Abstract: A method that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example transmitting, via a connection to a network having an available digital bandwidth, a first pre-fetch media content item of media content items included in the a media recommendation transmitted to a communication device, the first pre-fetch media content item having a first rank. Responsive to a determination of a change in the available digital bandwidth, the transmitting of the first pre-fetch media content item is stopped and a second pre-fetch media content item of media content items included in the media recommendation is transmitted via the connection to the network. The second pre-fetch media content item has a second rank. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A backup assist system for a vehicle reversing a trailer includes a controller receiving a driver control signal and outputting a vehicle backing steering command based on the control signal and limited by one of a first angle limit corresponding with a calculated maximum controllable angle and a second angle limit at a maneuverability threshold below the maximum controllable angle. The system further includes an interface outputting an indication of the one of the first and second angle limits.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for vision-based determining of trailer presence. An example vehicle includes a camera to capture a plurality of frames. The example vehicle also includes a controller to calculate feature descriptors for a set of features identified in a first frame, compute respective match magnitudes between the feature descriptors of the first frame and for a second frame, calculate respective feature scores for each feature of the set of features, and determine if a trailer is present by comparing a feature score of a feature to a threshold.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for offering loyalty rewards for transactions. One exemplary method includes associating, by a computing device, a merchant with a group of reward offerors, and associating, by the computing device, a consumer payment account with a group of reward offerees. The method also includes receiving, by the computing device, and advertising to the reward offerees, a reward offer from the merchant; receiving a transaction associated with the merchant and with the consumer payment account, and identifying, in a data structure, the merchant as a member of the group of reward offerors and the consumer payment account as associated with the group of reward offerees. The method then further includes, based on the advertised reward offer and on the identified merchant, updating, by the computing device, a loyalty reward account associated with the consumer payment account.

Abstract: A method that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example performing, by a wireless communication device comprising a processor, wireless telephony communications via a first wireless interface, transmitting information associated with media-related activities to a server, receiving from the server a media recommendation that is generated according to the information associated with media-related activities, initiating communications with a network via a second wireless interface, downloading a media content item of the media recommendation from a content provider via the second wireless interface, and presenting the media content item at a display. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A stand for a heater pedestal with a base member and a support member detachably coupled to the base member, the support member having a plurality of ring members and at least one spacer member extending vertically from the base member, a ring member separated from another ring member by a spacer member, a ring member having an aperture which extends through the ring member in a horizontal direction, the at least one spacer member forming at least one opening between two corresponding ring members, and the ring member furthest from the base member configured to support a heater pedestal, and the apertures of the ring members of the support member being configured to receive a susceptor of the heater pedestal.

Abstract: An electronic gaming table comprises a base and a computer housed in the base. There is a table top mounted on the base. The table top has a frame, a monitor disposed within the frame, and a touch screen overlaying the monitor. The monitor receives game content from the computer and the monitor displays the game content. The monitor and the touch screen function together to provide a multi-touch playing surface for playing electronic games.

Abstract: Disclosed are light glare reducing apparatuses and related methods. A light glare reducing apparatus includes a first polarized body, a second polarized body, and a movable coupling that attaches the second polarized body to the first polarized body with the second polarized body at least partially overlapping the first polarized body. The first polarized body includes a first polarized material that is optically polarized in a first direction relative to the first polarized body. The second polarized body includes a second polarized material that is optically polarized in a second direction relative to the second polarized body. The movable coupling is configured to enable the second polarized body to move relative to the first polarized body to change an angle of the second direction relative to the first direction.

Abstract: A distributed antenna system (DAS) includes a wideband antenna device having respective transmit and receive antennas disposed in a single package and arranged to provide mutual isolation so that in use noise from the transmit antenna is isolated from the receive antenna, whereby reception is possible at the same frequency as transmission.

Abstract: A system for estimating hitch angle offset is provided herein. A sensor system is configured to measure hitch angles between a vehicle and a trailer attached thereto. A controller is configured to calculate hitch angle offsets for a plurality of measured hitch angles, and extrapolate additional hitch angle offsets based on the calculated hitch angle offsets.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for vision-based determining of trailer presence. An example vehicle includes a camera to capture a plurality of frames. The example vehicle also includes a controller to calculate feature descriptors for a set of features identified in a first frame, compute respective match magnitudes between the feature descriptors of the first frame and for a second frame, calculate respective feature scores for each feature of the set of features, and determine if a trailer is present by comparing a feature score of a feature to a threshold.

Abstract: A medical appliance is configured with material that creates a fluid barrier with interior walls of a stoma on a patient. These configurations may include an annular disc with a stem on one side that inserts into the stoma. The material may reside on the stem, for example, in the form of a replaceable hollow tube that covers at least part of the stem. On the other side, a rotatable spigot inserts into a recess. The rotatable spigot has a first position that forms a flow path through the stem and the annular disc to allow waste to drain from the stoma. In one implementation, the rotatable spigot can couple with a collection device that receive the waste. The patient can return the rotatable spigot to a second position to prevent flow of waste.

Abstract: A process system of performing a fabrication process on a wafer includes a wafer storage cassette, process chambers, a transfer chamber having a body and a lid that detachably covers the body, a frame configured to support the transfer chamber, and a lifting tool connected to the lid and extended from the lid over a portion of the frame. The body of the transfer chamber is connected to the wafer storage cassette and the plurality of process chambers so that the wafer is transferred from the wafer storage cassette through the body of the transfer chamber to one of the process chambers.

Abstract: A method that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example performing, by a wireless communication device comprising a processor, wireless telephony communications via a first wireless interface, transmitting information associated with media-related activities to a server, receiving from the server a media recommendation that is generated according to the information associated with media-related activities, initiating communications with a network via a second wireless interface, downloading a media content item of the media recommendation from a content provider via the second wireless interface, and presenting the media content item at a display. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example performing, by a wireless communication device comprising a processor, wireless telephony communications via a first wireless interface, transmitting information associated with media-related activities to a server, receiving from the server a media recommendation that is generated according to the information associated with media-related activities, initiating communications with a network via a second wireless interface, downloading a media content item of the media recommendation from a content provider via the second wireless interface, and presenting the media content item at a display. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for translating broadcast messages in a network device. The network device obtains a configuration for translating a destination address of a specified type of broadcast message to a different destination address. A broadcast message is received that matches the specified type. A multicast message is generated based upon the broadcast message and the configuration. A multicast address used as a destination for the multicast message corresponds to the multicast address for a group of network nodes specified by the configuration. The multicast message is transmitted from one or more network interfaces associated with the multicast address for the group of network nodes. The multicast message includes the instruction for the group of network nodes.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for translating multicast messages in a network device. The network device obtains a configuration for translating a destination address of a specified type of multicast message to a different destination address. A multicast message is received that matches the specified type. A broadcast message is generated based upon the multicast message and the configuration, where the broadcast address used as a destination for the broadcast message corresponds to the broadcast address for a group of network nodes specified by the configuration. The broadcast message is transmitted from one or more network interfaces specified by the configuration. The broadcast message includes the instruction for the group of network nodes.

Abstract: A distributed antenna system (DAS) includes a wideband antenna device having respective transmit and receive antennas disposed in a single package and arranged to provide mutual isolation so that in use noise from the transmit antenna is isolated from the receive antenna, whereby reception is possible at the same frequency as transmission.

Abstract: Methods and systems for improved categorization of queries are disclosed. In one aspect, first queries having query results limited to a particular category are identified. Second queries including a first query are also identified. For identified second queries, a pattern is generated based on the second query and the included first query, and a rank of the first query's particular category in results for the second query and a percentage of the second query's results having a category equivalent to the included first query's particular category are determined. The ranks and percentages are aggregated for matching patterns, and second patterns with aggregated ranks and percentages meeting a criterion are determined. Results for a third query are limited to a category equivalent to a particular category for a first query included in the third query, and then transmitted over a computer network to a client device.

Abstract: A steering input device for a trailer backup assist system includes a control element moveable away from a center position sequentially through a first sub-range and a second sub-range and defining a first stop between the first sub-range and the second sub-range, movement past the first stop being permitted upon a first predetermined movement of the control element. The steering input device further includes a controller generating a vehicle steering command based on a position of the control element.