Abstract: A blind zone indicator module for a vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a hollow housing that includes a front end for attaching the indicator module at the rear of a mirror reflective element configured for use by an exterior rearview mirror assembly, a rear end opposite the front end, and an intermediate portion between the front end and the rear end. The hollow housing comprises an inner surface that is white and is diffusely reflective of light incident thereat. A diffuser element is attached at the front end of the hollow housing and closes the front end of the housing. Potting material is disposed at and over a circuit board to seal the circuit board in the module. Light emitted by a light emitting diode, when activated, reflects off the white inner surface of the hollow housing and passes through the diffuser element to exit the indicator module.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a swarm of UAVs that are stored on and released from an airborne platform, fly to and destroy a target, where the UAVs download target information from the airborne platform before being released therefrom, do not communicate with each other or the airborne platform while in flight, and do not depend of the presence of GPS. Each UAV includes a vision sensor that provides image data, a navigation module that receives the image data and causes the UAV to navigate and fly towards the target, and a target destruction module that receives the image data and causes the UAV to destroy the target.

Abstract: A rotary engine has a circular shaped rotor and stator. The rotor has an expansion chamber for combustion and the stator has thrust director gate that passes through a passageway through the stator face to alternatively ride along the face of the rotor or to ride within the expansion chamber of the rotor. Passageways through the stator and radially close to the thrust director gate allow for air, fuel, and an ignition source to pass through the stator allow for ignition and expansion of the fuel within the expansion chamber. The thrust director allows for thrust to be applied to the rotor to rotate the rotor. An exhaust manifold, also passing through stator, and also radially aligned with the expansion chamber allows exhaust gases from combustion to be released from the expansion chamber as the rotor rotates the expansion chamber adjacent to the exhaust manifold.

Abstract: Systems and methods of improved genetic mutation carrier screening may include, for a plurality of genetically similar genes in a reference genome, the plurality of genetically similar genes comprising a functional gene and a non-functional gene, masking the non-functional gene from the reference genome; aligning a plurality of functional gene reads and a plurality of non-functional gene reads of a patient's genetic sequence to the functional gene in the reference genome; tallying, at a first polymorphic locus-of-interest on each aligned read, a respective nucleotide type, wherein functional gene reads comprise a different nucleotide type than non-functional gene reads at the first polymorphic locus-of-interest; and calculating, based at least in part on a result of the tallying, a first gene ratio, wherein the first gene ratio indicates a first ratio of functional gene reads to non-functional gene reads.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an insecticidal compound and insecticidal compositions comprising the insecticidal compound and methods of use are presented herein. The manufacturing method presented herein allows for a high purity grade of thiocyclam hydrochloride to be synthesized. The insecticidal compositions comprising the thiocyclam hydrochloride can be used for prevention of crop destruction by insects. The use of thiocyclam hydrochloride in insecticidal compositions as described herein can achieve greater efficacy than previously known insecticides, by eliminating the insect pests more reliably and efficiently.

Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes a forward-viewing camera located behind and viewing through the vehicle windshield, a rear backup camera located at the rear of the vehicle, and a common image processor operable for processing captured image data. A video display screen is located within the interior cabin of the vehicle viewable by a driver of the vehicle. Responsive to the vehicle being shifted into a reverse gear and while the driver is executing a reversing maneuver, video images derived from image data captured by at least the rear backup camera are displayed on the video display screen. When the vehicle is travelling forward, the common image processor processes image data captured by the forward-viewing camera for a lane departure warning system of the vehicle and for a headlamp control system of the vehicle and/or a traffic sign recognition system of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a rearview video camera and a video processor operable to process captured video image data that includes at least a left zone image data set, a middle zone image data set and a right zone image data set. A single video display screen displays video images and includes a left display region at a left portion, a right display region at a right portion, and a middle display region between the left and right display regions. The display screen is operable to use each display region to display video images derived from the respective zone image data set. When the display screen is displaying video images at the right or left display region that are derived from the respective zone image data, the single video display screen does not display video images representative of the other zone image data at the other display region.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an indicator module for an exterior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes providing a hollow housing formed by injection molding of plastic material and providing a circuit board having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, with at least one light emitting diode disposed at the first side of the circuit board. The circuit board is disposed between a rear end and a front end of the housing such that the first side of the circuit board faces the front end of the housing. With the circuit board disposed between the rear and front ends of the housing, potting material is disposed at and over the second side of the circuit board to seal the rear side of the circuit board. A diffuser element is attached at the front end of the housing and closes the front end of the housing.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an indicator module for an exterior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes providing a hollow housing formed by injection molding of plastic material and providing a circuit board having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, with at least one light emitting diode disposed at the first side of the circuit board. The circuit board is disposed between a rear end and a front end of the housing such that the first side of the circuit board faces the front end of the housing. With the circuit board disposed between the rear and front ends of the housing, potting material is disposed at and over the second side of the circuit board to seal the rear side of the circuit board. A diffuser element is attached at the front end of the housing and closes the front end of the housing.

Abstract: A horizontal directional drilling rig is described. The rig can be entirely electrically powered. The performance (or “health”) and/or the life cycle of individual components of the rig can be electronically monitored. This permits identification of specific individual components that are performing in a substandard manner or are not performing properly or have reached the end of their life cycle. Individual improperly performing components or components at the end of their life cycle can thus be specifically identified. The improperly performing component(s) or components at the end of their life cycle can then be replaced. In some embodiments, when a component is identified as performing improperly, the operation of other, properly functioning components of the rig can be modified accordingly to account for the improperly performing component.

Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes a first imager located at a front portion of the vehicle, a second imager located at the rear of the vehicle, a third imager located in a first exterior rearview mirror assembly of the vehicle and a fourth imager located in a second exterior rearview mirror assembly of the vehicle. Responsive to the vehicle being shifted into a reverse gear, (a) video images derived from image data captured by the second imager are displayed on a video display screen and (b) responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data by a common image processor, the driver of the vehicle is alerted to the presence of an object exterior the equipped vehicle. When the vehicle travels forward, the common image processor processes first image data captured by the first imager for at least a lane departure warning system of the vehicle.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror casing and a mirror reflective element disposed at an outer end region of a sidewall of the mirror casing. The mirror reflective element includes a first glass substrate having a front surface and a rear surface and a substrate thickness spanning between the front and rear surfaces. The first glass substrate includes a flat region and a rounded perimeter edge circumscribing the flat region. Curvature of a rounded outside surface of the outer end region of the sidewall matches curvature of the rounded perimeter edge of the first glass substrate whereby the rounded outside surface of the outer end region of the sidewall and the rounded perimeter edge of the first glass substrate combine to provide a curved transition between the front surface of the flat region and a principal outside surface of the sidewall of the mirror casing.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror head having a mirror reflective element with a transflective mirror reflector. A video display device is disposed rearward of the mirror reflective element, and a polymer reflector layer is disposed in front of the video display device. The video display device is operable to display video images captured by a rearward viewing camera of the vehicle. When the video display device is operated to display video images, light emitted by the video display device passes through the polymer reflector layer and the mirror reflective element for viewing of displayed video images by a driver of the vehicle viewing the mirror reflective element. Linearly polarized light emitted by the video display device is circularly polarized as it passes through the polymer reflector layer, such that the displayed video images comprise circularly polarized light.

Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes first, second, third and fourth cameras having respective forward, rearward, sideward and sideward fields of view. A video processor is operable to process second image data captured by the second or rearward viewing camera. A video display screen displays video images derived, at least in part, from captured second image data. The video processor includes an image processor operable for machine vision analysis of first image data captured by the first or forward viewing camera. During a reversing maneuver of the vehicle, the video display screen displays video images derived, at least in part, from captured second image data. During forward travel of the vehicle and responsive to the image processor processing captured first image data to detect a road sign ahead of the vehicle, an image or iconistic representation of the detected road sign is displayed by the video display screen.

Abstract: An exemplary rotational assembly includes a base having a circular collar and first and second arms that rotate about the circular collar in opposite angular directions. In a stored state the arms have substantially the same angle relative to the circular collar; in a deployed state the arms have rotated into opposing positions. Each end of a Nitinol wire is coupled to the first and second arms and contracts when heated by the flow of electrical current. This contraction causes the simultaneously application of a rotational force to the first and second arms causing the first and second arms to rotate about the circular collar in opposite angular directions. The simultaneous counter rotating angular forces during rotation of the arms causes no substantial change in angular inertia at the base.

Abstract: A manned aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) fly on a mission as a team. The UAVs carry additional weapons and/or munitions that can be controlled by the manned aircraft. The pilot of the manned aircraft selects weapons or munitions carried by either the manned aircraft or one of the UAVs. A display in the manned aircraft illustrates weapons available on both the manned aircraft and UAVs. The pilot of the manned aircraft picks a weapon from the display and then targets and fires the weapon. The targeting and guidance of the weapon can be carried out using computers on the manned aircraft and/or computers on the UAV.

Abstract: A mirror reflective element sub-assembly for a vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror reflective element, a mirror back plate, and a blind zone indication module. The module includes a housing, a circuit board and a light source and is disposed at an aperture formed through the back plate. The circuit board includes circuitry and electrically conductive terminals in electrical connection with circuitry of the circuit board. The electrically conductive terminals extend into a connector portion of the housing. The connector portion is configured to connect to a connector of a wire harness of the exterior rearview mirror assembly. The circuit board may include a constant current circuit that provides a constant current output to the light source over a range of supply voltages provided by a power source of the vehicle. The mirror back plate may include structure at least partially circumscribing the aperture for receiving the module.

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering augmented user information are provided. A method includes receiving a request for augmented information regarding an entity and obtaining an entity profile for the entity based on activity data from at least one data source and corresponding to one or more activities associated with the entity, the entity profile comprising temporal activity data and non-temporal activity data for the activities. In the method, the entity can be a single user or a group of users. The method also includes identifying one or more episodic social networks (ESNs) associated with the entity, based at least on an episodic social network model and the entity profile, where each of the ESNs associated with a different set of finite temporal boundaries and non-temporal boundaries. The method further includes delivering information regarding the ESNs to a requesting party as the augmented information.

Abstract: A process of making a fuel product from spent grain from a beer brewing process. In the brewing process, the grain is pulverized to a particle size whose mean particle size is approximately 0.25 mm to 0.6 mm with less than 1% greater than 2 mm. After the brewing sugars are extracted from the grain, the spent grain is pressed against a filter to reduce moisture below sixty-five percent (65%), and then the grain is dried to further reduce its moisture to less than ten percent (10%). The dried spent grain, after the aforementioned processing, is fed into a combustion chamber for a steam boiler that is used for beer brewing, and the spent grain is separated during combustion by agitation such as spraying of the grain in the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror casing and a mirror reflective element disposed at the mirror casing. The mirror reflective element includes at least a first glass substrate having a front surface and a rear surface. When the rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted in a vehicle, the front surface is closer than the rear surface to a driver that is normally operating the vehicle. The first glass substrate has a flat central region and a rounded perimeter edge, and the rounded perimeter is exposed to and is viewable by the driver of the vehicle. With the mirror reflective element disposed at the mirror casing, no portion of the mirror casing encompasses the rounded perimeter edge. The rounded perimeter edge has a glare-reducing surface finish.