Abstract: A packet routing method includes computing, for a source node in the data network and a destination node in the data network, a set of multiple routes providing a set of shortest routes from the source to the destination that satisfy all the truth assignments for the Boolean algebra available from the path in the network. The method selects, for a packet flow, a route where logical conjunction of the policy constraints of the flow and the route is satisfied and where the route has sufficient bandwidth.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a support surface including a topper. An opening is formed in a side of the support surface. A cavity extends from the opening into the support surface. An inlet port is positioned within the cavity and fluidly coupled to the topper. A pneumatic blower is configured to removably position within the cavity and has an outlet port that couples to the inlet port.

Abstract: Systems and methods for capturing and rendering light fields for head-mounted displays are disclosed. A mediated-reality visualization system includes a head-mounted display assembly comprising a frame configured to be mounted to a user's head and a display device coupled to the frame. An imaging assembly separate and spaced apart :from the head-mounted display assembly is configured to capture light-field data. A computing device in communication with the imaging assembly and the display device is configured to receive light-field data from the imaging assembly and render one or more virtual cameras. Images from the one or more virtual cameras are presented to a user via the display device.

Abstract: A shift gate assembly that can include a shift plate, a gate seal and a shift lever. The shift plate can include a lever opening having an opening centerline. The gate seal can be made of an elastic material and connected to the shift plate and extend along the lever opening. The gate seal can include a slit extending along the lever opening and offset with respect to the opening centerline. The shift lever can extend through the lever opening and the slit, be selectively movable along the lever opening and the slit, and elastically deform the gate seal as the shift lever moves along the slit.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for reducing drag includes forming a smooth surface on a first portion of a physical object. The method also includes forming periodic riblets on a second portion of the physical object. The method further includes generating a flow over the periodic riblets of the second portion of the physical object and over the smooth surface of the first portion of the physical object. The second portion of the physical object is adjacent to the first portion of the physical object. Each peak of each riblet of the periodic riblets of the second portion of the physical object is located above a plane of the smooth surface of the first portion of the physical object. Each valley between adjacent riblets of the periodic riblets of the second portion of the physical object is located below the plane of the smooth surface of the first portion of the physical object. A length of each riblet of the periodic riblets runs parallel to a direction of the flow.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for additively manufacturing a composite structure. The system may include a support, and a print head operatively connected to and moveable by the support. The print head may include an outlet configured to discharge a material in a trajectory along a central axis of the outlet, and a compactor disposed downstream of the outlet relative to the trajectory and configured to press the material transversely against an adjacent surface. The outlet may be configured to translate relative to the compacting module.

Abstract: A juvenile seat includes a seat bottom and a cupholder support coupled to the seat bottom. The juvenile seat further includes a cupholder coupled removably to the cupholder support. The cupholder includes a cupholder mount coupled to the cupholder support to retain the cupholder to the cupholder support and a cupholder base at least partially defining an interior container-receiving space.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for fabricating a preform for a fuselage section of an aircraft. The method includes advancing a series of arcuate mandrel sections in a process direction through an assembly line, laying up fiber reinforced material onto the arcuate mandrel sections via layup stations, uniting the series of arcuate mandrel sections into a combined mandrel; and splicing the fiber reinforced material laid-up onto the arcuate mandrel sections.

Abstract: A single frequency, or very narrow frequency band, microwave imaging system is described herein. A microwave imaging system can include an array transmitter; an array receiver; and a computing device that receives signals detected from the array receiver, transforms the signals received by the array receiver into independent spatial measurements, constructs an image using the independent spatial measurements, and outputs a reconstructed image. The array transmitter and the array receiver may each have a plurality of independently controllable metasurface resonant elements.

Abstract: System and method for non-contact manipulation of objects via ultrasonic levitation are presented herein. In one embodiment, a method for a non-contact manipulation of an object includes: generating ultrasound field by an array of ultrasound transducers; lifting the object off a dispensing device by the ultrasound field; and levitating the object by the ultrasound field.

Abstract: A vibration attenuator for a rotor of an aircraft has a first ring with an eccentric weight, a coaxial second ring with an eccentric weight, and a central ring coaxial with the first and second rings and located therebetween. A first post extends from the first ring toward the central ring and is received in a first arcuate groove formed on the central ring, whereas a second post extends from the second ring toward the central ring and is received in a second groove formed on the central ring. A motor is configured for driving the central ring in rotation about the axis relative to the motor. The grooves are equal in length, and a center of the first groove is located on an opposite side from a center of the second groove. Rotation of the central ring by the motor causes rotation of the first and second rings.

Abstract: A lift bag for moving an object underwater includes a lift bag body and a buoyancy regulator device within an internal cavity of the lift bag body. The buoyancy regulator device includes concentric regulator tubes. Each regulator tube includes a regulator tube opening and the regulator tube openings may be aligned to define a regulator tube aperture. The regulator tube aperture is in fluid communication with a lift bag slot formed in the lift bag body. A constant buoyancy for the lift bag is determined by adjusting the position of the regulator tube aperture by moving the inner and outer regulator tubes with respect to each other.

Abstract: A method for generating and controlling intelligent assertion tokens includes generating a first assertion token, during a first step of a supply chain process. The first assertion token is inspected to determine validity. If the first assertion token is not valid, the receipt of the first assertion token is rejected. If the first assertion token is determined to be valid, the use of the first assertion token in further transmissions and/or transactions is authorized. The first assertion token can be passed to a second step of the supply chain process, and a second assertion token may be generated based on the first assertion token. Upon receipt of the second assertion token, it is inspected to determine validity. If not valid, the transmission and/or transfer of the second assertion token is rejected. If valid, the transmission and/or transfer of the second assertion token to a further step of the supply chain process or to a customer is authorized.

Abstract: A system for providing dynamic roadside assistance coordination may include a customer mobile device or vehicle in direct, or indirect, wireless communication with an insurance provider and/or service provider remote server. The customer's device may transmit a request for roadside assistance (e.g., towing services), and a current UPS location. In response, a closest, trusted service provider vehicle may be determined, and then directed to the customer's location. For instance, a software application may receive the customer location and compare it with availability information to match the customer with a close and trusted service provider. The customer's device may receive an acknowledgement that help is on the way, and be able to track the current location of the service provider vehicle while en route. Payment for the roadside assistance may be automatically and electronically paid by the insurance provider. As a result, prompt and safe roadside assistance may be provided.

Abstract: Non-naturally occurring microorganisms are provided that produce C40 carotenoid compound(s), utilizing exogenously added enzyme activities. Methods of producing C40 carotenoid compounds in microbial cultures, and feed and nutritional supplement compositions that include the C40 carotenoid compounds produced in the microbial cultures, are also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for leveraging machine learning to deliver time-sensitive media content offers to a consumer over an optimal device and channel. In an implementation, a server system transmits media content offers over an optimal device and channel to a user. The server system captures metadata of at least one of: the user's use of multiple devices, the user's media content preferences, the user's preferred transmission channels for receiving media content offers over the multiple devices, and the user's preferred times for receiving media content offers. The server system prepares a media content offer for transmission to the user. Based on the captured metadata, the server system selects a user device of the multiple user devices and a transmission channel of multiple transmission channels to transmit the media content offer; and transmits the media content offer to the selected user device over the selected transmission channel.

Abstract: A lean burn fuel spray nozzle comprises: a lean burn fuel spray nozzle head comprising a pilot fuel injector with a pilot fuel injector outlet and a main fuel injector with a main fuel injector outlet; a feed arm adapted to feed pilot fuel from pilots pipework to the pilot fuel injector through a pilot fuel circuit and feed main fuel from mains pipework to the main fuel injector through a main fuel circuit; and a switching device comprising a switching valve adapted to switch between a Main On position, wherein the main fuel injector is in fluid communication with the mains pipework such that main fuel is sprayed through the main fuel injector outlet, and a Main Off position, wherein the main fuel injector outlet is not in fluid communication with the mains pipework such that main fuel is prevented to flow through the main fuel injector.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a method of providing a virtual bottle service from an establishment to a user. The virtual bottle service is accessible by the user via an app on a smartphone of a user. The method comprises receiving, via the app on the smartphone of a user, a purchase request for a virtual bottle from an establishment, and after the receiving, allocating the user with a predetermined number of drinks of a particular liquor from the establishment. The method further includes, in response to a drink order from the virtual bottle by the user, decrementing the number of drinks from the virtual bottle that remain available to the user. The method may also include communicating, to the user, the remaining number of drinks via the app on the smartphone. A corresponding system that incorporates and/or uses such a method is also provided.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for additively manufacturing a composite structure. The method may include discharging a composite material from a print head and moving the print head during discharging to fabricate a preform from the composite material. The method may also include densifying the preform with a densifying material, and heating the preform to pyrolize the at least one of the composite material and the densifying material.

Abstract: Various examples of out-of-plane multicolor waveguide holography systems, methods of manufacture, and methods of use are described herein. In some examples, a multicolor waveguide holography system includes a planar waveguide to convey optical radiation between a grating coupler and a metasurface hologram. The grating coupler may be configured to couple out-of-plane optical radiation of three different color incident at three different angles into the planar waveguide. The combined multicolor optical radiation may be conveyed by the waveguide to the metasurface hologram. The metasurface hologram may diffractively decouple the three colors of optical radiation for off-plane propagation to form a multicolor holographic image in free space.