Abstract: A safety assembly for use with a laser-directed energy weapon is disclosed. The assembly comprises a control system comprising a photodetector and a processing unit; and an optical device configured to attach to a target such that, when attached, the optical device provides a light beam to the photodetector. The processing unit is arranged to compare the received light beam against one or more predetermined attributes, and to permit the laser-directed energy weapon to fire only when the received light beam is determined to have the one or more attributes.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to an automated storage and retrieval system and methods of using the same. In various embodiments, an AS/RS comprises an angled rack element provided in between a first aisle and a second aisle, wherein a first end of the angled rack element is positioned adjacent the first aisle and a second end of the angled rack element is positioned adjacent the second aisle, and wherein the angled rack element is configured to receive an object dispensed from a first shuttle positioned within the first aisle; wherein the angled rack element defines a pitch angle defined relative to a horizontal plane to facilitate movement of the object disposed on a conveyance surface along a unidirectional transportation path towards the second end; and wherein the angled rack element is configured such that the object at the loading position is accessible to the second shuttle via the second aisle.

Abstract: A safety assembly for use with a laser-directed energy weapon is disclosed. The assembly comprises a control system comprising a photodetector and a processing unit; and an optical device configured to attach to a target such that, when attached, the optical device provides a light beam to the photodetector. The processing unit is arranged to compare the received light beam against one or more predetermined attributes, and to permit the laser-directed energy weapon to fire only when the received light beam is determined to have the one or more attributes.

Abstract: In many aspects, the systems and methods described herein include mattress assemblies with attached sensory devices. The mattress assembly comprises a mattress core, an attached headboard, a mattress cover at least partially enclosing the mattress core, and at least one customer assistance sensory device attached to at least one of the core, headboard, and cover. The customer assistance sensory device is configured to present at least one parameter of the mattress core or assembly as at least a visual signal. Visual signals may include one or more distinct colors, shapes, or graphic patterns that correspond to one or more parameter of the mattress core or assembly.

Abstract: In many aspects, the systems and methods described herein include mattress assemblies with attached sensory devices. The mattress assembly comprises a mattress core, an attached headboard, a mattress cover at least partially enclosing the mattress core, and at least one customer assistance sensory device attached to at least one of the core, headboard, and cover. The customer assistance sensory device is configured to present at least one parameter of the mattress core or assembly as at least a visual signal. Visual signals may include one or more distinct colors, shapes, or graphic patterns that correspond to one or more parameter of the mattress core or assembly.

Abstract: In many aspects, the systems and methods described herein include mattress assemblies with attached sensory devices. The mattress assembly comprises a mattress core, an attached headboard, a mattress cover at least partially enclosing the mattress core, and at least one customer assistance sensory device attached to at least one of the core, headboard, and cover. The customer assistance sensory device is configured to present at least one parameter of the mattress core or assembly as at least a visual signal. Visual signals may include one or more distinct colors, shapes, or graphic patterns that correspond to one or more parameter of the mattress core or assembly.

Abstract: In many aspects, the systems and methods described herein include mattress assemblies with attached sensory devices. The mattress assembly comprises a mattress core, an attached headboard, a mattress cover at least partially enclosing the mattress core, and at least one customer assistance sensory device attached to at least one of the core, headboard, and cover. The customer assistance sensory device is configured to present at least one parameter of the mattress core or assembly as at least a visual signal. Visual signals may include one or more distinct colors, shapes, or graphic patterns that correspond to one or more parameter of the mattress core or assembly.

Abstract: In many aspects, the systems and methods described herein include mattress assemblies with attached sensory devices. The mattress assembly comprises a mattress core, an attached headboard, a mattress cover at least partially enclosing the mattress core, and at least one customer assistance sensory device attached to at least one of the core, headboard, and cover. The customer assistance sensory device is configured to present at least one parameter of the mattress core or assembly as at least a visual signal. Visual signals may include one or more distinct colors, shapes, or graphic patterns that correspond to one or more parameter of the mattress core or assembly.

Abstract: A phased-array RF pulse generator is disclosed which includes a video-pulse generator arranged to generate video pulses each having a leading edge. An array of nonlinear and dispersive transmission lines, are arranged to generate RF pulses from the video pulses. At least one sensor is arranged to detect the leading edge of the video pulses after they have passed along the transmission lines. A phase controller is arranged to set the velocity of the video pulses in each transmission line to put the detected leading edges, and hence the generated RF pulses, into a desired phase relationship.

Abstract: A phased-array RF pulse generator is disclosed which includes a video-pulse generator arranged to generate video pulses each having a leading edge. An array of nonlinear and dispersive transmission lines, are arranged to generate RF pulses from the video pulses. At least one sensor is arranged to detect the leading edge of the video pulses after they have passed along the transmission lines. A phase controller is arranged to set the velocity of the video pulses in each transmission line to put the detected leading edges, and hence the generated RF pulses, into a desired phase relationship.

Abstract: A method and system for treating a water stream which contains Fouling Organics, where the water stream is recovered from an underground hydrocarbon-containing formation during SAGD oil recovery operations conducted on said formation. The method comprises injecting an oxidizing agent, preferably air, into the water stream when first recovered from the underground formation, and using a porous membrane to separate oxidized Fouling Organics and/or filter separable compounds formed due to injection of the oxidizing agent into the water stream, prior to transferring the water stream to a boiler for re-heating the water stream and turning same to steam for re-injection into said formation.

Abstract: In order to disinfect and to detoxify a fluid, a photoreactor contains at least two light sources. One light source activates the catalytic function of a semiconductor material in the fluid to reduce the concentration of contaminants in the fluid, such as by breaking down organic contaminants into non-toxic compounds. A second light source acts directly on living biological entities to sterilize or kill them and thereby disinfect the fluid, and can also serve to activate a semiconductor photocatalyst that in turn causes further damage to biological contaminants. The semiconductor photocatalyst is desirably attached to an optically transmitting fiber substrate in the fluid. The second light source in one embodiment is external to the fluid and illuminates the photocatalyst through transmitting surfaces in a fluid containment vessel. The light sources can comprise respective sets of plural LEDs.

Abstract: The aural similarity measuring system and method provides a measure of the aural similarity between a target text (10) and one or more reference texts (11). Both the target text (10) and the reference texts (11) are converted into a string of phonemes (15) and then one or other of the phoneme strings are adjusted (16) so that both are equal in length. The phoneme strings are compared (12) and a score generated representative of the degree of similarity of the two phoneme strings. Finally, where there is a plurality of reference texts the similarity scores for each of the reference texts are ranked (13). With this aural similarity measuring system the analysis is automated thereby reducing risks of errors and omissions. Moreover, the system provides an objective measure of aural similarity enabling consistency of comparison in results and reproducibility of results.

Abstract: In order to disinfect and to detoxify a fluid, a photoreactor contains at least two light sources. One light source activates the catalytic function of a semiconductor material in the fluid to reduce the concentration of contaminants in the fluid, such as by breaking down organic contaminants into non-toxic compounds. A second light source acts directly on living biological entities to sterilize or kill them and thereby disinfect the fluid, and can also serve to activate a semiconductor photocatalyst that in turn causes further damage to biological contaminants. The semiconductor photocatalyst is desirably attached to an optically transmitting fiber substrate in the fluid. The second light source in one embodiment is external to the fluid and illuminates the photocatalyst through transmitting surfaces in a fluid containment vessel. The light sources can comprise respective sets of plural LEDs.

Abstract: In many aspects, the systems and methods described herein include mattress assemblies with attached sensory devices. The mattress assembly comprises a mattress core, an attached headboard, a mattress cover at least partially enclosing the mattress core, and at least one customer assistance sensory device attached to at least one of the core, headboard, and cover. The customer assistance sensory device is configured to present at least one parameter of the mattress core or assembly as at least a visual signal. Visual signals may include one or more distinct colors, shapes, or graphic patterns that correspond to one or more parameter of the mattress core or assembly.

Abstract: The aural similarity measuring system and method provides a measure of the aural similarity between a target text (10) and one or more reference texts (11). Both the target text (10) and the reference texts (11) are converted into a string of phonemes (15) and then one or other of the phoneme strings are adjusted (16) so that both are equal in length. The phoneme strings are compared (12) and a score generated representative of the degree of similarity of the two phoneme strings. Finally, where there is a plurality of reference texts the similarity scores for each of the reference texts are ranked (13). With this aural similarity measuring system the analysis is automated thereby reducing risks of errors and omissions. Moreover, the system provides an objective measure of aural similarity enabling consistency of comparison in results and reproducibility of results.

Abstract: The aural similarity measuring system and method provides a measure of the aural similarity between a target text (10) and one or more reference texts (11). Both the target text (10) and the reference texts (11) are converted into a string of phonemes (15) and then one or other of the phoneme strings are adjusted (16) so that both are equal in length. The phoneme strings are compared (12) and a score generated representative of the degree of similarity of the two phoneme strings. Finally, where there is a plurality of reference texts the similarity scores for each of the reference texts are ranked (13). With this aural similarity measuring system the analysis is automated thereby reducing risks of errors and omissions. Moreover, the system provides an objective measure of aural similarity enabling consistency of comparison in results and reproducibility of results.

Abstract: Methods and systems relating to solid state light sources for use in industrial processes.

Abstract: A dense array of semiconductor devices having an array of micro-reflectors, the micro-reflectors having characteristics that enhance dense packing of the array in balance with collection and collimation of the array's radiant output.

Abstract: The light array of this invention includes a number of columns and rows of LED's connected in a series/parallel combination. The series parallel combinations effectively optimize the impedance, accommodate failure rate, facilitate light mixing, provide a means of imbedding redundancy, and common cathodes or anodes. This arrangement provides a superior light source for consumer, industrial and specialty markets in respect to mean time between failure, process control, radiant intensity, wavelength mixing, power requirements and other characteristics of the light source. Each column includes a number of rows of plural LED's. The LED's in each row are wired in series and each column is wired in parallel so that if one LED fails only the LED's connected in series with the failed LED will also fail. There is redundancy in the circuit as well as the arrays so that if there are failures different current carrying elements or different series LEDS will automatically by powered on.