Abstract: A vacuuming device. The device includes a sensor connected to at least a suction head, and is configured to sense a parameter of foreign object debris (FOD) in the suction head. The device also includes a positioning sensor connected to the suction head and configured to ascertain a position of the suction head within an area in which the device is located. The device also includes a computer in communication with the sensor and the positioning sensor. The computer is programmed to classify the FOD using the parameter, and use the position of the suction head to determine a pick-up location of the FOD.

Abstract: A vacuuming device. The device includes a sensor connected to at least a suction head, and is configured to sense a parameter of foreign object debris (FOD) in the suction head. The device also includes a positioning sensor connected to the suction head and configured to ascertain a position of the suction head within an area in which the device is located. The device also includes a computer in communication with the sensor and the positioning sensor. The computer is programmed to classify the FOD using the parameter, and use the position of the suction head to determine a pick-up location of the FOD.

Abstract: Networkable digital life jackets and associated methods are disclosed. An example life jacket includes a state manager and a swarm manager. The state manager is configured to selectively operate the life jacket in one of multiple operational states of the life jacket based on data obtained from one or more sensors of the life jacket. The swarm manager is configured to form a swarm network including the life jacket and one or more other life jackets.

Abstract: A method of operating an aircraft. The method includes sensing, using a trusted sensor, a trusted parameter of the aircraft during operation of the aircraft; receiving, at a processor, the trusted parameter; entering, by the processor, the trusted parameter as a first immutable entry into a ledger stored on an immutable non-transitory computer-recordable storage medium, wherein immutable is defined as unchangeability of data stored on the non-transitory computer-recordable storage medium, and wherein the ledger also contains additional immutable entries regarding operations of the aircraft and an aircraft environment; executing, by the processor, a recursive analysis algorithm on the first immutable entry together with the additional immutable entries to produce analyzed data; and using, by the processor, the analyzed data to improve future operational performance of the aircraft by ordering changes in how a component of the aircraft performs during operation of the aircraft based on the analyzed data.

Abstract: Networkable digital life jackets and associated methods are disclosed. An example life jacket includes a state manager and a swarm manager. The state manager is configured to selectively operate the life jacket in one of multiple operational states of the life jacket based on data obtained from one or more sensors of the life jacket. The swarm manager is configured to form a swarm network including the life jacket and one or more other life jackets.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reducing probabilities of collisions between humans and automated machines operating within a workplace are disclosed. An apparatus includes a collision probability determiner to determine a first probability of collision between an automated machine and a wearable safety vest. The apparatus further includes a safety manager to determine whether the first probability of collision exceeds a probability of collision threshold. The apparatus further includes a control signal generator to generate a first control signal in response to the safety manager determining that the first probability of collision exceeds the probability of collision threshold. The first control signal is to be transmitted to the automated machine to adjust an operation of the automated machine.

Abstract: A method of operating an aircraft. The method includes sensing, using a trusted sensor, a trusted parameter of the aircraft during operation of the aircraft; receiving, at a processor, the trusted parameter; entering, by the processor, the trusted parameter as a first immutable entry into a ledger stored on an immutable non-transitory computer-recordable storage medium, wherein immutable is defined as unchangeability of data stored on the non-transitory computer-recordable storage medium, and wherein the ledger also contains additional immutable entries regarding operations of the aircraft and an aircraft environment; executing, by the processor, a recursive analysis algorithm on the first immutable entry together with the additional immutable entries to produce analyzed data; and using, by the processor, the analyzed data to improve future operational performance of the aircraft by ordering changes in how a component of the aircraft performs during operation of the aircraft based on the analyzed data.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reducing probabilities of collisions between humans and automated machines operating within a workplace are disclosed. An apparatus includes a collision probability determiner to determine a first probability of collision between an automated machine and a wearable safety vest. The apparatus further includes a safety manager to determine whether the first probability of collision exceeds a probability of collision threshold. The apparatus further includes a control signal generator to generate a first control signal in response to the safety manager determining that the first probability of collision exceeds the probability of collision threshold. The first control signal is to be transmitted to the automated machine to adjust an operation of the automated machine.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for directing movement of a physical object within a three-dimensional (3D) navigable region of an environment. Generally, the apparatus divides the navigable region into geometric segments, and assigns a sequence of the geometric segments from a location to a destination to, and for movement of, the physical object. That is, the apparatus assigns a next geometric segment to the physical object moving in a current geometric segment in the sequence. The next geometric segment is then analyzed based on operational parameters of the physical object and a condition of the environment. In at least one increment, the next geometric segment is adjusted and reassigned to the physical object based thereon. Thereafter, the apparatus directs the physical object to move from the current geometric segment into the next geometric segment so assigned, or into the next geometric segment so reassigned in the at least one increment.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for directing movement of a physical object within a three-dimensional (3D) navigable region of an environment. Generally, the apparatus divides the navigable region into geometric segments, and assigns a sequence of the geometric segments from a location to a destination to, and for movement of, the physical object. That is, the apparatus assigns a next geometric segment to the physical object moving in a current geometric segment in the sequence. The next geometric segment is then analyzed based on operational parameters of the physical object and a condition of the environment. In at least one increment, the next geometric segment is adjusted and reassigned to the physical object based thereon. Thereafter, the apparatus directs the physical object to move from the current geometric segment into the next geometric segment so assigned, or into the next geometric segment so reassigned in the at least one increment.

Abstract: A system and method for close proximity vehicular data transmission may include detecting, by a processor onboard a vehicle, a predetermined condition for activating a short range radio frequency (RF) transceiver onboard the vehicle. The onboard short range RF transceiver is configured to transmit and receive signals within a limited distance from the onboard short range RF transceiver. The onboard short range RF transceiver is activated in response to at least detecting the predetermined condition. A communications link is established between the onboard short range RF transceiver and a predetermined mobile communications device assigned to a particular crew member. Vehicular data is transmitted from the onboard short range RF transceiver to the predetermined mobile communications device.

Abstract: A system and method for close proximity vehicular data transmission may include detecting, by a processor onboard a vehicle, a predetermined condition for activating a short range radio frequency (RF) transceiver onboard the vehicle. The onboard short range RF transceiver is configured to transmit and receive signals within a limited distance from the onboard short range RF transceiver. The onboard short range RF transceiver is activated in response to at least detecting the predetermined condition. A communications link is established between the onboard short range RF transceiver and a predetermined mobile communications device assigned to a particular crew member. Vehicular data is transmitted from the onboard short range RF transceiver to the predetermined mobile communications device.

Abstract: A system and method for information security management. An anomaly in data traffic directed to a data processing environment is identified. The anomaly indicates a threat to the data processing environment. The data processing environment comprises a number of data processing systems. A threatened data processing system is identified. The threatened data processing system is one of the number of data processing systems to which the threat is directed. The threatened data processing system is isolated. The threatened data processing system is monitored after the threatened data processing system is isolated. The threatened data processing system is replicated to form a replicated data processing system.

Abstract: A cloud computing security system. An access manager module includes first and second client profiles. The first client profile has a first set of rules enabling access to a first set of cloud computing system resources, and the second client profile has a second set of rules enabling access to a second set of cloud computing system resources. A security logic module is in communication with the access manager module. The security logic module is configured to receive an access request for access to one of the first and second sets of cloud computing system resources. Responsive to determining that the access request complies with at least one of the first set of rules and the second set of rules, the security logic module is configured to provide an access grant that grants access to at least one of the first and second sets of cloud computing system resources.

Abstract: A system and method for information security management. An anomaly in data traffic directed to a data processing environment is identified. The anomaly indicates a threat to the data processing environment. The data processing environment comprises a number of data processing systems. A threatened data processing system is identified. The threatened data processing system is one of the number of data processing systems to which the threat is directed. The threatened data processing system is isolated. The threatened data processing system is monitored after the threatened data processing system is isolated. The threatened data processing system is replicated to form a replicated data processing system.

Abstract: A cloud computing security system. An access manager module includes first and second client profiles. The first client profile has a first set of rules enabling access to a first set of cloud computing system resources, and the second client profile has a second set of rules enabling access to a second set of cloud computing system resources. A security logic module is in communication with the access manager module. The security logic module is configured to receive an access request for access to one of the first and second sets of cloud computing system resources. Responsive to determining that the access request complies with at least one of the first set of rules and the second set of rules, the security logic module is configured to provide an access grant that grants access to at least one of the first and second sets of cloud computing system resources.