Abstract: A technology is described for simulating communication expressions detected in speech data using virtual objects. An example method may include receiving speech data for a virtual object configured to simulate communication expressions provided by the speech data. The speech data may be analyzed for an indicator of a communication expression and communication mark data that includes an expression tag representing the communication expression may be generated. The speech data and the communication mark data may be transmitted to a simulation client to enable synchronization of an animated expression for the virtual object with the speech data using the expression tag in the communication mark data.

Abstract: A network-connected device service receives a request to establish a communications session with a network-connected device. In response to the request, the service transmits a set of electronic messages to the network-connected device through an access point of the network-connected device to establish the communications session. The network-connected device service receives a notification from the network-connected device indicating whether the communications session has been established. If so, the service provides an indication to a controlling device that the session has been established. This enables the controlling device to submit commands executable by the network-connected device to the service, which provides the commands to the network-connected device through the access point.

Abstract: A technology is described for operating a device shadowing service that manages multi-step device state transitions. An example method may include executing a state change listing that includes a set of state transition commands that change a state of a device to a desired state, wherein a first state transition command included in the state change listing that instructs the device to assume a first state may be executed. Thereafter, an indication that the device has assumed the first state may be received. In response, a second state transition command included in the state change listing that sends instructions to the device to assume a second state may be executed. Thereafter, an indication that the device has assumed the second state may be received. A recorded state of a device representation that represents the state of the device may be updated to indicate the second state.

Abstract: A provisioning device may be shipped to a client and used to automatically provision an IoT device to join a local network to communicate with a remote service provider. In response to a trigger input, the provisioning device creates a wireless hotspot that is recognizable by an IoT device as a provisioning hotspot. The provisioning device receives a signal from the IoT device indicating that the IoT device is available to be provisioned. The provisioning device obtains provisioning data and transmits the provisioning data to the IoT device. The IoT device uses the provisioning data to connect to a local wireless network and to establish a connection to the remote service provider. The IoT device may then use one or more IoT services of the service provider.

Abstract: A technology is described for applying automation rules to network addressable power sockets. An example method may include receiving a power socket identifier for a network addressable power socket that detects an electrical device connected to the network addressable power socket via a wireless communication protocol. Receiving a unique identifier for the electrical device detected by the network addressable power socket. The network addressable power socket and the electrical device may be identified using the power socket identifier and the unique identifier, and an automation rule may be obtained that determines the functionality of the electrical device. The automation rule may then be applied to either of the network addressable power socket or the electrical device.

Abstract: A provisioning device may be shipped to a client and used to automatically provision an IoT device to join a local network to communicate with a remote service provider. In response to a trigger input, the provisioning device creates a wireless hotspot that is recognizable by an IoT device as a provisioning hotspot. The provisioning device receives a signal from the IoT device indicating that the IoT device is available to be provisioned. The provisioning device obtains provisioning data and transmits the provisioning data to the IoT device. The IoT device uses the provisioning data to connect to a local wireless network and to establish a connection to the remote service provider. The IoT device may then use one or more IoT services of the service provider.

Abstract: A network-connected device service receives a request to establish a communications session with a network-connected device. In response to the request, the service transmits a second request to a container service to invoke a software container instance that can be used to establish the communications session with the network-connected device. The network-connected device service receives a notification from the container instance indicating whether the communications session has been established. If so, the service provides an indication to a controlling device that the session has been established. This enables the controlling device to submit commands executable by the network-connected device to the service, which provides the commands to the container instance and, hence, to the network-connected device.

Abstract: A network-connected device service receives a request to establish a communications session with a network-connected device. In response to the request, the service transmits a set of electronic messages to the network-connected device through an access point of the network-connected device to establish the communications session. The network-connected device service receives a notification from the network-connected device indicating whether the communications session has been established. If so, the service provides an indication to a controlling device that the session has been established. This enables the controlling device to submit commands executable by the network-connected device to the service, which provides the commands to the network-connected device through the access point.

Abstract: A technology is described for applying automation rules to network addressable devices according to a proximity to a beacon. An example method may include receiving a device identifier for a network addressable device. Receiving a beacon identifier for a beacon that may be within proximity of the network addressable device. An automation rule associated with the network addressable device and the beacon may then be obtained using the device identifier and the beacon identifier, and the automation rule may be applied to the network addressable device.

Abstract: A system for processing e-commerce transactions. The system includes one or more processors programmed to receive a selection of one or more alternative payment brands from a merchant. Each of said alternative payment brands including a different merchant application process. Further, the processors are programmed to receive merchant information from the merchant necessary to apply to the selected alternative payment brands and apply to each of the selected alternative payment brands using the merchant information in accordance with the merchant application process for the selected alternative payment brand.

Abstract: A provisioning device may be shipped to a client and used to automatically provision an IoT device to join a local network to communicate with a remote service provider. In response to a trigger input, the provisioning device creates a wireless hotspot that is recognizable by an IoT device as a provisioning hotspot. The provisioning device receives a signal from the IoT device indicating that the IoT device is available to be provisioned. The provisioning device obtains provisioning data and transmits the provisioning data to the IoT device. The IoT device uses the provisioning data to connect to a local wireless network and to establish a connection to the remote service provider. The IoT device may then use one or more IoT services of the service provider.

Abstract: A provisioning device may be shipped to a client and used to automatically provision an IoT device to join a local network to communicate with a remote service provider. In response to a trigger input, the provisioning device creates a wireless hotspot that is recognizable by an IoT device as a provisioning hotspot. The provisioning device receives a signal from the IoT device indicating that the IoT device is available to be provisioned. The provisioning device obtains provisioning data and transmits the provisioning data to the IoT device. The IoT device uses the provisioning data to connect to a local wireless network and to establish a connection to the remote service provider. The IoT device may then use one or more IoT services of the service provider.

Abstract: Technology for publish-subscribe message transformations is provided. In one example, a publish-subscribe messaging method may include identifying a definition of a transformation rule for transforming a message received from a publisher. The message may be received from the publisher at a broker. The message may identify a topic and may include message data. A determination may be made as to whether the message is associated with a transformation rule for transforming the message. The method may further include transforming the message as defined by the transformation rule and sending the transformed message to a destination.

Abstract: One embodiment includes a friction plate and method of manufacture thereof wherein the friction plate is fabricated from a thixomolded magnesium or titanium material or alloy thereof, which is lighter than comparable steel friction plates.

Abstract: A door frame for a refrigerator display case that includes an inner metal member, an outer metal member, and first and second single plastic modules sandwiched between the inner and outer metal members. The inner and outer metal members and first and second plastic modules cooperate to define first and second door openings. The first and second single plastic modules each include a jamb middle plastic section, a header middle plastic section, a sill middle plastic section and a mullion middle plastic section. The first and second single plastic modules are adhered to the inner metal member and the outer metal member, and the first mullion plastic section and the second mullion plastic section are not adhered to one another.

Abstract: A method, article of manufacture, and apparatus for efficiently backing up information are disclosed. In some embodiments, this may comprise determining a probe frequency, polling, at the probe frequency, at least one probe to obtain information about a computer system, and backing up data based on the information. In some embodiments, determining the probe frequency includes receiving a user-defined interval.

Abstract: A damping device that includes an arm having a longitudinally extending slot and a cylinder cut-out defined therein, and a damping assembly secured in the cylinder cut-out. The damping assembly includes a cylinder housing with a chamber having a piston and fluid disposed therein. The piston includes a rod with a head on a distal end thereof that extends outside the cylinder housing and into the slot. The damping assembly includes a biasing member extending between the cylinder housing and the head.

Abstract: A system for temporally associating a user with a location. The system includes a receiving component for receiving identity data from an electronic sensor, the identity data being indicative of a user's presence being detected at a location at a given time. The receiving component further receives scheduling information about the availability of the location for the given time, and an analysis component determines from the scheduling information and the user's detected presence whether the location is available for use by the user.

Abstract: A system for processing e-commerce transactions. The system includes one or more processors programmed to receive a selection of one or more alternative payment brands from a merchant. Each of said alternative payment brands including a different merchant application process. Further, the processors are programmed to receive merchant information from the merchant necessary to apply to the selected alternative payment brands and apply to each of the selected alternative payment brands using the merchant information in accordance with the merchant application process for the selected alternative payment brand.

Abstract: A system for processing e-commerce transactions. The system includes one or more processors programmed to receive a selection of one or more alternative payment brands from a merchant. Each of said alternative payment brands including a different merchant application process. Further, the processors are programmed to receive merchant information from the merchant necessary to apply to the selected alternative payment brands and apply to each of the selected alternative payment brands using the merchant information in accordance with the merchant application process for the selected alternative payment brand.