Abstract: A monitoring tool to facilitate real-time system performance monitoring, fault detection, fault isolation, and fault remediation verification, wherein the monitoring tool is connected to each of a plurality of gateways within a network, including a request reporter module configured to record results of URL access requests from one or more end users, a processing module configured to calculate a set of metrics based on success and failure rates for each of the URL access requests recorded by the request reporter and distinguish between failures related to the network and failures unrelated to the network, and a consolidator module configured to organize and present the set of metrics into a format useable for monitoring the network.

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: The invention provides a block splitter device comprising first lower and second upper opposed block splitter assemblies. The block splitter assemblies have a centrally located depression extending the length of the assembly and two or more first forming blades. One forming blade is disposed to the right of and one forming blade is disposed to the left of the center depression. The forming blades have forming surfaces with first and second forming edges. The forming surface of the first block splitter assembly is opposed to the forming surface of the second block splitter assembly.

Abstract: A battery pack includes a battery housing and electrochemical cells disposed in the battery housing in a stacked configuration. Elastic members are disposed between adjacent cells of a cell stack. Each elastic member is a bladder that is formed of a pair of contoured plate portions stacked in a mirrored arrangement, whereby the plate portions cooperate to form a bellows-type compression spring. The elastic members provide a predetermined compression force to each cell while accommodating cell growth during use. The elastic members may include surface features such as strategically shaped and/or located protrusions that are configured to permit compliance and can be tuned to address the requirements of a specific application and permit application of varying stiffness characteristics across a surface of a cell.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for enhancing flatness of frequency response of couplings of radio frequency (RF) ports in an RF switch matrix. Techniques include determining a second RF port has been selected to be coupled to a first RF port via a coupling, obtaining an indication of a frequency or frequencies to be carried via the coupling, determining an amount of attenuation or amplification for the coupling for the frequency or frequencies, and adjusting attenuation or amplification applied to the coupling according to the determined amount attenuation or amplification.

Abstract: Porous separators for use in electrochemical cells and methods of their manufacture are provided. The separators are porous structures comprising an electroactive material and an electronically insulating structural material, wherein the electroactive material forms a percolating path in the separator.

Abstract: Systems and methods for predicting aircraft navigation performance are provided. In one embodiment, a method can include determining that one or more navigational aid measurements are not available to the aircraft. The method can include estimating a future actual navigation performance of the aircraft for a future point in the flight plan. The method can include determining a future required navigation performance associated with the future point in the flight plan. The method can include comparing the future actual navigation performance to the future required navigation performance to determine if the future actual navigation performance satisfies the future required navigation performance. The method can include providing, to an onboard system of the aircraft, information indicative of whether the future actual navigation performance satisfies the future required navigation performance.

Abstract: A communications terminal receives a data communications signal via a random access channel. A processor searches for data bursts in a first time-slot that include one of a first set of signature sequences assigned to the first time-slot. When a data burst A in the first time-slot includes one of the first set of signature sequences, the data burst A in the first time-slot is an initial burst of a message from a first communications terminal. The processor determines whether a second time-slot includes a data burst B that includes the one signature sequence. When the second time-slot includes the data burst B, the message is a multi-burst message and that the data burst B is a second burst of the multi-burst message. When the second time-slot does not include the data burst B the message is a single-burst message that has been completed via the first time-slot.

Abstract: Mutated ?-glucuronidase enzymes with enhanced enzymatic activity and thermostability as compared to wild type enzyme are provided. The enzymes of the invention advantageously allow for accurate analysis of bodily samples for the presence of drugs in 30 minutes or less, as compared to the several hours needed using prior enzyme preparations. Methods of using the mutated enzymes for hydrolysis of glucuronide substrates, including opiates and benzodiazepines, are also provided.

Abstract: A device disposed on a subject to maintain the subject within a containment zone and track the subject if the subject exits the containment zone. The device includes a positioning unit for generating position data including satellite positioning data. There is a processor unit to determine from the position data if the subject is inside or outside of the containment zone. The processor unit operates in a containment mode when the subject is inside the containment zone and in a tracking mode when the subject exits the containment zone. A correction unit issues a stimulus when the subject exits the containment zone and terminates the stimulus when the processor unit enters the tracking mode from the containment mode. There is a communication unit which transmits an alert to an electronic device of an operator when the processor unit transitions from the containment to tracking mode.

Abstract: A memory apparatus and methods are provided for preventing read errors on weak pages in a non-volatile memory system. In one example, a method includes identifying a weak page in a non-volatile memory device along a word line, wherein the weak page is partially written with at least some data; buffering data associated with the weak page to a weak page buffer that is coupled in communication with the non-volatile memory device; determining that an amount of data in the weak page buffer has reached a predetermined data level; and writing the data from the weak page buffer into the weak page along the word line in the non-volatile memory device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel nano- and micro-electromechanical devices and novel methods of preparing them. In one aspect, the invention includes methods of preparing a nanodevice. In certain embodiments, the methods comprise coating a polymer layer with a first at least one thin solid material layer using atomic layer deposition (ALD), thus forming an ALD-generated layer. In other embodiments, the methods comprise patterning the first at least one thin solid material layer to form a nanodevice. In yet other embodiments, the methods comprise releasing the nanodevice from the polymer layer.

Abstract: An article and circuit that controllably dims a luminaire, for example without controlling a line power of the luminaire. The luminaire includes a traditional three-contact socket to receive a photocontroller, such as that used for street lights. The article uses a desired dimming control signal to provide an output control signal that controls whether the light source in the luminaire is turned ON or turned OFF to thereby effect the desired amount of dimming. The output control signal may be a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal with a duty cycle that is related to the desired level of illumination or dimming. The system may use a dimming signal from a five or seven contact dimming photocontroller to provide such an output control signal to control the light-level for the luminaire.

Abstract: A system and method is described in which vehicles are configured to collect driver and vehicle event data, selectively compress and encode the collected driver and vehicle event data, and communicate the compressed and encoded data wirelessly to one or more telematics service providers. Servers poll this driver event data periodically, process it, and present multiple methods to end users by which they are able to view and analyze it. The present system permits fleet managers to use this driver event data, received through a report or notification, or pulled directly from a web-based portal, to monitor, correct or reward driver behavior, and to implement driver education and training programs.

Abstract: Various examples of a driver monitoring apparatus and a method of disabling a driver facing camera are disclosed. A driver monitoring controller receives video images of a driver and transmits control messages to a driver facing camera. The driver monitoring controller receives a signal indicating that the driver desires to disable the driver facing camera. The driver monitoring controller receives messages indicating a vehicle state. The control logic of the driver monitoring controller disables the driver facing camera by transmitting a control message to disable the driver facing camera in response to a control input indicating the driver desires to disable the driver facing camera and a vehicle state message indicating a vehicle state does not meet a predetermined condition. The control logic of the driver monitoring controller enables the camera automatically in response to a vehicle state message indicating the vehicle state meets the predetermined condition.

Abstract: A composite fuel tank, formed by winding filaments or strips around a plastic liner and binding the material with a curable binder. Embedded within the wrapped material at predetermined depths from the surface which provides a color indication of the level of damage due to tears, gashes, cuts and the like. The color indicator is part of a visual inspection method to determine tank damage and the extent of repair necessary.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, a system for facilitating a card game is equipped with RFID antennas or interrogators operable to detect initial wagers placed by players on a table surface of the system. The system is further equipped with an electronic shoe which deals cards for the game and a processor with is operable to receive data both from the RFID antennas and the electronic shoe. Upon receiving data from an RFID antenna that a player has placed an initial wager based on initial odds and receiving data identifying some (but not all) cards dealt for a hand, the processor is operable to calculate adjusted odds for a re-characterization wager that would replace the initial wager, and output on a display of the system an offer for the re-characterization wager that corresponds to adjusted odds.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method may include preparing building forms including at least some cementitious materials. The method for preparing forms may include mixing substantially dry cementitious material particles with closed cell foam particles to form a substantially dry composition. In some embodiment, at least some of the cementitious material particles may adhere to at least some surface deformations on the surface of the closed cell foam particles. In some embodiments, the method may include mixing a second portion of water with the substantially dry composition for a second period of time to form a partially wet composition. In some embodiments, a method may include forming a building form including at least some cementitious materials from the partially wet composition. In some embodiments, the closed cell foam particles may include expanded polystyrene. In some embodiments, a ratio of the water to cementitious material particles may range from 0.20 to 0.40.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a detector that measures radiation. The apparatus also includes a window that is relationally coupled to the detector and a shield, so that the window is in between the detector and the shield. The apparatus further includes the shield that emits substantially constant radiation, and substantially blocks radiation from a camera housing at least partially surrounding the shield, so that the detector measures radiation passing through an optical system and the shield.

Abstract: Components of automatic pool cleaners (APCs) are detailed. The components may include brushes configured to attach to blades of scrubbers of the APCs. The flexible brushes may rotate as their associated blades rotate and have fingers which flex so as to adduce contact between a to-be-cleaned pool or spa surface and bristles protruding outward from sides of the fingers.