Abstract: A connector assembly includes a shaft and a first annular knob fixed to the shaft and a second annular knob releasably engaged with the shaft. Each of the first and second annular knobs includes a front face, a face, and a central passage that receives the shaft. The central passage has first, second, and third sections. The width of each first section is greater than the width of the third section, and the width of the second section is greater than the width of the first section. The second section defines an annular slot between the first and third sections.

Abstract: A film comprising a first plurality of voids is provided, wherein respective ones of the first plurality of voids have a regular n-gon geometry, and the first plurality of voids are arranged on a regular n-gon lattice having a first size. The film may comprise a second plurality of voids arranged on a regular n-gon lattice having a second size different from the first size. An optical element and manufacturing method are also provided.

Abstract: A transaction terminal provides processing for payment using a cryptocurrency during a transaction being conducted at the transaction terminal. The transaction terminal further provides processing for a refund transaction utilizing cryptocurrency.

Abstract: Using a bi-directional transceiver, one can receive or provide a service. Location of the parties associated with respective transceivers is tracked and billing is made accordingly based on factors such as time spent returning to a vehicle, being inside or outside the location. Further, a location where a job is to be performed is checked for its zoning information to ensure that a person performing the job is not only licensed to perform the job, but licensed to work at a specific zoned location where not all who are licensed in the field are licensed to do so.

Abstract: An obstacle detection device to be fitted to a mobile vehicle able to move parallel to a reference plane comprises: at least two emitters of electromagnetic beams which are able to form two virtual planes in two different directions that are able to intersect one another and intersect a potential obstacle, at least one image sensor able to produce an image of the intersection of the virtual planes and of the potential obstacle, an image analysis means able to determine the presence of an obstacle, configured to compare the image with a reference image. A detection method employing such a device is also provided.

Abstract: A method for modeling a reservoir includes receiving vertical formation data describing geological formations in a vertical direction as a function of vertical depth, receiving near-wellbore horizontal formation data describing the geological formations in a horizontal or deviated direction near a wellbore up to a wellbore instrument range, correlating the vertical formation data with the near-wellbore horizontal formation data to create horizontally adjusted formation data to describe the geological formations in the vertical direction beyond the wellbore instrument range, along the horizontal or deviated direction, receiving hydraulic fracture geometry data that describes actual hydraulic fracture geometry, and limiting a described geometry of the geological formations to the actual hydraulic fracture geometry to provide an accurate estimation of usable reservoir.

Abstract: A method to compute a pixel map of probabilities of absence and presence of an obstacle in the environment of an autonomous robot comprising at least one sensor grouped in at least one set of sensors that detect obstacles of similar types and have its own sensor initial map of probability of absence of obstacles is provided. The method comprises the steps of initializing a map around the robot and attached to the robot with a predefined value of probability of absence or presence of an obstacle, acquiring data representative of the absence or presence of an obstacle around the robot from at least one sensing procedure, and concurrently updating values of probabilities using data from sensing procedure and modifying the probabilities of absence or presence of obstacle from previous observations to a value closer to a predefined value.

Abstract: Using a bi-directional transceiver, one can receive or provide a service. Location of the parties associated with respective transceivers is tracked and billing is made accordingly based on factors such as time spent returning to a vehicle, being inside or outside the location, and the like. Further, a location where a job is to be performed is checked for its zoning information to ensure that a person performing the job is not only licensed to perform the job, but licensed to work at a specific zoned location where not all who are licensed in the field are licensed to do so.

Abstract: A system and method for preventing or facilitating communications between individuals who reside in detention environments (such as e.g., prisons or correctional facilities) and individuals who are not in such detention environments using an automated authentication or verification.

Abstract: A humanoid robot which can move on its lower limb to execute a trajectory and is capable of detecting intrusion of obstacles in a safety zone defined around its body as a function of its speed is provided. Preferably when the robot executes a predefined trajectory, for instance a part of a choreography, the robot which avoids collision with an obstacle will rejoin its original trajectory after avoidance of the obstacle. Rejoining trajectory and speed of the robot are adapted so that it is resynchronized with the initial trajectory. Advantageously, the speed of the joints of the upper members of the robot is adapted in case the distance with an obstacle decreases below a preset minimum. Also, the joints are stopped in case a collision of the upper members with the obstacle is predicted.

Abstract: A method for modeling a reservoir includes receiving vertical formation data describing geological formations in a vertical direction as a function of vertical depth, receiving near-wellbore horizontal formation data describing the geological formations in a horizontal or deviated direction near a wellbore up to a wellbore instrument range, and correlating the vertical formation data with the near-wellbore horizontal formation data to create horizontally adjusted formation data to describe the geological formations in the vertical direction beyond the wellbore instrument range, along the horizontal or deviated direction.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining whether a communication session is authorized are provided. In some aspects, a method includes initiating a communication session between a first user and a second user, and obtaining an identity attribute associated with a third user engaged in the communication session. The method also includes determining whether the third user is the first user, the second user, or an unauthorized user based on the obtained identity attribute. The method also includes determining whether the communication session is authorized based on whether the third user is determined to be the first user, the second user, or the unauthorized user.

Abstract: A system and method for preventing or facilitating communications between individuals who reside in detention environments (such as e.g., prisons or correctional facilities) and individuals who are not in such detention environments using an automated authentication or verification.

Abstract: A method to compute a pixel map of probabilities of absence and presence of an obstacle in the environment of an autonomous robot comprising at least one sensor grouped in at least one set of sensors that detect obstacles of similar types and have its own sensor initial map of probability of absence of obstacles is provided. The method comprises the steps of initializing a map around the robot and attached to the robot with a predefined value of probability of absence or presence of an obstacle, acquiring data representative of the absence or presence of an obstacle around the robot from at least one sensing procedure, and concurrently updating values of probabilities using data from sensing procedure and modifying the probabilities of absence or presence of obstacle from previous observations to a value closer to a predefined value.

Abstract: An obstacle detection device fitted to a mobile vehicle able to move parallel to a reference plane, comprises: a first emitter referred to as a horizontal emitter of a first horizontal electromagnetic beam extending in a first virtual plane substantially parallel to the reference plane, a first image sensor able to cover a field intended to intersect with the first virtual plane to form a detection surface, an image analysis means able to determine the presence of an obstacle by detecting the presence of an image on the detection surface. A detection method employing the device is provided.

Abstract: A recharging assembly comprising a mobile vehicle and a recharging base of a form complementing the mobile vehicle and capable of receiving the mobile vehicle and intended to recharge a battery of a mobile vehicle comprising at least one wheel, the base connected to an electrical source, wherein the base comprises: a reception surface and a baseplate plane placed on a reference plane, the reception surface and the baseplate plane of the base forming an acute angle, a hemispherical cavity hollowed out in the reception surface to receive the at least one wheel, at least one electrical connector arranged to allow the connection of the base with the battery when the wheel is lowered into the hemispherical cavity. A recharging method implementing the recharging assembly is provided.

Abstract: A humanoid robot which can move on its lower limb to execute a trajectory and is capable of detecting intrusion of obstacles in a safety zone defined around its body as a function of its speed is provided. Preferably when the robot executes a predefined trajectory, for instance a part of a choreography, the robot which avoids collision with an obstacle will rejoin its original trajectory after avoidance of the obstacle. Rejoining trajectory and speed of the robot are adapted so that it is resynchronized with the initial trajectory. Advantageously, the speed of the joints of the upper members of the robot is adapted in case the distance with an obstacle decreases below a preset minimum. Also, the joints are stopped in case a collision of the upper members with the obstacle is predicted.

Abstract: An obstacle detection device to be fitted to a mobile vehicle able to move parallel to a reference plane comprises: at least two emitters of electromagnetic beams which are able to form two virtual planes in two different directions that are able to intersect one another and intersect a potential obstacle, at least one image sensor able to produce an image of the intersection of the virtual planes and of the potential obstacle, an image analysis means able to determine the presence of an obstacle, configured to compare the image with a reference image. A detection method employing such a device is also provided.

Abstract: A system and method for preventing or facilitating communications between individuals who reside in detention environments (such as e.g., prisons or correctional facilities) and individuals who are not in such detention environments using an automated authentication or verification.