Abstract: One variation of a method for automatically re-sharpening a knife includes: receiving a knife at a vice; during a scan cycle, scanning the grind head along a blade of the knife from an initial longitudinal position proximal the vice toward a longitudinal end position and recording a sequence of vertical positions of segments of an edge of the blade at various longitudinal positions of the grind head based on outputs of a sensor arranged in the grind head; calculating a blade profile for the knife based on the sequence of vertical positions; and, during a grind cycle, actuating a grind wheel in the grind head and pitching the grind head while driving the grind head longitudinally along the blade to maintain an axis of the grind wheel substantially parallel to segments the blade profile corresponding to longitudinal positions of the grind head, relative to the vice.

Abstract: An automated at-the-pump method manages vehicle fuel purchases at a fuel station. The method includes transmitting driver identification data to a mobile device assigned to a vehicle driver. The driver identification data is electronically verified to confirm that the driver identification data received by the mobile device matches the assigned vehicle driver. Vehicle data is transmitted from a data bus of the vehicle to the mobile device for storage in the memory. The vehicle data and driver identification data are transmitted to a remote terminal. Using the remote terminal, the vehicle data and driver identification data are electronically authenticated. An authorization signal is then transmitted from the remote terminal to an at-the-pump fuel control terminal.

Abstract: A system and method for concurrently wagering on multiple past events such as sports events that may include retrieving data about multiple events that occurred in the past that included multiple participants. The data may include information about the participants as well as pre-event rankings, and final or post-event rankings ordering the results with respect to other participants in the same event. A user may adjust the pre-event rankings or accept them as-is. The user's rankings for the participants of the events may be submitted, and a prize calculated based on the difference between the predicted rankings submitted by the user, and the final rankings of the participants based on actual past events. Various terminals, terminal configurations, and user interface aspects are also disclosed.

Abstract: A flex cell for absorbing energy from an applied force includes a panel attached to a flex cage. The flex cage is made from a resilient material that allows deformation of the flex cage when a force is applied to the flex cell. The flex cell is attachable to a support surface. In some instances, the flex cell is detached from the support surface when sufficient force is applied to the flex cell.

Abstract: Systems for immobilizing a patient are disclosed. The system includes at least one preform formed from a low melting temperature thermoplastic, the preform being configured to be formed to the anatomy of the patient, at least one frame coupled to the at least one preform, and at least one support configured to support the anatomy of the patient. The system also includes at least one lock mechanism coupled to at least one of the frame and the support and configured to couple the at least one frame to the at least one support, and at least one adjuster mechanism coupled to at least one of the at least one frame and the at least one support and configured to selectively adjust a distance between the at least one frame and the at least one support while the at least one frame is coupled to the at least one support.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for performing Layered Belief LDPC decoding on received Standard Belief LDPC encoded data bursts. In on implementation, a receiver: demodulates a signal, the demodulated signal including a noise corrupted signal derived from a codeword encoded using standard belief LDPC encoding; converts the noise corrupted signal derived from the standard belief LDPC encoded codeword to a noise corrupted signal derived from a layered belief LDPC encoded codeword; and decodes the noise corrupted signal derived from the layered belief LDPC encoded codeword using a layered belief LDPC decoder. In further implementations, systems are described for reducing collisions in Layered Belief LDPC decoders that occur when multiple parity checks need the same soft decision at the same time. In these implementations, elements in an original LBD decoder table are rearranged to increase the distance between elements specifying the same location in a RAM where soft decisions are stored.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example avoiding data copy and task switching by processing protocol headers of network PDUs as a serial tape to be processed in order such as by a single method. Other processing includes reducing stages and simplifying protocol processing and multiplexing during network communications. Address changing in an active network can be implemented by assigning multiple addresses to an entity so that a new address can replace the old address. Peer-to-peer application searching can be performed among networks that can be accessible or non-accessible networks. Utilizing anycast sets that include selected and alternative addresses to enable immediate or near immediate alternative route selection on failure or congestion. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for increasing or decreasing the transmission speed of a VSAT used in a satellite network. A VSAT may include an ASIC and an FPGA in a transmission block of the VSAT. The ASIC includes an ASIC transmit modulator configured to modulate an input information signal, and circuitry for bypassing at least a portion of the ASIC transmit modulator. The FPGA includes circuitry for receiving a signal bypassing at least a portion of the ASIC transmit modulator, and an FPGA transmit modulator configured to modulate the bypassed signal. In implementations, the system uses the ASIC to burst format an input information signal with a payload burst segment; bypasses a transmit modulator of the ASIC after burst formatting the input information signal with the ASIC; and uses an FPGA to insert additional burst segments into the ASIC burst-formatted signal.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery is designed with cells having a specific combination of anode, cathode, and electrolyte compositions to maintain long cycle life at extreme high temperatures and deliver high power at extreme low temperatures. These properties can significantly reduce or altogether eliminate the need for thermal management circuitry, reducing weight and cost. Applications in telecommunications backup, transportation, and military defense are contemplated.

Abstract: An aircraft engine pylon having an upper fitting, an upper panel located below the upper fitting, a shear pin at least partially coupling the upper fitting and the upper panel, and tension fasteners at least partially coupling the upper fitting and the upper panel with the shear pin defining a shear force load path and the tension fasteners defining tension force load paths.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention generally provide a heat engine system and a method for activating a turbopump within the heat engine system during a start-up process. The heat engine system utilizes a working fluid circulated within a working fluid circuit for capturing thermal energy. In one exemplary aspect, a start-up process for a turbopump in the heat engine system is provided such that the turbopump achieves self-sustained operation in a supercritical Rankine cycle. Bypass and check valves of a start pump and the turbopump, a drive turbine throttle valve, and other valves, lines, or pumps within the working fluid circuit are controlled during the turbopump start-up process. A process control system may utilize advanced control techniques of the control sequence to provide a successful start-up process of the turbopump without over pressurizing the working fluid circuit or damaging the turbopump via low bearing pressure.

Abstract: In general, intelligent fuel dispensers are provided. In at least some implementations, an intelligent fuel dispenser can determine customer identities and/or other characteristics and provide customized fueling sessions based on the determined customer identities and/or other characteristics. In at least some implementations, the fuel dispenser includes a touchless interface allowing customers to complete fueling sessions with minimal physical contact with the fuel dispenser.

Abstract: An equipment box assembly includes a housing including a back wall, a bottom wall, a top wall, and first and second sidewalls defining a cavity. At least one mounting feature is on each of the first and second sidewalls. The housing is sized to fit between first and second adjacent studs with the first sidewall mounted to the first stud using the at least one mounting feature on the first sidewall and with the second sidewall mounted to the second stud using the at least one mounting feature on the second sidewall.

Abstract: Systems and methods of refining trajectories for aircraft include a trajectory prediction module for predicting a set of four-dimensional trajectories for aircraft; and a constraint selector module for determining a set of constraints based on the set of four-dimensional trajectories. The trajectory can be refined by mapping values for a goal associated with the set of four-dimensional trajectories based on the determined set of constraints and estimating additional values for the goal based on the mapped values.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic projectile including an aerial shell, the aerial shell including at least one combustible layer of material; the at least one layer surrounding and containing at least one pyrotechnic effect and a dispersive explosive charge; the at least one combustible layer including a combustible material configured to burn substantially throughout the at least one layer; and wherein the at least one combustible layer is configured to burn through a thickness at a preselected rate to thereby ignite the dispersive explosive charge.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for operating an avionics data network includes a network switch core configured for a time-sensitive networking (TSN) schema, a set of TSN networking end nodes communicatively connected with the network switch core, a set of ARINC 664 part 7 (A664p7) networking end nodes communicatively connected with the network switch core, and an A664p7 legacy module connected with, or incorporated into, the network switch core and configured to receive a set of A664p7 networking data from the set of A664p7 networking end nodes.

Abstract: Water meter sensing systems and methods of use are provided herein. A system includes a sensor that mounts to a fluid meter, the sensor measuring analog or digital fluid flow measurements of the fluid meter, a communications interface that transmits and receives data, a microprocessor that is communicatively coupled with the fluid sensor and the communications interface, and a component enclosure that includes a power source that powers both the fluid sensor and a communications interface. The microprocessor infers a flow rate based on the analog or digital fluid flow measurements and generates fluid flow signals, the fluid flow signals being transmitted to a receiving system.

Abstract: Various communication systems may benefit from suitable architectures. For example, L-band radio frequency (RF) architectures may be beneficial to systems including avionics systems. A system can include a mode-s function as well as a traffic alert and collision avoidance system function separate from the mode-s function. The system can further include a directional antenna in reception and transmission connection with the traffic alert and collision avoidance system function. The system can additionally include an omni-directional antenna in reception and transmission connection with the mode-s function.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a robotic training system designed to simulate the behavior of humans, animals and even machines and is not only able to receive both physical and non-physical input from a user interacting with it but the robot also has the ability to transmit a response back to the user that is indicative of an emotional response consistent with a programed personality profile. The robot training system has one or more emotional state, including training states, and will transition from one of the training to either another training state or a different emotional state when a transition point to be reached, the input upper limit is exceeded, or the input lower limit is crossed at which point the system may also switch to a different personality profile. The robot training system may further comprise an uncanny response limit above which the system prioritizes not being wrong over delivering a correct answer.