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: Positional communication systems and methods include receiving a definition of a first geographic area including a first commercial location by a computer system and storing the first geographic area in a memory. The location of a mobile device in the possession of a customer is determined, and if the mobile device is determined to be at a location within the first geographic area, an incentive message for the customer to leave the location and go to a second commercial location is sent to the mobile device.

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 present disclosure provides a detergent additives and methods for preparing a sulfurized alkyl phenate product from polyalphaolefins.

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 computer-implemented method for using a machine-learning trained predictive engine to predict failures includes receiving electronic prior transaction data corresponding to a plurality of prior successful transactions and a plurality of prior unsuccessful transactions, and training a machine learning predictive engine based on the plurality of prior successful transactions and the plurality of prior unsuccessful transactions. Electronic transaction data may be received, the electronic transaction data being associated with a user, an item, and candidate transaction terms, the electronic transaction data being associated with a candidate transaction. The machine learning predictive engine may determine a likelihood of success of the candidate transaction based on the electronic transaction data, and display the likelihood of success of the candidate transaction.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to an optical fiber cable. The optical fiber cable includes a cable jacket having an inner surface and an outer surface in which the inner surface defines a central bore along a longitudinal axis of the optical fiber cable and the outer surface defines the outermost extent of the cable. The optical fiber cable also includes at least one access feature disposed in the cable jacket between the inner surface and the outer surface. Further included are a first plurality of optical fiber bundles. Each optical fiber bundle includes a second plurality of optical fiber ribbons that has a third plurality of optical fibers arranged in a planar configuration. The optical fiber cable bends uniformly in all directions transverse to the longitudinal axis of the optical fiber cable.

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 golf club head includes a golf club body including a crown, a sole, and a skirt connected between the crown and the sole, the golf club body including a front including a leading edge and a back including a trailing edge, and a hosel connected to the golf club body; a face connected to the front of the golf club body, the face including a geometric center, the golf club head including modifiable boundary conditions.

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 headlamp illumination source that switches from a first configuration conforming to on-road illumination standards to a second configuration that does not conform to on-road illumination standards. The switching is preferably controlled by a wireless signal but in some embodiments the switching can be controlled by a hard-wired signal or by a switch proximate the illumination source itself.

Abstract: A user device may obtain access control data which is derived based on a test result or score of a test for assessing a risk of a user of having or developing a contagious illness. The access control data may be communicated from the user device to an access control system in response to a reading of the user device by the access control system. The access control system may permit or deny entry of the user into an area based on the access control data. In some aspects, the user device is an identity (ID) or access badge. In other aspects, the user device is a mobile user device having one or more illness risk factor assessment functions, where the test result or score is obtained based on resulting data from executing the one or more illness risk factor assessment functions.

Abstract: One or more servers are provided for processing incoming service messages for customers which are account holders of accounts that are managed at least in part by a service provider. An incoming service message may be received from a user device via a network. The incoming service message may include free-form input data (e.g. free-form text data or free-form audio data). The free-form input data may be processed to determine one or more intent classifiers and/or one or more emotion classifiers using artificial intelligence, e.g. a natural language understanding function. A service department identifier may be selected based on at least the one or more intent classifiers or the one or more emotion classifiers. A message may be sent to a selected service representative identifier associated with the selected service department identifier, where the message includes an identifier for identifying information associated with the incoming service message.

Abstract: A headlamp illumination source that switches from a first configuration conforming to on-road illumination standards to a second configuration that does not conform to on-road illumination standards. The switching is preferably controlled by a wireless signal but in some embodiments the switching can be controlled by a hard-wired signal or by a switch proximate the illumination source itself.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes J-Gate adaptor assemblies for motorcycle clutch levers and related systems and methods. In one illustrative embodiment, a bracket on a side of a motorcycle serves as fulcrum for a lever rod mounted thereon via a heim joint. A lower end of the rod is attached to a clutch control cable. The rod extends upwardly, through a guide member with a guide channel formed as elongated slot extending in a first direction to a bend portion that extends in another direction to a “rest portion.” The rod may be levered in one direction in the guide channel to engage the clutch and in the opposite direction to disengage it. The rod may be held in the “rest” portion of the channel to retain the clutch in a disengaged position. Conversion kits and methods of converting and adapting motorcycles for using these types of assemblies are also included.

Abstract: A modular vehicle sound system that can be upgraded or reconfigured by changing a plug-in module. In the advanced-capability embodiments the invention combines the functions of a vehicle data bus interface, a digital signal processor, and an amplifier. In the advanced-capability embodiments the invention provides a wireless interface with a separate digital device that can be used to control the inventive amplifier.

Abstract: A method may include receiving image data representative of cash acquired via one or more image sensors, identifying a first currency depicted in the cash based on a plurality of images associated with a plurality of currencies, and determining a currency conversion rate between the first currency and a second currency. The method may also include generating a visualization representative of a currency value of the cash in the second currency based on the currency conversion rate and overlaying the visualization on the image data.