Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method to extract information from unstructured image documents. The extraction technique is content-driven and not dependent on the layout of a particular image document type. The disclosed method breaks down an image document into smaller images using the text cluster detection algorithm. The smaller images are converted into text samples using optical character recognition (OCR). Each of the text samples is fed to a trained machine learning model. The model classifies each text sample into one of a plurality of pre-determined field types. The desired value extraction problem may be converted into a question-answering problem using a pre-trained model. A fixed question is formed on the basis of the classified field type. The output of the question-answering model may be passed through a rule-based post-processing step to obtain the final answer.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods that utilize a solid hydrogen storage material, e.g., a metal hydride as a fuel source for operating a vehicle. Disclosed systems utilize the pressure of a hydrogen storage tank as a controlling factor for release of hydrogen from a solid hydrogen storage material. Disclosed systems are particularly beneficial for use with unmanned aerial vehicles.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method to extract information from unstructured image documents. The extraction technique is content-driven and not dependent on the layout of a particular image document type. The disclosed method breaks down an image document into smaller images using the text cluster detection algorithm. The smaller images are converted into text samples using optical character recognition (OCR). Each of the text samples is fed to a trained machine learning model. The model classifies each text sample into one of a plurality of pre-determined field types. The desired value extraction problem may be converted into a question-answering problem using a pre-trained model. A fixed question is formed on the basis of the classified field type. The output of the question-answering model may be passed through a rule-based post-processing step to obtain the final answer.

Abstract: An air-to-air coupling 13 (e.g. for receiving a probe in probe-and-drogue refuelling) comprises retaining members 19, 27 for interacting with a further member (e.g. a refuelling probe) to hold the further member in place. An active drive system 39, 21 may drive the holding members and may thereby also actively drive the further member into place. Alternatively the active drive 39, 21 may drive another member such as a locking member 31 to hold the retaining members 19, 27 in position once the further member is in place. The active drive releases the retaining members 19, 27 or moves them out of position to allow the further member to be removed. This allows the further member to be inserted and removed with a lower force than is used to hold it in place. The coupling may also be used for in-air recovery of an unmanned aircraft.

Abstract: A cleaner head for a vacuum cleaner includes a laser diode for illuminating debris located upon a region of a work surface located in front of the cleaner head with green light.

Abstract: A cleaner head for a vacuum cleaner includes an optical system located towards one side of the cleaner head. The optical system includes a light source and at least one light shaping component for receiving light emitted from the light source and directing the light towards a planar work surface on which the cleaner head is disposed to illuminate debris located upon a region of the work surface. This region upon which debris is illuminated is in the shape of a sector. A central axis of the sector is aligned at an angle in the range from 35 to 65° to a front edge of the cleaner head, and one of the radii bounding the sector is aligned at an acute angle of less than 20° to the front edge of the cleaner head.

Abstract: A User Engagement System (UES) has mechanism to allow a provider of a product or service to sign up with basic identity information along with any service description resulting in an instant URL as a means for outside parties to contact this provider and engage in multi-modal interactions involving voice, video, chat and media sharing. A single user or a group of users can sign up with this system and provide optionally some contact information such as phone numbers. An URL is instantly generated that can be advertised as hyperlinks to the outside environment such as on a website, email or any other means. This URL can be advertised by the system in various online marketplaces or social networks of the provider as well as on the web to be identified by search engines.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automated engagement of a fitting coupled to a structure. A first member of a first engagement device is moved relative to a base in a first direction substantially parallel to an x-axis such that a tapered end portion of the first member passes through a hole in the fitting and moves towards a channel within a second member of a second engagement device. The tapered end portion of the first member is secured within the channel of the second member to thereby engage the fitting between the first engagement device and the second engagement device.

Abstract: A sensor package includes a sensor, at least one external wall, and an interposer, arranged between the sensor and the at least one external wall. The sensor is wire bonded to the interposer and the interposer is wire bonded to the at least one external wall. Using an interposer, wire bonded to both the sensor and the at least one external wall, is an improved approach to electrically connecting a sensor and a sensor package. The interposer allows for short wire bonds from the sensor and the at least one external wall to the interposer, replacing the single, long wire bond from the sensor to the at least one external wall in the prior art. This provides improved resilience of the sensor package under high stress. Furthermore, it allows an existing sensor and package combination to be improved without needing to redesign either component.

Abstract: A micro-engagement platform system and method for creating and launching micro-engagements is disclosed. The platform enables creation of a set of one or more micro-engagements, which are short snippets of information exchanged as part of an overall goal of customer engagement; couples micro-engagements to intended customers on their mobile device via messaging; collects responses that a customer sends immediately or at a later point in time; initiates the next micro-engagement in the sequence after getting a response from the customer to the previous micro-engagement as part of the overall goal. The platform chooses from one of a plurality of modes of delivery for that snippet of information; modes can be SMS, mobile browser or ore or more mobile apps.

Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to the management of a user interface of a communication terminal involved in ongoing communication by a communication terminal, referred to as an initiator terminal. A method is described for managing a user interface of at least one communication terminal by an initiator terminal during ongoing communication between communication terminals including the initiator terminal and at least one corresponding terminal, the user interface management method comprising, at least prior to a change, triggered by the initiator terminal, of the communication mode of the ongoing communication, providing change signaling data to the user interface of the at least one communication terminal, the change signaling data being able to control the user interface of a communication terminal. The risks of failure of the change of communication mode and therefore of unwanted closure of the ongoing communication are therefore reduced or even avoided.

Abstract: A micro-engagement platform system and method for creating and launching micro-engagements is disclosed. The platform enables creation of a set of one or more micro-engagements, which are short snippets of information exchanged as part of an overall goal of customer engagement; couples micro-engagements to intended customers on their mobile device via messaging; collects responses that a customer sends immediately or at a later point in time; initiates the next micro-engagement in the sequence after getting a response from the customer to the previous micro-engagement as part of the overall goal. The platform chooses from one of a plurality of modes of delivery for that snippet of information; modes can be SMS, mobile browser or ore or more mobile apps.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method to extract information from unstructured image documents. The extraction technique is content-driven and not dependent on the layout of a particular image document type. The disclosed method breaks down an image document into smaller images using the text cluster detection algorithm. The smaller images are converted into text samples using optical character recognition (OCR). Each of the text samples is fed to a trained machine learning model. The model classifies each text sample into one of a plurality of pre-determined field types. The desired value extraction problem may be converted into a question-answering problem using a pre-trained model. A fixed question is formed on the basis of the classified field type. The output of the question-answering model may be passed through a rule-based post-processing step to obtain the final answer.

Abstract: A fan assembly, including motor cooling configurations and/or integrated controller configurations and associated methods are shown. Some examples of fan motors shown include electronically commutated motors that may include integrated controller circuitry. A number of cooling configurations are shown that may be used individually or in combination to provide cooling to a motor in a fan assembly.

Abstract: A method of forming an optical device in a body (32), comprises performing a plurality of laser scans (34,36) to form the optical device, each scan comprising relative movement of a laser beam and the body thereby to scan the laser beam along a respective path (34a, 34b 34f; 36a, 36b 36f) through the body to alter the refractive index of material of that path, wherein the paths are arranged to provide in combination a route for propagation of light through the optical device in operation that is larger in a direction substantially perpendicular to the route for propagation of light than any one of the paths individually.

Abstract: An air-to-air coupling 13 (e.g. for receiving a probe in probe-and-drogue refuelling) comprises retaining members 19, 27 for interacting with a further member (e.g. a refuelling probe) to hold the further member in place. An active drive system 39, 21 may drive the holding members and may thereby also actively drive the further member into place. Alternatively the active drive 39, 21 may drive another member such as a locking member 31 to hold the retaining members 19, 27 in position once the further member is in place. The active drive releases the retaining members 19, 27 or moves them out of position to allow the further member to be removed. This allows the further member to be inserted and removed with a lower force than is used to hold it in place. The coupling may also be used for in-air recovery of an unmanned aircraft.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically assessing proximity of an enterprise's brand to a customer are disclosed. A processing device obtains a first sub-score indicative of a degree of completion of a task that involves the enterprise providing a service to the customer, a second sub-score indicative of a level of user engagement between the enterprise and the customer, and a third sub-score indicative of efficiency of the task that involves the enterprise providing the service to the customer. The processing device then combines the first sub-score, the second sub-score and the third sub-score to determine a composite brand proximity score (BPS) indicative of the proximity of the enterprise's brand to the customer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods to extract customized keywords and their corresponding values occurring in a given natural language text. The desired keyword or keywords may occur in different forms, synonyms, abbreviations, and spellings. The disclosed automatic extraction method captures the meaning and context of the desired keywords by transforming the extraction problem into a question answering problem together with capturing the context to narrow down the answer to a unique value for a given keyword. A trained model on an existing corpus of text is used to get a value as an answer to the question phrased using the keyword. When the answer is ambiguous, a context model that uses conditional random field (CRF) is used to provide a most likely value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automated handling a structure. A handler system comprises a plurality of towers and a plurality of end effectors coupled to the plurality of towers. Each of the plurality of end effectors is movably coupled to a tower of the plurality of towers. Each of the plurality of end effectors comprises an arm coupled to the tower and a coupling device for use in automated engagement of a corresponding fitting coupled to the structure.

Abstract: A User Engagement System (UES) has mechanism to allow a provider of a product or service to sign up with basic identity information along with any service description resulting in an instant URL as a means for outside parties to contact this provider and engage in multi-modal interactions involving voice, video, chat and media sharing. A single user or a group of users can sign up with this system and provide optionally some contact information such as phone numbers. An URL is instantly generated that can be advertised as hyperlinks to the outside environment such as on a website, email or any other means. This URL can be advertised by the system in various online marketplaces or social networks of the provider as well as on the web to be identified by search engines.