Abstract: The present invention involves a system for the release of low relief, self-orienting deployable payloads from a platform such as a submersible vehicle and a mechanism of passive buoyancy compensation of the vehicle. The system secures one or more payloads by a vacuum force without an additional mechanical restraining mechanism and deployment of a payload is accomplished by disengaging the vacuum hold to release the payload for its intended function. Once deployed, the payload may reorient itself to a functional orientation without additional assistance.

Abstract: The present invention involves a system for the release of low relief, self-orienting deployable payloads from a platform such as a submersible vehicle and a mechanism of passive buoyancy compensation of the vehicle. The system secures one or more payloads by a vacuum force without an additional mechanical restraining mechanism and deployment of a payload is accomplished by disengaging the vacuum hold to release the payload for its intended function. Once deployed, the payload may reorient itself to a functional orientation without additional assistance.

Abstract: The present invention involves a system for the release of low relief, self-orienting deployable payloads from a platform such as an underwater vehicle and a mechanism of passive buoyancy compensation of the vehicle. The system secures one or more payloads by a vacuum force without an additional mechanical restraining mechanism and deployment of a payload is accomplished by disengaging the vacuum hold to release the payload for its intended function. Once deployed, the payload may reorient itself to a functional orientation without additional assistance.

Abstract: The present invention involves a system for the release of low relief, self-orienting deployable payloads from a platform such as an underwater vehicle and a mechanism of passive buoyancy compensation of the vehicle. The system secures one or more payloads by a vacuum force without an additional mechanical restraining mechanism and deployment of a payload is accomplished by disengaging the vacuum hold to release the payload for its intended function. Once deployed, the payload may reorient itself to a functional orientation without additional assistance.

Abstract: A thermal transfer system for a pressure vessel adapted for use in an underwater environment includes a housing having a bore adapted to receive a heat pipe. Embodiments of the housing include a mounting flange for mounting the housing to the pressure vessel, a radially extending profile to enhance thermal transfer between the housing and the underwater environment, and an aperture in fluidic communication with the bore. A method of providing thermal transfer between an interior of the pressure vessel and the underwater environment includes inserting the heat pipe into the bore, sealing a distal end of the bore, and mounting the housing to the pressure vessel.

Abstract: Methods and systems to model and acquire data from a variety of data and information sources, to integrate the data into a structured database, and to manage the continuing reintegration of updated data from those sources over time. For any given domain, a variety of individual information and data sources that contain information relevant to the schema can be identified. Data elements associated with a schema may be identified in a training source, such as by user tagging. A formal grammar may be induced appropriate to the schema and layout of the training source. A Hidden Markov Model (HMM) corresponding to the grammar may learn where in the sources the elements can be found. The system can automatically mutate its schema into a grammar matching the structure of the source documents. By following an inverse transformation sequence, data that is parsed by the mutated grammar can be fit back into the original grammar structure, matching the original data schema defined through domain modeling.

Abstract: Methods and systems to model and acquire data from a variety of data and information sources, to integrate the data into a structured database, and to manage the continuing reintegration of updated data from those sources over time. For any given domain, a variety of individual information and data sources that contain information relevant to the schema can be identified. Data elements associated with a schema may be identified in a training source, such as by user tagging. A formal grammar may be induced appropriate to the schema and layout of the training source. A Hidden Markov Model (HMM) corresponding to the grammar may learn where in the sources the elements can be found. The system can automatically mutate its schema into a grammar matching the structure of the source documents. By following an inverse transformation sequence, data that is parsed by the mutated grammar can be fit back into the original grammar structure, matching the original data schema defined through domain modeling.

Abstract: System and method for dynamically adjusting cells in a carrier structure for receiving mail items for delivery through a postal delivery service. Delivery points, which may represent a post office address, correspond to cells in the carrier structure. The allocation of cells may be adjusted based upon the mail delivery demands of the delivery point. Delivery points, and their corresponding cells, may also be added and/or deleted.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sorting a plurality of unaddressed items may comprise receiving delivery point address data. Furthermore, systems and methods for sorting a plurality of unaddressed items may comprise sorting the plurality of unaddressed items based on the delivery point address data. The plurality of unaddressed items may be sorted in an order in which they are to be delivered within a delivery zone specified by the delivery point address data.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a collaborative work environment includes servers and client workstations. Client workstations receive data objects from one or more servers and combine the received data objects with stored templates to render HTML pages representing at least a portion of a common project. Users may view, edit, and create common documents for the projects and upload them to the server using a drag-and-drop interface. Additionally, since all file transfers take place using HTTP, project groups can span corporate organizations as well as time zones and geographic boundaries.

Abstract: A system and method of tracking a plurality of items during transfer from a source location to a destination. One embodiment is a method comprising associating information identifying the plurality of items with a radio frequency (RF) tag that identifies a carrier unit. The method further comprises storing said associated information in at least one of the RF tag and a computer memory. The method further comprises communicating with the RF tag to identify the location of the carrier unit. The method further comprises identifying the location of at least one of the plurality of items based at least in part on the location of the carrier unit. Another embodiment is a system configured to perform an embodiment of the method.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sorting a plurality of unaddressed items may comprise receiving delivery point address data. Furthermore, systems and methods for sorting a plurality of unaddressed items may comprise sorting the plurality of unaddressed items based on the delivery point address data. The plurality of unaddressed items may be sorted in an order in which they are to be delivered within a delivery zone specified by the delivery point address data.

Abstract: A system and method of tracking a plurality of mail units during transfer from a source location to a destination. One embodiment is a method comprising associating information identifying the plurality of mail units with a radio frequency (RF) tag that identifies a carrier unit. The method further comprises storing said associated information in at least one of the RF tag and a computer memory. The method further comprises communicating with the RF tag to identify the location of the carrier unit. The method further comprises identifying the location of at least one of the plurality of mail units based at least in part on the location of the carrier unit. Another embodiment is a system configured to perform an embodiment of the method.

Abstract: System and method for dynamically adjusting cells in a carrier structure for receiving mail items for delivery through a postal delivery service. Delivery points, which may representing a post office address, correspond to cells in the carrier structure. The allocation of cells may be adjusted based upon the mail delivery demands of the delivery point. Delivery points, and their corresponding cells, may also be added and/or deleted.

Abstract: Tracking of an article through geographic areas using electromagnetic signals, specifically radio frequency (RF) signals. The article contains a tag operating as a transmitter and receiver. Tag-readers in the defined geographic areas transmit RF signals and in response, the tag transmits RF signals received by the tag-reader. By knowing the areas in which the tag-readers are located, a system tracks the article by monitoring the tag-readers communicating with the tag.

Abstract: A method for controlling access to a product includes receiving a request for a product, generating a license string for the product, and transmitting that license string to a user of the product. The license string is generated substantially at the time a request is received. A corresponding system is also described. In some embodiments the product functions for a trial period before requiring input of the license string. License strings may be generated that extend the trial period.

Abstract: Tracking of an article through geographic areas using electromagnetic signals, specifically radio frequency (RF) signals. The article contains a tag operating as a transmitter and receiver. Tag-readers in the defined geographic areas transmit RF signals and in response, the tag transmits RF signals received by the tag-reader. By knowing the areas in which the tag-readers are located, a system tracks the article by monitoring the tag-readers communicating with the tag.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a collaborative work environment includes servers and client workstations. Client workstations receive data objects from one or more servers and combine the received data objects with stored templates to render HTML pages representing at least a portion of a common project. Users may view, edit, and create common documents for the projects and upload them to the server using a drag-and-drop interface. Additionally, since all file transfers take place using HTTP, project groups can span corporate organizations as well as time zones and geographic boundaries.

Abstract: A method for facilitating communication between collaborators in a HyperText Markup Language (HTML) environment which includes the steps of: receiving data via a network connection; storing the received data in a database; retrieving an HTML file from a memory element; and using the stored data in conjunction with the HTML file to generate an HTML page for display. The data received via the network connection includes an indication that an HTML page includes discussions among collaborators. The HTML page rendered for display includes at least one discussion among collaborators. A corresponding system is also disclosed. At least one vote/poll item can be embedded within a discussion group.

Abstract: Tracking of an article through geographic areas using electromagnetic signals, specifically radio frequency (RF) signals. The article contains a tag operating as a transmitter and receiver. Tag-readers in the defined geographic areas transmit RF signals and in response, the tag transmits RF signals received by the tag-reader. By knowing the areas in which the tag-readers are located, a system tracks the article by monitoring the tag-readers communicating with the tag.