Abstract: An environment-aware prediction and control framework, which incorporates learned environment and terrain features into a predictive model for human-robot symbiotic walking, is disclosed herein. First, a compact deep neural network is introduced for accurate and efficient prediction of pixel-level depth maps from RGB inputs. In turn, this methodology reduces the size, weight, and cost of the necessary hardware, while adding key features such as close-range sensing, filtering, and temporal consistency. In combination with human kinematics data and demonstrated walking gaits, the extracted visual features of the environment are used to learn a probabilistic model coupling perceptions to optimal actions. The resulting data-driven controllers. Bayesian Interaction Primitives, can be used to infer in real-time optimal control actions for a lower-limb prosthesis. The inferred actions naturally take the current state of the environment and the user into account during walking.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for electromagnetic heating of a hydrocarbon formation. The method involves providing electrical power to at least one electromagnetic wave generator for generating high frequency alternating current; using the electromagnetic wave generator to generate high frequency alternating current; using at least one pipe to define at least one of at least two transmission line conductors; coupling the transmission line conductors to the electromagnetic wave generator; and applying the high frequency alternating current to excite the transmission line conductors. The excitation of the transmission line conductors can propagate an electromagnetic wave within the hydrocarbon formation. In some embodiments, the method further comprises determining that a hydrocarbon formation between the transmission line conductors is at least substantially desiccated; and applying a radiofrequency electromagnetic current to excite the transmission line conductors.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for electromagnetic heating of a hydrocarbon formation. The method involves providing electrical power to at least one electromagnetic wave generator for generating high frequency alternating current; using the electromagnetic wave generator to generate high frequency alternating current; using at least one pipe to define at least one of at least two transmission line conductors; coupling the transmission line conductors to the electromagnetic wave generator; and applying the high frequency alternating current to excite the transmission line conductors. The excitation of the transmission line conductors can propagate an electromagnetic wave within the hydrocarbon formation. In some embodiments, the method further comprises determining that a hydrocarbon formation between the transmission line conductors is at least substantially desiccated; and applying a radiofrequency electromagnetic current to excite the transmission line conductors.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transporting solid and semi-solid substances. The apparatus includes at least one transport container for storing the substances. The transport container includes at least two transmission line conductors configurable to be in physical contact with the substances. The transmission line conductors are excitable to operate as a lossy transmission line for electromagnetically heating the substances prior to unloading from the transport container. The method involves loading the substances in at least one transport container, each of the at least one transport container including at least two transmission line conductors configurable to be in physical contact with the substances; transporting the at least one transport container from a first location to a second location; and exciting the at least two transmission line conductors to operate as a lossy transmission line for electromagnetically heating the substances prior to unloading from the at least one transport container.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for electromagnetic heating of a hydrocarbon formation. The method involves providing electrical power to at least one electromagnetic wave generator for generating high frequency alternating current; using the electromagnetic wave generator to generate high frequency alternating current; using at least one pipe to define at least one of at least two transmission line conductors; coupling the transmission line conductors to the electromagnetic wave generator; and applying the high frequency alternating current to excite the transmission line conductors. The excitation of the transmission line conductors can propagate an electromagnetic wave within the hydrocarbon formation. In some embodiments, the method further comprises determining that a hydrocarbon formation between the transmission line conductors is at least substantially desiccated; and applying a radiofrequency electromagnetic current to excite the transmission line conductors.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for electromagnetic heating of a hydrocarbon formation. The method involves providing electrical power to at least one electromagnetic wave generator for generating high frequency alternating current; using the electromagnetic wave generator to generate high frequency alternating current; using at least one pipe to define at least one of at least two transmission line conductors; coupling the transmission line conductors to the electromagnetic wave generator; and applying the high frequency alternating current to excite the transmission line conductors. The excitation of the transmission line conductors can propagate an electromagnetic wave within the hydrocarbon formation. In some embodiments, the method further comprises determining that a hydrocarbon formation between the transmission line conductors is at least substantially desiccated; and applying a radiofrequency electromagnetic current to excite the transmission line conductors.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transporting solid and semi-solid substances. The apparatus includes at least one transport container for storing the substances. The transport container includes at least two transmission line conductors configurable to be in physical contact with the substances. The transmission line conductors are excitable to operate as a lossy transmission line for electromagnetically heating the substances prior to unloading from the transport container. The method involves loading the substances in at least one transport container, each of the at least one transport container including at least two transmission line conductors configurable to be in physical contact with the substances; transporting the at least one transport container from a first location to a second location; and exciting the at least two transmission line conductors to operate as a lossy transmission line for electromagnetically heating the substances prior to unloading from the at least one transport container.

Abstract: A technique of insurance policy includes obtaining a plurality of hierarchical graphs representing a plurality of insurance policies, wherein each of the hierarchical graphs comprises a plurality of insurance policy related objects. It further includes obtaining a set of matching criteria, including a type of insurance related object to be matched and an identifier associated with the type of insurance related object to be matched. It also includes determining whether an insurance related object in one of the plurality of graphs matches another insurance related object in another one of the plurality of graphs using the set of matching criteria.

Abstract: A system for installing a drainage structure in the subsurface. The system has a casing, a drive device, and at least one fin. The casing has opposed first and second ends and defines a hollow region. The drive device is supported at the first end of the casing and configured to drive movement of the casing in a first direction. The at least one fin projects from the casing into the hollow region and is configured to buckle a corrugated metal culvert positioned at least partially within the casing when the casing is driven in the first direction. The drive device may be a pneumatic hammer or puller attached to a rod pulling machine.

Abstract: An asset management system and biometric security method is disclosed. The asset management system monitors the operational status of living and non-living assets in the field using sensors fitted to, or otherwise associated with, the asset. The operational status of the asset includes proof of life and indications as to the death or destruction. Electrocardiogram (ECG) signals from living assets may be enrolled in a biometric system at one or more heart rates to permit the identification or authentication of the living asset. ECG signal assessments may be used to increase system performance.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for capturing and generating composite images. In various aspects, the invention provides apparatuses and methods for correcting position information of captured images received by position sensors based on alignment of overlapping images. Corrected position information is then taken into account when displaying the locations of captured images on a display for providing guidance to users for generating composite images.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for capturing and generating composite images. In various aspects, the invention provides apparatuses and methods for correcting position information of captured images received by position sensors based on alignment of overlapping images. Corrected position information is then taken into account when displaying the locations of captured images on a display for providing guidance to users for generating composite images.

Abstract: Managing risks associated with reinsurance includes: obtaining a plurality of insurance policies, each of the plurality of insurance policies comprising a plurality of coverages; identifying, for each insurance policy in the plurality of insurance policies, a set of coverages that corresponds to a geographical location, a policy level liability, or a covered item; and evaluating, for each identified set of coverages, a corresponding reinsurable risk, the evaluation includes determining a total insured value associated with the corresponding reinsurable risk.

Abstract: Managing insurance information includes obtaining account information associated with an insurance account, selectively indicating a first portion of the account information that includes versioned information and a second portion of the account information that includes non-versioned information, obtaining policy information of an insurance policy associated with the insurance account, including copying at least some of the versioned information as a first portion of the insurance policy, and establishing a link between at least some of the non-versioned information and a second portion of the insurance policy. The second portion of the insurance policy that is linked with the non-versioned information is automatically updated to reflect changes to the non-versioned information.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for obtaining magnetic resonance (MR) data of a phantom located in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system with multiple bandwidths. The data may then be processed to determine magnetic field homogeneity of the MRI system.

Abstract: A machine-vision system, method and article is useful in the field of robotics. One embodiment produces signals that emulate the output of an encoder, based on captured images of an object, which may be in motion. One embodiment provides digital data directly to a robot controller without the use of an intermediary transceiver such as an encoder interface card. One embodiment predicts or determines the occurrence of an occlusion and moves at least one of a camera and/or the object accordingly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for communicating message data between a plurality of subsystems (201, 202, 301, 302, 303, 404, 406, 408) in the form of distributed resource managers. The subsystems are coupled together through a coupling means (206, 306, 410) with a shared memory with at least one shared queue (308, 414) in the shared memory. Access to the shared queue (308, 414) is available from each of the coupled subsystems and message data can be communicated between the subsystems via the shared queue (308, 414). Each subsystem has a long running process (304) checking the shared queue for messages for that subsystem.

Abstract: Image producing apparatus 10, 100 comprising means 48, 112 for producing and also receiving an ultrasound signal, the apparatus being arranged such that a plurality of ultrasound signals are sequentially produced in different directions to cover a volume of a required shape, with the signals received being analyzed to provide a three dimensional image of the volume.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for communicating message data between a plurality of subsystems (201, 202, 301, 302, 303, 404, 406, 408) in the form of distributed resource managers. The subsystems are coupled together through a coupling means (206, 306, 410) with a shared memory with at least one shared queue (308, 414) in the shared memory. Access to the shared queue (308, 414) is available from each of the coupled subsystems and message data can be communicated between the subsystems via the shared queue (308, 414). Each subsystem has a long running process (304) checking the shared queue for messages for that subsystem.

Abstract: Image producing apparatus 10, 100 comprising means 48, 112 for producing and also receiving an ultrasound signal, the apparatus being arranged such that a plurality of ultrasound signals are sequentially produced in different directions to cover a volume of a required shape, with the signals received being analyzed to provide a three dimensional image of the volume.