Abstract: A method for range detection is described. The method includes segmenting an image into one or more segmentation blobs captured by a monocular camera of an ego vehicle. The method includes focusing on pixels forming a selected segmentation blob of the one or more segment blobs. The method also includes determining a distance to the selected segmentation blob according to a focus function value of the monocular camera of the ego vehicle.

Abstract: Vehicles and systems and methods for determining a viewing direction of a user are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system for detecting a viewing direction of a user includes a marker arranged at a fixed location, and an optical assembly. The optical assembly includes a first optical sensor arranged to view the marker, and a second optical sensor arranged to view the user. The first optical sensor detects the marker for determining a spatial location of the optical assembly with respect to the marker, and the second optical sensor detects an eye of the user for determining an eye angle of the user.

Abstract: A method for range detection is described. The method includes segmenting an image into one or more segmentation blobs captured by a monocular camera of an ego vehicle. The method includes focusing on pixels forming a selected segmentation blob of the one or more segment blobs. The method also includes determining a distance to the selected segmentation blob according to a focus function value of the monocular camera of the ego vehicle.

Abstract: Vehicles and systems and methods for determining a viewing direction of a user are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system for detecting a viewing direction of a user includes a marker arranged at a fixed location, and an optical assembly. The optical assembly includes a first optical sensor arranged to view the marker, and a second optical sensor arranged to view the user. The first optical sensor detects the marker for determining a spatial location of the optical assembly with respect to the marker, and the second optical sensor detects an eye of the user for determining an eye angle of the user.

Abstract: A hanging bracket for supporting a suspended apparatus and a control unit housing includes a base having a first end and a second end. The first end includes a first surface and a first screw boss therethrough, and the second end includes a second surface and a second screw boss therethrough. The bracket also includes a support portion vertically spaced from the base, where the support portion adapted to support the suspended apparatus, and a neck extending between the base and the support portion. At least the first surface of the first end of the base, the second surface of the second end of the base, and the first and second screw bosses collectively form an interface configured for juxtaposition with complementary surfaces and screw holes of the control unit housing.

Abstract: A soil densification system and method is disclosed. The presently disclosed soil densification system includes an air delivery probe or pipe that can be driven or otherwise installed into a soil mass. An inlet of the air delivery probe is supplied by an air compressor and an air storage tank, which are used for the rapid delivery of air impulses or bursts into the air delivery probe, whereas the air impulses or bursts are expelled out of an outlet of the air delivery probe and into the soil mass. The method of using the presently disclosed soil densification system includes the steps of inserting the end of the air delivery probe into the soil mass to any desired depth and then releasing an impulse or burst of air into the soil mass, thereby forming a densified region in the soil mass via the forces of the air impulse.

Abstract: A hanging bracket for supporting a suspended apparatus and a control unit housing includes a base having a first end and a second end. The first end includes a first surface and a first screw boss therethrough, and the second end includes a second surface and a second screw boss therethrough. The bracket also includes a support portion vertically spaced from the base, where the support portion adapted to support the suspended apparatus, and a neck extending between the base and the support portion. At least the first surface of the first end of the base, the second surface of the second end of the base, and the first and second screw bosses collectively form an interface configured for juxtaposition with complementary surfaces and screw holes of the control unit housing.

Abstract: A hanging bracket for supporting a suspended apparatus and a control unit housing includes a base having a first end and a second end. The first end includes a first surface and a first screw boss therethrough, and the second end includes a second surface and a second screw boss therethrough. The bracket also includes a support portion vertically spaced from the base, where the support portion adapted to support the suspended apparatus, and a neck extending between the base and the support portion. At least the first surface of the first end of the base, the second surface of the second end of the base, and the first and second screw bosses collectively form an interface configured for juxtaposition with complementary surfaces and screw holes of the control unit housing.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of manufacturing a double walled section of an aerofoil (701) of a gas turbine engine (10), the method comprising: forming a plurality of columns (402) on an outer surface of a first structure; forming a plurality of columns (402) on a surface of each of a plurality of parts of a second structure; and forming a double walled section of an aerofoil (701) by attaching the ends of columns (402) on each part of the second structure to the ends of columns (402) on the first structure such that the first structure is an inner wall (401) of the section of the aerofoil (701) and the second structure is an outer wall (501) of the section of the aerofoil (701).

Abstract: A soil reinforcement system including angled soil reinforcement elements to resist seismic shear forces and methods of making same are disclosed. For example, the soil reinforcement system includes an array or grid of angled soil reinforcement elements installed within the ground, wherein the angled reinforcement elements are designed to absorb and/or resist earthquake-induced seismic shear forces by transferring the applied shear forces into axial compressive and tensile forces within each of the angled reinforcement elements.

Abstract: A hanging bracket for supporting a suspended apparatus and a control unit housing includes a base having a first end and a second end. The first end includes a first surface and a first screw boss therethrough, and the second end includes a second surface and a second screw boss therethrough. The bracket also includes a support portion vertically spaced from the base, where the support portion adapted to support the suspended apparatus, and a neck extending between the base and the support portion. At least the first surface of the first end of the base, the second surface of the second end of the base, and the first and second screw bosses collectively form an interface configured for juxtaposition with complementary surfaces and screw holes of the control unit housing.

Abstract: A soil reinforcement system including angled soil reinforcement elements to resist seismic shear forces and methods of making same are disclosed. For example, the soil reinforcement system includes an array or grid of angled soil reinforcement elements installed within the ground, wherein the angled reinforcement elements are designed to absorb and/or resist earthquake-induced seismic shear forces by transferring the applied shear forces into axial compressive and tensile forces within each of the angled reinforcement elements.

Abstract: A system includes a gateway that is configured to receive a message from a source for transmission to a destination and multiple communication channels on which to transmit the message to the destination, where the communication channels include different types of communication channels. The system includes a decision engine that is operably coupled to the gateway and the communication channels. The decision engine is configured to select a first communication channel from the communication channels to route the message for transmission to the destination. The decision engine is configured to select a second communication channel from the communication channels to route the message for transmission to the destination in response to a period of time expiring without receiving an acknowledgement from the destination via the first communication channel, where the second communication channel is a different type of communication channel than the first communication channel.

Abstract: A housing for a recessed lighting fixture includes a can having an opening for passage of light out of the can and a can top attached to the can. The can top and the opening are at opposite ends of the can. The can and the can top define a cavity of the housing. A front section of the can and a rear section of the can are each skewed between the opening and the can top.

Abstract: A plaster frame for a luminaire includes a first attachment tab on a side of the plaster frame and a second attachment tab on the side of the plaster frame. The plaster frame further includes a back wall. The first attachment tab and the second attachment tab each include a rib protruding toward the back wall. The back wall and the first attachment tab define a first space for a hanger bar assembly to extend therethrough, and the back wall and the second attachment tab define a second space for the hanger bar assembly to extend therethrough.

Abstract: A soil densification system and method is disclosed. The presently disclosed soil densification system includes an air delivery probe or pipe that can be driven or otherwise installed into a soil mass. An inlet of the air delivery probe is supplied by an air compressor and an air storage tank, which are used for the rapid delivery of air impulses or bursts into the air delivery probe, whereas the air impulses or bursts are expelled out of an outlet of the air delivery probe and into the soil mass. The method of using the presently disclosed soil densification system includes the steps of inserting the end of the air delivery probe into the soil mass to any desired depth and then releasing an impulse or burst of air into the soil mass, thereby forming a densified region in the soil mass via the forces of the air impulse.

Abstract: A system includes a gateway that is configured to receive a message from a source for transmission to a destination and multiple communication channels on which to transmit the message to the destination, where the communication channels include different types of communication channels. The system includes a decision engine that is operably coupled to the gateway and the communication channels. The decision engine is configured to select a first communication channel from the communication channels to route the message for transmission to the destination. The decision engine is configured to select a second communication channel from the communication channels to route the message for transmission to the destination in response to a period of time expiring without receiving an acknowledgement from the destination via the first communication channel, where the second communication channel is a different type of communication channel than the first communication channel.

Abstract: A soil densification system and method is disclosed. The presently disclosed soil densification system includes an air delivery probe or pipe that can be driven or otherwise installed into a soil mass. An inlet of the air delivery probe is supplied by an air compressor and an air storage tank, which are used for the rapid delivery of air impulses or bursts into the air delivery probe, whereas the air impulses or bursts are expelled out of an outlet of the air delivery probe and into the soil mass. The method of using the presently disclosed soil densification system includes the steps of inserting the end of the air delivery probe into the soil mass to any desired depth and then releasing an impulse or burst of air into the soil mass, thereby forming a densified region in the soil mass via the forces of the air impulse.

Abstract: A system includes a gateway that is configured to receive a message from a source for transmission to a destination and multiple communication channels on which to transmit the message to the destination, where the communication channels include different types of communication channels. The system includes a decision engine that is operably coupled to the gateway and the communication channels. The decision engine is configured to select a first communication channel from the communication channels to route the message for transmission to the destination. The decision engine is configured to select a second communication channel from the communication channels to route the message for transmission to the destination in response to a period of time expiring without receiving an acknowledgement from the destination via the first communication channel, where the second communication channel is a different type of communication channel than the first communication channel.

Abstract: A plaster frame for a luminaire includes a first attachment tab on a side of the plaster frame and a second attachment tab on the side of the plaster frame. The plaster frame further includes a back wall. The first attachment tab and the second attachment tab each include a rib protruding toward the back wall. The back wall and the first attachment tab define a first space for a hanger bar assembly to extend therethrough, and the back wall and the second attachment tab define a second space for the hanger bar assembly to extend therethrough.