Abstract: The present application discloses a method and apparatus for compensation of focal errors in laser beam measurement instruments that characterize beam parameters by analyzing images of Rayleigh scatter taken at multiple angles around the beam axis. If the laser beam is not precisely positioned, these images may not be in focus, and the instrument will not report accurate results. This method and apparatus finds the longitudinal axis of the beam by analyzing the beam location in at least two images. All images are subdivided into slices and distances from the beam axis to the focal plane for each slice are calculated and used to find an out-of-focus transfer function for each slice, which is used in combination with the modulation transfer function of the system to deconvolve the slice. Images formed by reassembling the deconvolved slices can then be analyzed to obtain the correct beam parameters.

Abstract: Position sensing modules associated with a device are provided. The position sensing modules are configured to receive electrical characteristics associated with one or more switches of a device over a predetermined period of time, the one or more switches being configured to connect service to or disconnect service from a customer; calculate a match indicator for each phase of the device including the one or more switches, the match indicator indicating whether an electrical characteristic on a load-side of the device matches a same electrical characteristic on a line-side of the device for each phase of the device; and determine a position of the one or more switches based on the received electrical characteristics and the calculated match indicator for each phase of the device.

Abstract: Position sensing and verification modules and a meter are provided. A module is configured to determine a position of one or more switch poles by measuring a current across the one or more switch poles. If a current is greater than or equal to a predetermined current threshold, the position is closed. If a current is less than the predetermined current threshold, the position is open. The module is configured to determine a line voltage with respect to a first reference value, determine a load voltage with respect to the first reference value, compare the line voltage to the load voltage to determine if the line voltage and the load voltage are within a predetermined threshold, and confirm the position of the one or more switch poles based on the comparison of the line voltage to the load voltage for the one or more line phases.

Abstract: This description relates to a tamp for an explosive. The tamp is formed from heat-shrink material having its ends heat-shrunk closed holding a tamp substance therein. A length of heat-shrink material is provided. A first end of the heat-shrink material is heated-shrunk closed to create a bag shape. A tamp substance is inserted into the bag via a second end of the heat-shrink material. The second end of the heat-shrink material is heat-shrunk closed to create a tamp. The tamp is placed adjacent to an explosive. This description also relates to a sleeve for an explosive. The sleeve is formed from heat-shrink material. An explosive is placed in the sleeve. One or both ends of the sleeve may be heat-shrunk closed.

Abstract: A deployable, linear explosive structure includes a split tube, an explosive coupled to the split tube, and a fragmentable or non-fragmentable projectile disposed with respect to the explosive. The split tube can be rolled into a non-deployed state in which the split tube has a flat, rolled profile. The split tube also can be deployed from the non-deployed state to a deployed state in which the split tube is extended along its length and has a curved cross-section along its length. The split tube provides support of the explosive structure in the deployed state. The split tube also provides smaller storage and transportation volume for the explosive structure when rolled in the non-deployed state.

Abstract: An explosive detonating system comprises connectable components to connect/disconnect a pathway that ignites an explosion. A firing actuator activates primers. An adapter connects the firing actuator to shock tube and channels the ignition force from the primers into the shock tube. A cap box houses blasting caps coupled to the end of the shock tube. A priming well is coupled to the cap box/blasting caps and detonating cord. When the firing actuator is initiated, the percussion caps ignite, sending an explosive jet of gas into the shock tube, which ignites an explosive liner. An explosive wave travels through the shock tube and activates the blasting caps, which activate the detonating cord in the priming well. The explosive is placed in a location to provide a desired explosive effect. For example, the system may be employed as a system to breach into structures, remove obstacles and/or barriers, or other applications.

Abstract: An explosive detonating system comprises connectable components to connect/disconnect a pathway that ignites an explosion. A firing actuator activates primers. An adapter connects the firing actuator to shock tube and channels the ignition force from the primers into the shock tube. A cap box houses blasting caps coupled to the end of the shock tube. A priming well is coupled to the cap box/blasting caps and detonating cord. When the firing actuator is initiated, the percussion caps ignite, sending an explosive jet of gas into the shock tube, which ignites an explosive liner. An explosive wave travels through the shock tube and activates the blasting caps, which activate the detonating cord in the priming well. The explosive is placed in a location to provide a desired explosive effect. For example, the system may be employed as a system to breach into structures, remove obstacles and/or barriers, or other applications.

Abstract: A tape drive comprises a roll of a tape that can be extended from a rolled state to an extended state. The tape includes a rigid material that supports the tape and a pliable material disposed at least partially on one side of the tape. A compression roller is disposed on a side of the tape and is biased toward the tape. A drive roller is disposed on the other side of the tape. The drive roller comprises an uneven surface that mechanically engages the pliable material of the tape, without protruding through the tape, as a result of the bias of the compression roller forcing the tape toward the drive roller. A motor turns the drive roller to extend the tape from the roll as the protrusions of the uneven surface of the drive roller mechanically engage the pliable material of the tape as the drive roller turns.

Abstract: An explosive detonating system comprises connectable components to connect/disconnect a pathway that ignites an explosion. A firing actuator activates primers (percussion caps). An adapter connects the firing actuator to shock tube and channels the ignition force into the shock tube. A cap box houses blasting caps coupled to the end of the shock tube. A priming well is coupled to the cap box/blasting caps and the detonating cord. When the firing actuator is initiated, the percussion caps ignite, sending an explosive wave into the adapter, which channels the wave into the shock tube and ignites the shock tube. The explosive wave travels through the shock tube and activates the blasting caps, which activate the detonating cord in the priming well. The explosive is placed in a location to provide a desired explosive effect. For example, the system may be employed as a system to breach structures or other applications.

Abstract: Bypass detection modules associated with a device are provided. The bypass detection module is configured to determine if one of more switches have been opened to remove service from a customer; monitor electrical characteristic associated with both a line side of the device and a load side of the device responsive to determining that one of more of the one or more switches have been opened to remove service from the customer; and determine a state of the device based on the monitored electrical characteristics.

Abstract: Techniques for authentication via a mobile device are provided. A mobile device is pre-registered for website authentication services. A user encounters a website displaying an embedded code as an image alongside a normal login process for that website. The image is identified by the mobile device, encrypted and signed by the mobile device and sent to a proxy. The proxy authenticates the code and associates it with the website. Credentials for the user are provided to the website to automatically authenticate the user for access to the website bypassing the normal login process associated with the website.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe acquires a 3D image dataset of a volumetric region of the body. The 3D image data is reformatted into a sequence of successive parallel image planes extending in one of three orthogonal directions through the volume. The sequence of images is preferably formatted in accordance with the DICOM standard so that a clinician can review the 3D image data as a sequence of DICOM images on an image workstation.

Abstract: An application-centric modernization and migration (AMM) architecture delivers AMM as a service to enterprises to automate migrating applications to new environments. In this regard, the architecture implements data migration functionality in concert with application code migration, environment provisioning, and post-migration configuration. The joint migration of application data and application code effectively provides a complete migration of an application. The architecture may also define and deliver a GUI portal through which an application owner provides application-specific metadata to drive the AMM.

Abstract: The system and method for determining fuzzy cause and effect relationships in an intelligent workload management system described herein may combine potential causes and effects captured from various different sources associated with an information technology infrastructure with substantially instantaneous feedback mechanisms and other knowledge sources. As such, fuzzy correlation logic may then be applied to the combined information to determine potential cause and effect relationships and thereby diagnose problems and otherwise manage interactions that occur in the infrastructure. For example, information describing potential causes and potential effects associated with an operational state of the infrastructure may be captured and combined, and any patterns among the information that describes the multiple potential causes and effects may then be identified.

Abstract: This description relates to a tamp for an explosive. The tamp is formed from heat-shrink material having its ends heat-shrunk closed holding a tamp substance therein. A length of heat-shrink material is provided. A first end of the heat-shrink material is heated-shrunk closed to create a bag shape. A tamp substance is inserted into the bag via a second end of the heat-shrink material. The second end of the heat-shrink material is heat-shrunk closed to create a tamp. The tamp is placed adjacent to an explosive. This description also relates to a sleeve for an explosive. The sleeve is formed from heat-shrink material. An explosive is placed in the sleeve. One or both ends of the sleeve may be heat-shrunk closed.

Abstract: The present application discloses a method and apparatus for compensation of focal errors in laser beam measurement instruments that characterize beam parameters by analyzing images of Rayleigh scatter taken at multiple angles around the beam axis. If the laser beam is not precisely positioned, these images may not be in focus, and the instrument will not report accurate results. This method and apparatus finds the longitudinal axis of the beam by analyzing the beam location in at least two images. All images are subdivided into slices and distances from the beam axis to the focal plane for each slice are calculated and used to find an out-of-focus transfer function for each slice, which is used in combination with the modulation transfer function of the system to deconvolve the slice. Images formed by reassembling the deconvolved slices can then be analyzed to obtain the correct beam parameters.

Abstract: A meat product offers a user stable construction with a rod engaging a threaded socket inside at least one bone of the meat portion. The meat product allows the user to steadily hold meat products using the user's hands without touching the meat or requiring any cutting beforehand. Additionally, the meat product can be easily taken apart by disengaging the rod from the threaded socket. The meat product may have multiple rods, thus allowing the user to hold heavy meat products. Each rod may comprise a handle which provides efficient and effective handling, processing, cooking and/or eating. The handle may comprise various shapes and a slip resistant surface that offers the user more secure handling. The meat product can be made individually by the user or manufactured in batches. Thus, the meat product allows the user to achieve a sanitary eating product.

Abstract: A deployable explosive charge structure includes a carpenter's tape capable of transitioning from an undeployed state to a deployed state in which the tape extends linearly over its length, an explosive charge connected to the carpenter's tape, a connecting structure for connecting the carpenter's tape and the explosive charge, and a two-sided adhesive tape for engaging a structure (for example, a door or wall) when the carpenter's tape is in the deployed state.

Abstract: Mobile computing device power consumption can be reduced by using expiration window timers, state-based timers and/or the coordination of keep-alive timers. A mobile computing device can execute tasks associated with multiple keep-alive timers used for maintaining communication links between the device and cloud-based service providers in a single active state. A cloud-based keep-alive service can maintain mobile computing device-service provider communication links by sending one keep-alive communication to a mobile computing device in place of multiple communications. Upon receiving a response, the keep-alive surface can send a plurality of keep-alive communications to a plurality of cloud-based service providers.

Abstract: Position sensing modules associated with a device are provided. The position sensing modules are configured to receive electrical characteristics associated with one or more switches of a device over a predetermined period of time, the one or more switches being configured to connect service to or disconnect service from a customer; calculate a match indicator for each phase of the device including the one or more switches, the match indicator indicating whether an electrical characteristic on a load-side of the device matches a same electrical characteristic on a line-side of the device for each phase of the device; and determine a position of the one or more switches based on the received electrical characteristics and the calculated match indicator for each phase of the device.