Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present application relate to an unmanned aerial vehicle including a control system, at least one rotor, a line, and a load sensor. The load sensor includes an actuating arm engaged with the line, and the load sensor is operable to detect a loaded/unloaded state of the line based on a position of the actuating arm. The line places the actuating arm in a depressed position when a parcel is supported by the line to thereby indicate the loaded/unloaded as a loaded state. The line permits the actuating arm to adopt a projected position when the parcel is not supported by the line to thereby indicate the loaded/unloaded as a loaded state. The control system is configured to raise and/or lower the free portion of the line based upon the loaded/unloaded state of the line.

Abstract: Systems and methods for backlash measurement and monitoring are disclosed for an actuator having a motor end and an output end. The method may include: driving the motor end of the actuator to one endpoint; measuring, using a first sensor, a motor-end initial position value associated with the motor end; measuring, using a second sensor, an output-end initial position value associated with the output end; driving the motor end of the actuator to another endpoint; measuring a motor-end final position value using the first sensor and an output-end final position value using the second sensor; determining a backlash value based on the motor-end initial position value, output-end initial position value, motor-end final position value, and output-end final position value; generating a signal based on comparing the backlash value to a predetermined threshold; and displaying a notification indicative of an operational condition of the actuator based on the signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for backlash measurement and monitoring are disclosed for an actuator having a motor end and an output end. The method may include: driving the motor end of the actuator to one endpoint; measuring, using a first sensor, a motor-end initial position value associated with the motor end; measuring, using a second sensor, an output-end initial position value associated with the output end; driving the motor end of the actuator to another endpoint; measuring a motor-end final position value using the first sensor and an output-end final position value using the second sensor; determining a backlash value based on the motor-end initial position value, output-end initial position value, motor-end final position value, and output-end final position value; generating a signal based on comparing the backlash value to a predetermined threshold; and displaying a notification indicative of an operational condition of the actuator based on the signal.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present application relate to a method for releasing a parcel from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The parcel is engaged with a hook attached to a line suspended from the UAV. The method includes lowering the hook such that the parcel is at least partially supported by a target surface, thereby performing an attempt to release the parcel from the hook, performing at least one iteration of an iterative procedure. The iterative procedure includes raising the hook, and determining whether the line remains loaded. The iterative procedure further includes lowering the hook an additional time in response to a determination that the line remains loaded, thereby performing an additional attempt to release the parcel from the hook. The iterative procedure further includes performing an additional iteration of the iterative procedure in response to the number of attempts failing to satisfy a threshold number of attempts.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present application relate to a method for releasing a parcel from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The parcel is engaged with a hook attached to a line suspended from the UAV. The method includes lowering the hook such that the parcel is at least partially supported by a target surface, thereby performing an attempt to release the parcel from the hook, performing at least one iteration of an iterative procedure. The iterative procedure includes raising the hook, and determining whether the line remains loaded. The iterative procedure further includes lowering the hook an additional time in response to a determination that the line remains loaded, thereby performing an additional attempt to release the parcel from the hook. The iterative procedure further includes performing an additional iteration of the iterative procedure in response to the number of attempts failing to satisfy a threshold number of attempts.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present application relate to an unmanned aerial vehicle, comprising a chassis, a control system mounted to the chassis, at least one rotor operable to generate lift under control of the control system, a spool having a wound portion of a line wound thereon, the line including a free portion, an attachment device secured to the free portion of the line and configured to facilitate attachment of a parcel to the line, a motor operable to rotate the spool under control of the control system such that the control system is operable to raise the attachment device to a raised position and lower the attachment device from the raised position, and a spring positioned between the chassis and the attachment device such that the spring is engaged between the chassis and the attachment device when the attachment device is in the raised position.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present application relate to an unmanned aerial vehicle including a control system, at least one rotor operable to generate lift under control of the control system, a spool mounted for rotation in a winding direction and an unwinding direction opposite the winding direction, a motor operable to rotate the spool in at least the winding direction under control of the control system, and a brake mechanism including a brake actuator operable to transition the brake mechanism between a locked state and an unlocked state under control of the control system. The brake mechanism in the locked state prevents rotation of the spool in at least the unwinding direction. The brake mechanism in the unlocked state does not prevent rotation of the spool in the unwinding direction.

Abstract: A low-profile, backlit panel assembly and a controller for displaying images and/or data within a passenger compartment of a vehicle are provided. The assembly includes a substrate panel perforated with a two-dimensional array of closely-spaced holes. The panel is configured to be attached to a support structure of the vehicle. The assembly further includes a plurality of semiconductor-based, lighting devices supported at a back surface of the panel. Each of the lighting devices includes at least one lighting element. Each of the lighting elements is individually addressable by the controller to control luminous intensity of the light emitted by the at least one lighting element. Each of the lighting devices is aligned with one of the holes so that light emitted by each of the lighting devices travels through its hole to the passenger compartment in the form of a pixel of a two-dimensional image.

Abstract: A hunting cart assembly includes a cart that includes a first frame which is pivotally coupled to a second frame such that the cart is positionable between a folded position for storage and an unfolded position for utilization. A pair of wheels is each rotatably disposed on the second frame to roll along a support surface. A pair of motors is each integrated into a respective one of the wheels. Each of the motors rotates the respective wheel in a first direction when the motors are turned on to urge the cart along the support surface. A lever is pivotally coupled to a respective one of the handles and the lever is in communication with the pair of motors. Each of the motors is turned on when the lever is urged into an actuating condition and each of the motors is turned off when the lever is biased into a de-actuating condition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising a 3D printed hydrogel, wherein at least two different populations of cells are embedded in the 3D printed hydrogel. The different populations of cells can produce one or more products. The 3D printed hydrogel can be lyophilized and rehydrated, and the cells can continue to produce the product. Also disclosed are methods of producing a product, and methods of producing a 3D printed hydrogel comprising different populations of cells.

Abstract: A device for dispensing a material having: a first surface with an orifice; a second surface opposite the first surface; a first endface comprising an annular opening; a second endface opposite the first endface; a cavity defined by the above. An actuator is anchored to the second surface and has at least a portion of a pressing pad extending through the orifice in the first surface. An inner side of the second surface comprises a contoured portion within the cavity, the contoured portion having a first end positioned toward the second endface and a second end positioned toward the first endface, wherein the contoured portion has a maximum height at or near the first end, and a minimum height at a position between the first end and the second end.

Abstract: A tool which is relatively simple in design, is easy to manufacture and assemble, and which is capable of dispensing precise amounts of the fluid contents of a deformable tube until the contents have been substantially completely dispensed is provided. The tool includes interlocking casing halves and a rigid actuator jaw which is adapted to be pressed against the tube to dispense the contents of the tube.

Abstract: In general, techniques are described for dynamic port configuration with an interconnection system (IS) to streamline a process for port ordering and reduce port configuration and interconnection services provisioning times. In one example, an IS includes at least one interconnection facility and a programmable network platform (PNP), the at least one interconnection facility including: a network switch fabric having at least one network device and ports; and a customer cage for a customer of an IS provider for the IS, wherein the PNP is configured to, in response to a port verification request initiated by the customer to verify a port of the ports that is cross-connected to a customer network in the customer cage to provide connectivity with the network switch fabric: obtain an indication of a port configuration for the port; and output the indication of the port configuration for the port for display to the customer.

Abstract: In general, techniques are described for dynamically programming a cloud-based service exchange to enable connections from an enterprise buyer in one metropolitan area to connect to a cloud exchange in another metropolitan area. For example, a network data center includes a programmable network platform to receive an indication of a network service provider (NSP) configured to transport traffic to a customer in a second metropolitan area; provision a virtual circuit from a customer-facing port of a cloud-based services exchange point of the second metropolitan area to the NSP; receive a service request that specifies one or more cloud services provided by one or more cloud service provider networks of the first metropolitan area operated by the respective cloud service providers; and configure access to the one or more cloud services provided by one or more cloud service provider networks via the virtual circuit.

Abstract: A device for dispensing a material having: a first surface with an orifice; a second surface opposite the first surface; a first endface comprising an annular opening; a second endface opposite the first endface; a cavity defined by the above. An actuator is anchored to the second surface and has at least a portion of a pressing pad extending through the orifice in the first surface. An inner side of the second surface comprises a contoured portion within the cavity, the contoured portion having a first end positioned toward the second endface and a second end positioned toward the first endface, wherein the contoured portion has a maximum height at or near the first end, and a minimum height at a position between the first end and the second end.

Abstract: A device for augmented reality model alignment is disclosed. The device may receive user input that identifies a machine, identify an augmented reality model associated with the machine, and display a representation of the machine with multiple icons that indicate multiple positions for a target marker. The device may detect a user selection of an icon of the multiple icons and may determine, based on the selected icon, an orientation for superimposition of the augmented reality model. The device may detect the target marker in an image captured by an image capture component of the device and may superimpose the augmented reality model on the image using the orientation.

Abstract: In general, this disclosure describes techniques for hierarchical management of co-location facility assets and permissions. For example, techniques are described for managing permissions for sub-customer access to reseller assets of a co-location facility, where the sub-customers are customers of the reseller. The techniques as described herein may, as a result, enable customers that become resellers to assign assets of the cloud exchange and manage sub-customer permissions to those assigned assets, including sub-customer orderings and/or access of assets associated with one or more geographically distinct co-location facilities and port-level assets.

Abstract: A water filtration device comprising a drum housing a removable canister containing a replaceable water filter media. A pair of lifting handle/media stops, connected to the removable canister, pivotally secure the replaceable water filter media, enabling a user to lift the removable canister from the drum and remove the replaceable water filter media. The drum is located along and connected to a water circulating line comprising a water supply line and a water discharge line. Unfiltered water is circulated into the water filtration device, creating the filtered water circulating into the water discharge line to the decorative water feature thereby re-circulating the unfiltered water from the water filtration device as filtered water back through a decorative water feature to a water feature terminus. As unfiltered water is pumped from the water feature terminus, it again passes through the replaceable water filter media.