Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a seat belt retainer for a vehicle, the retainer comprising a body having an opening, the body being configured for attachment to a support. An actuator is mounted within the opening, the actuator being moveable within the opening for actuating a seat latch mechanism. A guide is supported by the body, the guide defining an at least partial aperture for receiving a seat belt therethrough. The actuator and the guide are at least partly aligned along the longitudinal axis of the seat belt passing through the aperture, in use.

Abstract: Methods are provided for generating a dataset (e.g., an image). According to an example, the method comprises controlling a boson sampler to produce one or more integer sequences, each of the one or more integer sequences representative of a measurement outcome of one or more photodetectors of the boson sampler; determining, from the one or more integer sequences, one or more latent vectors; providing the determined one or more latent vectors to a trained artificial neural network (ANN) configured to convert one or more latent vectors to a generated dataset; and outputting the generated dataset. Methods for training an ANN are also provided. Systems and computer-readable storage media are also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods of preparing a vehicle for operation in a geographic zone having an operational requirement are disclosed that include determining a route for the vehicle, determining whether a geographic zone having an operational requirement exists on the route, and determining a powertrain configuration that includes a minimum state of charge (SoC) for a battery system of the vehicle based on the route data, the vehicle data, and/or the external data. The minimum SoC ensures that the vehicle can travel through the geographic zone while complying with the operational requirement. The systems and methods disclosed herein also include identifying a preparation zone for each geographic zone having an operational requirement and operating the vehicle through the preparation zone to ensure the battery system achieves the minimum SoC prior to entering the geographic zone having the operational requirement.

Abstract: Systems and methods of providing traction assistance in a vehicle are disclosed that include determining whether a slip condition exists on a route of the vehicle based on vehicle data, external data, or a combination thereof, determining an electric drive powertrain configuration that includes a minimum state of charge (SoC) for a battery system of the vehicle based on the slip condition, and communicating the electric drive powertrain configuration to an electric drive powertrain controller, which operates the electric drive powertrain in accordance with the electric drive powertrain configuration to provide the minimum SoC to the battery system prior to the vehicle travelling over a portion of the route where the slip condition exists.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a seat belt retainer for a vehicle, the retainer comprising a body having an opening, the body being configured for attachment to a support. An actuator is mounted within the opening, the actuator being moveable within the opening for actuating a seat latch mechanism. A guide is supported by the body, the guide defining an at least partial aperture for receiving a seat belt therethrough. The actuator and the guide are at least partly aligned along the longitudinal axis of the seat belt passing through the aperture, in use.

Abstract: A universal interferometer (100) for coupling modes of electromagnetic radiation according to a transformation has N inputs and N outputs for inputting and outputting N modes of electromagnetic radiation into and from the interferometer. Waveguides (101, 102, 103, 104, 105) pass through the interferometer to connect the N inputs to the N outputs and to carry the N modes of electromagnetic radiation. The waveguides provide crossing points between pairs of waveguides and a reconfigurable beam splitter (107) implements a reconfigurable reflectivity and a reconfigurable phase shift at each crossing point. The waveguides and crossing points are arranged such that each of the N modes of electromagnetic radiation is capable of coupling with each of the other modes of electromagnetic radiation at respective reconfigurable beam splitters.

Abstract: A universal interferometer (100) for coupling modes of electromagnetic radiation according to a transformation has N inputs and N outputs for inputting and outputting N modes of electromagnetic radiation into and from the interferometer. Waveguides (101, 102, 103, 104, 105) pass through the interferometer to connect the N inputs to the N outputs and to carry the N modes of electromagnetic radiation. The waveguides provide crossing points between pairs of waveguides and a reconfigurable beam splitter (107) implements a reconfigurable reflectivity and a reconfigurable phase shift at each crossing point. The waveguides and crossing points are arranged such that each of the N modes of electromagnetic radiation is capable of coupling with each of the other modes of electromagnetic radiation at respective reconfigurable beam splitters.

Abstract: A universal interferometer (100) for coupling modes of electromagnetic radiation according to a transformation has N inputs and N outputs for inputting and outputting N modes of electromagnetic radiation into and from the interferometer. Waveguides (101, 102, 103, 104, 105) pass through the interferometer to connect the N inputs to the N outputs and to carry the N modes of electromagnetic radiation. The waveguides provide crossing points between pairs of waveguides and a reconfigurable beam splitter (107) implements a reconfigurable reflectivity and a reconfigurable phase shift at each crossing point. The waveguides and crossing points are arranged such that each of the N modes of electromagnetic radiation is capable of coupling with each of the other modes of electromagnetic radiation at respective reconfigurable beam splitters.

Abstract: A universal interferometer (100) for coupling modes of electromagnetic radiation according to a transformation has N inputs and N outputs for inputting and outputting N modes of electromagnetic radiation into and from the interferometer. Waveguides (101, 102, 103, 104, 105) pass through the interferometer to connect the N inputs to the N outputs and to carry the N modes of electromagnetic radiation. The waveguides provide crossing points between pairs of waveguides and a reconfigurable beam splitter (107) implements a reconfigurable reflectivity and a reconfigurable phase shift at each crossing point. The waveguides and crossing points are arranged such that each of the N modes of electromagnetic radiation is capable of coupling with each of the other modes of electromagnetic radiation at respective reconfigurable beam splitters.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for translating rotary motion into reciprocating motion, of the type utilized in piston operated pumps. The apparatus includes a crank shaft having one or more axially offset diameter segments, each segment having a block bearing partially encircling it, and the block bearing having a raised shoulder for mating with a piston surface groove. The piston is spring biased so as to hold the assembly comprising the piston, block bearing, and offset diameter segment together in a unitary assembly, so that rotation of the shaft causes the piston to reciprocate.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for fitting over the spray tip end of an airless paint spray gun, wherein the apparatus comprises a pair of forwardly projecting ears and a narrow slotted region opening said spray tip, and is adapted for key alignment with the spray tip.