Abstract: The technology described herein is directed to a food assembly and packaging robot for automating aspects of food assembly and packaging. The food assembly and packaging robot system may include a robot system include a conveyance system, a bowl dispenser, one or more food dispensers, one or more condiment dispensers, a lidder, and a bagger, and in some instances, other components. The bowl dispenser may be configured to deposit bowls onto the conveyance system. The one or more food dispensers may be configured to deposit one or more ingredients into the bowls and the one or more condiment dispensers may be configured to deposit one or more condiments into the bowls. The lidder may be configured to position lids atop the bowls and the bagger may be configured to place the bowls into bags.

Abstract: A capacitor component includes at least one dielectric layer, at least one capacitor top metal, and at least one capacitor bottom metal. The at least one capacitor top metal, the at least one capacitor bottom metal, and the at least one dielectric layer being configured as a capacitor. The capacitor component further includes at least one metallic structure configured to improve a quality factor of the capacitor and/or reduce a plate resistance of the capacitor. The at least one metallic structure is arranged on the at least one capacitor top metal.

Abstract: A system for providing real-time beehive metrics and analytics is disclosed. The system may include a plurality of sensors positioned in the environment of the beehive. The sensors may be configured to measure one or more aspects of the beehive, including weight, temperature, vibration, or combinations thereof. The system may further include at least one processor connected to the sensors, which is configured to receive and process the sensor data to generate information related to the beehive. The system may generate an analytical report based on the data measured by the sensors.

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: The technology described herein is directed to a food assembly and packaging robot for automating aspects of food assembly and packaging. The food assembly and packaging robot system may include a robot system include a conveyance system, a bowl dispenser, one or more food dispensers, one or more condiment dispensers, a lidder, and a bagger, and in some instances, other components. The bowl dispenser may be configured to deposit bowls onto the conveyance system. The one or more food dispensers may be configured to deposit one or more ingredients into the bowls and the one or more condiment dispensers may be configured to deposit one or more condiments into the bowls. The lidder may be configured to position lids atop the bowls and the bagger may be configured to place the bowls into bags.

Abstract: A Doherty amplifier comprises a main amplifier and a peaking amplifier. The main amplifier and the peaking amplifier are electrically connected to a same input signal source. The main amplifier and the peaking amplifier comprise different epitaxial structures of a Group III nitride material. To form the Doherty amplifier, the main amplifier and the peaking amplifier are formed comprising Group III nitride transistors comprising different epitaxial structures from different epiwafers such that the Group III nitride transistors of the main and peaking amplifiers comprise different epitaxial structures. The wafers are diced to produce respective amplifier dies comprising the main amplifier and peaking amplifier, respectively. The amplifier dies are mounted on a common heat sink, and the main and peaking amplifiers are electrically connected to the input signal source.

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: 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.