Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that includes: a chassis; a plurality of arms that extend outwardly from the chassis; a plurality of propeller assemblies that are supported by the plurality of arms; a canopy that is connected to the chassis so as to provide an outer cover for the UAV that is configured to protect internal components thereof; a frame that is supported by the canopy such that the frame is isolated from the chassis; and a plurality of image capture assemblies that are supported by the frame such that the frame separates the plurality of image capture assemblies from the chassis and the canopy so as to inhibit relative movement between the plurality of image capture assemblies during operation of the UAV.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that includes: a chassis; a plurality of arms that extend outwardly from the chassis; a plurality of propeller assemblies that are supported by the plurality of arms; a canopy that is connected to the chassis so as to provide an outer cover for the UAV that is configured to protect internal components thereof; a frame that is supported by the canopy such that the frame is isolated from the chassis; and a plurality of image capture assemblies that are supported by the frame such that the frame separates the plurality of image capture assemblies from the chassis and the canopy so as to inhibit relative movement between the plurality of image capture assemblies during operation of the UAV.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle system that includes an unmanned aerial vehicle and one or more attachments. The unmanned aerial vehicle includes an attachment interface, and the one or more attachments are configured to removably couple to the attachment interface and electrically connect to the unmanned aerial vehicle to power the one or more attachments via a power source of the unmanned aerial vehicle.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle system that includes an unmanned aerial vehicle and an attachment. The unmanned aerial vehicle includes an attachment interface. One or more characteristics of the unmanned aerial vehicle are modified in response to the attachment being removably coupled to the attachment interface.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle system that includes an unmanned aerial vehicle and an attachment. The unmanned aerial vehicle includes an attachment interface located on a side of the unmanned aerial vehicle. The attachment is configured to removably couple to the attachment interface such that the attachment is positioned adjacent to the side of the unmanned aerial vehicle.

Abstract: A heating system for a vehicle includes both a heat pump and an electric resistance heater. A controller calculates a parameter which indicates the relative importance of noise and efficiency based on vehicle location, charging status, time of day, etc. Based on the parameter, the controller operates the heat pump and the electric resistance heater to satisfy a cabin heat demand in a manner that reflects the relative importance of the attributes.

Abstract: In certain embodiments described herein, a heated line forming system includes a heating coil system configured to produce a heated line on a surface of a metal part. The heated line forming system also includes an air knife cooling system configured to maintain a dry area for the heated line, and to direct a coolant (e.g., cooling water, liquified gases such as liquid argon, solidified gases such as carbon dioxide snow, and so forth) around the heated line via a spray mechanism such that the coolant does not flow or splash into the heated line on the metal part. In certain embodiments, the heated line forming system includes multiple induction coils arranged along a line and spaced a short distance apart, but which, when operated simultaneously together, form a heated line on a surface of a metal part.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) limits for a vehicle based on an occupancy level of the vehicle. The occupancy level is inferred based on a number of occupants and their position within a vehicle, and further based on a degree of interaction of a primary occupant with vehicle controls. As the occupancy level decreases, NVH constraints for operating the vehicle are reduced and one or more vehicle operating parameters nay be based on the reduced NVH constraints.

Abstract: A controller for an unmanned aerial vehicle may have a top portion configured to interface with a user and a bottom portion on a side opposite the top portion. A device support may be coupled to the controller. The device support may be configured to hold a portable electronic device. The device support may be movable between a closed position in which the device support is received in the bottom portion of the controller and an open position in which the device support extends away from the controller.

Abstract: Methods and systems for an extensible, universal ledger. One of the methods includes receiving at a journal manager engine a register transaction type request for a first transaction type, the journal manager engine reading and writing to a journal that stores a history of object state and of code by which object state is changed, wherein the register transaction type request is based at least in part on a template and specifies at least one action that can be performed as part of the first transaction type; writing the transaction type request to the journal including an operation definition for the first transaction type; receiving a transaction request of the first transaction type; obtaining the operation definition from the journal; executing an operation in response to the transaction request to produce a transaction result; and recording the transaction result in the journal.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a portable metal working robot system includes a metal working tool configured to perform a metal working process on one or more metal parts. In addition, the portable metal working robot system includes communication circuitry configured to receive control signals from a control system located remotely from the portable metal working robot system. The portable metal working robot system also includes control circuitry configured to control operational parameters of the portable metal working robot system in accordance with the received control signals.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) limits for a vehicle based on an occupancy level of the vehicle. The occupancy level is inferred based on a number of occupants and their position within a vehicle, and further based on a degree of interaction of a primary occupant with vehicle controls. As the occupancy level decreases, NVH constraints for operating the vehicle are reduced and one or more vehicle operating parameters nay be based on the reduced NVH constraints.

Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle that may be automatically stopped and started is described. In one example, the method includes supply electrical current to a starter motor independently from supplying electrical current to a starter solenoid. In addition, the method includes adjusting and amount of electrical current that is delivered to the starter motor in response to a level of urgency of an automatic engine start.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, inductive heating is added to a metal working process, such as a welding process, by an induction heating head. The induction heating head may be adapted specifically for this purpose, and may include one or more coils to direct and place the inductive energy, protective structures, and so forth. Productivity of a welding process may be improved by the application of heat from the induction heating head. The heating is in addition to heat from a welding arc, and may facilitate application of welding wire electrode materials into narrow grooves and gaps, as well as make the processes more amenable to the use of certain compositions of welding wire, shielding gasses, flux materials, and so forth. In addition, distortion and stresses are reduced by the application of the induction heating energy in addition to the welding arc source.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) limits for a vehicle based on an occupancy level of the vehicle. The occupancy level is inferred based on a number of occupants and their position within a vehicle, and further based on a degree of interaction of a primary occupant with vehicle controls. As the occupancy level decreases, NVH constraints for operating the vehicle are reduced and one or more vehicle operating parameters nay be based on the reduced NVH constraints.

Abstract: Methods and systems for an extensible, universal ledger. One of the methods includes receiving at a journal manager engine a register transaction type request for a first transaction type, the journal manager engine reading and writing to a journal that stores a history of object state and of code by which object state is changed, wherein the register transaction type request is based at least in part on a template and specifies at least one action that can be performed as part of the first transaction type; writing the transaction type request to the journal including an operation definition for the first transaction type; receiving a transaction request of the first transaction type; obtaining the operation definition from the journal; executing an operation in response to the transaction request to produce a transaction result; and recording the transaction result in the journal.

Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle that may be automatically stopped and started is described. In one example, the method includes supply electrical current to a starter motor independently from supplying electrical current to a starter solenoid. In addition, the method includes adjusting and amount of electrical current that is delivered to the starter motor in response to a level of urgency of an automatic engine start.

Abstract: Methods and systems for an extensible, universal ledger. One of the methods includes receiving at a journal manager engine a register transaction type request for a first transaction type, the journal manager engine reading and writing to a journal that stores a history of object state and of code by which object state is changed, wherein the register transaction type request is based at least in part on a template and specifies at least one action that can be performed as part of the first transaction type; writing the transaction type request to the journal including an operation definition for the first transaction type; receiving a transaction request of the first transaction type; obtaining the operation definition from the journal; executing an operation in response to the transaction request to produce a transaction result; and recording the transaction result in the journal.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for increasing an amount of oxygen in a pre-chamber of a cylinder prior to combustion. In one example, a method may include purging residual gases from a pre-chamber to a cylinder via a pre-chamber air injection, and reducing a flow of the oxygen from the pre-chamber to the cylinder via a cylinder fuel injection directed toward an orifice fluidically connecting the pre-chamber with the cylinder. In this way, a composition of pre-chamber gases may be adjusted during a combustion cycle of a cylinder.

Abstract: A tightening device for tightening an article includes an elongate panel that is positionable about the article. The elongate panel has a proximal end and a distal end. A tensioning mechanism is coupled with the proximal end of the elongate panel. The tightening device also includes a tension member that is operably coupled with the tensioning mechanism so that an operation of the tensioning mechanism adjusts a tension of the tension member. The tightening device further includes at least one guide member that is coupled with the elongate panel between the proximal end and the distal end. The tension member is operable with the at least one guide member so that the tension member is routed about the article and along a portion of the elongate panel.