Abstract: A soil sensor assembly and methods of measuring undisturbed soil are disclosed. The soil sensor assembly can be a volumetric water content (VWC) sensor. The soil sensor assembly can include at least one soil probe. The soil probes can be secured to a support to enable an installation of the soil sensor assembly in a target soil. The soil probes can include helical blades secured concentrically along the support at predefined longitudinal locations. The soil probes can include at least one radiofrequency (RF) electrode secured to the helical blades at a predefined radial distance from a longitudinal axis of the support. The soil sensor assembly can also include at least one electronics unit coupled to the RF electrodes to receive and/or transmit RF signals from the RF electrodes. The soil sensor assembly can enable a self-tapping installation action and/or enable alienating the soil measurements (e.g., by RF electrodes) away from a disturbed soil.

Abstract: A tag-based, user-directed media recommendation scheme is described herein. For example described herein is a recommender system (and method implemented by the recommender system) comprising: a recommendation engine configured to generate a recommendations list which includes a current set of recommendations for a user of a client device; and, a tag engine configured to: (1) receive the recommendations list; (2) obtain information about representative items associated with the user of the client device; (3) correlate the recommendations with tags; (4) correlate the representative items with the tags, (5) sort the tags into a tag list; and (6) provide the recommendations list and the tag list to the client device. The representative items include at least one of following: (1) an item previously purchased by the user; (2) an item previously watched by the user; (3) an item previously placed on a wish-list by the user; and (4) an item recommended by the recommendation engine for the user.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for multi-channel pulse sequencing to control the charging and discharging of two capacitors into an inductive load. The invention allows devices that produce alternating magnetic fields (induction heating, AC motors, metal detectors, MRIs, wireless communication) to operate above 100% efficiency; thereby producing a power gain. The results of this improvement will allow these devices to be portable and low cost.

Abstract: Signals are transmitted from a plurality of regions of an electronic device. Location information is then received from an electronic pen in proximity to the electronic device. The location information is determined by the electronic pen and corresponds to a location of the electronic pen relative to the screen of the electronic device. The location information is determined using one or more of the transmitted signals received by the electronic pen. Aa display on the screen of the electronic device is controlled based at least in part on the received location information. A more efficient pen operating state is thereby provided that improves the user experience by more accurately and reliably determining the pen location in space.

Abstract: A computing device has a digitizer control module configured to monitor signals received by receive electrodes and to detect in the monitored signals a signal from a second touch display of a second computing device in physical proximity to the computing device. The digitizer control module is configured to determine one or more locations on the first touch display at which the signals from the second touch display are received. A processor in the computing device is configured to compute a relative position of the second touch display with respect to the first touch display on the basis of the determined locations, and to use the computed relative position to treat the first touch display and the second touch display as a combined touch display.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for multi-channel pulse sequencing to control the charging and discharging of two capacitors into an inductive load. The invention allows devices that produce alternating magnetic fields (induction heating, AC motors, metal detectors, MRIs, wireless communication) to operate above 100% efficiency; thereby producing a power gain. The results of this improvement will allow these devices to be portable and low cost.

Abstract: Methods, devices, systems, and computer program products are provided for adaptive hover operation of touch instruments, which may increase hover height and improve user experience. Hover range may be adapted, for example, by adapting an antenna configuration during hover. A touch instrument may comprise multiple antennas that may be activated and deactivated, e.g., as a function of proximity Antenna configuration may increment (e.g., increase cumulative antenna size) as hover height increases and decrement (e.g., decrease cumulative antenna size) as hover height decreases. Antennas may be multi-purpose, such as being used to maintain synchronization for extended hover range and for other purposes (e.g., determining hover height, tilt, orientation, grip) and/or features (e.g., providing commands for pop-up menus).

Abstract: Methods, devices, systems, and computer program products are provided for adaptive hover operation of touch instruments, which may increase hover height and improve user experience. Hover range may be adapted, for example, by adapting an antenna configuration during hover. A touch instrument may comprise multiple antennas that may be activated and deactivated, e.g., as a function of proximity Antenna configuration may increment (e.g., increase cumulative antenna size) as hover height increases and decrement (e.g., decrease cumulative antenna size) as hover height decreases. Antennas may be multi-purpose, such as being used to maintain synchronization for extended hover range and for other purposes (e.g., determining hover height, tilt, orientation, grip) and/or features (e.g., providing commands for pop-up menus).

Abstract: One illustrative transistor device disclosed herein includes a gate structure positioned above at least an active region, wherein the gate structure has an axial length in a direction corresponding to a gate width direction of the transistor device. In this example, a first portion of the axial length of the gate structure has a first upper surface and a second portion of the axial length of the gate structure has a second upper surface, wherein the first upper surface is positioned at a level that is above a level of the second upper surface. The device also includes a gate contact structure that contacts the first upper surface of the gate structure.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include semiconductor devices and methods of forming such devices. In an embodiment a semiconductor device comprises a first interlayer dielectric (ILD), a plurality of source/drain (S/D) contacts in the first ILD, a plurality of gate contacts in the first ILD, wherein the gate contacts and the S/D contacts are arranged in an alternating pattern, and wherein top surfaces of the gate contacts are below top surfaces of the S/D contacts so that a channel defined by sidewall surfaces of the first ILD is positioned over each of the gate contacts, mask layer partially filling a first channel over a first gate contact, and a fill metal filling a second channel over a second gate contact that is adjacent to the first gate contact.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring a flare burner with a camera. The methods and systems which may indicate to operators the presence or absence of one or more of smoke, flare flame, and steam plume and record those indications or measurements. Additionally, the methods and systems may confirm whether compliance with local regulations on visual emissions, smoke plume is achieved. The methods and systems automatically adjust the delivery rate of key inputs including measures assist fuel gas, purge gas, steam and/or air simultaneously to maintain or attain compliance with said local regulatory requirements. Also, methods for a machine learning process for using controller inputs to identify normal and abnormal flare states and provide visual indications and flare operation recommendations.

Abstract: Battery systems according to embodiments of the present technology may include a battery including a first electrode terminal and a second electrode terminal accessible along a first surface of the battery. The battery systems may also include a module electrically coupled with the battery. The module may include a first mold extending toward the battery. The first mold may define a recess along a first surface of the first mold proximate the first electrode terminal and the second electrode terminal. The module may include a first conductive tab electrically coupling the module with the first electrode terminal. The first electrode terminal may be at least partially positioned within a space defined by the recess defined by the first mold. The module may also include a second conductive tab electrically coupling the module with the second electrode terminal.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include edge placement error mitigation processes and structures fabricated with such processes. In an embodiment, a method of fabricating an interconnect layer over a semiconductor die comprises forming a patterned layer over a substrate, disposing a resist layer over the patterned layer and patterning the resist layer to expose portions of the patterned layer. In an embodiment, overlay misalignment during the patterning results in the formation of edge placement error openings. In an embodiment, the method further comprises correcting the edge placement error openings, and patterning an opening into the substrate after correcting edge placement error openings.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products provide touch screen erasing. A touch device includes an eraser detector that configured to analyze one or more blobs comprising a plurality of detected signals caused by a conductive pattern in or on an eraser type of touch instrument in proximity to the touch device. Each detected signal may have an associated intensity and location on the touch device. A position detector is configured to detect a position of an eraser based on the locations of the plurality of detected signals. An orientation detector is configured to detect an orientation of the eraser based on the intensities of the plurality of detected signals. An eraser reporter is configured to report the position and orientation of the eraser to a content source (e.g., an application and/or operating system providing displayed content).

Abstract: Apparatus and method for multi-channel pulse sequencing to control the charging and discharging of two capacitors into an inductive load. The invention allows devices that produce alternating magnetic fields (induction heating, AC motors, metal detectors, MRIs, wireless communication) to operate above 100% efficiency; thereby producing a power gain. The results of this improvement will allow these devices to be portable and low cost.

Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms for communicating packets of image information, the packets each having a respective format that is defined or otherwise indicated by a camera serial interface standard. In an embodiment, circuitry of a first physical layer (PHY) is operated to facilitate such communication via a lane of an interconnect that is coupled between the first PHY and a second PHY. The PHYs further communicate between each other a packet delimiter sequence between two such packets. In another embodiment, the plurality of packets and the packet delimiter sequence are communicated after a transition of one PHY from a relatively low power state, and prior to any subsequent transition of that PHY back to the relatively low power state. The camera serial interface standard specifies or otherwise indicates a protocol whereby a transition to such a low power state is performed between the respective communications of any two successive packets.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for use in inspecting a vehicle's air filter. The system includes a receptacle defining an enclosed interior space that is configured to receive the air filter, and a light source that is positioned within the receptacle. The receptacle includes an upper wall with an aperture that is arranged in generally parallel relation to the air filter, and the light source is configured to support the air filter such that the light source backlights the air filter to facilitate capture of an image of the air filter through the aperture in the upper wall of the receptacle.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method by which an end user can monitor and manage multiple building systems with a single interface as well as customize and revise the settings and automated responses for multiple building systems based on input and transactions from multiple different building systems and enterprise applications. A drop-in command and interface software module allows a user to integrate control, command and response functions between previously installed and un-integrated building systems and to configure the activation or deactivation of one system function based on the data, alarm, event, or transaction from one or more other systems. The invention takes the data and control functions from any and every control system and allows a user to build his or her own intelligent building, and to edit the control processes on their own at any time. The responses of building systems are process driven, rather than rules based, and the response process is fully editable by the end user.

Abstract: A system and method are described herein for improving content-based (CB) filtering to find other items similar to a particular item. For example, the system and method can operate to (1) collect ground truth from users, experts or non-experts for a subset of items in a library; (2) build similarity model(s) against the collected ground truth and evaluate this/these similarity model(s) for generalizability to all items in the library, and (3) build recommendations for users based on knowledge elicited from the users themselves, combined with the similarity scores in the built similarity model(s).

Abstract: Signals are transmitted from a plurality of regions of an electronic device. Location information is then received from an electronic pen in proximity to the electronic device. The location information is determined by the electronic pen and corresponds to a location of the electronic pen relative to the screen of the electronic device. The location information is determined using one or more of the transmitted signals received by the electronic pen. A display on the screen of the electronic device is controlled based at least in part on the received location information. A more efficient pen operating state is thereby provided that improves the user experience by more accurately and reliably determining the pen location in space.