Abstract: An augmented reality (AR) display device can display a virtual assistant character that interacts with the user of the AR device. The virtual assistant may be represented by a robot (or other) avatar that assists the user with contextual objects and suggestions depending on what virtual content the user is interacting with. Animated images may be displayed above the robot's head to display its intents to the user. For example, the robot can run up to a menu and suggest an action and show the animated images. The robot can materialize virtual objects that appear on its hands. The user can remove such an object from the robot's hands and place it in the environment. If the user does not interact with the object, the robot can dematerialize it. The robot can rotate its head to keep looking at the user and/or an object that the user has picked up.

Abstract: An augmented reality (AR) display device can display a virtual assistant character that interacts with the user of the AR device. The virtual assistant may be represented by a robot (or other) avatar that assists the user with contextual objects and suggestions depending on what virtual content the user is interacting with. Animated images may be displayed above the robot's head to display its intents to the user. For example, the robot can run up to a menu and suggest an action and show the animated images. The robot can materialize virtual objects that appear on its hands. The user can remove such an object from the robot's hands and place it in the environment. If the user does not interact with the object, the robot can dematerialize it. The robot can rotate its head to keep looking at the user and/or an object that the user has picked up.

Abstract: An augmented reality (AR) display device can display a virtual assistant character that interacts with the user of the AR device. The virtual assistant may be represented by a robot (or other) avatar that assists the user with contextual objects and suggestions depending on what virtual content the user is interacting with. Animated images may be displayed above the robot's head to display its intents to the user. For example, the robot can run up to a menu and suggest an action and show the animated images. The robot can materialize virtual objects that appear on its hands. The user can remove such an object from the robot's hands and place it in the environment. If the user does not interact with the object, the robot can dematerialize it. The robot can rotate its head to keep looking at the user and/or an object that the user has picked up.

Abstract: Extensible mast is comprised of multiple mast sections which are aligned along a mast axis. Each mast section is formed of an elongated tubular member disposed in a nested configuration when the mast is in a stowed condition. Each mast section is configured to slide along a direction aligned with the mast axis to facilitate a transition of the mast from the stowed condition to a deployed condition. In the deployed condition, adjacent mast sections are disposed substantially end to end so as to form a mast having an elongated length extending from a mast base to a mast tip. Mast sections includes one or more latches formed from a portion of the sidewall and resiliently engage a portion of an adjacent mast section.

Abstract: A method implements data visualization offline interaction. A user requests a data visualization, and sends the request to a server. The method receives a data model needed to render the data visualization and a data visualization library. The method stores the data model and data visualization library in memory. The method generates the data visualization based on the data model using the data visualization library, and displays the data visualization in a data visualization interface. A user manipulates the data visualization. If there is no connectivity with the server, indicating offline mode, and the user input corresponds to functionality that is available in the offline mode, the method retrieves the stored data model and data visualization library and generates an updated data visualization based on the data model using the visualization library. The updated data visualization is displayed in the data visualization interface.

Abstract: An augmented reality (AR) display device can display a virtual assistant character that interacts with the user of the AR device. The virtual assistant may be represented by a robot (or other) avatar that assists the user with contextual objects and suggestions depending on what virtual content the user is interacting with. Animated images may be displayed above the robot's head to display its intents to the user. For example, the robot can run up to a menu and suggest an action and show the animated images. The robot can materialize virtual objects that appear on its hands. The user can remove such an object from the robot's hands and place it in the environment. If the user does not interact with the object, the robot can dematerialize it. The robot can rotate its head to keep looking at the user and/or an object that the user has picked up.

Abstract: A method implements data visualization offline interaction. A user requests a data visualization, and sends the request to a server. The method receives a data model needed to render the data visualization and a data visualization library. The method stores the data model and data visualization library in memory. The method generates the data visualization based on the data model using the data visualization library, and displays the data visualization in a data visualization interface. A user manipulates the data visualization. If there is no connectivity with the server, indicating offline mode, and the user input corresponds to functionality that is available in the offline mode, the method retrieves the stored data model and data visualization library and generates an updated data visualization based on the data model using the visualization library. The updated data visualization is displayed in the data visualization interface.

Abstract: An augmented reality (AR) display device can display a virtual assistant character that interacts with the user of the AR device. The virtual assistant may be represented by a robot (or other) avatar that assists the user with contextual objects and suggestions depending on what virtual content the user is interacting with. Animated images may be displayed above the robot's head to display its intents to the user. For example, the robot can run up to a menu and suggest an action and show the animated images. The robot can materialize virtual objects that appear on its hands. The user can remove such an object from the robot's hands and place it in the environment. If the user does not interact with the object, the robot can dematerialize it. The robot can rotate its head to keep looking at the user and/or an object that the user has picked up.

Abstract: An augmented reality (AR) display device can display a virtual assistant character that interacts with the user of the AR device. The virtual assistant may be represented by a robot (or other) avatar that assists the user with contextual objects and suggestions depending on what virtual content the user is interacting with. Animated images may be displayed above the robot's head to display its intents to the user. For example, the robot can run up to a menu and suggest an action and show the animated images. The robot can materialize virtual objects that appear on its hands. The user can remove such an object from the robot's hands and place it in the environment. If the user does not interact with the object, the robot can dematerialize it. The robot can rotate its head to keep looking at the user and/or an object that the user has picked up.

Abstract: Extensible mast is comprised of multiple mast sections which are aligned along a mast axis. Each mast section is formed of an elongated tubular member disposed in a nested configuration when the mast is in a stowed condition. Each mast section is configured to slide along a direction aligned with the mast axis to facilitate a transition of the mast from the stowed condition to a deployed condition. In the deployed condition, adjacent mast sections are disposed substantially end to end so as to form a mast having an elongated length extending from a mast base to a mast tip. Mast sections includes one or more latches formed from a portion of the sidewall and resiliently engage a portion of an adjacent mast section.

Abstract: Folded optics reflector system includes a hoop assembly configured to expand between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration to define a circumferential hoop. A mesh reflector surface is secured to the hoop assembly such that when the hoop assembly is in the expanded configuration, the reflector surface is expanded to a shape that is configured to concentrate RF energy in a desired pattern. The system also includes a mast assembly comprised of an extendible boom. The hoop assembly is secured by a plurality of cords relative to a top and bottom portion of the boom, whereby upon extension of the boom to a deployed condition, the hoop assembly is supported by the boom. A subreflector is disposed at the top portion of the boom.

Abstract: A system for separating a hydrocarbon/water emulsion may include a radio frequency (RF) power source, an RF load, and a coaxial RF emulsion separator. The coaxial RF emulsion separator may include a coaxial input section coupled to the RF power source, a coaxial output section, and a coaxial separator section coupled in series between the coaxial input and output sections. The coaxial separator section may include an inner separator section conductor and an outer separator section conductor surrounding the inner separator section conductor and defining a separating chamber therebetween. The coaxial separator section may have at least one inlet port to introduce the hydrocarbon/water emulsion to the separating chamber and at least one outlet port to remove separated water and hydrocarbon from the separating chamber after exposure to RF power.

Abstract: A reflector system includes a hoop assembly, a collapsible mesh reflector surface and an extendible mast assembly. The hoop assembly includes a plurality of link members extending between a plurality of hinge members and the hoop assembly is moveable between a collapsed configuration wherein the link members extend substantially parallel to one another and an expanded configuration wherein the link members define a circumferential hoop. The reflector surface is secured to the hoop assembly and collapses and extends therewith. The hoop is secured by cords relative to top and bottom portions of a mast that maintains the hoop substantially in a plane. The mast is stored on a spool and extends to release the hoop, pull the mesh reflector surface into a shape that is intended to concentrate RF energy in a desired pattern, and tension the cords that locate the hoop.

Abstract: A rigid RF coaxial transmission line is positioned within a wellbore in a subterranean formation. The rigid RF coaxial transmission line includes a series of rigid coaxial sections coupled together in end-to-end relation and to be positioned within the wellbore of the subterranean formation. Each rigid coaxial section includes an inner conductor, a rigid outer conductor surrounding the inner conductor, and a dielectric therebetween. Each of the rigid outer conductors has threaded ends. The rigid RF coaxial transmission line includes a respective connector between adjacent ones of the series of rigid coaxial sections, each connector having a rigid outer layer threadingly secured to respective threaded ends of adjacent rigid outer conductors, and an electrically conductive liner carried by the rigid outer layer and defining an electrical joint between the adjacent rigid outer conductors.

Abstract: A system for separating a hydrocarbon/water emulsion may include a radio frequency (RF) power source, an RF load, and a coaxial RF emulsion separator. The coaxial RF emulsion separator may include a coaxial input section coupled to the RF power source, a coaxial output section, and a coaxial separator section coupled in series between the coaxial input and output sections. The coaxial separator section may include an inner separator section conductor and an outer separator section conductor surrounding the inner separator section conductor and defining a separating chamber therebetween. The coaxial separator section may have at least one inlet port to introduce the hydrocarbon/water emulsion to the separating chamber and at least one outlet port to remove separated water and hydrocarbon from the separating chamber after exposure to RF power.

Abstract: A rigid RF coaxial transmission line is positioned within a wellbore in a subterranean formation. The rigid RF coaxial transmission line includes a series of rigid coaxial sections coupled together in end-to-end relation and to be positioned within the wellbore of the subterranean formation. Each rigid coaxial section includes an inner conductor, a rigid outer conductor surrounding the inner conductor, and a dielectric therebetween. Each of the rigid outer conductors has threaded ends. The rigid RF coaxial transmission line includes a respective connector between adjacent ones of the series of rigid coaxial sections, each connector having a rigid outer layer threadingly secured to respective threaded ends of adjacent rigid outer conductors, and an electrically conductive liner carried by the rigid outer layer and defining an electrical joint between the adjacent rigid outer conductors.

Abstract: A system is provided for directing a flow of gas, including a launching mechanism, a plenum, a layer of meltable material, and an open-ended uptake component. The launching mechanism is adapted to expel rocket exhaust gas. The plenum includes an upper portion having at least one fire resistant breachable plug. The upper portion is adjacent to the launching mechanism. The layer of meltable material is disposed on the upper portion. The heat generated by the gas melts the layer of meltable material. The open-ended uptake component operatively connects to the plenum. The plug moves onto a lower portion of the plenum due to force generated by the gas onto the plug, and the gas flows through the plenum and the uptake component to vent said gas in a controlled manner.

Abstract: A system is provided for directing a flow of gas, including a launching mechanism, a plenum, a layer of meltable material, and an open-ended uptake component. The launching mechanism is adapted to expel rocket exhaust gas. The plenum includes an upper portion having at least one fire resistant breachable plug. The upper portion is adjacent to the launching mechanism. The layer of meltable material is disposed on the upper portion. The heat generated by the gas melts the layer of meltable material. The open-ended uptake component operatively connects to the plenum. The plug moves onto a lower portion of the plenum due to force generated by the gas onto the plug, and the gas flows through the plenum and the uptake component to vent said gas in a controlled manner.

Abstract: A food cutting device can include a food drawer, a base, and a force application mechanism. The food drawer can have an upper plate and a lower plate that are hinged clamshell-style. The food drawer can be slid relative to the base to open and close the food drawer. The base can be adapted to mount under an existing kitchen component such that the food cutting device does not take additional counter space. The base can include a force application mechanism such as a roller mechanism disposed thereon and configured to compress the upper plate of the food drawer onto the lower plate as the drawer is closed. A cutting mechanism such as a cutting blade can be positioned on one of the plates of the food drawer such that when the food drawer is closed, the plates are compressed and the cutting mechanism is advanced into a food item in the drawer.