Abstract: An apparatus and method for supporting an object. In one illustrative embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a support structure, a positioning system, and a retention system. The positioning system may be associated with the support structure and configured to position the support structure with respect to a number of linear axes. The retention system may be associated with the support structure. The retention system may be configured to retain a portion of an object and move the portion of the object towards a platform such that the portion of the object substantially conforms to a shape of the platform.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for supporting an object. In one illustrative embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a support structure, a positioning system, and a retention system. The positioning system may be associated with the support structure and configured to position the support structure with respect to a number of linear axes. The retention system may be associated with the support structure. The retention system may be configured to retain a portion of an object and move the portion of the object towards a platform such that the portion of the object substantially conforms to a shape of the platform.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning one component relative to another component. First metrology data may be identified for a first component and second metrology data may be identified for a second component. First locations of first features may be identified on the first component using the first metrology data. Second locations of second features on the second component may be identified using the second metrology data. A transformation may be computed based on the first locations identified and the second locations identified for use in modifying a movement plan of a robotic system for positioning the second component relative to the first component.

Abstract: A system for drilling a subterranean wellbore includes a bottom hole assembly (BHA) coupled to a downhole end of a drill string. The BHA includes an electronic controller having a processor. The drill string includes downhole and uphole portions with the downhole portion made up of wired drill pipe and the uphole portion made up of non-wired drill pipe. The downhole portion further includes at least one downhole tool or sensor sub in communication with the BHA via the wired drill pipe communication link. Methods for making sensor measurements, downlinking data and/or commands to the BHA, and actuating a downhole tool make use of the system.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system of insulating a building such as a poultry barn uses netting structurally of the type to hold sod together. The netting is stapled to the bottom of trusses making up the ceiling of a barn and the attic of the barn. Ceiling material is superimposed below the netting to form a ceiling. Loose insulation, typically fiberglass, is blown onto the netting to be held thereby and to form an insulation layer in the attic of the barn.

Abstract: A machine-implemented method for computerized digital signal processing including obtaining a digital signal from data storage or from conversion of an analog signal, and determining, from the digital signal, one or more measuring matrices. Each measuring matrix has a plurality of cells, and each cell has an amplitude corresponding to the signal energy in a frequency bin for a time slice. Cells in each measuring matrix having maximum amplitudes along a time slice and/or frequency bin are identified as maximum cells. Maxima that coincide in time and frequency are identified and a correlated maxima matrix, called a “Precision Measuring Matrix” is constructed showing the coinciding maxima and the adjacent marked maxima are linked into partial chains.

Abstract: A distributable and serializable finite state machine and methods for using the distributable and serializable finite state machine are provided wherein finite state machine instance can be location-shifted, time-shifted or location-shift and time-shifted, for example by serializing and deserializing each instance. Each instance can be located-shifted between agents, and a persistent memory storage location is provided to facilitate both location-shifting and time-shifting. Finite state machine instances and the actions that make up each instance can be run in a distributed fashion among a plurality of agents.

Abstract: A distributable and serializable finite state machine and methods for using the distributable and serializable finite state machine are provided wherein finite state machine instance can be location-shifted, time-shifted or location-shift and time-shifted, for example by serializing and deserializing each instance. Each instance can be located-shifted between agents, and a persistent memory storage location is provided to facilitate both location-shifting and time-shifting. Finite state machine instances and the actions that make up each instance can be run in a distributed fashion among a plurality of agents.

Abstract: A system for drilling a subterranean wellbore includes a bottom hole assembly (BHA) coupled to a downhole end of a drill string. The BHA includes an electronic controller having a processor. The drill string includes downhole and uphole portions with the downhole portion made up of wired drill pipe and the uphole portion made up of non-wired drill pipe. The downhole portion further includes at least one downhole tool or sensor sub in communication with the BHA via the wired drill pipe communication link. Methods for making sensor measurements, downlinking data and/or commands to the BHA, and actuating a downhole tool make use of the system.

Abstract: The invention consists of new ways of constructing a Measuring Matrices (MMs) including time deconvolution of Digital Fourier Transforms DFTs. Also, windowing functions specifically designed to facilitate time deconvolution may be used, and/or the DFTs may be performed in specific non-periodic ways to reduce artifacts and further facilitate deconvolution. These deconvolved DFTs may be used alone or correlated with other DFTs to produce a MM.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning one component relative to another component. First metrology data may be identified for a first component and second metrology data may be identified for a second component. First locations of first features may be identified on the first component using the first metrology data. Second locations of second features on the second component may be identified using the second metrology data. A transformation may be computed based on the first locations identified and the second locations identified for use in modifying a movement plan of a robotic system for positioning the second component relative to the first component.

Abstract: A machine-implemented method for computerized digital signal processing obtains a digital signal from data storage or from conversion of an analog signal and determines, from the digital signal, Measuring Matrices (MM). Each measuring matrix has a plurality of cells, each cell having an amplitude corresponding to the signal energy in a frequency bin for a time slice. Cells in each measuring matrix having maximum amplitudes within a time slice are identified as maximum cells. Maxima that coincide in time and frequency are identified and a correlated maxima matrix (PMM) is constructed showing the coinciding maxima and the adjacent marked maxima are linked into partial chains. If only one MM is constructed, multiple types of maxima are identified to generate the (PMM). The partial chains are isolated by parameters for a single domain or multiple domains to identify partial chains and possible separation of complex compound waveforms in the digital signal.

Abstract: A machine/computer implemented system, method, and computer program product for scored pixel intensity value adjustment of a digital image is disclosed. The system is configured to obtain a digital image from data storage and perform pixel-by-pixel comparisons to generate per pixel scores. The types of comparisons include discovering minima and maxima per pixel scores by comparing to neighboring non-adjacent pixel pairs, delta pair scores by comparing to neighboring pixels, and multiple vector score types by comparing to vectors made up of individual pixels. This new information is applied to adjust each pixel's value. The system is further configured to generate a collection of such scores for a plurality of pixels in a digital image and to generate a multi-dimensional scored pixel adjusted image. The scored pixel adjustment yields a new digital image, wherein the value of a given pixel is adjusted based on one or more of the score types.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a structure. A part for the structure may be supported on a plurality of mobile fixtures configured to control an orientation of the part. The part for the structure may be moved using the plurality of mobile fixtures to a number of stations for performing a number of operations for manufacturing the structure using the part. The plurality of mobile fixtures may be configured to move in a coordinated manner and substantially maintain a desired orientation for the part while moving the part to a station in the number of stations. The number of operations for manufacturing the structure may be performed at the number of stations while the plurality of mobile fixtures supports the part.

Abstract: A distributable and serializable finite state machine and methods for using the distributable and serializable finite state machine are provided wherein finite state machine instance can be location-shifted, time-shifted or location-shift and time-shifted, for example by serializing and deserializing each instance. Each instance can be located-shifted between agents, and a persistent memory storage location is provided to facilitate both location-shifting and time-shifting. Finite state machine instances and the actions that make up each instance can be run in a distributed fashion among a plurality of agents.

Abstract: A fluidic modulator in accordance to an aspect includes a body forming a flow aperture between an inlet and an outlet, the flow aperture providing a constriction to a fluid flowing axially from the inlet to the outlet, and a moveable element having a shaft portion disposed through the body and a tip end selectively positionable in the flow aperture to alter the flow aperture.

Abstract: A fluidic modulator having a body forming a flow aperture between an inlet and an outlet, the flow aperture having a nominal diameter less than the inlet diameter and the outlet diameter whereby the flow aperture provides a constriction to a fluid flowing axially from the inlet to the outlet, and a moveable portion operable to alter the flow aperture. To create a modulated pressure pulse the moveable portion may be for example radially shifted in the flow aperture, rotated in the flow aperture, or the rotation of the moveable portion in the flow aperture may be controlled.

Abstract: A well system includes a first fluidic modulator (FM) located at the bottom of the tubular string and a repeater fluidic modulator (FM) located in the tubular string between the first FM and the surface, the repeater FM including a body forming a flow aperture between an inlet and an outlet, the flow aperture providing a constriction to a fluid flowing axially through the tubular string, and a moveable portion operable to alter the flow aperture. To create a modulated pressure pulse the moveable portion may be for example radially shifted in the flow aperture, rotated in the flow aperture, or the rotation of the moveable portion in the flow aperture may be controlled.

Abstract: An exercise device includes a first strap portion having a first elongate portion and a second elongate portion joined together along a common longitudinal axis at varying points to define a first plurality of loops, a second strap portion having a third elongate portion and a fourth elongate portion joined together along a second common longitudinal axis at varying points to define a second plurality of loops, and an anchoring device. The first strap portion and the second strap portion are coupled to one another and the anchoring device is configured to hold or secure the coupled first and second strap portions such that the first plurality of loops and the second plurality of loops extend substantially symmetrically away from the anchoring device.