Abstract: Apparatuses including gripping mechanisms including extendable fingers and methods of manipulating items using the gripping mechanisms are described herein. An example apparatus may include a frame, a pair of carriages coupled to the frame and moveable by one or more drive units, a pair of fingers, and a set of linkages connecting the pair of fingers with the pair of carriages. The one or more drive units are operable to cause the fingers to move towards each other and to move away from each other.

Abstract: A system including a power plant having thermal generating units that operate according to multiple possible operating modes, which are differentiated by a unique operational or maintenance schedule. The system further includes a hardware processor and machine readable storage medium on which is stored instructions that cause the hardware processor to execute a process related to optimizing the operational or maintenance schedule during a selected operating period. The process may include: receiving the selected operating period; selecting competing operating modes for the power plant during the selected operating period according to a selection criteria; simulating the operation of the power plant during the selected operating period for each of the competing operating modes and deriving simulation results therefrom; evaluating each of the simulation results pursuant to a cost function and, based thereupon, designating at least one of the competing operating modes as an optimized operating mode.

Abstract: A power plant control system determines an augmented operating parameter set point responsive to a life cycle cost (LCC) objective function responsive to a LCC model. The augmented operating parameter value may be responsive to an initial set point determined by a controls model and a performance indicator determined by a performance model. The power plant may include a thermal generator, such as a gas turbine or other fuel-burning generator, and the operating parameter may include firing temperature, fuel flow rate, steam pressure/temperature/flow rate, and/or another suitable operating parameter. An offer curve is generated responsive to the augmented operating parameter.

Abstract: Systems and methods for integrating biometric authentication with video conference sessions are described. An individual seeking to participate in a video conference may first be identified with a biometric parameter such as an iris scan based on a comparison of the scanned iris with a database of stored parameters. If authorized, the system may connect the individual to the video session. In addition, the system may generate dynamic tags that allow the participants to identify and locate individuals in the video conference. For example, if one of the participants is speaking and moving within the room, her tag may change color and move with her on the video screen.

Abstract: Systems and methods for biometrically identifying an individual for purchasing a product and/or service without a need for the individual to input authentication data into a system/device are described. Data representative of a scanned iris of a customer desiring to make a purchase may be made. The customer may be identified based upon the scanned iris. A determination may be made as to whether the identified customer has a plurality of accounts at a financial entity. Information of a selected account to make the purchase may be received. Sufficient funds in the selected account to make the purchase may be determined. If insufficient, a different account may be identified to make the purchase. Sufficient funds in the different account may be determined and funds in the different account may be decreased by the associated payment amount.

Abstract: Systems and methods for biometrically identifying an individual for purchasing a product and/or service without a need for the individual to input authentication data into a system/device are described. Data representative of a scanned iris of a customer desiring to make a purchase may be made. The customer may be identified based upon the scanned iris. A determination may be made as to whether the identified customer has a plurality of accounts at a financial entity. Information of a selected account to make the purchase may be received. Sufficient funds in the selected account to make the purchase may be determined. If insufficient, a different account may be identified to make the purchase. Sufficient funds in the different accounts may be determined and funds in the different accounts may be decreased by the associated payment amount.

Abstract: Systems and methods for integrating biometric authentication with video conference sessions are described. An individual seeking to participate in a video conference may first be identified with a biometric parameter such as an iris scan based on a comparison of the scanned iris with a database of stored parameters. If authorized, the system may connect the individual to the video session. In addition, the system may generate dynamic tags that allow the participants to identify and locate individuals in the video conference. For example, if one of the participants is speaking and moving within the room, her tag may change color and move with her on the video screen.

Abstract: A power plant control system determines an augmented operating parameter set point responsive to a life cycle cost (LCC) objective function responsive to a LCC model. The augmented operating parameter value may be responsive to an initial set point determined by a controls model and a performance indicator determined by a performance model. The power plant may include a thermal generator, such as a gas turbine or other fuel-burning generator, and the operating parameter may include firing temperature, fuel flow rate, steam pressure/temperature/flow rate, and/or another suitable operating parameter. An offer curve is generated responsive to the augmented operating parameter.

Abstract: Systems and methods for integrating biometric authentication with video conference sessions are described. An individual seeking to participate in a video conference may first be identified with a biometric parameter such as an iris scan based on a comparison of the scanned iris with a database of stored parameters. If authorized, the system may connect the individual to the video session. In addition, the system may generate dynamic tags that allow the participants to identify and locate individuals in the video conference. For example, if one of the participants is speaking and moving within the room, her tag may change color and move with her on the video screen.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention can provide systems and methods for startup of a power plant. According to one embodiment of the invention, a system can be provided. The system can include a computer processor. The system can also include a memory operable to store computer-executable instructions operable to determine a current state of the power plant; determine an anticipated future state of the power plant; and determine a startup profile between the current state of the power plant and the anticipated future state of the power plant based on at least one parameter and a desired result.

Abstract: Systems and methods for integrating facility access with other security systems are described. An individual seeking access authorization to a facility may be identified with a biometric parameter such as an iris scan. If authorized, the system may allow entry by disabling the alarm system, and a time period for access may be determined based on one or more characteristics associated with the individual. These characteristics may include the functional role of the individual at the facility and/or the location of the facility itself. Moreover, this facility access authorization system may be integrated with a network access authorization system associated with the facility so that when an individual gains access to the facility for a specific time period, the system is also able to determine how long the individual may access its network resources.

Abstract: Systems and methods for biometrically identifying an individual for purchasing a product and/or service without a need for the individual to input authentication data into a system/device are described. Data representative of a scanned iris of a customer desiring to make a purchase may be made. The customer may be identified based upon the scanned iris. A determination may be made as to whether the identified customer desires to make a purchase with an associated payment amount from an entity. A determination may be made as to whether the identified customer has a default purchase at the entity. Information of an account of the customer to make a purchase may be received and funds in the account may be debited by the associated payment amount. An item corresponding with the purchase based upon the scanned iris may be determined.

Abstract: Systems and methods for authorizing an individual for purchasing a product and/or service are described. Monetary funds of a customer of a company may be received into a monetary account of the company at the financial entity. The received monetary funds of the customer may be maintained virtually in a non-monetary account with the non-monetary account value being proportional to the received monetary funds. A determination may be made as to whether an identified customer is authorized to make a purchase with an associated payment amount. The customer may be identified by a scanned iris. Upon determining the identified customer is authorized, the non-monetary account value may be decreased proportional to the associated payment amount.

Abstract: A combined cycle power plant includes a gas turbine, a steam turbine, a generator coupled to the gas turbine and a generator coupled to the steam turbine, and an auxiliary boiler operatively coupled to the steam turbine. The power plant is continuously operated in a combined cycle mode during operating of the gas turbine by starting the steam turbine first.

Abstract: Systems and methods for integrating facility access with other security systems are described. An individual seeking access authorization to a facility may be identified with a biometric parameter such as an iris scan. If authorized, the system may allow entry by disabling the alarm system, and a time period for access may be determined based on one or more characteristics associated with the individual. These characteristics may include the functional role of the individual at the facility and/or the location of the facility itself. Moreover, this facility access authorization system may be integrated with a network access authorization system associated with the facility so that when an individual gains access to the facility for a specific time period, the system is also able to determine how long the individual may access its network resources.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for fault-tolerant computing using an asynchronous switching fabric where at least one of a plurality of redundant data processing elements executing substantially identical instructions communicates transactions to at least one target device, such as input/output device, or another data processing element. The transactions are communicated through the asynchronous switching fabric wherein each of the data processing elements and the target device are connected to the asynchronous switching fabric through a respective channel adapter.

Abstract: A mechanical test method prescribes compressing brittle balls in spherical conforming opposing platens producing equatorial bulging, tensile stresses, and resulting indentation crack growth that is imaged for providing direct measurement of the fracture toughness of brittle balls, such as, silicon-nitride balls used in hybrid bearings as well as conventional steel ball bearings, with measurement errors being immune to characterizing the dimensions and positioning of the precrack indentations, so that, the test method is accurate, repeatable, and robust.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for implementing high-bandwidth memory subsystems in a multiprocessor computing environment. Each component in the memory subsystem has a recalibration procedure. The computer provides a low-frequency clock signal with a period substantially equal to the duration between recalibration cycles of the components of the memory subsystem. Transitions in the low-frequency clock signal initiate a deterministically-determined delay. Lapse of the delay in turn triggers the recalibration of the components of the memory subsystem, ensuring synchronous recalibration. Synchronizing the recalibration procedures minimizes the unavailability of the memory subsystems, consequently reducing voting errors between CPUs.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for fault-tolerant computing using an asynchronous switching fabric where at least one of a plurality of redundant data processing elements executing substantially identical instructions communicates transactions to at least one target device, such as input/output device, or another data processing element. The transactions are communicated through the asynchronous switching fabric wherein each of the data processing elements and the target device are connected to the asynchronous switching fabric through a respective channel adapter.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for implementing high-bandwidth memory subsystems in a multiprocessor computing environment. Each component in the memory subsystem has a recalibration procedure. The computer provides a low-frequency clock signal with a period substantially equal to the duration between recalibration cycles of the components of the memory subsystem. Transitions in the low-frequency clock signal initiate a deterministically-determined delay. Lapse of the delay in turn triggers the recalibration of the components of the memory subsystem, ensuring synchronous recalibration. Synchronizing the recalibration procedures minimizes the unavailability of the memory subsystems, consequently reducing voting errors between CPUs.