Abstract: Management of metadata applied to life cycle inventory (LCI) and life cycle assessment (LCA) data is provided. Life cycle inventory data may be provided through a secure framework to a data hub where it may be validated and audited and where the received life cycle inventory data may ultimately be used to generate a life cycle assessment score for a given product. Life cycle inventory data may be provided via a structured data template provided by a supplier or obtained by a supplier via a requested unit business process model. Metadata may be applied to each LCI data item to allow the data items to be stored, sorted, search, retrieved and used for validating and auditing the data and for comparing the data to other data items of similar data types for eventual use in the generation of the aforementioned life cycle assessment score for a given product.

Abstract: Aggregation of life cycle impact assessment data and generation of life cycle impact assessment and scoring for goods and/or services or for components of goods and/or services are provided. Life cycle inventory data for components of goods and/or services are validated and audited to determine their available use in the generation of life cycle impact assessments for the goods and/or services. Life cycle impact assessments (LCIA) and LCIA scores are generated for each component or phase of production, use or disposal of a given good and/or service. LCIAs and LCIA scores for each component or phase are aggregated together and composite LCIAs and LCIA scores are generated for the good and/or service. The generated LCIAs and LCIA scores may be exposed to consumers, and the LCIAs and LCIA scores may be updated periodically as required to account for changes in LCI data for the scored good and/or service.

Abstract: Collection of life cycle inventory (“LCI”) data for all phases of the life of goods and/or services is provided. Suppliers of goods and/or services may log into a LCI and assessment data hub via one or more access points for entering LCI data on all phases of development, production use and/or disposal of their goods and/or services. Access to the data hub, as a central data collection point, requires authentication of accessing suppliers via a security framework associated with the data hub. LCI data may be provided via a structured data template, or raw business or business transaction data may be entered in association with a unit process model requested by the supplier.

Abstract: User interfaces are provided for submitting and obtaining life cycle inventory and assessment data. Suppliers of goods and/or services may provide life cycle inventory data via a user interface component through a secure framework to a life cycle inventory and assessment data hub for validation and auditing. Access to the life cycle inventory and assessment data hub may be through a web services platform for allowing the suppliers secured access to the data and functionality of the data hub. Suppliers and end users may access the data hub via the web services platform using one or more LCI/LCIA user interfaces for obtaining validated and audited life cycle inventory data and for obtaining generated and/or aggregated life cycle assessment scores for one or more goods and/or services.

Abstract: User inputs can indicate an intent of a user to target a location on a display. In order to determine a targeted point based on a user input, a computing device can receive an indication of at least one point, an indication of a width, and an indication of a height. The computing device can estimate a portion of the display based on the indication of the at least one point, the indication of the width, and the indication of the height. The computing device can also determine the targeted point based on a location of the at least one point and based on a location of a portion of one or more objects within the estimated portion of the display.

Abstract: An ultrashort-pulse laser that has a resonator that includes a laser gain medium, dispersion compensation optics, and a deformable optical element adapted to change its shape and consequently one or more characteristics of pulses output from the cavity.

Abstract: A method for controlling movement of an intelligent wheel over a discontinuity in a travel surface. The intelligent wheel has a rotational hub and support disc portion that carries a series of arcuately spaced extendable, weight bearing radial spoke mechanisms that can be controllably extended and retracted in response to the anticipated terrain surface over which the wheel is to travel. The hub of the intelligent wheel carries a microcontroller for a set of obstacle proximity sensors, force and position sensors and an appropriate electrical power supply for operation of spokes and control components.

Abstract: A platform wheeled apparatus that incorporates an intelligent wheel configuration for each wheel in which each wheel can dynamically change its radius to negotiate various obstacles. The intelligent wheel has a rotational hub and support disc that carries a series of arcuately spaced extendable, weight bearing radial spoke mechanisms that can be controllably extended and retracted in response to the anticipated terrain surface over which the wheel is to travel. The hub of the intelligent wheel carries a microcontroller for a set of obstacle proximity sensors, force and position sensors and an appropriate electrical power supply for operation of the spokes and control components.

Abstract: A platform wheeled apparatus that incorporates an intelligent wheel configuration for each wheel in which each wheel can dynamically change its radius to negotiate various obstacles. The intelligent wheel has a rotational hub and support disc that carries a series of arcuately spaced extendable, weight bearing radial spoke mechanisms that can be controllably extended and retracted in response to the anticipated terrain surface over which the wheel is to travel. The hub of the intelligent wheel carries a microcontroller for a set of obstacle proximity sensors, force and position sensors and an appropriate electrical power supply for operation of the spokes and control components.

Abstract: A platform wheeled apparatus that incorporates an intelligent wheel configuration for each wheel in which each wheel can dynamically change its radius to negotiate various obstacles. The intelligent wheel has a rotational hub and support disc that carries a series of arcuately spaced extendable, weight bearing radial spoke mechanisms that can be controllably extended and retracted in response to the anticipated terrain surface over which the wheel is to travel. The hub of the intelligent wheel carries a microcontroller for a set of obstacle proximity sensors, force and position sensors and an appropriate electrical power supply for operation of the spokes and control components.

Abstract: A collapsible palletized container system for the containment of various articles including bulk materials. A container portion attached to a pallet including a relocation flap in the bottom panel of the container for the facilitation of collapsing the container from a deployed position while minimizing the overall height of the container in the collapsed orientation and maintaining the collapsed container entirely within the boundaries of the pallet.