Abstract: Implementations for consignment booking include actions of providing a user interface including a plurality of consignment data entry fields that include a pickup location entry field configured to receive data identifying a pickup location for a consignment, a delivery destination entry field configured to receive data identifying a delivery destination for the consignment, and a content entry field configured to receive data identifying a content of the consignment to be delivered, retrieving the data identifying the pickup location, the delivery destination and the content, transmitting a call signal to be transmitted to a mobile computing device of each agent in a plurality of agents, determining a respective location of each agent in the plurality of agents based on a response to each call signal, and selecting an agent from the plurality of agents based at least in part on the respective agent locations with respect to the pickup location.

Abstract: A method may include receiving, from multiple, different sources, documents. The documents may be received in multiple, different file formats. The method may include performing operations on the documents to prepare the documents for processing, to obtain data included in the documents, or to determine information describing the documents. The method may include storing or providing, for storage, status information corresponding to the documents. The status information for a document may identify results of performing the operations with regard to the document. The method may include receiving an instruction that identifies an action to perform with regard to the document. The method may include performing the action. The method may include updating the status information to generate updated status information based on a result of performing the action. The method may include providing the updated status information.

Abstract: Optical vector vortex beams may be generated from few-mode or multi-mode optical fiber by introducing linearly or circularly polarized light into the fiber. By adjusting at least one of the polarization of the light, the incident angle of the light coupled into the fiber, and the length of the fiber, one or more vector modes supported by the fiber may be selected. The resulting output from the fiber may be a vortex beam that can be collimated and used for precise manipulation of objects on order of a micrometer or a nanometer in diameter.

Abstract: Optical vector vortex beams may be generated from few-mode or multi-mode optical fiber by introducing linearly or circularly polarized light into the fiber. By adjusting at least one of the polarization of the light, the incident angle of the light coupled into the fiber, and the length of the fiber, one or more vector modes supported by the fiber may be selected. The resulting output from the fiber may be a vortex beam that can be collimated and used for precise manipulation of objects on order of a micrometer or a nanometer in diameter.

Abstract: A method for identifying modes and transitions during plant operation, wherein measured values of process variables are used to evaluate a current state of the process and its sections and subsections. An identified state of the plant is signaled and the plant is monitored for normal execution of any transition, identifying a current task being performed in the process and sending a message to different sections of the plant. Results are displayed on a visual display device and can be sent to other plant computer programs for guidance during the transition. A permanent chronological record of the sequence of events—modes and transitions—of the plant and sections and subsections including the pertinent plant conditions and information is generated for subsequent review and analysis.

Abstract: Operators and plant computer programs used to operate a complex process facility are aided in managing the process during transitions by a computer-based apparatus. The apparatus incorporates a knowledge base and methods for identifying modes and transitions during plant operation. At frequent intervals, measured values of the process variables are used to evaluate the current state of the process and its sections and subsections. The identified state of the plant is broadcast to different clients of this application. The apparatus monitors the plant for the normal execution of the transition. It also identifies the current task being performed in the process and sends this message to different sections of the plant. The results are displayed on a visual display device and can also be sent to other plant computer programs for guidance during the transition.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for use in an ATM network that allow several devices to access a limited number of device interface ports in a ATM switch fabric, by providing flexible assignment of the limited ports. The methods and apparatus are dynamically configurable to permit port assignments to be changed on the fly, without interfering with existing communications. In certain embodiments a programmable M×N cross point switch is provided between M number of devices and a N×N ATM switch matrix. The cross point switch allows two or more devices to switchably access one or more of the device interface ports in the ATM switch matrix. The assignment of devices to device interface ports can be initiated manually or automatically by local and/or external control processes/devices.

Abstract: Operators and plant computer programs used to operate a complex process facility are aided in managing the process during transitions by a computer-based apparatus. The apparatus incorporates a knowledge base and methods for identifying modes and transitions during plant operation. At frequent intervals, measured values of the process variables are used to evaluate the current state of the process and its sections and subsections. The identified state of the plant is broadcast to different clients of this application. The apparatus monitors the plant for the normal execution of the transition. It also identifies the current task being performed in the process and sends this message to different sections of the plant. The results are displayed on a visual display device and can also be sent to other plant computer programs for guidance during the transition.