Abstract: Numerous embodiments of a laser-processing apparatus are disclosed. In one embodiment, the laser-processing apparatus includes a laser source operative to generate a beam of laser energy, an acousto-optic deflector (AOD) arranged within a beam path, a controller coupled to the AOD, and a beam analysis system operative to measure characteristics of the beam, generate measurement data representative of the measured beam characteristics, and transmit the measurement data to a controller operative to control the operation of the AOD based on that measurement data. In another embodiment, the laser-processing apparatus includes a system for characterization of cross-axis wobble of a galvanometer mirror, comprising a reference laser source configured to emit a reference laser beam, a reflective surface formed on the galvanometer mirror and configured to reflect the reference laser beam to a sensor configured to output a signal representative of the position of the reference beam to a controller.

Abstract: A sleep aid system includes a computing device, a plurality of monitoring sensors coupled to the computing device, and one or more stimulation devices coupled to the computing device. The plurality of monitoring sensors may be configured to monitor a user before and during sleep of the user. The one or more stimulation devices are configured to produce one or more stimuli. The computing device processes inputs from the plurality of monitoring sensors and activates the one or more stimulation devices to produce the one or more stimuli based on the processed inputs.

Abstract: A knee pillow includes a compressible cushion including a rectangular prism shape, the cushion including a first side and a second side. The knee pillow includes a first concave depression on the first side of the compressible cushion, the first depression extending an entire length of the first side in a first direction and a second concave depression on the first side of the compressible cushion, the second depression extending an entire width of the first side in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The knee pillow includes a third concave depression on the second side of the compressible cushion, the third depression extending an entire length of the second side in the first direction. The knee pillow also includes a fourth concave depression on the second side of the compressible cushion, the fourth depression extending an entire width of the second side in the second direction.

Abstract: A hybrid pillow includes a first lateral portion, a medial portion, and a second lateral portion. The first lateral portion includes a first thickness. The medial portion is disposed adjacent to the first lateral section, the medial portion including a second thickness. The second lateral portion is disposed adjacent to the medial portion, and the medial portion is disposed between the first lateral portion and the second lateral portion. The second lateral portion includes a third thickness. The hybrid pillow includes one or more slots on a top of the hybrid pillow in the first lateral portion, the one or more slots extending only partially through the first thickness.

Abstract: A scheduling server is programmed to register terminals for autonomous vehicle use by allocating both capabilities and available times of the terminals to the server; identify a service to perform to an autonomous vehicle using data received from the vehicle; and send a waypoint to the vehicle directing the vehicle to arrive at an identified one of the terminals having capability to perform the service during the available times of the identified terminal.

Abstract: A folding pillow includes a top pillow section and a bottom pillow section. The top pillow section includes a first access opening, and a first internal pillow insert. The bottom pillow section includes a second access opening, and a second internal pillow insert. The folding pillow also includes a hinge section, where the folding pillow is configured to fold at the hinge section and have a folded position and an unfold position. The folding pillow also includes a sleeping panel, where the sleeping panel is covered when the folding pillow is in the folded position.

Abstract: Turbine pumps can include: an inlet port; a first discharge port; a body defining a flow path extending from the inlet port through a raceway to the discharge port; and a turbine impeller disposed in the raceway. In some pumps, the body further defines an channel providing a fluid connection between a raceway outlet and the discharge port. In some pumps, an outlet angle defined by the inlet port, an axis of the turbine, and the discharge port is between 30 and 180 degrees.

Abstract: A scheduling server is programmed to register terminals for autonomous vehicle use by allocating both capabilities and available times of the terminals to the server; identify a service to perform to an autonomous vehicle using data received from the vehicle; and send a waypoint to the vehicle directing the vehicle to arrive at an identified one of the terminals having capability to perform the service during the available times of the identified terminal.

Abstract: A recreational board carrier. The carrier can include a central portion, at least one longitudinal strap coupled to the central portion and extending therefrom, a coupler disposed at a distal end of the longitudinal strap, the coupler adapted to couple to a first end of a recreational board, a plurality of apertures defined in the longitudinal strap, and at least one carrying strap coupled to the central portion.

Abstract: Turbine pumps can include: an inlet port; a first discharge port; a body defining a flow path extending from the inlet port through a raceway to the discharge port; and a turbine impeller disposed in the raceway. In some pumps, the body further defines an channel providing a fluid connection between a raceway outlet and the discharge port. In some pumps, an outlet angle defined by the inlet port, an axis of the turbine, and the discharge port is between 30 and 180 degrees.

Abstract: An electronic torch is disclosed which includes at least one light emitting diode disposed in each one of a plurality of sections of the electronic torch. In one embodiment, each one of the plurality of sections of the electronic torch is independently selectable to activate the at least one light emitting diode disposed in each one of the plurality of sections of the electronic torch. In another embodiment, a mobile device may be connected to the electronic torch and provide instructions to the torch via a wired or wireless connection.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring, or otherwise determining pitch length adjustments to a pitch link coupled to a rotor blade in a rotorcraft includes vertical track adjustment indicators machined onto an exterior of the tube of the pitch link and a vertical reference indicator machined onto an exterior of the upper or the lower rod of the pitch link. A metric of a pitch length adjustment can be determined by tracking or counting how many track adjustment indicators pass the reference indicator while the tube of the pitch link is being turned in either direction for increasing or decreasing the pitch length. The track adjustment indicators can be relied upon to track one or a series of adjustments for tracking a rotor blade installed in a rotor assembly.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring, or otherwise determining pitch length adjustments to a pitch link coupled to a rotor blade in a rotorcraft includes vertical track adjustment indicators machined onto an exterior of the tube of the pitch link and a vertical reference indicator machined onto an exterior of the upper or the lower rod of the pitch link. A metric of a pitch length adjustment can be determined by tracking or counting how many track adjustment indicators pass the reference indicator while the tube of the pitch link is being turned in either direction for increasing or decreasing the pitch length. The track adjustment indicators can be relied upon to track one or a series of adjustments for tracking a rotor blade installed in a rotor assembly.

Abstract: An electronic torch is disclosed which includes at least one light emitting diode disposed in each one of a plurality of sections of the electronic torch. In one embodiment, each one of the plurality of sections of the electronic torch is independently selectable to activate the at least one light emitting diode disposed in each one of the plurality of sections of the electronic torch. In another embodiment, a mobile device may be connected to the electronic torch and provide instructions to the torch via a wired or wireless connection.

Abstract: An electronic torch is disclosed which includes at least one light emitting diode disposed in each one of a plurality of sections of the electronic torch. In one embodiment, each one of the plurality of sections of the electronic torch is independently selectable to activate the at least one light emitting diode disposed in each one of the plurality of sections of the electronic torch. In another embodiment, a mobile device may be connected to the electronic torch and provide instructions to the torch via a wired or wireless connection.

Abstract: An electronic torch is disclosed which includes at least one light emitting diode disposed in each one of a plurality of sections of the electronic torch. In one embodiment, each one of the plurality of sections of the electronic torch is independently selectable to activate the at least one light emitting diode disposed in each one of the plurality of sections of the electronic torch. In another embodiment, a mobile device may be connected to the electronic torch and provide instructions to the torch via a wired or wireless connection.

Abstract: A recreational board carrier. The carrier can include a central portion, at least one longitudinal strap coupled to the central portion and extending therefrom, a coupler disposed at a distal end of the longitudinal strap, the coupler adapted to couple to a first end of a recreational board, a plurality of apertures defined in the longitudinal strap, and at least one carrying strap coupled to the central portion.

Abstract: A method for updating at least one data element in a conference is disclosed. The conference can include a first node having at least a first server but no endpoints; a second node coupled to the first node, the second node having at least a second server but no endpoints; a first endpoint coupled to the first server; and a second endpoint coupled to the second server. The first and second nodes can form a free tree topology. In such a conference, an exemplary method includes sending an initial update from either (a) the first server belonging to the first node, or (b) the first endpoint, to the second server belonging to the second node; receiving the initial update by the second server; and sending, by the second server, the content of the initial update as an update to at least one of a third server or the second endpoint.