Abstract: Disclosed are electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft gaming apparatuses and methods. In one embodiment, a video game apparatus comprises a processor, a first inceptor, communicatively coupled to the processor, the first inceptor configured to accept longitudinal and lateral linear movements as manual input and provide corresponding signals to the processor, and a second inceptor, communicatively coupled to the processor, the second inceptor configured to accept longitudinal and lateral linear movements as manual input and provide corresponding signals to the processor, wherein the processor is configured to control a heading of an aircraft in a video game using a signal received from the second inceptor corresponding to lateral linear movement of the second inceptor. Some embodiments may additionally include at least one sensor and a thumb stick for each inceptor.

Abstract: A docking station for charging an autonomous floor cleaner includes a transmitter that can transmit a signal for detection by the robot. The docking station can include an opaque shroud for the transmitter and/or spring-loaded charging contacts. The autonomous floor cleaner can comprise a passive receiver that detects signals emitted from the docking station and a time-of-flight sensor for position/proximity sensing. The robot can selectively turn off the time-of-flight sensor when docking with or avoiding the docking station. Methods for docking, re-docking, low power charging, docking station avoidance, obstacle response during docking, and close-proximity docking are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods include receiving (51) blocks of data that has been Forward Error Correction (FEC) encoded via Open Forward Error Correction (OFEC) adaptation; decoding (52) the blocks of data; processing (53) checksum data that is included in padding data required in the OFEC adaptation, wherein the padding data is distributed across N rows of payload data; and determining (54) a location of any errors in the payload data based on the processed checksum data. The OFEC adaptation is for mapping the blocks of data into any of a FlexO structure, a ZR structure, and variants thereof, and the location of any errors can be used for error marking.

Abstract: A coherent optical modem includes an optical interface; and circuitry connected to the optical interface and configured to detect a first timing reference point in a transmit Digital Signal Processor (DSP) frame in a transmit direction from a first node to a second node, and detect a second timing reference point in a receive DSP frame in a receive direction from the second node to the first node, wherein the first timing reference point and the second timing reference point are determined based on a pattern in any DSP frame field including i) padding area, ii) a reserved area, and iii) a DSP Multi-Frame Alignment Signal (MFAS) area. The pattern can be input in select DSP frames for a time period that is greater than a time period for each DSP frame.

Abstract: A method of data decompression includes receiving compressed pixel data substantially in raster scan order and determining a number of bits of compressed data that corresponds to one row of pixels. Then, for each group of pixels in the row, the method identifies a block-based decoding scheme for the group of pixels and decodes the group of pixels using the identified scheme.

Abstract: A method of data compression includes receiving input pixel data for a block of data in raster scan order where the pixel data comprises at least red, green and blue channel data for each pixel. The pixel data is compressed using a block-based encoding scheme and then the compressed pixel data is output substantially in raster scan order.

Abstract: A coherent optical modem includes an optical interface; and circuitry connected to the optical interface and configured to detect a first timing reference point in a transmit Digital Signal Processor (DSP) frame in a transmit direction from a first node to a second node, and detect a second timing reference point in a receive DSP frame in a receive direction from the second node to the first node, wherein the first timing reference point and the second timing reference point are determined based on a pattern in any DSP frame field including i) padding area, ii) a reserved area, and iii) a DSP Multi-Frame Alignment Signal (MFAS) area. The pattern can be input in select DSP frames for a time period that is greater than a time period for each DSP frame.

Abstract: A specular variable angle absolute reflectometer includes a light source and a mirror system in a light path of the light source. The mirror system is configured to reflect a light beam from the light source towards a sample that is optically reflective. The device also includes an elliptical roof mirror disposed in the light path after the sample having an ellipsoidal reflector surface configured to reflect the light beam back towards the sample. The device also includes a mechanism connected to the elliptical roof mirror. The mechanism is configured to rotate the elliptical roof mirror about an axis of the sample. The device also includes a detector in the light path after the elliptical roof mirror such that the detector receives light that has been reflected from the elliptical roof mirror, thence back to the sample, thence back to the mirror system, and thence to the detector.

Abstract: Systems and methods include receiving blocks of data that has been Forward Error Correction (FEC) encoded via Open Forward Error Correction (OFEC) adaptation; decoding the blocks of data; processing Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) data that is included in padding data required in the OFEC adaptation, wherein the padding data is distributed across N rows of payload data; and determining a location of any errors in the payload data based on the processed CRC data. The OFEC adaptation is for mapping the blocks of data into any of a FlexO-x frame structure, a ZR frame structure, and variants thereof, and the location of any errors can be used for error marking.

Abstract: A specular variable angle absolute reflectometer includes a light source and a mirror system in a light path of the light source. The mirror system is configured to reflect a light beam from the light source towards a sample that is optically reflective. The device also includes an elliptical roof mirror disposed in the light path after the sample having an ellipsoidal reflector surface configured to reflect the light beam back towards the sample. The device also includes a mechanism connected to the elliptical roof mirror. The mechanism is configured to rotate the elliptical roof mirror about an axis of the sample. The device also includes a detector in the light path after the elliptical roof mirror such that the detector receives light that has been reflected from the elliptical roof mirror, thence back to the sample, thence back to the mirror system, and thence to the detector.

Abstract: A specular variable angle absolute reflectometer. The device includes a light source and a mirror system in a light path of the light source. The mirror system is configured to reflect a light beam from the light source towards a sample that is optically reflective. The device also includes a roof mirror disposed in the light path after the sample. The roof mirror is configured to reflect the light beam back towards the sample. The device also includes a mechanism connected to the roof mirror. The mechanism is configured to rotate the roof mirror about an axis of the sample. The device also includes a detector in the light path after the roof mirror such that the detector receives light that has been reflected from the roof mirror, thence back to the sample, thence back to the mirror system, and thence to the detector.

Abstract: A tick trap belt for wear by an outdoorsman for stopping upward movement of ticks includes a belt having opposed ends, each end having a fastener such that the opposed ends of the belt are selectively secured about a user's body. The belt includes upper and lower edges and has opposed inner and outer surfaces extending between the upper and lower edges, respectively. The tick trap belt includes an awning or cover coupled to the upper edge of the belt and extends along the upper edge between the fasteners at the opposed ends thereof, respectively. The awning extends outwardly and downwardly away from the upper edge, the awning having a bottom surface that, in cooperation with the outer surface of the belt, defines a gap area. An adhesive member is positioned in the gap area for stopping movement of ticks who step thereon.

Abstract: A tick trap belt for wear by an outdoorsman for stopping upward movement of ticks includes a belt having opposed ends, each end having a fastener such that the opposed ends of the belt are selectively secured about a user's body. The belt includes upper and lower edges and has opposed inner and outer surfaces extending between the upper and lower edges, respectively. The tick trap belt includes an awning or cover coupled to the upper edge of the belt and extends along the upper edge between the fasteners at the opposed ends thereof, respectively. The awning extends outwardly and downwardly away from the upper edge, the awning having a bottom surface that, in cooperation with the outer surface of the belt, defines a gap area. An adhesive member is positioned in the gap area for stopping movement of ticks who step thereon.

Abstract: A tick trap belt for wear by an outdoorsman for stopping upward movement of ticks includes a belt having opposed ends, each end having a fastener such that the opposed ends of the belt are selectively secured about a user's body. The belt includes upper and lower edges and has opposed inner and outer surfaces extending between the upper and lower edges, respectively. The tick trap belt includes an awning or cover coupled to the upper edge of the belt and extends along the upper edge between the fasteners at the opposed ends thereof, respectively. The awning extends outwardly and downwardly away from the upper edge, the awning having a bottom surface that, in cooperation with the outer surface of the belt, defines a gap area. An adhesive member is positioned in the gap area for stopping movement of ticks who step thereon.

Abstract: A specular variable angle absolute reflectometer. The device includes a light source and a mirror system in a light path of the light source. The mirror system is configured to reflect a light beam from the light source towards a sample that is optically reflective. The device also includes a roof mirror disposed in the light path after the sample. The roof mirror is configured to reflect the light beam back towards the sample. The device also includes a mechanism connected to the roof mirror. The mechanism is configured to rotate the roof mirror about an axis of the sample. The device also includes a detector in the light path after the roof mirror such that the detector receives light that has been reflected from the roof mirror, thence back to the sample, thence back to the mirror system, and thence to the detector.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for measuring spectral hemispherical reflectance. One embodiment is a system that includes a laser that emits a beam of light, and an optical chopper disposed between the laser and a sample. The chopper blocks the beam while the chopper is at a first angle of rotation, redirects the beam along a reference path while the chopper is at a second angle of rotation, and permits the beam to follow a sample path through the chopper and strike the sample while the chopper is at a third angle of rotation. The system also includes a hollow sphere that defines a slot through which the sample path and reference path enter the sphere. The hollow sphere includes a spectral hemispherical reflectance detector, a mount that receives the sample at the sphere, and an actuator that rotates the sphere about an axis that intersects the sample.

Abstract: Adhesive bleed-through of substrates and build-up of adhesive on process equipment can be reduced or even fully eliminated by increasing the running temperature of circumferential rolls (e.g., nip rollers or idlers) used to compress and adhesively bond the substrates of a laminate structure together, as opposed to the usual cooling of the nip rollers. This method is particularly beneficial when using polyolefin-based hot melt adhesives to form laminates with permeable substrates, such as low basis weight nonwovens, for use in disposable absorbent articles. The method can be used to make a range of laminated structures, such as bi-laminates and tri-laminates.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for measuring spectral hemispherical reflectance. One embodiment is a system that includes a laser that emits a beam of light, and an optical chopper disposed between the laser and a sample. The chopper blocks the beam while the chopper is at a first angle of rotation, redirects the beam along a reference path while the chopper is at a second angle of rotation, and permits the beam to follow a sample path through the chopper and strike the sample while the chopper is at a third angle of rotation. The system also includes a hollow sphere that defines a slot through which the sample path and reference path enter the sphere. The hollow sphere includes a spectral hemispherical reflectance detector, a mount that receives the sample at the sphere, and an actuator that rotates the sphere about an axis that intersects the sample.

Abstract: A device and method for the protection of a first member and second member from corrosion by utilizing a connector that bonds the members without allowing direct contact of the members.

Abstract: A line module configured to provide a protected transponded service includes a plurality of ports; switch interface circuitry communicatively coupled to a switch module; and interface circuitry communicatively coupled to the plurality of ports and the switch interface circuitry, wherein the interface circuitry includes a cross-point switch between the plurality of ports and the switch interface circuitry; wherein bandwidth of the plurality of ports is greater than bandwidth of the switch interface circuitry to the switch module; and wherein the protected transponded service is configured between the plurality of ports directly via the interface circuitry and is selectively routed to the switch module via the switch interface circuitry for restoration thereof, responsive to a failure.