Abstract: A reconfigurable unmanned aircraft system is disclosed. A system and method for configuring a reconfigurable unmanned aircraft and system and method for operation and management of a reconfigurable unmanned aircraft in an airspace are also disclosed. The aircraft is selectively reconfigurable to modify flight characteristics. The aircraft comprises a set of rotors. The position of at least one rotor relative to the base can be modified by at least one of translation of the rotor relative to the boom, pivoting of the boom relative to the base, and translation of the boom relative to the base; so that flight characteristics can be modified by configuration of position of at least one rotor relative to the base.

Abstract: Described embodiments include a system, method, and apparatus. A system includes package management system for operating a robotic vehicle configured to transport consumer items selected by a human shopper from a consumer shopping environment and placed in the robotic vehicle. The package management system includes circuitry for receiving data indicative of a transportation departure point accommodating a transfer of a consumer item from the robotic vehicle to a conveyance configured to transport the consumer item away from the consumer shopping environment. The package management system includes circuitry for routing the robotic vehicle to the departure point. In an embodiment, the package management system includes circuitry for managing a transfer of a consumer item acquired by the individual human shopper in the consumer shopping environment from the robotic vehicle to the conveyance at the departure point.

Abstract: A lightweight transport vessel transports compressed natural gas underwater without needing to liquefy the gas for transport.

Abstract: A system and associated methods of operation for regulating an environmental variable (such as ambient room temperature) within a target zone. The system includes a sensor system configured to monitor the target zone, detect one or more inhabitants present within the zone, and identify an alpha person from the one or more inhabitants. Once the alpha person is identified, a measurement sensor measures a skin parameter from the identified alpha person and generates a sensor signal communicating the measured skin parameter to an environmental control system. Upon receiving the sensor signal, the environmental control system regulates an environmental variable within the zone based on the measured skin parameter from the alpha person.

Abstract: A system and associated methods of operation for regulating an environmental variable (such as ambient room temperature) within a target zone. The system includes an occupancy sensor configured to monitor the target zone and determine a number of inhabitants present within the zone. The occupancy sensor generates an occupancy signal communicating the number of detected inhabitants to an environmental control system. Upon receiving the occupancy signal, the environmental control system regulates an environmental variable within the zone based on the number of inhabitants present in the zone.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to camouflaged systems and related camouflaging methods. The camouflaged systems can include at least one camouflaged object, including but not limited to transmission lines and transmission towers. One or more surfaces of the camouflaged object can be configured to appear like (e.g., match, mimic, simulate, correspond to, or otherwise blend with) an environmental condition, which can include any variety of background environmental landscapes. For example, one or more surfaces of the camouflaged object can be painted, coated, or imparted with a texture such that they reflect light in a way that corresponds to any particular environmental condition.

Abstract: A reconfigurable unmanned aircraft system is disclosed. A system and method for configuring a reconfigurable unmanned aircraft and system and method for operation and management of a reconfigurable unmanned aircraft in an airspace are also disclosed. The aircraft is selectively reconfigurable to modify flight characteristics. The aircraft comprises a set of rotors. The position of at least one rotor relative to the base can be modified by at least one of translation of the rotor relative to the boom, pivoting of the boom relative to the base, and translation of the boom relative to the base; so that flight characteristics can be modified by configuration of position of at least one rotor relative to the base.

Abstract: Systems, methods, computer-readable storage mediums including computer-readable instructions and/or circuitry for control of transmission to a target device with communicating with one or more sensors in an ad-hoc sensor network may implement operations including, but not limited to: obtaining location data associated with a portion of a region including at least one sensor; wirelessly transmitting one or more sensor operation activation signals to one or more sensors; and powering one or more sensing operations of a sensor via the one or more sensor operation activation signals.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems for tuning nanocube plasmonic resonators and methods for forming tunable plasmonic resonators. A tunable plasmonic resonator system can include a substrate and a nanostructure positioned on a surface of the substrate. The substrate can include a semiconductor material having a carrier density distribution. A junction can be formed between the nanostructure and the substrate forming a Schottky junction. Changing the carrier density distribution of the semiconductor material can change a plasmonic response of the plasmonic resonator.

Abstract: Systems, methods, computer-readable storage mediums including computer-readable instructions and/or circuitry for control of transmission to a target device with communicating with one or more sensors in an ad-hoc sensor network may implement operations including, but not limited to: receiving electrical power via at least one structurally integrated electrically conductive element; and powering one or more sensing operations of one or more sensors via the electrical power.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to systems for automatically protecting an individual from injuries using one or more sensors and one or more protective members, and methods of using the same. The system can include a supportive member supporting one or more protective members. The protective members can include at least one passive layer and at least one active layer. The active layer includes at least one energy-responsive material that changes at least one physical property thereof responsive to at least one stimulus energy. For example, the system can include at least one energy source that is configured to deliver the stimulus energy to the energy-responsive material. The system can also include one or more sensors configured to sense one or more characteristics. The system can include at least one controller communicably coupled to the energy source and the sensors.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to systems for automatically protecting an individual from injuries using one or more sensors, one or more rigid members, and one or more inflatable members associated therewith, and methods of using the same.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a building having one or more microphones coupled to a telephone includes a detector configured to detect a triggering event within the building and transmit an activating signal when the triggering event is detected, and a control module configured to receive the activating signal from the detector. The control module is programmed to activate at least one of the one or more microphones to monitor sound when the activating signal is received.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to protective garments and systems that include a protective garment for protecting one or more body regions of an individual wearing the protective garment.

Abstract: A reconfigurable unmanned aircraft system is disclosed. A system and method for configuring a reconfigurable unmanned aircraft and system and method for operation and management of a reconfigurable unmanned aircraft in an airspace are also disclosed. The aircraft is selectively reconfigurable to modify flight characteristics. The aircraft comprises a set of rotors. The position of at least one rotor relative to the base can be modified by at least one of translation of the rotor relative to the boom, pivoting of the boom relative to the base, and translation of the boom relative to the base; so that flight characteristics can be modified by configuration of position of at least one rotor relative to the base.

Abstract: A system and method for repowering an unmanned aircraft system is disclosed. The system and method may comprise use of a utility transmission system configured to function as power system/source for UAV/aircraft and UAV/aircraft configured to interface with the power source/system. Systems and methods provide access and for administrating, managing, and monitoring access and interfacing by UAV/aircraft with the power system/source. UAV/aircraft system can be configured and operated/managed to interface with and use the power system/source (e.g. network of power lines from a utility transmission system) to enhance range and utility (e.g. for repowering and/or as a flyway or route). The system comprises an interface between the aircraft and the power source for power transfer; a monitoring system to monitor the aircraft; and an administrative/management system to manage interaction/transaction with the aircraft.

Abstract: Described embodiments include a self-propelled vehicle, method, and system. The self-propelled vehicle includes an autonomous driving system configured to dynamically determine maneuvers operating the vehicle along a route in an automated mode without continuous input from a human driver. The vehicle includes an input device configured to receive a real-time request for a specific dynamic maneuver by the vehicle operating along the route from the human driver. The vehicle includes a decision circuit configured to select a real-time dynamic maneuver by arbitrating between (i) the received real-time request for the specific dynamic maneuver from the human driver and (ii) a real-time determination relative to the specific dynamic maneuver received from the autonomous driving system. The vehicle includes an implementation circuit configured to output the selected real-time dynamic maneuver to an operations system of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for payload management for a UAV/aircraft is disclosed. UAV/craft may be configured for a mission with aerodynamically-exposed payload to be delivered from originator to destination on a route in operating conditions. UAV/aircraft may provide an aerodynamic profile indicative of the expected aerodynamic performance in view of considerations such as flight characteristics and effects; a base aerodynamic profile without payload and a loaded aerodynamic profile with payload may be determined. The system and method may comprise estimation/determination and assessment/transaction of a freight charge for the mission based on aerodynamic profile and other considerations; freight charge may comprise a surcharge or penalty based on performance using unit reference points and factors/considerations. UAV/aircraft system can be configured and operated/managed to interface with the system; missions may be optimized based on freight charge or other considerations.

Abstract: Described embodiments include a system and a method. A system includes a first ultrasound transmitter acoustically coupled to a conducting layer of a display surface and configured to deliver a first ultrasound wave to a selected delineated area. The first ultrasonic wave has parameters sufficient to induce a non-linear vibrational response in the conducting layer. A second ultrasound transmitter is acoustically coupled to the conducting layer and configured to deliver a second ultrasound wave to the selected delineated area. The second ultrasonic wave has parameters sufficient to induce a non-linear vibrational response in the conducting layer. A controller selects a delineated area in response to an indication of a touch to the display surface, and initiates delivery of the first and second ultrasonic waves. A convergence of the first and second ultrasonic waves at the selected delineated area produces a stress pattern perceivable or discernible by the human appendage.

Abstract: A sound processing system includes a sound input device for providing a sound input, a sound output device for providing a sound output, and processing electronics including a processor and a memory, wherein the processing electronics is configured to receive a target sound input identifying a target sound, receive a rule input establishing a sound processing rule that references the target sound, receive a sound input from the sound input device, analyze the sound input for the target sound, process the sound input according to the sound processing rule in view of the analysis of the sound input, and provide a processed sound output to the sound output device.