Abstract: A sewing machine for sewing a stitch into an article is provided. The sewing machine includes a support structure, a first head and a second head. The first head is coupled to the support structure and includes a coupler contained within a second actuator assembly and 360° rotatable relative to the support structure and a first stitching element rotatable with the coupler and translatable via a first actuator assembly relative to the coupler. The second head is coupled to the support structure and includes a coupler contained within the second actuator assembly and 360° degree rotatable relative to the support structure and a second stitching element rotatable with the coupler via the first actuator assembly.

Abstract: Methods and systems for managing inventory items within a supply chain are disclosed. One method includes receiving, at a software tool, inputs related to a plurality of inventory items, the inputs including a cost of holding each of the plurality of inventory items at a location type. The method includes determining, individually for each inventory item of a plurality of inventory items, an optimal inventory balance across a plurality of locations, wherein the optimal inventory balance is a predetermined statistical availability level set based on a desired customer availability of the inventory item. The method further includes automatically generating one or more inventory adjustment requests to achieve the optimal inventory balance across each of the plurality of locations for each of the plurality of inventory items.

Abstract: A sewing machine for sewing a stitch into an article is provided. The sewing machine includes a support structure, a first head and a second head. The first head is coupled to the support structure and includes a coupler contained within a second actuator assembly and 360° rotatable relative to the support structure and a first stitching element rotatable with the coupler and translatable via a first actuator assembly relative to the coupler. The second head is coupled to the support structure and includes a coupler contained within the second actuator assembly and 360° degree rotatable relative to the support structure and a second stitching element rotatable with the coupler via the first actuator assembly.

Abstract: A sewing machine for sewing a stitch into an article is provided. The sewing machine includes a support structure, a first head and a second head. The first head is coupled to the support structure and includes a coupler contained within a second actuator assembly and 360° rotatable relative to the support structure and a first stitching element rotatable with the coupler and translatable via a first actuator assembly relative to the coupler. The second head is coupled to the support structure and includes a coupler contained within the second actuator assembly and 360° degree rotatable relative to the support structure and a second stitching element rotatable with the coupler via the first actuator assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a camera mount system (CMS) releasably mountable to vehicle surfaces via a plurality of leg members, each leg member extending radially from a hub to support an articulating wrist member with a distal suction attachment. In an illustrative example, the articulating wrist may adjust vertically to permit secure sealing of the suction attachment to a local vehicle roof surface. Each of the articulating wrists may couple to a corresponding distal end of one of the leg members via, for example, a ball joint. The wrist angle relative to the leg member may be releasably locked by hand operation of a locking control that, for example, also locks the angle of the wrist relative to the suction attachment. Some systems may advantageously be quickly, releasably and securely mounted from non-planar and/or irregularly shaped vehicle surfaces, for example, roofs, roll cages, hulls, doors, hoods, and bodies.

Abstract: Methods and systems for managing inventory items within a supply chain are disclosed. One method includes receiving, at a software tool, inputs related to a plurality of inventory items, the inputs including a cost of holding each of the plurality of inventory items at a location type. The method includes determining, individually for each inventory item of a plurality of inventory items, an optimal inventory balance across a plurality of locations, wherein the optimal inventory balance is a predetermined statistical availability level set based on a desired customer availability of the inventory item. The method further includes automatically generating one or more inventory adjustment requests to achieve the optimal inventory balance across each of the plurality of locations for each of the plurality of inventory items.

Abstract: The “Meet360”, “Mobile Phone Application” (abbreviated for short, hereinafter as “App.”), allows a website greeting transmitted to an unknown individual only after physical sighting. The “App.”, requires that both the initial sender of the greeting, and the receiver of the initial greeting physically cross paths, in recent time, and were located at the same location within 360 feet, yards, or meters. Registered members of the “Meet360” website can send a initial greeting request asking in realtime whether it's okay to communicate 20 words. Registered members are allowed to backdate a description of someone he or she has seen in the past 48 hours. The members and users must use the “Meet360” website to describe and communicate only with other members or users. Once the website determines a matching description of a described participating user or member who is described, a current photo list is displayed, and the requesting user, or member may then choose said photo/picture to begin communication [request].

Abstract: A method of expanding a structural support volume of a flexible container can include dispensing a cryogenic fluid into at least one structural support volume and sealing the at least one structural support volume such that it has a closed volume prior to complete conversion of the cryogenic fluid into a gas and expansion of the structural support volume to a pressurized state. The flexible container includes a product volume and at least a portion of the structural support volume extends into the product volume when the structural support volume is expanded.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a camera mount system (CMS) releasably mountable to vehicle surfaces via a plurality of leg members, each leg member extending radially from a hub to support an articulating wrist member with a distal suction attachment. In an illustrative example, the articulating wrist may adjust vertically to permit secure sealing of the suction attachment to a local vehicle roof surface. Each of the articulating wrists may couple to a corresponding distal end of one of the leg members via, for example, a ball joint. The wrist angle relative to the leg member may be releasably locked by hand operation of a locking control that, for example, also locks the angle of the wrist relative to the suction attachment. Some systems may advantageously be quickly, releasably and securely mounted from non-planar and/or irregularly shaped vehicle surfaces, for example, roofs, roll cages, hulls, doors, hoods, and bodies.

Abstract: A flexible container including a first web portion defined by a first periphery, and a second web portion defined by a second periphery. The second web portion may be disposed in a face to face relationship with the first web and at least partially overlapping the first web. At least a portion of the second periphery may be bonded or sealed to the first web, the sealed portion defines a first product volume. The container further includes a dispensing aid disposed adjacent to the sealed portion of the second periphery and may include a dispensing valve. The dispensing aid includes third and fourth web portions sealed along a closed periphery and defining an expanded volume or structural support volume.

Abstract: A method for improving ground movement capability and enhancing stealth in unmanned aerial vehicles is provided. The present method comprises providing, in an unmanned aerial vehicle equipped with wheels, one or more onboard drive means capable of translating torque through the vehicle wheels and controllable to move the unmanned aerial vehicle on the ground without reliance on the unmanned aerial vehicle main motive power source. The onboard drive means is controllably powered by a power source with substantially no acoustic signature to move the unmanned aerial vehicle quietly on the ground with only a minimal audible or visible footprint. This method provides a significant expansion of ground movement capability and expands the potential ground uses of unmanned aerial vehicles, particularly in military applications. The present method can also be applied to move any manned aerial vehicle or aircraft on the ground with only minimal audible or visible footprints.

Abstract: A cockpit control system and method for efficiently controlling ground travel in an aircraft equipped with an engine-free electric taxi system are provided. The cockpit control system is configured with a display that provides a maximum amount of information during aircraft ground movement with a minimal amount of input from and distraction to pilots or cockpit crew to facilitate essentially hands free operation and control of aircraft ground travel. System test and drive procedures ensure safe aircraft ground travel with the engine-free electric taxi system. Constant pilot hand or other input is not required to achieve safe and maximally efficient aircraft ground travel powered by the aircraft's engine-free electric taxi system or, under selected defined conditions, by the aircraft's engines to achieve this maximum efficiency. The system may further be designed to be uninterruptible by unauthorized persons.

Abstract: A method for improving airport and ramp throughput is provided. The method minimizes the time interval between an aircraft's landing and takeoff by independently moving the aircraft with an onboard electric driver that drives at least one of the aircraft's wheels on the ground without the aircraft's engines. Turnaround time and aircraft idle time are reduced by eliminating engine operation while the aircraft is moving in the ramp area. The time between when an aircraft is not moving between pushback and taxi forward is substantially eliminated, leading to more efficient ramp operations as ramp space is freed for through traffic.

Abstract: A method of expanding a structural support volume of a flexible container can include dispensing a cryogenic fluid into at least one structural support volume and sealing the at least one structural support volume such that it has a closed volume prior to complete conversion of the cryogenic fluid into a gas and expansion of the structural support volume to a pressurized state. The flexible container includes a product volume and at least a portion of the structural support volume extends into the product volume when the structural support volume is expanded.

Abstract: A flexible container including a first web portion defined by a first periphery, and a second web portion defined by a second periphery. The second web portion may be disposed in a face to face relationship with the first web and at least partially overlapping the first web. At least a portion of the second periphery may be bonded or sealed to the first web, the sealed portion defines a first product volume. The container further includes a dispensing aid disposed adjacent to the sealed portion of the second periphery and may include a dispensing valve. The dispensing aid includes third and fourth web portions sealed along a closed periphery and defining an expanded volume or structural support volume.

Abstract: A method for reducing the amount of fuel required to be carried in flight by an aircraft is provided that substantially reduces the taxi margin amount of fuel required by an aircraft, thereby reducing the aircraft's weight and producing significant increases in fuel use efficiency and savings in fuel costs. The substantially reduced taxi margin amount of fuel is produced by equipping an aircraft with at least one drive wheel powered by at least one onboard drive means that cooperatively drive the aircraft on the ground during taxi between takeoff and landing without reliance on the operation of the aircraft main engines.

Abstract: A system and method for adaptive estimation and compensation of clock drift in echo cancellers is provided. The invention includes an acoustic echo cancellation system with a built in adaptive clock drift compensation system. The acoustic echo cancellation system has an AEC component that performs acoustic echo cancellation on data from a capture buffer, by also using information derived from a render buffer. The clock drift compensation system has access to this capture buffer and render buffer. The clock drift compensation system includes a clock drift compensator that calculates, based on the current location of the capture data being processed by the AEC component as well as additional information, the ideal location in the render buffer from which the AEC component should process data. The clock drift compensator further adjusts the current location in the render buffer from which the AEC component processes data based, at least in part, upon this ideal location.

Abstract: A water intake riser that can be suspended from a vessel having a riser connected to a riser hanger, which riser hanger includes a first tubular element, a second tubular element to which the riser is connected, a flexible load transfer element joining the tubular elements, and a hose of which the ends are secured to the adjacent ends of the tubular elements.

Abstract: A system for minimizing damage on collision to a vehicle having at least one self-propelled wheel is disclosed. The system comprises a motor in a wheel of said vehicle which drives the vehicle, means for measuring the speed of said wheel, means for measuring the torque of said motor, means for monitoring the ratio of the torque of the motor to the speed of the wheel, and means for stopping said motor when torque:speed ratio exceeds an acceptable value.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer readable medium for offering uptime adjustments to a work schedule for at least one currently unscheduled agent possessing at least one skill type, that comprises, accepting at least one forecasted manpower requirement of zero or more agents for an interval of time for a skill, requesting an uptime display for an unscheduled time period of the at least one currently unscheduled agent, assessing the type and number of skill types of the at least one currently unscheduled agent, determining a manpower availability for the an interval of time based upon all agents currently scheduled for each skill type based upon the forecasted manpower requirement, calculating a manpower delta between the forecasted manpower requirement for the an interval of time and the determined manpower availability for each skill type, and offering an uptime adjustment if the calculated manpower delta shows additional manpower is required for any skill possessed by the at least one currently unscheduled age