Abstract: Example embodiments provide systems and methods for increasing the cryptographic strength of an encryption or message-authentication-code-(MAC) generation technique. According to some embodiments, a MAC may be constructed around a shared secret (such as a random initialization number), thereby increasing strength of the MAC against brute force attacks based on the size of the shared secret. The MAC may be combined with randomized data, and may also be encrypted to further bolster the strength of the code. These elements (shared secret, MAC algorithm, and encryption algorithm) may be employed in various combinations and to varying degrees, depending on the application and desired level of security. At each stage, the cryptographic construct operates on the cyptographically modified data from the previous stage. This layering of cryptographic constructs may increase the strength of the group of contrasts more efficiently than applying any one construct with a larger key size or similar increase in complexity.

Abstract: The disclosed optical lens assemblies may include a deformable optical element including a substantially transparent transducer configured to deform, and thus change at least one optical property of, the deformable optical element. At least a portion of the substantially transparent transducer may be positioned within a substantially transparent optical aperture of the optical lens assembly. Various head-mounted displays incorporating such an optical lens assembly, and methods of fabricating the same, are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a power production system that is adapted to achieve high efficiency power production with carbon capture when using a solid or liquid hydrocarbon or carbonaceous fuel. More particularly, the solid or liquid fuel first is partially oxidized in a partial oxidation reactor that is configured to provide an output stream that is enriched in methane content. The resulting partially oxidized stream can be cooled, filtered, additionally cooled, and then directed to a combustor of a power production system as the combustion fuel. The partially oxidized stream is combined with a compressed recycle CO2 stream and oxygen. The combustion stream is expanded across a turbine to produce power and passed through a recuperator heat exchanger. The recycle CO2 stream is compressed and passed through the recuperator heat exchanger and optionally the POX heat exchanger in a manner useful to provide increased efficiency to the combined systems.

Abstract: An optical fiber endcap device may include an input facet spliced onto an input fiber and an output end through which counterpropagating light enters the optical fiber endcap device. The optical fiber endcap device further includes a plurality of angled facets that are arranged at respective angles relative to an axis of the optical fiber endcap device to reflect at least a portion of the counterpropagating light back through the output end of the optical fiber endcap device.

Abstract: A method for storing session state data of a session between a system having a plurality of nodes and a client device includes delivering a service to the client device during a session identified or otherwise specified by a session identifier. The service is delivered by a first of the plurality of nodes in the system. During the session, at least a second node in the system is selected on which session state data associated with the session is to be saved. The second node is selected based on the session identifier such that another node in the system is able to locate the session state data when stored on the second node from the session identifier without contacting a centralized mechanism that specifies where session state data is stored. The session state data is saved to the second node that is selected.

Abstract: The present subject matter provides various technical solutions to technical problems facing sensor-based vehicle safety technology. To address problems facing identification of safety features (e.g., safety sensors) for a particular vehicle, a vehicle safety feature identification system may be used to identify a vehicle and the safety features that are installed on that vehicle. To address problems facing identification of which safety sensors require maintenance, a vehicle safety feature maintenance system may be used to identify vehicle safety sensors based on information received about one or more vehicle repairs, such as structural repairs following a vehicle collision. The vehicle safety feature maintenance system may use image data or other inputs to identify a vehicle repair area, identify other vehicle components that must be removed or adjusted to complete the vehicle repair, and identify all vehicle safety sensors and other safety features that will need to be repaired, replaced, or recalibrated.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for decoding variable-length codes in a parallel process. A stream of variable-length code words is divided into fixed length words. A plurality of parallel sets of decoder circuits each receive, in parallel, a current fixed length word and a prior fixed length word. Each decoder circuit has a respective fixed leftover bit-count. Each decoder circuit generates a respective output that may include a decoded symbol and a new leftover bit-count. Each respective output is determined based on the respective current fixed length word, the respective prior fixed length word, and the respective fixed leftover bit-count. A set of selected decoder circuit outputs is generated for each set of the parallel sets of decoder circuits based on a set of first leftover bit-counts. One output from each set of selected decoder circuit outputs is selected as a final output based on a second prior leftover bit-count.

Abstract: The present document describes a passive thermal-control structure for speakers and associated apparatuses and methods. The architecture of the passive thermal-control structure is such that heat is transferred from electronic subsystems of the electronic speaker device to the passive thermal-control structure, which acts as an internal, structural frame of the electronic speaker device and provides both thermal mitigation and structural stability. The passive thermal-control structure conducts heat from the electronic subsystems to a housing of the electronic speaker device. The housing of the electronic speaker device may dissipate the heat to the ambient environment to prevent thermal runaway of the electronic subsystems, and the internal frame mitigates the temperature of the housing from exceeding ergonomic temperature limits.

Abstract: A computer system calibrates an image from digital motion video, which originated from a camera that has a view of a scene from a period of time, with an image rendered from a three-dimensional model of the scene for a view based on a location (position and orientation) of the camera in the scene. The calibrated image from the digital motion video can be overlaid on the rendered image in a graphical user interface. The graphical user interface can allow a user to modify opacity of the overlay of the calibrated image from the digital motion video on the rendered image. The overlaid image can be used as a guide by the user to provide inputs with respect to the three-dimensional model.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatus for path selection in a storage system. The storage system includes a plurality of storage devices, each storage device being connected to a plurality of different HBA ports of a server via a plurality of paths; the method comprises: monitoring a system-wide performance metric of the storage system to obtain dynamic performance statistics; detecting a performance-related event based on the dynamic performance statistics; and selecting, from the plurality of paths, an active path for a storage device of the plurality of storage devices based on the dynamic performance statistics and a result of the detecting. With the methods or apparatus according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, performance bottleneck can be avoided or timely eliminated, load balance can be achieved, and system resources can be utilized more effectively.

Abstract: Representative embodiments disclose machine learning classifiers used in scenarios such as speech recognition, image captioning, machine translation, or other sequence-to-sequence embodiments. The machine learning classifiers have a plurality of time layers, each layer having a time processing block and a depth processing block. The time processing block is a recurrent neural network such as a Long Short Term Memory (LSTM) network. The depth processing blocks can be an LSTM network, a gated Deep Neural Network (DNN) or a maxout DNN. The depth processing blocks account for the hidden states of each time layer and uses summarized layer information for final input signal feature classification. An attention layer can also be used between the top depth processing block and the output layer.

Abstract: Devices, methods and systems for generating wideband, high-fidelity arbitrary radio frequency (RF) passband signals are described. A voltage tunable optical filter for arbitrary RF passband signal generation includes a first input configured to receive a broadband optical pulse train, a second input configured to receive a first control voltage representative of an amplitude signal, an electrooptic modulator to receive the broadband optical pulse train and the first control voltage, to modulate the broadband optical pulse train in accordance with the amplitude signal, and to produce two complementary optical outputs that form two arms of an interferometer, an optical delay component to impart an optical path difference into one of the complementary outputs of the electrooptic modulator, and a combiner or a splitter to receive two complementary optical outputs of the electrooptic modulator after impartation of the optical path difference and to produce an output interference pattern of fringes.

Abstract: In a method of processing seeds, an angle of repose of processed seeds is determined to evaluate whether the processed seeds have been sufficiently processed in a processing step. In a system for determining an angle of repose of processed seeds, a receptacle receives and supports the seeds in a pile. An image sensor faces the receptacle to capture an image of the pile of processed seeds in the cavity. An image processor is operatively connected to the image sensor to receive the captured image from the image sensor. The image evaluates the image to determine an angle of inclination of the pile based on the image.

Abstract: A vehicle frame assembly includes, among other things, a main rail and a node assembly attached to the main rail. The node assembly includes a forward mounting member, a rear mounting member, and a deflector extending between the forward mounting member and rear mounting member. When a load exceeds a threshold load that is applied to a front of a vehicle, the deflector is configured to engage a tire and deflect the tire from entering a forward vehicle area.

Abstract: An aircraft for fixed pitch lift includes a fuselage, a plurality of flight components attached to the fuselage, wherein the plurality of flight components further comprises at least a lift propulsor component, wherein the lift propulsor component comprises a plurality of blades configured at a fixed angle of attack, and a pusher component, wherein the pusher component is configured to produce a forward thrust.

Abstract: Reconfigurable touch screen computing devices with folding configurations that include flexible and/or rigid displays made up of segments reconfigured from a compact state to an expanded state are described. The form factor of the compact state is the size of a handheld phone (including an integrated speaker and microphone). The form factor of the expanded state is the size of a tablet computer (including the mechanical functionality of a laptop). Both states provide a configuration including a touch screen display on a front side and a protective housing on a back side. The computing devices include sensors indicating the state and mechanisms for folding, alignment, and structural support, and magnets for the devices to be locked in the folded or unfolded state. A module attached to at least one segment may contain substantially all processing and memory, and a communications system, all which may be used in either state.

Abstract: The invention relates to the novel cotton variety designated 18R067. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants, plant parts and derivatives of the cotton variety 18R067. Also provided by the invention are methods of using cotton variety 18R067 and products derived therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing cotton plants by crossing the cotton variety 18R067 with itself or another cotton variety and plants and seeds produced by such methods.

Abstract: An example technique performed by a client on a device includes: detecting a mobility state of the device in a presence of a wireless network; determining, based at least in part on the mobility state, that the wireless network is a preferred wireless network for the device; in response to determining that the wireless network is a preferred wireless network, elevating a priority of the wireless network in a set of wireless networks to which the device is connectable; and connecting the device to the wireless network based, at least in part, on the priority of the wireless network.

Abstract: A diffusing applicator is provided and generally includes a head unit, and extension shaft, and a dispensing device. The head unit includes a fluid receiving space and a plurality of dispensing passageways in communication the fluid receiving space. The extension shaft is securely connected to head unit. The dispensing device holds a fluid and is connected to the extension shaft. The dispensing device is in communication with the plurality of dispensing passageways.

Abstract: A headrest assembly includes a pivot pin rotatably coupled to a support structure. A pivot member extends outward from a headrest body and is coupled to the pivot pin. A lock assembly is disposed about the pivot pin and is operable between a disengaged condition and an engaged condition. In the engaged condition, rotation of the pivot pin relative to the support structure is generally prevented. A pulley wheel is operable to rotate about the pivot pin from a first position to a second position to prompt the lock assembly to enter the disengaged condition.