Abstract: A computer-implemented method controls aspects of a surveillance system using gestures and/or voice commands, and comprises: receiving one or both of an operator's skeleton input data and voice input data from a gesture detection camera and a microphone; using a processor, matching one or both of the received skeleton input data with a gesture stored in a database and the received voice input data with a text string stored in the database; matching one or both of the gesture and text string to a corresponding video management program command stored on the database; and transmitting the one or more video management program commands to a video management program of the surveillance system.

Abstract: A systemic dual motor framing for a watercraft is provided as is the overall system. The systemic dual motor framing is movable between a folded condition and an unfolded condition for attaching with the assistance of strapping to a stern of the watercraft, sleeve-like, either by sliding over the stern end or strapping around the stern. In the unfolded condition, the systemic dual motor framing facilities the strapping while maintaining a motor on each side of the watercraft, wherein the two motors can be selectively powered in conjunction remotely.

Abstract: A system segments a set of images of a property to identify a type of damage to the property. The system receives, from an image capturing device, a digital image of a roof or other feature of the property. The system processes the image to identify a set of segments, in which each segment corresponds to a piece of the feature, such as a tab or tooth of a shingle on the roof. The system saves a result of the processing to a data file as a segmented image of the property, and it uses the segmented image to identify a type of damage to the property.

Abstract: A fiber-optic interconnection stabilization apparatus for a measurement system is provided. The apparatus may comprise a main body comprising an enclosure and two openings. The enclosure may encase a fiber-optic cable within the main body in an organized manner. The two openings may fit connecting ends of the fiber-optic cable such that the connecting ends of may be exposed in order to connect two modular components of a measurement system and form a closed measurement loop. The main body, when in a closed configuration, may stabilizes the fiber-optic cable encased within from external conditions, such as mechanical, thermal, or other environmental conditions that may affect measurements.

Abstract: A system for measuring a polarization extinction ratio (PER) using a reference master test jumper (MTJ) is disclosed. The system may include an optical source to transmit an optical signal via an optical fiber. The system may also include a device under test (DUT) communicatively coupled to the optical source via the optical fiber to receive the optical signal from the optical source. The system may also include an optical measurement component communicatively coupled to the device under test (DUT). In some examples, the optical fiber may be configured or initialized to be a reference master test jumper (MTJ) that minimizes inherent polarization extinction ratio (PER) of the optical fiber when measuring a polarization extinction ratio (PER) during a measurement action.

Abstract: A method of changing a virtual world of a computer-implemented game based on real-world locations of players of the computer-implemented game is disclosed. A presence of a player of the computer-implemented game is detected at a physical location. A presence of an additional player of the computer-implemented game is detected at the physical location based on a communication received from the player of the computer-implemented game. An aspect of the virtual world of the computer-implemented game is changed based on the detecting of the presence of the player at the physical location and the detecting of the presence of the additional player of the computer-implemented game at the physical location.

Abstract: A fiber-optic interconnection stabilization apparatus for a measurement system is provided. The apparatus may comprise a main body comprising an enclosure and two openings. The enclosure may encase a fiber-optic cable within the main body in an organized manner. The two openings may fit connecting ends of the fiber-optic cable such that the connecting ends of may be exposed in order to connect two modular components of a measurement system and form a closed measurement loop. The main body, when in a closed configuration, may stabilizes the fiber-optic cable encased within from external conditions, such as mechanical, thermal, or other environmental conditions that may affect measurements.

Abstract: A system for controlling a fermentation system is described. The system can be controlled remotely by a user via cloud-based access to a computing platform connected to the fermentation system. A user can enter in an experimental protocol and make changes to the protocol in real-time.

Abstract: A test instrument tests an optical component of a fiber optic network. The test instrument determines signal parameters describing pulses to be emitted by lasers of the test instrument to test the optical component, and directly modulates the lasers to repeatedly emit the pulses at different wavelengths on a single fiber optic cable in a time division multiplexing manner. The test instrument triggers powering measurements to coincide with the emitted pulses, and determines performance parameters of the optical component based on the triggered power measurements.

Abstract: A method of providing virtual items based on location-based action is disclosed. An indication is received of a performance of a location-based action by a player of a computer-implemented game. A virtual item is provided based on the receiving of the indication of the performance of the location-based action by the player of the computer-implemented game. The virtual item may be usable within the computer-implemented game.

Abstract: A system for measuring a polarization extinction ratio (PER) using a reference master test jumper (MTJ) is disclosed. The system may include an optical source to transmit an optical signal via an optical fiber. The system may also include a device under test (DUT) communicatively coupled to the optical source via the optical fiber to receive the optical signal from the optical source. The system may also include an optical measurement component communicatively coupled to the device under test (DUT). In some examples, the optical fiber may be configured or initialized to be a reference master test jumper (MTJ) that minimizes inherent polarization extinction ratio (PER) of the optical fiber when measuring a polarization extinction ratio (PER) during a measurement action.

Abstract: A method of incentivizing location-based actions by groups is disclosed. A group of users of a game networking system is notified that an incentive reward is to be provided based on a number of members of the group performing a location-based action transgressing a threshold. The incentive reward is provided based on the number of members of the group performing the location-based action transgressing the threshold.

Abstract: An adjustable orthopedic pillow includes a plurality of sections separated by dividers. Each section includes a head support fill chamber, a comfort layer fill chamber, a primary cervical support fill chamber, and a secondary cervical support fill chamber. The primary cervical support fill chamber can be positioned between at least a portion of the head support fill chamber and at least a portion of the comfort layer fill chamber and can an opening at a superior portion of the primary cervical support fill chamber. The secondary cervical support fill chamber can be positioned between at least a portion of the head support fill chamber and at least a portion of primary cervical support fill chamber and can include an opening at an inferior portion of the secondary cervical support fill chamber.

Abstract: A system and method to identify the leader of a group in a retail, restaurant, or queue-type setting (or virtually any setting) through recognition of payment gestures. The method comprises acquiring initial video of a group, developing feature models for members of the group, acquiring video at a payment location, identifying a payment gesture in the acquired video, defining the person making the gesture as the leader of the group, and forwarding/backtracking through the video to identify timings associated with leader events (e.g., entering, exiting, ordering, etc.).

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining an apparent skin age of a person and providing customized skin care product recommendations. The system utilizes a computing device to mask facial macro features in an image of a person and then analyze the image with a convolutional neural network to determine an apparent skin age of the person. Determining the apparent skin age may include identifying at least one pixel that is indicative of skin age and utilizing the at least one pixel to provide the apparent skin age. The system may be used to determine a target skin age of a person, determine a skin care product or skin care regimen for achieving the target skin age, and provide an option for a user to purchase the product.

Abstract: A test instrument tests an optical component of a fiber optic network. The test instrument determines signal parameters describing pulses to be emitted by lasers of the test instrument to test the optical component, and directly modulates the lasers to repeatedly emit the pulses at different wavelengths on a single fiber optic cable in a time division multiplexing manner. The test instrument triggers powering measurements to coincide with the emitted pulses, and determines performance parameters of the optical component based on the triggered power measurements.

Abstract: A fermentation automation workcell is provided. The fermentation automation workcell may permit automated seed train preparation, fermentation, and post-fermentation sample handling. The fermentation automation workcell may include one or more robotic handling devices that may aid in the automated process. A bioreactor array may include a plurality of modularized bioreactors that may be individually varied and/or controlled.

Abstract: A turbine vane assembly adapted for use in a gas turbine engine includes a support strut and a turbine vane arranged around the support strut. The support strut is made of metallic materials. The turbine vane is made of ceramic matrix composite materials to insulate the metallic materials of the support strut.

Abstract: A turbine vane assembly adapted for use in a gas turbine engine includes a support strut and a turbine vane arranged around the support strut. The support strut is made of metallic materials. The turbine vane is made of ceramic matrix composite materials to insulate the metallic materials of the support strut.

Abstract: A method, in a computing device, of automatic contextual task presentation, includes: storing, in a memory of the computing device, a sequence of task instructions for presentation to an operator of the computing device via an output assembly connected to the mobile computing device; detecting, via an input assembly of the computing device, a task initiation event; responsive to detecting the task initiation event: controlling the output assembly to present a first task instruction from the sequence to the operator; obtaining orientation data corresponding to the operator from an inertial measurement unit associated with the computing device; based on the orientation data, tracking an accumulated operator orientation change since the detection of the task initiation event; and when the accumulated operator orientation change exceeds a threshold, controlling the output assembly to present a second task instruction from the sequence to the operator.