Abstract: This invention relates to installation methods for a multi-component floor mat. The floor mat typically contains a textile component and a base component. Alignment and deployment of the textile component with the base component in an efficient manner is described herein.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes transmitting, by a handler device associated with package handler, a message to an access control system requesting access to a secure container secured by an electronic lock mechanism; determining, by the access control system, whether the package handler is authorized to access the secure container based on the received message; transmitting, by the access control system, an unlock command to the secure container in response to a determination that the package handler is authorized to access the secure container; and unlocking the electronic lock mechanism of the secure container in response to successful authentication of the unlock command.

Abstract: In one aspect, an example method includes (i) receiving a first group of video content items; (ii) identifying from among the first group of video content items, a second group of video content items having a threshold extent of similarity with each other; (iii) determining a quality score for each video content item of the second group; (iv) identifying from among the second group of video content items, a third group of video content items each having a quality score that exceeds a quality score threshold; and (v) based on the identifying of the third group, transmitting at least a portion of at least one video content item of the identified third group to a digital video-effect (DVE) system, wherein the system is configured for using the at least the portion of the at least one video content item of the identified third group to generate a video content item.

Abstract: The system and method described here relate to the effective organization of a media database. The media database can include music and can bring together time, place, genre, and artist with curator and community commentary and recommendations, cultural events and elements, media content, and a facility for procurement of related materials. The consistent focus of these fundamental elements of music and principles of organization provides a unique user experience that is a key aspect of the current invention. The user can interact with the media database using voice commands.

Abstract: Improved methods and devices for performing an endoscopic surgery are provided. Systems are taught for operatively treating gastrointestinal disorders endoscopically in a stable, yet dynamic operative environment, and in a minimally invasive manner. Such systems include, for example, an endoscopic surgical suite. The surgical suite can have a reversibly expandable retractor that expands to provide a stable, operative environment within a subject. The expansion can be selectively asymmetric to maximize space for a tool and an endoscope to visualize a target tissue and treat the target tissue from outside the patient in a minimally invasive manner.

Abstract: In one aspect, an example method includes (i) receiving a first group of video content items; (ii) identifying from among the first group of video content items, a second group of video content items having a threshold extent of similarity with each other; (iii) determining a quality score for each video content item of the second group; (iv) identifying from among the second group of video content items, a third group of video content items each having a quality score that exceeds a quality score threshold; and (v) based on the identifying of the third group, transmitting at least a portion of at least one video content item of the identified third group to a digital video-effect (DVE) system, wherein the system is configured for using the at least the portion of the at least one video content item of the identified third group to generate a video content item.

Abstract: In an example implementation, a method is described. The implementation accesses a plurality of media clips including a first video clip and a second video clip, matches a first fingerprint of the first video clip with a second fingerprint of the second video clip. The implementation also matches a first event subject of the first video clip with a second event subject of the second video clip, and determines an overlap of the first video clip with the second video clip based at least in part on the match of the first fingerprint with the second fingerprint and the match of the first event subject with the second event subject. The implementation also merges the first video clip and the second video clip into a group of overlapping video clips based on the overlap, and synthesizes the group into a video presentation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for audio identification during a performance are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes at least one memory and at least one processor to transform a segment of audio into a log-frequency spectrogram based on a constant Q transform using a logarithmic frequency resolution, transform the log-frequency spectrogram into a binary image, each pixel of the binary image corresponding to a time frame and frequency channel pair, each frequency channel representing a corresponding quarter tone frequency channel in a range from C3-C8, generate a matrix product of the binary image and a plurality of reference fingerprints, normalize the matrix product to form a similarity matrix, select an alignment of a line in the similarity matrix that intersects one or more bins in the similarity matrix with the largest calculated Hamming similarities, and select a reference fingerprint based on the alignment.

Abstract: This invention relates to a carpet tile that includes a polyolefin secondary backing layer. In particular, this invention relates to modular carpet tiles having at least one layer of polyolefin-containing thermoplastic polymer in the secondary backing of the carpet tile. By modifying the composition of the carpet tiles in this manner, the carpet tiles are able to withstand the high temperatures associated with surface printing of the tiles, while still maintaining cold temperature flexibility.

Abstract: A thermistor housing assembly for simplifying manual installation of a thermistor into a heat or smoke/hear detector.

Abstract: In an example implementation, a method is described. The implementation accesses a plurality of media clips including a first video clip and a second video clip, matches a first fingerprint of the first video clip with a second fingerprint of the second video clip. The implementation also matches a first event location of the first video clip with a second event location of the second video clip, determines an overlap of the first video clip with the second video clip based at least in part on the match of the first fingerprint with the second fingerprint and the match of the first event location with the second event location, merges the first and second video clips into a group of overlapping video clips based on the overlap, and generates a presentation that includes the group formed by merging the first and second video clips based on the overlap.

Abstract: A user interface display system associated with an electronic key that provides feedback to a user engaging the electronic lock, including a user interface display to depict to the user feedback patterns with each feedback pattern displayed to the user providing the feedback to the user as the user engages the electronic lock with the electronic key. Each displayed feedback pattern provides a corresponding color that is associated with the feedback provided to the user as the user engages the electronic lock with the electronic key. A controller transitions the electrochromic filter to each color to correspond with the feedback pattern that is displayed by the user interface display so that the transitioned color and the displayed feedback pattern is in response to the user engaging the electronic lock with the electronic key.

Abstract: A method includes transmitting, by a handler device associated with package handler, a message to an access control system requesting access to a secure container secured by an electronic lock mechanism; determining, by the access control system, whether the package handler is authorized to access the secure container based on the received message; transmitting, by the access control system, an unlock command to the secure container in response to a determination that the package handler is authorized to access the secure container; and unlocking the electronic lock mechanism of the secure container in response to successful authentication of the unlock command.

Abstract: A user interface display system associated with an electronic key that provides feedback to a user engaging the electronic lock, including a user interface display to depict to the user feedback patterns with each feedback pattern displayed to the user providing the feedback to the user as the user engages the electronic lock with the electronic key. Each displayed feedback pattern provides a corresponding color that is associated with the feedback provided to the user as the user engages the electronic lock with the electronic key. A controller transitions the electrochromic filter to each color to correspond with the feedback pattern that is displayed by the user interface display so that the transitioned color and the displayed feedback pattern is in response to the user engaging the electronic lock with the electronic key.

Abstract: In an example implementation, a method is described. The implementation accesses a plurality of media clips including a first video clip and a second video clip. The implementation also matches a first fingerprint of at least a part of the first video clip with a second fingerprint of at least a part of the second video clip. The implementation also determines a temporal overlap of the first video clip with the second video clip based at least in part on the match. The implementation also, based on the temporal overlap of the first video clip with the second video clip, merges the first video clip and the second video clip into a group of overlapping video clips, and transmits, to a client computing device, data identifying the group of overlapping video clips and specifying a synchronization of the first video clip with the second video clip.

Abstract: In an example implementation, a method is described. The implementation accesses a plurality of media clips and metadata for the plurality of media clips. The implementation also uses the metadata for the plurality of media clips to select, from the plurality of media clips, a subset of media clips including a first media clip and a second media clip. The implementation also matches a first fingerprint of at least a part of the first media clip with a second fingerprint of at least a part of the second media clip. The implementation also determines a temporal overlap of the first media clip with the second media clip based at least in part on the match. The implementation also, based on the temporal overlap, merges the first media clip and the second media clip into a group of overlapping media clips, and generates a presentation that includes the group.

Abstract: This invention relates to a multi-component absorbent floor mat. The floor mat contains a textile component, an absorbent component, and a base component. The textile component and the base component are attached to one another by a variety of mechanisms, including magnetic attraction. The magnetic attraction is provided by incorporation of magnetic particles in both the textile and base components. The textile component is designed to be soiled, washed, and re-used, thereby providing ideal end-use applications in areas such as building entryways. The absorbent component is designed to be soiled and recycled or otherwise discarded and replaced.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for audio identification during a performance are disclosed herein. An example method includes transforming a segment of audio into a log-frequency spectrogram based on a transform using a logarithmic frequency resolution. The log-frequency spectrogram is transformed into a binary image, each pixel of the binary image corresponding to a time frame and frequency channel pair. A matrix product of the binary image and a plurality of reference fingerprints is computed. Based on a number of frequency ranges represented in the binary image, the matrix product to form a similarity matrix is computed. Selecting an alignment of a line in the similarity matrix that intersects one or more bins in the similarity matrix with the largest calculated Hamming similarities. A reference fingerprint is selected based on the alignment.

Abstract: Devices for palliating gastrointestinal strictures using rapid exchange type enteral stent placement catheters. The catheter may include an inner member and an outer member, with the two members being slidable with respect to one another. In various device embodiments, a ramp for directing a guidewire out from within the catheter is provided using portions of the outer member or a shaped mandrel. The inner member may take a number of forms, including a tubular distal portion, a skived or integrally attached elongate midsection, and a proximal portion. A mandrel can be used in a portion proximal of the guidewire ramp, with the mandrel taking one of several disclosed forms.