Abstract: In an embodiment, a method involves accessing a first pixel block of an image, the first pixel block comprising pixels, each associated with multiple pixel components, determining whether to separately or jointly encode the multiple pixel components of each of the pixels of the first pixel block, determining that the multiple pixel components of each of the pixels in the first pixel block are to be jointly encoded based on (1) determining, based on the multiple pixel components of each of the pixels, a line defined within a three-dimensional coordinate system in which each of the pixels is represented as a three-dimensional point and (2) determining that the line satisfies a predetermined criteria, and encoding the multiple pixel components of each of the pixels in the first pixel block as a single quantized value based on a projection of the three-dimensional point associated with that pixel onto the line.

Abstract: A computing system may access first alpha values associated with first pixels in a first pixel region of an image and determine a bit budget for encoding the first alpha values. The computing system may then select a first alpha-encoding mode for the first alpha values to reflect a determination that the first alpha values are all fully transparent or all fully opaque, and encode the first alpha values by storing the selected first alpha-encoding mode as part of a metadata without using the bit budget to encode the first alpha values individually. The computing system may then update a record of unallocated bits available for allocation based on the bit budget unused in the encoding of the first alpha values, and allocate, based on the record of unallocated bits, bits to encode a set of alpha values different from the first alpha values.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a computing system may access first alpha values associated with first pixels in a first pixel region of an image and determine a bit budget for encoding the first alpha values. The computing system may then select a first alpha-encoding mode for the first alpha values to reflect a determination that the first alpha values are all fully transparent or all fully opaque, and encode the first alpha values by storing the selected first alpha-encoding mode as part of a metadata without using the bit budget to encode the first alpha values individually. The computing system may then update a record of unallocated bits available for allocation based on the bit budget unused in the encoding of the first alpha values, and allocate, based on the record of unallocated bits, bits to encode a set of alpha values different from the first alpha values.

Abstract: A wearable local muscle vibratory stimulator includes a frame including a concave surface for conforming to a treatment surface of a subject. The stimulator further includes an electromagnetic oscillator located in the frame for applying vibratory stimulus to a treatment region of the subject located beneath the treatment surface. The stimulator further includes a waveform generator coupled to the oscillator for generating an electrical signal that causes the electromagnetic oscillator to oscillate. The stimulator further includes an accelerometer coupled to the oscillator for measuring frequency and acceleration of oscillation of the oscillator. The stimulator further includes a controller user interface for receiving user input regarding a desired frequency and acceleration of oscillation of the oscillator.

Abstract: A pump intake adapter for pumping shallow levels of fluid from a surface to be drained, the pump intake adapter including a connection on the pump intake adapter to convey the fluid away from the pump intake adapter; an intake surface on the pump intake adapter; and a portion of the intake surface of the pump intake adapter that in operation does not contact the surface to be drained, and creates an open conduit between the pump intake adapter and the surface to be drained through which fluid may flow, the open conduit being in fluid communication with the connection on the pump intake adapter. Other systems and methods are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein includes a system, a method, and a device for compressing image data. The device includes one or more processors, coupled to memory, configured to identify a plurality of sub-blocks of a block of image data including a first sub-block and a second sub-block. The one or more processors are configured to identify a first data characteristic of data of the first sub-block and a second data characteristic of data of the second sub-block, determine a first compression technique based at least on the first data characteristic of the first sub-block, determine a second compression technique based at least on the second data characteristic of the second sub-block, and compress the first sub-block using the first compression technique and the second sub-block using the second compression technique.

Abstract: This disclosure describes efficient communication of surface texture data between system on a chip (SOC) integrated circuits. An example system includes a first integrated circuit and a second integrated circuit communicatively coupled to the first integrated circuit by a video communication interface. The first integrated generates a superframe in a video frame of the video communication interface for transmission to the second integrated circuit. The superframe includes multiple subframe payloads that carry surface texture data to be updated in the frame and corresponding subframe headers that include parameters of the subframe payloads. The second integrated circuit includes a direct access memory (DMA) controller. The DMA upon receipt of the superframe, writes the surface texture data within each of the subframe payloads directly to an allocated location in memory based on the parameters included in the corresponding one of the subframe headers.

Abstract: Artificial intelligence systems utilizing a chat driven interface that includes a chat portion and a display portion are disclosed. The user may interact with the chat portion of the interface in a human understandable and comfortable manner (e.g., through natural language). The artificial intelligence system uses the context of the interactions in the chat portion of the interface to drive the presentation of content in the display portion interface and the chat portion such that the content presented in the display portion of the interface reflects the intents or concepts expressed in the chat portion of the interface, and the chat portion and the display portion of the interface are kept in synchronicity.

Abstract: An automatic dishwasher can include a tub having a bottom and at least partially defining an open face treating chamber, a base supporting the bottom of the tub and defining a mechanical area beneath the bottom of the tub, at least one sprayer emitting liquid into the treating chamber, and a rotating inlet filter assembly fluidly coupling the treating chamber to the at least one sprayer. A mounting bracket can be provided to secure the rotating inlet filter assembly to the base.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system may include a memory unit, a first processing unit configured to write data into a memory region of the memory unit, a second processing unit configured to read data from the memory region, a first control unit configured to control the first processing unit's access to the memory unit and, and a second control unit configured to control the second processing unit's access to the memory unit. The first control unit may be configured to obtain, from the second control unit, a first memory address associated with a data reading process of the second processing unit, receive a write request from the first processing unit, the read request having an associated second memory address, and write data into the memory region based on the write request in response to a determination that the second memory address falls outside of the guarded reading region.

Abstract: In one embodiment, one or more control units may store a position tracker associated with a first window of memory blocks and allow a first processing unit to write data within the first window. The control units may receive, from a second processing unit, a request for reading data with a memory-reading address, compare the memory-reading address to a first starting address of the first window, and prevent the second processing unit from reading the data when the memory-reading address is greater than or equal to the first starting address of the first window. The control units may store, when the data writing process is complete, an updated position tracker of a second window of memory blocks and allow the second processing unit to read the data based on a determination that the memory-reading address is less than a second starting address of the second window.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and media for assigning agents for shifts in a call center environment. Shift template data structures are created for an agent for a single week, the shift template data structure having data fields including, an agent work time data field for a plurality of days in a week, an agent weekly minimum hour data field, and an agent weekly maximum hour data field. Worker parameters are combined with the shift template to define shift rotations which can be applied to a scheduling algorithm to assign the agent to a schedule of rotating shifts.

Abstract: Methods of preventing or treating elevated pulmonary vascular pressure or exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage in mammals are provided, the methods comprise administering compositions comprising type V phosphodiesterase inhibitors and an organic base (e.g., meglumine) to the mammal. Compositions, kits and methods of making type V phosphodiesterase inhibitor are also provided. In one embodiment, the composition comprises E-4021, which is sodium 1-[6-chloro-4-(3,4-methylenedioxybenzyl)-aminoquinazolin-2-yl]piperidine-4-carboxylate sesquihydrate and meglumine.

Abstract: In one embodiment, one or more computing systems may determine a first display content to be displayed on a display. The first display content may be associated with one or more frames. The one or more computing systems may determine an optimization operation for the first display content based on one or more first parameters associated with the display or one or more second parameters associated with the one or more frames. The one or more computing systems may adjust the one or more frames based on the optimization operation. The adjusted one or more frames may have at least one optimized attribute comparing to the one or more frames before being adjusted. The one or more computing systems may output the adjusted one or more frames to the display to represent the first display content.

Abstract: In one embodiment, one or more control units may store a position tracker associated with a first window of memory blocks and allow a first processing unit to write data within the first window. The control units may receive, from a second processing unit, a request for reading data with a memory-reading address, compare the memory-reading address to a first starting address of the first window, and prevent the second processing unit from reading the data when the memory-reading address is greater than or equal to the first starting address of the first window. The control units may store, when the data writing process is complete, an updated position tracker of a second window of memory blocks and allow the second processing unit to read the data based on a determination that the memory-reading address is less than a second starting address of the second window.

Abstract: Disclosed herein includes a system, a method, and a device for compressing image data. The device includes one or more processors, coupled to memory, configured to identify a plurality of sub-blocks of a block of image data including a first sub-block and a second sub-block. The one or more processors are configured to identify a first data characteristic of data of the first sub-block and a second data characteristic of data of the second sub-block, determine a first compression technique based at least on the first data characteristic of the first sub-block, determine a second compression technique based at least on the second data characteristic of the second sub-block, and compress the first sub-block using the first compression technique and the second sub-block using the second compression technique.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to user interfaces for adjusting simulated image effects. In some embodiments, user interfaces for adjusting a simulated depth effect is described. In some embodiments, user interfaces for displaying adjustments to a simulated depth effect is described. In some embodiments, user interfaces for indicating an interference to adjusting simulated image effects is described.

Abstract: A wakeboat has a hull, the hull forming a wake when moving forward in the water, with a left quiet region and a right quiet region in the wake. The hull may exhibit rotation around one or more of its roll, pitch, and yaw axes which affects the quiet regions in the wake. A gyroscope supported in the hull may be used to rotate the hull around one or more axes. Such rotation may be used to create a surf left and/or surf right configuration, and measured via one or more sensors. Other systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: Dialog based testing is performed in conjunction with a three-dimensional (3D) virtual reality (VR) system including at least one loudspeaker, a microphone, and a 3D VR headset having a display for displaying 3D VR video and a gaze tracker integrated with the headset. The dialog based testing includes: rendering a 3D avatar via the display of the 3D VR headset; engaging in a dialog including causing the rendered 3D avatar to make utterances in accordance with the branching dialog script and receiving responses to the utterances from a test subject wearing the 3D VR headset including at least verbal responses received via the microphone and gaze activity recorded by the gaze tracker and traversing the branching dialog script including selecting branches of the branching dialog script based at least on the verbal responses received via the microphone; and grading the test subject based on the responses.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method involves temporarily storing, by each of multiple slots of a ring buffer, a pixel block of multiple pixels blocks of an image until the pixel block is encoded, performing, by multiple processor units connected in series, different encoding operations in an encoding pipeline, each processor unit configured to selectively access the pixel block from a slot of the multiple slots to determine characteristics of the accessed pixel block, wherein the multiple processing units are configured to sequentially obtain access to a slot of the multiple slots and concurrently process the pixel blocks stored in different ones of the multiple slots, and selectively accessing and encoding, by an encoder unit, the pixel block stored in a slot of the multiple slots based on the characteristics of the pixel block determined by the multiple processing units.