Abstract: Disclosed is a filling level measurement system and method for determining the level of a material within a container. The system and method are operative to provide a configuration that enables the transmission of an acoustic or an electromagnetic signal, which propagates along a channel having an end disposed at least in proximity to such material and produces a reflected signal. The system comprises a sensor capable of detecting such reflected signal, measuring the time from the transmission to the detection of the signal, and estimating the distance traveled by the signal to provide a measurement of the filling level of the container to a readout unit. The method provides the steps for properly calibrating and measuring the filling level of a container for different channel layouts. The system and method are particularly suitable for determining the appropriate timing for emptying the tank according to a specific application.

Abstract: Systems and methods utilize a distributed server network to allow for the optimization of the upload of a data stream from a computing device. Performance metrics are estimated for different network paths from the computing device to a variety of entry servers in the distributed server network. Based on the estimated performance metrics, one or more entry servers are then selected to receive the data stream from the computing device. As a result, the systems and methods described herein allow for high quality upload performance which addresses the first mile vulnerability issues of the data stream. The distributed server network can then transmit copies of the data stream in real-time to other computing devices.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved device and method to evaluate the status of a material by scanning an area that overlaps a region of the material under evaluation. The device and method are operative to identify a leakage of a first material into a second material, such as a molten material surrounded by a refractory material, to measure the thickness of the second material, using electromagnetic waves, and to generate images. The device is designed to reduce a plurality of reflections associated with the propagation of electromagnetic waves launched into the material under evaluation, by a sufficient extent so as to enable detection of electromagnetic waves of interest reflected from remote discontinuities present in between the device and the enclosed material. Furthermore, the device can be configured to scan areas of interest in either a portable or fixed configuration, manually in a standalone mode or as part of an automated system.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein utilize a distributed server network to allow for the real-time distribution of copies of a data stream uploaded from a computing device. The uploaded data stream corresponds to an environment surrounding a user (exam taker) of the computing device during execution of a testing routine for an examination. Providing copies of the data stream in real-time allows proctors as well as other test assessment authorities to ‘peek in’ on the exam taker's environment surrounding the exam. As a result, the environment surrounding the exam taker can be monitored in real-time to determine whether any visual or audio activity in the environment constitutes activity not in accordance with the exam protocol. Following an affirmative determination that the exam taker violated an exam taking protocol, the proctor or other test assessment authority can then make a final or early decision regarding disciplinary action.

Abstract: Systems and methods utilize a distributed server network to allow for the optimization of the upload of a data stream from a computing device. Performance metrics are estimated for different network paths from the computing device to a variety of entry servers in the distributed server network. Based on the estimated performance metrics, one or more entry servers are then selected to receive the data stream from the computing device. As a result, the systems and methods described herein allow for high quality upload performance which addresses the first mile vulnerability issues of the data stream. The distributed server network can then transmit copies of the data stream in real-time to other computing devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods utilize a distributed server network to allow for the optimization of the upload of a data stream from a computing device. Performance metrics are estimated for different network paths from the computing device to a variety of entry servers in the distributed server network. Based on the estimated performance metrics, one or more entry servers are then selected to receive the data stream from the computing device. As a result, the systems and methods described herein allow for high quality upload performance which addresses the first mile vulnerability issues of the data stream. The distributed server network can then transmit copies of the data stream in real-time to other computing devices.

Abstract: Disclosed is an antenna system and method to design a desensitized antenna element. The system and method are operative to design a configuration of an antenna to overcome a number of operational conditions in which the frequency response of the antenna element may be uniquely or significantly detuned or offset or in which undesired noise, signal interference, or electromagnetic coupling effects may affect or be induced by the antenna element. These operational conditions may include the presence of any combination of user body parts, conductive materials, or dielectric materials as well as neighboring electronic systems or other sources of undesired noise, signal interference, and electromagnetic coupling. The system is designed to mitigate adverse effects, when operating in a potentially antenna-detuning environment or under conditions that may affect other systems or be susceptible to being affected by other sources, by using a desensitizer element comprising at least one electrical circuit component.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein utilize a distributed server network to allow for the real-time distribution of copies of a data stream uploaded from a computing device. The uploaded data stream corresponds to an environment surrounding a user (exam taker) of the computing device during execution of a testing routine for an examination. Providing copies of the data stream in real-time allows proctors as well as other test assessment authorities to ‘peek in’ on the exam taker's environment surrounding the exam. As a result, the environment surrounding the exam taker can be monitored in real-time to determine whether any visual or audio activity in the environment constitutes activity not in accordance with the exam protocol. Following an affirmative determination that the exam taker violated an exam taking protocol, the proctor or other test assessment authority can then make a final or early decision regarding disciplinary action.

Abstract: Disclosed is an antenna feeding system and method to optimize the design of the feeding system to feed an antenna made of a resistive sheet. The system and method are operative to design a topology of the antenna feeding system to adapt to a topology of the resistive sheet antenna to mitigate the adverse effects caused by the inherent losses of resistive sheets while operating as antennas. The system is designed to reduce a convergence of radiofrequency currents that may create a localized high density current concentration, such as “hot spots” and “pinch points,” on the resistive sheet, by a sufficient extent so as to prevent power losses that substantially decrease the radiation efficiency of the antenna as compared with feeding systems designed using traditional design techniques.

Abstract: Disclosed is an antenna system and method to optimize the design of an antenna using resistive sheets. The system and method are operative to design a topology of a resistive sheet to mitigate the adverse effects caused by the inherent losses of resistive sheets while operating as antennas. The system is designed to reduce a plurality of radiofrequency current “hot spots” and “pinch points,” associated with the flow of a current on a resistive sheet, by a sufficient extent so as to enable radiation of electromagnetic waves at substantially higher radiation efficiency as compared with antennas designed using traditional design techniques.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein utilize a distributed server network to allow for the real-time distribution of copies of a data stream uploaded from a computing device. The uploaded data stream corresponds to an environment surrounding a user (exam taker) of the computing device during execution of a testing routine for an examination. Providing copies of the data stream in real-time allows proctors as well as other test assessment authorities to ‘peek in’on the exam taker's environment during the exam. As a result, the environment surrounding the exam taker can be monitored in real-time to determine whether any visual or audio activity in the environment constitutes activity not in accordance with the exam protocol. Following an affirmative determination that the exam taker violated an exam taking protocol, a proctor or other test assessment authority can then make a final or early decision regarding disciplinary action.

Abstract: Systems and methods utilize a distributed server network to allow for the optimization of the upload of a data stream from a computing device. Performance metrics are estimated for different network paths from the computing device to a variety of entry servers in the distributed server network. Based on the estimated performance metrics, one or more entry servers are then selected to receive the data stream from the computing device. As a result, the systems and methods described herein allow for high quality upload performance which addresses the first mile vulnerability issues of the data stream. The distributed server network can then transmit copies of the data stream in real-time to other computing devices.

Abstract: A tool for metering sauce or other materials comprises a handle and a bowl positioned at a distal end of the handle for holding an amount of the sauce or other material. The bowl defines an open top bounded by a rim, and the bowl includes multiple posts extending from a bottom wall, such that a first predetermined volume is defined by filling the bowl to the rim, and a second predetermined volume is defined by filling the bowl such that upper surfaces of the multiple posts are visible. The bowl may further include two ribs extending from a side wall of the bowl, wherein a third predetermined volume is defined by orienting the tool on its side such that the two ribs effectively define a horizontal plane and filling the bowl up to the horizontal plane between the two ribs.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method to aid in these inspections that avoid the disadvantages of the prior art. The system and method are operative to take thickness measurements of, and thus evaluate the condition of, materials including but not limited to refractory materials, operating in frequency bands that result in less loss than previously known technologies, and utilizing a system configuration and signal processing techniques that isolate the reflected signal of interest from other spurious antenna reflections, particularly by creating (through the configuration of the antenna assembly) a time delay between such spurious reflections and the actual reflected signal of interest, thus enabling better isolation of the signal of interest.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved device and method to evaluate the status of a material by scanning an area that overlaps a region of the material under evaluation. The device and method are operative to identify a leakage of a first material into a second material, such as a molten material surrounded by a refractory material, to measure the thickness of the second material, using electromagnetic waves, and to generate images. The device is designed to reduce a plurality of reflections associated with the propagation of electromagnetic waves launched into the material under evaluation, by a sufficient extent so as to enable detection of electromagnetic waves of interest reflected from remote discontinuities present in between the device and the enclosed material. Furthermore, the device can be configured to scan areas of interest in either a portable or fixed configuration, manually in a standalone mode or as part of an automated system.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein utilize a distributed server network to allow for the real-time distribution of copies of a data stream uploaded from a computing device. The uploaded data stream corresponds to an environment surrounding a user (exam taker) of the computing device during execution of a testing routine for an examination. Providing copies of the data stream in real-time allows proctors as well as other test assessment authorities to ‘peek in on the exam taker's environment during the exam. As a result, the environment surrounding the exam taker can be monitored in real-time to determine whether any visual or audio activity in the environment constitutes activity not in accordance with the exam protocol. Following an affirmative determination that the exam taker violated an exam taking protocol, a proctor or other test assessment authority can then make a final or early decision regarding disciplinary action.

Abstract: Systems and methods utilize a distributed server network to allow for the optimization of the upload of a data stream from a computing device. Performance metrics are estimated for different network paths from the computing device to a variety of entry servers in the distributed server network. Based on the estimated performance metrics, one or more entry servers are then selected to receive the data stream from the computing device. As a result, the systems and methods described herein allow for high quality upload performance which addresses the first mile vulnerability issues of the data stream. The distributed server network can then transmit copies of the data stream in real-time to other computing devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein utilize a distributed server network to allow for the real-time distribution of copies of a data stream uploaded from a computing device. The uploaded data stream corresponds to an environment surrounding a user (exam taker) of the computing device during execution of a testing routine for an examination. Providing copies of the data stream in real-time allows proctors as well as other test assessment authorities to ‘peek in’ on the exam taker's environment during the exam. As a result, the environment surrounding the exam taker can be monitored in real-time to determine whether any visual or audio activity in the environment constitutes activity not in accordance with the exam protocol. Following an affirmative determination that the exam taker violated an exam taking protocol, a proctor or other test assessment authority can then make a final or early decision regarding disciplinary action.

Abstract: Disclosed is an antenna system and method to design a desensitized antenna element. The system and method are operative to design a configuration of an antenna to overcome a number of operational conditions in which the frequency response of the antenna element may be uniquely or significantly detuned or offset or in which undesired noise, signal interference, or electromagnetic coupling effects may affect or be induced by the antenna element. These operational conditions may include the presence of any combination of user body parts, conductive materials, or dielectric materials as well as neighboring electronic systems or other sources of undesired noise, signal interference, and electromagnetic coupling. The system is designed to mitigate adverse effects, when operating in a potentially antenna-detuning environment or under conditions that may affect other systems or be susceptible to being affected by other sources, by using a desensitizer element comprising at least one electrical circuit component.

Abstract: Disclosed is an antenna feeding system and method to optimize the design of the feeding system to feed an antenna made of a resistive sheet. The system and method are operative to design a topology of the antenna feeding system to adapt to a topology of the resistive sheet antenna to mitigate the adverse effects caused by the inherent losses of resistive sheets while operating as antennas. The system is designed to reduce a convergence of radiofrequency currents that may create a localized high density current concentration, such as “hot spots” and “pinch points,” on the resistive sheet, by a sufficient extent so as to prevent power losses that substantially decrease the radiation efficiency of the antenna as compared with feeding systems designed using traditional design techniques.