Abstract: A method of distance measuring includes obtaining a depth map and a stereo pair of images of a scene of interest, and enhancing a precision of the depth map based on disparity values of corresponding points between the images. The images have a higher resolution than the depth map. Enhancing the precision of the depth map includes determining the disparity values by optimizing an energy function of the images and replacing low precision values of the depth map with corresponding high precision values based on the disparity values.

Abstract: A server, method, and non-transitory computer readable medium for ranking a plurality of data sources are provided. The server includes a network interface, a memory storage unit and a processor. The method involves sending a test message, monitoring an external network for a response to the test message, determining whether a service level is satisfied and adjusting the rank of the data source. The non-transitory computer readable medium is encoded with programming instructions to direct a processor to carry out the method.

Abstract: In one implementation, a method of forming a cobalt layer on a substrate is provided. The method comprises forming a barrier and/or liner layer on a substrate having a feature definition formed in a first surface of the substrate, wherein the barrier and/or liner layer is formed on a sidewall and bottom surface of the feature definition. The method further comprises exposing the substrate to a ruthenium precursor to form a ruthenium-containing layer on the barrier and/or liner layer. The method further comprises exposing the substrate to a cobalt precursor to form a cobalt seed layer atop the ruthenium-containing layer. The method further comprises forming a bulk cobalt layer on the cobalt seed layer to fill the feature definition.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a satellite anomaly detection method and system for an adversarial network auto-encoder. The method includes: obtaining a variational auto-encoder and a generative adversarial network; adding the generative adversarial network to the variational auto-encoder, and determining an optimized variational auto-encoder; obtaining to-be-detected satellite telemetry data; and determining a current operating status of a satellite based on the to-be-detected satellite telemetry data by using the optimized variational auto-encoder, where the current operating status includes a normal operating state or an abnormal operating state. The satellite anomaly detection method and system for an adversarial network according to the present disclosure solve the low accuracy problem of automatic satellite anomaly detection in the prior art.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a protection group superposition switching method, a control apparatus, and an optical communication device. Multiple protection state machines are implemented by using a field programmable gate array (FPGA). Each protection state machine independently performs an automatic protection switching (APS) protocol operation for at least one protection group that is pre-associated with the protection state machine. At least one protection status table for recording a status of each protection group is updated according to a result of the APS protocol operation, and a cross-connection table for traffic cross-connection between communication units is updated according to the protection status table; the updated cross-connection table is configured into a cross-connection chip, so that the cross-connection chip performs traffic cross-connection according to the updated cross-connection table.

Abstract: A method and a device for each network element node in a transoceanic multiplex section shared protection ring to automatically discover a cross-node service topology. According to the present invention, the method for automatically discovering a cross-node service topology comprises the following steps: at the node, generating a message containing service identification information of the node, the service identification information being used for identifying a service flow configured for a protection group; sending the message containing the service identification information through the transoceanic multiplex section shared protection ring; and at at least one of other nodes, determining a cross-node service crossing topology according to the message containing the service identification information.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a protection group superposition switching method, a control apparatus, and an optical communication device. Multiple protection state machines are implemented by using a field programmable gate array (FPGA). Each protection state machine independently performs an automatic protection switching (APS) protocol operation for at least one protection group that is pre-associated with the protection state machine. At least one protection status table for recording a status of each protection group is updated according to a result of the APS protocol operation, and a cross-connection table for traffic cross-connection between communication units is updated according to the protection status table; the updated cross-connection table is configured into a cross-connection chip, so that the cross-connection chip performs traffic cross-connection according to the updated cross-connection table.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product provide a conversation agent to process natural language queries expressed by a user and perform commands according to the derived intention of the user. A natural language processing (NLP) engine derives intent using conditional random fields to identify a domain and at least one task embodied in the query. The NLP may further identify one or more subdomains, and one or more entities related to the identified command. A template system creates a data structure for information relevant to the derived intent and passes a template to a services manager for interfacing with one or more services capable of accomplishing the task. A dialogue manager may elicit more entities from the user if required by the services manager and otherwise engage in conversation with the user. In one embodiment, the conversational agent allows a user to engage in multiple conversations simultaneously.

Abstract: Methods for forming a copper seed layer having improved anti-migration properties are described herein. In one embodiment, a method includes forming a first copper layer in a feature, forming a ruthenium layer over the first copper layer in the feature, and forming a second copper layer on the ruthenium layer in the feature. The ruthenium layer substantially locks the copper layer there below in place in the feature, preventing substantial physical migration thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hardware-based protection group switching method and optical communication equipment.

Abstract: A target detection method includes obtaining a depth image, performing detection on the depth image based on a detection algorithm, and, in response to obtaining a candidate region of a target object as a result of the detection, determining whether the candidate region of the target object is an effective region of the target object based on a verification algorithm.

Abstract: A method and a device for each network element node in a transoceanic multiplex section shared protection ring to automatically discover a cross-node service topology. According to the present invention, the method for automatically discovering a cross-node service topology comprises the following steps: at the node, generating a message containing service identification information of the node, the service identification information being used for identifying a service flow configured for a protection group; sending the message containing the service identification information through the transoceanic multiplex section shared protection ring; and at at least one of other nodes, determining a cross-node service crossing topology according to the message containing the service identification information.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming an interconnect structure, the method including selectively depositing two or more capping layers atop a top surface of a via within a low-k dielectric layer, wherein the two or more capping layers include a first layer of ruthenium and a second layer of cobalt.

Abstract: Interconnects and methods for forming interconnects are described and disclosed herein. The interconnect contains a stack formed on a substrate having a via and a trench formed therein, a first metal formed from a first material of a first type deposited in the via, and a second metal formed from a second material of a second type deposited in the trench.

Abstract: In one implementation, a method of forming a cobalt layer on a substrate is provided. The method comprises forming a barrier and/or liner layer on a substrate having a feature definition formed in a first surface of the substrate, wherein the barrier and/or liner layer is formed on a sidewall and bottom surface of the feature definition. The method further comprises exposing the substrate to a ruthenium precursor to form a ruthenium-containing layer on the barrier and/or liner layer. The method further comprises exposing the substrate to a cobalt precursor to form a cobalt seed layer atop the ruthenium-containing layer. The method further comprises forming a bulk cobalt layer on the cobalt seed layer to fill the feature definition.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product provide a conversation agent to process natural language queries expressed by a user and perform commands according to the derived intention of the user. A natural language processing (NLP) engine derives intent using conditional random fields to identify a domain and at least one task embodied in the query. The NLP may further identify one or more subdomains, and one or more entities related to the identified command. A template system creates a data structure for information relevant to the derived intent and passes a template to a services manager for interfacing with one or more services capable of accomplishing the task. A dialogue manager may elicit more entities from the user if required by the services manager and otherwise engage in conversation with the user. In one embodiment, the conversational agent allows a user to engage in multiple conversations simultaneously.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture configured to operate an aerial vehicle are provided. Various embodiments may be implemented with an aerial vehicle. In one exemplary implementation, a method of operating an aerial vehicle may include identifying, from image data, a set of predetermined features based on one or more invariant properties associated with the predetermined features. The predetermined features may be associated with predetermined physical locations. Based on the image locations of the predetermined features within the image data and the predetermined physical locations of the predetermined features, a system may be configured to determine at least one of a location and an orientation of the aerial vehicle. The disclosed embodiments may provide enhanced accuracy, usability, and robustness in tracking the location and orientation of an aerial vehicle under various operation conditions.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product provide a conversation agent to process natural language queries expressed by a user and perform commands according to the derived intention of the user. A natural language processing (NLP) engine derives intent using conditional random fields to identify a domain and at least one task embodied in the query. The NLP may further identify one or more subdomains, and one or more entities related to the identified command. A template system creates a data structure for information relevant to the derived intent and passes a template to a services manager for interfacing with one or more services capable of accomplishing the task. A dialog manager may elicit more entities from the user if required by the services manager and otherwise engage in conversation with the user. In one embodiment, the conversational agent allows a user to engage in multiple conversations simultaneously.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is fabricated by chemical vapor deposition or atomic layer deposition of a metal film to metal film.

Abstract: In one implementation, a method of forming a cobalt layer on a substrate is provided. The method comprises forming a barrier and/or liner layer on a substrate having a feature definition formed in a first surface of the substrate, wherein the barrier and/or liner layer is formed on a sidewall and bottom surface of the feature definition. The method further comprises exposing the substrate to a ruthenium precursor to form a ruthenium-containing layer on the barrier and/or liner layer. The method further comprises exposing the substrate to a cobalt precursor to form a cobalt seed layer atop the ruthenium-containing layer. The method further comprises forming a bulk cobalt layer on the cobalt seed layer to fill the feature definition.