A gas analysis system includes a spectroscopy assembly coupled to a vehicle. The spectroscopy assembly includes a multiplexer configured to combine a plurality of light beams into a multiplexed light beam, wherein the multiplexer is configured to direct the multiplexed light beam toward a target surface. Additionally, the spectroscopy assembly includes a collection optic configured to receive a reflected multiplexed light beam from the target surface. Further, the spectroscopy assembly includes a controller configured to de-multiplex the multiplexed light beam into a plurality of reflected light beams and determine a spectral intensity of the plurality of reflected light beams.

An airborne RF-head platform system and method. Here, much of the computational burden of transmitting and receiving wireless RF waveforms is shifted from the airborne platform to a ground baseband unit (BBU). The airborne platform, which will often be a high-altitude balloon or drone type platform, generally comprises one or more remote radio heads, configured with antennas, A/D and D/A converters, frequency converters, RF amplifiers, and the like. The airborne platform communicates with the ground baseband units either directly via a laser communications link, or indirectly through another airborne relay platform. The airborne RF-head communicates via various wireless protocols to various user equipment such as smartphones by using the BBU and the laser communications link to precisely control the function of the airborne A/D and D/A converters and antennas. This system reduces the power needs, weight, and cost of the airborne platform, and also improves operational flexibility.

A media playback system comprising a transmitter configured to transmit an indication of a media item; a plurality of drones; a controller configured to control the spatial configuration of the drones and, in response to receiving the indication of a media item, control the drones to adopt a predefined 3D spatial configuration; a mobile device comprising a camera and a media playback unit, wherein the camera is capable of capturing an image of the plurality of drones; a processor configured to analyse the captured image to determine the media item that corresponds to the predefined 3D spatial configuration; and wherein the media playback unit is configured to play the determined media item.

Embodiments disclosed herein are related to a method that can include discovering, by a platform abstraction layer (PAL), configuration data related to hardware associated with a media display, generating and supporting, by the platform abstraction layer, a common set of platform application programming interfaces (APIs) for displaying content on the media display according to the discovered hardware, receiving, by a platform shim, check-in instructions from a content management system, and causing, by a media player engine, the media display to display the content in accordance with the check-in instructions by using the common set of platform APIs generated by the PAL.

Embodiments disclosed herein are related to a method that can include accessing a first media display, supporting shim application programming interfaces (APIs) to access the first media display, receiving input from a user to create content to be displayed on the first media display, emulating a media player engine associated with the first media display by displaying an accurate preview of the content on an authoring display monitor as the content is to be displayed on the first media display, and displaying the content on the first media display using the shim APIs.

Embodiments disclosed herein are related to a method that can include displaying first content on a media display, receiving first data generated from or determined by an Internet of Things (IoT) device, and displaying second content in response to receiving the first data from the IoT device.

A media playback system comprising a transmitter configured to transmit an indication of a media item; a plurality of drones; a controller configured to control the spatial configuration of the drones and, in response to receiving the indication of a media item control the drones to adopt a predefined 3D spatial configuration; a mobile device comprising a camera and a media playback unit, wherein the camera is capable of capturing an image of the plurality of drones; a processor configured to analyse the captured image to determine the media item that corresponds to the predefined 3D spatial configuration; and wherein the media playback unit is configured to play the determined media item.

Methods, computer program products, and systems are presented. The methods include, for instance: providing a cognitive guide service to a group of participants for an excursion with an initial route planned by participants registration information and environment information along the initial route. During the excursion, real time sensory data on the participants and change in environment are collected by a cognitive agent accompanying the group to lead the excursion are relayed to a cognitive guide engine, and real time multi-objective optimization is modeled and performed. The participants are regrouped responsive to objectives of the excursion as represented by respective levels of interest in certain stage of the excursion as well as circumstances of the environment. Respective subgroups are formed from the participants per respective objectives, and respective new routes are selected from a set of optimal solutions for each subgroup. During the excursion, the cognitive guide engine iteratively optimizes routes responsive to incoming real time sensory data and objectives of the excursion.

Systems and methods for powering and controlling flight of an unmanned aerial vehicle are provided. The unmanned aerial vehicles can be used in a networked communication system. A tether management system can be used to facilitate both mobile and static tethered operation to provide power and/or voice and data communication.

A portable launch rig (PLR) may include a support structure including two side supports defining an interior space for lifting and filling a balloon envelope of a balloon. Wheels on each of the side supports enable the PLR to be moved in various directions in order to prepare the PLR for launching the balloon. The side supports are connected by a lateral support beam having a pair of cranes arranged thereon. Each crane has an arm arranged over the interior space that is connected to a spreader beam. The spreader beam includes a lift assembly configured to lift and inflate the balloon envelope within the interior space. The PLR includes a platform and perch for supporting and moving the balloon envelope. A door assembly of the PLR includes a plurality of hangar doors configured to block wind from a respective direction of each hangar door entering the interior space.