Abstract: Providing optical watermark signals for a visual authentication session by performing at least the following: receive, at an anti-spoof engine, an instruction to perform visual authentication operations for a visual authentication session, generate, with the anti-spoof engine, an optical watermark signal based on receiving the instruction, wherein the optical watermark signal includes at least one optical identifier to authenticate images captured during the visual authentication session, obtain, with the anti-spoof engine, an image source that includes captured images of the visual authentication session, determine, with the anti-spoof engine, whether the image source includes a reflected optical watermark signal, and compare, with the anti-spoof engine, whether the reflected optical watermark signal matches the generated optical watermark signal based on the determination that the image source includes the reflected optical watermark signal.

Abstract: Techniques are directed to detecting an abnormal event while data storage equipment is in transit. Such techniques involve receiving a series of sensor signals from a set of sensors affixed to the data storage equipment. The series of sensor signals identifies a series of positional integrity measurements for the data storage equipment while the data storage equipment is in transit. Such techniques further involve performing a series of comparison operations that compares the series of positional integrity measurements to a set of range. Such techniques further involve, based on the series of comparison operations, providing an abnormal event signal in response to a particular positional integrity measurement falling outside a corresponding range of the set of ranges.

Abstract: A facemask assembly can include an interior air filter that is replaceable and/or contains biocidal elements. The filter can capture exhaled H2O to activate silver ions creating a biocidal environment. In some embodiments, at least part of the facemask is made via additive manufacturing. A facemask frame assembly can create a pleated filter to increase surface area and bring the filter material closer to the mouth and nose. The facemask can include a facial skirt customized to the facial geometry of the wearer. The facemask can have a permanently sealed filter that can withstand boiling and autoclaving temperatures so the mask system can be sterilized without disassembly. In some embodiments, the facemask has a visible display of how many times the facemask has been sterilized. In some embodiments, the mask includes a RFID device that can transmit how many times the facemask has been sterilized.

Abstract: A method for processing a vehicle end-of-line (EOL) testing routine includes determining whether a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) is issued during the vehicle EOL testing routine and obtaining vehicle network data generated during the vehicle EOL testing routine. The method includes, in response to a determination that the DTC is issued during the vehicle EOL testing routine, storing the vehicle network data in a database, associating the DTC with an electronic control module from a plurality of electronic control modules, identifying a designated agent from among a plurality of agents based on the DTC and a ECM-agent directory, and electronically transmitting a notification to the designated agent, where the notification provides access to the vehicle network data and the DTC.

Abstract: The invention relates to operation of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in the National Airspace System (NAS) using Remote Identification (Remote ID) and tracking. Specifically the invention relates to pre-flight initialization and programming of UAS with personality data needed to implement Remote ID functionality. The personality data includes UAS identity and configuration data. The pre-flight programming process promotes mission flexibility and efficient pre-flight preparation by reusing mission to mission common configuration and identity data elements, reprogramming only delta data. Operating modes may be used to easily reconfigure programming data to common mission specific requirements.

Abstract: A device may obtain a notification that a transaction occurred, where the transaction is associated with a financial account of a user, and a merchant. The device may determine that the merchant is associated with providing confirmation messages for transactions, and may process, based on determining that the merchant is associated with providing confirmation messages, one or more messages in a messaging account associated with the user to determine whether the messaging account includes a confirmation message associated with the transaction. The device may determine that the messaging account does not include any confirmation message associated with the transaction, may determine a likelihood that the transaction was unauthorized based on the messaging account not including a confirmation message, and may perform an action associated with the financial account of the user based on the likelihood that the transaction was unauthorized.

Abstract: Systems and methods for targeted advertisements displayed on a vehicle. A dynamic advertising platform leverages various ridehail service modalities to present targeted advertisements to users and bystanders. The modalities can include ridehail applications, external vehicle screens, interior vehicle screens, and other in-car experience formats. The targeted advertisements can be selected based on various factors, which can be personalized based on the user as well as based on the advertising business's preferences.

Abstract: The present application pertains to processes and systems for enhanced heat transfer. In some embodiments a process is described for removing a portion of a chemical from a heat transfer loop comprising a heat transfer fluid. The process may comprise adding a solvent to the heat transfer fluid in the heat transfer loop; removing at least a portion of the heat transfer fluid from the heat transfer loop; separating said removed heat transfer fluid into a permeate and a retentate using a membrane; and adding at least a portion of the permeate to the heat transfer fluid in the heat transfer loop.

Abstract: A method for cleaning an electrospray emitter of a mass spectrometer comprises the steps of: (a) changing a mode of operation of the electrospray emitter from a stable jet mode of operation to a dripping mode or a pulsating mode of operation by lowering a magnitude, |V|, of a voltage applied between a counter electrode and the electrospray emitter; and (b) changing the mode of operation of the electrospray emitter from the dripping mode or the pulsating mode of operation to the stable jet mode of operation by increasing the magnitude, |V|, of the applied voltage; wherein the repetitions are performed at a predetermined frequency that depends on one or more of liquid flow rate, an emitter internal diameter, and liquid properties.

Abstract: A support structure for securing a handle member to the blade portion of a snow shovel or snow pusher. The support structure includes an enclosed and contoured box portion having separated walls integrally formed to one another supporting the connection between the handle member and the blade portions of the shovel assembly. The box support structure provides lightweight multidirectional support while preventing build-up of snow and ice from the combined assembly. The support structure allows the blade member to be formed flat and smooth for low resistance operation for snow and ice removal.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a flowable and dispersible powder includes solubilizing a lipophilic substance in a terpene to form a mixture and treating the mixture to form a nanoemulsion dispersed in an aqueous solution. The aqueous solution includes at least one functional excipient. The nanoemulsion is then spray dried, thereby evaporating first the aqueous portion and then the terpene to form a dry powder formed from solid particles comprising the lipophilic substance.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a communication device electronically communicating with a content presentation companion device operating as a primary display for the electronic device and at least one augmented reality companion device. One or more sensors detect multiple persons within an environment while the content presentation companion device operates as the primary display. One or more processors redirect an event notification intended for presentation on the primary display to the augmented reality companion device while both the content presentation companion device operates as the primary display for the electronic device and the multiple persons are within the environment of the electronic device. When communicating with two augmented reality companion devices, the one or more processors can direct subtitles associated with a content offering, sometimes in different languages, to at least a first augmented reality companion device and a second augmented reality companion device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating alignment parameters for processing data associated with a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving image data associated with an environment of the vehicle; receiving lidar data associated with the environment of the vehicle; processing, by a processor, the image data to determine data points associated with at least one vehicle identified within image data; processing, by the processor, the lidar data to determine data points associated with at least one vehicle identified within the lidar data; selectively storing the data points in a data buffer based on at least one condition associated with a quality of the data points; processing, by the processor, the data points in the data buffer with a joint analysis method to generate alignment parameters between the lidar and the camera; and processing future data based on the alignment parameters.

Abstract: Systems and methods of shotcrete construction are contemplated whereby guide rails are placed in proximity and forward to a shotcrete receiving surface, with any guide rails disposed directly in front of the shotcrete receiving surface being configured to be offset from the receiving surface allowing shotcrete to be sprayed behind the offset guide rails. Following application of shotcrete, a screed configured to engage with and traverse along at least two of the guide rails may be used to rod the shotcrete via a protruding region of the screed extending beyond the guide rails, thereby removing excess shotcrete and imparting to the shotcrete surface a contour at least partially defined by the configuration of the guide rails and the configuration of the protruding region of the screed. Complex, precise, and even exotic architectural shotcrete installations may be created in this fashion by providing a suitable set of guide rails and screed.

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed of a battery management system (BMS). The BMS includes a pair of back-to-back transistors configured to selectively discharge battery cells of a battery pack; a high-side driver configured to control operation of the pair of back-to-back transistors; an analog front end (AFE) circuit configured to monitor a voltage of each cell within the battery pack; and a micro controller unit (MCU) configured to control and monitor the AFE circuit and provide over-voltage protection to the pair of back-to-back transistors.

Abstract: A watercraft storage system for storing and concealing items on watercraft, which includes a suspendable shelf extending downwardly from and attaching to a select portion of the floorboard and connecting to a pair of end caps to form a containment enclosure for housing therewithin a scissor lift configured with an upper platform connecting to a base platform by a pair of moveable supports. A linear actuator connecting to the base platform and a lower forward shaft of the scissor lift operably sets in motion the moveable supports to lift and lower the upper platform relative to the base platform to respectively receive and store items temporarily below the floorboard so as to maintain continuity of the walkways associated with the watercraft.

Abstract: A system for foreign material accountability includes a kiosk, which further includes a touch enabled display screen that is back-lit and automatically adjusts brightness based on ambient environment. A user input device, wherein the user input device includes a pin pad, one or more sensors selected from a group consisting of temperature sensors, RFID sensors, IR sensors, optical sensors, iris sensors and one or more cameras, a processor, a data bus coupled to the processor and a computer-usable medium embodying computer code operating on the kiosk. The computer code includes programmed instructions executable by the processor to control accessibility of items into a restricted area based on data received from at least one of the display screen operated by a user, the user input device, and the one or more sensors.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing coherent diffraction in an optical device are disclosed. An optical device may include a grating medium with a first hologram having a first grating frequency. A second hologram at least partially overlapping the first hologram may be provided in the grating medium. The second hologram may have a second grating frequency that is different from the first grating frequency. The first and second holograms may be pair-wise coherent with each other. A manufacturing system may be provided that writes the pair-wise coherent holograms in a grating medium using a signal beam and a reference beam. Periscopes may redirect portions of the signal and reference beams towards a partial reflector, which combines the beams and provides the combined beam to a detector. A controller may adjust an effective path length difference between the signal and reference beams based on a measured interference pattern.

Abstract: Aggregation of content based on user-generated topics is provided. Users may associate one or more topics with content items stored across various workloads and repositories. A topic may be a word or phrase of the user's choice, and may be utilized for discoverability of information and aggregation of content items. Topics and content items associated with topics may be acted on (e.g., a user may add or delete topics to associate with a content item, associate or disassociate content items with a topic, embed a set of content items or a stream of content items associated with a topic into other experiences, follow topics, etc.). Content items identified as related to a specific topic may be automatically suggested as possible content items of interest to the user. Additionally, when a user follows a topic, the user may be notified of any changes that occur to the topic.

Abstract: A bicycle may include a front triangle and a rear suspension system that couples the front triangle to a rear wheel and is dampened by at least one shock absorber. The rear suspension system includes a six-bar linkage having two ternary links separated from each other by one or more binary links, such that the two ternary links do not share a common joint. One of the ternary links may comprise a chain stay. In some examples, the other ternary link may comprise the front triangle. In some examples, the other ternary link may comprise a rocker arm coupling a seat stay link to the shock absorber.