Abstract: A phased adoption procedure is disclosed for adopting a new communication system that provides potential adopters a high degree of confidence in the reliability of the proposed communication system prior to committed adoption.

Abstract: A power distribution and communication system includes nodes connected by power lines and communication links. The system receives power from one or more power sources. Each node contains at least one power port, data port and load port. Associated with each power port and load port is a port monitor for measuring current flowing into or out of the port and the voltage difference between the port outlet and ground, which measurements are passed to a processing element. The processing element and monitor analyze measured values to detect fault conditions. Upon fault condition detection, the port is disabled by opening a switch, disconnecting the port from the system voltage. The processing element receives power directly from the power line, thus receiving power from a live power line even if the associated power port is disabled allowing the processing element to enable a disabled node following a failure.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and apparatus for limiting the number of results returned by a store in response to a query. Upon receiving an initial query, the data store returns a page of results that includes a subset of the data items within the data store satisfying the conditions of the query. The data store also provides a marker indicating the extent of the set of data items. If a subsequent query that requests additional results which satisfy the same query conditions and that includes the marker is received, the data store returns a page of results that includes a subset of data items that are disjoint from the initial subset, and provides an updated marker which indicates the extent of the union of the initial and subsequent subsets. If still further results are desired from the data store, an additional query containing the updated marker may be submitted.

Abstract: Data in a portable electronic device is protected by using external and internal status detection means to determine if the device is misplaced, lost, or stolen. The device then takes, singly or in combination, one of several actions to protect the data on the device, including declaring its location to an owner or service provider, locking the device or specific functions of the device to disable all data retrieval functionality, erasing or overwriting all the stored data in the device or, where the data has been stored in the device in an encrypted format, destroying an internally-stored encryption key, thereby preventing unauthorized access to the encrypted data in the device.

Abstract: The invention is a modular vehicle that is intended for a variety of operations including both military and civilian operations. The vehicle addresses the issue of performing special purpose tasks that the vehicle is asked to do. Such tasks can be accomplished by configuring the vehicle as an ambulance, as a fire-fighting vehicle, as a communications van, as a command and control vehicle, etc. Thus, the vehicle is readily adapted using standardized and customized modules that are readily attached to a standardized platform that includes an appropriate interconnection means.

Abstract: A bell and method of tuning a bell with its lowest frequency partials at f1=f and f2=3f=2. The simultaneous presence of physical tones at these partial frequencies yields a difference tone, perceived by the listener, at f2f1=3f=2f=f=2. The difference tone is subharmonic, in that its perceived frequency (f=2) is below the frequency of the fundamental (f). Preferably, the bell has one or more additional partials at frequencies fn=(n+1)f=2, with n 2 f3; 4; 5: : : g, strengthening the listener's perception of the difference tone at f=2. The bell thus yields a strike tone at f=2 but has a characteristic dimension (e.g. height or diameter) equal to that of conventional bells with a strike tone at f, providing art eightfold savings in bell mass.

Abstract: The invention provides an instrument control panel that is easily customized and reconfigured, and yet provides the familiar tactile sensation of physical knobs, sliders, and buttons. The instrument control panel comprises one or more interface components that are removably coupled to an interface display wherein the interface components communicate with one or more control components disposed behind the interface display. The present invention lends itself particularly well to an instrument panel.

Abstract: Various embodiments of methods and systems for improving and enhancing vision are disclosed. Adjustable lenses or optical systems may be used to provide adaptive vision modification. In some embodiments, vision modification may be responsive to the current state of the user's visual system. Certain embodiments provide correction of the subject's near and far vision. Other embodiments provide enhancement of vision beyond the physiological ranges of focal length or magnification.

Abstract: The invention is a modular vehicle that is intended for a variety of operations including both military and civilian operations. The vehicle addresses the issue of performing special purpose tasks that the vehicle is asked to do. Such tasks can be accomplished by configuring the vehicle as an ambulance, as a fire-fighting vehicle, as a communications van, as a command and control vehicle, etc. Thus, the vehicle is readily adapted using standardized and customized modules that are readily attached to a standardized platform that includes an appropriate interconnection means.

Abstract: At least one embodiment of this disclosure includes a method for an autonomous vehicle (e.g., a fully autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle) to communicate with external observers. The method includes: receiving a task at the autonomous vehicle; collecting data that characterizes a surrounding environment of the autonomous vehicle from a sensor coupled to the autonomous vehicle; determining an intended course of action for the autonomous vehicle to undertake based on the task and the collected data; and conveying a human understandable output via an output device, the human understandable output expressly or implicitly indicating the intended course of action to an external observer.

Abstract: The invention provides an instrument control panel that is easily customized and reconfigured, and yet provides the familiar tactile sensation of physical knobs, sliders, and buttons. The instrument control panel comprises one or more interface components that are removably coupled to an interface display wherein the interface components communicate with one or more control components disposed behind the interface display. The present invention lends itself particularly well to an instrument panel.

Abstract: At least one embodiment of this disclosure includes a method for an autonomous vehicle (e.g., a fully autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle) to communicate with external observers. The method includes: receiving a task at the autonomous vehicle; collecting data that characterizes a surrounding environment of the autonomous vehicle from a sensor coupled to the autonomous vehicle; determining an intended course of action for the autonomous vehicle to undertake based on the task and the collected data; and conveying a human understandable output via an output device, the human understandable output expressly or implicitly indicating the intended course of action to an external observer.

Abstract: A helmet testing apparatus includes a sensor configured to be selectively positionable within an interior head cavity of a helmet to acquire compliance data regarding a liner of the helmet and a processing circuit configured to determine a rating for the helmet based on the compliance data and predetermined compliance parameters for the helmet.

Abstract: A method for scanning an individual with a security device includes providing a scanner, engaging the scanner in a first scanning mode to produce an initial scan of the individual with a controller, producing an initial representation based on the initial scan, determining a property of a second scanning mode based on information from the initial representation, and engaging the scanner in the second scanning mode to produce a second scan of the individual.

Abstract: A bell and method of tuning a bell with its lowest frequency partials at f1=f and f2=3f=2, The simultaneous presence of physical tones at these partial frequencies yields a difference tone, perceived by the listener, at f2f1=3f=2f=f=2. The difference tone is subharmonic, in that its perceived frequency (f=2) is below the frequency of the fundamental (f). Preferably, the bell has one or more additional partials at frequencies fn=(n+1)f=2, with n 2 f3; 4; 5 : : : g, strengthening the listener's perception of the difference tone at f=2. The hell thus yields a strike tone at f=2 but has a characteristic dimension (e.g. height or diameter) equal to that of conventional bells with a strike tone at f, providing art eightfold savings in bell mass.

Abstract: A power distribution and communication system includes nodes connected by power lines and communication links. The system receives power from one or more power sources. Each node contains at least one power port, data port and load port. Associated with each power port and load port is a port monitor for measuring current flowing into or out of the port and the voltage difference between the port outlet and ground, which measurements are passed to a processing element. The processing element and monitor analyze measured values to detect fault conditions. Upon fault condition detection, the port is disabled by opening a switch, disconnecting the port from the system voltage. The processing element receives power directly from the power line, thus receiving power from a live power line even if the associated power port is disabled allowing the processing element to enable a disabled node following a failure.

Abstract: A helmet testing apparatus including a movable member, a sensor coupled to the movable member and configured to acquire compliance data regarding a liner disposed within a shell of a helmet through engagement of the sensor with the liner, and a processing circuit configured to determine a rating for the helmet based on the compliance data and predetermined compliance parameters for the helmet.

Abstract: Secure network communications are described. In one aspect, a secure network can include a passbuilder that provides policy information related to performance characteristics of the secure network. A sender can receive the policy information and transmit packets to a receiver if the policy information is complied with by the potential packet transmission.

Abstract: Secure network communications are described. In one aspect, a secure network can include a passbuilder that provides policy information related to performance characteristics of the secure network. A sender can receive the policy information and transmit packets to a receiver if the policy information is complied with by the potential packet transmission.

Abstract: In a communications system, after parties form a voice telephone connection, the parties respective communications devices automatically create or leverage machine readable features or content of the telephone connection to identify the parties to each other or to a rendezvous server, and thereafter the communications devices and/or the rendezvous server automatically establishes a data link between the parties.