frames are then ranked in an evenly ranked matrix according to matrix dimensions based at least partly upon the initial flow direction and characteristics of the first interruption. An apparatus and computer readable media embodying a computer program for automatically estimating the layout of a sequentially ordered series of frames to be used to form a panorama are also provided.

Abstract: A bottled beverage dispenser includes a bottle receiving space for receiving a bottle having an opening to an interior containing a liquid. A fitting is sealed to the opening of the bottle. The fitting has an inlet passage and an outlet passage—each for communicating with the bottle interior. A dip tube extends from the outlet passage to a bottom portion of the bottle interior. An air pump is connected to the inlet and operates to pump air into the bottle interior above the liquid. A tap is connected inline with the dip tube and is user-activated to dispense liquid from the bottle interior.