Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to receive a valet-key request from a valet mobile device. The processor is also configured to request authentication of a key transfer, responsive to the request and transfer, from an owner mobile device to the valet mobile device, vehicle data, describing a vehicle, and key data, usable to access and activate the vehicle, responsive to authentication approval.

Abstract: A DuraLock scrubber and scraper attachments with replaceable surface scrubbing and scraping capability, that includes providing a removable/replaceable surface scrubbing and scraping attachments, and attaching the elements to the mop head holder for scrubbing and scraping the floor surface. This provides a mop handle with surface scrubbing and scraping capability and includes an attachment for rigid connection to a mop handle, which is adapted to carry replaceable surface cleaning element(s). The replaceable elements can be a scraper, scrubbing pad or bristles or other abrasive materials that can be interchanged or replaced depending upon the job or as the components wear without requiring removal of the mop head and further allows the replacement of the mop head without requiring removal and reinstallation of the elements.

Abstract: A distributed computing device calculates word counts for each of a set of documents. The word counts are represented as values, each representing a number of times a corresponding word appears in one of the set of documents. The distributed computing device randomly samples the word counts to calculate sampled word counts. The distributed computing device and additional distributed computing devices iteratively execute a process to determine a consensus result for the sampled word counts based on the sampled word counts and additional sampled word counts calculated by the additional distributed computing devices. The distributed computing device determines a latent semantic index (LSI) subspace based on the consensus result for the sampled word count and reflecting contents of the set and additional sets of documents. The distributed computing device projects a document into the LSI subspace to determine the latent semantic content of the document.

Abstract: A distributed computing device generates a gradient descent matrix based on data received by the distributed computing device and a model stored on the distributed computing device. The distributed computing device calculates a sampled gradient descent matrix based on the gradient descent matrix and a random matrix. The distributed computing device iteratively executes a process to determine a consensus gradient descent matrix in conjunction with a plurality of additional distributed computing devices connected by a network to the distributed computing device. The consensus gradient descent matrix is based on the sampled gradient descent matrix and a plurality of additional sampled gradient decent matrices calculated by the plurality of additional distributed computing devices. The distributed computing device updates the model stored on the distributed computing device based on the consensus gradient descent matrix.

Abstract: A distributed computing device stores user preference data representing preferences of a user with respect to a portion of a set of items. The distributed computing device randomly samples the user preference data to calculate sampled user preference data. The distributed computing device iteratively executes, in conjunction with additional distributed computing devices connected by a network, a process to determine a consensus result for the sampled user preference data. The consensus result is based on the sampled user preference data and additional sampled user preference data calculated by the additional distributed computing devices and based on preferences of additional users. The distributed computing device determines a recommendation model based on the consensus result, the recommendation model reflecting preferences of the user and additional users.

Abstract: Each of a plurality of distributed computing devices receives a respective data partition of a plurality of data partitions for a computing task. A first distributed computing device generates a first partial result of a plurality of partial results generated by the plurality of distributed computing devices. The first computing device iteratively executes a distributed average consensus (DAC) process. At each iteration, the first computing device transmits the first partial result to a second computing device, receives a second partial result generated by the second computing device, and updates the first partial result by computing an average of the first and second partial results. In response to determining that respective partial results of the plurality of distributed computing devices have reached a consensus value, the first computing device stops executing the DAC process, and generates a final result of the computing task based on the consensus value.

Abstract: A hydraulic mount for a vehicle shock absorber includes a first housing portion, a second housing portion, an orifice plate and a diaphragm connected together to define a first chamber and a second chamber in the hydraulic mount. A first resilient member disposed on the orifice plate defines a first sub-chamber in the first chamber and a second resilient member disposed on the orifice plate defines a second sub-chamber in the second chamber.

Abstract: A multiphase composite, formed by freeze-casting, lyophilization, and sintering, has sintered particles forming a scaffold having at least one region of aligned porosity; and a second phase formed in pores of the scaffold. In a particular embodiment, the second phase is a nuclear fuel, in another, the first phase is a nuclear fuel, and in others, both phases are nuclear fuels. In some embodiments, the first phase is a ceramic, and in other embodiments a metal such as stainless steel. In other embodiments, the second phase is a metal, and in other embodiments a ceramic. In some embodiments the second phase is positioned in a subset of pores of the scaffold, at least some additional pores being filled with a third phase. In embodiments, the second phase is also sintered.

Abstract: An axial piston pump including a housing, a cylinder block, and a swash block. The cylinder block is rotatable within the housing about a vertical axis and includes an array of openings in the cylinder block distributed about the vertical axis and an array of pistons reciprocatably movable within the respective openings. The swash block is rotatable about an axis of rotation that is transverse to the vertical axis, and the degree of rotation is configured to control the extent of reciprocation of the pistons as the cylinder block rotates. The swash block has arc shape conical bearing surfaces tilted relative to the axis of rotation that are configured to guide movement of the swash block rotationally about the axis of rotation and prevent movement of the swash block axially along the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to receive a valet-key request from a valet mobile device. The processor is also configured to request authentication of a key transfer, responsive to the request and transfer, from an owner mobile device to the valet mobile device, vehicle data, describing a vehicle, and key data, usable to access and activate the vehicle, responsive to authentication approval.

Abstract: A disc valve assembly for control of a flow of hydraulic fluid in a hydraulic fluid system may include a disc element comprising an inlet facing side and a second side opposite to the inlet facing side, and flow pathways configured as a plurality of different pressure zones with the flow pathways extending axially along a longitudinal axis of the disc element from at or adjacent to the inlet facing side to the second side. A valve housing houses the disc element and includes porting configured as part of the plurality of different pressure zones respectively in fluid communication with the flow pathways of the disc element. The disc element is configured to rotate to control a flow of hydraulic fluid through the disc valve assembly. The different pressure zones are isolated from each other using a plurality of annular sealing rings located on the inlet facing side of the disc element.

Abstract: A multiphase composite, formed by freeze-casting, lyophilization, and sintering, has sintered particles forming a scaffold having at least one region of aligned porosity; and a second phase formed in pores of the scaffold. In a particular embodiment, the second phase is a nuclear fuel, in another, the first phase is a nuclear fuel, and in others, both phases are nuclear fuels. In some embodiments, the first phase is a ceramic, and in other embodiments a metal such as stainless steel. In other embodiments, the second phase is a metal, and in other embodiments a ceramic. In some embodiments the second phase is positioned in a subset of pores of the scaffold, at least some additional pores being filled with a third phase. In embodiments, the second phase is also sintered.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, in various embodiments, are systems and methods for creating, implementing, communicating, and/or analyzing control logic governing operation of a system under control, where the control logic is defined in attributed data, which specifies control operators along with their input and output variables for the various control nodes. In example embodiments, a virtual control engine executes the control logic based on interpretations provided by an attributed-data dictionary.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable storage and locking apparatus that permits towing hitches and hitch-mountable accessories to be stored and locked to trailers, vehicles, buildings and other locations having exposed frames, beams, channels or other structures and storage locations. The apparatus does not require tools or hardware to mount and uses a pair of spaced-apart side plates joined to form a u-shaped mount that slides over a frame. The side plates have at least one pair of square-shaped aligned holes near the open ends, which extend past the frame and are configured to insert a towing hitch or accessory. With the apparatus over a frame, and a towing hitch or accessory inserted in the square holes, the apparatus is effectively secured to the frame and cannot be removed. A trailer hitch locking pin may be used to lock the hitch or accessory to the apparatus, and therefore to the frame.

Abstract: An active electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter includes a first amplifier and a second amplifier. The first amplifier is configured to sense noise signals on a power conductor. The second amplifier is coupled to the first amplifier and is configured to drive a cancellation signal onto the power conductor. The cancellation signal is to reduce the amplitude of the noise signals sensed by the first amplifier. An output impedance of the second amplifier is lower than an output impedance of the first amplifier.

Abstract: A hydraulic mount for a vehicle shock absorber includes a first housing portion, a second housing portion, an orifice plate and a diaphragm connected together to define a first chamber and a second chamber in the hydraulic mount. A first resilient member disposed on the orifice plate defines a first sub-chamber in the first chamber and a second resilient member disposed on the orifice plate defines a second sub-chamber in the second chamber.

Abstract: No numbers found in figures. An example vehicular shock absorbing apparatus includes a shock absorber, a hydraulic mount operatively coupled with the shock absorber, a first decoupler movably disposed in a first portion of the hydraulic mount, and a second decoupler movably disposed in a second portion of the hydraulic mount.

Abstract: An interactive organization architecture and application platform and methods for use with social reading systems and networks are disclosed for permitting users to interact while viewing the pages of electronic content, for example, a book. Users may highlight text and attach a comment, link, poll, or quiz to the text of the electronic content. As other readers peruse through the electronic content, they are either presented with the notes as they read or are presented with aggregated notes in their feed, which may be determined as relevant based on predetermined criteria. Users may share content with others in multiple private and public discussion threads. The social reading platform system and methods also include other features that facilitate discovery, collaborative reading, assignment of tasks, review of tasks by teachers and peers etc.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, in various embodiments, are systems and methods for creating, implementing, communicating, and/or analyzing control logic governing operation of a system under control, where the control logic is defined in attributed data, which specifies control operators along with their input and output variables for the various control nodes. In example embodiments, an attributed-data generator converts a control-logic design specification into attributed data based in part on control-operator mappings provided by an attributed-data dictionary.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable storage and locking apparatus that permits towing hitches and hitch-mountable accessories to be stored and locked to trailers, vehicles, buildings and other locations having exposed frames, beams, channels or other structures and storage locations. The apparatus does not require tools or hardware to mount and uses a pair of spaced-apart side plates joined to form a u-shaped mount that slides over a frame. The side plates have at least one pair of square-shaped aligned holes near the open ends, which extend past the frame and are configured to insert a towing hitch or accessory. With the apparatus over a frame, and a towing hitch or accessory inserted in the square holes, the apparatus is effectively secured to the frame and cannot be removed. A trailer hitch locking pin may be used to lock the hitch or accessory to the apparatus, and therefore to the frame.