Abstract: A computer-implement method for exchanging data between a blockchain system and a non-blockchain system is provided. The method includes: adding, by endorser nodes, periodically a plurality of status information of the endorser nodes to a smart contract of a blockchain ledger; receiving, by a first peer node, a transaction from an application; sending, by the first peer node, the received transaction to all endorser nodes; processing, by the endorser nodes, the transaction via the smart contract to obtain a plurality of endorsements; electing, by the endorser nodes, one of the endorser nodes as a target endorser node according to the status information of the endorser nodes; and transferring, by the target endorser node, the endorsed transaction to the non-blockchain system via an API corresponding to the non-blockchain system.

Abstract: A computer-implement method for exchanging data between a blockchain system and a non-blockchain system is provided. The method includes: adding, by endorser nodes, periodically a plurality of status information of the endorser nodes to a smart contract of a blockchain ledger; receiving, by a first peer node, a transaction from an application; sending, by the first peer node, the received transaction to all endorser nodes; processing, by the endorser nodes, the transaction via the smart contract to obtain a plurality of endorsements; electing, by the endorser nodes, one of the endorser nodes as a target endorser node according to the status information of the endorser nodes; and transferring, by the target endorser node, the endorsed transaction to the non-blockchain system via an API corresponding to the non-blockchain system.

Abstract: A hardware accelerator for accelerating the zero knowledge succinct non-interactive argument of knowledge (zk-SNARK) protocol by reducing the computation time of the cryptographic verification is disclosed. The accelerator includes a zk-SNARK engine having one or more processing units running in parallel. The processing unit can include one or more multiply-accumulate operation (MAC) units, one or more fast Fourier transform (FFT) units; and one or more elliptic curve processor (ECP) units. The one or more ECP units are configured to reduce a bit-length of a scalar di in an ECP algorithm used for generating a proof, thereby the cryptographic verification requires less computation power.

Abstract: Modular armor for a hard upper torso (HUT) of an atmospheric suit that maintains a specific atmosphere within the suit includes a first outer layer including a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface and a second outer layer including a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. A core is sandwiched between the first surface of the first outer layer and the first surface of the second outer layer. The armor is fabricated such that the second surface of the first outer layer is conformally affixed to the HUT.

Abstract: A hardware accelerator for accelerating the zk-SNARK protocol by reducing the computation time of the cryptographic verification is disclosed. The accelerator includes a zk-SNARK engine having one or more processing units running in parallel. The processing unit can include one or more multiply-accumulate operation (MAC) units, one or more fast Fourier transform (FFT) units; and one or more elliptic curve processor (ECP) units. The one or more ECP units are configured to reduce a bit-length of a scalar cl, in an ECP algorithm used for generating a proof, thereby the cryptographic verification requires less computation power.

Abstract: A vehicle jack includes a lift element, an operative element operably connected to the lift element to transition the lift element from a first position to a second position, where the first position differs in elevation from the second position, and an extension element affixed to the lift element. The extension element has a bottom side that establishes a stable interface with the lift element.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring the physical proximity of beacon devices relative to a deployment of relay devices. Beacon device may broadcast a proximate data signal receivable relay devices within range. Upon receiving a proximate data signal from a beacon, a relay is configured to provide a corresponding notification to a monitoring server. During standard operation, a beacon device is configured to broadcast the proximate data signal at a first frequency. A beacon may include an emergency trigger, as well as possible optional emergency detection sensors. Upon detecting an emergency, a beacon device broadcasts a proximate data signal at a second frequency and/or modify the proximate data signal. The monitoring server monitors the frequency of transmission and/or content of the proximate data signals from the beacon devices and, upon detecting an emergency (or the absence of an expected proximate data signal from a beacon), may provide an emergency alert.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring the physical proximity of beacon devices relative to a deployment of relay devices. Beacon device may broadcast a proximate data signal receivable relay devices within range. Upon receiving a proximate data signal from a beacon, a relay is configured to provide a corresponding notification to a monitoring server. During standard operation, a beacon device is configured to broadcast the proximate data signal at a first frequency. A beacon may include an emergency trigger, as well as possible optional emergency detection sensors. Upon detecting an emergency, a beacon device broadcasts a proximate data signal at a second frequency and/or modify the proximate data signal. The monitoring server monitors the frequency of transmission and/or content of the proximate data signals from the beacon devices and, upon detecting an emergency (or the absence of an expected proximate data signal from a beacon), may provide an emergency alert.

Abstract: A Power-Line Communication (PLC) receiver has a filter, a time domain processor, a frequency-domain processor, and a forward-error-correction decoder. A narrow-band frequency detector attached to the frequency-domain processor examines the frequency-domain signal for a highest-power sub-carrier frequency. This highest power is compared to an average power of all other sub-carriers and a narrow-band interferer is detected when the highest power is significantly above the average. When the interferer is detected N times in a time period, a control layer adds this sub-carrier frequency to a removed list and recalculates filter coefficients to add a notch filter at the frequencies of the removed list. Updated filter coefficients are loaded into the filter to implement notch filters. When the current power of a sub-carrier signal on the removed list falls significantly below the average power, the sub-carrier is deleted from the removed list and coefficients recalculated to remove the notch filter.

Abstract: A Sampling Frequency Offset (SFO) tracking and estimation circuit performs SFO compensation on incoming data. A SFO acquisition module makes an initial coarse estimate using a Network Time Base (NTB) from the Media-Access-Controller (MAC) layer, or from the physical layer using adjacent synchronization symbols. A preamble channel estimator compares a frequency-domain preamble symbol to a reference symbol to generate a first channel estimate. As additional symbols are received, converted to the frequency domain, demodulated, and error corrected, the resulting data are re-error-encoded and compared to the same symbol stored before error correction and demodulation to generate a decision feedback channel estimate. The conjugate of the decision feedback channel estimate is multiplied by the last channel estimate to generate a new SFO estimate that is scaled by a filter constant and used to adjust SFO compensation. Each symbol generates a new estimate without using pilots.

Abstract: A vehicle jack includes a lift element, an operative element operably connected to the lift element to transition the lift element from a first position to a second position, where the first position differs in elevation from the second position, and an extension element affixed to the lift element. The extension element has a bottom side that establishes a stable interface with the lift element.

Abstract: A Power-Line Communication (PLC) receiver has a filter, a time domain processor, a frequency-domain processor, and a forward-error-correction decoder. A narrow-band frequency detector attached to the frequency-domain processor examines the frequency-domain signal for a highest-power sub-carrier frequency. This highest power is compared to an average power of all other sub-carriers and a narrow-band interferer is detected when the highest power is significantly above the average. When the interferer is detected N times in a time period, a control layer adds this sub-carrier frequency to a removed list and recalculates filter coefficients to add a notch filter at the frequencies of the removed list. Updated filter coefficients are loaded into the filter to implement notch filters. When the current power of a sub-carrier signal on the removed list falls significantly below the average power, the sub-carrier is deleted from the removed list and coefficients recalculated to remove the notch filter.

Abstract: Multi view images are generated with reduced flickering. A first depth map is generated from stereo images by stereo-matching. When stereo-matching is poor or varies too much from frame to frame, disparity fallback selects a second depth map that is generated from a single view without stereo-matching, preventing stereo-matching errors from producing visible artifacts or flickering. Flat or textureless regions can use the second depth map, while regions with good stereo-matching use the first depth map. Depth maps are generated with a one-frame delay and buffered. Low-cost temporal coherence reduces costs used for stereo-matching when the pixel location selected as the lowest-cost disparity is within a distance threshold of the same pixel in a last frame. Hybrid view synthesis uses forward mapping for smaller numbers of views, and backward mapping from the forward-mapping results for larger numbers of views. Rotated masks are generated on-the-fly for backward mapping.

Abstract: Multi view images are generated with reduced flickering. A first depth map is generated from stereo images by stereo-matching. When stereo-matching is poor or varies too much from frame to frame, disparity fallback selects a second depth map that is generated from a single view without stereo-matching, preventing stereo-matching errors from producing visible artifacts or flickering. Flat or textureless regions can use the second depth map, while regions with good stereo-matching use the first depth map. Depth maps are generated with a one-frame delay and buffered. Low-cost temporal coherence reduces costs used for stereo-matching when the pixel location selected as the lowest-cost disparity is within a distance threshold of the same pixel in a last frame. Hybrid view synthesis uses forward mapping for smaller numbers of views, and backward mapping from the forward-mapping results for larger numbers of views. Rotated masks are generated on-the-fly for backward mapping.

Abstract: A shift lever assembly for a vehicle transmission can include an escutcheon body having a first guide rail and a second guide rail where the first and second guide rails are spaced apart from each other and are substantially parallel to each other. A slider body can be provided and can be movable with respect to the escutcheon body and include at least one spring member. The at least one spring member can include a contact structure, and a compression force can be applied via the contact structure to maintain the contact structure in compression with the guide rails.

Abstract: A shifter mounting bracket assembly is disclosed which can include an L-shaped flange body and an extension body extending from the L-shaped flange body. The extension body can include a first opening defined by at least one C-shaped extension portion and a second opening defined by the at least one C-shaped extension portion. The openings and C-shaped extension portions can be configured to provide a stress zone that is deformable when impact forces are applied to the shifter assembly. The extension body can have an L-shape and can be connected to the shifter assembly, while the L-shaped flange body is connected to the interior of the vehicle to hold the shifter assembly in place in the vehicle.

Abstract: Playsets having pop-up structures. Pop-up structures may be adapted to transition to an erect configuration when the playset is in an open configuration, in which at least a portion of the pop-up structure may extend outside of a perimeter of the playset, and to a compact stowed configuration when the playset is in a closed configuration, in which the pop-up structure is disposed within the perimeter. Playsets may include elements adapted to urge a portion of the pop-up structure toward the erect configuration or one or more playset-accessory retention chambers. Some examples may include first and second latch elements that are adapted to cooperatively retain the playset in the open configuration. Other examples may include a fastener adapted to be moved selectively between a clasping position in which the fastener retains the playset in the closed configuration and a linking position in which the fastener couples to a second playset.

Abstract: A shifter mounting bracket assembly is disclosed which can include an L-shaped flange body and an extension body extending from the L-shaped flange body. The extension body can include a first opening defined by at least one C-shaped extension portion and a second opening defined by the at least one C-shaped extension portion. The openings and C-shaped extension portions can be configured to provide a stress zone that is deformable when impact forces are applied to the shifter assembly. The extension body can have an L-shape and can be connected to the shifter assembly, while the L-shaped flange body is connected to the interior of the vehicle to hold the shifter assembly in place in the vehicle.

Abstract: A shift lever assembly for a vehicle transmission can include an escutcheon body having a first guide rail and a second guide rail where the first and second guide rails are spaced apart from each other and are substantially parallel to each other. A slider body can be provided and can be movable with respect to the escutcheon body and include at least one spring member. The at least one spring member can include a contact structure, and a compression force can be applied via the contact structure to maintain the contact structure in compression with the guide rails.

Abstract: A system comprising a central processing unit (102) for use in executing RISC instructions and a hardware unit (100) associated with the central processing unit (102), is disclosed. The hardware unit (100) is configured for translating stack-based instructions into RISC instructions for execution by the central processing unit (102). The translation is performed using a programmable lookup table.