Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatic license plate recognition of a vehicle, the apparatus includes a user device configured to receive a user input containing reference indicators and associate a right to the reference indicators, an image capturing device configured to capture vehicle images of a vehicle containing a license plate region, an image processing module configured to receive the vehicle images from the image capturing device and process the vehicle images, a computer vision module configured to determine an obscurity of the license plate region, and identify indicators as a function of the license plate region, an image inpainting module configured to reconstruct the license plate region based on the obscurity of the license plate using an image inpainting technique, and a validation module configured to validate the indicators as a function of the reference indicators and grant the user the right as a function of the validation.

Abstract: Configuration changes to the configurations of end devices in a network may be made by configuration devices, which may set up connections with the end devices and send configuration commands to the end devices. In such a system, the compromising of a configuration device may make it possible for an attacker to reconfigure end devices. Systems and methods to improve network security via a consensus-driven configuration plane are provided.

Abstract: An example method of operation may include identifying, in a particular room environment, a number of speakers and one or more microphones on a network controlled by a controller and amplifier, providing test signals to play sequentially from each amplifier channel of the amplifier and the speakers, monitoring the test signals from the one or more microphones simultaneously to detect operational speakers and amplifier channels, providing additional test signals to the speakers to determine tuning parameters, detecting the additional test signals at the one or more microphones controlled by the controller, and automatically establishing a background noise level and noise spectrum of the room environment based on the detected additional test signals.

Abstract: Techniques and apparatuses are described that implement a radio-frequency front-end (RFFE) circuit for location services and wireless communication. In an example aspect, a computing device includes a radio-frequency front-end circuit, which is used to provide location services via a global navigation satellite system and wireless communication via a non-terrestrial network. In one aspect, an architecture of the radio-frequency front-end circuit supports the concurrent reception of signals for location services and wireless communication. This allows location information to be updated for proper timing adjustment during a downlink time interval. At least some components of the radio-frequency front-end circuit have a shared-use and operate on signals that are received for location services as well as signals that are received for wireless communication.

Abstract: Compositions of high molecular weight poly(hydroxy acid) polymer having good thermal stability and a weight average molecular weight of >100,000 by GPC. The compositions include one or more chain-terminator compounds/impurities which may be incorporated into the polymer and rendered harmless by the presence of appropriate amounts of bi-functional and multi-functional polymerization initiators. A process including first mixing glycolic acid and/or lactic acid (with chain-terminators), and a diol or di-acid initiator, and at least one multifunctional initiator to form a liquid monomer mixture in an agitated polycondensation reactor. Next, polycondensing to form a liquid reaction mixture comprising a pre-polymer having a weight average molecular weight of >10,000 by GPC, and greater than 80% by mole hydroxyl or carboxyl end-group termination, then crystallizing to form a first solid reaction mixture.

Abstract: An HVAC includes a first HVAC unit, a second HVAC unit, and a refrigerant line set. The refrigerant line set includes a high-pressure refrigerant line and a low-pressure refrigerant line. The refrigerant lines may be connected to one or both of the first and second HVAC units at a pre-installation location such that all components are precharged at the pre-installation location. The refrigerant lines may be disconnected from one of the first and second HVAC units and shipped to an installation location. The first high pressure line end and the first low pressure line end may be then coupled to the one of the first and second HVAC units by a user at an installation location.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automated surveillance of a fleet of vehicles in a parking area using vehicle sensors on various fleet vehicles. In particular, the vehicles in a parking area can be observed and monitored using sensors on a subset of the vehicles. The field of view of each vehicle and overall map coverage of a parking area can be used to determine which vehicles to use for surveillance and/or which sensors on various vehicles to use for surveillance. Thus, surveillance can be optimized using fleet knowledge of vehicle locations within a facility and the scope of coverage of various vehicle sensors to determine where there is overlap in coverage. Appropriate sensors on certain vehicles can be selectively activated to maintain secure coverage without burning resources unnecessarily.

Abstract: A method for upgrading one or more managed devices in a network includes receiving, by a managed device, a device configuration update comprising an identifier for a beacon service. The method also includes causing a backup file for the first managed device to be generated and stored and updating the first managed device using the device configuration update. The method further includes detecting an expiration of a check-in timer and obtaining a beacon value from the beacon service. The method additionally includes determining, based on the beacon value, whether to undo the device configuration update using the backup file.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a persistence of vision display toy that uses flexible fiber optic rods the transfer the light to the ends of the rods to showcase a floating lighting display. The fiber optic rods are also flexible such that distortions are shown in the lighting display when an object disturbs the rotating fiber optic rods.

Abstract: A crop harvesting system for reducing crop unloading times. The system includes a real-time job market for crop load delivery. The system further includes a depot for crop drop off. In one example, a farmer transfers harvested crops into a trailer, a driver is notified via an app of a load meeting a predefined criteria, the trailer is transported to the depot and dropped off by the driver, a dump mule picks up the trailer, and the dump mule transfers the trailer to a storage container where the crop is stored.

Abstract: A foot pad removably attachable to a machine and that Fluid Level supports the machine for operation in a fluid. The foot pad includes a support frame, a skirt coupled to the support frame, a bellows coupled to the skirt, a plenum arranged to move within the skirt, a seal between the plenum and the skirt, and a flexible bellows that allows the foot pad to be secured to, or within, a substrate. The skirt includes an edge that can be embedded in a penetrable substrate. The plenum is configured to pump the fluid into or out of a volume formed by a space below the plenum, the interior of the skirt, and the substrate, thus compressing or decompressing the fluid in the space inside the skirt. The foot pad may also include a rolling, flexible diaphragm to seal the space between the plenum and the skirt, wherein the rolling diaphragm minimized the wear compared to other seal mechanisms. The flexible bellows may include a set of radial ridges that aid in sealing the footpad to the substrate.

Abstract: A battery system includes a plurality of battery cells and a battery system enclosure surrounded by an external environment. The battery system enclosure is configured to house the plurality of battery cells and includes an enclosure tray configured to support the plurality of battery cells and an enclosure cover configured to engage the enclosure tray and seal the battery system enclosure. The battery system also includes an exhaust manifold arranged between the plurality of battery cells and the enclosure cover. The exhaust manifold includes multiple individual gas paths in fluid communication with an exhaust outlet. The gas paths are configured to collect high-temperature gases from each of the plurality of battery cells and guide the high-temperature gases from each of the plurality of battery cells to the exhaust outlet. The exhaust outlet is configured to discharge the high-temperature gases distally from the plurality of battery cells.

Abstract: Presented are vehicle charging systems and control logic provisioning smart vehicle charging using encrypted wireless connectivity, methods for making/using such systems, and vehicles interoperable with such systems. A method of controlling a charging operation of a vehicle includes a vehicle controller retrieving a unique ID assigned to the vehicle from a memory device. When approaching an electric vehicle charging station (EVCS), the controller responsively embeds the unique ID in a wireless message, including encrypting and inserting the unique ID into a dedicated extension frame within the wireless message. The vehicle then broadcasts the wireless message with the embedded and encrypted unique ID. An EVCS controller parses the encrypted unique ID from the wireless message and transmits the encrypted unique ID to a back-office (BO) vehicle services provider.

Abstract: The present application relates to a sunscreen composition comprising (i) about 0.01 wt. % to about 20 wt. % of avobenzone, (ii) about 0.01 wt. % to about 20 wt. % of benzyl o-toluate; and (iii) about 0.01 wt. % to about 95 wt. % of at least one additive; and a method for solubilizing and photostabilizing avobenzone in a sunscreen composition using an effective amount of benzyl o-toluate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various fitness garments adapted to have one or more exercise devices affixed thereto. The fitness garments include a wearable portion removably affixed to a body of a user and at least one exercise device removably affixed to the wearable portion or housed within a recess of the wearable portion. The one or more exercise devices include a chamber including an inner side surface separating opposing inner top and bottom surfaces, a solid moveable material disposed within the chamber and configured to move in alternating first and second directions along an axis thereof, and a resilient member between the bottom surface and the solid moveable material, the resilient member configured to delay movement of the solid moveable material when the solid moveable material moves toward the bottom surface.

Abstract: A system including a flow straightener for a fuel cell cathode subsystem is provided. The system includes an intake manifold including a tube configured for providing an airflow to a compressor of the fuel cell cathode subsystem. The intake manifold includes an inlet configured for receiving the airflow into the intake manifold. The system further includes a mass air flow sensor disposed upon the intake manifold and a flow straightener disposed within the intake manifold between the inlet and the mass air flow sensor. The intake manifold includes an upstream portion between the flow straightener and the intake manifold inlet. The intake manifold further includes a downstream portion between the flow straightener and the mass air flow sensor. The flow straightener is configured for causing the airflow within the downstream portion to be less turbulent than the airflow within the upstream portion.

Abstract: A needle stick protection device includes a distal shield member having a slot that allows a needle to freely pass between shielded and unshielded positions an infinite number of times. The needle stick protection device also includes a proximal base member and a hinge connecting the distal shield member to the proximal base member. A locking mechanism secures the proximal base member to the distal shield member. The locking mechanism includes a compressive sleeve of the distal shield member and a distal cylindrical collar of the proximal base member, which frictionally fit together in a manner securing the proximal base member and the distal shield member.

Abstract: An analog resonator system for generating electromagnetic energy includes a capacitor assembly and a power transformer for supplying electrical potential to the capacitor assembly. The capacitor assembly includes a first capacitor plate, a second capacitor plate and a dielectric insulator plate. The capacitor plates are formed from a first conductive metal material and from a second conductive metal material dissimilar from the first conductive metal material. An analog PEMF therapy device includes the analog resonator system, a bulb electrically connected between the capacitor assembly and the power transformer, and a base electrically connected between the capacitor assembly and the power transformer.

Abstract: A hybrid orthodontic appliance is for repositioning a patient's teeth, the hybrid orthodontic appliance includes at least one tray and a brace. Each of the at least one tray includes a main body and a connecting portion. The main body includes a tooth receiving cavity shaped to receive only a portion of the patient's teeth, an interior surface facing towards the tooth receiving cavity, and an exterior surface opposite to the interior surface. The connecting portion is located at the exterior surface of the main body. The brace is detachably connected to the connecting portion.

Abstract: Systems and methods for flexible antenna configurations and beamforming are provided. In one example, a system includes: at least one controller configured to implement at least some functions for one or more layers of a wireless interface used to communicate with UEs; remote unit(s) communicatively coupled to the at least one controller; and antenna elements communicatively coupled to the remote unit(s), each respective antenna element oriented in a respective direction different than other antenna elements. The at least one controller is configured to: determine a location of a UE in a cell of the system and/or channels between the antenna elements and the UE; select antenna element(s) for use in transmitting downlink signals to the UE based on the location of the UE and/or the channels between the antenna elements and the UE; and transmit downlink signals to the UE via the selected antenna element(s) in a first time period.