Abstract: A synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system may employ SAR imaging to advantageously estimate or monitor a transit characteristic (e.g., velocity, acceleration) of a vehicle, for example a ground based vehicle or water based vehicle. A dual-beam SAR antenna illuminate a moving target with a first radar beam and a second radar beam at an angular offset relative to the first radar beam. Pulses may be transmitted and backscattered energy received simultaneously by the SAR transceiver via the first and second radar beams. A SAR data processor may generate a first image from the first radar beam and a second image from the second radar beam, co-registering the first and second images, comparing the location of the moving target in the first and second images, and estimate a velocity of the moving target based at least in part on the angular offset.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for processing north-south queries in an application programming interface (API) generated for a plurality of associated services. The method generally includes receiving a request to invoke a function exposed by a first service in the API, wherein the function commits data to one or more data repositories. A data record is generated by the first service based on the received request based on a data object definition and a service definition for the first service. A message is generated including the generated data record and an indication that the message is to be consumed by a data lake processing system to commit data to a data lake. The message is published on a message bus for consumption by the data lake processing system.

Abstract: An Industrial Virtual Assistant (IVA) platform with Robotic Process Automation that operates like a Digital Knowledge Companion and allows operational staff at industrial facilities to have natural language conversations with the IVA to obtain information about, and to control operations of, industrial facilities, and which automates certain processes based in part on those natural language conversations. In an embodiment, the platform uses a Robotic Process Automater (RPA) to ingest information from documentation, human inputs, and operational data from the facility, organize that information into a knowledge graph containing comprehensive facility information, and apply machine learning algorithms to the knowledge graph to provide natural language responses to human queries and to automate certain processes of the facility.

Abstract: Self-closing safety gate embodiments are disclosed herein. The self-closing safety gates include a hinge plate configured to rotate about a vertical support member and engage a hoop portion. In some embodiments, the hinge plate includes at least one support arm portion with a channel. In such embodiments, the channel can be configured to receive and frictionally engage a hoop arm of the hoop portion with a compressive fastener. In some embodiments, the self-closing safety gate can be damped.

Abstract: The method and system allows for users to share and be rewarded for information submitted or actions performed, including reports containing messages, images, videos, and geolocation data, of any issues they encounter. The submissions can be shared with the appropriate organization and/or stored on a server, and uploaded to a blockchain to ensure that there is a permanent, tamper-proof record verifying the authenticity of all related transactions. Each submission or action can be verified to create a rating for each user. The system can have the ability to reward users with digital value in return for receiving and verifying authenticity of the information, and to provide such users with the ability to redeem those rewards for goods and services.

Abstract: A synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system generates an image of a first swath. The SAR includes at least one SAR antenna, at least one SAR processor and at least one SAR transceiver. In operation the SAR defines a first beam to illuminate the first swath and one or more second beams to illuminate area(s) of ambiguity associated with the first beam. The SAR transmits a pulse via the first beam and receives backscatter energy. The SAR generates a first signal associated with the first beam and one or more second signals associated with the second beam(s). The second signal(s) are combined with determined complex vector(s), generating ambiguity signal(s) and the ambiguity signals are combined with the first signal to generate an image associated with the first swath.

Abstract: A synthetic aperture radar (SAR) is operable in an interrogation mode and in an imaging mode, the imaging mode entered in response to determining a response to interrogation pulses have been received from a ground terminal and position information specifying a ground location has been received from the ground terminal. A ground terminal is operable to receive interrogation pulses transmitted by a SAR, transmit responses, and transmit position information to cause the SAR to enter a imaging mode. The ground terminal receives first and subsequent pulses from the SAR where subsequent pulses include backscatter and are encoded. The ground terminal generates a range line by range compression. If the SAR is a multi-band SAR the transmitted pulses can be in two or more frequency bands, and subsequent pulses in one frequency band can include encoded returns from pulses transmitted in a different frequency band.

Abstract: A distributed Industrial Virtual Assistant (IVA) platform and method that that allows operational staff at industrial facilities to have natural language conversations with an IVA to obtain information about, and to control operations of, industrial facilities. For each facility, the IVA platform contains a facilities asset database, one or more domain-specific knowledge databases, a natural language processing engine, and machine learning algorithms for both knowledge domains and context which update the domain-specific knowledge databases based on continuing interactions with operational staff over time. The IVA platform is capable of generating user-specific and device-specific IVA instances that can be queried by voice or text independently of the platform but can connect to the platform to update the databases based on new knowledge, exceptions, and incidents.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for processing east-west queries in an application programming interface (API) generated for a plurality of associated services. The method generally includes receiving, at a request gateway from a requesting service, a request to invoke a function exposed by a first service through the API. References to entities defined in a declarative schema for one or more second services are identified based on identifiers included a record retrieved from a data repository for an entity returned by the function. A message is published on a message bus to the one or more second services to retrieve information related to the referenced entities. A response message including objects associated with the referenced entities is consumed. The function is executed based on the objects associated with the referenced entities, and the result generated by executing the function is returned to the requesting service.

Abstract: A logical expression engine and computer-implemented method for optimizing evaluation of a logical expression is provided. The method includes receiving an original logical expression to be applied by a computer program for processing input information, the original logical expression having at least one operator and a subexpression disposed on each side of a related operator of the at least one related operator. The method further includes receiving statistics accumulated about how the computer program applies the subexpressions of the original logical expression for processing the input information received by the computer program, using the accumulated statistics to optimize the order in which the subexpressions would be applied by the computer program, and outputting for application by the computer program an optimized logical expression having the subexpressions ordered in accordance with the optimized order.

Abstract: A method of determining feasible swaths of a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) includes determining a first plurality of swaths that are transmit-feasible and nadir-feasible, determining a second plurality of swaths of the first plurality of swaths that satisfy at least one hard constraint, the at least one hard constraint being an image quality constraint or a system constraint, and generating a graph of the second plurality of swaths. The method may include assigning each feasible swath of the second plurality of swaths to a node in a directed graph, and adding a directed edge in the directed graph when a pair of swaths of the second plurality of swaths satisfy one or more defined constraints. The method may include configuring the SAR to operate based at least in part on the generated graph of the second plurality of swaths. Operating the configured SAR may include obtaining SAR images.

Abstract: A synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system may employ SAR imaging to advantageously estimate or monitor a transit characteristic (e.g., velocity, acceleration) of a vehicle, for example a ground based vehicle or water based vehicle. A dual-beam SAR antenna illuminate a moving target with a first radar beam and a second radar beam at an angular offset relative to the first radar beam. Pulses may be transmitted and backscattered energy received simultaneously by the SAR transceiver via the first and second radar beams. A SAR data processor may generate a first image from the first radar beam and a second image from the second radar beam, co-registering the first and second images, comparing the location of the moving target in the first and second images, and estimate a velocity of the moving target based at least in part on the angular offset.

Abstract: An enhanced trocar for laparoscopic surgery has a proximal end, a distal end, and a tubular trocar body connecting and extending between the ends. The trocar body is shaped and sized to receive inline and retain therein tissue isolated and divided during a laparoscopic surgical procedure, to permit a surgeon to remove such tissue from the surgical site and dispose of the removed tissue without an additional dedicated disposal device.

Abstract: A fuel oxygen conversion unit includes a contactor; a fuel gas separator, the fuel oxygen conversion unit defining a circulation gas flowpath from the fuel gas separator to the contactor; and an isolation valve in airflow communication with the circulation gas flowpath for modulating a gas flow through the circulation gas flowpath to the contactor.

Abstract: A method for securing a portable electronic device having a housing to a substantially immovable object utilizing a locking assembly having a security rod or spike formed with an anchoring end separated axially by a protruding end, a locking device with an internal locking mechanism and a cable permanently attached to the locking device at one end, includes several steps. The steps include securedly fixing the anchoring end of the security rod or spike to the portable electronic device upon or through the housing, attaching an other end of the cable to the substantially immovable object and inserting the protruding end of the security rod into an opening in the locking device to actuate the internal locking mechanism and lock the locking device to the captive security rod. Locking the security rod to the locking device concurrently locks the portable electronic device to which it is anchored to the substantially immovable object.

Abstract: A synthetic aperture radar (SAR) is operable in an interrogation mode and in a self-imaging mode, the self-imaging mode entered in response to determining a response to interrogation pulses have been received from a ground terminal and position information specifying a ground location has been received from the ground terminal. A ground terminal is operable to receive interrogation pulses transmitted by a SAR, transmit responses, and transmit position information to cause the SAR to enter a self-imaging mode. The ground terminal receives first and subsequent pulses from the SAR where subsequent pulses include backscatter and are encoded. The ground terminal generates a range line by range compression.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for processing east-west queries in an application programming interface (API) generated for a plurality of associated services. The method generally includes receiving, at a request gateway from a requesting service, a request to invoke a function exposed by a first service through the API. References to entities defined in a declarative schema for one or more second services are identified based on identifiers included a record retrieved from a data repository for an entity returned by the function. A message is published on a message bus to the one or more second services to retrieve information related to the referenced entities. A response message including objects associated with the referenced entities is consumed. The function is executed based on the objects associated with the referenced entities, and the result generated by executing the function is returned to the requesting service.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for processing north-south queries in an application programming interface (API) generated for a plurality of associated services. The method generally includes receiving a request to invoke a function exposed by a first service in the API, wherein the function commits data to one or more data repositories. A data record is generated by the first service based on the received request based on a data object definition and a service definition for the first service. A message is generated including the generated data record and an indication that the message is to be consumed by a data lake processing system to commit data to a data lake. The message is published on a message bus for consumption by the data lake processing system.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for generating an application programming interface (API) for a plurality of associated services. The method generally includes retrieving a declarative schema for a service of a plurality of services in an application programming interface (API). A language object for the service is generated from a data object definition in the declarative schema associated with the service. Generally, the language object is configured to handle data events generated by the service. A service controller for the service is generated from a service definition in the declarative schema associated with the respective service. Generally, the service controller is fronted by a gateway for external sources to invoke one or more functions implemented by the service. An application programming interface (API) is exposed for the service independently of details of APIs for the associated services to one or more external services.

Abstract: A cup or glass is able to retain currency, either folded or unfolded, or a flat planar object, such as a standard-sized credit card or business card, in a slit located in the side of the cup or glass. Alternatively, two slits can be located in opposite sides of the upper rim of the cup or glass for permitting the two slits to jointly retain the credit card, business card or currency, or similar object, in the upper rim of the cup or glass. The cup or glass may have multiple slits for simultaneously retaining more than one credit card, more than one business card or several currency bills or, simultaneously, a combination thereof.