Abstract: A method and system for transferring media on demand to a mobile computing device of a consumer is presented. A sensor in a kiosk identifies a consumer by facial recognition algorithms or identification of the mobile computing device of the consumer. An interactive display presents media that is available for download by the consumer based at least in part on the identity of the consumer. The consumer touches their mobile computing device to a short range communications interface on the kiosk which transfers the media to the mobile computing device. The media can be streamed to the kiosk from a remote content server across a network. The kiosk can process the consumer payment for the downloaded media by sending payment transactions to a payment network.

Abstract: An improvement to a disc golf basket target or goal, the improvement comprising the construction of the target or goal with a plurality of interconnected horizontal chains perimetrally latched onto each vertical chain. The two categories of chains are linked together at regular, symmetrical intervals so as to form, in the preferred embodiment, an essentially cylindrically-shaped assembly of chains, being referred to as a “basket target.” The basket target and its interconnected receiving grill are concentrically positioned along a vertically-oriented pole. A plurality of connector rings provide, regularly-spaced connections of junctions of the vertical and horizontal chains, so as provide a uniformly increasing resistance as a tossed disc initially strikes and begins penetrating some part of the assembly of chains in the basket target. In this manner, a tossed disc or other object is more readily prevented from traveling through the entirety of the interior of the target or goal.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for a remote weapon station or incorporated into manually-aimed weapons. The methodology requires use of a muzzle velocity sensor that refines the aiming of the second and subsequent fires or volleys fired from weapon systems. When firing the first volley a weapon uses an estimated velocity and, at firing, the muzzle velocity of a projectile is measured. When firing the second volley a weapon's fire control calculates an aiming point using the measured velocity of the first volley.

Abstract: The Enclosed Safety Pin is a device that consists of a pin, having a simple spring or bend, which is both embedded in and part of a clamshell enclosure which allows it to be used in a similar fashion to a safety pin while being nearly fully concealed by the enclosure. The enclosure itself can be either a single piece with a living hinge, or two pieces with a pin or other type of hinge, which allows it to clasp around the pin using snaps or magnets.

Abstract: Analyzing samples injected into an inductively coupled plasma source can be improved by one or more of a stabilizing solution mixable with a sample prior to injection and a heated injector. The stabilizing solution can minimize the difference in osmotic pressure between the solution and the cells with a relatively low amount of dissolved solids (e.g., at or below about 0.2%). The stabilizing solution can contain a salt (e.g., ammonium nitrate) present in concentrations of at least 5 mM. The injector can be heated before and/or during injection. In some cases, heat from adjacent parts can be channeled into the injector to improve heating of the injector. An injector heated to sufficient temperatures can minimize solute buildup and can extend the usable time between cleanings. These improvements can be especially useful in elemental analysis, such as inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry or inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry.

Abstract: CPV modules include a back plate having an array of 1 mm2 or smaller solar cells thereon. A backplane interconnect network is also provided on the back plate. This backplane interconnect network operates to electrically connect the array of solar cells together. A front plate, which is spaced-apart from the back plate, is provided. This front plate includes an array of primary lenses thereon that face the array of solar cells. The front plate can be configured to provide a greater than 1000× lens-to-cell light concentration to the array of solar cells. To achieve this 1000× lens-to-cell light concentration, the primary lenses can be configured as plano-convex lenses having a lens sag of less than about 4 mm. An array of secondary optical elements may also be provided, which extend between the array of primary lenses and the array of solar cells.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing a Lifetime Value (LTV) of a player of a plurality of computer-implemented games are disclosed. Data is collected from a game of the plurality of games, the data including game event data associated with the player, a playing environment within the game, and store action data. The data is analyzed with a first machine-learning (ML) system to create a time-dependent state representation of the game, the player, and the playing environment. The state representation is provided as input to a second ML system to create and optimize an ML policy over time, the ML policy including a functional relationship proposing a selection of one or more store actions within a store to maximize the LTV. One or more of the store actions chosen from the proposed selection in accordance with the ML policy and implemented within the store environment.

Abstract: A method for optimizing LTV related to cumulative future rewards for a player of a plurality of computer-implemented games is disclosed. Data is collected from a game of the plurality of games. The data includes game event data associated with the player, a playing environment within the game, and engine actions performable by the LTV module. The data is analyzed with a first machine-learning (ML) system to create a time-dependent state representation of the game, the player, and the playing environment. The state representation is provided as input to a second ML system to create and optimize an ML policy over time. The ML policy includes a functional relationship proposing a selection of one or more of the engine actions to maximize the LTV. The ML policy and state representation is provided to an LTV optimization module to choose and implement one or more of the engine actions.

Abstract: Software-only and software-hardware optimizations to reduce the overhead of intra -thread instruction duplication on a GPU or other instruction processor are disclosed. The optimizations trade off error containment for performance and include ISA extensions with limited hardware changes and area costs.

Abstract: A family of software-hardware cooperative mechanisms to accelerate intra-thread duplication leverage the register file error detection hardware to implicitly check the data from duplicate instructions, avoiding the overheads of instruction checking and enforcing low-latency error detection with strict error containment guarantees.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid-cooled internal combustion engine comprising an engine block, which includes a plurality of cylinders, and cylinder heads closing the cylinders, wherein each cylinder is surrounded by a respective cooling liner and each cylinder head has provided therein at least one separate cooling chamber connected to the cooling liner of the associated cylinder via at least one transition channel, wherein the transition channels of at least two cylinders are interconnected via a pressure compensation chamber.

Abstract: A system is provided for processing documents. In particular, the system is incorporates a feeder for feeding documents to a device for further processing of the documents. For instance, the system finds particular application in the field of document imaging in which a variety of documents of varying sizes and orientation are to be fed to an imaging system, such as a document scanner. The system may provide an input mechanism for easily identifying a characteristic of one of the documents and the system may include features for handling packets of documents.

Abstract: A system for correcting the aim of a weapon which is operative to launch a projectile from a barrel on a ballistic path toward a target. A rear surface of the projectile is coated with a fluorescent dye that re-emits radiation when excited by laser radiation. The system includes a source of laser radiation (strobe) pulses that form a cone of light intersecting the ballistic path of the projectile. The strobe pulses are emitted at predetermined times (T1, T2, T3, . . . Tn) following firing of the projectile (at time T0). An optical detector receives the radiation re-emitted by a the fluorescent dye at the rear of the projectile at times (T1z, T2z, T3z, . . . Tnz) producing measurable location signals allowing the system to measure the vertical and lateral positions of the projectile at said times, where “z” is a re-emission delay and T1z, T2z, T3z, . . . Tnz are the respective times T1, T2, T3, . . . Tn each delayed by amount z.

Abstract: A trail camera system includes a camera configured to capture image data of a desired location, a database configured to receive image data, and an image processor configured to process the image data. The image processor may be configured to compare the image data from the camera with data related to known animals and determine the likelihood of a match between an animal in the image data and a known animal.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for a remote weapon station or incorporated into manually-aimed weapons. The methodology requires use of a muzzle velocity sensor that refines the aiming of the second and subsequent fires or volleys fired from weapon systems. When firing the first volley a weapon uses an estimated velocity and, at firing, the muzzle velocity of a projectile is measured. When firing the second volley a weapon's fire control calculates an aiming point using the measured velocity of the first volley.

Abstract: A direct field acoustic testing system includes at least two acoustical transducer groups and a signal modifier for introducing separately controllable time delays or phase shifts for each acoustical transducer group so as to provide an acoustic field conforming to a pre-determined specification with reduced deviations due to constructive or destructive interference between the acoustical transducer groups.

Abstract: A training ammunition cartridge comprises a projectile and a cartridge case with a pyrotechnic propellant. The projectile has a projectile body with at least one compartment therein forming a void and containing a material that transitions from a solid to a liquid after set-back and after exiting from a barrel of a gun. The void is of such configuration as to cause the liquid material therein to induce forces and moments that, after a period of stable ballistic flight, destabilize the projectile and shorten its flight. Alternatively, the projectile void contains a solid mass that is released to shift its position after set-back and after the projectile exits from the barrel of the gun, wherein the void is of such configuration as to cause the mass, upon shifting, to induce forces and moments that, after a period of stable ballistic flight, destabilize the projectile and shorten its flight.

Abstract: Kits or sub-systems that include sensors to measure a projectile's condition at muzzle exit. The kits or sub-systems are coupled to ballistic calculators or fire control systems that calculate aiming and programming solutions to improve shot placement, reduced dispersion and improve terminal performance. Where airburst munitions are used, the projectile is programmed when reaching a programming station beyond the barrel and the projectile is programmed with a solution that adjusts the burst location based on the measured muzzle velocity. Sub-systems, processes and sub-routines optimize “post-shot” programming using certain non-linear methods that are incorporated into fire control systems and ballistic calculators. These non-linear sub-routines are useful in establishing the optimum terminal effect of such airburst projectiles. The sub-systems are used separately or are incorporated into the weapons, to reduce dispersion and improve the terminal effects of the projectiles.

Abstract: A method and system for generating an augmented reality image includes a kiosk and mobile computing device executing an application for interacting with the kiosk. The kiosk switches from a first set of images to a second set of image when the mobile computing device is proximate to the kiosk. A user selects one of the second set of images and the mobile computing device receives an augmented reality image according to the user selection. The mobile computing device combines the augmented reality image with a live image from a camera of the mobile computing device.

Abstract: Data transmission systems and methods are disclosed in which a transmitter and a receiver, each having an inductor, are configured for wirelessly transferring data and power between them. Error detection is implemented for implementing error correction techniques by making corrections at the receiver, at the transmitter, or both. In preferred embodiments of the invention, error correction approaches include oversampling, power adjustments, and frequency adjustments. In preferred implementations, the systems and methods are used for transmitting both power and data using a single pair of inductors.