Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for toilet reservation and access are disclosed. One embodiment of the system comprises: an enclosure defining an enclosable space containing a toilet, the enclosure having an entry to the enclosable space; a lock having an open position and a locked position, the lock cyclable between the locked position and the open position for controlling use of the entry to access the enclosable space via the entry; and a lock controller, the lock controller operable to cause said lock to cycle between the locked position and open position, wherein said controller is configured to cause said lock to cycle during a scheduled time based on receiving a user-provided access code that is a valid access code for the scheduled time.

Abstract: A beehive excluder, for preventing rodent and other animal intrusion, is configured to be coupled to the opening of a beehive and includes a body defining a first upper and second lower row of openings into a beehive. Each opening of each row is configured to allow the bees to land and proceed through the opening without traversing a vertical abutment. The body includes a dividing ridge extending the excluder's width, wherein a plurality of openings include vertical sidewalls extending from the dividing ridge and sloping toward the interior of the beehive. The body is a one piece molded structure and further includes clip members configured to couple the excluder to the beehive, wherein the clip members are formed by a plurality of cantilevered extension members extending into the beehive opening with upwardly extending detent members on distal ends thereof.

Abstract: A packaged RF transistor amplifier includes an RF transistor amplifier die having a first terminal, a first lead, an integrated passive device that includes a first series microstrip transmission line, a first bond wire coupled between the first terminal and the first series microstrip transmission line, and a second bond wire coupled between the first series microstrip transmission line and the first lead.

Abstract: Described are dry cast lightweight veneer blocks and a system and method of installing lightweight veneer blocks. The courses can be assembled without mortar between the courses. As an example, sides of the veneer blocks have areas that recede from an imaginary plane between adjacent veneer blocks to give a deep texturing and a shadow effect between veneer blocks. The installation system and method include a substrate, an air barrier applied to the substrate, a plurality of veneer blocks, and an adhesive applied between the plurality of veneer blocks and the air barrier.

Abstract: Described are dry cast lightweight veneer blocks and a system and method of installing lightweight veneer blocks. The courses can be assembled without mortar between the courses. As an example, sides of the veneer blocks have areas that recede from an imaginary plane between adjacent veneer blocks to give a deep texturing and a shadow effect between veneer blocks. The installation system and method include a substrate, an air barrier applied to the substrate, a plurality of veneer blocks, and an adhesive applied between the plurality of veneer blocks and the air barrier.

Abstract: Described are dry cast lightweight veneer blocks and a system and method of installing lightweight veneer blocks. The courses can be assembled without mortar between the courses. As an example, sides of the veneer blocks have areas that recede from an imaginary plane between adjacent veneer blocks to give a deep texturing and a shadow effect between veneer blocks. The installation system and method include a substrate, an air barrier applied to the substrate, a plurality of veneer blocks, and an adhesive applied between the plurality of veneer blocks and the air barrier.

Abstract: A beehive excluder, for preventing rodent and other animal intrusion, is configured to be coupled to the opening of a beehive and includes a body defining a first upper and second lower row of openings into a beehive. Each opening of each row is configured to allow the bees to land and proceed through the opening without traversing a vertical abutment. The body includes a dividing ridge extending the excluder's width, wherein a plurality of openings include vertical sidewalls extending from the dividing ridge and sloping toward the interior of the beehive. The body is a one piece molded structure and further includes clip members configured to couple the excluder to the beehive, wherein the clip members are formed by a plurality of cantilevered extension members extending into the beehive opening with upwardly extending detent members on distal ends thereof.

Abstract: An image processing system for a vehicle can include a set of cameras generating image data of a surrounding environment of the vehicle, and a masking layer comprising a plurality of pixels. The system can detect, in first image data generated by the set of cameras, one or more light sources in a field of view of a respective camera of the set of cameras. The system can then activate a number of pixels of the masking layer to block each of the one or more light sources for the respective camera, preemptively bolstering a quality of second image data generated by the set of cameras while the masking layer blocks each of the one or more light sources.

Abstract: A method for self re-encoding an interpreted application includes parsing a string of characters in a comment section of the interpreted application file. Responsive to determining that at least one character of the string of characters is not readable by the target platform, the processor re-encodes the interpreted application file using the string of characters in the comment section. The re-encoding includes parsing a first character in the string of characters. The processor then, optionally, outputs a warning message indicative that a non-native encoding exists in the interpreted application file. The processor parses a second character sequential to the first character. The second character is a first element in a second string of characters indicative of a re-encoding scheme for re-encoding the interpreted application. The processor then outputs a re-encoded application file that is executable by the processor of the target platform.

Abstract: A self-driving vehicle (SDV) can operate by analyzing sensor data to autonomously control acceleration, braking, and steering systems of the SDV along a current route. The SDV includes a number of sensors generating the sensor data and a control system to detect conditions relating to the operation of the SDV, such as vehicle speed and local weather, select a set of sensors based on the detected conditions, and prioritize the sensor data generated from the selected set of sensors to control aspects relating to the operation of the SDV.

Abstract: A method for self re-encoding an interpreted application includes parsing a string of characters in a comment section of the interpreted application file. Responsive to determining that at least one character of the string of characters is not readable by the target platform, the processor re-encodes the interpreted application file using the string of characters in the comment section. The re-encoding includes parsing a first character in the string of characters. The processor then, optionally, outputs a warning message indicative that a non-native encoding exists in the interpreted application file. The processor parses a second character sequential to the first character. The second character is a first element in a second string of characters indicative of a re-encoding scheme for re-encoding the interpreted application. The processor then outputs a re-encoded application file that is executable by the processor of the target platform.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, a method for providing task related information to a user may be provided. The method may include: determining location information based on a spatial model; determining task information based on a task model; determining sensor information; determining output information based on the location information, task information and sensor information; and providing the output information to the user. In a specific embodiment, the output information may comprise an orientation cue, an error indication or a contextual cue to assist the user in performing the task associated with the location detected by a vision recognition method, and the output information can be provided to the user as augmented reality in a wearable device.

Abstract: A capacitance sensor includes flexible interdigitated electrodes and an uncomplicated, compact control circuit including a frequency meter, a resistance capacitance oscillator, a display, and a microcontroller to manage these components. In an exemplary method of use of the capacitance sensor to monitor known parameters of a fluid, the flexible electrodes may be inserted into a circular tubular conduit containing the fluid. As fluid flows past the electrodes, any discrepancies from the known parameters may be detected and signaled immediately.

Abstract: An image processing system for a vehicle can include a set of cameras generating image data of a surrounding environment of the vehicle, and a masking layer comprising a plurality of pixels. The system can detect, in first image data generated by the set of cameras, one or more light sources in a field of view of a respective camera of the set of cameras. The system can then activate a number of pixels of the masking layer to block each of the one or more light sources for the respective camera, preemptively bolstering a quality of second image data generated by the set of cameras while the masking layer blocks each of the one or more light sources.

Abstract: An integrated clutch steering mechanism for an autonomous vehicle (AV) can include a steering clutch coupled to a steering column of the AV, and an AV steering motor coupled to the steering clutch. The AV steering motor can apply torque to the steering column via the steering clutch to control steering of the AV. When a predetermined amount of torque is exceeded on the steering column, the steering clutch slips to enable manual steering of the AV.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a sensor cleaning system that cleans one or more sensors of an autonomous vehicle. Each sensor can have one or more corresponding sensor cleaning units that are configured to clean such sensor using a fluid (e.g., a gas or a liquid). Thus, the sensor cleaning system can include both a gas cleaning system and a liquid cleaning system. According to one aspect, the sensor cleaning system can provide individualized cleaning of the autonomous vehicle sensors. According to another aspect, a liquid cleaning system can be pressurized or otherwise powered by the gas cleaning system or other gas system.

Abstract: A self-driving vehicle (SDV) can operate by analyzing sensor data to autonomously control acceleration, braking, and steering systems of the SDV along a current route. The SDV includes a number of sensors generating the sensor data and a control system to detect conditions relating to the operation of the SDV, such as vehicle speed and local weather, select a set of sensors based on the detected conditions, and prioritize the sensor data generated from the selected set of sensors to control aspects relating to the operation of the SDV.

Abstract: A sidepod stereo camera system for an autonomous vehicle (AV) includes a sidepod housing mounted to the AV, a view pane coupled to the sidepod housing, and a stereo camera mounted within the sidepod housing. The stereo camera has a field of view extending outward from the sidepod housing through the view pane. A control system of the sidepod stereo camera system or the AV can conditionally activate and deactivate the sidepod stereo camera system when needed.

Abstract: An intelligent lens masking system for a camera array of an autonomous vehicle (AV) can include an array interface to receive real-time data from the camera array as the AV travels along a given route, where each camera of the camera array may include a masking layer on its lens. The intelligent lens masking system can dynamically identify, in the real-time data, a number of light sources in the field of view for each respective camera in the camera array. Once the light source(s) for the respective camera is detected, the intelligent lens masking system can dynamically block the lights source(s) for the respective camera by activating a number of pixels of the masking layer.

Abstract: Described are dry cast lightweight veneer blocks and a system and method of installing lightweight veneer blocks. The courses can be assembled without mortar between the courses. As an example, sides of the veneer blocks have areas that recede from an imaginary plane between adjacent veneer blocks to give a deep texturing and a shadow effect between veneer blocks. The installation system and method include a substrate, an air barrier applied to the substrate, a plurality of veneer blocks, and an adhesive applied between the plurality of veneer blocks and the air barrier.