Abstract: A system and method for detecting deviations in building structures over time is disclosed. The system and method use range images of buildings captured using range imaging cameras (for example, time-of-flight cameras) to construct 3D models with sufficient resolution to detect deviations in structures that may not be obvious from looking at only photographic images. The system can also use augmented reality to project parts of a 3D model over photographic images of a structure to facilitate easy inspection of the structure.

Abstract: Techniques are described for managing devices, such as Internet of Things (IoT) devices, using smart contract(s) on a distributed ledger (e.g., blockchain). Smart contract(s) executing on a distributed ledger may control access to one or more devices in a home or other environment. The smart contract(s) may employ information stored on the distributed ledger and information in a transaction sent to the smart contract(s) to determine whether particular user(s) and/or process(es) may access the device(s), issue commands to the device(s), access data generated by the device(s), and/or control the device(s). The smart contract(s) may provide a secure portal through which user(s) and/or service(s) may access device(s) for command and control of such device(s), and secure access may be based on permission information that is specified or provided by an owner or operator of the device(s) and that is stored on the distributed ledger.

Abstract: A wireless communication device is disclosed. The wireless communication device has a near field communications transmitter system. The device has an outer chassis that can be sized, dimensioned and decorated to resemble common household items that lack any apparent value. The wireless communication device can also include an indicia that is invisible to an unaided human eye.

Abstract: Methods and systems for deploying autonomous vehicles to form a barricade in a coordinated response to an imminent threat are described. In one embodiment, a method for deploying autonomous vehicles to form a barricade is described. The method includes determining at least one location for a barricade and determining a plurality of autonomous vehicles that are available to form the barricade. The method also includes sending instructions to the plurality of autonomous vehicles to form the barricade at the at least one location. In response to the instructions, the plurality of autonomous vehicles are configured to move to the at least one location and form the barricade.

Abstract: A real-world object-based method and system of performing an authentication of a person in order to permit access to a secured resource is disclosed. The system and method are configured to collect image data from an end-user in real-time that includes objects in their environment. At least one object is selected and its image data stored for subsequent authentication sessions, when the system can determine whether there is a match between the new image data and image data previously collected and stored in a database. If there is a match, the system verifies an identity of the person and can further be configured to automatically grant the person access to one or more services, features, or information for which he or she is authorized.

Abstract: Techniques are described for managing a network through use of a security device that includes, or has access to, a blockchain node. The security device may manage a network of Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices in a home or other environment. The security device may act as an intermediary to manage secure, trusted communications between the IoT device(s) and external service(s). The security device may also provide network security features such as a network firewall. In some implementations, the security device may run a blockchain node, and the blockchain could be used to establish a verifiable home identity. The security device may interact with external resources and/or services, such as utility services, e-commerce services, and so forth, through this secure mechanism.

Abstract: A conditions monitoring system may include a system controller. The controller may include a device processor and a non-transitory computer readable medium. The computer readable medium may include instructions executable by the device processor to perform the following steps: receiving positional data from a plurality of wearable devices of a plurality of associated wearers; receiving physical data regarding the wearers from the wearable devices; making a determination of a possible dangerous environmental condition based on the data received from the wearable devices, including the positional data and the physical data; and providing instructions to the wearable devices for the wearers to follow to avoid danger related to the dangerous environmental condition.

Abstract: A method and system of providing guidance and information to customers by presentation of a virtual avatar. The virtual avatar is controlled in real-time by a remote customer service agent. The method includes sharing images of a physical space with the customer service agent, and enabling the customer service agent to project a virtual avatar on the physical space such that the virtual avatar appears to interact and move through the physical space. The dynamic projection of the virtual avatar is received by the customer as an augmentation of their own view of the physical space.

Abstract: A system and method for verifying a driver seated in a driver's seat of a vehicle is disclosed. The method includes scanning a license of the driver seated in the driver's seat of the vehicle to obtain a driver profile and detecting biometric information of the driver using one or more sensors in the vehicle. The driver profile includes biometric information. The method compares the detected biometric information with the biometric information of the driver profile to verify that the license of the driver seated in the vehicle matches the driver seated in the vehicle. The method may notify a provider computer system as to whether the license of the driver matches the driver seated in the vehicle. The method may adjust vehicle components based on preferences of the driver profile.

Abstract: A method and system of providing guidance and information to an end-user during an emergency situation. A network of one or more enrolled devices can obtain infrared data that will be used by the system to determine whether there is a high likelihood of a fire in a building. When an emergency situation such as a fire is detected, alerts can be generated at the enrolled devices that provide navigation cues based on user preferences and suggested evacuation routes to safely guide the end-user to the nearest designated exit.

Abstract: A system and method for changing the exterior color of a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a vehicle with a color change system integrated into the vehicle body of the vehicle. The color change system can change the color of a portion of the vehicle body in response to commands from a color change module running on a computing system within the vehicle. The color change module can detect information about the vehicle's environment to determine an appropriate target exterior vehicle color that contrasts substantially with the vehicle's environment.

Abstract: A system and method for applying a generative voice associated with a particular customer service representative to an automated bot that initially interacts with a customer to provide a seamless handoff between the automated bot and the particular customer service representative is described. In one embodiment, when a call from a customer is received at the customer service call center, the customer is matched with a potential customer service representative that is likely to handle the customer's call. The customer will then initially interact with an automated bot that has applied a generative voice associated with the likely customer service representative. The customer can talk with the automated bot using the generative voice and, if needed, when the call is handed off from the automated bot to the customer service representative, the customer will not notice a change in voice or other discontinuity on the call.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically engaging a remote piloting mode in a vehicle is disclosed. The method includes monitoring a driver and switching to the remote piloting mode if an unsafe driving condition is detected. The method can include monitoring biometric data. The method can also include monitoring behavioral data using one or more kinds of vehicle sensors. The system and method ensure vehicles are safely driven even if a driver experiences a health episode that could leave them unable to safely operate the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for improving the download time of emails in an environment in which a server distributes emails to persons working in close proximity to each other. When these persons receive multi-recipient emails intended for several or all of these persons, the server distributing the emails delivers the multi-recipient emails to the first one of the persons who logged on to read his or her emails on his or her personal computer, for distribution to the other persons over a personal area network. This reduces the download time for the persons downloading their emails at a subsequent time.

Abstract: The disclosed wearable device systems include several features for alerting and guiding persons who are approaching or near to potentially hazardous or high-risk conditions in their nearby environment. Sensor data from wearable devices (also referred to herein as “wearables”) are used to determine the presence of various unsafe environmental conditions and phenomenon, including dangerous terrain or other unusual conditions. The wearable would be used to warn a person, for example via auditory or haptic-based feedback, if the person is about to encounter an unsafe condition. In particular, the proposed systems can be of great benefit to the visually impaired, those persons with physical disabilities, or persons otherwise vulnerable to particular environmental conditions.

Abstract: A system and method for reconstructing information about vehicular accidents is disclosed. The system comprises an onboard computing system in a vehicle with an accident reconstruction system. Using sensed information from vehicle sensors and an animation engine, the system can generate animated videos depicting the accident. The system can also take action in response to information it learns from the animated video and/or an underlying 3D model of the accident used to generate the video.

Abstract: A touchless method and system of performing an authentication of a person in order to permit access to a secured resource is disclosed. The system and method are configured to collect channel state information associated with a person as they pass through a sensor zone and identify a biometric signal for the person. The system detects whether there is a match between the biometric signal and any biometric signals previously collected and stored in a database. If there is a match, the system verifies an identity of the person and can be configured to automatically grant the person access to one or more services, features, or locations for which he or she is authorized based on the authentication.

Abstract: Methods and systems for distributed detection of road conditions and damage are described. In one embodiment, a method for distributed detection of road conditions and damage is provided. The method includes receiving, from one or more mobile devices, a plurality of reports of anomalies associated with roads in a geographic area. The method also includes storing the received reports of anomalies in a database and comparing each report of an anomaly to stored reports of previous anomalies in the database. The method further includes determining whether each report of an anomaly indicates road damage or a temporary problem. The method includes generating a prioritized list of locations of anomalies associated with one or more roads that have been determined to have road damage that needs maintenance and/or repair.

Abstract: A property damage assessment system may include a drone. The drone may include imaging equipment and a controller. The controller may include a device processor and a non-transitory computer readable medium including instructions executable by the device processor to perform the following steps: receiving imagery data of property from the imaging equipment of the drone; and automatically controlling the drone to obtain additional imagery data of the property based on the received imagery data.

Abstract: A system and a method for diagnosing a problem with a motor vehicle using sound. Ambient noise information for the motor vehicle is determined. Current sound information is received, and whether there is a variation in sound between the current sound information and the ambient noise information is determined. The ambient noise information is subtracted from the current sound information if the variation has been identified, to identify a sound anomaly. A sound anomaly signal is extracted and compared with predetermined anomaly signal information stored in a database. The predetermined anomaly signal information is associated with diagnostic information.