Abstract: A first-tier structure including a first alternating stack of first insulating layers and first spacer material layers is formed over a substrate. First-tier memory openings and at least one type of first-tier contact openings can be formed simultaneously employing a same anisotropic etch process. The first-tier contact openings formed over stepped surfaces of the first alternating stack may extend through the first alternating stack, or may stop on the stepped surfaces. Sacrificial first-tier opening fill portions are formed in the first-tier openings, and a second-tier structure can be formed over the first-tier structure. Memory openings including volumes of the first-tier memory openings are formed through the multi-tier structure, and memory stack structures are formed in the memory openings. Various contact openings are formed through the multi-tier structure, and various contact via structures are formed in the contact openings.

Abstract: System and method for controlling an aerial system, without physical interaction with a separate remote device, based on sensed user expressions. User expressions may include thought, voice, facial expressions, and/gestures. User expressions may be sensed by sensors associated with the aerial device or a remote device.

Abstract: A first-tier structure including a first alternating stack of first insulating layers and first spacer material layers is formed over a substrate. First-tier memory openings and at least one type of first-tier contact openings can be formed simultaneously employing a same anisotropic etch process. The first-tier contact openings formed over stepped surfaces of the first alternating stack may extend through the first alternating stack, or may stop on the stepped surfaces. Sacrificial first-tier opening fill portions are formed in the first-tier openings, and a second-tier structure can be formed over the first-tier structure. Memory openings including volumes of the first-tier memory openings are formed through the multi-tier structure, and memory stack structures are formed in the memory openings. Various contact openings are formed through the multi-tier structure, and various contact via structures are formed in the contact openings.

Abstract: A etch stop semiconductor rail is formed within a source semiconductor layer. A laterally alternating stack of dielectric rails and sacrificial semiconductor rails is formed over the source semiconductor layer and the etch stop semiconductor rail. After formation of a vertically alternating stack of insulating layers and spacer material layers, memory stack structures are formed through the vertically alternating stack and through interfaces between the sacrificial semiconductor rails and the dielectric rails. A backside trench is formed through the vertically alternating stack employing the etch stop semiconductor rail as an etch stop structure. Source strap rails providing lateral electrical contact to semiconductor channels of the memory stack structures are formed by replacement of sacrificial semiconductor rails with source strap rails.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle is described herein. The unmanned aerial vehicle includes a fuselage body, a lift mechanism coupled to the fuselage body, and a depth sensing and obstacle avoidance system coupled to the fuselage body. The depth sensing and obstacle avoidance system includes a platform assembly, a pair of stereovision cameras coupled to a platform assembly, and a motor assembly coupled to the fuselage body and to the platform assembly. The platform assembly includes a support member extending between a first end and an opposite second end along a longitudinal axis. The pair of stereovision cameras includes each stereovision camera positioned at an opposite end of the support member. The motor assembly is configured to rotate the platform assembly with respect to the fuselage body about a rotational axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the platform assembly.

Abstract: An aerial system, including a processing system, an optical system, an actuation system and a lift mechanism, includes an autonomous photography and/or videography system 70, implemented, at least in part, by the processing system 22, the optical system 26, the actuation system 28 and the lift mechanism 32. The autonomous photograph and/or videography system performs the steps of establishing a desired flight trajectory, detecting a target, controlling the flight of the aerial system as a function of the desired flight trajectory relative to the target using the lift mechanism and controlling the camera to capture pictures and/or video.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for storing, sorting, and analyzing account transactions in a payment network, and for real-time data analytics. One embodiment of a real-time data storage and analytics system includes a payment network that collects and processes account transactions. The system also includes a first data cluster that includes a first data structure. The first data structure stores a set of the account transactions. Additionally, the system includes a second data cluster that in turn includes a second data structure. The second data structure stores account transactions for new account and account transactions for which there is insufficient space in the first data structure. Moreover, the system includes an application engine that generates a score for an account based on transaction data associated with the account transactions for the account.

Abstract: An aerial vehicle, preferably including: a rotary wing and a protection housing enclosing the rotary wing. An aerial vehicle, preferably including: a first rotary wing module including a first rotary wing and a second rotary wing module including a second rotary wing, wherein the first rotary wing module and the second rotary wing module are preferably operable between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration. A method of aerial vehicle operation.

Abstract: A first-tier structure including a first alternating stack of first insulating layers and first spacer material layers is formed over a substrate. First-tier memory openings and at least one type of first-tier contact openings can be formed simultaneously employing a same anisotropic etch process. The first-tier contact openings formed over stepped surfaces of the first alternating stack may extend through the first alternating stack, or may stop on the stepped surfaces. Sacrificial first-tier opening fill portions are formed in the first-tier openings, and a second-tier structure can be formed over the first-tier structure. Memory openings including volumes of the first-tier memory openings are formed through the multi-tier structure, and memory stack structures are formed in the memory openings. Various contact openings are formed through the multi-tier structure, and various contact via structures are formed in the contact openings.

Abstract: A robotic system has a vehicle, a robot, a first removable rack and a second removable rack. The robot, the first removable rack and the second removable rack are mounted on a platform of the vehicle. A plurality of latches are used to lock or unlock the first removable rack and the second removable rack. The robot comprises a rotatable base. A method uses the robotic system to move a plurality of items from a stationary rack to a designated location.

Abstract: The present invention relates to chimeric immune receptor molecules for reducing or eliminating tumors. The chimeric receptors are composed a C-type lectin-like natural killer cell receptor, or a protein associated therewith, fused to an immune signaling receptor containing an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif. Methods for using the chimeric receptors are further provided.

Abstract: Virtual Network Functions (VNF) key performance indicator values can be predicted based on data analytics with an integration of data processing techniques and machine learning algorithms to allow proactive actions to provide Network Functions Virtualization service assurance.

Abstract: A large-scale multi-step synthesis method for ultralong silver nanowire with controllable diameter, comprises: an ethylene glycol solution containing polyvinylpyrrolidone and sodium chloride is fully heated to obtain a solution with strong reducibility, and then silver nitrate in glycol solution is added for a generation of a large number of crystal seeds; hydrogen peroxide is used to achieve the selection of the crystal seeds for a small amount of crystal seeds with particular sizes; the temperature is immediately raised to increase the reaction rate until the threshold of the etching crystal seeds of nitric acid is broke through; the temperature is lowered for long-timed reaction to slow down the reaction rate, reduce the probability of the isotropic seeds by self-nucleation and promote the absorption of small nucleus in the radial direction of large nucleus or nanowire, thus obtaining the ultralong silver nanowire.

Abstract: A method for operating a system including a plurality of cameras, the method including: selecting a subset of the cameras, determining a subset of pixels captured by the camera subset, determining a pixel depth associated with each pixel of the pixel subset, and controlling system operation based on the pixel depth.

Abstract: Imaging a package to identify contents associated with the package includes with a camera of a point of sale (POS) system, imaging the package, where an identical identification mark is located on all sides of the package such that when an image of the package is captured, an image of the identification mark appears in the image irrespective of an orientation of the package to the camera and with a database, identifying the contents associated with the package based on the identification mark from the image.

Abstract: An array of memory stack structures extends through an alternating stack of insulating layers and electrically conductive layers over a substrate. An array of drain select level assemblies including cylindrical electrode portions is formed over the alternating stack with the same periodicity as the array of memory stack structures. A drain select level isolation strip including dielectric materials can be formed between a neighboring pair of drain select level assemblies employing the drain select level assemblies as a self-aligning template. Alternatively, cylindrical electrode portions can be formed around an upper portion of each memory stack structure. Strip electrode portions are formed on the cylindrical electrode portions after formation of the drain select level isolation strip.

Abstract: An aerial system having an obstacle detection and avoidance system is described herein. The obstacle detection and avoidance system includes a pair of ultra-wide angle lens cameras orientated coaxially along an optical axis. Each ultra-wide angle lens camera includes a field-of-view lens having a vertical angle of view greater than 180 degrees. The pair of ultra-wide angle lens cameras is orientated such that a portion of each corresponding camera field-of-view overlaps to define a viewable region of interest including overlapping vertical field angle.

Abstract: A method and device for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle with a gesture are provided. A camera is arranged in the unmanned aerial vehicle, and the method includes: detecting a gesture in an image by using a gesture detection framework; judging whether the gesture is a predetermined gesture for controlling the unmanned aerial vehicle; acquiring a motion trajectory of the gesture in a case that it is determined that the gesture is the predetermined gesture for controlling the unmanned aerial vehicle; and controlling, based on the motion trajectory of the gesture, the unmanned aerial vehicle to perform a control operation corresponding to the motion trajectory of the gesture, where a correspondence between a motion trajectory of a gesture and a control operation is predetermined.

Abstract: An aerial system and method of operating an aerial system is provided. The aerial system includes a body, a lift mechanism, a processing system, a camera, and a sensor module. The lift mechanism is coupled to the body and configured to controllably provide lift and/or thrust. The processing system is configured to control the lift mechanism to provide flight to the aerial system. The camera is coupled to the body and is configured to obtain images of an environment proximate the aerial system. The sensor module is coupled to the body and includes an emitter and a receiver. The receiver is configured to sense data related to an ambient environment associated with the aerial system. The processing system controls a controllable parameter of the lift mechanism or the emitter as a function of the sensed data.

Abstract: A frame assembly for an aerial system includes a body and first and second rotor assemblies. The first and second rotor assemblies are coupled to the body by respective hinges. The first and second rotor assemblies are movable between a deployed position and a stowed position. Each rotor assembly includes a shaft assembly coupled to the hinge at one end and having a rotor assembly mounted to an opposite end. A rotary actuator is coupled between the rotor assembly and the shaft assembly and is configured to controllably rotate the rotor assembly relative to the shaft assembly.