Abstract: Methods and apparatus for portable network interfaces to manage authentication and license enforcement. A system may include a plurality of resource instances including a producer instance configured to implement a network-accessible service, and an authentication coordinator. The coordinator may assign an interface record to the service, wherein the interface record comprises an IP address and a set of security properties. The coordinator may configure the security properties to allow a client to request an attachment of the interface record to a selected resource instance, such that the selected resource instance is enabled to transmit network messages from the IP address using one or more physical network interfaces of the selected resource instance. The producer resource instance initiates authentication operations for the service, including at least one authentication operation based on the IP address of the interface record.

Abstract: A fast and dynamic waveplate is described. The present systems and methods utilize stress birefringence that generates inside a plate when force is applied on one or more sides of the plate. The force is applied using one or more actuators distributed along the side(s) of the plate. The magnitude of the force can be controlled using a control unit. A generated stress birefringence is spatially varying across the plate. By carefully adjusting the force, the plate can be converted into a waveplate with an arbitrary value of retardance that is determined by the force. Since the parameter that determines the birefringence is force, a control unit can be used to apply different combinations of force values at a sub-millisecond speed to achieve fast control of the value of the birefringence as well as an orientation in the plate.

Abstract: A fishing rod retaining mechanism that eliminates the loosening of fishing line and entanglement of rod sections and tackle during transportation and/or storage includes a rod retaining section for engaging and supporting the rod sections in a spaced orientation; and a line tensioning guide for supporting and tensioning the fishing line between the first and second rod sections in a manner that prevents the fishing line from becoming entangled around the rod sections and any tackle.

Abstract: A method comprising receiving a plurality of images of a scene captured by at least one drone; identifying features within the plurality of images; identifying similar images of the plurality of images based on the features identified within the plurality of images; comparing the similar images based on the features identified within the similar images to determine a proportion of features shared by the similar images; selecting a subset of the plurality of images that have a proportion of shared features that meets a predetermined range; generating a first 3D model of the scene from the subset of images using a first 3D model building algorithm; generating a second 3D model of the scene from the subset of images using a second 3D model building algorithm; computing errors for the first and second 3D models; and selecting as the model of the scene the first or second 3D model.

Abstract: Semiconductor processing tools with hexapod-based pedestal systems are disclosed and described. Such hexapod pedestal systems may incorporate a hexapod mechanism with a stationary mount that is connected via six linear actuators with a movable mount. The movable mount may support a pedestal located within a semiconductor processing chamber. The hexapod mechanism may be controlled so as to allow the pedestal to shift laterally so as to center the pedestal on a wafer supported by a wafer handling robot, as well as to angularly align a wafer supported thereby with the underside of a showerhead and to allow a wafer supported thereby to be subjected to any of a variety of movements during wafer processing operations that may promote increased wafer uniformity.

Abstract: A method to identify lane-level road congestion includes: modeling a lane-level congestion evolution process as a 2-dimensional (2D) Markov chain having multiple vehicles moving through a predetermined segment of a road; aggregating a volume of the multiple vehicles over a predetermined unit of time moving through the predetermined segment of a road; populating a lane congestion map identifying individual road lanes having differing levels of congestion; directing an output of the lane congestion map and an output of a lane congestion model to a lane routing engine; and identifying routes and route changes for a host vehicle to apply to improve a host vehicle estimated time of arrival (ETA) at a predetermined finish location.

Abstract: A method to incorporate lane level road congestion to enhance vehicle navigation includes: collecting vehicle data from a fleet of vehicles; identifying a lane level distribution of multiple vehicles operating on a road having multiple lanes including a host vehicle; comparing the lane level distribution against a non-congested lane of the road; and identifying if a lane level congestion is occurring in at least one of the multiple lanes.

Abstract: A multi-source ground-to-air heat transfer system is configured to store thermal energy during a cooling/dehumidifcation mode of operation for future use during a heating mode of operation. The multi-source ground-to-air heat transfer system utilizes a ground loop that is configured under an enclosure, such as a greenhouse, and is in thermal communication with a thermal reservoir medium to conduct and store heat. A thermal exchange fluid is pumped through the ground loop and ground heat exchanger and may receive heat from a condenser during a cooling/dehumidification mode of operation and may liberate heat to the evaporator during a heating mode. The enclosure air may receive heat from the heat pump during a heating mode and may liberate heat to the evaporator during a cooling/dehumidification mode. The heat exchange system may employ a heat pump having a reversing valve to change the mode of operation.

Abstract: A method for determining a risk boundary in response to the plurality of indications of hard braking events wherein the risk boundary is indicative of a plurality of speed flow pairs at which a risk of a hard braking event is below a threshold value, determining, at a road segment level, a set of speed flow pairs of average speed and vehicle count and a plurality of indications of hard braking events, determining a host vehicle speed, and performing at least one of reducing the host vehicle speed and increasing a host vehicle following distance in response to the host vehicle speed exceeding the risk boundary for the vehicle flow density.

Abstract: A system for quantitively determining quality for pavement markings disposed along pavement on a roadway includes one or more controllers in wireless communication with a plurality of vehicles. The one or more controllers receive image data represents the pavement markings disposed along the pavement collected by the plurality of vehicles. The one or more controllers execute instructions to determine at least one of a color distance measurement between a mean color space value of the pavement markings and an ideal marking color space value and a marking intensity contrast ratio between the pavement markings and the pavement.

Abstract: An electrical switch gear assembly is provided. The assembly includes two or more insulators, a frame, and a single pivot axis. The two or more insulators are connected to the frame. The frame has a first beam and a second beam with the single pivot axis securing the first and second beams to one another so that the first and second beams can move in a scissors action between a folded state and an unfolded state about the single pivot axis.

Abstract: A system and method of identifying and quantifying congestion within a traffic stream including obtaining telemetric data from a plurality of vehicles traveling within a plurality of normalized road segments, determining a property of each normalized road segment based on the telemetric data and a road profile for each road segment, determining a disruption score indicative of a level of disruption in a traffic flow within each road segment, mapping the road segments within a two-dimensional spatial-temporal grid of cells, wherein each cell represents a normalized road segment at a specified time, for each cell, determining if the traffic flow is congested, identifying a congested traffic stream including a plurality of contiguous cells that have congested traffic flow, quantifying the congested traffic stream, and providing an output signal.

Abstract: A method for assessing lateral acceleration includes receiving vehicle telemetry data. The vehicle telemetry data includes a plurality of geographical positions along the curved trajectory traveled by the vehicle, the heading of the vehicle at each of the plurality of geographical, and the velocity of the vehicle at each of the plurality of geographical positions. The method further includes determining a curve radius of the curve trajectory traveled by the vehicle using the vehicle telemetry data and determining a lateral acceleration of the vehicle at each of the plurality of geographical positions along the curve trajectory The method further includes converting the lateral acceleration of the vehicle at each of the plurality of geographical positions along the curve trajectory traveled by the vehicle into a g-force.

Abstract: A multi-source ground-to-air heat transfer system is configured to store thermal energy during a cooling/dehumidification mode of operation for future use during a heating mode of operation. The multi-source ground-to-air heat transfer system utilizes a ground loop that is configured under an enclosure, such as a greenhouse, and is in thermal communication with a thermal reservoir medium to conduct and store heat. A thermal exchange fluid is pumped through the ground loop and ground heat exchanger and may receive heat from a condenser during a cooling/dehumidification mode of operation and may liberate heat to the evaporator during a heating mode. The enclosure air may receive heat from the heat pump during a heating mode and may liberate heat to the evaporator during a cooling/dehumidification mode. The heat exchange system may employ a heat pump having a reversing valve to change the mode of operation.

Abstract: A system, method and server for a controlling a relation between a vehicle and traffic flow over a road segment. The system includes a telemetric device of the vehicle and a processor of the server. The telemetric device obtains telemetric data related to the road segment being traversed by the vehicle. The processor determines a property of the road segment based on the telemetric data and a road profile for the road segment, determines a disruption score indicative of a level of disruption in the traffic flow for the road segment based on the property, and outputs a notification signal when the disruption score is above a selected disruption threshold. The notification signal is usable for controlling the relation between the vehicle and the traffic flow.

Abstract: A system for providing weather conditions to a target vehicle includes a plurality of sensors mounted within the target vehicle adapted to measure weather conditions at the target vehicle and a computer processor adapted to collect data of weather conditions at the target vehicle from the plurality of sensors mounted within the target vehicle, collect data of measured weather conditions of at least one known location remote from the target vehicle, and build a temporal-spatial effectiveness model adapted to estimate weather conditions of at least one unknown location remote from the target vehicle using the data of weather conditions at the target vehicle and the data of measured weather conditions of the at least one known location remote from the target vehicle.

Abstract: A multi-source ground-to-air heat transfer system is configured to store thermal energy during a cooling/dehumidifcation mode of operation for future use during a heating mode of operation. The multi-source ground-to-air heat transfer system utilizes a ground loop that is configured under an enclosure, such as a greenhouse, and is in thermal communication with a thermal reservoir medium to conduct and store heat. A thermal exchange fluid is pumped through the ground loop and ground heat exchanger and may receive heat from a condenser during a cooling/dehumidification mode of operation and may liberate heat to the evaporator during a heating mode. The enclosure air may receive heat from the heat pump during a heating mode and may liberate heat to the evaporator during a cooling/dehumidification mode. The heat exchange system may employ a heat pump having a reversing valve to change the mode of operation.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a shaped charge liner including an apex end and a base end and defining a main liner axis that passes through the apex and base ends, the liner being rotationally symmetric about the main liner axis wherein the liner has discrete rotational symmetry about the main liner axis.

Abstract: A system for providing weather conditions to a target vehicle includes a plurality of sensors mounted within the target vehicle adapted to measure weather conditions at the target vehicle and a computer processor adapted to collect data of weather conditions at the target vehicle from the plurality of sensors mounted within the target vehicle, collect data of measured weather conditions of at least one known location remote from the target vehicle, and build a temporal-spatial effectiveness model adapted to estimate weather conditions of at least one unknown location remote from the target vehicle using the data of weather conditions at the target vehicle and the data of measured weather conditions of the at least one known location remote from the target vehicle.

Abstract: A system for quantitively determining quality for pavement markings disposed along pavement on a roadway includes one or more controllers in wireless communication with a plurality of vehicles. The one or more controllers receive image data represents the pavement markings disposed along the pavement collected by the plurality of vehicles. The one or more controllers execute instructions to determine at least one of a color distance measurement between a mean color space value of the pavement markings and an ideal marking color space value and a marking intensity contrast ratio between the pavement markings and the pavement.