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: 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: Images captured by a camera system of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) can be used to determine a weather condition in an environment of the UAV. The camera system of the UAV can capture one or more images, and a characteristic of at least one image of the one or more images can be determined from image data associated with the at least one image. A weather condition of the environment of the UAV can be determined based at least in part on the characteristic of the at least one image.

Abstract: A location marker that may be used to provide information to a vehicle, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The location marker may include a plurality of retroreflectors that may form a pattern readable by a vehicle or other device. The pattern may be read to extract an identifier of a location, such as an address or an identifier of a person. A global positioning system (GPS) device may transmit a general location of the location marker to the vehicle, while the location marker may provide a unique visual location identifier to a device within visual range of the location marker. In some embodiments, the location marker may also include lights that may be individually sequenced on and off at different times to create a time domain signal sequence that is readable by the vehicle.

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. Directions for a user to present a calibration target to a camera may be presented at the augmented reality interface. Calibration data collected by the camera viewing the calibration target may be received. Existing calibration data for the camera may be validated based at least in part on the collected calibration data.

Abstract: A configurable unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) may include swappable components that may be selectable to configure a customized UAV just prior to deployment of the UAV that is configured to deliver a package to a destination. The UAV may include a plurality of ports that may accept swappable components. The ports may be coupled to a logic board to enable control of the swappable components. The ports and swappable components may enable quick replacement of a malfunctioning components, such as an image sensor, which may avoid subjecting a UAV to significant downtime for service. The malfunctioning component may then be serviced after the UAV is readied for a subsequent flight or deployed on a subsequent flight.

Abstract: A buffer assembly for a firearm includes an internal assembly comprising a plurality of weights and a dead-blow biasing member in the form of a coil compression spring, stack of wave washers, a compression washers, or a compliant portion integrally formed in a rear end cap of the buffer assembly. The dead-blow biasing member is positioned between a flat end of one of the weights and a rear end cap of a buffer body or between flat ends of adjacent weights.

Abstract: A handguard assembly for a firearm includes a handguard with an internal clamping area. A single-piece index block includes a securing portion for connecting to the handguard and an indexing extension for engaging an indexing feature on the upper receiver of the firearm. The handguard includes internal ribs that provide discrete clamping surfaces for engaging a barrel nut of the firearm. Connecting the index block to the handguard generates a continuous clamping action in the handguard which acts through the ribs to apply a radially-directed circumferentially-applied clamping force on a barrel nut through the discrete clamping surfaces. The indexing feature of the index block engages an indexing feature of the upper receiver to ensure proper alignment of the handguard and the upper receiver.

Abstract: A mobile calibration room may be used for calibrating one or more sensors used on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). A system can include folding or collapsible walls to enable the system to be moved between a stowed position and a deployed position. In the deployed position, the system can comprise a calibration room including one or more 2D or 3D targets used to calibrate one or more sensors (e.g., cameras) on a UAV. The system can include a turntable to rotate the UAV about a first axis during calibration. The system can also include a cradle to rotate the UAV around, or translate the UAV along, a second axis. The turntable can include a frame to rotate the UAV around a third axis during calibration. The mobile calibration room can be coupled to a vehicle to enable the mobile calibration room to be moved between locations.

Abstract: Techniques for providing an object awareness guidance to clear a landing space may be provided. For example, during delivery an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) may capture an image of a potential landing zone and identify one or more objects in the image that may impede or obstruct delivery of the item in the potential landing zone. The UAV may be configured to generate and provide instructions to a user device to move or remove the identified one or more objects from the potential landing zone thereby creating a safe and unobstructed landing zone to deliver the item.

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 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 handguard assembly for a firearm includes a handguard with an internal clamping area. A single-piece index block includes a securing portion for connecting to the handguard and an indexing extension for engaging an indexing feature on the upper receiver of the firearm. The handguard includes internal ribs that provide discrete clamping surfaces for engaging a barrel nut of the firearm. Connecting the index block to the handguard generates a continuous clamping action in the handguard which acts through the ribs to apply a radially-directed circumferentially-applied clamping force on a barrel nut through the discrete clamping surfaces. The indexing feature of the index block engages an indexing feature of the upper receiver to ensure proper alignment of the handguard and the upper receiver.

Abstract: A handguard assembly for a firearm includes a handguard with an internal clamping area. A single-piece index block includes a securing portion for connecting to the handguard and an indexing extension for engaging an indexing feature on the upper receiver of the firearm. The handguard includes internal ribs that provide discrete clamping surfaces for engaging a barrel nut of the firearm. Connecting the index block to the handguard generates a continuous clamping action in the handguard which acts through the ribs to apply a radially-directed circumferentially-applied clamping force on a barrel nut through the discrete clamping surfaces. The indexing feature of the index block engages an indexing feature of the upper receiver to ensure proper alignment of the handguard and the upper receiver.

Abstract: Aerial vehicles may include one or more directional sensors embedded into wings, rudders, ailerons, flaps or other control surfaces. When the aerial vehicles are operating in modes that do not require the use of such surfaces, a surface having a directional sensor embedded therein may be repositioned or reoriented to align the directional sensor toward an area or axis of interest, and information may be gathered from the area or axis of interest using the directional sensor. One or more safety lights, running lights or other illuminators may cast light of a desired color, frequency or wavelength toward the area or axis of interest. The directional sensors may include cameras, radar or laser sensors, or any other reorientable sensors.

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: A firearm accessory mounting system includes a mounting assembly coupled to a firearm accessory, a mounting fastener, and a mounting bolt. The mounting fastener is rotatable between a locked positioned and an unlocked position. The mounting bolt is coupled to the mounting fastener for rotating the mounting fastener between the locked position and the unlocked position.

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 firearm handguard is disclosed. The handguard comprises a first side section, a second side section coupled to the first side section by a plurality of interlocking fingers, and a bottom section coupled to the first side section and the second side section. The first side section and the second side section each contain at least one accessory mounting aperture. The first side section and the second side section are comprised of a polymer material having molded therein a reinforcement liner including at least one reinforcement aperture. The at least one accessory mounting aperture is aligned with the at least one reinforcement aperture.