Abstract: A weighing assembly (100,500,600) includes a portable computing device (“PCC”) (112) such as a smart phone, pad computer, laptop computer, or the like. The weighing assembly utilizes one or more features of the portable computing device in order to weigh an item, under control of a scale application program or “app” executable in the portable computing device. Some embodiments may utilize an internal barometric pressure sensor of the PCC. Other embodiments may utilize orientation or position sensors of the PCC for weighing an item. Other embodiments may utilize a compressible foot element (1004), all for weighing an item. Preferably, a user interface (114) of the PCC, such as a touch screen, may be used to interact with the scale application program for calibration and other functions.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving an application that describes functions according to a prescribed symbol manipulation language, the prescribed symbol manipulation language a non-Turing complete language that does not permit partial functions and describes the functions independent of any attribute of any computing system; identifying, in the application, a distribution annotation that identifies a candidate element in the application, the candidate element configured for execution in a distributed computing operation by a distributed computing system comprising two or more distributed computing devices; generating one or more variants of the application based on executing a nondestructive transformation of the application relative to prescribed equality axioms, at least one of the variants containing a corresponding semantically-equivalent variation of the candidate element; and selecting one of the variants as an optimization for execution of the application by the distributed computing syste

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving from a user interface, by a computing device, a request for execution of at least one lambda function in an operation of a geospatial application, the geospatial application having lambda functions for operating on at least one of a workflow item or one or more entities of an ad hoc geospatial directory, the workflow item including at least one of the lambda functions for a workflow in the geospatial application; and executing by the computing device the at least one lambda function to form, in the geospatial application, a work entity that associates the workflow item with one of the entities, the work entity defining execution of the workflow on the one entity.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for weighing an article, such as a mail piece, while the article is moving at high speed. An article (900) is received from an intake transport (1200), and gripped in a weighing station (1310), in between a capstan roller and a pinch roller (1316), which are synchronized to minimize slipping. A first precision servo system (1252, 1250) alters the speed of the article, and in the process acquires torque data for storage and analysis (1212, 1282). A second precision servo system (1260,1330) applies a constant force, via a tension arm (1320), urging the pinch roller (1316) against the capstan roller, independently of the thickness of the mail piece. Active electronic damping (1900) reduces oscillation when an inconsistency in thickness of the article is encountered during weighing. The damping force is subtracted from the capstan motor torque data for improved accuracy (FIG. 20B).

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises generating a first executable program optimized for an executable system based on compiling a program relative to an initial set of independent optimization metrics; determining first performance metrics based on the executable system executing the first executable program; adjusting the initial set of independent optimization metrics based on the first performance metrics to generate a second set of independent optimization metrics; and generating a second executable program, based on compiling the program relative to the second set of independent optimization metrics, for improved execution of the program in the executable system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for weighing an article, such as a mail piece, while the article is moving at high speed, for example along a transport of a sorter machine. An article (900) is received from an intake transport (1200), and gripped in a weighing station (1310), in between a capstan roller and a pinch roller (1316), which are synchronized to minimize slipping. A first precision servo system (1252, 1250) alters the speed of the article, and in the process acquires torque data for storage and analysis (1212, 1282). A second precision servo system (1260,1330) applies a constant force, via a tension arm (1320), urging the pinch roller (1316) against the capstan roller, independently of the thickness of the mail piece. Active electronic damping (FIG. 19) preferably is applied in the second servo system minimize vibration of the tension arm, but only while gripping the article.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving data that indicates a maximum number of end nodes with which to set up real-time data sessions that is less than a conference number of nodes whose data is mixed in a single real-time data conference. Real-time data sessions are established with a connected set of a connected number of nodes not greater than the maximum number. A mix of the real-time data received from the connected set is presented to a user of the first node. Local real-time data is received from a user. The received real-time data is distributed by mixing and sending. This includes, for each individual node in the connected set, mixing received local real-time data with real-time data received from other nodes in the connected set different from the individual node to form individual mixed real-time data, and sending the individual mixed real-time data to the individual node.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving from a user interface, by a computing device, a request for execution of at least one lambda function in an operation of a geospatial application, the geospatial application having lambda functions for operating on one or more entities of an ad hoc geospatial directory accessible by the computing device, the lambda functions having strongly typed definitions according to a prescribed symbol manipulation language that is a non-Turing complete language, that does not permit partial functions, and that is independent of any attribute of any computing system; optimizing execution by the computing device of the operation on the ad hoc geospatial directory; and the computing device returning to the user interface a response to the request based on the optimizing execution of the operation, the response including a data structure including at least one of the lambda functions for a corresponding at least one of generating a query of the ad hoc geospatial directory, mod

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving from a user interface, by a computing device, a request for execution of at least one lambda function in an operation of a geospatial application, the geospatial application having lambda functions for operating on at least one of a workflow item or one or more entities of an ad hoc geospatial directory, the workflow item including at least one of the lambda functions for a workflow in the geospatial application; and executing by the computing device the at least one lambda function to form, in the geospatial application, a work entity that associates the workflow item with one of the entities, the work entity defining execution of the workflow on the one entity.

Abstract: Disclosed are various applications of differential torque sensing, seeking to maximize the sensing power of servo motors in applications that have a wide torque range. In one embodiment, a transmission (200) combines a constant, relatively larger torque provided by a primary drive motor (220) and a smaller, variable torque provided by a servo motor (23), to form an output torque for driving a mechanical assembly (222). A relatively small change in mass of the system causes a perturbation from ambient operating speed. The servo motor, under control of a servo amplifier (232), quickly adjusts the secondary, variable torque to return the system to the ambient operating speed. Thus the servo motor torque accurately reflects the change in mass of the system.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving from a user interface, by a computing device, a request for execution of at least one lambda function in an operation of a geospatial application, the geospatial application having lambda functions for operating on one or more entities of an ad hoc geospatial directory accessible by the computing device, the lambda functions having strongly typed definitions according to a prescribed symbol manipulation language that is a non-Turing complete language, that does not permit partial functions, and that is independent of any attribute of any computing system; optimizing execution by the computing device of the operation on the ad hoc geospatial directory; and the computing device returning to the user interface a response to the request based on the optimizing execution of the operation, the response including a data structure including at least one of the lambda functions for a corresponding at least one of generating a query of the ad hoc geospatial directory, mod

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for weighing an article, such as a mail piece, while the article is moving at high speed, and for checking that the correct amount of postage has been paid for delivery of the article. An article (900) is received from an intake transport (1200), and gripped in a weighing station (1310), in between a capstan roller and a pinch roller (1316), which are synchronized to minimize slipping. A first precision closed-loop servo system (1252, 1250) alters the speed of the article, and in the process acquires torque data for storage and analysis (1212, 1282) to determine weight. Correct postage is determined in a processor (1212), and the postage actually paid is checked either by image analysis (1204, 1214, 1280) or by accessing a stored mailer manifest (1280).

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving an application that describes functions according to a prescribed symbol manipulation language, the prescribed symbol manipulation language a non-Turing complete language that does not permit partial functions and describes the functions independent of any attribute of any computing system; identifying, in the application, a distribution annotation that identifies a candidate element in the application, the candidate element configured for execution in a distributed computing operation by a distributed computing system comprising two or more distributed computing devices; generating one or more variants of the application based on executing a nondestructive transformation of the application relative to prescribed equality axioms, at least one of the variants containing a corresponding semantically-equivalent variation of the candidate element; and selecting one of the variants as an optimization for execution of the application by the distributed computing syste

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for weighing an article, such as a mail piece, while the article is moving at high speed. An article (900) is received from an intake transport (1200), and gripped in a weighing station (1310), in between a capstan roller and a pinch roller (1316), which are synchronized to minimize slipping. A first precision servo system (1252, 1250) alters the speed of the article, and in the process acquires torque data for storage and analysis (1212, 1282). A second precision servo system (1260, 1330) applies a constant force, via a tension arm (1320), urging the pinch roller (1316) against the capstan roller, independently of the thickness of the mail piece. Fourier analysis can conveniently be applied for analyzing the acquired current data and comparing to stored calibration data to determine weight. Weight is determined without regard to the actual speed of the moving article.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for weighing an article, such as a mail piece, while the article is moving at high speed. An article (900) is received from an intake transport (1200), and gripped in a weighing station (1310), in between a capstan roller and a pinch roller (1316), which are synchronized to minimize slipping. A first precision servo system (1252, 1250) alters the speed of the article, and in the process acquires torque data for storage and analysis (1212, 1282). A second precision servo system (1260,1330) applies a constant force, via a tension arm (1320), urging the pinch roller (1316) against the capstan roller, independently of the thickness of the mail piece. Fourier analysis can conveniently be applied for analyzing the acquired current data and comparing to stored calibration data to determine weight. Weight is determined without regard to the actual speed of the moving article.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for weighing an article, such as a mail piece, while the article is moving at high speed. An article (900) is received from an intake transport (1200), and gripped in a weighing station (1310), in between a capstan roller and a pinch roller (1316), which are synchronized to minimize slipping. A first precision servo system (1252, 1250) alters the speed of the article, and in the process acquires torque data for storage and analysis (1212, 1282). A second precision servo system (1260,1330) applies a constant force, via a tension arm (1320), urging the pinch roller (1316) against the capstan roller, independently of the thickness of the mail piece. Fourier analysis can conveniently be applied for analyzing the acquired current data and comparing to stored calibration data to determine weight. Weight is determined without regard to the actual speed of the moving article.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes determining to change a number of objects controlled by a particular node in a network. Each object is a resource provided by the network and has a unique object position in a coordinate space of N dimensions. Each node has a unique node position in the coordinate space of N dimensions. Each node controls operation of objects in a control set of zero or more objects which are closest to the node using an agreed definition of scalar distance between two positions. A different N+1 dimension from the N dimensions is added. The N+1 dimension has a zero value for the plurality of objects. A particular value is determined for the N+1 dimension for the particular node such that a change in a number of objects in a particular control set of the particular node is not greater than a threshold change.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes determining to change a number of objects controlled by a particular node in a network. Each object is a resource provided by the network and has a unique object position in a coordinate space of N dimensions. Each node has a unique node position in the coordinate space of N dimensions. Each node controls operation of objects in a control set of zero or more objects which are closest to the node using an agreed definition of scalar distance between two positions. A different N+1 dimension from the N dimensions is added. The N+1 dimension has a zero value for the plurality of objects. A particular value is determined for the N+1 dimension for the particular node such that a change in a number of objects in a particular control set of the particular node is not greater than a threshold change.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide an alternative mechanism for copying files. A request to copy a first file from a first source location to a first target location is received. A first checksum value of the first file is determined and used in a query to find a second source location for a second file. The second file has a second checksum value that is equivalent to the first checksum value. Additionally, the second file is located at the second source location. A determination is made regarding whether to copy the first file from the first source location or the second file from the second source location. Thereafter, the first source file or the second source file is copied to the first target location based on the determining.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes determining to change a number of objects controlled by a particular node in a network. Each object is a resource provided by the network and has a unique object position in a coordinate space of N dimensions. Each node has a unique node position in the coordinate space of N dimensions. Each node controls operation of objects in a control set of zero or more objects which are closest to the node using an agreed definition of scalar distance between two positions. A different N+1 dimension from the N dimensions is added. The N+1 dimension has a zero value for the plurality of objects. A particular value is determined for the N+1 dimension for the particular node such that a change in a number of objects in a particular control set of the particular node is not greater than a threshold change.