Abstract: Techniques for controlling access to a software application according to at least one software license agreement using a client computer and a server computer are presented. The client computer is configured to detect an initiation of the software application, suspend an execution process of the software application, determine that the software application is subject to a plurality of software license entitlement criteria defined by the at least one software license agreement, and request from the server computer a license for a usage of the software application on the client computer. The server computer is configured to determine that the usage of the software application on the client computer satisfies the plurality of software license entitlement criteria, and provide to the client computer a license for the usage of the software application on the client computer. The client computer is configured to resume the initiation of the software application.

Abstract: Provided are systems and apparatuses for manufacturing aircraft support structures. An example robotic end effector comprises a rotatable reel with a flat strip of material wound around the reel. The end effector further includes a forming shoe including a forming surface contacting the strip of material. A first end of the forming surface corresponds to a start shape and a second end of the forming surface corresponds to an end shape. As the strip of material passes from the first end of the forming surface to the second end of the forming surface, the strip of material transitions from the first shape to the end shape and is deposited as a formed stringer ply onto an application surface. The forming shoe may further include a vacuum system to suction air through a plurality of ports along the forming surface to urge the strip of material against the forming surface.

Abstract: A method, computing system and computer program product are provided to identify the alignment of an aircraft with an incorrect surface, such as a taxiway or a runway that is closed or unsuited for current conditions. In a method, the trajectory of an aircraft approaching an airport is determined. Based upon the trajectory and information regarding a configuration of the airport, the method determines whether the aircraft is approaching the incorrect surface. If the aircraft is approaching the incorrect surface, the method interacts via an interface to cause an alert to be issued. If the aircraft is approaching a correct surface, the method determines whether the trajectory of the aircraft is consistent with predefined procedures of the airport. If the trajectory of the aircraft is inconsistent with predefined procedures of the airport, the method interacts via the interface to cause the alert to be issued.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automated communication with Air Traffic Control. The system comprises a processor and memory. The memory stores instructions to execute a method. The method includes receiving audio communication input from an air traffic controller (ATC). The audio communication input is then converted into text input. Next, an aircraft keyword is detected in the text input. The text input is then parsed and one or more data structures are generated from the parsed input. In some examples, the one or more data structures includes command data for controlling the aircraft. Next, the command data in the one or more data structures is verified. The one or more data structures are then transmitted to an onboard flight computer of the aircraft. Last, the one or more data structures are stored in a conversation memory.

Abstract: Techniques for securing computer executable software for tracking usage of at least one software application are presented. The computer executable software for tracking usage of at least one software application can include tracking software installed on a client and monitoring software installed on the client, where the monitoring software is hidden from users of the tracking software. The techniques can include tracking, by the tracking software, a usage of the at least one software application by the client; obtaining, by the tracking software, a status of the monitoring software; and restarting the monitoring software, by the tracking software, in response to obtaining a status of the monitoring software indicating that the monitoring software is not executing.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for temporarily holding one end of a wire on a harness form board during automated transfer from one robot to another robot. The apparatus includes a wire holding device which is designed to facilitate the transfer of a wire end from a first end effector of a first robot to a second end effector of a second robot. The wire holding devices have different structures, but share the common feature that opening of the wire holding device (to enable wire insertion) involves applying a contact force which overcomes a spring force that urges the wire holding device to be closed. The end effectors are designed and their movements are controlled in a manner such that the moving end effector applies the contact force necessary to overcome the closure-inducing spring force being exerted.

Abstract: A method and system for improved ordering and management of a seat assignment at a venue are provided. The method comprises modifying seat identifiers associated with seat locations and outputting the seat identifiers to a display system. The method further comprises identifying first information, determining a first seating arrangement from the first information, wherein the first seating arrangement identifies the seat locations with the seat identifiers, identifying second information, and determining a second seating arrangement from the second information, wherein the seat identifiers are modified to reflect to the second seating arrangement. The second seating arrangement is generated after the first seating arrangement. The system comprises a display system in a venue and a processor configured to display seating information through the display system. The display system comprises a plurality of display devices associated with a plurality of seats.

Abstract: A system includes server that performs operations including obtaining, from sensors, measurements of physical parameters related to electrical power transmission and data transfer corresponding to a Broadband over Power Line (BPL) data links and a multi-use power interface configured to be electrically and communicatively coupled to a vehicle via the BPL data links. The operations also include receiving identification and location information, and a timestamp associated with a connector of the multi-use power interface, and then storing the measurements, the identification and location information, and the timestamp. The operations further include detecting a change of the connector, and identifying trends in parameters by comparing the measurements and the identification and location information to historical data.

Abstract: A decorative laminate is disclosed, including a first laminate layer containing an anti-microbial agent and a second laminate layer. A decorative layer is disposed selectively between the first laminate layer and the second laminate layer. The first and second laminate layers include a thermoplastic fluoropolymer material. The first laminate layer, the decorative layer, and the second laminate layer are laminated together to form the decorative laminate, which is configured for application to a structural component.

Abstract: Aircraft landing gear assemblies, aircraft including the landing gear assemblies, and methods of deploying landing gear assemblies. The landing gear assemblies include an elongate landing gear strut, a wheel assembly, and a deployment structure. The elongate landing gear strut includes a first strut end region, an opposed second strut end region, and a wheel assembly mount. The wheel assembly is coupled to the wheel assembly mount. The deployment structure is configured to selectively transition the landing gear assembly between a stowed state and a deployed state.

Abstract: A safety cover and support assembly has safety cover with a first flange and a second flange depending from a top plate, the first flange and second flange shaped to receive and engage geometrical elements of a drill motor. A vacuum extractor extends from the second flange with an inlet aperture positioned adjacent a drill foot of the drill motor. A support attachment extends from the top plate. A support is engaged in the support attachment.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a wiring racetrack for aircraft are described herein. The wiring racetrack can include a wiring pallet with a plurality of channels. A plurality of different wiring groups can each be disposed within one of the channels. Each of the wiring groups can include wiring of exclusively one category or one category and neutral wires. Connectors can be electrically coupled to the wires of the group. Fabrication of the wiring racetrack can be automatically performed by one or more robots that include an end effector and a robotic transfer unit.

Abstract: A distributed beamforming system including a platform terminal and a plurality of user terminals is disclosed. An individual user terminal includes a receiver configured to receive a plurality of individual wireless signals, where the plurality of individual wireless signals are transmitted by the platform terminal and are orthogonal with respect to one another. The individual user terminal also includes one or more frequency converters configured to transform each of the plurality of individual wireless signals to an intermediate frequency. The individual user terminal is configured to coherently combine the plurality of individual wireless signals together to form a beamformed signal.

Abstract: Aircraft wing composite ribs having electrical grounding paths are described. An example composite rib includes a carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) panel, a metallic rib post, a metallic fitting, and a metallic grounding member. The metallic rib post is coupled to the CFRP panel and configured to be coupled to a spar of an aircraft wing, the spar being coupled to a current return network (CRN) cable. The metallic fitting is coupled to the CFRP panel and configured to be coupled to a skin panel of the aircraft wing. The metallic grounding member is positioned between the CFRP panel and the metallic fitting. The metallic grounding member provides an electrical grounding path extending from the metallic fitting to the metallic rib post.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an example ceiling header system for an aircraft cabin that includes a ceiling between a first storage bin and a second storage bin. The ceiling header system includes a ceiling header that includes a top surface that conforms to the ceiling and a bottom surface that is opposite the top surface. The ceiling header system also includes a curtain track. The top surface is configured to be held against the ceiling via the curtain track being placed against the bottom surface, the curtain track being (i) attachable at a first end of the curtain track to a first rail of the first storage bin and (ii) attachable at a second end of the curtain track to a second rail of the second storage bin.

Abstract: An apparatus configured to assist an operator in connecting electrical connectors. The apparatus includes a first U-shaped cradle and a second U-shaped cradle. Each of the cradles has a contact surface on a front side that is configured to contact a flange on an electrical connector. Each of the cradles also includes a jaw mount configured to mount on a jaw member of a bar clamp.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a magnetic target for generating a magnetic field that is uniform and concentric about a central axis of the target; an array of three-axis digital magnetic compasses for sensing the magnetic field; and a processor for finding intersection points of vectors from the compasses to the target. The vectors lie in a global X-Y plane that is normal to the central axis. Each vector indicates a direction of sensed magnetic field from one of the compasses to the magnetic target.

Abstract: A caul plate assembly for applying compaction pressure to a composite structure includes caul plates arranged side-by-side on the surface of the composite structure. The caul plates include overlapping edges of compliant material which form a continuous face applying even pressure and shear across gaps between the caul plates.

Abstract: An electronically configurable antenna is disclosed. In one embodiment, the antenna comprises a circuit board having a composite dielectric that has a top surface and a bottom surface. An inner antenna element and a coupling element are disposed on the top surface, with the coupling element disposed about a periphery of and substantially coplanar with the antenna element. The coupling element is selectably electrically shorted to the inner antenna element to configure the antenna. The electronically configurable antenna further has a conductor extending through the composite dielectric between the top surface and the bottom surface and a lower electrical ground plane on the bottom surface to minimize any change in the antenna's electrical behavior due to the conductivity of the surfaces to which they are mounted.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments, a high impedance surface (HIS) apparatus comprises a core; a first set of conducting pads, where a first side of the first set of conducting pads is connected to a first side of the core; and a second set of conducting pads, where a first side of the second set of conducting pads is connected to a second side of the core. The apparatus further comprises a plurality of chip inductors, where at least a portion of the chip inductors are connected to a second side of the first set of conducting pads; and a plurality of chip capacitors, where at least a portion of the chip capacitors are connected to a second side of the second set of conducting pads.