Abstract: A method of performing anisotropic texture filtering includes generating one or more parameters describing an elliptical footprint in texture space; performing isotropic filtering at each of a plurality of sampling points along a major axis of the elliptical footprint, wherein a spacing between adjacent sampling points of the plurality of sampling points is proportional to ?{square root over (1???2)} units, wherein ? is a ratio of a major radius of an ellipse to be sampled and a minor radius of the ellipse to be sampled, wherein the ellipse to be sampled is based on the elliptical footprint; and combining results of the isotropic filtering at the plurality of sampling points with a Gaussian filter to generate at least a portion of a filter result.

Abstract: A laryngeal nerve exciting system includes a collar holding a bridge, or a neckband, pressing soft tissue nerve exciters against a patient's neck providing a source of vibrations to stimulate the laryngeal nerve through the larynx. At least one exciter, and preferably two exciters, provide vibrations at preferably 70 Hz to 110 Hz and sufficiently strong to penetrate to the laryngeal nerve. The exciters may be held by the collar circling the neck, or by the neck band partially circling the neck. The therapy system includes a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) and software which wirelessly connects, monitors, and triggers the device. The system may be used to treat dysphagia, chronic cough, and spasmodic dysphonia.

Abstract: A laryngeal nerve exciting system includes a collar holding a bridge, or a neckband, pressing soft tissue nerve exciters against a patient's neck providing a source of vibrations to stimulate the laryngeal nerve through the larynx. At least one exciter, and preferably two exciters, provide vibrations at preferably 70 Hz to 110 Hz and sufficiently strong to penetrate to the laryngeal nerve. The exciters may be held by the collar circling the neck, or by the neck band partially circling the neck. The therapy system includes a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) and software which wirelessly connects, monitors, and triggers the device. The system may be used to treat dysphagia, chronic cough, and spasmodic dysphonia.

Abstract: An apparatus for a self-centering plunger for a hydraulic yaw brake having improved load distribution and ability to accommodate system forces, torques, stresses, etc. is disclosed. A lower section of the self-centering hydraulic plunger has a reduced diameter and does not include a bottom collar, which minimizes torque transfer from a brake piston. A brake piston seat washer is thicker, more robust and has increased surface area to better distribute the load onto the brake piston. The geometry of the piston seat washer also minimizes the torque transferred from the brake piston to the self-centering hydraulic plunger. A friction sleeve assembly improves load distribution at a plunger-housing interface by improving sliding contact surface area.

Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques for utilizing sensor data to determine the results of events within a system. Upon receiving sensor data indicative of an event, the sensor data is analyzed to determine a result of the event. For instance, a user may identified upon entry to a facility, may pick items from shelves in the facility, and may be identified upon exit. Contents of a virtual shopping cart of the user may be maintained based on analysis of the sensor data as the user picks the items. When a user exits, a payment instrument of the user may be charged for a cost of the items and a receipt may be sent to a device of the user. A state-invariant time, representing a time before which all events have been processed, may be maintained such that no shopping sessions are finalized prior to the state-invariant time to avoid mistaken charges.

Abstract: A system and method of software control and autonomy of a disinfection module for an autonomous or semi-autonomous cleaning device. The disinfection module control software resides on a computer with processor and memory. The disinfection module is connected to peripherals for sensing and localizing in the environment and controlling the actuators for the motion of the cleaning device. The disinfection module control software processes the sprayer's status, follows and plans paths to move the cleaning device to the spray targets, generates appropriate motion commands, and controls the disinfection module's pump, fan, LED, and electrostatic generator states.

Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques for determining whether a transaction may be finalized with a user that exits a facility. To do so, the inventory management system may first determine whether the inventory management is to resolve any events prior to finalizing the transaction. In some instances, the inventory management system may refrain from finalizing a transaction with a user that exits the facility if the user is associated with a low-confidence result/event, if the user remains a candidate user for an unresolved event, or if a global-blocking event is in place at the time of the user's exit. In some instances, meanwhile, the transaction with a user may be finalized upon the user's exit of the facility if the user is associated with high-confidence events/results, is not associated with any low-confidence events/results, is not a candidate user for an unresolved event, and if no global-blocking event is in place at the time of exit.

Abstract: A system and method can be provided for detecting the status of one or more components and/or systems of, for example, a manual, semi-autonomous, or fully autonomous cleaning device or the like. Embodiments described herein relate to a system that provides semi-autonomous cleaning of surfaces by a semi-autonomous cleaning device. The system provides for improved reliable obstacle detection and avoidance, improved sensing, improved design, improved failure detection, advanced diagnostics and expandability capabilities.

Abstract: An adjustable angle toolholder comprising a shank and an adjustable head is provided. The shank has a first end and a second end. The first end is adapted to be held in a machine, such as a lathe. The second end includes a fixed plane oriented parallel to a lengthwise direction of the shank. The fixed plane includes an arcuate face at a distal end of the fixed plane. The head has a fixed plane that mates with the fixed plane of the shank. The fixed planes of the shank and head include a pivot hole through which a pivot bolt passes. The pivot bolt allows adjustment of the head through a wide range of angles relative to a lengthwise direction of the shank, while the fixed planes maintain a position of a centerline of a cutting tool constant with respect to a centerline of the shank. The fixed plane of the shank may be on a centerline of the shank.

Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques for utilizing sensor data to determine the results of events within a system. Upon receiving sensor data indicative of an event, the sensor data is analyzed to determine a result of the event. For instance, a user may identified upon entry to a facility, may pick items from shelves in the facility, and may be identified upon exit. Contents of a virtual shopping cart of the user may be maintained based on analysis of the sensor data as the user picks the items. When a user exits, a payment instrument of the user may be charged for a cost of the items and a receipt may be sent to a device of the user. A state-invariant time, representing a time before which all events have been processed, may be maintained such that no shopping sessions are finalized prior to the state-invariant time to avoid mistaken charges.

Abstract: A caliper brake featuring a hydraulic piston assembly includes a housing, a movable piston within a chamber of the housing, a first port providing a first fluid pathway into the chamber, and a redundant seal assembly. The redundant seal assembly may include a first pressure seal disposed about a first interior circumference of the chamber disposed above the first port, a second pressure seal disposed about a second interior circumference of the chamber disposed above the first pressure seal, and a second port disposed between the first pressure seal and the second pressure seal, the second port providing a second fluid pathway from inside of the chamber to outside of the chamber, and the second port establishing a bleed-off for fluid traversing above the first pressure seal such that the second pressure seal experiences a lower fluid pressure than the first pressure seal during normal operation of the caliper brake.

Abstract: A yaw assembly for a wind turbine may include a bushing configured for securement within a yaw cylinder containing a yaw piston and a yaw pad having a first side configured for engagement with a slew ring of the wind turbine and a second side configured for engagement with the yaw piston, a thrust stem engaged with the bushing and configured to apply force to the yaw pad against the slew ring, the thrust stem biased away from the yaw pad by one or more springs residing within the yaw piston, and an anti-rotation collar disposed at an interface between the thrust stem and the yaw piston, the anti-rotation collar including a flange extending from a bottom-center portion thereof, the flange disposed between the one or more springs and a bottom end of the yaw piston.

Abstract: A caliper brake featuring a hydraulic piston assembly includes a housing, a movable piston within a chamber of the housing, a first port providing a first fluid pathway into the chamber, and a redundant seal assembly. The redundant seal assembly may include a first pressure seal disposed about a first interior circumference of the chamber disposed above the first port, a second pressure seal disposed about a second interior circumference of the chamber disposed above the first pressure seal, and a second port disposed between the first pressure seal and the second pressure seal, the second port providing a second fluid pathway from inside of the chamber to outside of the chamber, and the second port establishing a bleed-off for fluid traversing above the first pressure seal such that the second pressure seal experiences a lower fluid pressure than the first pressure seal during normal operation of the caliper brake.

Abstract: A caliper brake featuring a hydraulic piston assembly includes a housing, a movable piston within a chamber of the housing, a first port providing a first fluid pathway into the chamber, and a redundant seal assembly. The redundant seal assembly may include a first pressure seal disposed about a first interior circumference of the chamber disposed above the first port, a second pressure seal disposed about a second interior circumference of the chamber disposed above the first pressure seal, and a second port disposed between the first pressure seal and the second pressure seal, the second port providing a second fluid pathway from inside of the chamber to outside of the chamber, and the second port establishing a bleed-off for fluid traversing above the first pressure seal such that the second pressure seal experiences a lower fluid pressure than the first pressure seal during normal operation of the caliper brake.

Abstract: A yaw assembly for a wind turbine may include a bushing configured for securement within a yaw cylinder containing a yaw piston and a yaw pad having a first side configured for engagement with a slew ring of the wind turbine and a second side configured for engagement with the yaw piston, a thrust stem engaged with the bushing and configured to apply force to the yaw pad against the slew ring, the thrust stem biased away from the yaw pad by one or more springs residing within the yaw piston, and an anti-rotation collar disposed at an interface between the thrust stem and the yaw piston, the anti-rotation collar including a flange extending from a bottom-center portion thereof, the flange disposed between the one or more springs and a bottom end of the yaw piston.

Abstract: A wind turbine yaw assembly has a yaw piston and a yaw bearing pad. A spring resides inside the yaw piston and applies spring pressure to the yaw bearing pad. A threaded yaw piston bushing applies adjustable pressure to the spring. The threaded yaw bushing has a plurality of at least three force adjustment screws distributed symmetrically about the threaded yaw piston bushing. The spring pressure is adjusted by tightening or loosening the plurality of force adjustment screws. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.