Abstract: An insert for a beverage container is provided that includes an inner container, a first rim, a second rim, and one or more protrusions. The inner container may be positioned inside of the beverage container and may include a first end having a first edge, an opposing second end having a second edge, and side surfaces extending between the first and second edge. The first rim is formed on the first edge of the inner container and includes a first diameter. The second rim is formed on the second edge of the inner container and includes a second diameter. The protrusions extend downwardly from the second end toward the beverage container. The first end is open and the second end is closed. A thermal regulating material is positioned between the inner container and the beverage container.

Abstract: An ice core, a beverage container with an ice core and a method of making the ice core and the beverage container with the ice core is disclosed. The ice core includes an ice core body, an ice core rim formed on the ice core body and an ice core tube formed through the ice core body and the ice core rim. The ice core is configured for placement in a beverage container. A lid having a slit formed thereon can be placed on the beverage container. A straw can be inserted through the slit in the lid, allowing the straw to have access to the beverage container and the ice core tube. wherein the straw placed through the ice core tube is configured to extend from the top region to the base region of the beverage container to access liquid at the base region.

Abstract: An automated object following system includes a tracker associated with a following device, and a guider associated with an object to be followed. The tracker includes a first processor, and at least two transducers for generating an encoded ultrasonic signal. Each transducer has a control input communicating with the first processor for emitting an encoded ultrasonic signal generally toward the guider in response to a command signal from the first processor. The encoded ultrasonic signals carry signal source identification information. A radio frequency (RF) receiver communicates with the first processor for receiving from the guider an encoded RF signal carrying distance and direction information of the guider relative to the tracker to be used for steering the following device toward the object to be followed.

Abstract: In an apparatus and method for automatic vehicle following, a pair of video cameras are mounted on the front portion of a following vehicle, and each camera generates image data indicative of a respective image of a distinctive mark located on a rearward portion of a lead vehicle. An image processor generates two one-dimensional image-intensity distributions for each mark image based on the image data, and in turn generates a respective edge-intensity distribution based on each image-intensity distribution. The edge-intensity distributions are each generated by taking the first derivative of the respective image-intensity distribution. The image processor in turn generates a respective feature vector based on each edge-intensity distribution, wherein the vector components of each feature vector define select characteristics of the respective mark image.

Abstract: An automatic vehicle following system is provided for controlling a following vehicle to maintain at least a predetermined distance behind a preceding vehicle and to substantially follow the path of the preceding vehicle. An on-line measurement system of the preceding vehicle generates signals indicative of the velocity (having speed and directional components) of the preceding vehicle, and a communication system transmits the velocity signals to the following vehicle. The following vehicle likewise has a communication system for receiving the signals from the preceding vehicle, and an on-line measurement system for providing signals indicative of the velocity of the following vehicle and signals indicative of the distance between the two vehicles.