Abstract: An inspection apparatus includes multiple sensors (including a visual sensor and one or more additional sensor(s), such as an optical gas imager and an anemometer), a real-time clock, and an inertial measurement unit, the sensors having central observation axes aligned in parallel, with the sensors and real-time clock (and optionally a location module) configured to generate data points from multiple poses of the inspection apparatus relative to an observed object. A method for operating an inspection apparatus includes obtaining data by sweeping the inspection apparatus across a region in parallel paths and circumscribing the region, time-stamping and/or attributing location coordinates to the data, correcting for positional offset of the sensors, collocating visual sensor data with data from other sensor(s), generating a point cloud and a 3D texture of the visual data, and generating a textured 3D model.

Abstract: In some underground boring applications the exit location of the underground bore may be located such that drill pipe and material pipe sections cannot be conveniently deployed therefrom (e.g., a basement of a building, the inside of another pipe, or a small manhole space). In such applications, push reaming functionality is often the preferred method of reaming because the pipe section can be deployed and installed from a pit where the bore is started during a push reaming operation. The present disclosure provides a new push reaming drill head as well as a new method of push reaming.

Abstract: A drill rod is disclosed. The drill rod includes a casing assembly defining a length that extends axially between a first end and an opposite second end of the drill rod, and a drive shaft rotatably mounted within the casing assembly. The drive shaft extends axially along the drill rod generally from the first end of the casing assembly to the second end of the casing assembly. The drill rod also includes latching pins at the first end of the drill rod and latching pin receivers at the second end of the drill rod. The drill rod further includes latches provided adjacent the latching pin receivers. The latches are movable between latching and non-latching positions. The latches move along an orientation of movement then the latches between the latching and non-latching positions. The drill rod may also include biasing structures that apply retention forces to the latches for retaining the latches in the non-latching position.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a falling object protection system for use with a machine for forming underground bores and/or for installing product within underground bores. The falling object protection system includes a base forming a platform on which an operator can stand. The base includes an inner portion adapted to be positioned adjacent to the machine and an outer portion adapted to be positioned away from the machine. The falling object protection system also includes an outer barrier that extends upwardly from the outer portion of the base, and a top barrier that extends inwardly from the outer barrier and extends over the platform of the base. The falling object protection system further includes an upper frame that extends upwardly from an inner end portion of the top barrier. The upper frame includes a falling object deflection member spaced above the inner end portion of the top barrier.

Abstract: A drill rod is disclosed. The drill rod includes a casing assembly defining a length that extends axially between a first end and an opposite second end of the drill rod, and a drive shaft rotatably mounted within the casing assembly. The drive shaft extends axially along the drill rod generally from the first end of the casing assembly to the second end of the casing assembly. The drill rod also includes latching pins at the first end of the drill rod and latching pin receivers at the second end of the drill rod. The drill rod further includes latches provided adjacent the latching pin receivers. The latches are movable between latching and non-latching positions. The latches move along an orientation of movement then the latches between the latching and non-latching positions. The drill rod may also include biasing structures that apply retention forces to the latches for retaining the latches in the non-latching position.

Abstract: System(s) and method(s) are provided to compensate an agent in exchange for the agent's intent in transacting with a service platform. Compensation can be effected in online and offline domains, and intent can be conveyed online or offline. Compensation is funded through advertisement spending, and advertisement impressions facilitate compensation delivery. The service platform that compensated the agent extracts intent through explicit or implicit expressions which can be collected online or offline. Offline expressions can be delivered through wearable indicia. Compensation can be delivered wirelessly offline or online to a device operated by the agent. Agent and agent's device(s) registration afford service platform to deliver adaptive compensation customized to the agent, and advertisement(s) with format and content optimized for the agent's device.

Abstract: System(s) and method(s) are provided to drive early adoption and retention of disparate sources of funding and financing an award program, with application to a consumer compensation scheme subsidized through advertisement revenue. A component that manages advertisement revenue, or received funds, allocates a portion of revenue to subsidize a rebate program, or award program, for enrolled advertisers, or sources of funding, from a universe of advertisers. Rebate or award funds are provided to enrolled advertisers on an exclusivity based for a specific period of time, after which funds are transferred to a commonly accessible account. The subsidized nature of the awarded compensation funds and their time sensitivity drive advertiser enrollment and retention and ensures consumers are aggressively compensated. In an aspect, the subsidized rebate program can be exploited to directly compensate a consumer online or offline in exchange for the consumer's intent in engaging with a service platform.

Abstract: System(s) and method(s) are provided to drive commercial transactions and advertisement based on explicit consumer's value-cost propositions. Value-cost propositions express consumer's desires with respect to parameters related to a commercial transaction product price point, sensitivity to price and time, preferred shipping mechanism(s), contractor reputation, supply chain utilized by contractor, and so on. A component registers consumers to submit their value-cost propositions, and aggregates the information so conveyed to generate a market latent demand. The latter is conveyed to a set of advertisers, who respond to the latent demand by (i) adjusting their cost-profit propositions or (ii) countering the consumer's value-cost propositions.

Abstract: System(s) and method(s) are provided to trade compensation credit(s) in a customer price incentive scheme funded through advertisement. A secondary market for rewards is established through advertisement spend from a set of disparate category advertisers (e.g., brand advertisers and product advertisers). Market liquidity is injected through an advertisement component that directs a portion of advertisement spend to issue tradable compensation credit(s) at a initial offering price. A trade platform facilitates commercialization of compensation credit(s) among a set of registered advertisers: A regulatory component provides governance and establishes pricing of traded compensation credit(s), while a brokerage component facilitates negotiation among traders. Disparate advertisers can be joined for trading based at least in part on advertiser intelligence.

Abstract: System(s) and method(s) are provided that facilitate intrinsically targeted, dependable peer-to-peer referral and compensation within an intent-compensation scheme. The referral system synergistically exploits trust mechanisms existing among a referring agent and a referred agent in order to generate high-quality referrals based on a determination of commercial intent from the referred agent. In exchange of conveyed intent at a time of a transaction with a referred agent, system platform directly compensates both the referred agent and the referring agent. Compensation of the referred agent is ensured via tracking mechanism that can identify a referral originating device. Information associated with referral(s) is scoped through privacy profiles, and referral/compensation integrity is maintained via an antifraud component and a tracking component that can identify referring and referred agents. Compensation can be funded trough advertisement spend.

Abstract: System(s) and method(s) are provided to conduct internal arbitrage within an organization. Within a service platform, a first functional unit oriented to service implementation and a second unit dedicated at least in part to advertisement management trade advertisement trade, the first unit and the second administer advertisement within a first and a second pricing model. Internal arbitrage profits result from the advertisement transaction when the second unit commercialized advertisement with an external advertiser. A pricing conversion component facilitates mapping a first price proposition for an advertisement within the first pricing model to a second pricing proposition for the advertisement within the second pricing model. Internal arbitrage profits can be directed towards financing an intent-based consumer price incentive scheme.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to directly compensate an agent that utilizes a software application in exchange for the agent's intent in using the application, and for displaying intent-driven advertisement to the agent. Intent is inferred through information received from the agent, when utilizing the software application, according to an agent's privacy settings. Based on agent's intent, an advertisement is displayed and an associated software-related compensation is provided to the agent. Compensation accumulation profiles can be established based at least in part on privacy settings. Compensation possesses monetary value and can be directed towards (i) increasing software functionality, (ii) providing credits for training and literature related to the utilization of the application, or (iii) servicing a device in which the application is executed. The monetary aspect of the software-related compensation originated in intent-driven advertisement effectively funds the agent's software application.

Abstract: The claimed subject invention presents systems and methods to compensate directly a user of a service platform through advertising spending in exchange for knowledge of the user intent. Advertising spending contributions are allocated to a compensation account that can be accessed by an advertising platform, affiliated with the service platform or not, to compensate users and to update compensation records and transactions with the advertiser. Compensation fraud is actively and reactively mitigated. Compensation of the user is conducted securely and includes compensation points, direct payments and instant rebates, which can be used in transactions with online and offline service platforms. The intent-compensation proposition funded through advertising spending creates a price incentive that differentiates both service platform and advertiser from their competitors, and creates value for user and advertiser.

Abstract: The claimed subject invention presents a system and method to compensate a user of a service platform in return for information regarding the user's intent. The compensation comprises rewards points and direct payments, which can be used to claim rewards online and offline. The compensation is securely maintained in compensation accounts. The user can benefit from third-party content and services through partnerships with the service platform. The intent-compensation proposition of the service platform creates a price incentive to use the service platform over its competitors.

Abstract: Disclosed is a flexible sheet handling apparatus including a frame having a vacuum passage located around the periphery of the frame. There is also a porous, polymeric plug which covers the vacuum passage. When a vacuum is applied to the vacuum passage and the porous, polymeric plug, a flexible sheet in contact with the porous, polymeric plug is uniformly held only around the periphery of the flexible sheet by the applied vacuum.