Abstract: The present teachings relate to a method for modeling an industrial plant comprising a plurality of equipment, the method comprising: providing a plant level model of the industrial plant; wherein the plant level model has been generated via a topology generator by automatically selecting and interconnecting equipment models from a model library; obtaining, using a model trainer, a trained plant level model; wherein the trained plant level model is obtained from the plant level model by training at least some of the equipment models in the plant level model using one or more historical datasets; wherein the trained plant level model is usable for computing at least one performance parameter via a model executor. The present teachings also relate to a framework, a software product, a use of the model and a use of the performance parameter.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for determining operating states of a chemical plant, in particular of operating states in a process group, the method comprising the steps of providing signal time series data associated with a first measurement point in a chemical plant, determining based on the signal time series data associated with the first measurement point in a chemical plant a respective signal time series score associated with a measure of a degree of variation of the signal time series data over time, determining the operating state based on the respective signal time series score associated with a measure of a degree of variation of the signal time series data over time providing data associated with the operating state of the chemical plant, suitable for monitoring and/or controlling the chemical plant.

Abstract: An ink formulation for additive manufacturing of low density syntactic foams is described. The ink formulation can include a thermoset resin, a curing agent suitable for use with the thermoset resin, a plurality of hollow spheres, such as glass microballoons, one or more solvents, and one or more non-hollow, viscosity modifying filler. Also described are a method of preparing the ink formulation, a method of preparing three-dimensional objects comprising low density syntactic foams, and the three-dimensional objects prepared thereby.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for generating a problem specific representation of a process network to enable controlling or monitoring a process network with at least two interconnected chemical plants, the method comprising the steps of providing a first digital representation of the process network comprising a digital process representation of each plant, its connections to other plants and sensor elements placed in the process network, generating based on the first digital representation a graph structure including vertices representing unit operations, edges linking unit operations representing at least physico-chemical quantities, wherein the edges include edge meta data representing at least physico-chemical quantities, and a measurable tag, generating based on the graph structure a collapsed graph structure including, vertices representing virtual unit operations, edges linking virtual unit operations representing at least physico-chemical quantities, wherein the edges include edge meta data represen

Abstract: An ink formulation for additive manufacturing of low density syntactic foams is described. The ink formulation can include a thermoset resin, a curing agent suitable for use with the thermoset resin, a plurality of hollow spheres, such as glass microballoons, one or more solvents, and one or more non-hollow, viscosity modifying filler. Also described are a method of preparing the ink formulation, a method of preparing three-dimensional objects comprising low density syntactic foams, and the three-dimensional objects prepared thereby.

Abstract: An apparatus for weaponizing a mobile robotic platform with a mechanically triggered weapon and a firing circuit provides a weaponized mobile robotic platform, in which the mechanically triggered weapon can be fired in a safe, secure, and controlled manner in response to a single electrical pulse from the firing circuit.

Abstract: A point cloud data set may be pre-processed for fast and efficient rendering. The pre-processing may comprise creating an octree hierarchy from the data, generating a level of detail (LOD) representation for each octree node, simplifying the points in each node according to a simplification tolerance, and storing the data structure in a file. Textures associated with each node may be stored in a separate, compressed file, such as a texture atlas. At render time, the octree and LOD hierarchy may be traversed until a suitable LOD node is found. The associated texture data may be accessed, and the node may be rendered as a textured quadrilateral and/or a splat point primitive. In an alternative approach, multiple point cloud datasets may be merged using a global transform function. The merged dataset may be simplified using a hierarchical LOD tree. Textures may be ascribed to each LOD node. The resulting structure may be rendered using splat and billboard point primitives.

Abstract: An apparatus for weaponizing a mobile robotic platform with a mechanically triggered weapon and a firing circuit provides a weaponized mobile robotic platform, in which the mechanically triggered weapon can be fired in a safe, secure, and controlled manner in response to a single electrical pulse from the firing circuit.

Abstract: A camera including a Lidar and an optical camera captures 3D data representing scans of an object. The Lidar and optical camera may synchronously or asynchronously capture 3D data. An image is generated for each scan. The images are aligned and combined to generate a total image. Alignment of images may be based on received spatial information. The total image is processed to generated a 3D model.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a remote vehicle comprises a hand-held controller including a laser generator for generating a laser beam. The hand-held controller is manipulable to aim and actuate the laser beam to designate a destination for the remote vehicle. The remote vehicle senses a reflection of the laser beam and moves toward the designated destination. The hand-held controller allows single-handed control of the remote vehicle and one or more of its payloads. A method for controlling a remote vehicle via a laser beam comprises encoding control signals for a remote vehicle into a laser beam that is aimed and sent to a designated destination for the remote vehicle, and sensing a reflection of the laser beam, decoding the control signals for the remote vehicle, and moving toward the designated destination.

Abstract: A method for generating lithography masks includes generating integrated circuit design data and using context information from the integrated circuit design data to write a mask.

Abstract: A lidar and digital camera system collect data and generate a three-dimensional image. A lidar generates a laser beam to form a lidar shot and to receive a reflected laser beam to provide range data. A digital camera includes an array of pixels to receive optical radiation and provide electro-optical data. An optical bench passes the laser beam, reflected laser beam, and optical radiation and is positioned to align each pixel to known positions within the lidar shot. Pixels are matched to form a lidar point-cloud which is used to generate an image.

Abstract: A method for inspecting lithography masks includes generating integrated circuit design data and using context information from the integrated circuit design data to inspect a mask.

Abstract: A remote digital firing system includes a firing circuit operative to fire remote mission payloads, a firing control panel linked to the firing circuit, and a digital code plug configured to communicate with the firing circuit and firing control panel. The firing circuit can generate, write and store one-time random session variables to the digital code plug. The firing circuit validates digital messages received from the firing control panel by comparing one-time random session variables embodied in the messages with the stored one-time random session variables, before firing the payload.

Abstract: System and method for behavior based control of an autonomous vehicle. Actuators (e.g., linkages) manipulate input devices (e.g., articulation controls and drive controls, such as a throttle lever, steering gear, tie rods, throttle, brake, accelerator, or transmission shifter) to direct the operation of the vehicle. Behaviors that characterize the operational mode of the vehicle are associated with the actuators. The behaviors include action sets ranked by priority, and the action sets include alternative actions that the vehicle can take to accomplish its task. The alternative actions are ranked by preference, and an arbiter selects the action to be performed and, optionally, modified.

Abstract: System and method for processing a safety signal in an autonomous vehicle. Safety signals are typically generated in response to the detection of unsafe conditions or are sent by the vehicle operator. In either case, the safety signals are conveyed using redundant communication paths. The paths include a computer network and a current loop. The safety signals are processed, thereby causing actuators (e.g., linkages) to manipulate input devices (e.g., articulation controls and drive controls, such as a throttle, brake, tie rods, steering gear, throttle lever, accelerator, or transmission shifter). The manipulation ensures the vehicle responds appropriately to the safety signals, for example, by shutting down the vehicle.

Abstract: System and method for tracking obstacles by an autonomous vehicle. Localization sensors (i.e., sensors to measure pitch, roll, and yaw, and systems including an inertial navigation system, a compass, a global positioning system, or an odometer) detect the position of the vehicle. Perception sensors (e.g., LIDAR, stereo vision, infrared vision, radar, or sonar) assess the environment about the vehicle. Using these sensors, locations of terrain features relative to the vehicle are computed and kept up-to-date. The vehicle trajectory is adjusted to avoid terrain features that are obstacles in the path of the vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for interruptible autonomous control of a vehicle. Autonomous control is achieved by using actuators that interact with input devices in the vehicle. The actuators (e.g., linkages) manipulate the input devices (e.g., articulation controls and drive controls, such as a throttle, brake, tie rods, steering gear, throttle lever, or accelerator) to direct the operation of the vehicle. Although operating autonomously, manual operation of the vehicle is possible following the detection of events that suggest manual control is desired. Subsequent autonomous control may be permitted, permitted after a prescribed delay, or prevented.

Abstract: System and method for multi-modal control of a vehicle. Actuators (e.g., linkages) manipulate input devices (e.g., articulation controls and drive controls, such as a throttle, brake, accelerator, throttle lever, steering gear, tie rods, or transmission shifter) to direct the operation of the vehicle. Behaviors that characterize the operational mode of the vehicle are associated with the actuators. After receipt of a mode select command that dictates the operational mode of the vehicle (e.g., manned operation, remote unmanned tele-operation, assisted remote tele-operation, and autonomous unmanned operation), the actuators manipulate the operator input devices, in accordance with the behaviors, to affect the desired operational mode.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a remote digital firing system for firing of a remote mission payload that includes a firing circuit communicatively coupled to and operative to fire the remote mission payload, a firing control panel communicatively linked to said firing circuit, and a digital code plug configured to be integrated in communicative combination with said firing circuit and said firing control panel, wherein said firing circuit is operative, with said digital code plug integrated in communicative combination therewith, to generate and write one-time random session variables to said digital code plug and to simultaneously store said one-time random session variables internally in said firing circuit; wherein said firing control panel is operative, with said digital code plug integrated in communicative combination therewith, to generate and transmit messages having said one-time random session variable embodied therein to said firing circuit; and wherein said firing circuit validates said mes