Abstract: The present invention encodes this knowledge into a database of preferred loading conditions and creates a set of automated maneuvers that accomplish the loading actions. The invention assumes that the truck has a drive-by-wire kit and that it is capable of moving under computer control. This invention provides a set of tools that allows for the automation of the loading process. The invention is relevant to situations where the truck is autonomous and the excavator is not, or when both are automated.

Abstract: The autonomous dust mitigation m mmmg and construction applications system disclosed herein may comprise a system that automatically detects dust at mmmg and construction sites and dispatches dust mitigation equipment in response to such detections. The dust areas detected may be assigned priorities within the system, and may be addressed or ignored based on various parameters dictating the behavior of the system. If, for example, an area of dust is not currently in use by local equipment, the system may not dispatch equipment to address that area. If, on the other hand, an area of dust is affecting a high priority or high risk area of the site, the system may prioritize the dispatching of dust mitigation equipment to that area over other areas.

Abstract: Trucks in a mine or construction site move dirt, ore, or other matter from one location to another. The ore is usually loaded using an excavator or loader. Once at the unloading destination, the truck needs to determine where to unload the ore, dirt, or matter. Different applications require the load to be dumped in different manners. The present invention encodes this knowledge into a database of preferred behaviors and creates a set of automated maneuvers that accomplish these actions. The invention assumes that the truck has a drive-by-wire kit, and that its capable of moving under computer control.

Abstract: The system in this invention is autonomous control for these trucks covering a variety of behaviors specific to mining applications. The invention uses these behaviors to increase the efficiency and safety of running a mining operation, while also reducing cost. This invention involves the development of a system that is designed to increase the safely of mining and construction autonomous trucks. This system is comprised of one or more sensors that can detect road features, a drive-by-wire kit installed on a truck, an autonomous driver that creates the trajectories which take the vehicle from a starting location to an ending location (final destination), while at the same time implementing one or more of the behaviors mentioned below. One behavior implemented by the system is varying the trajectory within the traversable road to minimize the ruts. Another behavior is purposely driving over the “high” points of the support surface to flatten the ruts.

Abstract: The invention being presented uses the motors already included in an electric vehicle to charge its batteries while in tow. The charging process provided by the invention is compatible with the charging speed of current battery technology. It will provide an effective way of charging vehicles in theater, when other sources of electrical energy may not be available. Moreover, the proposed system can actually extend the brake life of the towing vehicle and improve performance boundaries of the overall system.

Abstract: A system allowing a wheelchair bound user to embark and disembark a vehicle without assistance. The user requests entry into the vehicle. The vehicle is manually or autonomously driven into a safe position for ingress. The vehicle checks if the area is clear to open the door. The vehicle autonomously opens the door. The vehicle verifies the person is wheelchair bound. If the passenger is wheelchair bound, then: the vehicle verifies if the area is clear to deploy an inclined ramp or lift. The vehicle deploys the inclined ramp or lift. The vehicle waits until the user is on top of the lift and starts lifting the wheelchair bound person. The vehicle waits until the user at the correct height and transitions from the lift/ramp into the securement station inside of the vehicle. The vehicle verifies that the wheelchair is properly positioned for securement. The vehicle secures the wheel chair.

Abstract: A device is described where an operator uses a handheld nozzle that deposits new material onto a part. The process can be used to create new parts from a substrate, or to repair parts. The device automatically maps the physical part and matches the physical part against a model of the desired part. As the operator moves the nozzle over the part, the device automatically computes the amount of material necessary to modify the current part to match the model of the desired part. This method can be used for spraying or spray-casting metal, ceramics, and other materials. The described process and device automates this process, and simplifies the operator's involvement. Moreover, because the device can measure the part as the material is being deposited, the resulting part is more likely to more closely resemble the original part both in aesthetics and physical properties.

Abstract: The proposed method outlines a new control mechanism well-suited for small, unmanned aerial vehicles traversing in a GPS-denied areas. It has the strong advantage of simplifying the interface, so that even an untrained operator can handle the difficult, dynamic problems encountered in closed quarters. The proposed system seamlessly integrates point-and-click control with way-point navigation, in an intuitive interface. An additional advantage of the proposed system is that it adds minimal hardware to the payload of the UAV, and can possibly, strongly diminish the bandwidth and delay effects of the communication channel.

Abstract: The light detection and ranging (LADAR) for military and harsh environment use disclosed herein presents a solution to the shortcomings inherent in modern systems. The system manipulates emitted beams to reduce or reallocate the energy required for detection, and may selectively deactivate beams to minimize that chances of detection by wasted or unrequired beam emissions. The system may also alter the divergence and amplitude of emitted beams so as to more accurately detect higher priority objects within the environment. The system may also manipulate the frequency and waveform of emitted beams to reduce the chances of a bystander detecting the emissions.

Abstract: A device is described where an operator uses a handheld nozzle that deposits new material onto a part. The process can be used to create new parts from a substrate, or to repair parts. The device automatically maps the physical part and matches the physical part against a model of the desired part. As the operator moves the nozzle over the part, the device automatically computes the amount of material necessary to modify the current part to match the model of the desired part. This method can be used for spraying or spray-casting metal, ceramics, and other materials. The described process and device automates this process, and simplifies the operator's involvement. Moreover, because the device can measure the part as the material is being deposited, the resulting part is more likely to more closely resemble the original part both in aesthetics and physical properties.

Abstract: A device is described where an operator uses a handheld nozzle that deposits new material onto a part. The process can be used to create new parts from a substrate, or to repair parts. The device automatically maps the physical part and matches the physical part against a model of the desired part. As the operator moves the nozzle over the part, the device automatically computes the amount of material necessary to modify the current part to match the model of the desired part. This method can be used for spraying or spray-casting metal, ceramics, and other materials. The described process and device automates this process, and simplifies the operator's involvement. Moreover, because the device can measure the part as the material is being deposited, the resulting part is more likely to more closely resemble the original part both in aesthetics and physical properties.

Abstract: The system described assumes that the physical properties of the bind sites will be sufficiently repeatable to be tabulated based on a limited set of control constraints: filament material, temperature of the print head, feed rate, temperature of the substrate, and filament orientations at the bind site, etc. The main idea of this system is to utilize the bind sites and the connection and directionality of the threads as a lattice that can then be fed into a finite element analysis (FEA) algorithm for simulation in order to extract the macro physical properties of the part being produced. These repeatable bind site tabulated values can then be used to provide the cell properties for the FEA. The micro properties of the bind site can also be encoded into explicit equations, neural networks or other approximators.

Abstract: A method for using cryptography to protect deployable rapid on-site manufacturing 3D printing systems using a single time printing protocol. An external trusted machine provides a first key pair to the server system. The database contains encrypted copies of developer software/models, using the Trusted Machine to encrypt. The Signature Verifier verifies that devices requesting code are safe devices provided from a third party. The Trusted Machine includes a first key pair “A” used to encrypt and decrypt entries into the database safely. A trusted module is associated with the printer which comprises a random sequence generator. The printer generates keys required for printing and authorization using a Common Access Card (CAC). The server would encrypt the model with the keys generated by the trusted module of the printer to allow for the printer to decrypt the keys and effectuate printing of the encrypted model.

Abstract: Multi-rotors use multiple electric motors to drive propellers that allow the multi-rotor to fly, turn, bank, etc. The multiple motors and the associated control device produce EM signals that can be used to detect multi-rotors and distinguish them from other devices with electric motors. To drive a brushless motor, the ESC takes DC from the battery and turns it into three phase AC (sinusoidal or trapezoidal wave), and then measures back EMF pulses (sensorless). This allows one to ensure that the three phase AC is being generated at the proper frequency to turn the motor (timing). For each propeller in the multi-rotor there are usually four different correlated signals at multiple frequencies that are used for detection and false alarm rejection.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for multi-stage printing teaches a 3D printer in combination with one or more additional dispensing nozzles. One or more additional dispensing nozzles are combined with the 3D for filling cavities with other compounds such as foam, sterilizing parts by spraying printed mold with disinfectant or antibacterial treatments, and embedding parts or other materials such as paper, fiberglass, or carbon fiber within the printing layers for additional strength and changing mold properties of a final product. In other embodiments, the apparatus of the present invention can be used in combination with a robotic packaging mechanism for bagging sterilized parts for shipment.

Abstract: A signal is emitted by an unrelated, non-cooperating party. The SA scans this spectrum, and selects and filters to a portion of the signal emitted. The SA, using its internal clock, time tags a sequence of peaks of the time domain of the filtered signal. The SA sends (over the internet or other method) the time tagged peaks, frequency and location of the emission to the IN. The IN receives the message from the SA. It compares the peaks with its own data, collected using its local antenna at the specified frequency. The IN uses its location, and the location encoded in the message, to compute the different time of arrival of the signal, and uses the locally found peaks at that frequency to determine a “phase shift.” The phase shift is used to calculate the local clock skew. The SA repeats step 2, selecting a different frequency.

Abstract: A system for localizing a swarm of robotic platforms utilizing ranging sensors. The swarm is localized by purposely leaving some of the platforms of the swarm stationary, providing localization to the moving ones. The platforms in the swarm can alternate between a stationary and moving state.

Abstract: A method and system that utilizes the energy storage provided by a vehicle's mass in the form of potential and kinetic energy to optimize the fuel consumption. The system of the present invention is composed of an elevation database, a localization mechanism, and a speed optimization mechanism/engine. The optimization engine receives a desired speed range from the operator such as a max speed and min speed input, and a route or elevation profile form the elevation database. Then, utilizing the elevation database, the localization mechanism and a weight estimate the system and method optimizes the current speed to minimize fuel consumption by way of setting and adjusting the cruise control speed. The route and the weight estimate may be provided or predicted by the optimization engine.

Abstract: A system for localizing a swarm of robotic platforms utilizing ranging sensors. The swarm is localized by purposely leaving some of the platforms of the swarm stationary, providing localization to the moving ones. The platforms in the swarm can alternate between a stationary and moving state.

Abstract: The Canine Handler Operations Positioning System (the Inventors) taught by the present invention consists of one or more dog-worn sensor, one or more handler's shoe-worn sensor, and algorithms for maintaining localization of units of canines and handlers traveling in GPS and GPS-denied areas. The present invention adapts the localization algorithms from the human-based system to dogs, increase performance, reduce SWAP, and further refine the system based on user feedback. The human worn system is modified for the human handler for maximum operational practicality in regard to batteries, size, and interoperability to a radio. The Canine Handler Operations Positioning System (the Inventors) focuses on developing the dog-worn positioning system, modifying the handler's positioning sensor if needed, and integrating the system with an OCU. The complete the Inventors system would provide a positioning solution for both the dog(s) and handler(s).