Abstract: A tracking device can be reconfigured after an amount of operation to preserve the battery capacity of the tracking device and to ensure that the tracking device can be operated for a pre-determined threshold period of time. The tracking device can provide diagnostic information representative of a state of the tracking device, such as a current power capacity of the tracking device's battery, to a mobile device within a threshold proximity of the tracking device. The mobile device can then provide the diagnostic information to a tracking server, which in turn can provide reconfiguration instructions to the mobile device. The mobile device can then pass on the reconfiguration instructions to the tracking device, in response to which the tracking device can reconfigure itself.

Abstract: Automated migration systems and methods are described for generating guided user interfaces (GUIs) for tracking migrating legacy networked resources within a computer network environment during a technical migration. The automated migration systems and methods include loading, by a dashboard tracking application (app) implemented on a migration server according to first and second migration schema formats, into a migration database each of first and second reporting data and first and second tracking data corresponding to first and second legacy networked resources as tracked during an active migration session. The dashboard tracking app receives, during the active migration session, a dashboard request for graphical status of each of the first and second legacy networked resources, and automatically generates a tracking GUI rendering first and second statutes of the first and second legacy networked resources based on the first and second reporting data and the first and second tracking data.

Abstract: A method and system for the online vehicle rentals, such as a car share rental, allows for a customer to self-dispatch and self-return a rental vehicle without requiring special equipment in the rental vehicle or the presence of rental personnel at the dispatch or return location. At the beginning of the rental period, the customer is prompted to input to a rental management computer system, via a mobile computer device, information about the mileage and fuel level of the rental vehicle and to report existing damage to the rental vehicle. If the customer wishes to extend the rental time period, the customer is prompted to select a requested extended end time for the rental time period and to send the requested extended end time to the rental management computer system.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and software can be used to manage resource access. In some aspect, a user interface is outputted on an electronic device. The user interface includes information for resource access and a user interface object for controlling a resource access permission. A user input associated with the user interface object is received. In response to receiving the user input, the resource access permission is changed.

Abstract: A system comprising a computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for enhancing and personalizing an interactive marketplace. The systems and methods provided herein may allow a user to receive search results that are tailored to the user's personal preferences based on social and purchasing information known about the user. In addition, the systems and methods provided herein may provide shipping updates to a buyer that include a personalized message based on location information provided by the package being shipped. In addition, the systems and methods provided herein allow merchants to provide incentives and rewards for shoppers by participating in interactive shopping games.

Abstract: A downhole drilling tool, forming part of a subterranean drilling system, may include at least one plate secured to an exterior of an elongate body. Electronics may be disposed between the plate and the body to be protected by the plate while still readily accessible. A dynamic element may be radially extendable from the plate to engage an inner wall of a borehole being drilled. If this radially-extendable element becomes worn or damaged from this engagement, the plate may be replaced. More expensive components of the drilling tool may be contained within the elongate body, rather than the plate, thus reducing replacement frequency. Additionally, plates including unique features may be employed at different times without altering the underlying elongate body.

Abstract: A multi-device wireless charger may include a charging surface disposed onto a housing structure, wherein the housing structure includes coils or other induction generating features and other electronic components that enable wireless charging via electromagnetic induction. Further, the housing structure may also include adjustable securing features, such that the multi-device wireless charger may be adjusted to accommodate more than one type of wirelessly chargeable mobile device. In one example, the securing features may include a tambour sliding surface disposed over the charging surface, positionable via a protruding member. In another example, the securing features may include at least pairs of cooperating sliding armatures. In another example, the securing features may include at least two spring-loaded sliding mechanisms configured to interoperate with a stabilizing member via spring mechanisms. The method may involve adjusting the securing features and then securing the device.

Abstract: A cutting element includes a body, a non-planar cutting face formed on a first end of the body, and an edge formed around a perimeter of the cutting face. The cutting face includes a central raised portion, and the edge has an edge angle defined between the cutting face and a side surface of the body. The edge angle varies around the perimeter of the cutting face and includes an acute edge angle defined by a portion of the cutting face extending downwardly from the edge to a depth from the cutting angle. The portion of the edge defining the acute edge angle may be directly adjacent: a side surface of the cutting element; a bevel of the cutting element; or a flat region at the perimeter of the cutting element or bevel.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of preparing a protein sample for proteomic analysis. In exemplary embodiments, the method comprises (a) contacting a blood sample comprising proteins with a protective agent comprising an anticoagulant (AC) and an aldehyde releaser (AR), to obtain a mixture, optionally, wherein the blood sample is added to a blood collection tube (BCT) comprising the protective agent, and (b) isolating a fraction comprising proteins or a source of proteins from the mixture to yield a protein sample or a source of a protein sample, wherein steps of the method are carried out in the absence of exogenous proteolytic enzyme inhibitors, wherein the protein sample is suitable for proteomic and peptidomic analysis.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes detecting actions taken by users in a computer-implemented matching system and, for each of the detected actions, storing data indicative of the detected action. The method further includes filtering the stored data in accordance with at least one filter selected by an administrator of the computer-implemented matching system and creating a user action log from the filtered stored data. The user action log includes all of the stored data that matches the selected at least one filter. The at least one filter may include log start time, log end time, type of action, user ID, target user ID, and/or site type. The detected action may include viewing another user's profile, changing the user's own profile, sending a message to another user via the computer-implemented matching system, and/or performing a matching search using the computer-implemented matching system.

Abstract: A method for controlling access to a set of data is provided. The method includes receiving, via an interface, a request from an agent to access the set of data in a database; extracting an access criterion relating to a predefined data access constraint and a predetermined data access policy from the request; and determining whether the agent is granted access to the set of data using the criterion, where the access criterion is based on an attribute that is associated with an element within the set of data.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices, are developed for in-situ placement of a concrete mix that can have the thixotropy to hold vertical dimension without containment, while maintaining pliability to be pumped into place and manipulated to a desired shape, and can be combined with concrete set accelerators, allowing subsequent layers of this concrete mix to be continuously stacked in place to build tall walls and such without the use of forms. Concrete without these special properties is pumped toward the point of placement where it is modified by injecting and mixing, into that line of pumped concrete, an admixture containing thixotropes, thickeners and/or set accelerators or other modifiers to provide these properties and other improvements. This method allows conventional plant batching with commonly available constituent materials for batching an economical concrete that is delivered to a jobsite and then is pumped most of the way to a point of placement.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving program content and data describing program content from a content source, and automatically identifying, based on user preferences of a first user, one or more relevant products or services displayed in the program content. Product-related metadata associated with the program content is identified. The product-related metadata including data relating to the one or more relevant products or services displayed in the program content. The program content is communicated to a display device for presentation to a first user in a first portion of the display device, and the product-related metadata is communicated to a second display device for presentation to a second user substantially simultaneously with the presentation of the program content in the first display device. A user commentary is received from the second device, the user commentary generated by the second user and associated with the program content or product-related metadata.

Abstract: An electronic device with a primary functionality and a tracking functionality can be used in a centralized tracking system. A controller configures the electronic device to operate in one of a set of: an “on” mode, an “off” mode, a first standby mode, and a tracking standby mode. While configured to operate in the “on” mode, the primary and tracking functionality of the electronic device are enabled, and while configured to operate in the “off” mode, both are disabled. While configured to operate in the first standby mode, the tracking functionality is enabled and the primary functionality is limited. While configured to operate in the tracking standby mode, the primary functionality is disabled but the tracking functionality is enabled, enabling the electronic device to be located while the primary functionality is disabled and saving power relative to the first standby mode and the “on” mode.

Abstract: A tracking device can be reconfigured after an amount of operation to preserve the battery capacity of the tracking device and to ensure that the tracking device can be operated for a pre-determined threshold period of time. The tracking device can provide diagnostic information representative of a state of the tracking device, such as a current power capacity of the tracking device's battery, to a mobile device within a threshold proximity of the tracking device. The mobile device can then provide the diagnostic information to a tracking server, which in turn can provide reconfiguration instructions to the mobile device. The mobile device can then pass on the reconfiguration instructions to the tracking device, in response to which the tracking device can reconfigure itself.

Abstract: Techniques for ensuring content output to a user conforms to a quality of the user's speech, even when a speechlet or skill ignores the speech's quality, are described. When a system receives speech, the system determines an indicator of the speech's quality (e.g., whispered, shouted, fast, slow, etc.) and persists the indicator in memory. When the system receives output content from a speechlet or skill, the system checks whether the output content is in conformity with the speech quality indicator. If the content conforms to the speech quality indicator, the system may cause the content to be output to the user without further manipulation. But, if the content does not conform to the speech quality indicator, the system may manipulate the content to render it in conformity with the speech quality indicator and output the manipulated content to the user.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and software can be used to manage resource access. In some aspect, a user interface is outputted on an electronic device. The user interface includes information for resource access and a user interface object for controlling a resource access permission. A user input associated with the user interface object is received. In response to receiving the user input, the resource access permission is changed.

Abstract: A block-request streaming system provides for improvements in the user experience and bandwidth efficiency of such systems, typically using an ingestion system that generates data in a form to be served by a conventional file server (HTTP, FTP, or the like), wherein the ingestion system intakes content and prepares it as files or data elements to be served by the file server. A client device can be adapted to take advantage of the ingestion process. The client device might be configured to optimize use of resources, given the information available to it from the ingestion system. This may include configurations to determine the sequence, timing and construction of block requests based on monitoring buffer size and rate of change of buffer size, use of variable sized requests, mapping of block requests to underlying transport connections, flexible pipelining of requests, and/or use of whole file requests based on statistical considerations.

Abstract: A system comprising a computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for enhancing and personalizing an interactive marketplace. The systems and methods provided herein may allow a user to receive search results that are tailored to the user's personal preferences based on social and purchasing information known about the user. In addition, the systems and methods provided herein may provide shipping updates to a buyer that include a personalized message based on location information provided by the package being shipped. In addition, the systems and methods provided herein allow merchants to provide incentives and rewards for shoppers by participating in interactive shopping games.