Abstract: An obstacle-avoidance system for a vehicle, the obstacle-avoidance system may comprise: a communication device; a plurality of sensors, the plurality of sensors configured to detect collision threats within a predetermined distance of the vehicle; and a processor. The processor may communicatively couple to the communication device and the plurality of sensors and configured to receive navigation commands being communicated to a control system via said communication device. The processor may also receive, from at least one of said plurality of sensors, obstruction data reflecting the position of an obstruction. Using the obstruction data, the processor identifies a direction for avoiding said obstruction. In response, the processor may output, via said communication device, a command to said control system causing the vehicle to travel in said flight direction.

Abstract: Multiple data sources encrypt data using encryption key data received from a first system; a second system does not have access to the encryption key data. The second system receives the encrypted data from the multiple data sources. Because the encryption is additively homomorphic, the second system may create encrypted summation data using the encrypted data. The second system may send the encrypted summation data to the first system, which may then decrypt the encrypted summation data to create unencrypted summation data.

Abstract: Multiple data sources encrypt data using encryption key data received from a first system; a second system does not have access to the encryption key data. The second system receives the encrypted data from the multiple data sources. Because the encryption is additively homomorphic, the second system may create encrypted summation data using the encrypted data. The second system may send the encrypted summation data to the first system, which may then decrypt the encrypted summation data to create unencrypted summation data.

Abstract: An obstacle-avoidance system for a vehicle, the obstacle-avoidance system may comprise: a communication device; a plurality of sensors, the plurality of sensors configured to detect collision threats within a predetermined distance of the vehicle; and a processor. The processor may communicatively couple to the communication device and the plurality of sensors and configured to receive navigation commands being communicated to a control system via said communication device. The processor may also receive, from at least one of said plurality of sensors, obstruction data reflecting the position of an obstruction. Using the obstruction data, the processor identifies a direction for avoiding said obstruction. In response, the processor may output, via said communication device, a command to said control system causing the vehicle to travel in said flight direction.

Abstract: An obstacle-avoidance system for a vehicle, the obstacle-avoidance system may comprise: a communication device; a plurality of sensors, the plurality of sensors configured to detect collision threats within a predetermined distance of the vehicle; and a processor. The processor may communicatively couple to the communication device and the plurality of sensors and configured to receive navigation commands being communicated to a control system via said communication device. The processor may also receive, from at least one of said plurality of sensors, obstruction data reflecting the position of an obstruction. Using the obstruction data, the processor identifies a direction for avoiding said obstruction. In response, the processor may output, via said communication device, a command to said control system causing the vehicle to travel in said flight direction.

Abstract: A method to determine an unknown, current pre-tension force in a pre-tensioned securing member having an exposed portion comprises coupling a pulling member to the exposed portion of the pre-tensioned securing member, generating pulling forces with the pulling member on the pre-tensioned securing member, measuring pulling force displacements of the pre-tensioned securing member in response to first and second applied pulling forces that are different from each other, measuring pulling force displacements of the pre-tensioned securing member in response to third and fourth pulling forces that are different from each other, determining a first relationship between the first and second pulling force displacements, determining a second relationship between the third and fourth pulling force displacements, and determining the current pre-tension in the pre-tensioned securing member by setting the first relationship and the second relationship equal to each other.

Abstract: An obstacle-avoidance system for a vehicle, the obstacle-avoidance system may comprise: a communication device; a plurality of sensors, the plurality of sensors configured to detect collision threats within a predetermined distance of the vehicle; and a processor. The processor may communicatively couple to the communication device and the plurality of sensors and configured to receive navigation commands being communicated to a control system via said communication device. The processor may also receive, from at least one of said plurality of sensors, obstruction data reflecting the position of an obstruction. Using the obstruction data, the processor identifies a direction for avoiding said obstruction. In response, the processor may output, via said communication device, a derivative command to said control system causing the vehicle to travel in said flight direction.

Abstract: An obstacle-avoidance system for a vehicle, the obstacle-avoidance system may comprise: a communication device; a plurality of sensors, the plurality of sensors configured to detect collision threats within a predetermined distance of the vehicle; and a processor. The processor may communicatively couple to the communication device and the plurality of sensors and configured to receive navigation commands being communicated to a control system via said communication device. The processor may also receive, from at least one of said plurality of sensors, obstruction data reflecting the position of an obstruction. Using the obstruction data, the processor identifies a direction for avoiding said obstruction. In response, the processor may output, via said communication device, a derivative command to said control system causing the vehicle to travel in said flight direction.

Abstract: An obstacle-avoidance system for a vehicle, the obstacle-avoidance system may comprise: a communication device; a plurality of sensors, the plurality of sensors configured to detect collision threats within a predetermined distance of the vehicle; and a processor. The processor may communicatively couple to the communication device and the plurality of sensors and configured to receive navigation commands being communicated to a control system via said communication device. The processor may also receive, from at least one of said plurality of sensors, obstruction data reflecting the position of an obstruction. Using the obstruction data, the processor identifies a direction for avoiding said obstruction. In response, the processor may output, via said communication device, a derivative command to said control system causing the vehicle to travel in said flight direction.

Abstract: An obstacle-avoidance system for a vehicle, the obstacle-avoidance system may comprise: a communication device; a plurality of sensors, the plurality of sensors configured to detect collision threats within a predetermined distance of the vehicle; and a processor. The processor may communicatively couple to the communication device and the plurality of sensors and configured to receive navigation commands being communicated to a control system via said communication device. The processor may also receive, from at least one of said plurality of sensors, obstruction data reflecting the position of an obstruction. Using the obstruction data, the processor identifies a direction for avoiding said obstruction. In response, the processor may output, via said communication device, a command to said control system causing the vehicle to travel in said flight direction.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided relating to evaporation of solvents from samples and to prolonging the time taken to carry out an evaporation procedure. A cap for engaging with an open end of a sample container comprises an engaging surface for engaging with the open end, and a body portion which extends over the open end. The body portion is preformed to define an opening which provides a fluid pathway between the open end of the container and the surroundings of the container, such that the cap impedes vapor flow from a sample in the container to the surroundings of the container. A holder for receiving a plurality of such caps is also provided and a method of evaporating a solvent from a sample in a sample container is described.

Abstract: An obstacle-avoidance system for a vehicle, the obstacle-avoidance system may comprise: a communication device; a plurality of sensors, the plurality of sensors configured to detect collision threats within a predetermined distance of the vehicle; and a processor. The processor may communicatively couple to the communication device and the plurality of sensors and configured to receive navigation commands being communicated to a control system via said communication device. The processor may also receive, from at least one of said plurality of sensors, obstruction data reflecting the position of an obstruction. Using the obstruction data, the processor identifies a direction for avoiding said obstruction. In response, the processor may output, via said communication device, a command to said control system causing the vehicle to travel in said flight direction.

Abstract: An obstacle-avoidance system for a vehicle, the obstacle-avoidance system may comprise: a communication device; a plurality of sensors, the plurality of sensors configured to detect collision threats within a predetermined distance of the vehicle; and a processor. The processor may communicatively couple to the communication device and the plurality of sensors and configured to receive navigation commands being communicated to a control system via said communication device. The processor may also receive, from at least one of said plurality of sensors, obstruction data reflecting the position of an obstruction. Using the obstruction data, the processor identifies a direction for avoiding said obstruction. In response, the processor may output, via said communication device, a derivative command to said control system causing the vehicle to travel in said flight direction.

Abstract: A paint tray with brackets is provided. The paint tray with brackets includes a base, a pair of lateral sidewalls and a pair of longitudinal sidewalls extending from the base defining interior volume. A pair of brackets are disposed on opposing first and second corners, both of which are formed by the intersection of one of the longitudinal sidewalls and one of the lateral sidewalls. Each of the first bracket and second bracket includes a pair of opposing tabs surrounding an open slot, such that the first bracket and second bracket each maintain a u-shape. The open slot is configured to releasably engage the upper edge of an open container such as a paint can in order to easily pour the contents of the paint tray into another container.

Abstract: An obstacle-avoidance system for a vehicle, the obstacle-avoidance system may comprise: a communication device; a plurality of sensors, the plurality of sensors configured to detect collision threats within a predetermined distance of the vehicle; and a processor. The processor may communicatively couple to the communication device and the plurality of sensors and configured to receive navigation commands being communicated to a control system via said communication device. The processor may also receive, from at least one of said plurality of sensors, obstruction data reflecting the position of an obstruction. Using the obstruction data, the processor identifies a direction for avoiding said obstruction. In response, the processor may output, via said communication device, a command to said control system causing the vehicle to travel in said flight direction.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided relating to evaporation of solvents from samples and to prolonging the time taken to carry out an evaporation procedure. A cap for engaging with an open end of a sample container comprises an engaging surface for engaging with the open end, and a body portion which extends over the open end. The body portion is preformed to define an opening which provides a fluid pathway between the open end of the container and the surroundings of the container, such that the cap impedes vapour flow from a sample in the container to the surroundings of the container. A holder for receiving a plurality of such caps is also provided and a method of evaporating a solvent from a sample in a sample container is described.

Abstract: An aspect provides an apparatus configured to facilitate secure financial transactions.