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: Automated shade systems comprise motorized window coverings, sensors, and controllers that use algorithms to control operation of the automated shade control system. These algorithms may include information such as: 3-D models of a building and surrounding structures, shadow information, reflectance information, lighting and radiation information, ASHRAE clear sky algorithms, log information related to manual overrides, occupant preference information, motion information, real-time sky conditions, solar radiation on a building, a total foot-candle load on a structure, brightness overrides, actual and/or calculated BTU load, time-of-year information, and microclimate analysis. Modeled brightness information may be utilized to control shades.

Abstract: An on-premises restaurant communication system for communicating a particular customer's table number to a food server at a central service station. Radio Frequency Identifier (RFID) tags are mounted on the underside of the restaurant's tables. The customer is provided with a pager having a pager ID associated with the customer's food order. The pager is modified to include an RFID reader and an RF transmitter. When the customer places the pager on a selected table, the RFID reader reads an RFID number from the table's RFID tag. The RF transmitter transmits the pager ID and RFID number to the central station, which uses this information to associate the food order with the table number. The table number is provided to the food server for delivery of the food order to the proper table.

Abstract: A controller is adapted to receive signals indicative of an image including a representation of a posted speed limit for a current section of a road on which an associated vehicle is traveling. The controller evaluates the image to identify the posted speed limit and dynamically determines if the posted speed limit is above a predetermined threshold speed limit. Only if the posted speed limit is above the predetermined threshold speed limit, the controller sets the identified posted speed limit as a warning threshold. If a speed of the associated vehicle is more than a predetermined range over the warning threshold, the controller transmits a warning signal to a notifier for notifying an operator of the associated vehicle and controls a speed of the vehicle based on the posted speed limit.

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: 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: 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 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: 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: 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: 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 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: 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: 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 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.

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.