Abstract: A reconfigurable unmanned aircraft system is disclosed. A system and method for configuring a reconfigurable unmanned aircraft and system and method for operation and management of a reconfigurable unmanned aircraft in an airspace are also disclosed. The aircraft is selectively reconfigurable to modify flight characteristics. The aircraft comprises a set of rotors. The position of at least one rotor relative to the base can be modified by at least one of translation of the rotor relative to the boom, pivoting of the boom relative to the base, and translation of the boom relative to the base; so that flight characteristics can be modified by configuration of position of at least one rotor relative to the base.

Abstract: Described embodiments include a self-propelled vehicle, method, and system. The self-propelled vehicle includes an autonomous driving system configured to dynamically determine maneuvers operating the vehicle along a route in an automated mode without continuous input from a human driver. The vehicle includes an input device configured to receive a real-time request for a specific dynamic maneuver by the vehicle operating along the route from the human driver. The vehicle includes a decision circuit configured to select a real-time dynamic maneuver by arbitrating between (i) the received real-time request for the specific dynamic maneuver from the human driver and (ii) a real-time determination relative to the specific dynamic maneuver received from the autonomous driving system. The vehicle includes an implementation circuit configured to output the selected real-time dynamic maneuver to an operations system of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for payload management for a UAV/aircraft is disclosed. UAV/craft may be configured for a mission with aerodynamically-exposed payload to be delivered from originator to destination on a route in operating conditions. UAV/aircraft may provide an aerodynamic profile indicative of the expected aerodynamic performance in view of considerations such as flight characteristics and effects; a base aerodynamic profile without payload and a loaded aerodynamic profile with payload may be determined. The system and method may comprise estimation/determination and assessment/transaction of a freight charge for the mission based on aerodynamic profile and other considerations; freight charge may comprise a surcharge or penalty based on performance using unit reference points and factors/considerations. UAV/aircraft system can be configured and operated/managed to interface with the system; missions may be optimized based on freight charge or other considerations.

Abstract: Described embodiments include a system and a method. The system includes a sensor device configured to measure a combustion product in an exhaust stream generated by a fossil-fueled combustion apparatus. The system includes a combustion analysis circuit configured to generate air pollution information responsive to (i) the measured combustion product and (ii) an emission target for the measured combustion product. The system includes a user interface configured to display the air pollution information in a human perceivable format. In an embodiment, the system includes a combustion controller configured to regulate an aspect of the combustion of the fossil fuel in response to the air quality management selection entered by the human user.

Abstract: Described embodiments include a system and a method. The system includes a sensor device configured to measure a combustion product in an exhaust stream from a fossil-fueled combustion apparatus. The system includes a compliance circuit configured to generate an air quality management signal responsive to (i) the measured combustion product and (ii) an emission target for the measured combustion product. The system includes a combustion controller circuit configured to regulate an aspect of the combustion of the fossil fuel in response to the air quality management signal. In an embodiment, the system includes a receiver circuit configured to receive a current or forecasted air quality status or condition. In an embodiment, the system includes a combustion analysis circuit configured to generate air pollution information responsive to the measured combustion product. In an embodiment, the system includes a user interface configured to display the air pollution information.

Abstract: A soil detection and planting apparatus. The apparatus includes a vehicle and a controller coupled to the vehicle. The apparatus further includes a planting device coupled to the vehicle, the planting device configured to plant seeds or plants into a soil material. The apparatus includes a ground penetrating radar sensor coupled to the vehicle. The ground penetrating radar soil sensor is configured to scan the soil material up to a designated depth beneath a surface of the soil material, wherein the ground penetrating radar soil sensor is further configured to provide a sensor feedback signal to the controller with respect to an intrinsic characteristic of the soil material. The controller is configured to instruct placement of a seed or a plant into the soil material based on the feedback signal.

Abstract: A dispenser with a replaceable cartridge containing a product to be dispensed, and a housing configured to removably receive the cartridge. The cartridge has a surface that is marked with a first marking, and the housing has a surface that is marked with a second marking. The housing is configured so that, when the cartridge is received by the housing, the first marking and the second marking together form a machine readable code that is detectable from outside of the housing.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) may be used to deliver a package. The UAV may include a communication interface configured to receive a request to transport a package from a customer and a navigation unit configured to direct the UAV to the package. The UAV may also include a sensor configured to determine at least one of a weight and a plurality of dimensions of the package and a schedule unit configured to adjust a pick up schedule for a one or more other packages based on at least one of the weight and the plurality of dimensions of the package.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) may be used to deliver a package. The UAV may include a communication interface configured to receive a request to transport a package from a customer and a navigation unit configured to direct the UAV to the package. The UAV may also include a sensor configured to determine one or more physical characteristics of the package and a calculation unit configured to calculate adjusted freight charges by comparing anticipated freight charges based on one or more physical characteristics of the package specified in the request to the one or more physical characteristics of the package determined by the sensor. The UAV may further include an acceptance unit configured to accept the package for transport based on the acceptance of the adjusted freight charges by the customer.

Abstract: A system and method for management of airspace for unmanned aircraft is disclosed. The system and method comprises administration of the airspace including designation of flyways and zones with reference to features in the region. The system and method comprises administration of aircraft including registration of aircraft and mission. A monitoring system tracks conditions and aircraft traffic in the airspace. Aircraft may be configured to transact with the management system including to obtain rights/priority by license and to operate in the airspace under direction of the system. The system and aircraft may be configured for dynamic transactions (e.g. licensing/routing). The system will set rates for licenses and use/access to the airspace and aircraft will be billed/pay for use/access of the airspace at rates using data from data sources.

Abstract: Graphene grids are configured for applications in vacuum electronic devices. A multilayer graphene grid is configured as a filter for electrons in a specific energy range, in a field emission device or other vacuum electronic device. A graphene grid can be deformable responsive to an input to vary electric fields proximate to the grid. A mesh can be configured to support a graphene grid.

Abstract: Described embodiments include a system, method, and apparatus. A system includes a package management system for operating a robotic vehicle configured to transport consumer items selected by a human shopper from a consumer shopping environment and placed in the robotic vehicle. The package management system includes circuitry for recognizing an individual human shopper. The system includes circuitry for receiving data indicative of a location of the individual human shopper in the consumer shopping environment. The system includes circuitry for routing the robotic vehicle to the location of the individual human shopper in the consumer shopping environment. In an embodiment, the package management system includes circuitry for issuing an alarm upon detection of an unauthorized removal or attempted unauthorized removal of a consumer item from the secure portion of the robotic vehicle.

Abstract: Described embodiments include a system, method, and apparatus. A system includes a package management system for operating a robotic vehicle configured to transport consumer items selected by a human shopper from a consumer shopping environment and placed in the robotic vehicle. The package management system includes circuitry for recognizing an individual human shopper placing a consumer item in the robotic vehicle. The package management system includes circuitry for routing the robotic vehicle along a path following the recognized individual human shopper through the consumer shopping environment. The package management system includes circuitry for suspending the shopper-following movement of the robotic vehicle in response to suspension criteria. The package management system includes circuitry for resuming the shopper-following movement of the robotic vehicle in response to resumption criteria.

Abstract: A system for enhancing a facial expression includes a processing circuit configured to receive video of a user, generate facial data corresponding to a face of the user, analyze the facial data to identify a facial expression, enhance the facial data based on the facial expression, and output modified video including the enhanced facial data.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) may be used to deliver a package. The UAV may include a communication interface configured to receive a request to transport a package. The UAV may also include a navigation unit configured to direct the UAV to the package. The UAV may further include a sensor configured to determine one or more physical characteristics of the package. The UAV may also include an acceptance unit configured to accept the package for transport in response to the one or more physical characteristics satisfying a set of criteria.

Abstract: A BLDC motor for driving a cross flow fan in an air-conditioning application has an external rotor and an internal stator. The stator is a salient pole stator with insulated pole teeth and conductor coils. The inner diameter of the stator supports a single bearing. An electronic PCBA for control of the BLDC motor is optionally attached to the stator, all of which is encapsulated in a thermoset resin. The rotor comprises permanent magnet component(s) and a rotor frame. The rotor frame includes a stub axle that engages with the bearing element and features to provide torsional or rotational compliance between the rotor magnets and the fan. A level of compliance is provided between the bearing element and the stator to allow for angular misalignment between the rotational axis of the fan and the stator.

Abstract: Described embodiments include a wind turbine system. In this embodiment, the system includes a rotor blade attached to a rotor hub drivingly coupled to an electric generator. The system includes a controllable feature configured to decrease a noise generated by the rotor blade if activated. The system includes a sensor configured to detect an atmospheric variation approaching the rotor blade. The system includes a noise manager circuit configured to authorize a noise mitigation measure responsive to the detected atmospheric variation. The system includes a control circuit configured to activate the controllable feature in response to the authorized noise mitigation measure. In an embodiment, the system includes a support structure positioning the rotor hub a sufficient distance above the ground to allow rotation of the rotor blade about the rotor hub without contacting the ground.

Abstract: A system and method for management of airspace for unmanned aircraft is disclosed. The system and method comprises administration of the airspace including designation of flyways and zones with reference to features in the region. The system and method comprises administration of aircraft including registration of aircraft and mission. A monitoring system tracks conditions and aircraft traffic in the airspace. Aircraft may be configured to transact with the management system including to obtain rights/priority by license and to operate in the airspace under direction of the system. The system and aircraft may be configured for dynamic transactions (e.g. licensing/routing). The system will set rates for licenses and use/access to the airspace and aircraft will be billed/pay for use/access of the airspace at rates using data from data sources.

Abstract: Described embodiments include a system, method, and apparatus. A system includes package management system for operating a robotic vehicle configured to transport consumer items selected by a human shopper from a consumer shopping environment and placed in the robotic vehicle. The package management system includes circuitry for receiving data indicative of a transportation departure point accommodating a transfer of a consumer item from the robotic vehicle to a conveyance configured to transport the consumer item away from the consumer shopping environment. The package management system includes circuitry for routing the robotic vehicle to the departure point. In an embodiment, the package management system includes circuitry for managing a transfer of a consumer item acquired by the individual human shopper in the consumer shopping environment from the robotic vehicle to the conveyance at the departure point.

Abstract: Described embodiments include a system, method, and apparatus. A system includes a package management system for operating a robotic vehicle configured to transport consumer items selected by a human shopper from a consumer shopping environment and placed in the robotic vehicle. The package management system includes circuitry for recognizing an individual human shopper placing a consumer item in the robotic vehicle. The package management system includes circuitry for routing the robotic vehicle along a path following the recognized individual human shopper through the consumer shopping environment. The package management system includes circuitry for suspending the shopper-following movement of the robotic vehicle in response to suspension criteria. The package management system includes circuitry for resuming the shopper-following movement of the robotic vehicle in response to resumption criteria.