Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for securely storing and accessing data records. In an embodiment, a random seed value and a time period counter received from a warrant server. The seed value may correspond to a starting time period and be updated by applying a one-way function to the seed value upon expiration of the starting time period and each subsequent time period. A data record may then be received including one or more data fields. A data field may be identified to use as an index value, and an encryption key may be generated based on the current random seed value and the index value. The data record and/or the index value may then be encrypted using the encryption key, and the encryption key may be securely deleted after encrypting the data record and/or the index value. The warrant server may then assist with recovery of the data.

Abstract: A training system has sensors that monitor at least one biological parameter. During training, a stress level is determined/calculated based upon data from the sensors and, if the stress level is out of bounds, the training is modified and/or personnel are notified. For example, if the stress level is too high, the training is slowed or stopped and a trainer is notified.

Abstract: A design for high-efficiency broadband antennas which includes a D-plate and an E-cylinder, electrically insulated from each other, the E-cylinder being above the D-plate, and both parts insulated from a ground plane. The E-cylinder and D-plate may be fed by distinct feed networks with adjustable impedance.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a microdermabrasion device for treating skin comprises a handpiece assembly having a distal end and a proximal end. The handpiece assembly includes at least one delivery conduit and at least one waste conduit. The microdermabrasion device additionally comprises a tip configured to be positioned along the distal end of the handpiece assembly, wherein the tip is adapted to contact skin surface. In several embodiments, the tip comprises a lip, a first opening in fluid communication with the fluid delivery conduit and a second opening in fluid communication with the waste conduit. In one embodiment, the device includes one or more abrasive elements positioned along a distal end of the tip, wherein the abrasive elements are configured to selectively remove skin as the tip is moved relative to a skin surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for collecting, processing and aggregating satellite imagery with large volumes of other digitized data for analysis by a human user in order to identify geographic areas for further data collection and/or analysis. More particularly, the invention relates to identifying geographic subjects for satellite image acquisition by aggregating and analyzing first-time changes detected by satellite imagery as well as weather report data, social media streams and newswire feeds. An analytics engine uses rules to qualify, flag and correlate asynchronous data from a plurality of sources with changes on the earth's surface, and catalogs and stores the qualified and correlated data where it may be queried and used to prepare reports or recommendations for future satellite image acquisition targets.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for a virtual fax machine are provided. In one embodiment, a system for a virtual fax machine is provided including a computer configured to display a virtual fax machine based on a script, a server configured to receive at least one electronic document associated with a fax to be sent using the virtual fax machine, and a traditional facsimile machine configured to receive the fax to be sent. In another embodiment, an apparatus for a virtual fax machine is provided including a computer configured to locate and execute a script associated with a virtual fax machine, display the virtual fax machine, associate at least one electronic document with a fax to be sent, encode the at least one electronic document to a form suitable for communication over a network, and transmit the encoded electronic document over the network as the fax to be sent.

Abstract: An apparatus has conforming arms each respectively attached to a support surface in a pattern for cooperatively receiving an object. Actuators respectively position the plurality of conforming arms between a disengaged state to receive the object and an engaged state to contact the object at a respective contact area to immobilize the object. A control system selectively controls each of the actuators to cause the respective one of the conforming arms to curve inwardly toward the object to cooperatively exert a grasping force upon the object such that only a fraction of total force required to immobilize the object is applied to the object by each individual conforming arm. A selected grasping force of a selected one of the conforming arms corresponds to a relative fragility of the respective contact area.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods for executing transactions between parties seeking services and parties offering services.

Abstract: Various examples of an apparatus for mounting a camera on a vehicle are disclosed. An apparatus comprises a first portion of a first material with a first end configured for attaching to a camera and a second end configured for mounting to a vehicle. The apparatus is configured to maintain the camera in a substantially calibrated position. A second portion of a second material is coupled to the first portion, wherein the second material is capable of deforming upon an impact to the apparatus and returning the apparatus to the calibrated position upon exposure to an energy source. In another example, the apparatus is constructed entirely of the second material.

Abstract: Provided herein are heat engine systems and methods for starting such systems and generating electricity while avoiding damage to one or more system components. A provided heat engine system maintains a working fluid (e.g., sc-CO2) within the low pressure side of a working fluid circuit in a liquid-type state, such as a supercritical state, during a startup procedure. Additionally, a bypass system is provided for routing the working fluid around one or more heat exchangers during startup to avoid overheating of system components.

Abstract: Systems and methods for balancing charge of battery cells of a battery pack are disclosed. In one example, battery cell balancing may be improved by balancing battery cells of a battery cell stack simultaneously. The system and method may be particularly useful battery packs that may be constructed with battery cell stacks that vary in a number of series battery cells.

Abstract: Approaches are provided for a congestion detection algorithm for detection of congestion in outroute port queues (associated with respective satellite downlink beams), of a Layer 2 switch on-board a processing satellite, before the congestion reaches the point of dropping packets. Such approaches employ congestion notification protocols to inform all inroute sources of the congested ports. The on-board Layer 2 switch sends congestion notifications to the on-board system controller. The system controller broadcasts a notification reflecting the report of contested ports/beams to source terminals. The source terminals then segregate bandwidth requests regarding traffic destined for congested beams from traffic destined to all uncongested beams, and categorize such requests based on respective traffic priority levels.

Abstract: Various exemplary devices and methods for heating fluid dispensers, hoses, and nozzles are provided. In general, the devices and methods for heating fluid dispensers, hoses, and nozzles can be configured to heat fluid dispensable by a user into a fuel tank or other type of container. In some embodiments, a fuel dispensing device can include a first passageway configured to pass fluid therethrough and can include a second passageway configured to pass heated air therethrough. The heated air passing through the second passageway can be configured to heat the fluid passing through the first passageway. In some embodiments, a fuel dispensing device can include a single hose configured to pass fluid and heated air through separate passageways therein, and the device can include a manifold configured to facilitate passage of the fluid and the heated air from separate sources into the single hose.

Abstract: A cloud based system for a package exchange with a vehicle service is discussed. The system can have servers having processors, ports, and databases and a security module running on the processors to receive a virtual key and one of a request for package exchange with a vehicle service, data, or both, from a package delivery vehicle. The virtual key has a first shelf life and is used for authentication of communications from the delivery vehicle. The security module can receive a security token having a second shelf life from a user. The security token is used for verification of the user and target vehicle. After the first authentication and in an overlap window of the two shelf lives, the security module can send the one or more commands to an on-board actuation module of the target vehicle to cause an electro-mechanical operation in the target vehicle.

Abstract: A method for data communication between a vehicle and fuel pump includes storing vehicle operating data on an onboard recorder in the vehicle, and transmitting the vehicle operating data from the onboard recorder to the fuel pump. The vehicle operating data includes vehicle identification information.

Abstract: A method of assessing the productivity of a pharmacy includes: (a) recording information regarding the identity and quantity of each pharmaceutical being automatically dispensed with an automated prescription monitoring unit; (b) with an overall pharmacy prescription monitoring unit, recording information regarding (i) dispensing of pharmaceuticals dispensed from the automated pharmacy machine and (ii) manual dispensing of pharmaceuticals; (c) identifying in step (a) low performing pharmaceuticals; (d) identifying in step (b) high performing pharmaceuticals dispensed manually as candidates for automated dispensing; (e) comparing low performing pharmaceuticals of step (c) with high performing pharmaceuticals of step (d) to determine whether replacement is recommended; (f) confirming whether high performing pharmaceuticals identified in step (d) are capable of automated dispensing; and (g) replacing in the automated pharmacy machine a low performing pharmaceutical identified in step (c) with a high performing p

Abstract: An approach is provided for increasing transmission throughput rates for a source signal transmitted over a wireless channel, applying faster-than-Nyquist (FTN) signaling rates combined with tight frequency roll-off to the a source signal. A receiver is provided that compensates for ISI effects induced by the FTN rate and tight frequency roll-off, where the complexity of the receiver grows only linearly with the interference memory. The receiver comprises an equalizer configured to compensate for the ISI effects, and a decoder configured to decode the output of the equalizer to determine and regenerate the source signal. The receiver processes the received signal via a plurality of processing iterations. For one processing iteration, the decoder generates a set of a posteriori soft information based on the output of the equalizer, and the equalizer uses the a posteriori soft information as a priori soft information for a subsequent processing iteration.

Abstract: A device for housing electronics and optics at the leading edge of a fire suppression operation. The device can be attached to a fire hose, water discharge outlet on a fire engine/ladder truck. The device can enhance fire ground visibility by means of a lighting source, enhance fire ground communication by means of a video monitoring source, enhance operation using infrared thermal imaging and enhance fire fighter safety by means of an atmospheric/biological metering/monitoring/warning source. All of these enhancements are preferably contained in one, unit with the ability to be deployed anywhere on the fire scene.

Abstract: Provided are, among other things, systems, apparatuses methods and techniques for attenuating the level of unwanted noise and/or distortion in a particular frequency band, without similarly attenuating the level of a desired signal in the same frequency band. One such apparatus includes a distributed network comprising a plurality of reactive impedance segments and gain cells that form transmission paths, over which continuous and quantized versions of an input signal propagate before combining with the input signal itself.

Abstract: A system and method for association of remote nodes with respective aggregation nodes in a high capacity shared bandwidth communications network, which meets various requirements and desires associated with efficient, robust, reliable and flexible broadband services, and which is relatively efficient and automated from a network management and load balancing standpoint, is provided. A remote node receives a message transmitted by a gateway over the communications network, wherein the message includes service codes identifying one or more service capabilities of the gateway. The remote node determines, based on the service codes, whether the gateway is an eligible gateway for servicing one or more service requirements of the remote node. The remote node then adds the gateway to a pool of eligible gateways within the communications network.