Abstract: A quantum computing system and method are disclosed. The system includes a modular architecture comprising a plurality of units, each unit having an input interface and an output interface and having a type selected from a set including a controller unit, a quantum processing unit and a classical processing unit. Each quantum processing unit is connectable to a quantum computing device and includes a data converter, the input interface being selectively connectable to other units of the modular architecture and configured to pass data received at the input interface to the data converter and pass the output of the data converter to the quantum computing device, the output interface being selectively connectable to other units of the modular architecture and configured to pass data received from the quantum computing device to the data converter and pass the output of the data converter to the output interface for communication to the units of the modular architecture connected to the output interface.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of processing content items to extract information for analysis at a data processing stage, including receiving the content items, executing a plurality of probabilistic classifiers for analyzing the content items in relation to a plurality of predetermined criteria, processing each of the content items using the probabilistic classifiers to generate a corresponding multidimensional feature vector, each dimension of the feature vector corresponding to one of the predetermined criteria and having a value determined by one of the probabilistic classifiers, denoting a probability that the content item meets that criterion, applying cluster analysis to the multidimensional feature vectors to identify a plurality of clusters of the multidimensional feature vectors, and extracting, for analysis, information about each of the clusters from at least one of the feature vectors in that cluster and/or the content item to which it corresponds.

Abstract: A system with binary coding in a textile structure can include a textile sensor that senses a property and that has a yarn pattern. A binary code can be associated with the yarn pattern. When the textile sensor senses the property, the property alters relative positions of yarns in the yarn pattern, causing the associated binary code to change. A particular change in the binary code represents a defined value of the property. As a result, a second textile sensor having a second yarn pattern can be designed based on the unique binary codes of the first textile sensor measurements, such that the second textile sensor provides predictable responses to different property values.

Abstract: A system and method comprising binary coding in a textile structure can include a textile sensor configured to sense a property and having a yarn pattern. A binary code can be associated with the yarn pattern. When the textile sensor senses the property, the property alters relative positions of yarns in the yarn pattern, causing the associated binary code to change. A particular change in the binary code represents a defined value of the property. As a result, a second textile sensor having a second yarn pattern can be designed based on the unique binary codes of the first textile sensor measurements, such that the second textile sensor provides predictable responses to different property values.

Abstract: A compression and sensing system and/or method can include a wearable compressive pressure device comprising an elastic fabric; an electrically conductive yarn knitted into the device and comprising a transmission circuit configured to transmit an electrical signal representing a compressive pressure value in an area of a body to a connection point on the transmission circuit; a sensor connectable to the transmission circuit and configured to sense compressive pressure in the area of a body to which the device is applied; and a data processor/display unit connectable to the transmission circuit and configured to display the transmitted compressive pressure value. The data processor/display unit can be utilized to read interface compressive pressure provided by an inner sleeve and the cumulative interface compressive pressure provided by the inner sleeve and an outer wrap.

Abstract: A body monitoring system can include a wearable device, and a circuit for conducting electrical signals having an electrically conductive yarn knitted into the device. The circuit can further include a sensor circuit configured to sense a variable in an area of a body to which the device is applied. The circuit can further include a transmission circuit configured to transmit an electrical signal representing a value of a variable in an area of a body to another location. The other location can be an external device separate from the wearable device, such as an electronic display unit.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for wireless crack detection and monitoring are disclosed. According to one system, a crack detector is affixed to a surface of a material for detecting a crack in the material. In response to detecting a crack, a crack indicator is generated, indicating the existence of the crack. A mote wirelessly communicates the crack indicator to an external device. The mote may also store multiple crack indicators in local memory before being downloaded to the external device. In other embodiments, the mote may time-stamp the crack indicator for indicating a time when the crack was detected. Additionally, the mote may associate other information with the crack indicator such as temperature and acceleration information.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor device, including electrode materials carried by fabric substrates, is provided for monitoring relative movement of an expanding and/or contracting structure, such as the mammalian chest and/or torso, corresponding to a performance parameter related, for example, to respiratory function. Some embodiments include non-woven fabric substrates comprising compliant portions configured to stretch only in a selected direction and non-compliant portions upon which electrode materials are disposed. In some embodiments, layers of fabric substrates, carrying corresponding first and second electrode materials, are configured to cooperate to form a parallel plate capacitive sensor having a variable capacitance corresponding to a relative motion of the fabric substrates.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for wireless crack detection and monitoring are disclosed. According to one system, a crack detector is affixed to a surface of a material for detecting a crack in the material. In response to detecting a crack, a crack indicator is generated, indicating the existence of the crack. A mote wirelessly communicates the crack indicator to an external device. The mote may also store multiple crack indicators in local memory before being downloaded to the external device. In other embodiments, the mote may time-stamp the crack indicator for indicating a time when the crack was detected. Additionally, the mote may associate other information with the crack indicator such as temperature and acceleration information.

Abstract: Methods and devices for providing flexible electronics are described. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a conductive ink is applied to a nonwoven substrate. More particularly, the exemplary embodiment provides a nonwoven substrate with a general depth in the z-direction and a conductive ink carried by the nonwoven substrate on the surface of the substrate and at least partially but no more than 50% within the nonwoven substrate in the z-direction.

Abstract: A health monitoring and management device, system, and/or method can include a sensor adapted to detect changes in one or more health indicators and transmit data related to the health indicators. The system can further include an interventional element adapted to receive a health intervention command and provide a health intervention related to the health indicators. The system can further include a microprocessor adapted to receive and analyze the health indicator data transmitted by the sensor, formulate the health intervention command related to the health indicator data according to pre-determined parameters, and transmit the health intervention command to the interventional element. The health intervention command can be transmitted to the interventional element within a clinically relevant time period.

Abstract: A compression adjustable fabric and/or garment, system, and/or method can include a compression element (a) integrated into a fabric structure, (b) having a compressive pressure capability independent from compressive pressure capabilities inherent in the fabric structure, and (c) adjustable to provide various compressive pressures. In such a garment, the compressive pressure provided by the garment can be adjusted in all or part of the garment while the garment is being worn. The compressive pressures in different parts of the garment may be independently adjustable. The compression element can further comprise an inflatable tube and/or an electrically stimulatable yarn. The compression element can be integrated into the fabric structure by being knit into, or laid in, the fabric structure.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor device, including electrode materials carried by fabric substrates, is provided for monitoring relative movement of an expanding and/or contracting structure, such as the mammalian chest and/or torso, corresponding to a performance parameter related, for example, to respiratory function. Some embodiments include non-woven fabric substrates comprising compliant portions configured to stretch only in a selected direction and non-compliant portions upon which electrode materials are disposed. In some embodiments, layers of fabric substrates, carrying corresponding first and second electrode materials, are configured to cooperate to form a parallel plate capacitive sensor having a variable capacitance corresponding to a relative motion of the fabric substrates.

Abstract: A plastic closure assembly for receipt on a container includes a plastic fitment having a skirt adapted to be received by snap fit over an external bead on the container neck finish, a plurality of angularly spaced internal lugs on the skirt for receipt in recesses on the finish bead to prevent rotation of the fitment on the finish, and at least one external thread segment. A plastic closure has a skirt with at least one internal thread segment for engagement with the at least one external thread segment on the fitment. In exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, the external thread segment may be disposed on an outer surface of the fitment skirt or on the external surface of a tubular spout on the fitment. The fitment skirt preferably has an internal retention element received by snap fit over the external bead on the container finish.

Abstract: A plastic closure for receipt on a container includes a plastic ring having an internal recess adapted to be received by snap fit over an external crown or bead on the container finish such that the ring lies at or below the end of the finish and is retained against axial movement on the container finish. A plastic lid is coupled by a hinge to the ring, with the ring, the lid and the hinge being of one-piece integrally molded plastic construction. The lid has a skirt that is adapted releasably to be snapped to the ring in a closed position of the lid over the ring. The lid skirt preferably has an external bead that is adapted to be received by snap-fit within an internal channel on the ring in the closed position of the lid over the ring, and a conical internal surface on the ring preferably is provided to guide the bead on the lid into the channel on the ring.

Abstract: A robotic apparatus adapted for locomotion in an enclosed space such as a pipe includes a combination of articulated gripping and locomotive modules. Each gripping module includes an actuator mechanically linked to gripping members such that axial forces produced by the actuator are translated to radial forces in the gripping members, whereby the gripping members are caused to alternately hold and release the engagement of the robotic apparatus with surfaces of the enclosed space. Each locomotive module includes one or more actuators adapted to alternatively expand and contract the length of the locomotive module. The sequence of operations of the gripping and locomotive modules can be controlled such that the robotic apparatus can crawl through the enclosed space in an inchworm-like fashion and is capable of navigating turns and traversing inclines.