Abstract: A method of determining a property of an image (176) captured by a camera (127). Vanishing points (320, 330, 340) are in the image (176). Each pixel of the image (176) is associated with one or more of the vanishing points (320, 330, 340) based on an orientation of the image gradient at the pixel. The image is partitioned into a set of regions associated with a pair of the determined vanishing points based on the vanishing point associations for pixels in the image (176). Boundaries of the regions are aligned with the associated vanishing points. For at least one of the plurality of regions, a confidence value is determined for the property of the image based on pixels in the region. The property of the image is determined for one or more pixels within the image (176) based on the confidence value.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments disclose techniques for managing metadata and data storage for a cloud controller in a distributed filesystem. Two or more cloud controllers collectively manage distributed filesystem data that is stored in one or more cloud storage systems. More specifically, the cloud controllers cache and ensure data consistency for the data stored in the cloud storage systems, with each cloud controller maintaining (e.g., storing) in a local storage device: (1) one or more metadata regions containing a metadata hierarchy that reflects the current state of the distributed filesystem; and (2) cached data for the distributed filesystem. During operation, the cloud controller receives an incremental metadata snapshot that references new data written to the distributed filesystem. The cloud controller stores updated metadata from this incremental metadata snapshot in one of the metadata regions on the local storage device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to, among other things, managing browsing histories based at least in part on metadata and/or tags associated with a web request. In some examples, a web service may collect metadata associated with the web request. Based at least in part on the collected metadata, content tags associated with the web request may be identified. Additionally, in some examples, one or more browsing metrics may be generated. The browsing metric may be configured to identify at least a web request characteristic to be compared with a second web request characteristic.

Abstract: Devices providing adjustable optical power have previously been proposed for use as corrective lenses in prescription eyeglasses. There is disclosed a lens having optical power adjustable by relative lateral translation of two lens elements, the lens comprising: a first lens element sealed to a cover to define a cavity therebetween; a second lens element disposed within the cavity and coupled to an elongate drive element extending laterally from the second lens element, the second lens element being arranged to be driven laterally relative to the first lens element by lateral translation of the elongate drive element to thereby adjust the optical power of the lens, the lens comprising a lateral projection into which the cavity and drive element extend, the lateral projection having there mounted an adjuster for driving lateral translation of the elongate drive element. The lens reduces or prevents the ingress of dirt, moisture, sweat and grease between surfaces of the lens elements.

Abstract: Face soaking devices (devices) and methods of use are described and disclosed. In some embodiments the device may comprise a vessel and a vessel neck gasket. The vessel may be configured to hold a liquid to submerge a face of a user or a portion thereof. The vessel neck gasket may be (removably) joined to the vessel. The vessel neck gasket may be configured to comfortably accommodate a portion of the user's neck. In some embodiments, the device may comprise a breathing apparatus that may be in removable contact with: the vessel, with a head rest subassembly, and/or with the user. The breathing apparatus may be configured to permit the user to breathe while the user's face may be submerged within the liquid. When the vessel may be filled with the liquid to at least a sufficient level, the user may soak the face or the portion thereof, such that the skin being soaked receives a benefit.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments disclose techniques for optimizing caching performance for a distributed filesystem. Two or more cloud controllers collectively manage distributed filesystem data that is stored in one or more cloud storage systems; the cloud controllers ensure data consistency for the stored data, and cloud controllers cache portions of the distributed filesystem on hard drives with rotating disk platters. The outside portions of these disk platters have higher I/O bandwidth than the inside portions of the disk platters. During operation, a cloud controller determines that a hot subset of cached data is likely to be accessed frequently by clients, and stores this hot subset to an outside portion of a disk platter. The cloud controller further determines that a cold subset of cache data is less likely to be accessed by clients, and stores the cold subset on an inside portion of a disk platter.

Abstract: A connector or connector assembly (10, 210), such as a subsea or underwater connector or assembly including a first member (18, 218) movably connected or connectable to a second member (36, 236) and a first inductive element (24, 224a) provided on the first member (18, 218), the first inductive element (24, 224a) being arranged for inductive transmission and/or reception with a second inductive element (42, 242a) of the second member (36, 236). The first member (18, 218) may rotatably or pivotably connected or connectable to the second member (36, 236). The first inductive element (24, 224a) may be arranged on the first member (18, 218) to maintain inductive transmission with the second inductive element (42, 242a) of the second member (36, 236) throughout movement of the first member (18, 218) relative to a second member (36, 236).

Abstract: A sensing device or apparatus (110) for inserting into a hole, cavity or receptacle (120), such as a hole, cavity or receptacle in a shaft, locking device or load pin (20) for a connector (5), the sensing device or apparatus (110) having an elongate member (125) such as a beam or rod; one or more sensing elements (180a, 180b, 180c, 180d, 180b?, 180c?, 180d?) for sensing load, strain, deformation or force in or on the elongate member (125); wherein the elongate member (125) is provided with at least one engaging portion (130) for engaging an inner wall of the hole, cavity or the receptacle (120). A corresponding shaft, load pin or locking device, connector and methods of using, measuring and assembling are also provided herein.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (60), such as a chain stopper, for connecting a chain 320 or at least one portion of a chain (320) to a structure (55), such as an offshore structure or vessel. The device comprising a first portion (70) pivotably or rotatably connected or connectable to a structure (55) so as to provide movement of the first portion (70) relative to a structure (55) about or around a first axis (310) of the first portion (70). The first portion comprises a chain or line guiding means (75) arranged for rotational movement about or around the first axis (310) of the first portion (70). In some examples, the device (70) may comprise a second portion (80) pivotably or rotatably connected or connectable to the first portion (70) so as to provide movement of the second portion (80) relative to the first portion (70) about or around a second axis (315) of the second portion.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments disclose techniques for deleting a file from a distributed filesystem. Two or more cloud controllers collectively manage distributed filesystem data that is stored in one or more cloud storage systems; the cloud controllers store metadata for the distributed filesystem, and cache and ensure data consistency for the data stored in the cloud storage systems. During operation, a cloud controller receives a request from a client to delete a file from the distributed filesystem. The cloud controller updates a user view of the distributed filesystem to present the appearance of the target file being deleted to the client, and then initiates a background deletion operation to delete the target file without negatively affecting the performance of the other users of the distributed filesystem.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide techniques for performing deduplication for a distributed filesystem. Two or more cloud controllers collectively manage distributed filesystem data that is stored in one or more cloud storage systems; the cloud controllers cache and ensure data consistency for the stored data. During operation, a cloud controller receives an incremental metadata snapshot that references new data that was added to the distributed filesystem by a remote cloud controller. The cloud controller extracts a set of deduplication information from this incremental metadata snapshot. Upon receiving a subsequent client write request (e.g., a file write that includes one or more data blocks), the cloud controller uses the extracted deduplication information to determine that one or more data blocks in the client write request have already been written to the distributed filesystem.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that adjusts the characteristics of a distributed filesystem using a locality policy. Two or more cloud controllers collectively manage distributed filesystem data that is stored in one or more cloud storage systems; the cloud controllers cache and ensure data consistency for the stored data. During operation, a cloud controller receives a locality policy that specifies one or more management policies for the cloud controller. The portion of the distributed filesystem's data that is managed, created, and/or cached at the cloud controller is then managed based on this locality policy. Locality policies facilitate customizing and optimizing data management for the distributed filesystem to fit the needs of an organization (e.g., specific sets of users, applications, and/or datasets).

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments disclose techniques for providing distributed change notifications for a distributed filesystem. Two or more cloud controllers collectively manage distributed filesystem data that is stored in the cloud storage systems; the cloud controllers ensure data consistency for the stored data, and each cloud controller caches portions of the distributed filesystem. During operation, a cloud controller receives a request from a client to access a file in the distributed filesystem. The cloud controller determines that the file needs strong read-after write consistency and sends a registration notification to the other cloud controllers of the distributed filesystem to request immediate notification of any changes to the file.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments disclose techniques for sending interim notifications to a client of a distributed filesystem. Two or more cloud controllers collectively manage distributed filesystem data that is stored in one or more cloud storage systems; the cloud controllers ensure data consistency for the stored data, and each cloud controller caches portions of the distributed filesystem. During operation, a cloud controller receives a client request to access a file. The cloud controller determines that it will need to contact at least one of another peer cloud controller or a cloud storage system to service the request, and sends an interim notification to the client to notify the client that the request is pending.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments disclose techniques that facilitate the recovery of a virtual machine using a distributed filesystem. Two or more cloud controllers collectively manage distributed filesystem data that is stored in one or more cloud storage systems; the cloud controllers ensure data consistency for the stored data, and each cloud controller caches portions of the distributed filesystem in a local storage pool. During operation, a host server executes program instructions for an application in a virtual machine (VM); data associated with this application and/or this virtual machine is stored in the distributed filesystem. Upon detecting a subsequent failure, the system can recover and resume the execution of the virtual machine and application using the previous application and virtual machine data that was stored in the distributed filesystem.

Abstract: According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a method for affecting user associations in over the top (OTT) service platforms. The method includes receiving a first message for initiating associations or disassociations between a first user and a second user of over the top (OTT) service platforms. The OTT service platforms are controlled and operated by distinct entities. The method also includes determining, using at least one of information in the first message and stored information, the OTT service platforms in which associations are to be established or disestablished. The method further includes sending at least a second message for establishing or disestablishing an association between the first user and the second user in the OTT service platforms.

Abstract: A composition contains (A) a hydrosilylation reaction catalyst and (B) an aliphatically unsaturated compound having an average, per molecule, of one or more aliphatically unsaturated organic groups capable of undergoing hydrosilylation reaction. The composition is capable of reacting via hydrosilylation reaction to form a reaction product, such as a silane, a gum, a gel, a rubber, or a resin. Ingredient (A) contains a metal-ligand complex that can be prepared by a method including reacting a metal precursor and a ligand.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media are described for controlling a camera to perform a selected task from a set of tasks is provided. The method comprises determining a viewing condition of the camera to perform each task from the set of tasks, and determining a posterior probability of task success for each task from the set of tasks based on the determined viewing conditions and a prior probability of task success for each task. The method also includes determining a change in rate of information gain for task success for each task from the set of tasks based on the posterior probability, selecting the task to be performed based on the change in rate of information gain, and controlling the camera to perform the selected task.

Abstract: A composition contains (A) a hydrosilylation reaction catalyst and (B) an aliphatically unsaturated compound having an average, per molecule, of one or more aliphatically unsaturated organic groups capable of undergoing hydrosilylation reaction. The composition capable of reacting via hydrosilylation reaction to form a reaction product, such as a silane, a gum, a gel, a rubber, or a resin. Ingredient (A) contains a metal-ligand complex that can be prepared by a method including reacting a metal precursor and a ligand.

Abstract: According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a method for affecting user associations in over the top (OTT) service platforms. The method includes receiving a first message for initiating associations or disassociations between a first user and a second user of over the top (OTT) service platforms. The OTT service platforms are controlled and operated by distinct entities. The method also includes determining, using at least one of information in the first message and stored information, the OTT service platforms in which associations are to be established or disestablished. The method further includes sending at least a second message for establishing or disestablishing an association between the first user and the second user in the OTT service platforms.