Abstract: Systems and methods for conversational user experiences and conversational database analysis disclosed herein improve the efficiency and accessibility of low-latency database analytics.

Abstract: A current set of context features for a database query that is associated with a string is identified. The database query includes a sequence of tokens of a database syntax, and the current set of context features includes words from the string and tokens from the database query. An inference record is selected from an inference store based on a comparison of the current set of context features to context features of inference records in the inference store. The database query is modified using a resolution of the inference record to obtain an inferred database query. The resolution includes one or more tokens of the database syntax. A search of a database is invoked using a query based on the inferred database query to obtain search results.

Abstract: A cutting board apparatus is provided. The cutting board apparatus assists users with disabilities that would impede their ability to slice cutting articles. Additionally, the cutting board apparatus provides a safe cutting platform for new and inexperienced users. The cutting board apparatus contains a cutting board base, at least one hinge, and at least one cutting article holder. Each of the cutting article holders is hingedly connected adjacent to the cutting board base through one of the at least one hinge. The user can place a cutting article along the cutting board base. The user can then rotate the cutting article holder adjacent to the cutting article, where the cutting article holder will secure the cutting article in place atop the base. The user can then use any type of cutting implement to perform slicing operations without having their assist hand close to the cutting article.

Abstract: A cutting board apparatus is provided. The cutting board apparatus assists users with disabilities that would impede their ability to slice cutting articles. Additionally, the cutting board apparatus provides a safe cutting platform for new and inexperienced users. The cutting board apparatus contains a cutting board base, at least one hinge, and at least one cutting article holder. Each of the cutting article holders is hingedly connected adjacent to the cutting board base through one of the at least one hinge. The user can place a cutting article along the cutting board base. The user can then rotate the cutting article holder adjacent to the cutting article, where the cutting article holder will secure the cutting article in place atop the base. The user can then use any type of cutting implement to perform slicing operations without having their assist hand close to the cutting article.

Abstract: A method and retort vessel for enabling continuous thermal or thermo-catalytic degradation of mixed waste plastic feedstock. The method includes receiving the feedstock into a rotary retort vessel. The feedstock is heated in the retort vessel, such that the resultant reaction products ultimately exit the retort vessel either as gaseous vapor or as solid residue, wherein the gaseous vapor exits the retort vessel at a temperature exceeding 400° C. Further, the retort vessel is configured such that the resultant reaction products exit an output end of the retort vessel. The retort vessel is configured to provide a degradation time chosen between 0.5 minutes and 50 minutes, wherein the degradation time is defined as the ratio of available volume inside the retort vessel to the volumetric flow rate of gaseous vapor at the output end of the retort vessel.

Abstract: A method and system (100) is provided for continuous recycling of waste plastic feedstock into liquid fuels. The method includes sending the feedstock into a rotary retort vessel at an input end of the rotary retort vessel. The feedstock is received on either sides of a partition structure, wherein the partition structure connects the input end of the rotary retort vessel to an output end of the rotary retort vessel. The feedstock is pyrolized in the rotary retort vessel, wherein the feedstock produces gaseous byproducts and non-gaseous byproducts. The byproducts are moved towards the output end of the rotary retort vessel, wherein the movement is facilitated by declination of the rotary retort vessel and the one or more partition structures. The non-gaseous byproducts are continuously removed from the rotary retort vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) is provided for thermal or thermal-catalytic degradation of feedstock. The apparatus includes a retort vessel (102). The retort vessel (102) is configured to receive feedstock. Further, the retort vessel includes at least one partition structure (106), wherein the partition structure (106) divides the retort vessel into volumetric zones and extends from an input end (122) of the retort vessel (102) to an output end (124) of the retort vessel (102). The retort vessel (102) is declined to facilitate movement of the feedstock from an input end (122) of the retort vessel (102) towards output end (124) of the retort vessel (102). Further, the retort vessel (102) is configured to rotate angularly and heated to facilitate thermal or thermal-catalytic degradation of the feedstock.

Abstract: A method and retort vessel for enabling continuous thermal or thermo-catalytic degradation of mixed waste plastic feedstock. The method includes receiving the feedstock into a rotary retort vessel. The feedstock is heated in the retort vessel, such that the resultant reaction products ultimately exit the retort vessel either as gaseous vapor or as solid residue, wherein the gaseous vapour exits the retort vessel at a temperature exceeding 400° C. Further, the retort vessel is configured such that the resultant reaction products exit an output end of the retort vessel. The retort vessel is configured to provide a degradation time chosen between 0.5 minutes and 50 minutes, wherein the degradation time is defined as the ratio of available volume inside the retort vessel to the volumetric flow rate of gaseous vapor at the output end of the retort vessel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling tension in a ribbon spooling assembly are provided. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a ribbon tension control assembly for maintaining substantially constant tension in a ribbon, the assembly including a payout core having a cylindrical shape, a first ribbon spool mounted on the payout core and attached thereto, a second ribbon spool mounted on the payout core, the second ribbon spool configured to move independent from the payout core, a takeup core configured to receive a ribbon from each of the first ribbon spool and second ribbon spool, and a load applicator configured to limit movement of the second ribbon spool.

Abstract: A method and system (100) is provided for continuous recycling of waste plastic feedstock into liquid fuels. The method includes sending the feedstock into a rotary retort vessel at an input end of the rotary retort vessel. The feedstock is received on either sides of a partition structure, wherein the partition structure connects the input end of the rotary retort vessel to an output end of the rotary retort vessel. The feedstock is pyrolized in the rotary retort vessel, wherein the feedstock produces gaseous byproducts and non-gaseous byproducts. The byproducts are moved towards the output end of the rotary retort vessel, wherein the movement is facilitated by declination of the rotary retort vessel and the one or more partition structures. The non-gaseous byproducts are continuously removed from the rotary retort vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) is provided for thermal or thermal-catalytic degradation of feedstock. The apparatus includes a retort vessel (102). The retort vessel (102) is configured to receive feedstock. Further, the retort vessel includes at least one partition structure (106), wherein the partition structure (106) divides the retort vessel into volumetric zones and extends from an input end (122) of the retort vessel (102) to an output end (124) of the retort vessel (102). The retort vessel (102) is declined to facilitate movement of the feedstock from an input end (122) of the retort vessel (102) towards output end (124) of the retort vessel (102). Further, the retort vessel (102) is configured to rotate angularly and heated to facilitate thermal or thermal-catalytic degradation of the feedstock.

Abstract: A fail-safe level shifter switching with high speed and operational for a wide range of voltage supply includes a cascode module, and one or more speed enhancer modules. The cascode module receives one or more input logic signal for generating a plurality of output signals with a reduced switching time. The speed enhancer modules are coupled to the cascode module for facilitating faster charging and discharging of nodes of the cascode module and improving the robustness and operating voltage range of cascode module.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling tension in a ribbon spooling assembly are provided. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a ribbon tension control assembly for maintaining substantially constant tension in a ribbon, the assembly including a payout core having a cylindrical shape, a first ribbon spool mounted on the payout core and attached thereto, a second ribbon spool mounted on the payout core, the second ribbon spool configured to move independent from the payout core, a takeup core configured to receive a ribbon from each of the first ribbon spool and second ribbon spool, and a load applicator configured to limit movement of the second ribbon spool.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to digitize three-dimensional objects. A projection assembly is retained in fixed relation to an imaging assembly. The projection assembly projects a fixed gradient light pattern into a focal zone of the imaging assembly. The imaging assembly integrates the illumination over time such that the fixed gradient reveals the features of the three dimensional object.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a fail-safe level shifter switching with high speed and operational for a wide range of voltage supply. The level shifter includes a cascode module, and one or more speed enhancer modules. The cascode module is receiving one or more input logic signal for generating a plurality of output signals with a reduced switching time. The speed enhancer modules are coupled to the cascode module for facilitating faster charging and discharging of nodes of the cascode module and improving the robustness and operating voltage range of cascode module.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to digitize three-dimensional objects. A projection assembly is retained in fixed relation to an imaging assembly. The projection assembly projects a fixed gradient light pattern into a focal zone of the imaging assembly. The imaging assembly integrates the illumination over time such that the fixed gradient reveals the features of the three dimensional object.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to digitize three-dimensional objects. A projection assembly is retained in fixed relation to an imaging assembly. The projection assembly projects a fixed gradient light pattern into a focal zone of the imaging assembly. The imaging assembly integrates the illumination over time such that the fixed gradient reveals the features of the three dimensional object.

Abstract: A method and apparatus capable of using two or more capture methods to create three-dimensional representations of a target captured. Elements of the three-dimensional digital representation generated from the plural capture method are combined to yield a single digital three-dimensional representation having improved quality.

Abstract: A high performance rotary axis. An upper and lower unit are coupled together by a pair of bearings to permit relative rotation between the units. The bearings are biased relative to others along a link to reduce play between the bearings. A processor and sensor provide for detection of relative positions between the units. A floating stop may be provided to permit rotation about the axis in greater than 360°.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to digitize three-dimensional objects. A projection assembly is retained in fixed relation to an imaging assembly. The projection assembly projects a fixed gradient light pattern into a focal zone of the imaging assembly. The imaging assembly integrates the illumination over time such that the fixed gradient reveals the features of the three dimensional object.