Abstract: Systems and devices for detecting and characterizing stratified fluid and/or aerosol particles and droplets, and methods of use thereof to, for example, diagnose and prognose respiratory diseases and disorders are provided. The systems typically include optoelectronic sensors for detecting foreign particles like bacteria and pollutants in the air (i.e., the aerosol) based on light scattering. Information collected in this way can be used to, for example, detect or identify respiratory maladies and determine the effectiveness of methods of treatment thereof.

Abstract: Systems and devices for detecting and characterizing stratified fluid and/or aerosol particles and droplets, and methods of use thereof to, for example, diagnose and prognose respiratory diseases and disorders are provided. The systems typically include optoelectronic sensors for detecting foreign particles like bacteria and pollutants in the air (i.e., the aerosol) based on light scattering. Information collected in this way can be used to, for example, detect or identify respiratory maladies and determine the effectiveness of methods of treatment thereof.

Abstract: This document describes an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) configured to navigate an unmanned aerial vehicle highway. The UAV includes a navigation system that includes a sensor, configured to gather environmental data, and a computing system configured to navigate the UAV. The computing system compares the environmental data to a specified data signature in the one or more spectra and determines a position of the unmanned aerial vehicle in the unmanned aerial vehicle highway. The UAV includes a hybrid generator system including an engine configured to generate mechanical energy and a generator motor coupled to the engine and configured to generate electrical energy from the mechanical energy generated by the engine. The UAV includes a rotor motor configured to drive a propeller to rotate. The navigation system is powered by the electrical energy generated by the generator motor.

Abstract: A system and method for accurately detecting contact between two objects in a medium comprises at least one sensor for detecting vibration of a first of the two objects and a central processing unit (CPU) for receiving an output of the at least one sensor, wherein the CPU performs the steps: converting the output of the sensor into digital form; during a calibration phase, changing the data from time domain to frequency domain; and during the calibration phase, determining a first frequency range associated with actual contact between the two objects, and a second frequency range associated with a false positive contact between the two objects. A signal processor is provided for filtering all data except that which falls within the first frequency range so as to confirm actual contact between the objects.

Abstract: This document describes an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) configured to navigate an unmanned aerial vehicle highway. The UAV includes a navigation system that includes a sensor, configured to gather environmental data, and a computing system configured to navigate the UAV. The computing system compares the environmental data to a specified data signature in the one or more spectra and determines a position of the unmanned aerial vehicle in the unmanned aerial vehicle highway. The UAV includes a hybrid generator system including an engine configured to generate mechanical energy and a generator motor coupled to the engine and configured to generate electrical energy from the mechanical energy generated by the engine. The UAV includes a rotor motor configured to drive a propeller to rotate. The navigation system is powered by the electrical energy generated by the generator motor.

Abstract: This document describes an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) configured to navigate an unmanned aerial vehicle highway. The UAV includes a navigation system that includes a sensor, configured to gather environmental data, and a computing system configured to navigate the UAV. The computing system compares the environmental data to a specified data signature in the one or more spectra and determines a position of the unmanned aerial vehicle in the unmanned aerial vehicle highway. The UAV includes a hybrid generator system including an engine configured to generate mechanical energy and a generator motor coupled to the engine and configured to generate electrical energy from the mechanical energy generated by the engine. The UAV includes a rotor motor configured to drive a propeller to rotate. The navigation system is powered by the electrical energy generated by the generator motor.

Abstract: This document describes an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) configured to navigate an unmanned aerial vehicle highway. The UAV includes a navigation system that includes a sensor, configured to gather environmental data, and a computing system configured to navigate the UAV. The computing system compares the environmental data to a specified data signature in the one or more spectra and determines a position of the unmanned aerial vehicle in the unmanned aerial vehicle highway. The UAV includes a hybrid generator system including an engine configured to generate mechanical energy and a generator motor coupled to the engine and configured to generate electrical energy from the mechanical energy generated by the engine. The UAV includes a rotor motor configured to drive a propeller to rotate. The navigation system is powered by the electrical energy generated by the generator motor.

Abstract: A system and method for accurately detecting contact between two objects in a medium comprises at least one sensor for detecting vibration of a first of the two objects and a central processing unit (CPU) for receiving an output of the at least one sensor, wherein the CPU performs the steps: converting the output of the sensor into digital form; during a calibration phase, changing the data from time domain to frequency domain; and during the calibration phase, determining a first frequency range associated with actual contact between the two objects, and a second frequency range associated with a false positive contact between the two objects. A signal processor is provided for filtering all data except that which falls within the first frequency range so as to confirm actual contact between the objects.

Abstract: Methods and a computer program product for deriving a super-resolution image of a physical object by fusing cameras of multiple resolutions (spatial, temporal, or spectral), the super-resolution image characterized by a resolution exceeding a “camera imaging resolution” associated with each of a sequence of lower-resolution images of the physical object. The sequence of images of the physical object is obtained at a plurality of relative displacements with respect to the object by a hybrid camera system comprising at least two imaging systems. The imaging systems are characterized by respective temporal and spatial resolution and by spectral sensitivity, and may be distinct from one another in one or more of the foregoing dimensions. The imaging systems are either fixed, or subject to know motion, relative to each other. Image sequences derived by each imaging system are coregistered and deconvolved to solve for a resultant sequence of images.

Abstract: Methods and a computer program product for deriving temperature information with respect to surfaces within a scene that is imaged radiometrically. A time sequence of radiometric data is acquired in frames viewed from distinct angles. A three-dimensional structure of the scene is derived, allowing viewing angles and distances to the imaged surfaces to be inferred. Normalized surface areas of the imaged surfaces are calculated based on the inferred viewing angles and emissivities of the imaged surfaces are corrected accordingly. Corrections also account for background radiation impinging on the imaged surfaces. The radiometric data are converted to a perceptible temperature map of the imaged surfaces.

Abstract: Methods and a computer program product for deriving a super-resolution image of a physical object, the super-resolution image characterized by a resolution exceeding a “camera imaging resolution” associated with each of a sequence of lower-resolution images of the physical object. The sequence of images of the physical object is obtained at a plurality of relative displacements with respect to the object. An offset is passively associated with each of the plurality of images to derive effective camera movement, allowing for calculation of a kinetic point spread function on the basis of the effective camera movement. The image sequence is deconvolved, using the kinetic point spread function, to solve for a high-resolution image. Various applications such as portable cameras and infrared imaging for energy conservation are described.

Abstract: Methods and a computer program product for deriving temperature information with respect to surfaces within a scene that is imaged radiometrically. A time sequence of radiometric data is acquired in frames viewed from distinct angles. A three-dimensional structure of the scene is derived, allowing viewing angles and distances to the imaged surfaces to be inferred. Normalized surface areas of the imaged surfaces are calculated based on the inferred viewing angles and emissivities of the imaged surfaces are corrected accordingly. Corrections also account for background radiation impinging on the imaged surfaces. The radiometric data are converted to a perceptible temperature map of the imaged surfaces.

Abstract: A system and method for providing the capability of peeling thin polymer films from a substrate is provided. Generally, the method contains the steps of: providing a substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface; placing a peel initiator on the top surface; applying a polymer on the top surface of the substrate and a top surface of the peel initiator; curing the polymer, resulting in a thin-polymer film; and peeling the peel initiator from the substrate, thereby removing the thin-polymer film from the top surface of the substrate.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a central data repository stores product code information. The central data repository can receive permissions from providers of the produce code information. The permissions can indicate whether the product code information can be provided to a third party.

Abstract: Systems and methods of using RFID tags and a mobile RFID reader device for determining a geographic position of assets within a prescribed region is provided. A method of inferring the geometric location of assets within a prescribed region comprises the steps of moving a mobile RFID reader through said prescribed region; wirelessly detecting, by the mobile RFID reader, a first RFID location transponder while moving through said prescribed region; wirelessly detecting, by the mobile RFID reader, at least one RFID asset tracking transponder while moving through said prescribed region; wirelessly detecting, by the mobile RFID reader, a second RFID location transponder while moving through said prescribed region; and determining the geographic location of assets associated with said at least one detected RFID asset tracking transponder based upon said detected first and second RFID location transponders and a known position and identification code of said first and second RFID location transponders.

Abstract: This invention relates to security protocols for RFID systems. Systems and methods are presented to protect the system from hackers attempting to compromise the RFID system. Also, methods and systems for improving RFID security are disclosed. The systems utilize mechanisms to determine the authenticity of the RFID tags used in such systems. The systems and methods also reduce unauthorized access to the RFID system. A system and method to make tags more difficult to compromise or counterfeit is also described.

Abstract: Methods and a computer program product for deriving a super-resolution image of a physical object by fusing cameras of multiple resolutions (spatial, temporal, or spectral), the super-resolution image characterized by a resolution exceeding a “camera imaging resolution” associated with each of a sequence of lower-resolution images of the physical object. The sequence of images of the physical object is obtained at a plurality of relative displacements with respect to the object by a hybrid camera system comprising at least two imaging systems. The imaging systems are characterized by respective temporal and spatial resolution and by spectral sensitivity, and may be distinct from one another in one or more of the foregoing dimensions. The imaging systems are either fixed, or subject to know motion, relative to each other. Image sequences derived by each imaging system are coregistered and deconvolved to solve for a resultant sequence of images.

Abstract: Methods and a computer program product for deriving a super-resolution image of a physical object, the super-resolution image characterized by a resolution exceeding a “camera imaging resolution” associated with each of a sequence of lower-resolution images of the physical object. The sequence of images of the physical object is obtained at a plurality of relative displacements with respect to the object. An offset is passively associated with each of the plurality of images to derive effective camera movement, allowing for calculation of a kinetic point spread function on the basis of the effective camera movement. The image sequence is deconvolved, using the kinetic point spread function, to solve for a high-resolution image. Various applications such as portable cameras and infrared imaging for energy conservation are described.

Abstract: A system for routing data in an automatic identification system includes an event management system (EMS), a real-time in-memory data structure (RIED) coupled to the EMS, the RIED for storing event information gathered by the EMS and a task management system (TMS) for ensuring that the RIED is updated by one transaction at a time. With this particular arrangement, a system for managing a large number of real-time events is provided. In one embodiment, the control system can be provided in a distributed hierarchical arrangement. The EMS of each control system can include filters which limit the amount of information provided to the next level in the hierarchy. In this manner the hierarchical control system network acts as a high volume data collector and processor. In some embodiments a level of the hierarchy can be removed spatially and/or temporally from an adjacent level in the hierarchy. This approach results in an intelligent network and also lends itself to scalability.

Abstract: An object name system (ONS) for locating one or more servers associated with an Electronic Product Code (EPC) is described. The system utilizes translation format strings to translate an EPC to an EPC domain prefix. The ONS server matches the EPC number to the address of a second server which has extensive information about the product. The second server recognizes the incoming EPC's as belonging to a particular object or service.