Abstract: A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) enabled Self-Checkout (SCO) station includes an RF antenna that emits RF energy, such as RFID interrogation signals, through a variable aperture of an aperture plate into a scan zone. The size of the scan zone is selectively varied by electrically modifying the effective size of the aperture in the aperture plate.

Abstract: A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) enabled Self-Checkout (SCO) station includes an RF antenna that emits RF energy, such as RFID interrogation signals, through the variable apertures of one or more aperture layers into a scan zone. The size of the scan zone is selectively varied by electrically modifying the effective size of the variable aperture in the aperture layer.

Abstract: A bird feeder support pole that is configured to selectively elevate and lower a crossbeam assembly supporting one or more bird feeders. The support pole eliminates the need to climb ladders or other objects to replenish the feeder with a bird feed. The crossbeam assembly is mounted with a trolley assembly that is movable along a length of the support pole via an elevating mechanism.

Abstract: An array antenna. In some embodiments, the array antenna includes a base plate having a surface including a plurality of grooves, a plurality of circulator carriers on the base plate, a plurality of cover strips on the circulator carriers, a plurality of circulators, and a plurality of threaded fasteners. The circulator carriers and the cover strips may be secured to the base plate by the threaded fasteners. Each of the circulators may be coplanar with the base plate. Materials in the array antenna may be selected to avoid galvanic corrosion.

Abstract: A module. In some embodiments, the module includes a substrate; a plurality of electronic components, secured to an upper surface of the substrate; a thermally conductive heat spreader, on the electronic components and in thermal contact with an electronic component of the plurality of electronic components; a standoff, between the substrate and the heat spreader; an alignment element, extending into the substrate; a hard stop, under the substrate; and a plurality of compressible interconnects, under the substrate, and extending through the hard stop. The electronic components may be within a sight area of the substrate. The module may be configured to transmit a compressive load from an upper surface of the standoff to a lower surface of the substrate through a load path not including any of the electronic components.

Abstract: A bird feeder support pole that is configured to selectively elevate and lower a crossbeam assembly supporting one or more bird feeders. The support pole eliminates the need to climb ladders or other objects to replenish the feeder with a bird feed. The crossbeam assembly is mounted with a trolley assembly that is movable along a length of the support pole via an elevating mechanism.

Abstract: A module. In some embodiments, the module includes a substrate; a plurality of electronic components, secured to an upper surface of the substrate; a thermally conductive heat spreader, on the electronic components and in thermal contact with an electronic component of the plurality of electronic components; a standoff, between the substrate and the heat spreader; an alignment element, extending into the substrate; a hard stop, under the substrate; and a plurality of compressible interconnects, under the substrate, and extending through the hard stop. The electronic components may be within a sight area of the substrate. The module may be configured to transmit a compressive load from an upper surface of the standoff to a lower surface of the substrate through a load path not including any of the electronic components.

Abstract: An array antenna. In some embodiments, the array antenna includes a base plate having a surface including a plurality of grooves, a plurality of circulator carriers on the base plate, a plurality of cover strips on the circulator carriers, a plurality of circulators, and a plurality of threaded fasteners. The circulator carriers and the cover strips may be secured to the base plate by the threaded fasteners. Each of the circulators may be coplanar with the base plate. Materials in the array antenna may be selected to avoid galvanic corrosion.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and computer-readable storage devices for processing audio signals. An example system configured to practice the method receives audio at a device to be transmitted to a remote speech processing system. The system analyzes one of noise conditions, need for an enhanced speech quality, and network load to yield an analysis. Based on the analysis, the system determines to bypass user-defined options for enhancing audio for speech processing. Then, based on the analysis, the system can modify an audio transmission parameter used to transmit the audio from the device to the remote speech processing system. The audio transmission parameter can be one of an amount of coding, a chosen codec, or a number of audio channels, for example.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and computer-readable storage devices for processing audio signals. An example system configured to practice the method receives audio at a device to be transmitted to a remote speech processing system. The system analyzes one of noise conditions, need for an enhanced speech quality, and network load to yield an analysis. Based on the analysis, the system determines to bypass user-defined options for enhancing audio for speech processing. Then, based on the analysis, the system can modify an audio transmission parameter used to transmit the audio from the device to the remote speech processing system. The audio transmission parameter can be one of an amount of coding, a chosen codec, or a number of audio channels, for example.

Abstract: A portable modular crisis communication system has a portable network operating center (NOC) unit and a deployable communications unit. The NOC and the deployable communications unit are communicably coupled through a network established by one or more portable networking antennas, and each have communication devices so that a NOC operator can communicate over the network with a subject through the deployable communications unit. The deployable communications unit may enable various features, such as covert surveillance, voice stress analysis, chemical threat detection, fingerprint reading, heartbeat monitoring, and radio disruption, among others.

Abstract: A portable modular crisis communication system has a portable network operating center (NOC) unit and a deployable communications unit. The NOC and the deployable communications unit are communicably coupled through a network established by one or more portable networking antennas, and each have communication devices so that a NOC operator can communicate over the network with a subject through the deployable communications unit. The deployable communications unit may enable various features, such as covert surveillance, voice stress analysis, chemical threat detection, fingerprint reading, heartbeat monitoring, and radio disruption, among others.

Abstract: A client computing architecture is provided that utilized minimal download and simulated page navigation features. A client computer may receive a payload comprising delta data in response to a navigation request for an electronic page. The client computer may further parse the delta data for the electronic page, update page contents for the electronic page based on the received delta data, determine whether one or more errors are associated with a page load process for the electronic page, manage a fragment identifier portion of a uniform resource locator (URL) to track a current location in a navigation of the electronic page, and intercept one or more navigation click events to ensure a minimal download strategy navigation.

Abstract: A client computing architecture is provided that utilized minimal download and simulated page navigation features. A client computer may receive a payload comprising delta data in response to a navigation request for an electronic page. The client computer may further parse the delta data for the electronic page, update page contents for the electronic page based on the received delta data, determine whether one or more errors are associated with a page load process for the electronic page, manage a fragment identifier portion of a uniform resource locator (URL) to track a current location in a navigation of the electronic page, and intercept one or more navigation click events to ensure a minimal download strategy navigation.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided that include the use of a cancellable command application programming interface (API) framework that provides cooperative multitasking for synchronous and asynchronous operations based in part on a command timing sequence and a cancellable command API definition. A method of an embodiment enables a user or programmer to use a cancellable command API definition as part of implementing a responsive application interface using a command timing sequence to control execution of active tasks. A cancellable command API framework of an embodiment includes a command block including a command function, a task engine to monitor the command function, and a timer component to control execution of asynchronous and synchronous tasks based in part on first and second control timing intervals associated with a command timing sequence. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided that include client-server computing architectures that use minimal download features and functionality as part of page navigation operations, but are not so limited. In an embodiment, a client-server computer system uses a page transition strategy to navigate between electronic pages based in part on script, style, content, and/or other page differences that can be used as part of providing minimal download features and functionality. A method of an embodiment operates to package page incremental rendering information for use in rendering a new electronic page without having to reapply common aspects of the new electronic page and a reference electronic page. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A client computing architecture is provided that utilized minimal download and simulated page navigation features. A client computer may receive a payload comprising delta data in response to a navigation request for an electronic page. The client computer may further parse the delta data for the electronic page, update page contents for the electronic page based on the received delta data, determine whether one or more errors are associated with a page load process for the electronic page, manage a fragment identifier portion of a uniform resource locator (URL) to track a current location in a navigation of the electronic page, and intercept one or more navigation click events to ensure a minimal download strategy navigation.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided that include client-server computing architectures that use minimal download features and functionality as part of page navigation operations, but are not so limited. In an embodiment, a client-server computer system uses a page transition strategy to navigate between electronic pages based in part on script, style, content, and/or other page differences that can be used as part of providing minimal download features and functionality. A method of an embodiment operates to package page incremental rendering information for use in rendering a new electronic page without having to reapply common aspects of the new electronic page and a reference electronic page. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: An antenna is provided and includes a plate and an aperture assembly attached to the plate. The aperture assembly includes sticks that respectively include a spacer, a carrier formed separately from the spacer and on which circulators are disposed, a base defining recesses from which bosses interleaved with the recesses protrude and fasteners disposed to fasten the spacer to the base at boss locations with the carrier interposed between the spacer and the base and the circulators aligned with the recesses. The aperture assembly further includes conductive elements extending through the plate and the base for electric coupling to the circulators. Adjacent sticks define a slot extending forwardly from the plate. The slot is notched at a corresponding circulator and rounded forwardly from the corresponding circulator.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and computer-readable storage devices for processing audio signals. An example system configured to practice the method receives audio at a device to be transmitted to a remote speech processing system. The system analyzes one of noise conditions, need for an enhanced speech quality, and network load to yield an analysis. Based on the analysis, the system determines to bypass user-defined options for enhancing audio for speech processing. Then, based on the analysis, the system can modify an audio transmission parameter used to transmit the audio from the device to the remote speech processing system. The audio transmission parameter can be one of an amount of coding, a chosen codec, an amount of coding, or a number of audio channels, for example.