Abstract: Item images and item information for an item identified as being associated with a potential theft during a transaction at a transaction terminal are sent in real time to an alert controller of a management terminal. The item images and item information with transaction details are presented on a display for resolution by a clerk operating the management terminal. A timer is also set and a confidence score calculated representing a confidence level that the item is the subject of theft. When the timer expires and there is still no resolution provided by the clerk a decision is made as to whether to interrupt the transaction processing on the transaction terminal for assistance or whether to permit the transaction to complete on the transaction terminal based on the calculated confidence score.

Abstract: A method for collecting information about a subsurface region, comprises a) providing a set of data comprising a plurality of scattered signals, where each scattered signal is a portion of an acoustic seismic signal that has been scattered by and at least one scatterer and received at a receiver, b) using spatial deconvolution to process the scattered signals so as generate a coherent arrival, and c) using the coherent arrival to output human readable information about the subsurface region. The receiver may be a geophone or a fiber optic distributed acoustic sensor and may be in a borehole or at the surface. The acoustic seismic signal may originate at the surface or below the surface and may be an active or passive source.

Abstract: A secure custom application cloud computing architecture which facilitates virtually seamless migration of custom applications to and from a cloud computing environment in response to user needs. The architecture identifies the custom applications and the associated network architecture needed to support the applications. The network architecture is then replicated in the cloud and the custom applications are migrated thereto. In some embodiments, the application can be archived while in the cloud and disabled, then later reenabled when needed.

Abstract: A propeller shaft and energy storage assembly includes a first power transfer mechanism for selectively drivingly interconnecting the propeller shaft and an energy storage device to store energy within the energy storage device. A second power transfer mechanism is operable to selectively retain and release energy stored within the energy storage device. A third power transfer mechanism selectively drivingly interconnects the energy storage device and the propeller shaft when vehicle acceleration is desired.

Abstract: A method of inspecting a workpiece during a production run in which workpieces are supplied to workstations by an autoloader. In accordance with the method, the supply of the workpieces by the autoloader is performed in accordance with a supply control routine. When it is desired to inspect a workpiece in a workstation, the supply control routine is interrupted after its then current cycle and the autoloader is used to move the workpiece to a quality control station. The supply of the workpieces in accordance with the supply control routine is then resumed. While the autoloader is operating in accordance with the supply control routine, the workpiece is inspected. If the workpiece is acceptable, the supply control routine is again interrupted after its then current cycle and the autoloader is used to move the workpiece to an output area. The supply of the workpieces in accordance with the supply control routine is then resumed again.

Abstract: A method of controlling an autoloader that supplies workpieces to a plurality of workstations. Each of the workstations is operable to generate and transmit a call signal, a ready signal and an error signal. In accordance with the method, the autoloader supplies workpieces to the workstations based on the chronological order of the receipt of call signals from the workstations. If an error signal is received from a workstation that is to be supplied with a workpiece, the autoloader instead supplies the workpiece to the next workstation that is to be supplied.

Abstract: A method of identifying workstations that performed work on a workpiece in a work line having a plurality of zones, wherein each zone includes workstations that perform the same type of operation. In accordance with the method, the workpiece is moved to and from workstations by a plurality of autoloaders. After the workpiece is worked on in a particular workstation, an autoloader moves the workpiece to a drop-off station where the workpiece is marked with a mark indicating that the workstation worked on the workpiece. When the workpiece is finished, the workpiece has a plurality of marks disposed in different locations of the workpiece. For each of the marks, the location of the mark in combination with the nature of the mark comprises a code that identifies a particular one of the workstations that worked on the workpiece.

Abstract: A method of inspecting a workpiece during a production run in which workpieces are supplied to workstations by an autoloader. In accordance with the method, the supply of the workpieces by the autoloader is performed in accordance with a supply control routine. When it is desired to inspect a workpiece in a workstation, the supply control routine is interrupted after its then current cycle and the autoloader is used to move the workpiece to a quality control station. The supply of the workpieces in accordance with the supply control routine is then resumed. While the autoloader is operating in accordance with the supply control routine, the workpiece is inspected. If the workpiece is acceptable, the supply control routine is again interrupted after its then current cycle and the autoloader is used to move the workpiece to an output area. The supply of the workpieces in accordance with the supply control routine is then resumed again.