Abstract: A control system for one or more ablutionary devices includes a mixer valve having a first inlet and a second inlet configured to receive a supply of hot and cold water, and an outlet configured to output cold water, hot water or a mixture thereof as an output stream for supplying water to the one or more ablutionary devices downstream of the mixer valve; and a controller. The controller is configured obtain one or more current operating signals related to the flow rate of the output stream produced by the mixer valve and compare each of the one or more current operating signals to a corresponding historical operating signal, the historical operating signal being an operating signal previously obtained by the controller, and to generate a diagnostic signal based on the comparison.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for sending vehicle information and health data over a wireless network. An example method may include receiving, from an on-board diagnostic (OBD) device associated with a vehicle and over a LoRaWAN network, a first message including first data, wherein the first data is a first category of data received by the OBD device from the vehicle. The example method may also include receiving, from the OBD device and over the LoRaWAN network, a second message including second data, wherein the second data is a second category of data received by the OBD device from the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for performing real-time quality inspection of objects is disclosed. The system and method include a transport to move objects being inspected, allowing the inspection to be performed in-line. At least one optical acquisition unit is provided that captured optical images of the objects being inspected. The captured optical images are matched to CAD models of objects, and the matched CAD model is extracted. A laser with an illumination light beam has a wavelength in the violet or ultraviolet range then conducts scans of the objects, which are formed into three-dimensional point clouds. The point clouds are compared to the extracted CAD models for each object, where CTF are compared to user input or CAD model information and the object is determined to be acceptable or defective based on the extent of deviation between the point cloud and the CAD model.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for sending vehicle information and health data over a wireless network. An example method may include receiving, from an on-board diagnostic (OBD) device associated with a vehicle and over a LoRaWAN network, a first message including first data, wherein the first data is a first category of data received by the OBD device from the vehicle. The example method may also include receiving, from the OBD device and over the LoRaWAN network, a second message including second data, wherein the second data is a second category of data received by the OBD device from the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for performing real-time quality inspection of objects is disclosed. The system and method include a transport to move objects being inspected, allowing the inspection to be performed in-line. At least one optical acquisition unit is provided that captured optical images of the objects being inspected. The captured optical images are matched to CAD models of objects, and the matched CAD model is extracted. A laser with an illumination light beam has a wavelength in the violet or ultraviolet range then conducts scans of the objects, which are formed into three-dimensional point clouds. The point clouds are compared to the extracted CAD models for each object, where CTF are compared to user input or CAD model information and the object is determined to be acceptable or defective based on the extent of deviation between the point cloud and the CAD model.

Abstract: A system and method for performing real-time quality inspection of objects is disclosed. The system and method include a transport to move objects being inspected, allowing the inspection to be performed in-line. At least one optical acquisition unit is provided that captured optical images of the objects being inspected. The captured optical images are matched to CAD models of objects, and the matched CAD model is extracted. A laser with an illumination light beam has a wavelength in the violet or ultraviolet range then conducts scans of the objects, which are formed into three-dimensional point clouds. The point clouds are compared to the extracted CAD models for each object, where CTF are compared to user input or CAD model information and the object is determined to be acceptable or defective based on the extent of deviation between the point cloud and the CAD model.

Abstract: A system and method for performing real-time quality inspection of objects is disclosed. The system and method include a transport to move objects being inspected, allowing the inspection to be performed in-line. At least one optical acquisition unit is provided that captured optical images of the objects being inspected. The captured optical images are matched to CAD models of objects, and the matched CAD model is extracted. A laser with an illumination light beam has a wavelength in the violet or ultraviolet range then conducts scans of the objects, which are formed into three-dimensional point clouds. The point clouds are compared to the extracted CAD models for each object, where CTF are compared to user input or CAD model information and the object is determined to be acceptable or defective based on the extent of deviation between the point cloud and the CAD model.

Abstract: A method for collecting data for a geographic database is disclosed. Speed and position data are collected using a plurality of mobile computing platforms moving in a geographic region. The speed and position data are analyzed to identify a location of a recurring delay point corresponding to a change in the speed. The geographic database is updated to indicate the location of the recurring delay point.

Abstract: A system for communicating across conventional HVAC wiring is provided. The system includes a communication device having a communication module capable of inducing low power, high frequency current signals into a single control wire coupling, for example, a thermostat with a compressor. The communication module includes a power supply module that draws power sufficient to operate the communication module from the existing HVAC wiring, so as to eliminate any need for batteries or external power sources. A second communication module may be coupled to the single control wire. The second communication module operates as a transceiver sending communication signals to, and receiving communication signals from, the communication module. In one embodiment, the communication module is disposed within a building, for example coupled to an electronic thermostat, while the second communication module is disposed outside the building near the compressor.

Abstract: A system for communicating across conventional HVAC wiring is provided. The system includes a communication device having a communication module capable of inducing low power, high frequency current signals into a single control wire coupling, for example, a thermostat with a compressor. The communication module includes a power supply module that draws power sufficient to operate the communication module from the existing HVAC wiring, so as to eliminate any need for batteries or external power sources. A second communication module may be coupled to the single control wire. The second communication module operates as a transceiver sending communication signals to, and receiving communication signals from, the communication module. In one embodiment, the communication module is disposed within a building, for example coupled to an electronic thermostat, while the second communication module is disposed outside the building near the compressor.

Abstract: A system for communicating across conventional HVAC wiring is provided. The system includes a communication device having a communication module capable of inducing low power, high frequency current signals into a single control wire coupling, for example, a thermostat with a compressor. The communication module includes a power supply module that draws power sufficient to operate the communication module from the existing HVAC wiring, so as to eliminate any need for batteries or external power sources. A second communication module may be coupled to the single control wire. The second communication module operates as a transceiver sending communication signals to, and receiving communication signals from, the communication module. In one embodiment, the communication module is disposed within a building, for example coupled to an electronic thermostat, while the second communication module is disposed outside the building near the compressor.

Abstract: A system for communicating across conventional HVAC wiring is provided. The system includes a communication device having a communication module capable of inducing low power, high frequency current signals into a single control wire coupling, for example, a thermostat with a compressor. The communication module includes a power supply module that draws power sufficient to operate the communication module from the existing HVAC wiring, so as to eliminate any need for batteries or external power sources. A second communication module may be coupled to the single control wire. The second communication module operates as a transceiver sending communication signals to, and receiving communication signals from, the communication module. In one embodiment, the communication module is disposed within a building, for example coupled to an electronic thermostat, while the second communication module is disposed outside the building near the compressor.

Abstract: A thermal management system for a spacecraft module includes a baseplate and wall system that is precharacterized to provide a given level of thermal performance regardless of an orientation of the spacecraft relative to a source of solar energy. The system is characterized at a worst-case hot orientation, and at a worst-case cold orientation. The characterization provides a maximum temperature and a minimum temperature of components mounted on the baseplate as a function of the height of the walls. The height of the walls is selected to provide a suitable temperature range for the components, based on the power dissipation of the components. The system is designed to be symmetric, so that this temperature range is assured regardless of the orientation of the spacecraft.

Abstract: A method for providing visual continuity when performing a zooming or panning operation with a graphical map shown on display screen of a computing platform. When a user of the computing platform operates the user interface thereof to perform a zooming or panning operation, a first map view of a first geographic area is replaced with a second map view of a second geographic area, such that at least a portion of the first and second geographic areas overlap. In order to provide visual continuity, a transition view is shown on the display screen of the computing platform between the showing of the first map view and the showing of the second map view. The transition view is shown for several seconds immediately after the user operates the user interface to perform the zooming or panning operation. The transition view shows either the first map view or the second map view. The transition view also includes a boundary line that is overlaid on the map view being shown.

Abstract: A navigation system includes a driving profile program. The driving profile program collects information about an end user's driving activity. The information relates to trips made by the end user. The information includes departure times, intermediate stops, arrival times, purposes of the trips, and so on. After collecting this information over a period of time, the driving profile program analyzes the end user's driving activity. The driving profile program provides the end user with a driving activity profile. In addition, the driving profile program determines ways to reduce the amount of time and/or expense that the end user spends traveling in his/her vehicle and suggests modifications to the end user's driving activity that would save the end user time or expense.

Abstract: A reporting program and system whereby end users of navigation systems, or other computing platforms that use geographic data to obtain navigation-related or map-related services, can make reports about the geographic data. The reporting program can be used by end users to report perceived errors or inaccuracies in the geographic data. The end users can use their own personal computers, or other computing devices, to access the reporting program over a network, such as the Internet. When an end user accesses the reporting program, the reporting program provides a graphical map image to the end user on the end user's computing platform. The reporting program allows the end user to zoom and pan the graphical map image in order to display an image of the area about which the end user wishes to make a report.

Abstract: A reporting program and system whereby end users of navigation systems, or other computing platforms that use geographic data to obtain navigation-related or map-related services, can make reports about the geographic data. The reporting program can be used by end users to report perceived errors or inaccuracies in the geographic data. The end users can use their own personal computers, or other computing devices, to access the reporting program over a network, such as the Internet. When an end user accesses the reporting program, the reporting program provides a graphical map image to the end user on the end user's computing platform. The reporting program allows the end user to zoom and pan the graphical map image in order to display an image of the area about which the end user wishes to make a report.

Abstract: An image identification apparatus for identifying an image from a hand drawn representation of at least part of the image, the image identification apparatus comprising an image processor arranged in operation to generate a reference identification in response to spatial samples produced from at least part of the hand drawn representation, the reference identification being indicative of a first estimate of which of a plurality of pre-stored images corresponds to the hand drawn representation. and a controller which is arranged in operation to cause the image processor to produce a refined reference identification from the spatial samples and further spatial samples produced from a further part of the hand drawn representation, the refined reference identification being indicative of a refined estimate of which of the plurality of the prestored images corresponds to the hand drawn representation.

Abstract: An image identification apparatus for identifying an image from a sequence of spatial samples generated in response to a hand drawn representation of the image, the image identification apparatus comprising a segment processor arranged in operation to determine from the spatial samples stroke data representative of strokes performed in drawing the hand drawn representation of the image, a stroke pre-processor which is arranged in operation to generate parameter data from the sequence of spatial samples and the determined stroke data of the hand drawn representation, and an image identifier coupled to the stroke pre-processor which is arranged in operation to identity the image from the parameter data. The image identification apparatus finds application in many fields, including identifying hand drawn images for generating a story board from pre-generated images.

Abstract: A reporting program and system whereby end users of navigation systems, or other computing platforms that use geographic data to obtain navigation-related or map-related services, can make reports about the geographic data. The reporting program can be used by end users to report perceived errors or inaccuracies in the geographic data. The end users can use their own personal computers, or other computing devices, to access the reporting program over a network, such as the Internet. When an end user accesses the reporting program, the reporting program provides a graphical map image to the end user on the end user's computing platform. The reporting program allows the end user to zoom and pan the graphical map image in order to display an image of the area about which the end user wishes to make a report.