Abstract: A landscaping block having a block body with at least a first side surface, a second side surface, a third side surface and a fourth side surface, and opposed and substantially parallel top and bottom surfaces. The patio block having at least one spacer projection extending outwardly from each of the at least first, second, third and fourth side surfaces. The patio block having at least one spacer locator positioned along each one of the first, second, third and fourth side surfaces. The at least one spacer locator positioned along each side surface has a retaining surface shaped to receive a spacer projection, at least a portion of the retaining surface extending outwardly from the side surface.

Abstract: A block, block system and method of making a wall block. Multiple block embodiments with multiple embodiments of a visually exposed surface having three dimensional shaped areas and three dimensional angular valleys or joints that can be used to construct a patio, wall, fence or the like; the multiple embodiments creating a more random and natural appearance.

Abstract: A block suitable for use in paving, edging or wall applications comprises a lower portion having parallel, substantially vertical side faces that are spaced apart by a first width, and an upper portion having parallel, substantially vertical side faces that are spaced apart by a second width. The second width is smaller than the first width of the lower portion, and the side faces of the upper portion are angled relative to the side faces of the lower portion. The block further comprises a transition portion between the upper and lower portions, having at least one slanted side extending between one or more sides of the lower portion and one or more sides, respectively, of the upper portion.

Abstract: Wall blocks, veneers, veneer connectors, walls, and methods of constructing walls are provided. More particularly, the invention relates to constructing walls in which a veneer panel is attached to a wall block with a connector and in which the front faces of the veneers have a desirable texture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for enhancing crop performance in Brassica, the method comprising providing Brassica seeds which have been sorted so that at least 90% of the seed population have a seed diameter of at least 1.7 mm; and seeding said Brassica seeds at a seeding rate sufficient to establish a population of Brassica plants so that the plants have a density of 40 to 95 plants per m2 when the plants are at any one or more of phenological growth stages 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15, according to the BBCH scale; and that the plants show an establishment rate of at least 40%.

Abstract: A method of determining solar radiation exposure at a predetermined location is provided. The method may include generating a first two-dimensional (2D) matrix including a plurality of elements, wherein each element of the plurality of elements of the first 2D matrix includes an elevation/azimuth pair representing a light ray extending from the predetermined location to one or more positions in the sky. The method may further include generating a second 2D matrix including a plurality of elements, wherein each index of the second 2D matrix includes an associated elevation/azimuth pair of the first 2D matrix. Each element of the plurality of elements of the second 2D matrix represents an amount of solar radiation to impinge on the predetermined location from a direction of a respective elevation/azimuth pair.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system for generating pressure pulses in a drilling fluid flowing within coiled tubing assembly is described that includes; a flow throttling device longitudinally and axially positioned within the center of a main valve actuator assembly that allows main exit flow fluid to flow past a drive shaft and motor such that the pilot fluid and the main exit flow fluid causes one or more flow throttling devices to generate large, rapid controllable pulses. The pulses generated by the flow throttling device thereby allow transmission of well-developed signals easily distinguished from any noise resulting from other vibrations due to nearby equipment within the borehole or exterior to the borehole, or within the coiled tubing assembly wherein the signals also provide predetermined height, width and shape of the signals.

Abstract: A landscaping block having a block body with at least a first side surface, a second side surface, a third side surface and a fourth side surface, and opposed and substantially parallel top and bottom surfaces. The patio block having at least one spacer projection extending outwardly from each of the at least first, second, third and fourth side surfaces. The patio block having at least one spacer locator positioned along each one of the first, second, third and fourth side surfaces. The at least one spacer locator positioned along each side surface has a retaining surface shaped to receive a spacer projection, at least a portion of the retaining surface extending outwardly from the side surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for generating pressure pulses for enhancing and completing a well bore within a coiled tubing assembly including: a CT-MWD-FTD tool longitudinally and axially positioned within the center of a main valve assembly including a main valve. The drilling fluid is subsequently split into both an inlet main fluid stream and a pilot fluid stream, wherein the pilot fluid stream subsequently flows such that the pilot fluid recombines with the main flow stream to become a main exit fluid flow. The main exit fluid flow then proceeds toward a motor housing wherein one or more annular pressure sensors measure the pressure of fluid flow with sensors that send signals to a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) that controls flow throttling devices which generate controllable, large, rapid and measurable energy pulses.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for authenticating a user of a computing device. The system comprises one or more memory devices storing instructions, and one or more processors configured to execute the instructions to provide, to a computing device associated with a user, an indication of a prescribed authentication parameter. The system also receives image data including an image of the user of the computing device captured using an image sensor of the computing device. The system determines an identity of the user based on an analysis of the received image data, determines whether the received image data includes a feature corresponding to the prescribed authentication parameter, and authenticates the user based at least in part on whether the received image data includes the feature corresponding to the prescribed authentication parameter.

Abstract: A landscaping block having a block body with at least a first side surface, a second side surface, a third side surface and a fourth side surface, and opposed and substantially parallel top and bottom surfaces. The patio block having at least one spacer projection extending outwardly from each of the at least first, second, third and fourth side surfaces. The patio block having at least one spacer locator positioned along each one of the first, second, third and fourth side surfaces. The at least one spacer locator positioned along each side surface has a retaining surface shaped to receive a spacer projection, at least a portion of the retaining surface extending outwardly from the side surface.

Abstract: A block, block system and method of making a wall block. Multiple block embodiments with multiple embodiments of a visually exposed surface having three dimensional shaped areas and three dimensional angular valleys or joints that can be used to construct a patio, wall, fence or the like; the multiple embodiments creating a more random and natural appearance.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for generating pressure pulses for enhancing and completing a well bore within a coiled tubing assembly including: a CT-MWD-FTD tool longitudinally and axially positioned within the center of a main valve assembly including a main valve. The drilling fluid is subsequently split into both an inlet main fluid stream and a pilot fluid stream, wherein the pilot fluid stream subsequently flows such that the pilot fluid recombines with the main flow stream to become a main exit fluid flow. The main exit fluid flow then proceeds toward a motor housing wherein one or more annular pressure sensors measure the pressure of fluid flow with sensors that send signals to a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) that controls flow throttling devices which generate controllable, large, rapid and measurable energy pulses.

Abstract: A block suitable for use in paving, edging or wall applications comprises a lower portion having parallel, substantially vertical side faces that are spaced apart by a first width, and an upper portion having parallel, substantially vertical side faces that are spaced apart by a second width. The second width is smaller than the first width of the lower portion, and the side faces of the upper portion are angled relative to the side faces of the lower portion. The block further comprises a transition portion between the upper and lower portions, having at least one slanted side extending between one or more sides of the lower portion and one or more sides, respectively, of the upper portion.

Abstract: A retaining wall block and a setback connector for use in forming retaining walls having a desired setback between adjacent courses of blocks in a retaining wall. The method of constructing a retaining wall with a plurality of the blocks and setback connectors.

Abstract: A landscaping block having a block body with at least a first side surface, a second side surface, a third side surface and a fourth side surface, and opposed and substantially parallel top and bottom surfaces. The patio block having at least one spacer projection extending outwardly from each of the at least first, second, third and fourth side surfaces. The patio block having at least one spacer locator positioned along each one of the first, second, third and fourth side surfaces. The at least one spacer locator positioned along each side surface has a retaining surface shaped to receive a spacer projection, at least a portion of the retaining surface extending outwardly from the side surface.

Abstract: A connection surface disposed on a face of a structural unit comprises a first segment having a three dimensional surface profile including a plurality of positive outer surfaces extending outwardly along a normal direction from a plane and a plurality of negative outer surfaces extending inwardly along the normal direction from the plane, wherein at least two of the plurality of positive outer surfaces are separated from one another along both vertical and horizontal directions and at least two of the plurality of negative outer surfaces are separated from one another along vertical and horizontal directions. A second segment opposes the first segment with respect to an axis, wherein the second segment is a substantial reflection of the first segment across the axis, but reversed along the normal direction.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for authenticating a user of a computing device. The system comprises one or more memory devices storing instructions, and one or more processors configured to execute the instructions to provide, to a computing device associated with a user, an indication of a prescribed authentication parameter. The system also receives image data including an image of the user of the computing device captured using an image sensor of the computing device. The system determines an identity of the user based on an analysis of the received image data, determines whether the received image data includes a feature corresponding to the prescribed authentication parameter, and authenticates the user based at least in part on whether the received image data includes the feature corresponding to the prescribed authentication parameter.

Abstract: A block, block system and method of making a wall block. Multiple block embodiments with multiple embodiments of a visually exposed surface having three dimensional shaped areas and three dimensional angular valleys or joints that can be used to construct a patio, wall, fence or the like; the multiple embodiments creating a more random and natural appearance.

Abstract: A block suitable for use in paving, edging or wall applications comprises a lower portion having parallel, substantially vertical side faces that are spaced apart by a first width, and an upper portion having parallel, substantially vertical side faces that are spaced apart by a second width. The second width is smaller than the first width of the lower portion, and the side faces of the upper portion are angled relative to the side faces of the lower portion. The block further comprises a transition portion between the upper and lower portions, having at least one slanted side extending between one or more sides of the lower portion and one or more sides, respectively, of the upper portion.