Abstract: A predictive modeling method may include obtaining a fitted, first-order predictive model configured to predict values of output variables based on values of first input variables; and performing a second-order modeling procedure on the fitted, first-order model, which may include: generating input data including observations including observed values of second input variables and predicted values of the output variables; generating training data and testing data from the input data; generating a fitted second-order model of the fitted first-order model by fitting a second-order model to the training data; and testing the fitted, second-order model of the first-order model on the testing data. Each observation of the input data may be generated by (1) obtaining observed values of the second input variables, and (2) applying the first-order predictive model to corresponding observed values of the first input variables to generate the predicted values of the output variables.

Abstract: A system for an attraction includes a sensor configured to capture imagery of a real world environment and a control system communicatively coupled to the sensor. The control system is configured to receive the imagery captured by the sensor, identify a real world element of the imagery, generate image data that includes a virtual element that corresponds to the real world element, and transmit the image data for presentation in the attraction.

Abstract: One embodiment is a device, which comprises a meter portion having one or more blades, the blades configured to reside within both a premises-side opening and a utility-side opening within a socket, a supply unit connected to the meter portion, a metering unit connected to the supply unit and configured to measure an amount of electricity that passes through the meter portion, and a sensor connected to the meter portion, wherein when the meter portion is placed in the socket, the sensor collects data associated with the placing of the meter portion in the socket.

Abstract: A delivery system may include one or more processors and memory storing instructions executable by the one or more processors to cause the one or more processors to identify one or more attributes of a user in one or more images and associate the one or more attributes of the user with an order placed by the user. The delivery system may also track the one or more attributes of the user in the one or more images over time to identify movement of the user within an environment and in response to the one or more attributes of the user in the one or more images remaining at a location for more than a threshold time, create an association between the one or more attributes of the user and the location. The delivery system may then provide an instruction to deliver items in the order to the location.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and system for storing perishable products in a vacuum container. An atmosphere control system is coupled to the vacuum container for measuring and maintaining controlled atmospheric conditions within the vacuum container. The atmosphere control system includes a plurality of monitors configured to monitor atmospheric conditions within the vacuum container. The atmosphere control system further includes a vacuum pump configured to reduce total absolute pressure in the vacuum chamber to below a total gas pressure limit, an ozone generator configured to generate gaseous ozone, and an inlet valve coupled to the ozone generator and configured to admit an ozone-containing gas into the vacuum container.

Abstract: A system includes a first substrate layer configured at an initial position. A copper foil is positioned above the first substrate layer. A second substrate layer is configured above the copper foil. The second substrate combined with the copper foil and first substrate layer is configured to be curved/bent into one or more shapes. Antenna elements are composed of the copper foil. A coaxial cable is connected to the copper foil.

Abstract: A method for managing software on a device is provided. The method comprises: receiving, from a third party associated with the device, by a software administrator of an organization different from the third party, release information regarding software versions for the device; creating, by the software administrator, a profile that specifies whether or not at least one of the software versions is allowed on the device; and transmitting the profile, by the software administrator to a server computer associated with the third or other parties, to promote enforcement of the profile for the device.

Abstract: A device (100) for monitoring the status of breakers (20) within a consumer unit (10). The device (100) uses a non-contact, optical sensor (104), such as an IR break-beam sensor (106, 108), or an optical time-of-flight sensor (106, 108) to monitor the positions of the toggle switches (22) on the breakers (20). In the event that one or more of the switches moves to an “off” position (22), an alarm is triggered, such as by sending an SMS message to a user, to alert them of the fact. The device (100) also monitors the consumer unit's power status (1020) and can warn in the event of a power outage of a master isolator or RCD trip. A UPS (1030, 1032, 1034) is suitably provided to enable the device to continue working during a mains power failure.

Abstract: Efficient two-way communications using broadband cellular technology is provided by adapting cellular components for end-to-end Internet Protocol (IP) addressable traffic. In this manner, the broadband cellular system may be efficiently transfer data over a flat network architecture using end-to-end IP traffic, bypassing features such as network address translation (NAT), tunnelling, and other LTE cellular carrier features.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for proactively buffering quantum key distribution (QKD) key material. The method includes monitoring key generation rates and surpluses at QKD devices at each node of a QKD link in a QKD network, retrieving surplus key material from the QKD devices at one or both nodes of the QKD link, and buffering the surplus key material in a local storage at one or both nodes in the QKD link. The surplus key material can be used to offset overhead introduced in securely relaying keys between non-adjacent demand pairs in the QKD network. The surplus key material can also be used to offset future transient decreases in key generation rates.

Abstract: A system and method are described for proactively performing key swaps among nodes in a quantum key distribution (QKD) network. The method includes determining a routing solution for nodes in the QKD network; making the routing solution available to the nodes in the QKD network; and initiating key swaps among the nodes in the QKD network according to the routing solution, prior to key requests being made within the QKD network. The method can also include continuously performing key swaps among the nodes in the QKD network according to the routing solution; detecting a change in capacity and/or a change in demand on one or more links within the QKD network; determining a new routing solution based on the detected change; and continuously preforming subsequent key swaps according to the new routing solution.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to methods, apparatus, and systems for tracking a presence of a body part via a theremin-based sensor and outputting a usable signal. For example, a tracking system includes a signal processor and a theremin circuit including at least one antenna. The theremin circuit detects a varying position of a body part relative to the at least one antenna and outputs an analog signal to the signal processor having a varying frequency or amplitude based on the varying position of the body part relative to the at least one antenna. The digital processor determines a rate of change of the varying frequency or amplitude of the analog signal, determines at least a velocity of the body part based on the rate of change, and outputs a digital signal corresponding to at least the velocity to a system or device coupled to the theremin-based tracking system.

Abstract: A float equipment assembly includes an inner string that provides a fluid flow path through the float equipment assembly. The float equipment assembly also includes an opening through which a fluid flowing through the inner string exits the float equipment assembly. The float equipment assembly further includes a moveable member, which when repositioned, isolates the inner string. The float equipment assembly further includes a dissolvable material that initially prevents repositioning of the moveable member, where the moveable member is repositioned after a threshold portion of the dissolvable material has dissolved.

Abstract: One embodiment is a device, which comprises a meter portion having one or more blades, the blades configured to reside within both a premises-side opening and a utility-side opening within a socket, a supply unit connected to the meter portion, a metering unit connected to the supply unit and configured to measure an amount of electricity that passes through the meter portion, and a sensor connected to the meter portion, wherein when the meter portion is placed in the socket, the sensor collects data associated with the placing of the meter portion in the socket.

Abstract: A method of estimating a load on a vehicle (10), the method comprising: obtaining a first load estimate using a first load estimation technique; obtaining a second load estimate using a second load estimation technique; analysing characteristics of the first load estimate and the second load estimate; and, based on the analysis selecting either the first load estimate or the second load estimate as an output load estimate.

Abstract: A system and method are described for proactively performing key swaps among nodes in a quantum key distribution (QKD) network. The method includes determining a routing solution for nodes in the QKD network; making the routing solution available to the nodes in the QKD network; and initiating key swaps among the nodes in the QKD network according to the routing solution, prior to key requests being made within the QKD network. The method can also include continuously performing key swaps among the nodes in the QKD network according to the routing solution; detecting a change in capacity and/or a change in demand on one or more links within the QKD network; determining a new routing solution based on the detected change; and continuously preforming subsequent key swaps according to the new routing solution.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for proactively buffering quantum key distribution (QKD) key material. The method includes monitoring key generation rates and surpluses at QKD devices at each node of a QKD link in a QKD network, retrieving surplus key material from the QKD devices at one or both nodes of the QKD link, and buffering the surplus key material in a local storage at one or both nodes in the QKD link. The surplus key material can be used to offset overhead introduced in securely relaying keys between non-adjacent demand pairs in the QKD network. The surplus key material can also be used to offset future transient decreases in key generation rates.

Abstract: The embodiments include methods and tools to activate downhole apparatuses. In one embodiment, a hydrostatic pressure intensifier includes a housing having at least two different internal cross-sectional surface areas. The housing includes a device mounted on the housing and operable to actuate in response to being subject to a threshold amount of pressure. The housing also includes a first piston housed in a first chamber of the housing, where the first piston has a first cross-sectional area and a first stroke length, and a second piston housed in a second chamber of the housing, where the second piston has a second cross-sectional area and a second stroke length, and where the first cross-sectional area is greater than the second cross-sectional area. The hydrostatic pressure intensifier also includes a fluid flow restrictor that restricts fluid flow through the valve to control an amount of pressure applied by the first piston.

Abstract: Control of a Vehicle Having an Automatic Transmission to Compensate for Ambient Air Density A method of controlling an automatic transmission (24) of a vehicle (10), the method comprising: receiving a signal indicative of a vehicle operating mode; obtaining a base map defining gear shift points for the transmission (24) based on the indicated vehicle operating mode; obtaining a torque loss map defining gear shift points for the transmission (24) based on a predetermined minimum value of density; and controlling the transmission (24) based on the base map if the base map defines gear shift points at higher engine speeds or vehicle speeds than the corresponding gear shift points defined by the torque loss map.

Abstract: A home flood prevention appliance system includes controller circuitry disposed in a shroud above a cover of a sump basin, and a plurality of electrically operated sump pumps disposed in a lower portion of a structural frame positionable below the cover in the sump basin. The system also includes a water control actuator operable as a water main control device for a domestic water distribution network and a flow meter to measure the flow of municipal water supplied to the network. The controller circuitry configured to selectively energize the pumps to extract liquid from a sump basin based on a liquid level in the sump basin. The water control actuator controlled by the controller circuitry to shut off a municipal water supply to the domestic water distribution network in response to detection of a leak. Communication circuitry included in the home flood prevention appliance may wirelessly communicate.