Abstract: Various embodiments of a system and associated method for a thrust-vector controlled unmanned aerial and ground vehicle are disclosed herein.

Abstract: Techniques for generating multiple-resolutions of time series data are described. An input irregular time series having a plurality of data points is obtained, each data point of the plurality of data points including a timestamp and a feature vector. Based on the input irregular time series, multiple variant time series are generated. A data point in one of the variant time series is based in part on a combination of at least two data points of the input irregular time series. The multiple variant time series can then be used for machine learning tasks such as training a machine learning model or using a machine learning model to infer an output.

Abstract: Tampon dispensing devices and methods for using the same are provided. In some embodiments, a tampon dispensing device includes a display that presents one or more codes for receiving a tampon, an actuator that is connected to a spindle structure that dispenses the tampon from a plurality of tampons stored in a storage unit, and a controller that is connected to the display and the actuator, where the controller is configured to: receive, from a server, a code for dispensing one of the plurality of tampons; present the received code on the display; receive, from the server, a request to dispense one of the plurality of tampons from the storage unit; and transmit an instruction to the actuator that causes the actuator to rotate a spindle structure such that the tampon is dispensed from the storage unit into a dispensing area.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a system and associated method for a thrust-vector controlled unmanned aerial and ground vehicle are disclosed herein.

Abstract: Tampon dispensing devices and methods for using the same are provided. In some embodiments, a tampon dispensing device includes a display that presents one or more codes for receiving a tampon, an actuator that is connected to a spindle structure that dispenses the tampon from a plurality of tampons stored in a storage unit, and a controller that is connected to the display and the actuator, where the controller is configured to: receive, from a server, a code for dispensing one of the plurality of tampons; present the received code on the display; receive, from the server, a request to dispense one of the plurality of tampons from the storage unit; and transmit an instruction to the actuator that causes the actuator to rotate a spindle structure such that the tampon is dispensed from the storage unit into a dispensing area.

Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques to infer customer communication preferences based on interactions between customers and merchants. In the past, merchants have typically asked customers to either opt-in or opt-out from receiving subsequent communications from the merchants. However, many customers simply choose the default setting, such that the resultant “selection” does not adequately reflect their desires regarding whether and how much future communication they would like to receive. This often results in high unsubscribe rates and/or ineffective merchant communication. The described techniques utilize behavior of a customer as a more accurate gauge of how receptive the customer is to receiving communications from a merchant.

Abstract: Efficient exploration of natural language conversations associated with dialogue policy learning may be performed using probabilistic distributions. Exploration may comprise identifying key terms associated with the received natural language input utilizing the structured representation. Identifying key terms may include converting raw text of the received natural language input into a structured representation. Exploration may also comprise mapping at least one of the key terms to an action to be performed by the computer system in response to receiving natural language input associated with the at least one key term. Mapping may then be performed using a probabilistic distribution. The action may then be performed by the computer system. A replay buffer may also be utilized by the computer system to track what has occurred in previous conversations. The replay buffer may then be pre-filled with one or more successful dialogues to jumpstart exploration.

Abstract: Efficient exploration of natural language conversations associated with dialogue policy learning may be performed using probabilistic distributions. Exploration may comprise identifying key terms associated with the received natural language input utilizing the structured representation. Identifying key terms may include converting raw text of the received natural language input into a structured representation. Exploration may also comprise mapping at least one of the key terms to an action to be performed by the computer system in response to receiving natural language input associated with the at least one key term. Mapping may then be performed using a probabilistic distribution. The action may then be performed by the computer system. A replay buffer may also be utilized by the computer system to track what has occurred in previous conversations. The replay buffer may then be pre-filled with one or more successful dialogues to jumpstart exploration.

Abstract: An online transaction processing service may be used by a merchant to process payments for purchase transactions. The service may also support the merchant in other ways, such as by managing sales promotions and points-based loyalty programs. The service is configured to analyze customer purchasing behaviors, to identify groups of customers exhibiting similar purchasing behaviors, and to recommend sales promotions to particular groups of customers. The particular groups to which promotions are directed may be selected by the system based on sales priorities of the merchant and/or the business type of the merchant. The products offered as part of the promotions may similarly be selected based on sales priorities and business types, as well as existing inventories of products and profit margins associated with the products.