Abstract: The present invention is directed to a distributed ledger-based platform for buying and selling tokens representative of a person's value creation potential. Tokens represent both intrinsic and talent-based value creation potential. In one embodiment, a productivity identity is associated with a user account of the platform based on attributes attributing to the user's value creation potential by at least one non-fungible token (NFT) which links the productivity identifier to a user account's cryptocurrency wallet. In one embodiment, user accounts of the platform are further placed into a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO).

Abstract: A method includes generating, via a containerized control application executing in a container running on computing infrastructure, a command that defines at least one characteristic of an operation of an industrial automation device in performance of an industrial automation process, transmitting the command from the containerized control application to an input/output (I/O) proxy, wherein the I/O proxy is configured to interface between the containerized control application and a physical I/O, transmitting the command from the I/O proxy to the physical I/O, wherein the physical I/O is configured to receive data from the industrial automation device and provide commands to the industrial automation device, transmitting the command from the physical I/O to the industrial automation device, and implementing, via the industrial automation device, the command.

Abstract: A method for determining the risk of an adverse pregnancy outcome for a woman is provided comprising the steps of measuring a level of TM7-H1 and optionally one or more of BVAB1, Sneathia amnii, and Prevotella cluster 2 in a vaginal sample obtained from the woman, and identifying the woman as having an increased risk for an adverse pregnancy outcome, or other adverse pregnancy outcomes, if the levels are increased compared to corresponding standard control levels. Methods for the prophylactic treatment of subjects identified as being at increased risk for an adverse pregnancy outcome are also provided.

Abstract: The invention comprises of a UAV designed to limit visually contrast and audibility in flight for covert surveillance operations, a method of configuring the UAVs structure to further reduce its visual signature to take account for the atmospheric and terrestrial environment it will operate in and a method of conducting a covert surveillance operation to actively minimise the UAVs visual & auditory signature from the viewpoint of an individual under surveillance. Both passive and active illumination are used to reduce the visual signature of the UAV. The UAV is actively camouflaged using lighting techniques that utilises the limitations of the human visual system and the optical effects of light interacting with the terrain, atmosphere and aircraft. The visual camouflage is directional. The audible signature of the UAV is reduced through the design of the propulsion system and the mode in which the UAV is operated.

Abstract: The invention comprises of a UAV designed to limit visually contrast and audibility in flight for covert surveillance operations, a method of configuring the UAVs structure to further reduce its visual signature to take account for the atmospheric and terrestrial environment it will operate in and a method of conducting a covert surveillance operation to actively minimise the UAVs visual & auditory signature from the viewpoint of an individual under surveillance. Both passive and active illumination are used to reduce the visual signature of the UAV. The UAV is actively camouflaged using lighting techniques that utilises the limitations of the human visual system and the optical effects of light interacting with the terrain, atmosphere and aircraft. The visual camouflage is directional. The audible signature of the UAV is reduced through the design of the propulsion system and the mode in which the UAV is operated.

Abstract: The invention is a self-contained, anti-collision safety system controller for high altitude, solar powered, unmanned aircraft. The controller acts as a backup to the primary safety system on the aircraft. It automatically turns on safety system equipment, such as a Mode S transponder and anti-collision lights when the aircraft descends below a pre-set pressure altitude. The pre-set altitude is chosen so that exceeds the altitude where other aircraft are operating and where collisions might occur. The controller measures the external air pressure to determine the aircrafts pressure altitude and activates/deactivates an internal switch between the power supply and the safety system equipment depending on whether the measured altitude exceeds the pre-set altitude level or not. The controller can be integrated into the exterior surface of an aircraft or internally within the airframe.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pod (100) for an aircraft (1000), comprising: a housing (1); a unit (2) comprising a propulsion system, the unit comprising at least one attachment point (5) for coupling the unit to the housing (1), wherein the position of the unit relative to the housing is selected from a plurality of positions based on the centre of gravity of the aircraft, such that deflection of control surfaces required for the aircraft to maintain a constant angle of attack is minimised. The invention also provides an aircraft (1000) having the pod (100) and a method of balancing the aircraft (1000).

Abstract: In a switched digital video content-based network, wherein a head end obtains a first group of program streams and sends to a client only a subset of the program streams selected by subscribers in a neighborhood of the client, imminence and/or presence of a condition of inadequate bandwidth is determined. Responsive to the determining, a bit rate of at least one of the subset of the program streams selected by the subscribers in the neighborhood of the client is dynamically decreased by adjusting encoding thereof, while maintaining adequate quality for the at least one of the subset of the program streams selected by the subscribers in the neighborhood of the client, based on an objective quality measure, in order to address the imminence and/or presence of the condition of inadequate bandwidth.

Abstract: In a switched digital video content-based network, wherein a head end obtains a first group of program streams and sends to a client only a subset of the program streams selected by subscribers in a neighborhood of the client, imminence and/or presence of a condition of inadequate bandwidth is determined. Responsive to the determining, a bit rate of at least one of the subset of the program streams selected by the subscribers in the neighborhood of the client is dynamically decreased by adjusting encoding thereof, while maintaining adequate quality for the at least one of the subset of the program streams selected by the subscribers in the neighborhood of the client, based on an objective quality measure, in order to address the imminence and/or presence of the condition of inadequate bandwidth.

Abstract: In a switched digital video content-based network, wherein a head end obtains a first group of program streams and sends to a client only a subset of the program streams selected by subscribers in a neighborhood of the client, imminence and/or presence of a condition of inadequate bandwidth is determined. Responsive to the determining, a bit rate of at least one of the subset of the program streams selected by the subscribers in the neighborhood of the client is dynamically decreased by adjusting encoding thereof, while maintaining adequate quality for the at least one of the subset of the program streams selected by the subscribers in the neighborhood of the client, based on an objective quality measure, in order to address the imminence and/or presence of the condition of inadequate bandwidth.

Abstract: A test device for testing a device under test (DUT) includes an integrated control interface adaptable for a plurality of different communication standards. The integrated control interface can be adapted to be compliant with the communication standard used by a DUT connected to the test device.

Abstract: An Iridium 9603/9603N SBD Transceiver is provided. The improvement comprises a MOLEX 501591-2011 user connector replacing a SAMTEC ST4-10-2.50L-D-P-TR user connector. Furthermore, a method for replacing the SAMTEC ST4-10-2.50L-D-P-TR user connector of the Iridium 9603/9603N SBD Transceiver with the MOLEX 501591-2011 user connector is provided.

Abstract: A wheel for a skateboard may include a bearing assembly, an annular rim coupled to and extending annularly around the bearing assembly, and a tapered tire portion coupled to and extending annularly around the annular rim. A dual wheel assembly may include a first wheel disposed on a longitudinal end portion of an axle, a spacer disposed on the longitudinal end portion of the axle adjacent to the first wheel and abutting against the first wheel, and a second wheel disposed on the longitudinal end portion of the axle adjacent to the spacer and abutting against the spacer. A method of making a dual wheel assembly may include disposing a first wheel on an axle, disposing a spacer on the axle adjacent to the first wheel, and disposing a second wheel on the axle adjacent to the spacer.

Abstract: A wheel for a skateboard may include a bearing assembly, an annular rim coupled to and extending annularly around the bearing assembly, and a tapered tire portion coupled to and extending annularly around the annular rim. A dual wheel assembly may include a first wheel disposed on a longitudinal end portion of an axle, a spacer disposed on the longitudinal end portion of the axle adjacent to the first wheel and abutting against the first wheel, and a second wheel disposed on the longitudinal end portion of the axle adjacent to the spacer and abutting against the spacer. A method of making a dual wheel assembly may include disposing a first wheel on an axle, disposing a spacer on the axle adjacent to the first wheel, and disposing a second wheel on the axle adjacent to the spacer.

Abstract: An Iridium 9603/9603N SBD Transceiver is provided. The improvement comprises a MOLEX 501591-2011 user connector replacing a SAMTEC ST4-10-2.50L-D-P-TR user connector. Furthermore, a method for replacing the SAMTEC ST4-10-2.50L-D-P-TR user connector of the Iridium 9603/9603N SBD Transceiver with the MOLEX 501591-2011 user connector is provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for testing a data link. A single-lane or multi-lane bit error tester that transmits one or more PRBS signals through the data link is augmented with a raw bit error buffer for storing bit error information for each detected error event and an error pattern analyzer. Most frequently occurring intra-lane bit error patterns, inter-lane word error patterns, and bit slip patterns are identified and their characteristics are analyzed so as to provide information indicative of root causes of the detected bit errors and bit slips.

Abstract: A cable modem is provided in a premises. The cable modem is operated in a first mode with a first upstream passband. At least one fusible link in the cable modem is caused to be blown, which in turn causes the cable modem to upgrade to a second mode with a second upstream passband, greater than the first upstream passband, without use of any switch.

Abstract: A test device for testing a device under test (DUT) includes an integrated control interface adaptable for a plurality of different communication standards. The integrated control interface can be adapted to be compliant with the communication standard used by a DUT connected to the test device.

Abstract: A cable modem is provided in a premises. The cable modem is operated in a first mode with a first upstream passband. At least one fusible link in the cable modem is caused to be blown, which in turn causes the cable modem to upgrade to a second mode with a second upstream passband, greater than the first upstream passband, without use of any switch.