Abstract: A multiplayer game data processing system includes a computer coupled to a host server over a network and a game client executing in the computer and providing a user interface to a map of a virtual world provided by a game server hosted by the host server. The system additionally includes a map generator generating a portion of the map according to a corresponding contemporaneous position of a game player in the virtual world. Finally, the system includes a peer-to-peer map reconciliation module. The module includes program code enabled to detect movement of the game player to a new position in the virtual world in proximity to a bordering map generated by a different game player and to generate a new portion of the map for the new position of the game player that is consistent with a portion of the bordering map in respect to both structure and terrain.

Abstract: Expedited memory drive self test, including: determining, by a drive self test module, a base block size for testing a memory drive; determining, by a drive self test module, a block group size for testing a memory drive; determining, by the drive self test module, a percentage of the memory drive to test; and for each block group size of memory in the memory drive: testing for media defects, by the drive self test module, a number of blocks in a block group that corresponds to the percentage of the memory drive to test.

Abstract: A method of real-time line rating of a transmission line includes receiving, by a processor, real time transmission line conductor measurements of a transmission line having a plurality of conductor line segments from at least one real time line monitoring device. The processor generates a prediction model for at least one of the plurality of conductor line segments. Parameters of the at least one conductor line segment are predicted by the processor using the received transmission line conductor measurements and the prediction model and conductor locations of the at least one conductor line segment are simulated within a transmission line model based on the predicted parameters. The processor compares the conductor locations to one or more objects within the transmission line model determines conductor clearance distances between the simulated conductor locations and the one or more objects within the transmission line model.

Abstract: A device for cleaning debris from a target surface. The device has a sole plate with permanent cleaning material, such as bristles, and a removable/replaceable pad. The device also has a replaceable, on-board supply of cleaning solution. The pad/cleaning solution may be replaced when depleted and replaced with a new pad/cleaning solution or may simply be replaced with a new pad/cleaning solution when that pad/cleaning solution is more suitable for a particular cleaning task.

Abstract: A system and method for brake assisted turning are provided. One system includes a pedal operated braking system configured to apply hydraulic brake pressure to brakes of a vehicle when one or more brake pedals are pressed. The system also includes a steer assist braking system configured to apply hydraulic brake pressure to the brakes of the vehicle based at least partly on a steering angle. The system includes hydraulic shut-off circuitry configured to selectively enable and disable operation of the steer assist braking system.

Abstract: A system and method for selectively charging and discharging a steering accumulator are provided. One vehicle steering system includes a hydraulic pump configured provide a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid for use in steering the vehicle. The steering system also includes an accumulator configured to hold pressurized hydraulic fluid from the pump for use in steering the vehicle in case of need. The steering system includes a charging circuit configured to selectively allow the hydraulic fluid to flow from the hydraulic pump to the accumulator based on a fluid pressure applied by a first pilot and a second pilot. The steering system includes a charging bypass circuit configured to allow the hydraulic fluid to flow to a steering control unit and to bypass the charging circuit. The hydraulic pump supplies fluid to the charging circuit and the bypass circuit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to acquire direct thermal measurements, for example, from a LiDAR collecting vehicle or air vessel, of an overhead electrical conductor substantially simultaneous with collection of 3-dimensional location data of the conductor, and utilize temperature information derived from the direct thermal measurements in line modeling, line rating, thermal line analysis, clearance analysis, and/or vegetation management.

Abstract: A method for estimating vegetation growth relative to an object of interest is disclosed. A target vegetation is identified from a second sensing dataset. A corresponding target vegetation is identified in a first sensing dataset, the first sensing dataset collected at a time before the second sensing dataset. A first statistic is attributed to the corresponding target vegetation based on a distance of one or more points of the corresponding target vegetation in the first sensing dataset relative to the object of interest. A second statistic is attributed to the target vegetation based on a distance of one or more points of the target vegetation in the second sensing dataset relative to the object of interest. An encroachment rate is determined from a comparison of the first statistic and the second statistic.

Abstract: A method for modeling of an overhead electrical conductor, includes: collecting 3-dimensional location data of the conductor; substantially simultaneous with said collecting, acquiring a thermal measurement of the conductor with a local thermal sensor; and generating a CAD model of the conductor using the collected 3-dimensional location data of the conductor and the thermal measurement of the conductor. The CAD model facilitates thermal line analysis of the conductor, thermal rating of a power line that includes the conductor, clearance analysis relative to the conductor, and vegetation management relative to the conductor.

Abstract: A method for locating a stem of a target tree is disclosed. The target tree is identified from a sensing dataset. At least one slice is created from the sensing dataset. The at least one slice includes at least a portion of the target tree. A tree stem location of the target tree is determined from the at least one slice. A system for locating a stem of a target tree is also disclosed. The system has a processor configured to implement the described method. The system also has a data input coupled to the processor and configured to provide the processor with the sensing dataset. The system further has a user interface coupled to either the processor or the data input.

Abstract: In one embodiment, ambient sound in audible range of a telephone is electronically sampled, and an audible alert is automatically generated in response to an incoming call signal as a function of the sampled ambient sound. The ambient sound sample may be analyzed in terms of selected parameters such as frequency, amplitude, and tempo. The audible alert may then be generated as a function of the selected parameters in such a way that the audible alert is more noticeable in the presence of the ambient sound. For example, an alert frequency that is dissonant with an identified frequency of the ambient sound may be generated.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for informing a driver or an owner of a vehicle of visible problems detected by outside video sources. An on-board vehicle subsystem may receive a video image of a section of the vehicle (e.g., tail light of vehicle) from an outside video source (e.g., another vehicle, parking lot surveillance system). The received video image may be compared with stored video patterns of various sections of the vehicle. The on-board vehicle subsystem may identify a stored video pattern that substantially matches the received video image. The driver of the vehicle may be alerted to a problem (e.g., broken tail light) if the differences between the identified stored video pattern and the received video image amount to a problem.

Abstract: A method for designating vegetation as potential impact vegetation includes identifying data relating to target vegetation from a dataset and determining a reach distance of the target vegetation. The reach distance includes a distance from a point on a ground to a point of the target vegetation that is farthest from the point on the ground. The method also includes comparing the reach distance of the target vegetation with a closest distance between the point on the ground and a structure to produce a compared reach distance value and determining a health indicator value for the target vegetation. The method further includes comparing the health indicator value of the target vegetation to a health indicator threshold value and designating the target vegetation as having a potential to impact the structure based on the compared reach distance value and the comparison of the health indicator to the health indicator threshold.

Abstract: A device for cleaning debris from a target surface. The device has a sole plate with permanent bristles and a removable/replaceable pad. The device also has a replaceable, on-board supply of cleanser. The pad/cleanser may be replaced when depleted and replaced with a new pad/cleanser or may simply be replaced with a new pad/cleanser when that pad/cleanser is more suitable for a particular cleaning task.

Abstract: A unit dose for cleaning an unsanitary surface, such as a toilet bowl. The unit dose comprises a water dispersible shell containing granules defining a core. The granules obviate the need for sheet material in the unit dose and provide cleaning efficacy when submerged.

Abstract: Herein are provided methods, systems, computer-readable media, techniques and processes for crown or prosthesis manipulation in dental prosthesis design. These include presenting a 3D model of a multi-tooth prosthesis relative to an area to be reconstructed. An operator may manipulate one or more prosthetic teeth in that 3D model in order to alter the overall shape of the prosthesis. In various embodiments, the techniques may also include the determination of occlusion with respect to antagonist teeth—of the entire 3D model of the prosthesis and/or of individual 3D models of prosthetic teeth in the model. The position or shape of the 3D model of the prosthesis may be modified based on the occlusion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to acquire direct thermal measurements, for example, from a LiDAR collecting vehicle or air vessel, of an overhead electrical conductor substantially simultaneous with collection of 3-dimensional location data of the conductor, and utilize temperature information derived from the direct thermal measurements in line modeling, line rating, thermal line analysis, clearance analysis, and/or vegetation management.

Abstract: A method for modeling of an overhead electrical conductor, includes: collecting 3-dimensional location data of the conductor; substantially simultaneous with said collecting, acquiring a thermal measurement of the conductor with a local thermal sensor; and generating a CAD model of the conductor using the collected 3-dimensional location data of the conductor and the thermal measurement of the conductor. The CAD model facilitates thermal line analysis of the conductor, thermal rating of a power line that includes the conductor, clearance analysis relative to the conductor, and vegetation management relative to the conductor.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to novel methods and novel devices for the continuous manufacture of nanoparticles, microparticles and nanoparticle/liquid solution(s) (e.g., colloids). The nanoparticles (and/or micron-sized particles) comprise a variety of possible compositions, sizes and shapes. The particles (e.g., nanoparticles) are caused to be present (e.g., created and/or the liquid is predisposed to their presence (e.g., conditioned)) in a liquid (e.g., water) by, for example, preferably utilizing at least one adjustable plasma (e.g., created by at least one AC and/or DC power source), which plasma communicates with at least a portion of a surface of the liquid. At least one subsequent and/or substantially simultaneous adjustable electrochemical processing technique is also preferred. Multiple adjustable plasmas and/or adjustable electrochemical processing techniques are preferred. Processing enhancers can be utilized alone or with a plasma. Semicontinuous and batch processes can also be utilized.