Abstract: Systems and methods of providing guidance to assist eVTOL aerial vehicles in performing landing and takeoff operations at landing locations in GPS-denied environments are disclosed. An exemplary system includes an aerial vehicle comprising a camera configured to generate images based on information transmitted by a plurality of light sources located adjacent a landing surface for the aerial vehicle and a controller circuit configured to receive the generated images and determine a position and an orientation of the aerial vehicle based on the received images, wherein the light sources are arranged in a predetermined pattern on the landing surface, and wherein a characteristic of light emitted from each of the light sources is modulated with respect to time.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes receiving audio input by a microphone of an access control device that controls access through a passageway, processing an audio signal associated with the audio input to identify and authenticate a user, determining a command corresponding with the audio signal in response to identification and authentication of the user, and performing at least one action that corresponds with the command.

Abstract: A cover plate according to certain embodiments is configured for use with a mounting plate and a control system, and has a front side and a rear side opposite the front side. The cover plate includes a support substrate, a cover plate coupler, and an electronic device. The support substrate includes an opening sized and shaped to receive a spindle of a door hardware apparatus associated with the rose assembly. The cover plate coupler is configured to releasably couple with a mounting plate coupler of the mounting plate. The electronic device is mounted to the support substrate, and includes a first electrical connector accessible from the rear side of the cover plate and configured for electrical connection with a second electrical connector of the control system, and an electronic component electrically connected with the first electrical connector.

Abstract: A cover plate according to certain embodiments is configured for use with a mounting plate and a control system, and has a front side and a rear side opposite the front side. The cover plate includes a support substrate, a cover plate coupler, and an electronic device. The support substrate includes an opening sized and shaped to receive a spindle of a door hardware apparatus associated with the rose assembly. The cover plate coupler is configured to releasably couple with a mounting plate coupler of the mounting plate. The electronic device is mounted to the support substrate, and includes a first electrical connector accessible from the rear side of the cover plate and configured for electrical connection with a second electrical connector of the control system, and an electronic component electrically connected with the first electrical connector.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes receiving audio input by a microphone of an access control device that controls access through a passageway, processing an audio signal associated with the audio input to identify and authenticate a user, determining a command corresponding with the audio signal in response to identification and authentication of the user, and performing at least one action that corresponds with the command.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes receiving audio input by a microphone of an access control device that controls access through a passageway, processing an audio signal associated with the audio input to identify and authenticate a user, determining a command corresponding with the audio signal in response to identification and authentication of the user, and performing at least one action that corresponds with the command.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment pertains to a method of operating an electronic lockset during a plurality of iterations of a recurring period of time, wherein the electronic lockset includes a first electronic component. The method generally includes generating a usage score for the electronic component based on usage of the electronic lockset during the first iteration of the recurring period of time, selecting a schedule for the electronic component based on the first usage score, and during a second iteration of the recurring period of time occurring after the first iteration of the recurring period of time, operating the electronic component operating according to the selected schedule.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes receiving audio input by a microphone of an access control device that controls access through a passageway, processing an audio signal associated with the audio input to identify and authenticate a user, determining a command corresponding with the audio signal in response to identification and authentication of the user, and performing at least one action that corresponds with the command.

Abstract: A cover plate according to certain embodiments is configured for use with a mounting plate and a control system, and has a front side and a rear side opposite the front side. The cover plate includes a support substrate, a cover plate coupler, and an electronic device. The support substrate includes an opening sized and shaped to receive a spindle of a door hardware apparatus associated with the rose assembly. The cover plate coupler is configured to releasably couple with a mounting plate coupler of the mounting plate. The electronic device is mounted to the support substrate, and includes a first electrical connector accessible from the rear side of the cover plate and configured for electrical connection with a second electrical connector of the control system, and an electronic component electrically connected with the first electrical connector.

Abstract: Briquet designs that facilitate close packing and improve burn efficiency are provided herein. Such designs can include scaled down briquet size and close packing shapes, which can include pyramidal shaped portions, such as rectangular pyramids and tetrahedron shapes, as well as oblate spheroid and hexoid shapes, to facilitate closer random packing when the briquets are randomly arranged in a pile when poured from a bag. Some briquet shapes can further include special surface features, such as flattened or rounded portions or depressions, such as dimples, that reduce volume without increasing the bulk density in order to further improve burn performance and efficiency.

Abstract: Briquet designs that facilitate close packing and improve burn efficiency are provided herein. Such designs can include scaled down briquet size and close packing shapes, which can include pyramidal shaped portions, such as rectangular pyramids and tetrahedron shapes, as well as oblate spheroid and hexoid shapes, to facilitate closer random packing when the briquets are randomly arranged in a pile when poured from a bag. Some briquet shapes can further include special surface features, such as flattened or rounded portions or depressions, such as dimples, that reduce volume without increasing the bulk density in order to further improve burn performance and efficiency.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment pertains to a method of operating an electronic lockset during a plurality of iterations of a recurring period of time, wherein the electronic lockset includes a first electronic component. The method generally includes generating a usage score for the electronic component based on usage of the electronic lockset during the first iteration of the recurring period of time, selecting a schedule for the electronic component based on the first usage score, and during a second iteration of the recurring period of time occurring after the first iteration of the recurring period of time, operating the electronic component operating according to the selected schedule.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment pertains to a method of operating an electronic lockset during a plurality of iterations of a recurring period of time, wherein the electronic lockset includes a first electronic component. The method generally includes generating a usage score for the electronic component based on usage of the electronic lockset during the first iteration of the recurring period of time, selecting a schedule for the electronic component based on the first usage score, and during a second iteration of the recurring period of time occurring after the first iteration of the recurring period of time, operating the electronic component operating according to the selected schedule.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment pertains to a method of operating an electronic lockset during a plurality of iterations of a recurring period of time, wherein the electronic lockset includes a first electronic component. The method generally includes generating a usage score for the electronic component based on usage of the electronic lockset during the first iteration of the recurring period of time, selecting a schedule for the electronic component based on the first usage score, and during a second iteration of the recurring period of time occurring after the first iteration of the recurring period of time, operating the electronic component operating according to the selected schedule.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes receiving audio input by a microphone of an access control device that controls access through a passageway, processing an audio signal associated with the audio input to identify and authenticate a user, determining a command corresponding with the audio signal in response to identification and authentication of the user, and performing at least one action that corresponds with the command.

Abstract: An exemplary system includes a wireless power transmitter in power communication with a power supply, and a wirelessly-powered electronic device powered by the wireless power transmitter. The wirelessly-powered electronic device includes a wireless power receiver and an electronic device in power communication with the wireless power receiver, and may further include an energy storage device. During operation, the transmitter transmits electromagnetic radiation to the receiver, which in turn converts the electromagnetic radiation to electricity that is utilized by the electronic device. In certain embodiments, the transmitter is provided as an infrared laser.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment pertains to a method of operating an electronic lockset during a plurality of iterations of a recurring period of time, wherein the electronic lockset includes a first electronic component. The method generally includes generating a usage score for the electronic component based on usage of the electronic lockset during the first iteration of the recurring period of time, selecting a schedule for the electronic component based on the first usage score, and during a second iteration of the recurring period of time occurring after the first iteration of the recurring period of time, operating the electronic component operating according to the selected schedule.

Abstract: Briquet designs that facilitate close packing and improve burn efficiency are provided herein. Such designs can include scaled down briquet size and close packing shapes, which can include pyramidal shaped portions, such as rectangular pyramids and tetrahedron shapes, as well as oblate spheroid and hexoid shapes, to facilitate closer random packing when the briquets are randomly arranged in a pile when poured from a bag. Some briquet shapes can further include special surface features, such as flattened or rounded portions or depressions, such as dimples, that reduce volume without increasing the bulk density in order to further improve burn performance and efficiency.