Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically animating a character based on an existing corpus of animation are described. The character may be from a previously produced feature animated film, and the data used for training may be the data used to animate the character in the film. A low-dimensional embedding for subsets of the existing animation corresponding to different semantic labels may be learned by mapping high-dimensional rig control parameters to a latent space. A particle model may be used to move within the latent space, thereby generating novel animations corresponding to the space's semantic label, such as a pose. Bridges may link a first pose of a first model within the latent space that is similar to a second pose of a second model of the space. Animations corresponding to transitions between semantic labels may be generated by creating animation paths that traverse a bridge from one model into another.

Abstract: A double-walled handguard for a firearm includes an inner tube and an outer tube connected by longitudinally-extending struts. A circumferential gap is formed between the inner and outer tubes. The handguard can be extruded as a blank and feature such as accessory rails and accessory mounting apertures can be machined into the blank to arrive at the desired configuration. Vent holes may be machined into the outer tube to provide a venting path for hot air in the circumferential gap. The double-walled handguard is expected to have increased strength compared to a single-walled handguard and better shield the user's hands from heat generated by the barrel of the firearm.

Abstract: An assembly for mounting a handguard on a barrel nut of a firearm. The firearm has a gas piston action that includes an operating rod. The assembly includes a tie rod having a reduced thickness middle portion that extends between the barrel nut and the operating rod. The tie rod has connectors at each end. Fasteners are inserted from opposite sides of the handguard and connect to the tie rod connectors. The fasteners are threaded into clamp blocks such that rotation of the fasteners applies compression on the handguard against the barrel nut and a generates a reactive tensile load in the tie bar.

Abstract: Described is an aerial vehicle, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”), that includes a plurality of sensors, such as stereo cameras, mounted along a perimeter frame of the aerial vehicle and arranged to generate a scene that surrounds the aerial vehicle. The sensors may be mounted in or on winglets of the perimeter frame. Each of the plurality of sensors has a field of view and the plurality of optical sensors are arranged and/or oriented such that their fields of view overlap with one another throughout a continuous space that surrounds the perimeter frame. The fields of view may also include a portion of the perimeter frame or space that is adjacent to the perimeter frame.

Abstract: A propeller provided on an aerial vehicle may include a digital camera or other imaging device embedded into a surface of one of the blades of the propeller. The digital camera may capture images while the propeller is rotating at an operational speed. Images captured by the digital camera may be processed to recognize one or more objects therein, and to determine ranges to such objects by stereo triangulation techniques. Using such ranges, a depth map or other model of the surface features in an environment in which the aerial vehicle is operating may be defined and stored or used for any purpose. A propeller may include digital cameras or other imaging devices embedded into two or more blades, and may also use such images to determine ranges to objects by stereo triangulation techniques.

Abstract: A method for securing an accessory to a firearm includes inserting a lug and a nut into an entry opening positioned between first and second opposite ends of a slot formed in a wall of the firearm. The lug restricts the nut from rotating about an axis of a threaded member with which the nut is in threaded engagement. The slot has a first width, the entry opening has a second width that is greater than the first width, and the nut has a major dimension that is larger than the first width and smaller than the second width. The method also includes sliding the lug and nut in the slot in a sliding direction toward the first end or the second end, and rotating the threaded member with respect to the nut to clamp the wall between a surface of the nut and a surface of the accessory.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a configuration of an aerial vehicle, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”), that includes a plurality of cameras that may be selectively combined to form a stereo pair for use in obtaining stereo images that provide depth information corresponding to objects represented in those images. Depending on the distance between an object and the aerial vehicle, different cameras may be selected for the stereo pair based on the baseline between those cameras and a distance between the object and the aerial vehicle. For example, cameras with a small baseline (close together) may be selected to generate stereo images and depth information for an object that is close to the aerial vehicle. In comparison, cameras with a large baseline may be selected to generate stereo images and depth information for an object that is farther away from the aerial vehicle.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods provide simulations to vehicles, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with stereoscopic cameras. The system can include a plurality of screens set at predetermined angles to provide proper parallax to the stereoscopic cameras. The system can also include a test computer to update the screens based on the actions and travel time of the UAV. The test computer can also monitor the load on the computing systems of the UAV due to the camera and other inputs. The system can enable the testing and configuration of cameras and sensors without requiring actual flight. The test computer can provide navigational information to the UAV, receive actions taken by the UAV, update the screens based on these actions and the travel speed and direction of the UAV, and monitor the effects of the cameras and other sensors on the internal components of the UAV during use.

Abstract: An upper receiver for a firearm. The firearm includes a barrel extending forward of the upper receiver and a buttstock extending rearward of the upper receiver. The upper receiver includes an arcuate surface formed in a wall of the chamber. The arcuate surface changes direction of gases that are directed rearward in the chamber such that the gases are vented from the upper receiver in a non-rearward direction.

Abstract: An upper receiver for a firearm. The firearm includes a barrel extending forward of the upper receiver and a buttstock extending rearward of the upper receiver. The upper receiver includes forward gas escape ports through a frame of an ejection port through which spent casings are ejected. The upper receiver further includes a trough formed on an inside surface of the frame. The trough collects gases in the chamber and distributes the gases to the gas escape ports. The gas escape ports are covered by an ejection port door when a shell is not being ejected.

Abstract: A barrier assembly for preventing items from falling behind domestic appliances and a method of using the same is provided. The barrier assembly provides one or more mesh nets, each mesh net extending between two pivotable columns. Each pivotal column is mounted to spaced apart surfaces along an upper periphery of an appliance. As a result, each independent mesh net may be pivoted to different angles of incident relative to the upper surface of the appliance so as to close off the space between that portion of the periphery of the appliance and an adjacent wall, preventing item from falling therein.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for building a score plan for a healthcare organization, its providers, its payers, and/or its patients and presenting the results of the score plan on one or more score card user interfaces. Score cards graphically display an entity's progress towards meeting quality measure objectives. The score cards provide information on percentage completion of one or more quality measure objectives by the entity and/or quality measure objectives that may be difficult for the entity to achieve.

Abstract: Described is an imaging component for use by an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”) for object detection. As described, the imaging component includes one or more cameras that are configured to obtain images of a scene using visible light that are converted into a depth map (e.g., stereo image) and one or more other cameras that are configured to form images, or thermograms, of the scene using infrared radiation (“IR”). The depth information and thermal information are combined to form a representation of the scene based on both depth and thermal information.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a device and system for verifying the content of items in a bin within a materials handling facility. In some implementations, a bin content verification apparatus may pass by one or more bins and capture images of those bins. The images may be processed to determine whether the content included in the bins has changed since the last time images of the bins were captured. A determination may also be made as to whether a change to the bin content was expected and, if so, if the determined change corresponds with the expected change.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable medium for approximating mesh deformations for character rigs are disclosed. An embodiment includes applying a first deformation function to one or more mesh elements to determine an intermediate position based on a transform to a first structural element, wherein the one or more mesh elements are assigned to the first structural element, generating an offset based on a second deformation function for the one or more mesh elements using a deformation function approximation model, wherein the offset is a positional offset of the one or more mesh elements from the intermediate position to a target position corresponding to the transform applied to the first structural element, and generating a combined mesh deformation for the one or more mesh elements by combining the intermediate position and the offset.

Abstract: An accessory mounting system for use on a firearm includes an elongated opening having first and second ends and an entry aperture between the first and second ends. A fastener with a major dimension larger than the minor dimension of the elongated opening, but small than the width of the entry aperture can be inserted into the entry aperture and slid toward either of the first and second ends of the elongated opening. The fastener may be, for example, a T-nut or a screw-like fastener with a circular head. If a T-nut is used, it can be inserted into the elongated opening transverse to the elongated opening and slide to either end in the transverse orientation so it spans across the elongated opening without having to turn it.

Abstract: Methods and systems for collecting camera calibration data using wearable devices are described. An augmented reality interface may be provided at a wearable device. Three-dimensional virtual information may be presented at the augmented reality interface. The three-dimensional information may identify a field of view of a remote camera and may be associated with collection of calibration data for the remote camera. Calibration data collected by the remote camera viewing a calibration target in the field of view may be received. The camera may be calibrated based at least in part on the calibration data.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to monitoring exposure levels for individual cameras of a stereo camera system to reduce unwanted lens flaring which may disrupt stereo vision capabilities of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The UAV may identify lens flaring by monitoring histogram data received from the cameras and then mitigate the lens flaring by performing aerial maneuvers with respect to the light source and/or moving camera componentry such as deploying a lens hood. The UAV may also identify lens flaring patterns that on a camera's sensor and determine a location of a peripheral light source based on these patterns. The UAV may then deploy a visor between the location of the peripheral light source and the cameras.