Abstract: A flood-fill method for parallel implementation includes the steps of receiving an image including first elements having a flood fill source colour to be replaced with a flood fill target colour, and second elements not having the flood fill source colour; dividing the image according to a hierarchical space-partitioning scheme to form cells at a plurality of levels in the hierarchy; detecting the occupancy of each cell by second elements; for any cell having no occupancy by second elements, set a depth elevation value for child cells of that cell to be one greater than the value for that cell, indicating that the flood fill shall navigate levels towards a root cell by the depth elevation amount of a cell whilst only occupying nodes without any second elements, thereby reaching the largest parent cell which can be flood-filled; and filling the flood fill source colour of cells having no occupancy by second elements with the flood fill target colour, thereby modifying the received image.

Abstract: Data-driven operating model (DDOM) systems and techniques are described to manage implementation, access, and promotion of digital services by a service provider system. In one example, the DDOM system includes a data aggregation module, a journey manager module and a segment manager module. The data aggregation module supports a unified data architecture that is then leverage by the journey and segment manager modules to support matrixed journey stage and segmentation of a data lake to provide insights that are not possible by a human being alone, that are usable to manage implementation, access, and promotion of digital services by a service provider system.

Abstract: A female coupling device includes: a main body, and a clip member coupled to the main body, the clip member having a plurality of arms extending perpendicularly therefrom, with the plurality of arms forming at least one pair of arms, with the pair of arms including a first distance therebetween and a second distance therebetween, with the first distance being sized to engage a clip groove of a mating male coupling device, and with the second distance being sized to disengage the mating male coupling device. In a locked position, the pair of arms is positioned so that the first distance is adjacent to the mating male coupling device. In an unlocked position, the pair of arms is positioned so that the second distance is adjacent to the mating male coupling device.

Abstract: In a wireless access node, a baseband unit (BBU) detects a fault and responsively directs an Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) Mobile Terminal (MT) to scan for a wireless IAB service. The IAB MT scans for the wireless IAB service and establishes a wireless IAB link. The BBU exchanges fault data with the IAB MT. The IAB MT wirelessly exchanges the fault data with a neighbor access node over the wireless IAB link. The BBU recovers from the fault in response to the fault data.

Abstract: According to certain aspects, a method of assessing users of a data storage system can include receiving configuration information relating to a deployed configuration of a first data storage cell and including number of installed data storage hardware and/or software components, the first data storage cell comprising a plurality of client computing devices and being configured to create and store one or more secondary copies of primary data generated by the plurality of client computing devices. The method may also include receiving information relating to an incident opened by a user of the first data storage cell. The method may further include updating a performance metric associated with the user to a new value to reflect a negative impact on the performance metric resulting from the opening of the incident by the user, wherein the degree of the negative impact is based at least in part on the configuration information.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment the present invention relates to a Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) covert terrain following outdoor perimeter security sensor that can detect, locate and categorize intruders as they move in proximity to buried sensor cables. This MIMO cable guided radar utilizes parallel standard leaky coaxial cables with uniform aperture(s) in the outer conductor. RF transmissions from both ends of one cable setup an invisible electromagnetic detection field which couples into parallel receive cables. When an intruder moves within the coupled electromagnetic fields the amplitude and phase of the multiple received signals are altered. Signals received from both ends of each receive cable are processed jointly to detect and locate intruders along the length of the sensor cables. The joint processing of the responses seen from both ends of the cable(s), referred to as End-to-End correlation provides uniform sensitivity along the length of cables without the need for expensive “graded” cables.

Abstract: A spark plug for use with an engine block/cylinder head having a threaded bore and also for use with a spark plug wrench and an ignition wire. Also, an improved method for constructing a spark plug, the spark plug including a metal shell having a hex nut, a seat, a flange, a bore and threads. A ground electrode is associated with the shell and an insulator assembly occupies the bore and is gripped by the flange. The method includes the steps of forming the hex nut and the seat by carrying out operations on a blank, roiling the threads, fitting the insulator assembly into the bore, deforming the flange to capture the insulator, and forming the negative electrode by machining the blank.

Abstract: According to certain aspects, a method of assessing users of a data storage system can include receiving configuration information relating to a deployed configuration of a first data storage cell and including number of installed data storage hardware and/or software components, the first data storage cell comprising a plurality of client computing devices and being configured to create and store one or more secondary copies of primary data generated by the plurality of client computing devices. The method may also include receiving information relating to an incident opened by a user of the first data storage cell. The method may further include updating a performance metric associated with the user to a new value to reflect a negative impact on the performance metric resulting from the opening of the incident by the user, wherein the degree of the negative impact is based at least in part on the configuration information.

Abstract: A female coupling device includes: a main body, and a clip member coupled to the main body, the clip member having a plurality of arms extending perpendicularly therefrom, with the plurality of arms forming at least one pair of arms, with the pair of arms including a first distance therebetween and a second distance therebetween, with the first distance being sized to engage a clip groove of a mating male coupling device, and with the second distance being sized to disengage the mating male coupling device. In a locked position, the pair of arms is positioned so that the first distance is adjacent to the mating male coupling device. In an unlocked position, the pair of arms is positioned so that the second distance is adjacent to the mating male coupling device.

Abstract: A wireless base station serves a wireless network sector over a frequency channel. The wireless base station shares the frequency channel with an Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communication (URLLC) service in a subsector of the wireless network sector. A Fifth Generation (5G) radio beamforms 5G signals over the frequency channel to User Equipment (UEs) that are located in the wireless network sector. The beamforming attenuates the 5G signals below a signal threshold before the 5G signals enter the subsector. A 5G baseband unit determines when UEs enter the subsector. The 5G baseband unit detaches UEs that enter the subsector from the frequency channel.

Abstract: Secondary batteries and methods of manufacture thereof are provided. A secondary battery can comprise an offset between electrode and counter-electrode layers in a unit cell. Secondary batteries can be prepared by removing a population of negative electrode subunits from a negative electrode sheet, the negative electrode sheet comprising a negative electrode sheet edge margin and at least one negative electrode sheet weakened region that is internal to the negative electrode sheet edge margin, removing a population of separator layer subunits from a separator sheet, and removing a population of positive electrode subunits from a positive electrode sheet, the positive electrode sheet comprising a positive electrode edge margin and at least one positive electrode sheet weakened region that is internal to the positive electrode sheet edge margin, and stacking members of the negative electrode subunit population, the separator layer subunit population and the positive electrode subunit population.

Abstract: Embodiments of secondary batteries having electrode assemblies are provided. A secondary battery can comprise an electrode assembly having a stacked series of layers, the stacked series of layers having an offset between electrode and counter-electrode layers in a unit cell member of the stacked series. A set of constraints can be provided with a primary constraint system with first and second primary growth constraints separated from each other in a longitudinal direction, and connected by at least one primary connecting member, and a secondary constraint system comprises first and second secondary growth constraints separated in a second direction and connected by members of the stacked series of layers. The primary constraint system may at least partially restrain growth of the electrode assembly in the longitudinal direction, and the secondary constraint system may at least partially restrain growth in the second direction that is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing automated problem reporting in elements used in conjunction with computer networks are disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of elements that perform data operations and a reporting manager or monitor agent which monitors the elements and data operations. Upon detection of hardware or software problems, the reporting manager or monitor agent automatically communicates with elements affected by the problem to gather selected hardware, software, and configuration information, analyzes the information to determine causes of the problem, and issues a problem report containing at least a portion of the selected information. The problem report is communicated to a remote monitor that does not possess access privileges to the elements, allowing automated, remote monitoring of the elements without compromising security of the computer network or elements.

Abstract: A wireless communication system serves a geographically-diverse data service. Network circuitry transfers geographic-diversity data for Fifth Generation (5G) networks to user circuitry that indicates Distributed Unit (DU) geographic data and Common Unit (CU) geographic data. The user circuitry selects two or more of the 5G networks that use geographically-diverse DUs and geographically-diverse CUs based on the geographic-diversity data for the 5G networks. The user circuitry exchanges service data for the data service with service circuitry over the selected ones of the 5G networks. The service circuitry exchanges the service data with the user circuitry over the selected ones of the 5G networks.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods of making foams comprising aromatic polyester polyether polyol materials derived from the transesterification of polyethylene terephthalate with either glycerin or trimethylolpropane, wherein each of these triols, independently, has a degree of ethoxylation of from 1 to 9. Uses of the foams are further disclosed. The disclosure further relates to selection of blowing agents suitable to generate a selected end use case. Yet further, the disclosure relates to selection of end uses, properties, and environmental profiles of the foams generated according to the methods herein, and selecting formulation variables suitable to obtain the foams.

Abstract: A cone for use in a Pepper's Ghost illusion includes a conical wall of semi-reflective material, and an attachment member for removably attaching the cone to the surface of a light emissive display, and a method of displaying a Pepper's Ghost illusion includes positioning a cone of semi-reflective material onto a light emissive display; and displaying on the light emissive display an image that has been distorted by an inverse of a distortion caused by a reflection of the cone.

Abstract: A display system for use in a Pepper's Ghost illusion includes a light emissive display, a sensor operable to detect the position of an attachment member of a cone, relative to the light emissive display, and a positioning processor operable to position images, which have been distorted by an inverse of the distortion caused by the reflection of the cone, responsive to the detected position of the cone relative to the light emissive display.

Abstract: A wireless communication system serves a geographically-diverse data service. Network circuitry transfers geographic-diversity data for Fifth Generation (5G) networks to user circuitry that indicates Distributed Unit (DU) geographic data and Common Unit (CU) geographic data. The user circuitry selects two or more of the 5G networks that use geographically-diverse DUs and geographically-diverse CUs based on the geographic-diversity data for the 5G networks. The user circuitry exchanges service data for the data service with service circuitry over the selected ones of the 5G networks. The service circuitry exchanges the service data with the user circuitry over the selected ones of the 5G networks.

Abstract: The sliding parts, the guides and interlocking portions of the interlocking guides and slides of a slide valve are all disposed away from a flow path through the valve. Additionally, the portions of the interlocking guide on the slide or disc of the valve that interlock with the guide on an orifice plate are connected to the slide or disc by welds instead of bolts, greatly increasing durability. As the slide or disc moves in and out to control the flow rate precisely, the guides of the slide or disc move with it. Because the sliding surfaces of the orifice plate and the slide or disc are outside of the flow path, they are consequently not subjected to erosion from the flow through the valve. Accordingly, all critical sliding surfaces are not exposed to the flow path and are greatly increased in durability.