Abstract:
Computational systems and methods are disclosed that learn about and assist with appropriate structure-based design choices. The systems and methods autonomously explore design states, and suggest to a user one or more optimize design states. Constraints are provided to limit exploration to valid design states. Systems and methods are disclosed that assist groups of users with coordinating their efforts in producing a cohesive design. Systems and methods are disclosed for learning from past optimizations in order to provide more rapid convergence on an optimized design, avoid local maxima and other hurdles to optimization, avoid undesired optimizations, and so on.
Abstract:
A computer-implemented system for designing a structure based on an initial depiction is disclosed. The system includes a design engine that receives the depiction and various other inputs and produces a structure design therefrom. The depiction is analyzed to determine a representation, and cells instantiated to populate the representation. Cells are configured to be assembled together with other cells to form the structure design, including systems of the design. An initial proposed design may be iteratively improved using one or more measures of the proposed structure design's goodness, such as conformance to the depiction's shape, style, volume, etc. Creation of the depiction may be in the context of the building site, from which additional information may be derived in the process of creating a proposed structure design.
Abstract:
The present disclosure provides a method operable in a balloon network. The method can include determining that a balloon is at a location associated with a first legally-defined geographic area, wherein an area profile identifies a list of geographically-prohibited data that is restricted from being cached in the first legally-defined geographic area. The method can also include receiving first data. The method can also include using the list of geographically-prohibited data to determine whether or not the first data is geographically- prohibited data. If the first data is geographically-prohibited data, then the method can further include refraining from storing the first data in data storage at the first balloon.
Abstract:
Methods and systems involving an incentivized recovery of balloon materials are disclosed herein. An example system may be configured to: (a) determine a landing location of a balloon, where the balloon has been configured to operate as a node in a balloon network; (b) detect a removal event corresponding to the balloon ceasing to operate as a node in the balloon network and descending to the landing location; and (c) in response to detecting the removal event, initiate a transmission of a recovery-assistance signal that is comprised of (i) location data corresponding to the landing location of the balloon and (ii) an indication of an incentive to recover the balloon.
Abstract:
A vehicle configured to operate in an autonomous mode can obtain sensor data from one or more sensors observing one or more aspects of an environment of the vehicle. At least one aspect of the environment of the vehicle that is not observed by the one or more sensors could be inferred based on the sensor data. The vehicle could be controlled in the autonomous mode based on the at least one inferred aspect of the environment of the vehicle.
Abstract:
Exemplary embodiments may involve hierarchical balloon networks that include both optical and radio frequency links between balloons. An exemplary network system may include: (a) a plurality of super-node balloons, where each super-node balloon comprises a free-space optical communication system for data communications with one or more other super-node balloons and (b) a plurality of sub-node balloons, where each of the sub-node balloons comprises a radio-frequency communication system that is operable for data communications. Further, at least one super-node balloon may further include an RF communication system that is operable to transmit data to at least one sub-node balloon, where the RF communication system of the at least one sub-node balloon is further operable to receive the data transmitted by the at least one super-node balloon and to transmit the received data to at least one ground-based station.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein are embodiments of a balloon- based positioning system and method. In one example embodiment, a sysiem includes at least three balloons, with each balloon including a position-determining module (PDM) and a position-broadcasting module (PBM). Each PDM is configured for determining a position of the respective balloon and each PBM is configured for broadcasting a balloon signal containing balloon-positioning data of the respective balloon. The balloon-positioning data includes the determined position of the respective balloon and a corresponding time of broadcast.
Abstract:
This disclosure relates to systems and/or methods for detection of eye blinking using an active contact lens with multiple sensors and detecting orientation of the active contact lens.
Abstract:
A balloon includes a cut-down device, a payload, and an envelope. A control system could be configured to determine a position of the balloon with respect to a predetermined zone. The cut-down device could be operable to cause at least the payload to land in response to determining that the position of the balloon is within the predetermined zone. The predetermined zone includes an exclusion zone and a shadow zone. The shadow zone could include locations from which the balloon would be likely to drift into the exclusion zone based on, e.g., historic weather patterns or expected environmental conditions. Boundaries of the shadow zone could be determined based on, for example, a probability of the balloon entering the exclusion zone.
Abstract:
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.