Richard DeVaul

The present disclosure relates to systems, devices, and methods for calibrating a light field projection system. One example system includes a projection unit operable to project a scanning sequence toward a screen having convex reflective elements. The scanning sequence is modulated according to a baseline intensity profile. The system also includes a calibration device disposed such that a portion of the scanning sequence is intercepted by the calibration device. The calibration device… Show more

The present disclosure relates to systems, devices, and methods for calibrating a light field projection system. One example system includes a projection unit operable to project a scanning sequence toward a screen having convex reflective elements. The scanning sequence is modulated according to a baseline intensity profile. The system also includes a calibration device disposed such that a portion of the scanning sequence is intercepted by the calibration device. The calibration device includes a first light detector arranged to detect an intercepted intensity profile. The calibration device also includes a second light detector arranged to detect a reflected portion of the scanning sequence as a measured intensity profile. The system further includes a control system. The control system is configured to determine an expected intensity profile and to modify operation of the light field projection system based on a comparison of the measured intensity profile to the expected intensity profile. Show less

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for projecting a light field. One light field projection system includes a screen and a projection unit. On the screen, there is a plurality of convex reflective elements arranged in a two-dimensional array. The projection unit has a light source. The projection unit also has a modulator to modulate light from the light source. The projection unit further has one or more movable mirrored elements to reflect light from the light source toward… Show more

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for projecting a light field. One light field projection system includes a screen and a projection unit. On the screen, there is a plurality of convex reflective elements arranged in a two-dimensional array. The projection unit has a light source. The projection unit also has a modulator to modulate light from the light source. The projection unit further has one or more movable mirrored elements to reflect light from the light source toward the screen to sequentially scan the plurality of convex reflective elements. The projection unit also has a control system that determines a light modulation scheme used by the modulator. The light modulation scheme provides that the light reflected from the light source toward the screen to sequentially scan the plurality of convex reflective elements forms a light field that is concurrently viewable from a plurality of perspectives. Show less

A balloon may include an optical-communication component, which may have a pointing axis. A pointing mechanism could be configured to adjust the pointing axis. The optical-communication component could be operable to communicate with a correspondent balloon via a free-space optical link. For example, the optical-communication component could include an optical receiver, transmitter, or transceiver. A controller could be configured to determine a predicted relative location of the correspondent… Show more

A balloon may include an optical-communication component, which may have a pointing axis. A pointing mechanism could be configured to adjust the pointing axis. The optical-communication component could be operable to communicate with a correspondent balloon via a free-space optical link. For example, the optical-communication component could include an optical receiver, transmitter, or transceiver. A controller could be configured to determine a predicted relative location of the correspondent balloon. The controller may control the pointing mechanism to adjust the pointing axis of the optical-communication component based on the predicted relative location so as to maintain the free-space optical link with the correspondent balloon. Show less

Systems and methods relating to variable pressure turbines are disclosed. A power generation system may include a closed cycle system configured to generate power, a combustor, and a control system. The closed cycle system may include a working fluid circulating in a closed cycle path. The combustor may provide thermal energy to the working fluid. Further, the control system may be configured to determine to increase an amount of power generated by the closed cycle system, and in response to… Show more

Systems and methods relating to variable pressure turbines are disclosed. A power generation system may include a closed cycle system configured to generate power, a combustor, and a control system. The closed cycle system may include a working fluid circulating in a closed cycle path. The combustor may provide thermal energy to the working fluid. Further, the control system may be configured to determine to increase an amount of power generated by the closed cycle system, and in response to the determination to increase the amount of power generated by the closed cycle system, cause an increase in pressure of the working fluid in the closed cycle path. Show less

Example methods and systems for assigning tasks to balloons within a balloon network are described. One example system includes a first sub-fleet of balloons assigned a first set of one or more tasks within a balloon network, a second sub-fleet of balloons assigned a second set of one or more tasks within the balloon network, and a control system configured to determine that a first balloon in the first sub-fleet of balloons initially has a predicted failure mode that corresponds to the first… Show more

Example methods and systems for assigning tasks to balloons within a balloon network are described. One example system includes a first sub-fleet of balloons assigned a first set of one or more tasks within a balloon network, a second sub-fleet of balloons assigned a second set of one or more tasks within the balloon network, and a control system configured to determine that a first balloon in the first sub-fleet of balloons initially has a predicted failure mode that corresponds to the first set of tasks, subsequently determine that the first balloon has a predicted failure mode that corresponds to the second set of tasks, and reassign the first balloon from the first sub-fleet of balloons to the second sub-fleet of balloons. Show less

A payload drag structure having a drag disk comprised of a lightweight, flexible material, a tubular section positioned around a periphery of the drag disk, a flexible member positioned within the tubular section, a cross member having a plurality of aims attached about the periphery of the drag disk, wherein one or more arms of the cross member are adapted for attachment to a payload harness, wherein the payload harness is adapted for attachment to arms of the cross member, and wherein a… Show more

A payload drag structure having a drag disk comprised of a lightweight, flexible material, a tubular section positioned around a periphery of the drag disk, a flexible member positioned within the tubular section, a cross member having a plurality of aims attached about the periphery of the drag disk, wherein one or more arms of the cross member are adapted for attachment to a payload harness, wherein the payload harness is adapted for attachment to arms of the cross member, and wherein a payload may be secured within the payload harness. Show less

Various embodiments of a wirelessly powered local computing environment are described. The wireless powered local computing environment includes at least a near field magnetic resonance (NFMR) power supply arranged to wirelessly provide power to any of a number of suitably configured devices. In the described embodiments, the devices arranged to receive power wirelessly from the NFMR power supply must be located in a region known as the near field that extends no further than a distance D of a… Show more

Various embodiments of a wirelessly powered local computing environment are described. The wireless powered local computing environment includes at least a near field magnetic resonance (NFMR) power supply arranged to wirelessly provide power to any of a number of suitably configured devices. In the described embodiments, the devices arranged to receive power wirelessly from the NFMR power supply must be located in a region known as the near field that extends no further than a distance D of a few times a characteristic size of the NFMR power supply transmission device. Typically, the distance D can be on the order of 1 meter or so. Show less

The invention comprises systems and methods of creating and maintaining a communications network. It includes a wearable system, a deployable system, an array of physiological sensors, an array of environmental sensors, and the integration of these into a multi-nodal voice and data communication system. The primary communications network is composed of body-worn communications nodes comprising sensors, wearable audio/video communications gear, and wireless digital transceivers. The deployable… Show more

The invention comprises systems and methods of creating and maintaining a communications network. It includes a wearable system, a deployable system, an array of physiological sensors, an array of environmental sensors, and the integration of these into a multi-nodal voice and data communication system. The primary communications network is composed of body-worn communications nodes comprising sensors, wearable audio/video communications gear, and wireless digital transceivers. The deployable system supports and extends the body-worn network by providing wider communications coverage, situational environmental monitoring, and navigational aid. The deployable system is composed of small, self-contained, robust network nodes. Each such node combines environmental sensors, a digital wireless “repeater,” and a navigational beacon capability integrated in a hardened, robust package. Nodes are carried by team members and deployed when needed to extend the range of the communications or sensor network.
Show less

A method to achieve an accurate, extremely low power state classification implementation is disclosed. Embodiments include a sequence that matches the data flow from the sensor transducer, through analog filtering, to digital sampling, feature computation, and classification.