Abstract: The system obtains a first digital image and a hash associated with the first digital image, where the hash associated with the first digital image is a hash of analog values recorded by a sensor involved in generating the first digital image. Based on the hash, the system retrieves the analog values from a database. Based on the analog values, the system reconstructs a second digital image. The system determines whether the first digital image and the second digital image are substantially the same. Upon determining that the first digital image and the second digital image are substantially the same, the system provides a first notification that the first digital image is the same as the second digital image, otherwise the system provides a second notification that the first digital image is different from the second digital image.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to methods and systems for validating digital images (e.g., originality of digital images, source of digital images) by validating non-fungible tokens. The methods and systems enable a device to obtain analog values using an imaging sensor, such as on a camera of the device. A first identification code and digital image can be generated using the analog values and can be used to mint a first non-fungible token (NFT). When a request is made to validate a second NFT containing the same digital image, e.g., claiming to be the original digital image, the analog values can be used to generate another hash, and compared against the identification (ID) value of the second NFT.

Abstract: An example apparatus includes a flash memory card that is removably and securely coupled to a host device (e.g., smartphone). When removed, the apparatus facilitates physical and logical air-gapping and secure, “cold” storage of digital assets. In one example, a flash memory card stores computer-executable instructions to determine that a mobile device is authorized to communicate with the flash memory card when the flash memory card is inserted into a memory card slot of the mobile device. If communication is authorized, the instructions can further cause the memory card to establish communication with the mobile device and cause the mobile device to access a digital asset using a key stored on the memory card. The digital asset can be digitally managed in response to receiving user input at the mobile device.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems for operating an electronic device as a web camera are disclosed. The disclosed embodiments relate to features that enable a user to operate a mobile device as a webcam. A smartphone case can hold a smartphone and be attached to a display, such as a laptop monitor or a flatscreen monitor, with a camera of the smartphone pointed at the user. The smartphone case can include a magnet, which triggers a Hall effect sensor inside the laptop or flatscreen monitor. The sensor can be used to trigger software that enables the smartphone and laptop or computer to pair with each other, e.g., by a Bluetooth handshake. The laptop or computer can accept a Wi-Fi or physical signal, such as via USB, from the smartphone and treat that input as a video stream into the laptop or computer.

Abstract: A head unit device for controlling motion of an object includes a chamber filled with a shear thickening fluid (STF) and a piston. The piston is housed within the chamber and exerts pressure against the STF from a force applied to the piston from the object. The STF is configured to have a decreasing viscosity in response to a first range of shear rates and an increasing viscosity in response to a second range of shear rates. The piston includes at least one piston bypass between opposite sides of the piston that controls flow of the STF between the opposite sides of the piston to selectively react with a shear threshold effect of the first range of shear rates or the second range of shear rates.

Abstract: A mobile device can receive input to execute a target application in a private session. The target application is a native application for a mobile platform of the mobile device. The private session is a native function of the mobile device configured to isolate data of the target application. In response to the input, the mobile device can configure a local resource of the mobile device to support the target application in the private session, instantiate a procedure that utilizes the local resource to isolate the data of the target application while in the private session, and execute the target application in the private session on the mobile device. The operation of the private session is transparent and undetectable to the target application.

Abstract: A technique for selectively configuring a case of a handheld device to shield an antenna from receiving or transmitting wireless signals is disclosed. The technique includes moving a blocking element on the case between a first position and a second position. The blocking element is a physical structure that is rotatable, slidable, or removable to switch between the first position and the second position. In response to moving the blocking element to the first position, the blocking element blocks wireless signals received or transmitted by the antenna of the handheld device. In response to moving the blocking element to the second position, wireless signals can be received or transmitted through the case by the antenna.

Abstract: The disclosed technique secures a seed phrase configured to access a digital wallet, which holds private keys to access digital assets on a blockchain. Copies of portions of the seed phrase are stored at multiple electronic devices. The seed phrase can be reconstructed at a particular device by retrieving a necessary and sufficient number of the portions from the other devices. In one example, the portions can be shared among devices when in physical proximity to each other and/or when the devices are authenticated as belonging to the same user, which owns the digital wallet. As such, the seed phrase can be stored securely across multiple devices and retrieved even when one of those devices is lost, damaged, or stolen.

Abstract: The technology relates to linking virtual assets and physical assets through non-fungible tokens (NFTs) in a metaverse. As such, the invention anchors a metaverse to the real world. The metaverse can limit ownership or rendering of certain virtual assets in the metaverse to only those who actually own physical assets. For example, the metaverse can limit a virtual representation of a car in the metaverse to those who own the real car. The linkage between the virtual and real assets can be verified in the metaverse based on NFTs stored on a blockchain. As such, only those who actually own a physical asset in the real world are associated with the virtual asset (or related representation) in the metaverse.

Abstract: The system obtains a first digital image and a hash associated with the first digital image, where the hash associated with the first digital image is a hash of analog values recorded by a sensor involved in generating the first digital image. Based on the hash, the system retrieves the analog values from a database. Based on the analog values, the system reconstructs a second digital image. The system determines whether the first digital image and the second digital image are substantially the same. Upon determining that the first digital image and the second digital image are substantially the same, the system provides a first notification that the first digital image is the same as the second digital image, otherwise the system provides a second notification that the first digital image is different from the second digital image.

Abstract: The system obtains information to send to the first user device and converts the information into a sequence of images, where one or more images in the sequence of images include the information, and a remainder of images in the sequence include a visual unrelated to the information. The number of the one or more images and the number of the remainder of images indicate a display frequency. The number of the remainder of images is greater than the number of the one or more images. The display frequency causes an observer to form a perception of the one or more images. The system sends the sequence to the first user device and causes the first user device to present on the display screen the sequence at the display frequency, which causes a garbling of a recording of the display screen associated with the first user device.

Abstract: A detection device and associated systems and methods for detecting analytes from a multiplex reaction are described. In particular, a device for conducting at least one detection reaction using a modified ELISA method including a surface with a detection region and a reference region, a detection sensor, and a light source. The detection device may include a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor. The device may be used to measure and report discrete quantities or combinations of discrete analytes, providing information to aid in the prognosis and/or diagnosis of altered states of health in vertebrates.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an audio system can generate parametrically formulated noise signals. According to an embodiment, an audio system can both determine the hearing ability of an individual and increase the hearing ability of the individual by using parametrically formulated noise. According to an embodiment, an audio system can generate parametrically formulated noise having a power spectrum amplitude that is a function of an individual's hearing threshold across a range of frequencies as measured using parametrically formulated noise test signals.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a MEMS microphone can be coupled to an acoustic horn to provide various benefits and improvements including, but not limited to, at-a-distance acoustic signal reception with improvements in signal-to-noise ratio and directional preference.

Abstract: A detection device and associated systems and methods for detecting analytes from a multiplex reaction are described. In particular, a device for conducting at least one detection reaction using a modified ELISA method including a surface with a detection region and a reference region, a detection sensor, and a light source. The detection device may include a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor. The device may be used to measure and report discrete quantities or combinations of discrete analytes, providing information to aid in the prognosis and/or diagnosis of altered states of health in vertebrates.

Abstract: The technology relates to a technique for representing a unique physical asset such as a smartphone with a unique (singular) digital asset such as a non-fungible token (NFT). The NFT and related metadata can be stored on a blockchain to verify ownership of the digital asset. In one example, the NFT is produced based on a unique identifier (IMEI) for the smartphone. Other examples of physical assets with unique identifiers include automobiles, real property, etc.

Abstract: The disclosed technique secures a seed phrase configured to access a digital wallet, which holds private keys to access digital assets on a blockchain. Copies of portions of the seed phrase are stored at multiple electronic devices. The seed phrase can be reconstructed at a particular device by retrieving a necessary and sufficient number of the portions from the other devices. In one example, the portions can be shared among devices when in physical proximity to each other and/or when the devices are authenticated as belonging to the same user, which owns the digital wallet. As such, the seed phrase can be stored securely across multiple devices and retrieved even when one of those devices is lost, damaged, or stolen.

Abstract: A technique for selectively configuring a case of a handheld device to shield an antenna from receiving or transmitting wireless signals is disclosed. The technique includes moving a blocking element on the case between a first position and a second position. The blocking element is a physical structure that is rotatable, slidable, or removable to switch between the first position and the second position. In response to moving the blocking element to the first position, the blocking element blocks wireless signals received or transmitted by the antenna of the handheld device. In response to moving the blocking element to the second position, wireless signals can be received or transmitted through the case by the antenna.

Abstract: The technology relates to a technique for representing a unique physical asset such as a smartphone with a unique (singular) digital asset such as a non-fungible token (NFT). The NFT and related metadata can be stored on a blockchain to verify ownership of the digital asset. In one example, the NFT is produced based on a unique identifier (IMEI) for the smartphone. Other examples of physical assets with unique identifiers include automobiles, real property, etc.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a MEMS microphone can be coupled to an acoustic horn to provide various benefits and improvements including, but not limited to, at-a-distance acoustic signal reception with improvements in signal-to-noise ratio and directional preference.