Abstract: This disclosure provides system and method for performing an autonomous aircraft visual inspection task using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The UAV is equipped with a front-facing RGB-D camera, one Velodyne three dimensional Light Detection and Ranging with 64 channels, and one Inertial Measurement Unit. In the method of the present disclosure, the UAV takeoff from any nearby location of the aircraft and face the RGB-D camera towards the aircraft. The UAV find the nearest landmark using a template matching approach and register with the aircraft coordinate system. The UAV navigate using LiDAR and IMU measurements, whereas the inspection process uses measurements from the RGB-D camera. The UAV navigate using a proposed safe navigation around the aircraft by avoiding obstacles. The system identifies the objects of interest using a deep-learning based object detection tool and then performs the inspection. A simple measuring algorithm for simulated objects of interest is implemented.

Abstract: In conventional robot navigation techniques learning and planning algorithms act independently without guiding each other simultaneously. A method and system for robotic navigation with simultaneous local path planning and learning is disclosed. The method discloses an approach to learn and plan simultaneously by assisting each other and improve the overall system performance. The planner acts as an actuator and helps to balance exploration and exploitation in the learning algorithm. The synergy between dynamic window approach (DWA) as a planning algorithm and a disclosed Next best Q-learning (NBQ) as a learning algorithm offers an efficient local planning algorithm. Unlike the traditional Q-learning, dimension of Q-tree in the NBQ is dynamic and does not require to define a priori.

Abstract: A system includes: a current interrupting module including: a first housing and a switching device in the first housing, the switching device configured to control an electrical connection between a first node of an electrical system and a second node of an electrical system in response to a control signal; and an energy harvesting module including: a control apparatus configured to output the control signal; an energy harvesting apparatus electrically connected to the control apparatus; and a second housing that at least partially encloses the energy harvesting apparatus and the control apparatus. The energy harvesting apparatus is electrically connected to the first node regardless of a state of the switching device.

Abstract: A lyophilization method for lyophilizing products inside one or more vials within a lyophilization chamber is disclosed which includes humidifying a charge gas to a predetermined relative humidity, cooling shelves in the lyophilization chamber to a predetermined temperature, pressurizing the chamber with the humidified charge gas to a pressurization threshold to thereby achieving a target relative humidity level within the lyophilization chamber, and suddenly releasing pressure within the lyophilization chamber until a depressurization threshold is reached in a short time interval up to about 4 seconds, during the depressurization, product inside one or more vials nucleate.

Abstract: Method and system for narrow passage path sampling based on levy flight is disclosed. The disclosed technique is an improvisation of Random Walk to Surface (RWS), wherein, instead of performing a random walk, the disclosed technique utilizes levy flight mechanism to identify samples in narrow passages (on the obstacle boundaries). The disclosed technique for identification of narrow passages sampling points in the narrow passage is based on several techniques that include random uniform sampling technique, a levy flight function (step size) and a collision detection technique. Moreover, in addition to identification of narrow passages sampling points, the disclosed technique also performs an additional check to ensure that the identified narrow passages sampling points are present in the narrow passage based on a levy flight bridge sampler technique.

Abstract: This disclosure provides system and method for performing an autonomous aircraft visual inspection task using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The UAV is equipped with a front-facing RGB-D camera, one Velodyne three dimensional Light Detection and Ranging with 64 channels, and one Inertial Measurement Unit. In the method of the present disclosure, the UAV takeoff from any nearby location of the aircraft and face the RGB-D camera towards the aircraft. The UAV find the nearest landmark using a template matching approach and register with the aircraft coordinate system. The UAV navigate using LiDAR and IMU measurements, whereas the inspection process uses measurements from the RGB-D camera. The UAV navigate using a proposed safe navigation around the aircraft by avoiding obstacles. The system identifies the objects of interest using a deep-learning based object detection tool and then performs the inspection. A simple measuring algorithm for simulated objects of interest is implemented.

Abstract: In conventional robot navigation techniques learning and planning algorithms act independently without guiding each other simultaneously. A method and system for robotic navigation with simultaneous local path planning and learning is disclosed. The method discloses an approach to learn and plan simultaneously by assisting each other and improve the overall system performance. The planner acts as an actuator and helps to balance exploration and exploitation in the learning algorithm. The synergy between dynamic window approach (DWA) as a planning algorithm and a disclosed Next best Q-learning (NBQ) as a learning algorithm offers an efficient local planning algorithm. Unlike the traditional Q-learning, dimension of Q-tree in the NBQ is dynamic and does not require to define a priori.

Abstract: Cleaning systems proposed in the art have technical construct limitations in the cleaning mechanisms used, which leads to a lower ratio of power consumed to area cleaned, directly affecting the cleaning efficiency. Thus, an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Propelled Autonomous Multiplane Cleaning System (UPAMCS) is disclosed. An UAV and Mopping Interface Mechanism (UAV-MIM) connects a UAV to one or more mopping systems comprising an epicyclic gear driven moppers with no additional power devices used. A maneuvering mechanism disclosed enables the UAV to propel the mopping systems to reach any geometric shape or inclination. The UPAMCS provides cost, time, and power efficient surface cleaning. The UPAMCS is also equipped with vision cameras and LiDAR for guidance during landing and crawling over surfaces along with additional surface defect detection by processing the captured images.

Abstract: A method for invoking a user-intended Internet of Things (IoT) device amongst a number of IoT devices is disclosed. The method includes extracting by the number of IoT devices, a number of voice parameters from a voice wakeup command for waking up the device. The method includes sharing by the number of IoT devices, the number of voice parameters amongst the number of IoT devices. The method includes comparing the number of voice parameters with a number of pre-stored voice parameters in the number of IoT devices. The method includes determining, a user-intended IoT device amongst the number of IoT devices based on the voice wakeup command and at least one of a similarity between the plurality of pre-stored voice parameters and the plurality of voice parameters and a previously invoked IoT device associated with a previous voice wakeup command. The method includes invoking the user-intended IoT device selected amongst the number of IoT devices.

Abstract: A method for invoking a user-intended Internet of Things (IoT) device amongst a number of IoT devices is disclosed. The method includes extracting by the number of IoT devices, a number of voice parameters from a voice wakeup command for waking up the device. The method includes sharing by the number of IoT devices, the number of voice parameters amongst the number of IoT devices. The method includes comparing the number of voice parameters with a number of pre-stored voice parameters in the number of IoT devices. The method includes determining, a user-intended IoT device amongst the number of IoT devices based on the voice wakeup command and at least one of a similarity between the plurality of pre-stored voice parameters and the plurality of voice parameters and a previously invoked IoT device associated with a previous voice wakeup command. The method includes invoking the user-intended IoT device selected amongst the number of IoT devices.

Abstract: A pole assembly of a switching device is provided. The pole assembly includes a first interrupter unit operably connected to a pole plate of the pole assembly via first post insulators. The first interrupter provides a path for current flow through the first interrupter in a closed state and interrupts the current flow in an open state. A second interrupter unit is operably connected to the first interrupter unit and to the pole plate via second post insulators. The second interrupter allows the current flow through the first interrupter unit in an open state and grounds the switching device in a closed state. The pole assembly includes a dielectric shield physically disposable between and operably connected to the first post insulators and the second post insulators for uniformly distributing an electric field generated during operation of the pole assembly.

Abstract: Method and system for narrow passage path sampling based on levy flight is disclosed. The disclosed technique is an improvisation of Random Walk to Surface (RWS), wherein, instead of performing a random walk, the disclosed technique utilizes levy flight mechanism to identify samples in narrow passages (on the obstacle boundaries). The disclosed technique for identification of narrow passages sampling points in the narrow passage is based on several techniques that include random uniform sampling technique, a levy flight function (step size) and a collision detection technique. Moreover, in addition to identification of narrow passages sampling points, the disclosed technique also performs an additional check to ensure that the identified narrow passages sampling points are present in the narrow passage based on a levy flight bridge sampler technique.

Abstract: A lyophilization method for lyophilizing products inside one or more vials within a lyophilization chamber is disclosed which includes humidifying a charge gas to a predetermined relative humidity, cooling shelves in the lyophilization chamber to a predetermined temperature, pressurizing the chamber with the humidified charge gas to a pressurization threshold to thereby achieving a target relative humidity level within the lyophilization chamber, and suddenly releasing pressure within the lyophilization chamber until a depressurization threshold is reached in a short time interval up to about 4 seconds, during the depressurization, product inside one or more vials nucleate.

Abstract: A method for invoking a user-intended Internet of Things (IoT) device amongst a number of IoT devices is disclosed. The method includes extracting by the number of IoT devices, a number of voice parameters from a voice wakeup command for waking up the device. The method includes sharing by the number of IoT devices, the number of voice parameters amongst the number of IoT devices. The method includes comparing the number of voice parameters with a number of pre-stored voice parameters in the number of IoT devices. The method includes determining, a user-intended IoT device amongst the number of IoT devices based on the voice wakeup command and at least one of a similarity between the plurality of pre-stored voice parameters and the plurality of voice parameters and a previously invoked IoT device associated with a previous voice wakeup command. The method includes invoking the user-intended IoT device selected amongst the number of IoT devices.

Abstract: A drive unit is provided for a moving contact of a vacuum tube. The drive unit has a tube pin which is conductively connected to the moving contact, a drive which is connected to the tube pin, and a conductor bridge. The drive moves the tube pin. The conductor bridge is directly conductively connected to the tube pin and a stationary conductor and bridges a travel of the tube pin between a conductive switching state of the vacuum tube and a non-conductive switching state. A magnet drive is provided, which contains a first magnet element, which is connected to the tube pin, and a second magnet element. The two magnet elements are configured to build up a magnetic force between them when current is flowing through the vacuum tube and in this way generates a contact-pressure force of the moving contact onto a fixed contact of the vacuum tube.

Abstract: A pole assembly of a switching device is provided. The pole assembly includes a first interrupter unit operably connected to a pole plate of the pole assembly via first post insulators. The first interrupter provides a path for current flow through the first interrupter in a closed state and interrupts the current flow in an open state. A second interrupter unit is operably connected to the first interrupter unit and to the pole plate via second post insulators. The second interrupter allows the current flow through the first interrupter unit in an open state and grounds the switching device in a closed state. The pole assembly includes a dielectric shield physically disposable between and operably connected to the first post insulators and the second post insulators for uniformly distributing an electric field generated during operation of the pole assembly.

Abstract: Systems and methods for presenting content are disclosed. One method can comprise presenting an interface such as a content guide comprising a field relating to content. A selection of one or more of a plurality of filters can be received. A first indicator representing first information can be presented if a first one of the filters is selected, wherein the first information relates to the field. A second indicator representing second information can be presented if a second one of the filters selected, wherein the second information relates to the field.

Abstract: Systems and methods for presenting content are disclosed. One method can comprise presenting an interface such as a content guide comprising a field relating to content. A selection of one or more of a plurality of filters can be received. A first indicator representing first information can be presented if a first one of the filters is selected, wherein the first information relates to the field. A second indicator representing second information can be presented if a second one of the filters selected, wherein the second information relates to the field.

Abstract: A web application on a client computer system submits a web request to a destination Web server via a network application programming interface. A web request scrubber is installed on the client computer system between the network application programming interface and a network interface of the client computer system. The web request scrubber intercepts the web request and determines if an HTTP referer field is present. Based at least in part on the intended destination of the web request, the web request scrubber identifies and applies an applicable scrubbing policy to the information in the HTTP referer field. The web request scrubber removes or modifies some or all of the information in the HTTP referer field in accordance with the applicable scrubbing policy, and forwards the modified web request to the destination Web server via the network interface of the client computer system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for presenting content are disclosed. One method can comprise presenting an interface such as a content guide comprising a field relating to content. A selection of one or more of a plurality of filters can be received. A first indicator representing first information can be presented if a first one of the filters is selected, wherein the first information relates to the field. A second indicator representing second information can be presented if a second one of the filters selected, wherein the second information relates to the field.