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.

Abstract: An open tip downhole expansion tool incudes a frustoconical member having a base and a tip, the member having a radially outer zone and a radially inner zone and having an axial length extending from the base to the tip; an outer compliance area in a material of the member along a length of the radially outer zone; and an inner compliance area in a material of the member along a length of the radially inner zone, the outer and inner compliance areas being located at different positions along the axial length of the frustoconical member, the outer and inner compliance areas each causing the frustoconical member to present a first resistance to deformation when the compliance areas are in a first condition and a higher resistance to deformation of the frustoconical member when the compliance areas are in a second condition.

Abstract: A technique for linking utilities with non-fungible tokens (NFTs) is disclosed. The utilities are not necessarily physical assets. For example, the utilities can be services or functions that depend on who and when the NFT is owned. The utilities can be enabled on or through a device or computer system. The utilities can have levels or be of different types and vary by time. For example, a utility can change, aggregate, or expire over time.

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 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: A mobile device can detect an idle state and, in response, initiate an access monitoring function to covertly monitor activity involving a human interaction with the mobile device. The covert monitoring is undetectable by a user of the mobile device. The mobile device can then detect a human interaction with the mobile device and, in response, cause the mobile device to covertly capture and log one or more human interactions with the mobile device. An authorized user of the mobile device is enabled to review the log of human interactions with the mobile device.

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: 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: In one embodiment of an audio system, a transducer can be coupled to a passive acoustic directional amplifier to provide various benefits and improvements, including improvements to: speech intelligibility, signal-to-noise ratio, effective equivalent input noise, at-a-distance acoustic signal reception, and directional preference. In another embodiment, the shape of an interior surface of a passive acoustic directional amplifier is provided. In another embodiment, the material properties of an interior surface of a passive acoustic directional amplifier are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods to provide rapid and autonomous detection of analyte particles in gas and liquid samples. Disclosed are methods and devices for identifying biological aerosol analytes using MALDI-MS and chemical aerosol analytes using LDI and MALDI-MS using time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS).

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved holder for a fishing rod. typical fishing rod holders are difficult to quickly and accurately adjust. Some even require the use of a tool to adjust. The claimed invention teaches a rod holder with a convenient adjustment mechanism that allows a user to adjust the angle of the rod holder in two planes without the use of a tool and with only one hand.

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: In one embodiment, a prostate cancer patient can be treated with several novel approaches to bipolar androgen therapy. According to various embodiments, a combination of external beam radiation with bipolar androgen therapy can be used. According to various embodiments, one or more of intravenous injection, transdermal application and/or buccal administration of testosterone can be used to significantly decrease the length of time spent tapering between supraphysiologic and castrate levels of testosterone.

Abstract: A mobile device includes non-private memory that can store software programs and a private memory that can store copies of the software programs as well as exclusively store trusted programs that are not stored in the non-private memory. The mobile device includes a processor configured to execute the software programs of the non-private memory when the mobile device is in a non-private mode, execute a trusted program only when the mobile device is in a private mode, and enable switching between the non-private mode and the private mode in response to a reboot of 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: Disclosed are systems and methods to provide rapid and autonomous detection of analyte particles in gas and liquid samples. Disclosed are methods and devices for identifying biological aerosol analytes using MALDI-MS and chemical aerosol analytes using LDI and MALDI-MS using time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS).

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: In one embodiment of an audio system, a transducer can be coupled to a passive acoustic directional amplifier to provide various benefits and improvements, including improvements to: speech intelligibility, signal-to-noise ratio, effective equivalent input noise, at-a-distance acoustic signal reception, and directional preference. In another embodiment, the shape of an interior surface of a passive acoustic directional amplifier is provided. In another embodiment, the material properties of an interior surface of a passive acoustic directional amplifier are provided.