Abstract: A propulsion-based payload transporter (PPT) and methods of its operation are provided. The PPT may operate in a gravitational field such as that on the lunar surface. Via rocket engines that produce thrust, the PPT is configured to descend onto and over a payload to be moved. Once in position with respect to the payload, latches engage with the payload so as to secure the payload in a payload holding bay of the PPT. The rocket engines produce thrust with an exhaust plume that is angled away from the payload to avoid payload damage. The rocket engines, which are located at the sides of the payload holding bay, produce thrust to propel the PPT and the payload in a substantially horizontal trajectory with respect to gravity and toward a landing destination.

Abstract: A propulsion-based payload transporter (PPT) and methods of its operation are provided. The PPT may operate in a gravitational field such as that on the lunar surface. Via rocket engines that produce thrust, the PPT is configured to descend onto and over a payload to be moved. Once in position with respect to the payload, latches engage with the payload so as to secure the payload in a payload holding bay of the PPT. The rocket engines produce thrust with an exhaust plume that is angled away from the payload to avoid payload damage. The rocket engines, which are located at the sides of the payload holding bay, produce thrust to propel the PPT and the payload in a substantially horizontal trajectory with respect to gravity and toward a landing destination.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a secure conversation gateway by which an audio voice stream is made to be replicable and convertible into other media types are provided. The method includes receiving an audio voice data stream; converting the received audio voice data stream into a predetermined media format; and transmitting the converted audio data stream to a user. The method may also include receiving an interaction event that corresponds to the audio data stream; generating metadata based on the interaction event; and applying a machine learning algorithm to the audio data stream and the metadata in order to generate a response that relates to the audio data stream. The method may also include replicating the audio data stream and distributing copies thereof to a set of recipients.

Abstract: A wearable device including at least one radio frequency (RF) transmitter comprising an antenna integrated into at least one component of the wearable device, the at least one RF transmitter configured to periodically transmit at least one RF waveform, and at least one RF receiver comprising an antenna integrated into the at least one component of the wearable device, the at least one RF receiver configured to receive the at least RF waveform subsequent to the at least one RF waveform contacting an anatomy of a wearer of the wearable device. A channel state information (CSI) is estimated from the received RF waveform, the estimated CSI is compared with CSI entries in a database to determine a closest matching CSI, and a texture map of the wearer's anatomy is selected by associating with the CSI in the database.

Abstract: A tissue repair assembly can transition from an insertion to an anchored configuration and includes an anchor body, actuator, and “snake.” The body and actuator comprise suture. The body defines a loop with length and width that decrease and increase, respectively, during transition to the anchored configuration. The actuator defines first and second actuation portions, the former defining a locking mechanism having knot loops within a distal interior passage of the body. The snake has a snake portion and first and second tails. In the insertion configuration: the snake portion extends through the knot loops; the second actuation portion and tails are outside the body. Tensioning the second actuation portion and/or tails transitions the assembly to the anchored configuration. The first tail can engage and pull the second actuation portion through the passage, wherein the second actuation portion is slidable through the knot loops and defines an exterior approximation loop.

Abstract: The present invention provides a catalytic article comprising a substrate: a bottom washcoat deposited on the substrate; and a top washcoat deposited on the bottom coat, wherein the bottom washcoat comprises a zoned configuration, wherein the zoned configuration comprises a first zone and a second zone, wherein the first zone comprises palladium supported on ceria-zirconia mixed oxide or alumina or both, wherein the second zone comprises platinum supported on a ceria-alumina composite, wherein the top washcoat comprises rhodium supported on an alumina or a ceria-alumina composite. The present invention also provides a process for the preparation of the catalytic article, and it use for purifying a gaseous exhaust stream.

Abstract: A contactor and method for testing a breakdown voltage of a device are disclosed. The contactor includes a test site including a plurality of electrical contacts configured to make an electrical connection with the device when the device is positioned at the test site. The contactor further includes a housing including a first housing portion and a second housing portion. The first housing portion and the second housing portion are configured to selectively engage and disengage from each other. The first housing portion and the second housing portion define a closed chamber when engaged, with the test site being within the closed chamber. The contactor further includes a gas inlet configured to supply pressurized gas for pressurizing the closed chamber when the first housing portion and the second housing portion are engaged.

Abstract: A catalytic composition comprising a transition metal catalyst entrapped within a monounsaturated vinyl aromatic/polyunsaturated vinyl aromatic copolymer, such as a styrene-divinyl benzene copolymer, matrix. In addition, processes for decomposing organic materials in a highly alkaline environment, and for conducting organic coupling reactions employing such catalyst compositions are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of operating a telecommunications network (100), said telecommunications network being accessible to a User Equipment (UE) (102) and comprising a cellular telecommunications network (104-2) and a fixed-access telecommunications network (104-1), the method comprising the steps of: providing a set of user plane functions for processing user traffic for the UE, said set comprising at least two user plane functions; providing a combined user plane function (210) for processing user traffic for the UE according to the set of user plane functions; following establishing a network connection between the UE and the cellular telecommunications network via the fixed-access telecommunications network (510), identifying inefficient routing of user traffic associated with the UE (520), said inefficient routing comprising routing user traffic to at least the set of user plane functions; in response to identifying inefficient routing, re-routing user traffic associated with the UE to the combined user plane functio

Abstract: A method of operating a telecommunications network (100), said telecommunications network being accessible to a User Equipment (UE) (102) and comprising a cellular telecommunications network (104-2) and a fixed-access telecommunications network (104-1), the method comprising the steps of: providing a set of user plane functions for processing user traffic for the UE, said set comprising at least two user plane functions; providing a combined user plane function (210) for processing user traffic for the UE according to the set of user plane functions; following establishing a network connection between the UE and the cellular telecommunications network via the fixed-access telecommunications network (510), identifying inefficient routing of user traffic associated with the UE (520), said inefficient routing comprising routing user traffic to at least the set of user plane functions; in response to identifying inefficient routing, re-routing user traffic associated with the UE to the combined user plane functio

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a secure conversation gateway by which an audio voice stream is made to be replicable and convertible into other media types are provided. The method includes receiving an audio voice data stream; converting the received audio voice data stream into a predetermined media format; and transmitting the converted audio data stream to a user. The method may also include receiving an interaction event that corresponds to the audio data stream; generating metadata based on the interaction event; and applying a machine learning algorithm to the audio data stream and the metadata in order to generate a response that relates to the audio data stream. The method may also include replicating the audio data stream and distributing copies thereof to a set of recipients.

Abstract: A wireless network including a wireless access gateway (WAG) and methods are provided for routing traffic between non-cellular and cellular networks. The WAG interconnects at least one non-cellular network and at least one cellular network in an at least one-to-many relationship. The WAG receives a first IP address for the UE in the cellular domain and the WAG allocates a second IP address for the UE in the non-cellular domain. The WAG creates a routing rule including the first and second IP addresses for the UE and an additional data path identifier.

Abstract: Use of an active ingredient compound Formula (I): (I) wherein G is H or —C(O)OC2H5, for controlling a pest by applying the active ingredient to the growth substrate of a crop of a useful plant. A method of controlling pests, which method comprises applying to the growth substrate of a crop of a useful plant an active ingredient compound of Formula (I).

Abstract: Described herein are embodiments for improving search engine results of listings of For Sale Objects (FSOs). A search engine may be improved by implementing rules that resolve ambiguity between listings for different (FSOs) that match the same search inputs. An unsupervised machine learning module may evaluate candidate rules and identify improvements that may not be obvious to a human evaluator. An ecommerce site that combines the improved search engine with the unsupervised machine learning module may dynamically evaluate search results using different candidate rules and iteratively improve search results.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing fire protection and/or an electrical enclosure for a grow light having at least one light assembly that contains an array of light emitting diodes (LEDs). A fire protection shield is a planar sheet configured to fit over a light assembly with the circuit shield including openings sized to allow the LEDs to protrude therethrough such that the circuit shield allows transmission of light emitted from the LEDs. The electrical enclosure is a wire shield, or wire cover, configured to cover the exposed conductors electrically connected to the light assemblies. The wire cover extends beyond the light assembly, offering both physical and electrical protection of the light assembly. The light assembly is attached to one side of a base plate that has a power supply on an opposite side. In one embodiment, the base plate includes a plurality of lamp portions, each having a light assembly.

Abstract: A method of operating an interconnect server for a roaming network, the roaming network having a plurality of cellular networks and a plurality of hotspot networks formed of wireless access points, the interconnect server being connectable to a routing server within each of the plurality of cellular networks and to a routing server within each of the plurality of hotspot networks, wherein the plurality of hotspot networks are operable to allow subscriber devices of the plurality of cellular networks to connect to a wireless access point forming part of the hotspot network and access the device's subscriber cellular network, is disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for smoothly and efficiently upgrading set top boxes, e.g., personal video recorders, which have customer selected content stored thereon are described. The described methods allow content stored on a set top box to be uploaded to a network storage device, e.g., automatically at a predetermined time prior to a scheduled upgrade, or in some cases, via manual control of the set top box to be upgraded. After stored content is uploaded to the network storage device, the set top box is replaced with a new set top box. The new set top box can be preloaded with the previously uploaded content or a content download can be triggered, e.g., by activating a hidden application and by supplying information identifying the set top box being replaced as part of the upgrade process.

Abstract: An intelligent receptacle (or receptacle device) enables individually monitoring and/or controlling consumption of utility service by one or more loads through a supply outlet that is associated with the receptacle device. A client device may enable a user to remotely control a provision of the utility service from the supply outlet through the receptacle device. Furthermore, a utility metering device may include a virtual metering device instance that is configured to collect utility consumption data associated with the supply outlet from the receptacle device and help calibration or synchronization of utility consumption readings of the receptacle device.