Abstract: A horse saddle with a frame and a body. The frame may be a metal bar and the body may be rotationally molded, over molded or utilize other manufacturing techniques to at least partially enclose the frame in the body, and the exposed portions of the frame functioning as D-rings for rigging loads to the saddle. The saddle functions both for riding, packing or both riding and packing. The saddle may include a metal of a first material and a body of a second material. The body may be mostly hollow and be lightweight with improved comfort resulting from depressions in the saddle seat.

Abstract: A system and method for satellite imaging are provided. The system includes a first satellite, a trailing satellite, and a ground terminal. The first satellite acquires synthetic aperture radar (SAR) image data in a first predetermined signal frequency band at a first imaging location and transmits the SAR image data to a ground terminal. The ground terminal determines a second imaging location from the SAR image data and transmits the second imaging location to the trailing satellite. The trailing satellite acquires higher resolution image data in a second predetermined signal frequency band at the second imaging location and transmits the image data to the ground terminal. Systems and methods for satellite imaging are also provided in which a first satellite captures image data and processes the image data onboard to generate a processed product which is transmitted to a receiving terminal at a ground terminal or on a second satellite.

Abstract: A multi-grain selector device includes an outer body having exterior surfaces. The outer body includes a cooling side configured to face a cooling plate of a casting furnace and an opposite mold side configured to face into a mold. The outer body includes an array of multiple grain selector columns each formed from two or more transversely oriented, elongated channels that are fluidly coupled with each other in an end-to-end arrangement oriented along a growth direction that extends from the cooling side of the outer body toward the mold side of the outer body. The selector columns extend to growth openings on the mold side of the outer body. Each of the selector columns is configured to form a single grain column out of the corresponding growth opening that is part of a columnar grained article to be formed in the mold that grows along the growth direction.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer-program products are provided for aiding in positioning between a surgical object and a machine vision camera in a surgical environment. The machine vision camera senses a position and orientation of a surgical object in its field of view. Controller(s) virtually define a zone within the field of view that indicates a range of acceptable positions for the surgical object relative to a position of the machine vision camera. The controller(s) obtain an acceptable orientation range for the surgical object relative to an orientation of the machine vision camera. The controller(s) execute a GUI to simultaneously present, on the display device, representations of: the field of view; the zone within the field of view; the position of the surgical object relative to the zone; and a current angle difference between the surgical object and the machine vision camera.

Abstract: An optical device includes a first multi-mode waveguide, a first optical coupler coupled to the first multi-mode waveguide, the first coupler being tapered and curved, and a first single-mode waveguide having a first end coupled to the first optical coupler. The optical device maybe used in an optical delay device. A method of propagating light in a first multi-mode waveguide toward a first optical coupler, propagating the light in the first optical coupler toward a first single-mode waveguide, the first optical coupler being tapered and curved, and propagating the light along the first single-mode waveguide is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods, systems and compositions that allow for treating a patient according to a patient customized therapeutic regimen are provided. Embodiments of the invention include obtaining dosage administration information from a patient and using the same to tailor a therapeutic regimen for the patient. Embodiments of the invention further include preparing and forwarding to the patient physical pharmaceutical dosages based on the customized therapeutic regimen.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing apparatus having a height-adjustable support member for supporting a beverage vessel at a plurality of different support positions. The beverage dispensing apparatus may include a beverage dispensing outlet for dispensing a beverage and a movable support member having a top surface for supporting a beverage vessel below the beverage dispensing outlet. The movable support member may include an inner telescoping element and an outer telescoping element. An actuation assembly may be operably coupled to the movable support member to move the movable support member to modify a distance between the top surface of the movable support member and the beverage dispensing outlet. Activation of the actuation assembly may cause both the inner and outer telescoping elements to move simultaneously either towards or away from the beverage dispensing outlet.

Abstract: A mid-control system for a motor vehicle having a transmission and a primary cover opposite said transmission, said mid-control system with a first mid-control device connected to the transmission, the first mid-control device including a first footrest engaged with a first actuator pedal, said first actuator pedal connected to at least one fluid reservoir containing a fluid and a second mid-control device connected to the primary cover, the second mid-control device including a pivot shaft, a second footrest engaged with a second actuator pedal and a cover plate;

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product train a signature encoding module and a query processing module. In a method, at least one of the signature encoding module and the query processing module is trained by providing the signature encoding module with a reference image containing a particular object of interest that is marked therewithin. The method generates a digital signature of the object of interest and at least some context associated therewith and provides the query processing module with a query image and the digital signature representing the object of interest and at least some of the context associated therewith. The method additionally identifies the object of interest within the query image based upon the digital signature and modifies at least one of the signature encoding module or the query processing module based upon a qualitative or quantitative difference between the objects of interest identified within the query image and marked in the reference image.

Abstract: A circuit for recapturing magnetic energy is provided. When a magnet approaches a coil, a switching circuit may activate an electrical path to direct current from a power source through the coil. When the magnet moves away from the coil, the switching circuit may deactivate the electrical path to substantially decrease current from the power source to the coil, a magnetic field induced in the coil may at least partially collapse, and energy from the at least partially collapsing magnetic field may be captured in the storage device, charging the storage device.

Abstract: A photonic switch includes a first waveguide including a first region extending between a first coupler section and a second coupler section and a second region extending between the second coupler section and a third coupler section. The photonic switch also includes a second waveguide including a first portion extending between the first coupler section and the second coupler section, the first portion including at least two first compensation sections each having a different waveguide width, and a second portion extending between the second coupler section and the third coupler section, the second portion including at least two second compensation sections each having a different waveguide width. The photonic switch further includes at least one variable phase-shifter disposed in at least one of the first waveguide or the second waveguide.

Abstract: An optical device includes a first multi-mode waveguide, a first optical coupler coupled to the first multi-mode waveguide, the first coupler being tapered and curved, and a first single-mode waveguide having a first end coupled to the first optical coupler. The optical device maybe used in an optical delay device. A method of propagating light in a first multi-mode waveguide toward a first optical coupler, propagating the light in the first optical coupler toward a first single-mode waveguide, the first optical coupler being tapered and curved, and propagating the light along the first single-mode waveguide is also disclosed.

Abstract: A cutting guide comprising: a substantially planar plate with a lip arranged to extend orthogonally from the plate along at least one edge of the plate. Two or more slots are provided to guide a cutting blade. An entrance to at least one of the slots on an outer face of the lip tapers to guide the cutting blade into the slot and wherein a portion of an inner face of the lip that corresponds to the slot is shaped to define a corner in which material to be cut is positioned.

Abstract: A directional solidification casting method includes fluidly coupling a feed line conduit with a source of molten metal and with a directional solidification mold at a gating. The mold has an interior chamber with a shape of an object to be cast using directional solidification in a growth direction. The feed line conduit is fluidly coupled with the gating in a downward direction oriented at an angle that is closer to the growth direction of the mold than to another direction that is perpendicular to the growth direction of the mold. The method also includes positioning a downstream portion of the feed line conduit below the gating, directing the molten metal into the mold via the feed line conduit, and casting the object in the mold using directional solidification.

Abstract: A method for use in surveying a subsurface region beneath a body of water by detecting compressional, P, waves propagating through the body of water includes locating one or more sensor systems in the water at or close to the subsurface region, using the or each sensor system to detect P waves in the water, and translating all or a portion of the data representing the detected P waves to a higher level above the subsurface region. In the method, the effects of S waves, propagating in the subsurface and converted at the water/subsurface interface into P waves propagating in the water or along the seabed interface, in the translated data is reduced.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for automatic subscription-based ordering of product components. During display of media content, the system receives a voice input and determines that the voice input indicates interest in a product. The system identifies the components required to create the product and identifies a subscription to an automated shopping service. Upon identifying the subscription, the system determines whether required components are available via the automated shopping service. Further, the system excludes components that were previously purchased via the automated shopping service, and the system automatically places an order through the automated shopping service for the remaining components.

Abstract: An optical coupler includes a first waveguide including a first multi-mode waveguide section having a cross-section characterized by a first height and a first width that is greater than the first height and a second waveguide including a second multi-mode waveguide section having a cross-section characterized by a second height and a second width that is greater than the second height. The first multi-mode waveguide section is positioned adjacent to the second multi-mode waveguide section at least partially above or below the second multi-mode waveguide so that light entering the first multi-mode waveguide section is coupled from the first multi-mode waveguide section to the second multi-mode waveguide section. Methods for coupling light between waveguides with the optical coupler and optical devices that include the optical coupler are also described.

Abstract: A display stand, for example an artist's easel, consists of an adjustable frame assembly defining a display area for supporting an object. The display area is adjustable to vary its height and width so that it can adjust to the dimensions of an object. The stand includes a set of opposing vertical stand supports adjustably and lockably coupled to opposing sides of the frame assembly so as to vary and lock the height of the frame assembly above a bearing surface. The supports are braceable between the bearing surface and an opposing surface to orient the frame assembly in a user-selected height above the bearing surface. The arrangement allows the display area to be scaled in a rectilinear profile through the range of adjustments.

Abstract: The various embodiments described herein include methods, devices, and systems for fabricating and operating superconducting photon detectors. In one aspect, a photon detector includes: (1) a first waveguide configured to guide photons from a photon source; (2) a second waveguide that is distinct and separate from the first waveguide and optically-coupled to the first waveguide; and (3) a superconducting component positioned adjacent to the second waveguide and configured to detect photons within the second waveguide.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product utilize digital signatures to efficiently identify objects of interest within images and cause graphical presentation data to be accurately displayed for the objects of interest. The method receives one or more images generated by an image capture device. The method determines one or more digital signatures associated with one or more objects within the one or more images. Based on the one or more digital signatures, the method also determines graphical data placement information comprising one or more graphical data placement regions for the one or more objects. The method also receives graphical presentation data comprising one or more graphical assets. The method also causes display of the graphical presentation data that includes overlaying at least one graphical asset of the one or more graphical assets on the at least one graphical data placement region.