Abstract: A temporal graph model is provided that can handle all six graph updates cases: vertex created; vertex deleted; vertex property updated; edge created; edge deleted; and edge property updated. A memory efficient temporal graph storage solution stores the delta change of graph evolution at each update (e.g., instead of storing the whole graph snapshot at each time). Temporal graph querying techniques are described that can determine what the graph looks like at a given time in the past and can perform any graph query on that graph's snapshot at that time as if time traveling back to that time. Also provided are event sourcing techniques of recording and tracing temporal graph updates that make the evolution of the temporal graph explainable. Further provided is a seamless integration with a massive parallel graph processing and storage engine that fully leverages the multicore and multinode cluster computation and storage resources.

Abstract: A method includes determining an operational condition associated with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The method includes, responsive to determining the operational condition, causing the UAV to perform a pre-flight check. The pre-flight check includes hovering the UAV above a takeoff location. The pre-flight check includes, while hovering the UAV, moving one or more controllable components of the UAV in accordance with a predetermined sequence of movements. The pre-flight check includes obtaining, by one or more sensors of the UAV, sensor data indicative of a flight response of the UAV to moving the one or more controllable components while hovering the UAV. The pre-flight check includes comparing the sensor data to expected sensor data associated with an expected flight response to the predetermined sequence of movements while hovering the UAV. The pre-flight check includes, based on comparing the sensor data to the expected sensor data, evaluating performance of the UAV.

Abstract: A technique for operating unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in a terminal area from which the UAVs are staged includes charging a plurality of the UAVs on charging pads disposed in a staging array at the terminal area. Merchant facilities for preparing packages for delivery by the UAVs are disposed about a periphery of the staging array. The UAVs are relocated under their own propulsion from interior charging pads to peripheral loading pads of the staging array as the peripheral loading pads become available and the UAVs are deemed sufficiently charged and ready for delivery missions.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a glass assembly to have a performance-enhancing feature includes a step of forming a glass substrate that is curved. The method also includes digitally-applying an ink without a mask onto a surface of the curved glass substrate. The method further includes curing the ink to form the performance-enhancing feature on the surface of the curved glass substrate.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a glass assembly to have an opaque boundary feature includes a step of forming a first glass substrate that is curved, with the first glass substrate having an outer surface (P1) and an opposing inner surface (P2), and a second glass substrate that is curved, with the second glass substrate having an inner surface (P3) and an opposing outer surface (P4). The method also includes a step of digitally-applying an organic ink without a mask on at least one of the P2 surface and the P3 surface. The method further includes curing the organic ink to form the opaque boundary feature on at least one of the P2 surface and the P3 surface. The method also further includes disposing a polymeric interlayer between the P2 surface and the P3 surface.

Abstract: A quantum sensor including a training agent and a target quantum system is described. The target quantum system includes quantum state carriers that are capable of being mutually entangled. The training agent includes a training quantum system. The target quantum system receives a control input. An output in response to the control input is obtained from the target quantum system. The training agent evaluates the output and determines a subsequent control input for the target quantum system.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for manufacturing a wipe in a three-dimensional form out of an essentially flat piece of material. The apparatus produces a blank of essentially flat planar form with a pleat folded on each side. The folded blanks are fed by a conveyor belt to an opening station. The opening station comprises a pair of movable pinch rollers which selectively grab individual blanks from the conveyor belt and feed them via belts to a pair of counter-rotating drums. The blanks are ejected from the drums, which partially opens them up in the process. The partially open blanks are fed onto a shaped former, where the final process of forming the wipe into its chosen three-dimensional form is completed.

Abstract: A beverage warmer comprises a plurality of product shelves, where each product shelf has a plurality of product lanes. Each product lane has an ambient area, a heating area, and a serving area. A product is loaded into the beverage warmer in the ambient area of a product lane and transported through each of the heating area and serving area in response to a product being removed from the beverage warmer. The product may be maintained in the heating area for a period of time and subject to a first temperature. Upon expiration of the period of time, the product is transported from the heating area to the serving area. The product is maintained in the serving area at a second temperature, where the second temperature is lower than the first temperature.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a digital surface model of an area for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) navigation. The digital surface model represents an environmental surface in the area. The method includes determining, for each grid cell of a plurality of grid cells in the area, a confidence value of an altitude of the environmental surface at the grid cell and determining a terrain clearance value based at least on the confidence value of the altitude of the environmental surface at the grid cell. The method includes determining a route for a UAV through the area such that the altitude of the UAV is above the altitude of the environmental surface at each grid cell of a sequence of grid cells of the route by at least the terrain clearance value determined for the grid cell. The method includes causing the UAV to navigate through the area using the determined route.

Abstract: In the disclosed systems and methods for competitive scene completion, in conjunction with a scene completion challenge, an image of an initial scene and a plurality of markers are displayed. For each user marker selection, virtual furnishing units corresponding to the unit type are displayed. User unit selection results in display of a three-dimensional graphic of the selected virtual furnishing unit at the corresponding coordinates within the scene, thereby creating an augmented scene that comprises the initial scene with three-dimensional graphics of selected virtual furnishing units. The augmented scene is submitted to a remote server. The user is provided with a reward that consists of credits. Responsive to user selection to access the store, a user interface for the store is displayed within the application. Visual representations of tangible products are displayed. The credits are configured for use towards purchase of the tangible products.

Abstract: A technique for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes monitoring a sensed airspeed of the UAV, obtaining a commanded speed for the UAV, wherein the commanded speed representing a command to fly the UAV at a given speed relative to an airmass or to Earth, and when the commanded speed is greater than the sensed airspeed, using the commanded speed in lieu of the sensed airspeed to inform flight control decisions of the UAV.

Abstract: A technique for validating a balcony to receive delivery of a parcel via a UAV includes obtaining a first identification of a general location of the balcony; generating a first image representing a building including the balcony where the first image is selected based upon the location identified; obtaining a second identification or a confirmation of a precise location of the balcony in the building where the second identification or the confirmation are received in response to an end-user interaction with the first image; determining a deliverability score based at least in part on the precise location of the balcony; and indicating an enrollment status to the end-user where the enrollment status is generated based upon the deliverability score.

Abstract: A method is provided that includes causing an operational member of a system to move. The method includes driving a power or control signal through a conductive coupling member. The conductive coupling member is connected between a first terminal and a second terminal in a power circuit, and the coupling member secures the operational member to a structural member of the system. The method includes detecting an electrical disconnect between the first terminal and a second terminal. The method includes determining a mechanical break associated with the coupling member based on the electrical disconnect between the first terminal and the second terminal. The method includes causing the operational member of the system to stop moving based on determining the mechanical break associated with the coupling member.

Abstract: A method includes determining an operational condition associated with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The method includes, responsive to determining the operational condition, causing the UAV to perform a pre-flight check. The pre-flight check includes hovering the UAV above a takeoff location. The pre-flight check includes, while hovering the UAV, moving one or more controllable components of the UAV in accordance with a predetermined sequence of movements. The pre-flight check includes obtaining, by one or more sensors of the UAV, sensor data indicative of a flight response of the UAV to moving the one or more controllable components while hovering the UAV. The pre-flight check includes comparing the sensor data to expected sensor data associated with an expected flight response to the predetermined sequence of movements while hovering the UAV. The pre-flight check includes, based on comparing the sensor data to the expected sensor data, evaluating performance of the UAV.

Abstract: A specimen container has a vessel having a reservoir and a specimen collection region. The specimen container also has a sleeve located within the vessel and moveable in the direction of the reservoir. Movement of the sleeve in the direction of the reservoir results in the specimen collection region and reservoir being brought into fluid communication with each other.

Abstract: An interface for a microfluidic device such as a microfluidic cassette has a seal portion moveable from a first position to a second position within a reservoir in response to an applied force. Movement of the seal portion within the reservoir causes the volume of the reservoir to increase. The interface also has a hollow needle with a first end and a second end, the first end locatable in fluid communication with the reservoir and the second end located outside of the reservoir and arranged for piercing. The seal portion and the needle are arranged such that when the seal portion moves from the first position to the second position, a predetermined volume of fluid is drawn through the needle into the reservoir.

Abstract: Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) navigation systems include a UAV charging pad positioned at a storage facility, a plurality of fiducial markers positioned at the storage facility, and a UAV. Each of the fiducial markers is associated with a fiducial dataset storing a position of the corresponding fiducial marker, and the fiducial datasets are stored in a fiducial map. The UAV includes a camera and logic that when executed causes the UAV to image a first fiducial marker, to access from the fiducial map a first fiducial dataset storing the position of the first fiducial marker, and to navigate based upon the first fiducial dataset.

Abstract: A cavity is cut into a wooden structure (e.g., stringer, block, or deckboard) of a wood pallet such that an electronic tracking device can be embedded into the wooden structure for tracking the pallet. The cavity is shaped to allow for a sufficient thickness of remaining wood material surrounding the cavity to remain strong and also to allow for sufficient thinness so wireless signals can be reliably transmitted to/from electronics within the cavity. The remaining space within the cavity around the embedded tracking device is filled with a potting material to secure and protect the tracking device within the cavity. The tracking device monitors the location of the pallet and provides location data to a back-end system over a communication channel either directly or via a local hub. The back-end system performs analytics on the location data.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ice dispensing system comprising an ice hopper, an ice chute for transporting ice from the ice hopper to a dispensing outlet or a waste outlet, an ice dispensing element for dispensing ice from the hopper into the ice chute, an ice directing element having a first position for directing ice to the waste outlet and a second position for directing ice to the dispensing outlet, and a controller for controlling the ice dispensing element and the position of the ice directing element. Also provided is a beverage dispensing machine comprising the ice dispensing system of the invention and a method for dispensing ice from the ice dispensing system or beverage dispensing machine of the invention.

Abstract: A technique for controlling unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) operating in proximity to a terminal area from which the UAVs are staged includes charging a plurality of the UAVs on charging pads disposed in a staging array at the terminal area. Merchant facilities for preparing packages for delivery by the UAVs are disposed about a periphery of the staging array. The UAVs are relocated under their own propulsion from interior charging pads to peripheral loading pads of the staging array as the peripheral loading pads become available and the UAVs are deemed sufficiently charged and ready for delivery missions.