Abstract: A system for remote object handling including a vehicle having a front portion. An articulated arm has a first end and a second end distinct from the first end, the arm being coupled to the front portion at the first end, and has at least one pivot disposed between the first end and the second end. A gripping element is removably coupled to the second end, wherein the gripping element is one of a pincer device, a hand device having at least three fingers or a shovel. A video camera is also coupled to the second end. An arm control is disposed within the vehicle and is operable to control the operation of the arm, the manipulator and the video camera, and a video interface is coupled to the video camera which is operable to display output from the video camera.

Abstract: A driving environment is perceived based on sensor data obtained from a plurality of sensors mounted on the ADV. In response to a request for changing lane from a first lane to a second lane, path planning is performed. The path planning includes identifying a first lane change point for the ADV to change from the first lane to the second lane in a first trajectory of the ADV, determining a lane change preparation distance with respect to the first lane change point, and generating a second trajectory based on the lane change preparation distance, where the second trajectory having a second lane change point delayed from the first lane change point. Speed planning is performed on the second trajectory to control the ADV to change lane according to the second trajectory with different speeds at different point in time.

Abstract: A solid state lamp includes a connector and a bulb portion with multiple strips.

Abstract: A system, method, and algorithm for detecting and identifying special nuclear material (SNM) (including fissionable material), explosives, or drugs is disclosed. This material detection system relies on active interrogation of material using a short, intense neutron pulse, and characterization of the resulting prompt gamma response in two short time windows, the first concurrent with and the second immediately following the end of the neutron pulse, optionally subject to a total transit delay time of the neutrons from the neutron source to the target and from the target to the gamma detector. A high data rate analysis system implements data stream analysis and statistical correlations of the two short time window gamma responses to rapidly detect or identify SNM, explosives, or drugs. The duration of the neutron pulse is so short that minimal dose results. Various shields help to minimize the background signal falling on the gamma detector to improve sensitivity.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and processor-readable storage media for automatic identification of workloads contributing to system performance degradation are provided herein. An example computer-implemented method includes obtaining, in connection with a system exhibiting performance degradation, a primary time series and a set of multiple candidate time series; calculating, using machine learning, similarity measurements between the primary time series and each time series in the set; for each measurement, assigning weights to the time series based on similarity to the primary time series relative to the other time series in the set; generating, for each time series in the set, a similarity score based on the weights assigned across the similarity measurements; and outputting, based on the similarity scores, identification of a candidate time series for use in automated actions.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to determining vehicle operation modes for a fleet of vehicles. This may include maintaining a storage system including vehicle parameters for a vehicle fleet such that each vehicle of the fleet is associated with a set of vehicle parameters. The vehicle operation mode may be determined by selecting one of a plurality of vehicle operation levels arranged in a hierarchy or by identifying a set of tags where each level or tag corresponds to a vehicle driving capability. The determined vehicle operation mode may be communicated to the given vehicle in order to cause the vehicle to operate according to the determined vehicle operation mode.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for coherent scattered imaging using a computed tomography system with segmented detector arrays. In one embodiment, a method includes imaging a region of interest with an x-ray source and a segmented photon-counting detector array, detecting a position of an object of interest in the region of interest, selectively scanning, via the x-ray source and the segmented photon-counting detector array, the object of interest, detecting a coherent scatter signal from the object of interest with the segmented photon-counting detector array, and determining a material of the object of interest based on the detected coherent scatter signal. In this way, the coherent scatter signal may be used to identify and investigate lesions or other objects of interest within an imaged volume.

Abstract: User input devices, such as gaming controllers, are provided herein. In one example, a system includes a movement calibration system configured to determine qualification zones that qualify peak excursions in movement data associated with manipulation of a control mechanism in one or more axes. The movement calibration system is configured to establish updates to the qualification zones based on changes in the movement data, where the updates bias drift of the qualification zones outward in the one or more axes. The movement calibration system is configured to determine calibrated movement data based at least on the updates to the qualification zones. The calibrated movement data can be provided for use in controlling one or more user interface elements with the control mechanism.

Abstract: Reconfigurable water leaching modules are provided herein. These modules may comprise a plurality of dosing conduits and a plurality of leaching channels fluidly coupled to the dosing conduits where the leaching channels are reconfigurable from a first retracted position to a second extended position and where the leaching channels may hang downwardly from the dosing conduits in the second extended position.

Abstract: According to one or more embodiments disclosed herein, a reactant gas may be converted by a method comprising introducing the reactant gas to a fluidized bed reactor. The main reactor vessel of the fluidized bed reactor may be tapered such that the upstream portion of the main reactor vessel comprises a lesser cross-sectional area than the downstream portion of the main reactor vessel.

Abstract: An image sensor may include an array of image pixels. Control circuitry coupled to the array of pixels may be configured to operate the image pixels in an overflow mode of operation, in which each pixel generates an overflow image signal and a complete image signal from a single exposure time period. The overflow image signals and the complete image signals from the pixels may be used to generate a high dynamic range image. While the floating diffusion region in each pixel is not in use, control circuitry may control that pixel to generate a reference signal at the floating diffusion region indicative of pixel-specific dark signal noise. Processing circuitry may mitigate for dark signal non-uniformity across the pixels by correcting the complete image signals using the reference signal to remove dark signal noise in the complete image signals.

Abstract: A light bar for an exterior lighting assembly of an automotive vehicle includes a body portion and an ornamental element. The body portion is made of a substantially transparent material and has a generally slab-like shape with an average height H in a z-direction, an average width W in a y-direction and an average thickness T in an x-direction, wherein the x-, y- and z-directions are mutually orthogonal and H>W>T. The ornamental element is disposed within the body portion and has an outer surface, wherein at least a portion of the outer surface contains a light-scattering material.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes at least one actuator configured to control vehicle steering, acceleration, or shifting, at least one sensor configured to emit a signal having a first encoding scheme and receive a return signal, and at least one controller in communication with the actuator and the sensor. The controller is configured to control the actuator according to a first mode and a second mode. The controller is further configured to, in response to the sensor receiving a return signal having the first encoding scheme, control the actuator according to the first mode and, in response to the sensor receiving a return signal not having the first encoding scheme, control the actuator according to the second mode.

Abstract: Opportunistic fueling for car hailing autonomous vehicles are disclosed herein. An example method includes evaluating a trip schedule having one or more destinations for a vehicle, calculating a plurality of potential routes based on the trip schedule with fueling options along a proposed path of travel for the vehicle, applying one or more vehicle fueling constraints, selecting an optimized route from the plurality of potential routes for the vehicle using the one or more vehicle fueling constraints, and completing the trip schedule using the optimized route.

Abstract: Disclosed is a suture delivery device for endoscopically passing a suture into biological tissue. The device can include two hypodermic needles that can be manipulated via controls on a handle of the device in order to pass a suture from one needle to the other. For example, the device can include a first needle coupled to at least one loop member that, when deployed from the first needle, provides a target through which a second needle of the device can deliver the suture. Once the second needle intersects the loop member, the user can advance a length of suture out through a distal end of the second needle. The loop member can then be retracted into the first needle, thereby grabbing and securing the suture in the process.

Abstract: A sprayable insecticidal and pupicidal composition (solution) for immobilizing and killing adult houseflies and pupa while being nonabrasive, nontoxic, and ingestible for humans and human contact. Effective amounts of dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate is an active ingredient in the solution. The solution may further include effective amounts of glycerin as an active ingredient in the solution. The solution may further include a scented fragrance, namely, anise, for providing an aromatic characteristic to the solution.

Abstract: A service provider system registers with a service system. A user establishes an account with the service system and the service system establishes a facial template associated with the user account. The service system transmits, to a service provider device at a location, identification information and transmits a shared encryption key to a user computing device associated with the user. The user enters the merchant location carrying the user computing device. The service device receives the encryption key from the user device and decrypts the identification information associated with the user using the encryption key. The user initiates a service request and the service provider device verifies the identity of the user via the facial template associated with the user by generating a facial template based on an image captured of the user to compare against the facial template associated with the user. The service device processes the service request.

Abstract: The retention of roofing granules on bituminous roofing products is enhanced by providing an adherent material in the interstices between the exterior surface of the roofing granules and the exposed upper surface of the base sheet.

Abstract: An alignment assembly for a motor vehicle includes a first bushing with a slot, the first bushing being configured to be positioned and secured to an end of a first link of a wishbone suspension assembly, and an insert that fits within the slot, the insert having a locating hole that positions a bolt within the slot for nominal caster and camber angles.

Abstract: A mobile device system and related method are disclosed by which the device is able to communicate wirelessly not only via a Wide Area Network (WAN) link but also via an alternate link such as a Wi-Fi link. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a command from a remote server, via the WAN link, to establish a Wi-Fi link when possible. The method further includes, upon establishing the Wi-Fi link, sending a message for receipt by the server indicating that the Wi-Fi link has been established, and receiving software update information from the server, the information being communicated to the mobile device via the Wi-Fi link. Further, the method includes one or both of (1) sending an acknowledgement for receipt by the server indicating that the information has been received and (2) receiving an instruction from the server that communications via the Wi-Fi link be ended.