Abstract: Platform-agnostic digital assistant methods and apparatuses are provided. The apparatuses and methods include a processor configured by a memory to receive user data from a storage containing informational contents. The processor is configured to establish a communication channel with an entity and utilize the communication channel to receive first information related to a user. The processor is configured to extract at least one user datum from the first information and modify the informational contents of the storage based on at least one of the user datum and the first information. The processor is further configured to initiate an action related to the user based on at least one of the first information, the user datum, and the informational contents.

Abstract: An alert system usable to protect an individual from infectious disease is disclosed. The alert system can make use of one or more body-worn sensors to identify different entities within an environment, as well as their positional relationship (e.g., distance) to a reference location (e.g., the user and/or the alert system). The alert system can present alerts, such as through an augmented reality (AR) display, to identify potential risks and provide information to help minimize risk of infection. The AR display can identify risks with helpful and easy-to-interpret graphics or other overlays. Potential risks can include proximity to other individuals in an environment, contact with high-touch surfaces (e.g., fomites), insufficient cleaning (e.g., insufficient handwashing techniques), and others. The alert system can monitor the environment in real-time to assist the user in preventing transmission of pathogens to or from the user.

Abstract: A management system for a Permitting Authorities (PA) or their appointed designee to monitor and track application-based commercial ground transportation (ABCT) providers activities within electronically-enabled geo-fenced areas associated with the PAs, all without the need for specialized hardware such as transponders or other tracking equipment. ABCT Providers transmit location and/or transaction information for ABCT Vehicles within geo-fenced areas associated with the PAs to a clearinghouse. The clearinghouse parses the location and/or transaction information to identify the corresponding PA. The clearinghouse transmits the received information to the corresponding PAs in near real-time and periodically creates invoices for each PA based on the activities taken place within the respective goes-fenced areas.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning an optical surface, at least a portion of the surface being covered by an optically transparent liquid film, includes a wiper including an edge extending across at least a portion of the optical surface and urged into close proximity with the optical surface, the edge being defined between a leading face and a trailing face. The apparatus also includes an actuator operable to move of at least one of the wiper and the optical surface to cause the wiper to traverse the optical surface such that the leading face dislodges contaminants entrained in the liquid film or adhered to the optical surface to produce a cleaned portion of the optical surface. The apparatus further includes a liquid applicator disposed behind the trailing face of the wiper and operable to dispense liquid for renewing the liquid film on the cleaned portion of the optical surface.

Abstract: A management system for a Permitting Authorities (PA) or their appointed designee to monitor and track application-based commercial ground transportation (ABCT) providers activities within electronically-enabled geo-fenced areas associated with the PAs, all without the need for specialized hardware such as transponders or other tracking equipment. ABCT Providers transmit location and/or transaction information for ABCT Vehicles within geo-fenced areas associated with the PAs to a clearinghouse. The clearinghouse parses the location and/or transaction information to identify the corresponding PA. The clearinghouse transmits the received information to the corresponding PAs in near real-time and periodically creates invoices for each PA based on the activities taken place within the respective goes-fenced areas.

Abstract: A head-mounted display system includes a head mounted display unit with a display and a positioning and stabilising structure configured to hold the head-mounted display unit in an operable position on the user's head in use. The positioning and stabilizing structure includes headgear with at least one strap configured to contact the user's head, in use. The head mounted display unit and at least a portion of the positioning and stabilizing structure are formed from a one piece construction of textile material.

Abstract: A management system for a Permitting Authorities (PA) or their appointed designee to monitor and track application-based commercial ground transportation (ABCT) providers activities within electronically-enabled geo-fenced areas associated with the PAs, all without the need for specialized hardware such as transponders or other tracking equipment. ABCT Providers transmit location and/or transaction information for ABCT Vehicles within geo-fenced areas associated with the PAs to a clearinghouse. The clearinghouse parses the location and/or transaction information to identify the corresponding PA. The clearinghouse transmits the received information to the corresponding PAs in near real-time and periodically creates invoices for each PA based on the activities taken place within the respective goes-fenced areas.

Abstract: A management system for a Permitting Authorities (PA) or their appointed designee to monitor and track application-based commercial ground transportation (ABCT) Providers activities within electronically-enabled geo-fenced areas associated with the PAs, all without the need for specialized hardware such as transponders or other tracking equipment. ABCT Providers transmit location and/or transaction information for ABCT Vehicles within geo-fenced areas associated with the PAs to a clearinghouse. The clearinghouse transmits the location and/or transaction information to a clearinghouse. The clearinghouse transmits the received information to the corresponding PAs in near real-time and periodically creates invoices for each PA based on the activities taken place within the respective goes-fenced areas.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing an image of fragmented material to identify fragmented material portions within the image is disclosed. The method involves receiving pixel data associated with an input plurality of pixels representing the image of the fragmented material. The method also involves processing the pixel data using a convolutional neural network, the convolutional neural network having a plurality of layers and producing a pixel classification output indicating whether pixels in the input plurality of pixels are located at one of an edge of a fragmented material portion, inwardly from the edge, and at interstices between fragmented material portions. The convolutional neural network includes at least one convolution layer configured to produce a convolution of the input plurality of pixels, the convolutional neural network having been previously trained using a plurality of training images including previously identified fragmented material portions.

Abstract: A management system for a Permitting Authorities (PA) or their appointed designee to monitor and track application-based commercial ground transportation (ABCT) Providers activities within electronically-enabled geo-fenced areas associated with the PAs, all without the need for specialized hardware such as transponders or other tracking equipment. ABCT Providers transmit location and/or transaction information for ABCT Vehicles within geo-fenced areas associated with the PAs to a clearinghouse. The clearinghouse transmits the location and/or transaction information to a clearinghouse. The clearinghouse transmits the received information to the corresponding PAs in near real-time and periodically creates invoices for each PA based on the activities taken place within the respective goes-fenced areas.

Abstract: A management system for a Permitting Authority (PA) or its appointed designee to monitor and track application-based commercial ground transportation (ABCT) Provider activity through the ABCT-Driver's mobile device, the ABCT-Provider's app, the ABCT-Provider's computer systems, and the PA's electronically-enabled geo-fence, all without the need for specialized hardware such as transponders or other tracking equipment. Each mobile communication device associated with an ABCT-Vehicle continually transmits information to an ABCT-Provider Information and Communications Technology (“ICT”) System associated with an ABCT-Provider when an application on the mobile communication device is active. The information transmitted by the mobile communication device enables the ABCT-Provider ICT System to identify and monitor the ABCT-Driver's identity, the vehicle information, the geographic locus, and/or the ABCT-Vehicle's activity data.

Abstract: A management system for a Permitting Authority (PA) or its appointed designee to monitor and track application-based commercial ground transportation (ABCT) Provider activity through the ABCT-Driver's mobile device, the ABCT-Provider's app, the ABCT-Provider's computer systems, and the PA's electronically-enabled geo-fence, all without the need for specialized hardware such as transponders or other tracking equipment. Each mobile communication device associated with an ABCT-Vehicle continually transmits information to an ABCT-Provider Information and Communications Technology (“ICT”) System associated with an ABCT-Provider when an application on the mobile communication device is active. The information transmitted by the mobile communication device enables the ABCT-Provider ICT System to identify and monitor the ABCT-Driver's identity, the vehicle information, the geographic locus, and/or the ABCT-Vehicle's activity data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing an image of fragmented material to identify fragmented material portions within the image is disclosed. The method involves receiving pixel data associated with an input plurality of pixels representing the image of the fragmented material. The method also involves processing the pixel data using a convolutional neural network, the convolutional neural network having a plurality of layers and producing a pixel classification output indicating whether pixels in the input plurality of pixels are located at one of an edge of a fragmented material portion, inwardly from the edge, and at interstices between fragmented material portions. The convolutional neural network includes at least one convolution layer configured to produce a convolution of the input plurality of pixels, the convolutional neural network having been previously trained using a plurality of training images including previously identified fragmented material portions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing a fragmentation assessment of a material including fragmented material portions is disclosed. The method involves receiving two-dimensional image data representing a region of interest of the material, and processing the 2D image data to identify features of the fragmented material portions. The method also involves receiving a plurality of three dimensional point locations on surfaces of the fragmented material portions within the region of interest, identifying 3D point locations within the plurality of three dimensional point locations that correspond to identified features in the 2D image, and using the identified corresponding 3D point locations to determine dimensional attributes of the fragmented material portions.

Abstract: A management system for a Permitting Authority (PA) or its appointed designee to monitor and track application-based commercial ground transportation (ABCT) Provider activity through the ABCT-Driver's mobile device, the ABCT-Provider's app, the ABCT-Provider's computer systems, and the PA's electronically-enabled geo-fence, all without the need for specialized hardware such as transponders or other tracking equipment. Each mobile communication device associated with an ABCT-Vehicle continually transmits information to an ABCT-Provider Information and Communications Technology (“ICT”) System associated with an ABCT-Provider when an application on the mobile communication device is active. The information transmitted by the mobile communication device enables the ABCT-Provider ICT System to identify and monitor the ABCT-Driver's identity, the vehicle information, the geographic locus, and/or the ABCT-Vehicle's activity data.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for generating an indication of an object within an operating ambit of heavy loading equipment is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of sensors disposed about a periphery of the loading equipment, each being operable to generate a proximity signal in response to detecting an object within a coverage region of the sensor, the proximity signal including an indication of at least an approximate distance between the sensor and the object. A processor circuit is operably configured to define an alert region extending outwardly and encompassing swinging movements of outer extents of the loading equipment. The processor circuit is operably configured to receive proximity signals from the plurality of sensors, process the signals to determine a location of the object relative to the loading equipment, and initiate an alert when the location falls within the alert region.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing a fragmentation assessment of a material including fragmented material portions is disclosed. The method involves receiving two-dimensional image data representing a region of interest of the material, and processing the 2D image data to identify features of the fragmented material portions. The method also involves receiving a plurality of three dimensional point locations on surfaces of the fragmented material portions within the region of interest, identifying 3D point locations within the plurality of three dimensional point locations that correspond to identified features in the 2D image, and using the identified corresponding 3D point locations to determine dimensional attributes of the fragmented material portions.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for generating an indication of an object within an operating ambit of heavy loading equipment is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of sensors disposed about a periphery of the loading equipment, each being operable to generate a proximity signal in response to detecting an object within a coverage region of the sensor, the proximity signal including an indication of at least an approximate distance between the sensor and the object. A processor circuit is operably configured to define an alert region extending outwardly and encompassing swinging movements of outer extents of the loading equipment. The processor circuit is operably configured to receive proximity signals from the plurality of sensors, process the signals to determine a location of the object relative to the loading equipment, and initiate an alert when the location falls within the alert region.

Abstract: Method of stabilizing polyunsaturates by adding thereto (i) ascorbic acid or an ester or salt thereof, and (ii) a phosphorylated mono- or di-fatty acyl glyceride or a salt thereof, and optionally a tocopherol or tocotrienol antioxidant, and a method of preparing stable pharmaceutical, nutritional or veterinary compositions.