Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing user key material from a server to a client is disclosed. The method comprises receiving a first message from the client in a server, the first message having a user key material request, an access token and an identifier of a transport key (TrK-ID), validating the user key material request according to the access token, generating a response having user key material responsive to the user key material request, encrypting the response according to the transport key (TrK), and transmitting a second message comprising the response from the server to the client. The client decrypts the second message according to the transport key (TrK) and validates the second message using the identifier of the transport key (TrK-ID).

Abstract: A system and method for dynamically controlling multiple wireless speakers in response to the sensed location of one or more listeners and predefined audio preferences associated therewith. The position of a device associated with a given user is continuously monitored and the state of the wireless speakers adjusted accordingly so as to provide the user with a customized, yet consistent audio experience as they move with respect to the wireless speakers. Prioritization among multiple user devices is also provided for, thereby ensuring that higher-priority users are provided with the aural environment they have specified, or placing the wireless speaker system into an operational state that provides a suitable audio environment for all users.

Abstract: Patient identification is transmitted to a health care provider prior to the patient arriving at the health care provider. The patient identification may be a driver's license, health insurance card, or other identification, and may be used to pre-register the patient. The transmission may include other information, such as health status, purpose of visit, intended procedures, symptoms, or other information. The transmission may be made via a device, such as a cellular telephone, where the information may be encrypted and transmitted using a secure mechanism. The system may be used by ambulance personnel, paramedics, or other emergency responders to notify a hospital, for example, of an inbound patient, as well as by patients prior to an appointment. The system may also be used by clinicians or other health care providers to prepare for emergent or non-emergent patients prior to arrival.

Abstract: A vaporizer device and associated methodology for providing accurate sampling through substantially efficient, complete and uniform single pass vaporization of a liquid sample by avoiding liquid pre-vaporization and downtime attributable to system damage from incomplete vaporization, particularly in the distribution, transportation, and custody transfer of natural gas. The vaporizer device includes at least one input port for receiving a liquid sample, a channel for directing the liquid to a vaporizer core and a heating assembly within the vaporizer core configured to flash vaporize the liquid sample. The vaporized sample can then be passed to an outlet for sample analysis.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of compensation for capacity loss resulting from cycle-induced lithium consumption in an electrochemical cell including at least one electrode. Such methods may include adding a lithiation additive to the at least one electrode so as to create a lithium source. The lithium source compensates for cycle-induced lithiation loss such that the electrochemical cell having the lithiation additive experiences total capacity losses of less than or equal to about 5% of an initial capacity prior to cycling of lithium. The lithiation additive includes a lithium silicate represented by the formula LiuHr, where Hr=Liy-uSiOz and where 0?y?3.75 and 0?z?2 and u is a useable portion of y, 0?u?y. The lithium source may include z 4 ? L ? i 4 ? Si ? O 4 and LimSi, where 0?m?4.4.

Abstract: A paint applicator assembly includes a frame having a base. The base has a forward side, a first lateral side, and a second lateral side opposite the first lateral side. A light assembly is supported by the frame. The light assembly includes a printed circuit board having a forward side portion positioned proximate the forward side of the base. The light assembly further includes a plurality of light sources supported on the printed circuit board. The plurality of light sources includes a first light source and a second light source positioned on the forward side portion. The first light source is configured to direct light along a first direction, and the second light source is configured to direct light along a second direction that is different than the first direction.

Abstract: Provided are barrels, barrel assemblies, firearms, and associated components, assemblies, and methods. A barrel of a firearm may include an inner surface defining a bore configured to guide a projectile as the projectile is propelled through the bore by pressurized gas. The barrel may define a muzzle end, a chamber end opposite the muzzle end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the muzzle end and the chamber end. The inner surface may define a chamber at the chamber end of the barrel. The chamber may receive a cartridge and to support at least a portion of a casing of the cartridge during firing. The barrel may further define one or more barrel feed ramps at the chamber end configured to guide at least a portion of the cartridge into the chamber during an operational cycle of the firearm. The barrel may engage with a barrel extension as a barrel assembly.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method comprising: establishing, by an operation device, a wireless communication with a remote device; authenticating, by the operation device, the wireless communication with the remote device; receiving, at the operation device, a first command to perform a first operation; establishing a first maximum delay period using an estimated time delay, wherein the estimated time delay comprises an authentication delay, an encryption delay, or a combination thereof; determining, by the operation device, that the first command is received within a first maximum delay period; performing, by the operation device, the first operation; receiving, at the operation device, a second command to perform a second operation; establishing a second maximum delay period using the estimated time delay; determining, by the operation device, that the second command is received within a second maximum delay period; and performing, by the operation device, the second operation instructed in the second command.

Abstract: A method and system, the method including transmitting a unique identifier of at least one radio frequency (RF) transmitter to a device in a vicinity of the RF transmitter; acquiring images of objects by a vision system, the vision system comprising at least one image capturing device and an image processing unit to determine objects in the images acquired by the image capturing device; determining, by a controller, a location of the device based on, at least in part, the unique identifier of one of the at least one RF transmitters; and determining, by the controller, a precise location of the device based on a correlation between the location of the device determined based on the unique identifier and the objects captured in the images acquired by the image capturing device.

Abstract: A mated connector assembly includes: a first connector assembly, comprising a plurality of first coaxial connectors mounted on a mounting structure and a first shell; and a second connector assembly, comprising a plurality of second coaxial connectors, each of the second coaxial connectors connected with a respective coaxial cable and mated with a respective first coaxial connector. The second connector assembly includes a second shell surrounding the second coaxial connectors, the second shell defining a plurality of electrically isolated cavities, each of the second coaxial connectors being located in a respective cavity. In in a mated condition the second shell resides within the first shell.

Abstract: Steam generators in power plants exchange energy from a primary medium to a secondary medium for energy extraction. Steam generators include one or more primary conduits and one or more secondary conduits. The conduits do not intermix the mediums and may thus discriminate among different fluid sources and destinations. One conduit may boil feedwater while another reheats steam for use in lower and higher-pressure turbines, respectively. Valves and other selectors divert steam and/or water into the steam generator or to other turbines or the environment for load balancing and other operational characteristics. Conduits circulate around an interior perimeter of the steam generator immersed in the primary medium and may have different cross-sections, radii, and internal structures depending on contained. A water conduit may have less flow area and a tighter coil radius. A steam conduit may include a swirler and rivulet stopper to intermix water in any steam flow.

Abstract: Mechanisms for enhancing multiplayer games are provided.

Abstract: A harvester travels along a route within a field and selectively harvests edible crowns ready for harvesting. As the harvester travels along the route, a position of the harvester and/or the edible crowns may be determined using an encoder, imaging device(s), and/or navigational system(s). For example, image(s) captured by the imaging device(s) may be used to determine a location of the edible crowns and/or global positioning satellite (GPS) coordinates may indicate a location of the harvester within the field. These locations may be used for instructing harvesting components to harvest the edible crowns. For example, the harvester may include robotic arms having end effectors that harvest the edible crowns. Knowing the location of the edible crowns and/or the harvester therefore allows for the accurate placement of the end effectors for harvesting the edible crowns.

Abstract: An optical fiber testing device (300) being plugged into a port at which optical signals including communication and test signals within different wavelength bands being received, comprises an optical connector (304) including a plug body surrounding a ferrule holding an optical fiber (301) and a reflector component (326) carried with the optical connector (304). The reflector component (326) is optically coupled to the rear of the optical fiber and reflects the test signal. A method for testing an optical fiber, comprises removably securing a reusable ruggedized optical fiber testing device to a ruggedized port of an optical fiber terminal to optically couple to an optical fiber under test, transmitting a test signal over the optical fiber under test, and using the reflector component to return the test signal over the optical fiber under test when receiving the test signal.

Abstract: A computerized system automatically ensures that data from a data partner has been ethically sourced. The system reviews websites associated with URLs provided by the data provider, and privacy policy data is extracted and captured. A keyword set is used to analyze the privacy terms of websites associated with the URLs. URLs associated with websites that ethically collect data are stored in a URL database, or the URLs are given a flag or score, such that these URLs need not be checked each time a new data partner identifies these URLs as the source of its data. The system may periodically re-check the URLs to ensure that no changes have been made to the corresponding website's data collection practices.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a relationship among data sets. The method includes selecting a first data set from a first table, and a second data set from a second table, forming an inclusion dependency pair of data based on the selected first data set and the selected second data set, determining a resultant of the inclusion dependency pair, and determining a primary key-foreign key relationship between the first data set and the second data set based on the determined resultant.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments provide systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for an interactive information technology (IT) kiosk that can be used to access IT services (e.g., live IT services) for computing hardware. For example, the interactive IT kiosk may include various ports for connecting computing hardware to establish a connection to a service center and/or to provide diagnostic data to the service center, a video camera, a display screen (e.g., a touchscreen display), a microphone, and/or the like. These hardware components may allow for a service center to provide IT services related to the computing hardware in real-time and may allow for real-time communication with a user of the interactive IT kiosk without consuming additional computing resources of the computing hardware.

Abstract: A system and a method of emulating a second cloud computing environment on a first cloud computing environment are disclosed herein. The first cloud computing environment includes an innovation platform having a private domain name system. The private domain name system is split between a customer subnet and a private subnet. The customer subnet is limited to communications with only the private subnet. The customer subnet executes an application thereon. The application is targeted for use on the second cloud computing environment.

Abstract: Techniques for reducing fraud are disclosed. A transaction request is received from a user to perform a transaction using an account. In one approach, a source icon is displayed prior to executing the request. The source icon includes a graphical representation of an owner of the account. In another approach, at least one of a photograph and a voice of the user is recorded prior to executing the request. In a third approach, the user is informed that at least one of a photograph, a voice print, and location data will be taken prior to executing the transaction request.

Abstract: A computer system for assessing sound to analyze a user's sleep includes a processor configured to perform operations including: (i) storing sample sound data associated with a plurality of sample sleep events, the sample sound data including a plurality of sample characteristics each respectively associated with at least one sample sleep event of the plurality of sample sleep events; (ii) receiving, from a client device, subject sound data collected during a sleep interval; (iii) analyzing, using a machine learning algorithm, the subject sound data collected during the sleep interval; (iv) identifying, based upon the analyzing, a subject characteristic associated with the subject sound data; (v) comparing the subject characteristic with the plurality of sample characteristics; and (vi) determining, based upon the comparing, whether the subject characteristic substantially matches at least one sample characteristic to identify one or more subject sleep events occurring during the sleep interval.