Abstract: A roll-to-roll method of fabricating seamless microstructures is provided, including the steps of: (a) continuously forming a laminated structure comprising a photomask film superimposed on a substrate with a layer of photo-sensitive material therebetween, the photomask film including a pattern of light-transmissive regions and light-blocking regions; (b) illuminating the photomask film of laminated structure formed in step (a) such that light passes through the light-transmissive regions of the photomask film to cure portions of the photo-sensitive material exposed by the light-transmissive regions, while leaving the remaining portions of the photo-sensitive material covered by the light-blocking regions uncured; (c) delaminating the photomask film from the photo-sensitive material selectively cured in step (b); and (d) removing the uncured portions of the photo-sensitive material to form a layer of microstructures on the substrate from the cured portions of the photo-sensitive material.

Abstract: Methods of generating a camera model are provided. A robotic assembly is used to move a calibration assembly relative to a camera assembly through a series of poses. The calibration assembly comprises a calibration target and markers. The camera assembly comprises a mount, a camera having a field of view, and markers. The predetermined series of poses, together, cause the calibration target to pass through the field of view of the camera. The camera is used to generate a respective image of the calibration target. A tracker is used, to determine respective locations in space of the markers. A transformation function is generated that maps onto a three-dimensional space the stored coordinates and determined locations in space of the markers and features of the calibration target. The transformation functions are used to generate a model of parameters of the camera. Systems are also provided.

Abstract: A wavefront sensor for measuring a wavefront that includes an aperture mask configured to receive incident light, the aperture mask comprising a plurality of apertures irregularly spaced and arranged in a plurality of sub-windows that respectively transmit sub-beams of the incident light. A diffuser can receive the sub-beams transmitted by the plurality of apertures. A controller of the sensor is configured to identify measured sub-beams by convolving the sub-beams imaged on the diffuser with a map of the plurality of apertures; and measure the wavefront of the incident light based on changes in position of the sub-beams in a digital image of the diffuser relative to both reference positions and neighboring sub-beams.

Abstract: Wavefront sensors are provided herein. An aperture mask is configured to receive incident light the wavefront of which is to be measured and comprising irregularly spaced apertures that respectively transmit sub-beams of the incident light. A diffuser is configured to receive the sub-beams transmitted by irregularly spaced apertures of the aperture mask. A camera, having a focal plane in which the diffuser substantially is located, is configured to obtain a digital image of the diffuser and thus to obtain a digital image of the incident light the sub-beams of which the aperture mask transmits onto the diffuser. A controller is configured to electronically receive the digital image of the diffuser and to measure the wavefront of the incident light based on the digital image. Methods also are provided.

Abstract: Implementations of drone landing pad systems may include a body having a landing pad receptacle and a package receptacle coupled to the landing pad receptacle, an extension mechanism coupled within the landing pad receptacle, and a landing pad coupled to the extension mechanism and configured to couple within the landing pad receptacle. The extension mechanism may be configured to lift the landing pad to an elevated position to receive a package from a drone. The landing pad may be configured to tilt to transfer the package into the package receptacle.

Abstract: Wavefront sensors are provided herein. An aperture mask is configured to receive incident light the wavefront of which is to be measured and comprising irregularly spaced apertures that respectively transmit sub-beams of the incident light. A diffuser is configured to receive the sub-beams transmitted by irregularly spaced apertures of the aperture mask. A camera, having a focal plane in which the diffuser substantially is located, is configured to obtain a digital image of the diffuser and thus to obtain a digital image of the incident light the sub-beams of which the aperture mask transmits onto the diffuser. A controller is configured to electronically receive the digital image of the diffuser and to measure the wavefront of the incident light based on the digital image. Methods also are provided.

Abstract: A method of automatically orienting symmetric and asymmetric food items, such as apples for example, is provided. Individual items of food are manipulated by a programmable manipulator within the view of one or more depth imaging cameras. Digital three dimensional characterizations of the surface of the food items are generated by the depth imaging camera or cameras and are utilized by a computer connected to the depth imaging camera or cameras to locate the stem and blossom of each food item. Asymmetric food items, such as apples with dropped shoulders as well as symmetric food items can be properly oriented and processed automatically.

Abstract: A method of coordinating a plurality of radio access networks (RANs) includes aggregating, with a gateway, communications interfaces between a plurality of RANs and a packet core network through the gateway. A plurality of radio nodes (RNs) in each of the RANs is communicatively coupled to the gateway and to user equipment (UE) devices associated with the RNs in each of the RANs. The gateway also controls and coordinates mobility of the UE devices within and among the RANs. In addition, the gateway acts as a virtual enhanced NodeB (eNB) to the packet core network, thereby hiding the aggregated communications interfaces from the packet core network.

Abstract: Methods of generating a camera model are provided. A robotic assembly is used to move a calibration assembly relative to a camera assembly through a series of poses. The calibration assembly comprises a calibration target and markers. The camera assembly comprises a mount, a camera having a field of view, and markers. The predetermined series of poses, together, cause the calibration target to pass through the field of view of the camera. The camera is used to generate a respective image of the calibration target. A tracker is used, to determine respective locations in space of the markers. A transformation function is generated that maps onto a three-dimensional space the stored coordinates and determined locations in space of the markers and features of the calibration target. The transformation functions are used to generate a model of parameters of the camera. Systems are also provided.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems for coordinated beamforming in a wireless mesh network, are disclosed. One system includes a network that includes a plurality of nodes connected through wireless links, and a controller. The wireless links including aggressor links and victim links wherein the aggressor links interfere with the victim links. The controller is operative to identify aggressor links and victim links of a group of nodes of the plurality of nodes, coordinate beam scans of the one or more victim receive nodes associated with the victim links of the group, coordinate transmission of one or more aggressor transmit nodes associated with the aggressor links of the group, characterize or receive characterizations of measured interference at the one or more victim receive nodes during the coordinated beam scans, and select beamforming coefficients for the victim receive nodes based at least on the characterizations of the measured interference.

Abstract: System and method for treating harvested plant material, such as cannabis, with ozone. Embodiments include tumbling the plant material in a rotating vessel, such as a drum, while exposing the plant material to ozone.

Abstract: A system comprising a plurality of nodes communicatively coupled to one another via at least one wireless link and a controller communicatively coupled to at least one of the nodes, wherein the controller (1) coordinates at least one scan that measures interference introduced into the wireless link, (2) identifies, based at least in part on the scan, one or more characteristics of the wireless link, (3) determines, based at least in part on the characteristics of the wireless link, that the node is eligible for a tapered codebook that, when implemented, modifies at least one feature of an antenna array that supports the wireless link in connection with the node, and then (4) directs the node to implement the tapered codebook. Various other apparatuses, systems, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system comprising a plurality of nodes communicatively coupled to one another via at least one wireless link and a controller communicatively coupled to at least one of the nodes, wherein the controller (1) coordinates at least one scan that measures interference introduced into the wireless link, (2) identifies, based at least in part on the scan, one or more characteristics of the wireless link, (3) determines, based at least in part on the characteristics of the wireless link, that the node is eligible for a tapered codebook that, when implemented, modifies at least one feature of an antenna array that supports the wireless link in connection with the node, and then (4) directs the node to implement the tapered codebook. Various other apparatuses, systems, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system comprising a plurality of nodes communicatively coupled to one another via at least one wireless link and a controller communicatively coupled to at least one of the nodes, wherein the controller (1) coordinates at least one scan that measures interference introduced into the wireless link, (2) identifies, based at least in part on the scan, one or more characteristics of the wireless link, (3) determines, based at least in part on the characteristics of the wireless link, that the node is eligible for a tapered codebook that, when implemented, modifies at least one feature of an antenna array that supports the wireless link in connection with the node, and then (4) directs the node to implement the tapered codebook. Various other apparatuses, systems, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems for coordinated beamforming in a wireless mesh network, are disclosed. One system includes a network that includes a plurality of nodes connected through wireless links, and a controller. The wireless links including aggressor links and victim links wherein the aggressor links interfere with the victim links. The controller is operative to identify aggressor links and victim links of a group of nodes of the plurality of nodes, coordinate beam scans of the one or more victim receive nodes associated with the victim links of the group, coordinate transmission of one or more aggressor transmit nodes associated with the aggressor links of the group, characterize or receive characterizations of measured interference at the one or more victim receive nodes during the coordinated beam scans, and select beamforming coefficients for the victim receive nodes based at least on the characterizations of the measured interference.

Abstract: A method of automatically orienting symmetric and asymmetric food items, such as apples for example, is provided. Individual items of food are manipulated by a programmable manipulator within the view of one or more depth imaging cameras. Digital three dimensional characterizations of the surface of the food items are generated by the depth imaging camera or cameras and are utilized by a computer connected to the depth imaging camera or cameras to locate the stem and blossom of each food item. Asymmetric food items, such as apples with dropped shoulders as well as symmetric food items can be properly oriented and processed automatically.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems for coordinated beamforming in a wireless mesh network, are disclosed. One system includes a network that includes a plurality of nodes connected through wireless links, and a controller. The wireless links including aggressor links and victim links wherein the aggressor links interfere with the victim links. The controller is operative to identify the aggressor links and the victim links of a group of nodes of the plurality of nodes, coordinate beam scans of aggressor transmitter nodes associated with the aggressor links, coordinate reception of one or more victim receive nodes associated with the victim links, characterize or receive characterizations of measured interference at the one or more victim receive nodes during the coordinated beam scans, and select beamforming coefficients for the aggressor transmitter nodes based at least on the characterizations of the measured interference.

Abstract: A method of automatically orienting symmetric and asymmetric produce items, such as apples for example, is provided. Individual items of produce are manipulated by a programmable manipulator within the view of one or more depth imaging cameras. Digital three dimensional characterizations of the surface of the produce items are generated by the depth imaging camera or cameras and are utilized by a computer connected to the depth imaging camera or cameras to locate the stem and blossom of each produce item. Asymmetric produce items, such as apples with dropped shoulders as well as symmetric produce items can be properly oriented and processed automatically.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems for a network-based clock for time distribution across a wireless network, are disclosed. One system includes a network that includes a time distributor, a time receiver, and a plurality of network elements providing one or more network connections between the time distributor and the time receiver. The plurality of network elements includes an ingress network element and an egress network element. The time distributor receives and synchronizes to a first clock. Two or more of the plurality of network elements receives and synchronize to a second clock. A forward network transit delay is determined between the ingress network element and the egress network element and a backward network transit delay is determined between the egress network element and the ingress network element. The time receiver time synchronizes to the time distributor using the forward network transit delay and the backward network transit delay.

Abstract: A method of coordinating a plurality of radio access networks (RANs) includes aggregating, with a gateway, communications interfaces between a plurality of RANs and a packet core network through the gateway. A plurality of radio nodes (RNs) in each of the RANs is communicatively coupled to the gateway and to user equipment (UE) devices associated with the RNs in each of the RANs. The gateway also controls and coordinates mobility of the UE devices within and among the RANs. In addition, the gateway acts as a virtual enhanced NodeB (eNB) to the packet core network, thereby hiding the aggregated communications interfaces from the packet core network.