Abstract: Systems and methods for fault-tolerant threshold circuits used in converting an analog input to a single-bit digital output employ N-modular redundancy of either inverting or non-inverting threshold circuits whose inputs are connected to a single input, and apply majority voting of their outputs to provide correction of transient or permanent faults in up to floor[(N?1)/2] of the individual threshold circuits. Using summation to perform analog majority voting averages the N threshold circuit outputs and provides resilience to single-event transients, but may exhibit an output characteristic having intermediate voltage levels. A digital majority voter having N inputs connected to the outputs of N threshold circuits restores well-defined logic levels and clean hysteresis for Schmitt trigger threshold circuits. A single point of failure at the digital majority voter may be eliminated using an analog majority voter to sum the outputs of three or more redundant digital majority voters.

Abstract: Embodiments include an audio system comprising an audio device, a speaker, and a processor. The audio system is configured to receive data from one or more sensors corresponding to persons in a room and/or characteristics of a room, and responsively take action to modify one or more characteristics of the audio system, share the information with other systems or devices, and track data over time to determine patterns and trends in the data.

Abstract: Induction heating facilitated coating systems and processes for pipes overcome corrosion and erosion of the pipes at extreme temperatures and pressures in applications including oil and gas downhole tubulars and pipelines as well as processing facilities. Being based on vitreous fused inorganic compounds, the present invention achieves very high corrosion resistance at remarkably modest cost. Attractive economics and immunity to chlorides and moisture permeation at extreme concentrations and temperatures also make it well suited to desalination plants and potable water piping applications. Due to its extreme temperature resistance, it also is very well suited for geothermal wells. Additionally, due to its characteristic smooth durable surface, the present invention is ideally suited for applications involving the opposite of corrosion, namely scaling problems, such as fouling in sewage systems and scale buildup in heavy oil wells.

Abstract: CMOS output stages, electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuits and input bus-keeper functions are provided that block dc and ac leakage paths within inactive powered-down integrated circuits used in redundant high-reliability system configurations employing cold-sparing to provide backup circuitry. These circuits and methods avoid both undesirable power consumption in a cold-spared backup unit and loading of connected active units when powered down, without compromising performance or functionality of the backup unit when in its active powered state. Inputs and outputs using an analog majority voting principle to implement in-circuit redundancy for on-chip fault tolerance are also provided, incorporating the low-leakage principles of the invention for low power dissipation when powered down. Such on-chip redundancy can harden an IC against various faults, such as single-event effects in high-radiation environments, while maintaining the other advantages in a cold-sparing system.

Abstract: Described are techniques for presentation attack detection including a computer-implemented method of emitting a predetermined frequency pattern using at least one speaker communicatively coupled to a computer implementing a video-conference. The computer-implemented method further comprises collecting, by a camera communicatively coupled to the computer and overlapping with the emitting the predetermined frequency pattern, video data of a user engaged in the video-conference. The computer-implemented method further comprises determining that the video data is inconsistent with an expected response to the predetermined frequency pattern. The computer-implemented method further comprises generating an indication that the user engaged in the video-conference is performing a presentation attack.

Abstract: Technologies for attestation techniques, systems, and methods for determining an individual's movement are provided. The individual's movement is determined by passive indoor positioning technology using channel state information (CSI). A first set of data associated with an impulse or frequency response determined using channel state information (CSI) may be received from a Wireless access point located in proximity to a monitored space. A second set of data may also be received from an Internet of Things (IoT) device located in proximity to the monitored space. The first set of data may be compared to the second set of data. A profile database may be updated to replace the first set of data with the second set of data when the first and second sets of data are different.

Abstract: A microphone module comprises a housing, an audio bus, and a first plurality of microphones in communication with the audio bus. The microphone module further comprises a module processor in communication with the first plurality of microphones and the audio bus. The module processor is configured to detect the presence of an array processor in communication with the audio bus, detect the presence of a second microphone module in communication with the audio bus, and configure the audio bus to pass audio signals from both the first plurality of microphones and the second microphone module to the array processor.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for efficiently maintaining a transaction sequence witness service to ensure that requests to read data provide consistent results across all storage nodes in a distributed system. When a storage node receives a request for a data object, the node may obtain—from transaction sequence witness service—the latest sequence number associated with the object. If the sequence number indicates the object has been modified in the period of time since the currently stored version was stored, the node can obtain the current version from persistent storage.

Abstract: A device for rapid detection of a tuberculosis lipoarabinomannan (TB-LAM) is provided. The device includes a pre-concentrator unit for concentrating the TB-LAM comprising: an ion-exchange medium comprising one or more ligands configured to capture the TB-LAM from the source biological sample, wherein the captured-TB-LAM is eluted from the ion-exchange medium as an eluate comprising a concentrated form of TB-LAM; a cassette; a lateral flow assay unit disposed in the cassette; and an integration unit attached to the pre-concentrator unit and the cassette. The integration unit is configured to operatively couple and de-couple the pre-concentrator unit and the cassette. The pre-concentrator unit and the lateral flow assay unit disposed in the cassette are in a fluidic communication in a coupled form. The device for rapid detection of TB-LAM further comprises a dilutor unit.

Abstract: A clutch cover for a friction clutch and a friction clutch, where the clutch cover forms a ring wall and the ring wall forms a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially extending plates having each a radially outer end. The ring wall also form two or more concentric annular stiffening bands extending at a radial distance from one another and including an innermost annular stiffening band. The ring wall also forms an outermost annular stiffening band, wherein the annular stiffening bands connect the radial plates to each other and having each a radial thickness that is smaller than the radial distance therebetween measured in intermediate regions of the ring wall between respectively two successive radial plates. A plurality of circumferentially spaced drive members of the friction clutch protrude axially from or can be screw connected to said radially outer ends of the radial plates.

Abstract: CMOS output stages, electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuits and input bus-keeper functions are provided that block dc and ac leakage paths within inactive powered-down integrated circuits used in redundant high-reliability system configurations employing cold-sparing to provide backup circuitry. These circuits and methods avoid both undesirable power consumption in a cold-spared backup unit and loading of connected active units when powered down, without compromising performance or functionality of the backup unit when in its active powered state. Inputs and outputs using an analog majority voting principle to implement in-circuit redundancy for on-chip fault tolerance are also provided, incorporating the low-leakage principles of the invention for low power dissipation when powered down. Such on-chip redundancy can harden an IC against various faults, such as single-event effects in high-radiation environments, while maintaining the other advantages in a cold-sparing system.

Abstract: Systems and methods of using a robot to train the system for motion detection are provided. A simple robot can be put in a room and programmed not to move except in accordance with specific programmed command. Such commands may be sent to the robot regarding movement(s) at a certain rate than could be seen in the response to a channel. A data set may be built over time, where the robot may be programmed to move such that the robot does change at specific times in duration and amount. Such robot motion may also be iterated. The algorithm records the impulse response changes associated with the robot changes and a database may be built based on such recorded and associated changes.

Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking activities of daily living (ADL) of a user are provided. The method monitors data from one or more internet of things (IoT) devices corresponding to one or more ADLs. The method further monitors data from an activity identification module. The data received is related to an ADL and includes one or more steps specific to the ADL. The data related to the ADL is stored in an activity logging database located in a memory and compared to an activity best practices (BP) database. A score that represents a compliance level is calculated based on the compared data. A response that corresponds the compliance level from a response database is executed.

Abstract: A microphone module comprises a housing, an audio bus, and a first plurality of microphones in communication with the audio bus. The microphone module further comprises a module processor in communication with the first plurality of microphones and the audio bus. The module processor is configured to detect the presence of an array processor in communication with the audio bus, detect the presence of a second microphone module in communication with the audio bus, and configure the audio bus to pass audio signals from both the first plurality of microphones and the second microphone module to the array processor.

Abstract: A valve arrangement is for a downhole apparatus having a tubular body having first and second ports in a wall thereof. The valve arrangement being configurable to be locked in a first configuration with the tubular body, such that the first port is closed and the second port is closed; configurable to be locked in a second configuration with the tubular body, such that the first port is open and the second port is closed; and configurable to be locked in a third configuration with the tubular body, such that the first port is closed and the second port is open.

Abstract: A valve arrangement is for a downhole apparatus having a tubular body having first and second ports in a wall thereof. The valve arrangement comprises a first valve arrangement comprising a first valve member associated with the first port of the tubular body; and a second valve arrangement comprising a second valve member associated with the second port of the tubular body. The first valve arrangement and the second valve arrangement are configurable to lock in a first configuration with the tubular body, such that the first port is closed and the second port is closed; to lock in a second configuration with the tubular body, such that the first port is open and the second port is closed; and to lock in a third configuration with the tubular body, such that the first port is closed and the second port is open.

Abstract: A method for integrating heterogeneous computing systems including identifying, by an endpoint system agent operating on a client device, a read/write operation associated with the client device based on monitoring an operation of a program executed on the client device, extracting, by the endpoint system agent from at least one of the client device or a client system in communication with the client device, data having a first syntax associated with the client system, receiving, by the endpoint system agent from an endpoint system, one or more rules describing a mapping between the first syntax and a second syntax associated with the endpoint system, executing, by the endpoint system agent, the one or more rules to modify the data to conform to the second syntax to produce mapped data, and transmitting, by the endpoint system agent, the mapped data to the endpoint system.

Abstract: A method of operating a valve arrangement of a downhole apparatus comprising a tubular body having first and second ports in a wall thereof includes operating the valve arrangement from a locked first configuration, in which the first port is closed and the second port is closed, to a locked second configuration, in which the first port is open and the second port is closed, wherein the locked first configuration is an initial configuration of the valve arrangement. The method includes operating the valve arrangement from tile locked second configuration to a third configuration, in which the first port is closed and the second port is open.

Abstract: A method comprises operating a first valve arrangement and a second valve arrangement from a locked first configuration, in which the first port is closed and the second port is closed, to a locked second configuration, in which the first port is open and the second port is closed. The method comprises operating the first valve arrangement and the second valve arrangement from the locked second configuration to a third configuration, in which the first port is closed and the second port is open; and moving the first valve arrangement to a third intermediate configuration between a second intermediate configuration and the third configuration, in which the first valve arrangement is locked, the second valve arrangement is locked and the first and second ports are closed.

Abstract: A downhole apparatus comprises a tubular body having first and second ports in a wall thereof and a first valve arrangement associated with the first port. The downhole apparatus includes a second valve arrangement associated with the second port and a sand control element operable to move between a first deactivated state to a second activated state, wherein the sand control element is in fluid communication with the first port of the tubular body.