Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus performing a method including: receiving, by a decision unit coupled to a plurality of sensors at least partially supported by a housing which holds a personal communication device, trait data of a user of the personal communication device and determining whether or not a first authentication score generated based on a first set of trait data and a first set of weights assigned to the first set of trait data is above a pre-determined threshold. In some embodiments, the method includes providing a challenge to the user based on a determination that the first authentication score is below the pre-determined threshold, and gating electronic access to the personal communication device based on whether or not a second authentication score generated based on a second set of trait data and the first set of weights is above the pre-determined threshold.

Abstract: A wheel end disconnect system includes an inner race connected to one of an axle half shaft and a wheel hub, an outer race connected to the other of the axle half shaft and the wheel hub, and a plurality of radially actuatable pawls, circumferentially spaced apart, oriented between the inner and outer races, and movable between an outboard locked position and an inboard unlocked position to connect and disconnect the wheel hub from the axle half shaft. The system further includes a plurality of pins attached to an actuator ring. The actuator ring is axially shift-able between a locked and unlocked position. The system also includes one or more permanent magnets forming a permanent magnet ring attached to the actuator ring, with axially spaced apart north and south poles, and an annular tri-pole electromagnet having two counter-wound axially spaced apart coils concentric with the annular permanent magnet.

Abstract: The behavior of devices on a network can be modified on the medium access control level to achieve various application level objectives. These types of modifications can include organizing the behavior of transmitting stations to achieve various objectives (e.g., equal allocation of airtime on a wireless network link) for the transmission of data back to those stations' access points. Other modifications, such as changing various stations' maximum data transmission size and modifying an access point's amplifier gain could also be made.

Abstract: Presented are fuel cell systems and control logic for extracting water from system exhaust, methods for making/using such systems, and electric-drive vehicles with aftertreatment systems for extracting water from fuel cell exhaust. An aftertreatment system for a fuel cell stack includes a condensate generator that fluidly connects to the fuel cell stack to receive exhaust output therefrom. The condensate generator includes an evaporator core with a refrigerant line that actively cool the exhaust via controlled circulation of refrigerant fluid. A condensate collector fluidly connected to the condensate generator includes a reservoir housing with a condensate trap that separates entrained water vapor from the cooled exhaust. The reservoir housing collects the separated water vapor as liquid water. A liquid storage container fluidly connected to the condensate collector receives and stores the collected water.

Abstract: A lighting system utilizes intelligent system elements, such as lighting devices, user interfaces for lighting control or the like and possibly sensors. The system also has a data communication network. Some number of the intelligent lighting system elements, including at least two of the lighting devices, also support wireless communication with non-lighting-system devices at the premises. Each such element has a communication interface system configured to provide a short range, low power wireless data communication link for use by non-lighting-system devices at the premises in proximity to the respective intelligent system element. Also, in such an element, the processor is configured to control communications via the communication interface system so as to provide access to the data network and through the data network to the wide area network outside the premises for non-lighting related communications of the non-lighting-system devices.

Abstract: A system and associated method are described for balancing an electrical parameter associated with stored electric power in a multi-cell battery. A cell charge balancing system determines a first plurality of the electrical parameters associated with respective ones of the plurality of cells, a plurality of first charge parameters associated with the cells, and a first quality index. A second plurality of the electrical parameters are determined, and second charge parameters are determined to determine a second quality index. The first and second quality indices are compared, and a cell charge balancing routine controls the balancing system based upon the first quality index when the first quality index is greater than the second quality index. The cell charge balancing routine controls the cell charge balancing system based upon the second quality index when the first quality index is less than the second quality index.

Abstract: Systems and methods for supplying primary fuel and secondary fuel to an internal combustion engine may include supplying a first amount of the primary fuel and a second amount of the secondary fuel to the internal combustion engine. The system may include a first manifold to provide primary fuel to the internal combustion engine, and a primary valve associated with the first manifold to provide fluid flow between a primary fuel source and the internal combustion engine. A second manifold may provide secondary fuel to the internal combustion engine, and a fuel pump and/or a secondary valve may provide fluid flow between a secondary fuel source and the internal combustion engine. A controller may determine a total power load, the first amount of primary fuel, and the second amount of secondary fuel to supply to the internal combustion engine to meet the total power load.

Abstract: A system performs compliance control. This may include a compliance-control device displaying a map, receiving a selection of a location from the map, determining an entity associated with the selection, generating a geo-fence boundary around the selection using a library of geo-fence shapes, and determining a compliance condition with the geo-fence boundary by communicating with a compliance-monitoring device. In various examples, the compliance-monitoring device may determine and transmit a compliance condition on a first time interval. In response to a breach event, the compliance-monitoring device may determine and transmit a set of subsequent compliance conditions on a second time interval that is shorter than the first time interval. The compliance-control device may display a graphical output that corresponds to the compliance condition and one or more of the subsequent compliance conditions.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for permitting users to select and implement data management services. Systems and methods receive a user selection from a user interface representation of a cloud marketplace. The user selection can include a use case specific instruction relating to the user selection representing a particular one of the plurality of cloud-enabled services. Systems and methods obtain service set up data from the user corresponding to particular aspects of the user selection. Based on the received user selection and the service set up data, a computer-executable file is created for a user identified computer, where the computer executable file, upon execution on the user identified computer, establishes a data path between a user data location and a cloud-enabled service corresponding to the user selection. Following commencement of the cloud-enabled service, the system and method provide data including usage and billing to users, cloud-enabled service providers and marketplaces.

Abstract: Systems and methods for mapped views of digital content are provided. A map structure for a collection of digital content streams from a content provider may be stored in memory. Such map structure may include a predetermined plurality of slots arranged in one or more tiers. A browsing request may be received from a spectator device over a communication network, and such browsing request may be identified as pertaining to the collection of digital content streams. A mapped view of the requested collection may be generated that illustrates the predetermined plurality of slots arranged in the tiers in accordance with the stored map structure. Further, information regarding browsing activity by the spectator device within the generated mapped view may be received and evaluated to identify when the spectator device selects one of the illustrated slots.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods and systems directed towards utilizing social engagement to generate gameplay resources and subsequently utilizing those gameplay resources for metagaming. The metagaming is carried out via a first party platform that tracks and integrates user gameplay information coming from a plurality of different video games associated with a plurality of users participating within the same video games. The first party platform gameplay information is used to affect the user's performance and progress within a separate game (i.e. Metagame) which in turn can be used to affect the progress and performance of video games associated with the first party platform.

Abstract: A more efficient network can be achieved using channel allocation strategies within a wireless network. A network device can receive several data points from a mobile device including resource request data, access condition data, and location data. Once the network device has received the aforementioned data points, the network device can identify channels that are conducive to a heightened quality of service for a resource being requested based on a signal attenuation associated with the channel. The network device can then facilitate a channel selection in response to an assessment of the data points and identifying a channel for the resource.

Abstract: An audio system for a headset includes a plurality of speakers and an audio controller. The plurality of speakers may be in a dipole configuration that cancel sound leakage into a local area of the headset. The controller filters audio content presented by the plurality of speakers to further mitigate leakage of audio content into the local area. The audio determines sound filters based on environmental conditions, such as ambient noise levels, as well as based on the audio content being presented.

Abstract: An enriched amnion derived tissue graft has a stromal matrix layer and an epithelium layer. A stromal matrix layer may contain a basement membrane layer, a compact layer, a fibroblast layer, and an intermediate layer. An amnion derived tissue graft may have a plurality of tissue layers and the layers may be configured with the epithelium layers toward the inside and the stromal matrix layers toward the outside surface. An enriched portion may be coated onto or be configured within a tissue layer and have an increased concentration of cells, of proteins, growth factors, seed cells, pharmaceuticals or any combination thereof. A carrier fluid such as amniotic fluid may be used to produce an enrichment composition for coating the tissue graft. The cells within the enriched portion may be stem cells from the amnion, or cells from other tissue and may be seed cells selected based on the treatment location.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing user input to an electronic device is described. The apparatus utilizes multiple strain gauge (“SG”) sensing units which are each disposed adjacent an inner surface of the device housing. The SGs are configured to detect a particular type of user input administered to the sides of the device housing based on at least one of: the magnitude of strain applied to the SGs, the relative location of the applied strain, and the duration of the applied strain. The SGs are further configured to detect a second type of user input administered to a display screen of the electronic device caused by bowing of the device housing caused by user contact with the display screen.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for cloud-based testing of a payment network may include receiving a test configuration for testing a payment processing network, configuring a simulated worker generator for generating a plurality of simulated workers according to the received test configuration, reading commands to be executed by each simulated worker among the plurality of simulated workers from a command bank according to the received test configuration, configuring the plurality of simulated workers according to the commands and the received test configuration, starting a swarm test of the payment processing network by the plurality of simulated workers, reading results of the swarm test from the plurality of simulated workers, and saving the results to storage.

Abstract: A device may include a processor, a wireless transceiver in communication with the processor, and a non-transitory memory. The memory may store instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform processing. The processing may include detecting, using the wireless transceiver, at least one external device in communication range of the device. The processing may include receiving, by the wireless transceiver, at least one external device identifier from the at least one external device. The processing may include verifying the at least one external device identifier. The verifying may include locating the at least one device identifier in a blockchain record of a transaction involving the at least one external device. The processing may include performing at least one transaction requiring the verified at least one external device identifier.

Abstract: Techniques perform cache management. Such techniques involve: obtaining a first cache page of the cache to be flushed, the first cache page being associated with a target storage block in a storage device; determining from the cache a set of target cache pages to be flushed, each of the set of target cache pages being associated with the target storage block; and writing data in the first cache page and data in each of the set of target cache pages into the target storage block simultaneously.

Abstract: This invention is a new and distinct sweet cherry plant denominated ‘IFG Cher-eight’. The new sweet cherry plant ‘IFG Cher-eight’ is characterized by producing large size medium dark red fruits having reniform shape. Fruits ripen early, have medium firm, medium acid fruit with a good cherry flavor and strong stem attachment. ‘IFG Cher-eight’ has a low chilling requirement and produces a high percentage of marketable fruit in warm climates.