Abstract: An illustrative battery charging device may identify a battery to be charged, and charge the identified battery using charge settings that are optimized for the identified battery. In some embodiments, the battery charging device may determine the optimized settings based on monitoring charging performance and discharge activities of the battery over time. The battery charging device may exchange data with a battery management service device, such as by exchanging battery health information, battery settings, and/or other data. The battery charging device may determine charge setting and times to charge a battery that is intended to power an unmanned aerial vehicle to complete a flight path.

Abstract: A power conversion unit may include two or more power modules for providing high-voltage direct current power to electrical loads, such as one or more propulsion motors aboard an aerial vehicle. Each of the power modules may be controlled by hysteresis, and may include one or more pairs of transistors that are switched by a gate driver with respect to differences between a reference current and a sensed current passing through a boost inductor. The number, size and shape of the power modules may be selected to accommodate the electrical loads, and may be switched on or off, as necessary. The power conversion unit may feature at least one more power module than is required to meet all anticipated electrical loads, thereby ensuring that the power conversion unit may continue to provide power even in the event that one of the power modules experiences a fault of any kind.

Abstract: A power conversion unit may include two or more power modules for providing high-voltage direct current power to electrical loads, such as one or more propulsion motors aboard an aerial vehicle. Each of the power modules may be controlled by hysteresis, and may include one or more pairs of transistors that are switched by a gate driver with respect to differences between a reference current and a sensed current passing through a boost inductor. The number, size and shape of the power modules may be selected to accommodate the electrical loads, and may be switched on or off, as necessary. The power conversion unit may feature at least one more power module than is required to meet all anticipated electrical loads, thereby ensuring that the power conversion unit may continue to provide power even in the event that one of the power modules experiences a fault of any kind.

Abstract: An electronic tag game assembly includes a plurality of bracelets that is each worn on a wrist of a respective one of a plurality of players of the game of tag. The plurality of bracelets includes a trigger bracelet worn by the player that is “it” and a set of receiver bracelets each worn by players that are not “it”. A plurality of tracking units is each coupled to a respective one of the bracelets. The tracking unit on the trigger bracelet is actuatable in a first condition indicating the player wearing the trigger bracelet is “it”. The tracking unit in each of the receiver bracelets is acuated into the first condition when the tracking unit in the trigger bracelet moves within a trigger distance of the tracking unit in any of the receiver bracelets. In this way the tracking units communicate a visual alert for the game of tag.

Abstract: A machine implemented method, a processing device, and one or more non-transient machine-readable media are provided for analyzing multiple online social networks. The processing device may construct a master actor ontology in a light weight data-interchange format based on information received from the multiple online social networks. The constructed master actor ontology may include available characteristics identified from the received information, multiple derived graph characteristics, user behavior classifications, and an introversion/extroversion indicator for each of multiple actors. At least one logical expression representing at least one correlation of interest with respect to a graph or a subgraph of the master actor ontology may be input and automatically converted to a resource description framework query format. At least one query may be performed over the master actor ontology based on the converted at least one logical expression. At least one result of the at least one query may be provided.

Abstract: A power conversion unit may include two or more power modules for providing high-voltage direct current power to electrical loads, such as one or more propulsion motors aboard an aerial vehicle. Each of the power modules may be controlled by hysteresis, and may include one or more pairs of transistors that are switched by a gate driver with respect to differences between a reference current and a sensed current passing through a boost inductor. The number, size and shape of the power modules may be selected to accommodate the electrical loads, and may be switched on or off, as necessary. The power conversion unit may feature at least one more power module than is required to meet all anticipated electrical loads, thereby ensuring that the power conversion unit may continue to provide power even in the event that one of the power modules experiences a fault of any kind.

Abstract: A propeller alignment device is described. The propeller alignment device can include a second retainer attached to a propeller and a motor. The propeller alignment device can also include a first retainer that does not rotate, but that is aligned with the second retainer. The first retainer can include two or more magnets oppositely orientated relative to each other. The second retainer can also include two or more magnets oppositely orientated relative to each other. As the second retainer rotates relative to the first retainer, the magnets alternatingly align with each other. In the absence of a current applied to the motor, the magnets may magnetically bias the second retainer into a predetermined orientation relative to the first retainer.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for preparing micro-ingredient feed additives for use in designated feed rations. A micro-ingredient system of the invention includes a plurality of bins that store designated micro-ingredients therein. A master controller of the delivery system provides signals to control system components based on programmed commands corresponding to micro-ingredient batches to be prepared. Slide gate mechanisms are used to prevent loss of micro-ingredients delivered to a receiving receptacle of the system. During delivery of the micro-ingredients to the receptacle and during processing, the micro-ingredients can become airborne and subsequently lost. The slide gate mechanisms also provide controlled access to the receiving receptacle to prevent system errors such as contamination of ingredients in the receptacle, or improper batching of a prescribed micro-ingredient mixture to be delivered to a designated feed ration.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a configuration of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that will facilitate extended flight duration. The UAV may have any number of lifting motors. For example, the UAV may include four lifting motors (also known as a quad-copter), eight lifting motors (octo-copter), etc. Likewise, to improve the efficiency of horizontal flight, the UAV also includes a pushing motor and propeller assembly that is oriented at approximately ninety degrees to one or more of the lifting motors. When the UAV is moving horizontally, the pushing motor may be engaged and the pushing propeller will aid in the horizontal propulsion of the UAV.

Abstract: A propeller alignment device is described. The propeller alignment device can include a second retainer attached to a propeller and a motor. The propeller alignment device can also include a first retainer that does not rotate, but that is aligned with the second retainer. The first retainer can include two or more magnets oppositely orientated relative to each other. The second retainer can also include two or more magnets oppositely orientated relative to each other. As the second retainer rotates relative to the first retainer, the magnets alternatingly align with each other. In the absence of a current applied to the motor, the magnets may magnetically bias the second retainer into a predetermined orientation relative to the first retainer.

Abstract: A propeller alignment device is described. The propeller alignment device can include a second retainer attached to a propeller and a motor. The propeller alignment device can also include a first retainer that does not rotate, but that is aligned with the second retainer. The first retainer can include two or more magnets oppositely orientated relative to each other. The second retainer can also include two or more magnets oppositely orientated relative to each other. As the second retainer rotates relative to the first retainer, the magnets may alternatingly align with each other. In the absence of a current applied to the motor, the magnets may magnetically bias the second retainer into a predetermined orientation relative to the first retainer. The predetermined orientation can be predetermined to correspond to an alignment of the propeller that is desirable (e.g., that minimizes aerodynamic drag on the propeller).

Abstract: This disclosure describes a configuration of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that will facilitate extended flight duration. The UAV may have any number of lifting motors. For example, the UAV may include four lifting motors (also known as a quad-copter), eight lifting motors (octo-copter), etc. Likewise, to improve the efficiency of horizontal flight, the UAV also includes a pushing motor and propeller assembly that is oriented at approximately ninety degrees to one or more of the lifting motors. When the UAV is moving horizontally, the pushing motor may be engaged and the pushing propeller will aid in the horizontal propulsion of the UAV.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for preparing micro-ingredient feed additives for use in designated feed rations. A micro-ingredient system of the invention includes a plurality of bins that store designated micro-ingredients therein. A master controller of the delivery system provides signals to control system components based on programmed commands corresponding to micro-ingredient batches to be prepared. Slide gate mechanisms are used to prevent loss of micro-ingredients delivered to a receiving receptacle of the system. During delivery of the micro-ingredients to the receptacle and during processing, the micro-ingredients can become airborne and subsequently lost. The slide gate mechanisms also provide controlled access to the receiving receptacle to prevent system errors such as contamination of ingredients in the receptacle, or improper batching of a prescribed micro-ingredient mixture to be delivered to a designated feed ration.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for preparing micro-ingredient feed additives for use in designated feed rations. A micro-ingredient system of the invention includes a plurality of bins that store designated micro-ingredients therein. A master controller of the delivery system provides signals to control system components based on programmed commands corresponding to micro-ingredient batches to be prepared. Slide gate mechanisms are used to prevent loss of micro-ingredients delivered to a receiving receptacle of the system. During delivery of the micro-ingredients to the receptacle and during processing, the micro-ingredients can become airborne and subsequently lost. The slide gate mechanisms also provide controlled access to the receiving receptacle to prevent system errors such as contamination of ingredients in the receptacle, or improper batching of a prescribed micro-ingredient mixture to be delivered to a designated feed ration.

Abstract: A propeller alignment device is described. The propeller alignment device can include a second retainer attached to a propeller and a motor. The propeller alignment device can also include a first retainer that does not rotate, but that is aligned with the second retainer. The first retainer can include two or more magnets oppositely orientated relative to each other. The second retainer can also include two or more magnets oppositely orientated relative to each other. As the second retainer rotates relative to the first retainer, the magnets may alternatingly align with each other. In the absence of a current applied to the motor, the magnets may magnetically bias the second retainer into a predetermined orientation relative to the first retainer. The predetermined orientation can be predetermined to correspond to an alignment of the propeller that is desirable (e.g., that minimizes aerodynamic drag on the propeller).

Abstract: An aerial vehicle and system for automatically detecting an object (e.g., human, pet, or other animal) approaching the aerial vehicle is described. When an approaching object is detected by an object detection component, a safety profile may be executed to reduce or avoid any potential harm to the object and/or the aerial vehicle. For example, if the object is detected entering a safety perimeter of the aerial vehicle, the rotation of a propeller closest to the object may be stopped to avoid harming the object and rotations of remaining propellers may be modified to maintain control and flight of the aerial vehicle.