Abstract: In response to receiving a request from a querying entity, such as a seller of goods or services, embodiments of a service engine present to a client computing device of the querying entity a set of queries about goods or services sold by the querying entity and other characteristics of the business of the querying entity. The service engine may intelligently determine which queries to present based on responses to preceding queries. The service engine may then compare the entries in response to the queries against stored rules for a one or more of a plurality of tax jurisdictions, the stored rules being about establishing nexus for purposes of remitting transaction tax in the certain tax jurisdiction. The service engine may then determine information regarding potential lack of tax compliance of the querying entity based on the comparison, and notify accordingly.

Abstract: A control system, and associated control method, that processes aircraft tracking data to determine precise location information for aircraft in the vicinity of an outdoor show that includes laser projectors. The aircraft location information for each aircraft is processed along with heading and speed data to generate a set of laser control data, which is communicated via a monitoring interface to a laser projector operator for use in operating the laser projector. The control system determines the scan field into which the laser projector may project its light during the show, and this scan field is provided, e.g., visually in the monitoring interface, to the laser projector operator along with the sets of laser control data for each aircraft. The laser projector operator may then terminate or continue to operate the laser projector based on this very precise information related to the scan field and location of aircraft.

Abstract: A method for training a control system model includes introducing a simulated fault into a software simulation of a physical system and generating emulated sensor data based on the simulated fault, where the emulated sensor data emulates output from one or more sensors of the physical system. The method further includes obtaining output data from a test control system provided with the emulated sensor data, where the test control system emulates a control system of the physical system and tagging the output data with the simulated fault to create training data. The method further includes utilizing the training data to train the control system model, where the control system model is a machine learning model for use with the control system of the physical system during operation of the physical system.

Abstract: A control system, and associated control method, that processes aircraft tracking data to determine precise location information for aircraft in the vicinity of an outdoor show that includes laser projectors. The aircraft location information for each aircraft is processed along with heading and speed data to generate a set of laser control data, which is communicated via a monitoring interface to a laser projector operator for use in operating the laser projector. The control system determines the scan field into which the laser projector may project its light during the show, and this scan field is provided, e.g., visually in the monitoring interface, to the laser projector operator along with the sets of laser control data for each aircraft. The laser projector operator may then terminate or continue to operate the laser projector based on this very precise information related to the scan field and location of aircraft.

Abstract: A method to transcribe communications may include obtaining, at a first device, an audio signal that originates at a remote device during a communication session. The audio signal may be shared between the first device and a second device. The method may also include obtaining an indication that the second device is associated with a remote transcription system and in response to the second device being associated with the remote transcription system, directing the audio signal to the remote transcription system by one of the first device and the second device instead of both the first device and the second device directing the audio signal to the remote transcription system when the second device is not associated with the remote transcription system.

Abstract: A software-based (“soft”) real-time hub designed and implemented for use in simulation (or control testing) systems such as to provide a modular soft-real-time PIL. A simulation system of the present description typically may include one or more of the following useful subsystems or components: (a) a soft-real-time hub; (b) simulation interfaces; and (c) hardware emulation subsystems/devices. The soft-real-time hub is typically a combination of hardware and software adapted to provide deterministic data transport between simulations and input/output (I/O) emulation. By creating a common point, the hub enables simulation modules to be swapped out as the simulation system progresses without the operator having to worry about interface timing, forcing, or data visualization. A desirable aspect of the simulation system is it allows for testing certain conditions by forcing I/O and then seeing how the controller or system under testing responds.

Abstract: In response to receiving a request from a querying entity, such as a seller of goods or services, embodiments of a service engine present to a client computing device of the querying entity a set of queries about goods or services sold by the querying entity and other characteristics of the business of the querying entity. The service engine may intelligently determine which queries to present based on responses to preceding queries. The service engine may then compare the entries in response to the queries against stored rules for a one or more of a plurality of tax jurisdictions, the stored rules being about establishing nexus for purposes of remitting transaction tax in the certain tax jurisdiction. The service engine may then determine information regarding potential lack of tax compliance of the querying entity based on the comparison, and notify accordingly.

Abstract: In response to receiving a request from a querying entity, such as a seller of goods or services, embodiments of a service engine present to a client computing device of the querying entity a set of queries about goods or services sold by the querying entity and other characteristics of the business of the querying entity. The service engine may intelligently determine which queries to present based on responses to preceding queries. The service engine may then compare the entries in response to the queries against stored rules for a one or more of a plurality of tax jurisdictions, the stored rules being about establishing nexus for purposes of remitting transaction tax in the certain tax jurisdiction. The service engine may then determine information regarding potential lack of tax compliance of the querying entity based on the comparison, and notify accordingly.

Abstract: A method of making a food flavoring product is described including adding a plant material to a water-oil carrier, forming a homogenous mixture of said plant material and water-oil carrier, placing the homogeneous mixture into a package, and subjecting the package to freeze-thaw cycling to separate the water and oil carriers containing said plant material into separate components. This results in a composition separated into individual water and oil components with enhanced color and flavor characteristics when dispensed from the package.

Abstract: A method to transcribe communications may include obtaining, at a first device, an audio signal that originates at a remote device during a communication session. The audio signal may be shared between the first device and a second device. The method may also include obtaining an indication that the second device is associated with a remote transcription system and in response to the second device being associated with the remote transcription system, directing the audio signal to the remote transcription system by one of the first device and the second device instead of both the first device and the second device directing the audio signal to the remote transcription system when the second device is not associated with the remote transcription system.

Abstract: A software-based (“soft”) real-time hub designed and implemented for use in simulation (or control testing) systems such as to provide a modular soft-real-time PIL. A simulation system of the present description typically may include one or more of the following useful subsystems or components: (a) a soft-real-time hub; (b) simulation interfaces; and (c) hardware emulation subsystems/devices. The soft-real-time hub is typically a combination of hardware and software adapted to provide deterministic data transport between simulations and input/output (I/O) emulation. By creating a common point, the hub enables simulation modules to be swapped out as the simulation system progresses without the operator having to worry about interface timing, forcing, or data visualization. A desirable aspect of the simulation system is it allows for testing certain conditions by forcing I/O and then seeing how the controller or system under testing responds.

Abstract: A method of making a food flavoring product is described including adding a plant material to a water-oil carrier, forming a homogenous mixture of said plant material and water-oil carrier, placing the homogeneous mixture into a package, and subjecting the package to freeze-thaw cycling to separate the water and oil carriers containing said plant material into separate components. This results in a composition separated into individual water and oil components with enhanced color and flavor characteristics when dispensed from the package.

Abstract: A positional adjustment apparatus for an attractor includes a positioning plate disposable at least adjacent to a surface of a mold, at least one drive operatively connected to the positioning plate to move the positioning plate and alter at least one of a first height, a first angle of tilt, a first lateral position, and a rotational position of the positioning plate with respect to the surface of the mold, at least one positioner disposed in an opening through the positing plate, the positioner hanging from and being moveable independently of the positioning plate, at least one attractor connected to the at least one positioner, and a joint disposed between the positioner and the positioning plate, the joint permitting the at least one positioner to change at least one of a second height, a second angle of tilt, and a second lateral position with respect to the positioning plate.

Abstract: A fabric handling apparatus includes a layup table, a mold disposed adjacent to the layup table, and a fabric handling array suspended above the layup table and the mold. The fabric handling array is adapted to transfer at least one fabric shape from the layup table to the mold. The fabric handling array includes a plurality of attractors in an attractor array. An orientation of the fabric handling array is alterable with respect to at least one of the layup table and the mold so that the at least one fabric shape is positionable on the mold in a predetermined orientation.

Abstract: The Internet is becoming an essential part of our lives. This trend is even stronger with the rise of cell phones having Internet access that almost the entire population carries with them at all times. Security is a huge problem on the Internet, however, and new authentication methods are needed specifically for cell phones. Presented here is a method of identifying a mobile electronic device by its configuration settings, potentially including contact list information. This invention, in particular, fills a crucial need to secure access to the Internet from mobile phones.

Abstract: The Internet is becoming an essential part of our lives. This trend is even stronger with the rise of cell phones having Internet access that almost the entire population carries with them at all times. Security is a huge problem on the Internet, however, and new authentication methods are needed specifically for cell phones. Presented here is a method of identifying a mobile electronic device by its configuration settings, potentially including contact list information. This invention, in particular, fills a crucial need to secure access to the Internet from mobile phones.

Abstract: A method comprises receiving one or more depth images from a depth camera, the depth images indicating a depth of a surface imaged by each pixel of the depth images. The method may further comprise identifying a human subject imaged by the depth images and recognizing within one or more of the depth images a beacon emitted from a control device. A position of the control device may be assessed in three dimensions, and the control device may be associated with the human subject based on a proximity of the control device to the human subject or other parameter of the control device with relation to the human subject.

Abstract: A positional adjustment apparatus for an attractor includes a positioning plate disposable at least adjacent to a surface of a mold, at least one drive operatively connected to the positioning plate to move the positioning plate and alter at least one of a first height, a first angle of tilt, a first lateral position, and a rotational position of the positioning plate with respect to the surface of the mold, at least one positioner disposed in an opening through the positing plate, the positioner hanging from and being moveable independently of the positioning plate, at least one attractor connected to the at least one positioner, and a joint disposed between the positioner and the positioning plate, the joint permitting the at least one positioner to change at least one of a second height, a second angle of tilt, and a second lateral position with respect to the positioning plate.

Abstract: A suction cup includes a body with a central axis, a first end having an opening, and a second end adapted to be connected to a vacuum source, thereby drawing a vacuum through the opening. A lip is provided on the body, which defines a periphery around the opening. An obstruction element with an exterior surface extends across at last part of the opening. The obstruction element defines a plurality of holes therethrough and presents an exterior surface that is substantially flush with the lip. The obstruction element discourages distortion of a fabric drawn to the suction cup, when the vacuum is applied by the vacuum source, to a degree that exceeds a predetermined, acceptable threshold.

Abstract: A fabric handling apparatus includes a layup table, a mold disposed adjacent to the layup table, and a fabric handling array suspended above the layup table and the mold. The fabric handling array is adapted to transfer at least one fabric shape from the layup table to the mold. The fabric handling array includes a plurality of attractors in an attractor array. An orientation of the fabric handling array is alterable with respect to at least one of the layup table and the mold so that the at least one fabric shape is positionable on the mold in a predetermined orientation.