Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, an apparatus for privacy protection is provided. The apparatus includes a housing arranged to hold a second device; one or more sensors, at least partially supported by the housing, operable to continuously collect biometric data of a user; an authentication neural network, operable to extract from the biometric data a plurality feature vectors associated with a plurality of identifiable scores; and a decision unit, coupled to the authentication neural network, operable to generate an authentication score as a function of the plurality of identifiability scores and the plurality of feature vectors, determine whether or not the authentication score satisfies an authentication threshold, and gate electronic access to the second device base on whether or not the authentication score satisfies the authentication threshold.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, a training method for biometric identity and authentication is provided. The method includes obtaining biometric data from a plurality of sources. The method further includes establishing a candidate set of neural network parameters. The method additional includes extracting a plurality of feature vectors from the biometric data using the candidate set of neural network parameters. The method also includes determining whether or not the plurality of feature vectors match a training vector set within an error threshold. The method further includes updating the candidate set of neural network parameters in response to determining that the plurality of feature vectors do not match the training vector set within the error threshold.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, a training method for biometric identity and authentication is provided. The method includes obtaining biometric data from a plurality of sources. The method further includes extracting a plurality of feature vectors from the biometric data. The method also includes determining a plurality of identifiability scores correspondingly associated with the plurality of feature vectors, where each of the plurality of identifiability scores provides a quantitative characterization of a relative uniqueness of a corresponding one of the plurality of feature vectors.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, an apparatus for privacy protection is provided. The apparatus includes a housing arranged to hold a second device; one or more sensors, at least partially supported by the housing, operable to continuously collect biometric data of a user; an authentication neural network, operable to extract from the biometric data a plurality feature vectors associated with a plurality of identifiable scores; and a decision unit, coupled to the authentication neural network, operable to generate an authentication score as a function of the plurality of identifiability scores and the plurality of feature vectors, determine whether or not the authentication score satisfies an authentication threshold, and gate electronic access to the second device base on whether or not the authentication score satisfies the authentication threshold.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, a training method for biometric identity and authentication is provided. The method includes obtaining biometric data from a plurality of sources. The method further includes establishing a candidate set of neural network parameters. The method additional includes extracting a plurality of feature vectors from the biometric data using the candidate set of neural network parameters. The method also includes determining whether or not the plurality of feature vectors match a training vector set within an error threshold. The method further includes updating the candidate set of neural network parameters in response to determining that the plurality of feature vectors do not match the training vector set within the error threshold.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, a training method for biometric identity and authentication is provided. The method includes obtaining biometric data from a plurality of sources. The method further includes extracting a plurality of feature vectors from the biometric data. The method also includes determining a plurality of identifiability scores correspondingly associated with the plurality of feature vectors, where each of the plurality of identifiability scores provides a quantitative characterization of a relative uniqueness of a corresponding one of the plurality of feature vectors.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a privacy/security apparatus for a portable communication device that includes a housing assembly configured to at least partially attenuate at least one of sound energy, acoustic energy, and electromagnetic energy including light, optical, and IR energy and RF radiation from passing through the housing assembly. The housing assembly includes a Faraday cage with two or more portions, and at least one protective shell coupled to or forming at least one aperture. The at least one aperture is configured and arranged to at least partially enclose the portable communication device so that at least a portion of the portable communication device is positioned within at least one portion of the Faraday cage, and the at least one seal coupled or integrated with the protective shell. The housing assembly can be an articulating assembly, a sliding assembly, and can include an active acoustic jamming or passive acoustic attenuation element.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a privacy/security apparatus for a portable communication device that includes a housing assembly configured to at least partially attenuate at least one of sound energy, acoustic energy, and electromagnetic energy including light, optical, and IR energy and RF radiation from passing through the housing assembly. The housing assembly includes a Faraday cage with two or more portions, and at least one protective shell coupled to or forming at least one aperture. The at least one aperture is configured and arranged to at least partially enclose the portable communication device so that at least a portion of the portable communication device is positioned within at least one portion of the Faraday cage, and the at least one seal coupled or integrated with the protective shell. The housing assembly can be an articulating assembly, a sliding assembly, and can include an active acoustic jamming or passive acoustic attenuation element.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a privacy/security apparatus for a portable communication device that includes a housing assembly configured to at least partially attenuate at least one of sound energy, acoustic energy, and electromagnetic energy including light, optical, and IR energy and RF radiation from passing through the housing assembly. The housing assembly includes a Faraday cage with two or more portions, and at least one protective shell coupled to or forming at least one aperture. The at least one aperture is configured and arranged to at least partially enclose the portable communication device so that at least a portion of the portable communication device is positioned within at least one portion of the Faraday cage, and the at least one seal coupled or integrated with the protective shell. The housing assembly can be an articulating assembly, a sliding assembly, and can include an active acoustic jamming or passive acoustic attenuation element.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a privacy/security apparatus for a portable communication device that includes a housing assembly configured to at least partially attenuate at least one of sound energy, acoustic energy, and electromagnetic energy including light, optical, and IR energy and RF radiation from passing through the housing assembly. The housing assembly includes a Faraday cage with two or more portions, and at least one protective shell coupled to or forming at least one aperture. The at least one aperture is configured and arranged to at least partially enclose the portable communication device so that at least a portion of the portable communication device is positioned within at least one portion of the Faraday cage, and the at least one seal coupled or integrated with the protective shell. The housing assembly can be an articulating assembly, a sliding assembly, and can include an active acoustic jamming or passive acoustic attenuation element.

Abstract: A shock sensing tool for use with well perforating can include a generally tubular structure which is fluid pressure balanced, at least one strain sensor which senses strain in the structure, and a pressure sensor which senses pressure external to the structure. A well system can include a perforating string including multiple perforating guns and at least one shock sensing tool, with the shock sensing tool being interconnected in the perforating string between one of the perforating guns and at least one of: a) another of the perforating guns, and b) a firing head.

Abstract: A method for performing a downhole perforating and fracturing operation from a wellbore (12) positioned within a subterranean formation (18). The method includes locating a perforating gun string (24) within the wellbore (12), detonating a first perforating gun (28) to create a first discrete fracture initiation site (42) in the formation (18), repositioning the perforating gun string (24) within the wellbore (12) and detonating a second perforating gun (30) to create a second discrete fracture initiation site (44) in the formation (18). Thereafter, the method also includes pumping a fracture fluid into the wellbore (12) and propagating a single dominant planar fracture (56, 58) from each of the discrete fracture initiation sites (42, 44).

Abstract: A formation testing method can include interconnecting multiple pressure sensors and multiple perforating guns in a perforating string, the pressure sensors being longitudinally spaced apart along the perforating string, firing the perforating guns and the pressure sensors measuring pressure variations in a wellbore after firing the perforating guns. Another formation testing method can include interconnecting multiple pressure sensors and multiple perforating guns in a perforating string, firing the perforating guns, thereby perforating a wellbore at multiple formation intervals, each of the pressure sensors being positioned proximate a corresponding one of the formation intervals, and each pressure sensor measuring pressure variations in the wellbore proximate the corresponding interval after firing the perforating guns.

Abstract: A method of adjusting a pressure reduction to occur in a wellbore following firing of at least one perforating gun can include determining a desired free gun volume which corresponds to a desired pressure reduction in the wellbore resulting from firing of the perforating gun, and varying a free gun volume of the perforating gun until the free gun volume is substantially the same as the desired free gun volume. A well system can include at least one perforating gun positioned in a wellbore, the perforating gun comprising multiple perforating charges and a free gun volume, and the free gun volume being reduced by presence of a flowable material about the multiple perforating charges.

Abstract: A method for performing a downhole perforating and fracturing operation from a wellbore (12) positioned within a subterranean formation (18). The method includes locating a perforating gun string (24) within the wellbore (12), detonating a first perforating gun (28) to create a first discrete fracture initiation site (42) in the formation (18), repositioning the perforating gun string (24) within the wellbore (12) and detonating a second perforating gun (30) to create a second discrete fracture initiation site (44) in the formation (18). Thereafter, the method also includes pumping a fracture fluid into the wellbore (12) and propagating a single dominant planar fracture (56, 58) from each of the discrete fracture initiation sites (42, 44).

Abstract: A method of enhancing communication between a wellbore and an earth formation intersected by the wellbore can include forming a fracture in the formation, and permitting communication between the wellbore and a low pressure volume in response to a desired characteristic of the fracture being maximized. Another method of enhancing communication between a wellbore and an earth formation can include forming a fracture in the formation, and then, while pressure in the formation proximate the wellbore is at least about a closure pressure of the fracture, decreasing pressure in the wellbore by exposing the wellbore to a low pressure volume.

Abstract: A method of adjusting a pressure reduction to occur in a wellbore following firing of at least one perforating gun can include determining a desired free gun volume which corresponds to a desired pressure reduction in the wellbore resulting from firing of the perforating gun, and varying a free gun volume of the perforating gun until the free gun volume is substantially the same as the desired free gun volume. A well system can include at least one perforating gun positioned in a wellbore, the perforating gun comprising multiple perforating charges and a free gun volume, and the free gun volume being reduced by presence of a flowable material about the multiple perforating charges.

Abstract: A formation testing method can include interconnecting multiple pressure sensors and multiple perforating guns in a perforating string, the pressure sensors being longitudinally spaced apart along the perforating string, firing the perforating guns and the pressure sensors measuring pressure variations in a wellbore after firing the perforating guns. Another formation testing method can include interconnecting multiple pressure sensors and multiple perforating guns in a perforating string, firing the perforating guns, thereby perforating a wellbore at multiple formation intervals, each of the pressure sensors being positioned proximate a corresponding one of the formation intervals, and each pressure sensor measuring pressure variations in the wellbore proximate the corresponding interval after firing the perforating guns.

Abstract: A shock sensing tool for use with well perforating can include a generally tubular structure which is fluid pressure balanced, at least one strain sensor which senses strain in the structure, and a pressure sensor which senses pressure external to the structure. A well system can include a perforating string including multiple perforating guns and at least one shock sensing tool, with the shock sensing tool being interconnected in the perforating string between one of the perforating guns and at least one of: a) another of the perforating guns, and b) a firing head.

Abstract: An image processing system for use in development and playback of interactive video. In a development mode of operation, pixel or video objects are selected in a frame by way of a development graphical user interface. The system automatically tracks the selected pixel objects in the preceding and succeeding video frames by determining range limits for various color variables of the selected pixel object to compensate for the effects in lighting changes and decompression effects. The system automatically locates pixel objects within the calculated range limits in the preceding and succeeding video frames and generates a pixel object file which identifies the coordinates of the selected pixel object in each frame. The pixel object file is linked to a data object file which links the selected pixel objects to data objects. The pixel object file and data object file, collectively “linked video files,” are created during a development mode of operation.