Abstract: An automated system and method for managing a participant's participation in an event having a participant event management system (PEMS), a participant proximity detector, an image capture system and a timing system. The participant event management system (PEMS) receives a request for capturing an image of the participant during the event. The participant proximity detector detects the proximity of the participant to a detection point and receives the participant number. The image capture system receives an instruction for capturing an image of the participant, receives an indication that the participant has been detected, and captures an image of the participant. The timing system receives the preorder request from the PEMS, determines a time of passing of the detection point of the participant, associates the participant event number with the participant identifier number, generates the instruction for capturing the image of the participant, and receives the transmitted captured image.

Abstract: A projection screen system includes a housing defining a channel, a screen and motor assembly including a projection screen and a tubular motor, and first and second opposed mounting features configured to hold the screen and motor assembly in the channel of the housing. The housing is configured to be installed recessed in a ceiling and the screen and motor assembly is configured to be mounted in the housing of the installed housing such that the installation of the housing and the mounting of the screen and motor assembly are performed independently.

Abstract: In a telecommunication system, a gateway receives a first burst packet and a second burst packet, both encoded with a unique word associated with a color, a value, and an associated time slot. The gateway associates the second burst packet to the first burst packet based on the color and value associated with the unique word used to encode the second burst packet and a received time slot at which the second burst packet is received. A terminal generates the burst packets by generating the first burst packet with a group header and the second burst packet without the group header, encoding the first burst packet and the second burst packet with the unique word, and transmitting the encoded first burst packet and the encoded second burst packet to the gateway.

Abstract: An engine is provided. In one embodiment, the engine includes a precombustion chamber having a body, a secondary combustion chamber disposed at least partially in the body, and a plurality of passages configured to place the precombustion chamber in fluid communication with a main combustion chamber.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a switch. The switch includes a port to couple to a second switch. The switch also includes a control mechanism configured to maintain a set of configuration information for a virtual cluster switch which includes a number of member switches. The set of configuration information includes global configuration information for the virtual cluster switch and switch-specific configuration information for one or more member switches. In addition, the set of configuration information is replicated and stored at each member switch.

Abstract: When employing a multi-node computing architecture for commercial articulated vehicles to generate a composite surround view of the vehicle, each processing node is associated with a vehicle segment. Each node has its own processor, memory and sensors. A master-slave relationship exists in the architecture. The segment processors collect, format, manage and package their local information. Communication between nodes is controlled by the master node, which can limit, adjust, subsample and alter the information and information flow from the slave nodes. The slave nodes can be freely recombined, using a pre-established communication standard or a format agreed upon at combination time.

Abstract: Disclosed methods include a resource manager in a multiple node network receiving a demand for additional bandwidth, from a terminal, and the resource manager having updated information on the state of the mobile node network and, using that the state information, performing test allocation of the requested bandwidth to the requesting terminal. Disclosed methods include determining whether previous commitments of service can be met with the test allocation in place. Associated with a positive result, an allocation is sent to the terminal.

Abstract: Variable compression ratio engines and methods for homogeneous charge, compression ignition operation. The engines effectively premix the fuel and air well before compression ignition. Various embodiments are disclosed including embodiments that include two stages of compression to obtain compression ratios well above the mechanical compression ratio of the engine cylinders for compression ignition of difficult to ignite fuels, and a controllable combustion chamber volume for limiting the maximum temperature during combustion. Energy storage with energy management are also disclosed.

Abstract: A foldable shipping container is provided. The foldable shipping container has improved locking mechanisms on the inside and outside of the shipping container to improve assembly and disassembly of the container.

Abstract: This disclosure describes various aspect of a unique standalone document handler that is coupable to and controllable by a fulfillment. The standalone documents handler is attachable to a standard printer or copier and has a drop chute that is designed to hold groups of fulfillment documents and drop them into a fulfillment receptacle positioned under the document handler. Upper and lower scanners scan document identification codes placed on one or more pages of the fulfillment document, which allows a system controller to control the timing of dispensing the correct documents in the designated fulfillment receptacle at the correct time.

Abstract: A current-sensing assembly that includes a power module, for providing switchable power, having a current output extending through and directly away from the top exterior surface of the power module, a Hall sensor, capable of measuring current traversing through a conductor, having an opening, and the current output extending through the opening.

Abstract: A system and method for providing communications with a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellation using a non-omnidirectional antenna is disclosed. A system and method for determining blockages around a non-omnidirectional antenna for use with a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation is disclosed. The method including: receiving System Information (SI) including ephemeris data for satellites in the LEO constellation; receiving a segment division that divides a ground about the antenna into segments; and determining a segment blocking information for the antenna.

Abstract: A valve assembly including a valve body, a sleeve member and a valve member is provided. A low shear sleeve member is positioned within an internal cavity of the valve body. The valve member is slidably carried within an internal cavity of the sleeve member. The valve member includes a first flow passage formed within the valve member and a first shut-off region. The valve member is moveable between a first position in which fluid flow from a first sleeve member inlet port to a first sleeve member outlet port is prohibited and a second position in which fluid flow from the first sleeve member inlet port to the first sleeve member outlet port is permitted. Delivery systems incorporating the valve assembly are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are adjustable LED grow light fixtures and lights that have low profiles and are configurable for different plant grow environments. Also disclosed are LED grow light fixtures that are fully assembled and collapsible to a compact configuration for efficient packaging and shipping. Embodiments include low profile and highly efficient LED lighting fixtures that are light, easily installed and are configurable to a variety of light distribution patterns.

Abstract: Disclosed a stereo-approach distance and speed meter system comprising: video camera module consisting of at least two video cameras focused on the analyzed object primary interface module for video camera module interface conversion into data for processing; primary image normalization and rectification module; updating data container module; attribute extraction module; attribute ranking module; primary attribute reorganization module; primary frame matching module; primary hypothesis generation module; primary hypothesis filter module; attribute post-organization module; secondary attribute matching module; secondary hypothesis generation module; secondary filter module; buffer improvement module, stereo refinement module; sequence refinement module; triangulation module; secondary rectification module; previous frame data and attribute container module; secondary interface module.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a heat engine system are provided. One method includes initiating flow of a working fluid through a working fluid circuit having a high pressure side and a low pressure side by controlling a pump to pressurize and circulate the working fluid through the working fluid circuit and determining a configuration of the working fluid circuit by determining which of a plurality of waste heat exchangers and which of a plurality of recuperators to position in the high pressure side of the working fluid circuit. The method also includes determining, based on the determined configuration of the working fluid circuit, for each of a plurality of valves, whether to position each respective valve in an opened position, a closed position, or a partially opened position and actuating each of the plurality of valves to the determined opened position, closed position, or partially opened position.

Abstract: An implant comprising a multi-directional locking mechanism that allows a bone fixation device, such as a screw, to be rigidly affixed to the implant in a plurality of angles relative to the implant. The implant can be a bone plate, a component of a joint prosthesis or the like. The locking mechanism comprises a passage hole in the implant for passage of a bone fixation device therethrough. One or more beam members are arranged adjacent the passage hole and a space is associated with each beam member. Each space allows the associated beam member to move into or about the space upon axial and/or radial deformation of the beam member caused by fastening the bone fixation device to a bone. The beam members and associated elements of the locking mechanism are sufficiently thin to permit axial and/or radial deformation. And said deformation causes the fixation device to be locked in place relative to the implant.

Abstract: An agricultural planting system and method comprising a soil sampling and analysis means, wherein soil samples are taken and analyzed in real-time during a planting operation (or, optionally, via a separate, prior operation) to determine the conditions and nutrient content of the soil, and a planting system, wherein the planting system is capable of planting seeds in any arbitrary position on an X-Y plane directly beneath the planting system, whereby the data gathered from the analyzed soil samples are used to determine the optimal placement of seeds or plants in a field in order to take advantage of the soil conditions present and to optimize crop yield.

Abstract: An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) air traffic control method utilizing wireless networks includes communicating with a plurality of UAVs via a plurality of cell towers associated with the wireless networks, wherein the plurality of UAVs each include hardware and antennas adapted to communicate to the plurality of cell towers, and wherein each of the plurality of UAVs include a unique identifier; maintaining data associated with flight of each of the plurality of UAVs based on the communicating; and processing the maintained data to perform a plurality of functions associated with air traffic control of the plurality of UAVs.