Abstract: Various embodiments are generally directed to utilizing a steganographically encoded image with an offline and/or online verification or authentication protocol. A method for using the steganographic image can include: receiving or utilizing a steganographic image associated with a user at a third-party device, the steganographically encoded image including an identification of a user steganographically encoded with a fingerprint template of the user, and authenticating the user using the steganographically encoded image.

Abstract: A hybrid flute for a stalk roll may be configured with a sharp edge positioned between a first blunt edge and a second blunt edge along a length of the flute edge. The flute edge may extend radially outward from a main cylinder of the stalk roll. The flute edge may be engaged with a radius at the base of the flute edge, and a flute base may extend from the radius. A plurality of flute bases positioned adjacent to one another may be configured to form a main cylinder for the stalk roll.

Abstract: A method by a controller of a cooling system includes calculating a difference between a first temperature of ambient air and a second temperature of pre-cooled air. The pre-cooled air is ambient air that has been cooled by water from a water distribution system before it enters one or more condenser coils. The method further includes determining that the difference between the first and second temperatures is less than or equal to a predetermined temperature difference, and in response, determining that the first temperature is greater than or equal to a minimum temperature. The method further includes, if the first temperature is greater than or equal to the minimum temperature, instructing the water distribution system to distribute the water to pre-cool the ambient air for a predetermined length of time and to disable the distribution of the water after the predetermined amount of time has elapsed.

Abstract: An application that is running on a first computing device can receive personal information from a personal information manager that is running on a second computing device. The first computing device can operate using a first platform and the second computing device can operate using a second platform that is different from the first platform. The first computing device can include a first broker, and the second computing device can include a second broker. The first broker and the second broker can be configured to establish a trusted connection between the first computing device and the second computing device. The first broker can additionally be configured to request personal information from the personal information manager via the second broker. The first broker can be configured to automatically request the personal information in response to determining that the application on the first computing device has requested the personal information.

Abstract: An in-vehicle encryption system for use in a vehicle comprising a plurality of vehicle subsystems. The system comprises a security ECU module that communicates with a remote cryptographic module, the security ECU module comprising a processor and a per vehicle master secret (PVMS) value stored in the security ECU module. The security ECU module uses the PVMS value to authenticate with the remote cryptographic module and to establish an external encrypted communication link with the remote cryptographic module. The system further comprises a first subsystem ECU module that generates a first globally unique identifier (GUID) and a second subsystem ECU module that generates a second GUID. The security ECU module uses the first GUID value to establish a first encrypted communication link with the first subsystem ECU module.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for outputting secondary media assets are disclosed. One or more secondary media assets may be associated with objects already existing within a first media asset. The one or more secondary media assets may be indicated according to a manifest file and may be output during execution of a trick play command during output of the first media asset.

Abstract: A detection device and associated systems and methods for detecting analytes from a multiplex reaction are described. In particular, a device for conducting at least one detection reaction using a modified ELISA method including a surface with a detection region and a reference region, a detection sensor, and a light source. The detection device may include a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor. The device may be used to measure and report discrete quantities or combinations of discrete analytes, providing information to aid in the prognosis and/or diagnosis of altered states of health in vertebrates.

Abstract: System and methods that utilize driver facing cameras to monitor a neck size of a driver and to modify vehicle operations as an increase in neck size is detected are disclosed. In one form, a system includes a memory; an imaging device configured; and at least one processor in communication with the memory and the imaging device. The at least one processor is configured to receive an image of the interior of the vehicle captured by the imaging device; analyze the image and determine a parameter associated with a neck size of a driver of the vehicle that is present in the image; determine that the parameter associated with the neck size of the driver present in the image has increased more than a predetermined value; and modify an operation of the vehicle based on the parameter associated with the neck size of the driver present in the image increasing more than the predetermined value.

Abstract: A telecommunications antenna comprising a plurality of unit cells each including at least one radiator which transmits RF energy within a bandwidth range which is a multiple of another radiator. The radiators are proximal to each other such that a resonant condition may be induced into the at least one radiator upon activation of the other radiator. At least one of the radiators is segmented into capacitively-connected radiator elements to suppress a resonance response therein upon activation of the other of the radiator.

Abstract: Embodiments related to active vibration isolation systems for a vehicle seat, as well as their methods of use, are disclosed. In some embodiments, an active suspension system may be configured to support a seat above a floor of a vehicle. The active suspension system may include two or more actuators that may be operated cooperatively to control both the roll and heave of the vehicle seat. In some instances, these actuators may also be non-back-drivable actuators. Additionally, in some embodiments, an active suspension system may include one or more torsion springs that apply torques in parallel with associated actuators of the active suspension system to support at least a portion of the loads applied to the active suspension system during operation.

Abstract: A substrate transport apparatus including a frame, a drive section connected to the frame and including at least one independently controllable motor, at least two substrate transport arms connected to the frame and comprising arm links arranged for supporting and transporting substrates, and a mechanical motion switch coupled to the at least one independently controllable motor and the at least two substrate transport arms for effecting the extension and retraction of one of the at least two substrate transport arms while the other one of the at least two substrate transport arms remains in a substantially retracted configuration.

Abstract: A system for obtaining optical coherence tomography of the optical system of a person, comprising: an eyepiece customized for alignment and positioning to contact a person's eye socket and having a lens pocket for receiving a refractive lens customized for the person's eye refraction characteristics; a condensing system for receiving light from the eyepiece; a scanning module optically connected to the condensing system and having a mirror tiltable in two directions for obtaining optical scanning data from the person's optical system; and a spectrometer and camera module optically connected to the scanning module for obtaining and storing the optical scanning data, wherein the eyepiece, condensing system and scanning module are arranged to provide an optical path for delivering a light beam to the person's eye, and receive reflected light to be directed to the scanning module.

Abstract: A vacuum insulated glass (VIG) window unit includes an array of spacers provided between at least a pair of substrates, such as glass substrate. Certain example embodiments relate to a VIG window unit including spacers (e.g., pillars) of or including a metal alloy. The metal alloy of the spacer may be an amorphous metal alloy (e.g., Zr and/or Cu based amorphous alloy). Such metal alloy spacers advantageously reduce the thermal conductivity of the spacer array and can increase the center of glass R-value of the VIG window unit.

Abstract: A vehicle is received in a stationary controlled area of a controlled testing environment. Simulation inputs corresponding to a simulated scene are generated and transmitted to the vehicle. The vehicle applies torque in response. A vehicle control mechanism of the controlled testing environment, such as a chassis dynamometer, a motorized treadmill, or a lift, keeps the vehicle within the stationary controlled area during the test despite the torque applied by the vehicle. A path of the vehicle within the simulated scene is determined based on the applied torque, based upon which the vehicle's navigation system is calibrated.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle drive system for a vehicle includes a first prime mover, a first prime mover driven transmission, and a rechargeable power source. The hybrid vehicle drive system further includes an interface between the transmission and the prime mover for coupling to an electric motor. The electric motor can be in direct or indirect mechanical communication with a hydraulic pump. The electric motor can receive power from the prime mover driven transmission through the interface.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods and computer systems for an electronic transaction platform that enables the buying and/or selling of securities by users. The methods and systems relate to the automatic participation of users during an electronic communication session for trading a financial instrument between an initiating user and one or more invitee users with the assistance of a dealer user or other intermediate entity.

Abstract: A communication system is disclosed. The system can include a first communication unit including a first antenna, a second communication unit including a second antenna and a dielectric waveguide cable, and a rotary joint configured to enable the first unit to rotate with respect to the second unit about an axis of rotation of the system. The dielectric waveguide cable can extend from the second antenna to the rotary joint, where a proximal end of the cable can be coupled to the second antenna and a distal end of the cable can be affixed to the second unit at a location bordering a space defined by the rotary joint. The first and second units can be configured to engage in two-way communication with each other. An axis of the distal end of the cable can be substantially aligned with the axis of rotation of the system.

Abstract: A self-healing network on-board a vehicle includes multiple wireless devices that are directly and communicatively interconnected via communications backbone(s). One of devices is collectively determined by the other devices to be a lead device of the network, and therefore establishes a wireless link (e.g., an only wireless link) communicatively connecting any of the self-healing network devices to other devices/servers on-board the vehicle and external to the network. Passenger-consumable content may be delivered between any device of the self-healing network and the other on-board, external devices via the lead wireless device, its established wireless link, and the communications backbone(s). Any wireless device of the self-healing network may serve as a hot spare for the lead wireless device, so that the self-healing network may automatically reconfigure to mitigate and recover from faults, e.g.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus are provided for real-time adjustment of image quality parameters. The system includes a controller configured to: acquire an image frame, having a fixed-pixel region that defines a region-of-interest, from one or more imaging devices; apply image processing techniques to determine a modified fixed-pixel region that excludes non-relevant object pixels; alter one or more image quality parameters based on statistics of pixels in the modified fixed-pixel region; and provide the altered one or more image quality parameters to the one or more imaging devices for use with subsequent image frames; wherein the one or more imaging devices produce an image that is tuned, based on the altered one or more image quality parameters, to the portions of the image in the region-of-interest that does not include the non-relevant object pixels.