Abstract: Blockchain-controlled and location-validated locking systems and methods are described. A method includes maintaining state information for a lock, where the first state of the lock corresponds to an open state and the second to a locked state. The method further includes receiving a current location of a device associated with a person, authorized to change a state of the lock, attempting to change a state of the lock and a current location of the lock. The method further includes receiving a digital signature from the device. The method further includes automatically transmitting a control signal to the lock to change the state of the lock only when the current location of the person is determined to be the same as the current location of the lock and a valid proof of work is performed by a miner associated with a blockchain configured to manage transactions corresponding to the lock.

Abstract: Systems and methods for evaluating face recognition algorithms in view of image classification features affected by smart makeup are provided. Increasingly, face recognition technology is being used in applications beyond biometric identification for authentication/login purposes. Face recognition technology has been deployed as part of surveillance cameras, which may capture facial images that can be used as evidence of criminal conduct in a court of law. While admissibility of such evidence is subject to the rules of evidence used for any other piece of evidence, reliance on such face recognition technology poses challenges. Until these face recognition algorithms become properly trained and are deployed in a manner that does not result in false positives in the context of policing and judiciary, other solutions are needed. Smart makeup will improve the usage of this technology that has traditionally had a higher false positive identification rate for people of color and women.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to a lock for providing contactless secure access to an automobile are described. A current state of the lock can be changed based on an exchange of information, via a wireless interface, between a mobile device and the lock. The exchange of information includes a use of a sharable digital key associated with at least one of a set of persons authorized to change a state of the lock. The exchange of information is configurable to operate in a first mode or a second mode. In the first mode, no identity-related information from at least one set of persons attempting to change the state of the lock to is required. In the second mode, identity-related information from at least one of a set of persons attempting to change the state of the lock is required.

Abstract: Messaging devices and related methods for controlled sharing of visual objects using messaging applications are provided. A method includes allowing the user of the messaging device to prepare a message for transmission to a second user of a second messaging device including a visual object. The method includes automatically processing the visual object to determine whether the visual object can be classified as a visual object comprising nudity. The method includes: (1) in response to a first explicit request from the first user to share the visual object comprising nudity with the second user, allowing a transmission of the message including the visual object comprising nudity to the second user, and (2) in response to a second explicit request from the user to not share the visual object with the second user, preventing a transmission of the message including the visual object comprising nudity to the second user.

Abstract: A device with integrated functions related to health, safety, and security is provided. The device may include a memory, a battery, a cellular radio, a global positioning sensor (GPS), and an accelerometer. The device may further include a touch screen for displaying at least health, safety, and security related information and for detecting touch events, where the touch screen is configurable to be in a locked state and an unlocked state. Instructions, stored in the memory, may cause the device to detect, using at least the accelerometer, whether a wearer of the device has fallen and communicate information concerning detection of the fall to instructions, stored in the memory, where the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the device to determine whether the fall is an emergency event, and perform other functions. The device may be implemented as a smart phone or a smart watch.

Abstract: A method including receiving a request for a visual object pertaining to a body portion of a first user from a second user is provided. The method includes sending a request to a messaging platform for a history of prior requests by the second user for any visual objects pertaining to at least one body portion of a body of another user. The method further includes displaying to the first user a modified history of any prior requests for visual objects by the second user that were flagged by any of the group of users as belonging to a community-specific category of requests for visual objects pertaining to body portions of respective bodies of other users. The method further includes sending a selected message from a set of pre-configured messages to the messaging platform for transmission of the selected message to the second user.