Abstract: Managed access to file system objects enables an application to request access to a file system object via a file system transformer driver, which may extend the capabilities of a file system. The file system transformer driver may be configured to convert a data file format for the file system object to a data format requested by the application. The file system transformer driver may store the file system object in an internal data format using a file system on a storage device. The file system transformer driver may receive requests from applications via an operating system instruction.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for establishing interaction among electronic devices of an environment. The device has a transmitter, receiver, memory for storing interaction rules, and a processor for learning the interaction rules in association with the transmitter, receiver, and other devices of the environment. The device also includes components for performing the device specific functions and a state sensor for determining the logical or physical state of the device. Methods involve observing at one or more devices change of state activity among the plurality of devices through receiving a change of state message that is transmitted to the one or more devices, A set of rules are learned at the one or more devices based upon observing the change of state activity. The learned set of rules are then applied at the one or more devices to automatically control changes of state of devices within the plurality of devices.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method including detecting, by a controller coupled to an array of elements, an object having a plurality of portions, and analyzing a selected portion to determine its volume and density, to determine parameters of radio frequency thermal excitation for the selected portion. The method also includes selecting radiation emitters from the array elements according to the parameters; each of the array elements is separately selectable and controllable. The method also includes controlling the radiation emitters according to the parameters to perform the thermal excitation of the selected portion. The controlling includes causing interference of waves emitted from separate radiation emitters. The method also includes forming a three-dimensional thermal image of the selected portion, analyzing the thermal image, adjusting the parameters according to the analyzing, and detecting movement into a space irradiated by the radiation emitters.

Abstract: Gestures may be performed to control a visual projector. When a device or human hand is placed into a projection field of the visual projector, the visual projector responds to gestures. The human hand, for example, may gesture to rotate a projected image or to correct the projected image. The visual projector may thus manipulate and/or correct the projected image in response to the gesture.

Abstract: Management of communication systems is facilitated. A method comprises: processing, by a device comprising a processor, first information representative of human-readable language and indicative of terms of agreements associated with respective software for a communication system, wherein the communication system is arranged according to a first configuration of virtual machines and server devices, and wherein the agreements comprise license agreements for the respective software; converting, by the device, the first information into machine-readable rules indicative of the terms of the agreements associated with the respective software for the communication system; and based on a result of comparing the machine-readable rules and first information indicative of the first configuration, determining, by the device, whether the first configuration of the communication system satisfies a defined criterion.

Abstract: Devices and systems are provided for controlling electronic devices using a mobile remote control device. A mobile remote control device provides an interface to control a plurality of electronic devices. The mobile device has a unique identifier, and the electronic device transmits a presentation of a remote control to the mobile device. A user of the mobile device controls the electronic device by operating the “virtual” remote control displayed on the mobile device. The user may further define his or her custom remote control. The user may define batches of commands, or “macros” that transmit a specific series of commands to one or more electronic devices. Proximity and motion of a mobile device may be used as an input, such that the electronic devices are programmed to react in specific ways depending upon the position and movement of the user of the mobile device.

Abstract: A kinetically activated method and device for initiating self-diagnostics in a variety of hardware devices to enable proactive detection and correction of faults, errors, malfunctions, failures and the like.

Abstract: Private communication networks are facilitated. One method includes broadcasting, by a first device, to an access point device associated with a first network, a first signal comprising an identifier for a second network, wherein the access point device of the first network foregoes broadcast of a name of the first network, and wherein the first device is located at a first location and a second device is located at a second location remote from the first location. The first device and the second device are associated with the second network. The method also includes receiving a second signal indicative of a broadcast of the name of the second network based on an authentication of the identifier for the second network and key data representing a key for the second network; and connecting to a network device of the second network in response to the receiving the second signal.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a request for a transportation reservation, allocating at least one resource to accommodate the reservation, monitoring a location of a mobile device associated with the reservation, releasing the at least one resource when the location of the mobile device indicates the at least one resource is no longer needed wherein the mobile device is associated with a subscriber.

Abstract: Management of communication systems is facilitated. A method comprises: processing, by a device comprising a processor, first information representative of human-readable language and indicative of terms of agreements associated with respective software for a communication system, wherein the communication system is arranged according to a first configuration of virtual machines and server devices, and wherein the agreements comprise license agreements for the respective software; converting, by the device, the first information into machine-readable rules indicative of the terms of the agreements associated with the respective software for the communication system; and based on a result of comparing the machine-readable rules and first information indicative of the first configuration, determining, by the device, whether the first configuration of the communication system satisfies a defined criterion.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method including receiving, by a system comprising a processor, a multicast video stream directed to an array of a plurality of display modules movably attached to a modular display, extracting, by the system, video display data from the multicast video stream according to a location within the array of a first display module of the plurality of display modules, and updating, by the system, a video display of the first display module according to the video display data that is extracted from the multicast video stream, wherein the updating is synchronized to a master clock of the modular display. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Various devices for sterilizing a surface are disclosed. For example, a first device includes an ultraviolet light emitting unit, a processor and a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium stores instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations. The operations include detecting a proximity of a surface to the ultraviolet light emitting unit and activating the ultraviolet light emitting unit to sterilize the surface in response to the detecting. Another device includes an ultraviolet light emitting unit, a processor and a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium stores instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations.

Abstract: A kinetically activated method and device for initiating self-diagnostics in a variety of hardware devices to enable proactive detection and correction of faults, errors, malfunctions, failures and the like.

Abstract: Cable assemblies react to electrical power. A visual indicator in a cable assembly changes color in response to the electrical power. The visual indicator, for example, may respond to heat or electromagnetic field in the cable assembly. In smart cables, a controller may activate the visual indicator in response to the electrical power applied to the cable.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture to implement computer aided dispatch of drones are disclosed. Example drone dispatching methods include transmitting a flight plan for a drone to a flight control platform associated with first operator for piloting the drone. The flight plan is based on a first location associated with a service request. In response to receiving a message from the flight control platform, a first communication session between the flight control platform and a flight control unit of the drone is initiated to permit remote piloting of the drone. A drone observation platform associated with a second operator is selected based on a subject matter qualification associated with the second operator and descriptive information included in the service request. A second communication session between the flight control platform and the drone observation platform is initiated for remote piloting of the drone.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of selectively sorting post-consumption items that are associated with radio-frequency tags based on data received from the RF tag. One embodiment includes a conveyor, a picker arm, and an RF reader. Another embodiment includes an RF reader and a receptacle for selectively holding post-consumption items based on data retrieved from the associated RF tag.

Abstract: Various devices for sterilizing a surface are disclosed. For example, a first device includes an ultraviolet light emitting unit, a processor and a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium stores instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations. The operations include detecting a proximity of a surface to the ultraviolet light emitting unit and activating the ultraviolet light emitting unit to sterilize the surface in response to the detecting. Another device includes an ultraviolet light emitting unit, a processor and a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium stores instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations.

Abstract: Various devices for sterilizing a surface and an object in contact with the surface are disclosed. For example, a first device includes an ultraviolet light source, a touch sensor, a processing system, and a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium stores instructions which, when executed by the processing system, cause the processing system to perform operations that include detecting, via the touch sensor, a tactile state of the device, detecting a tactile state of at least one additional device, determining, based upon the tactile states, that the device is on an edge of a pattern of contact between an object and a surface comprising the device and the at least one additional device, and implementing an action associated with the ultraviolet light source in response to determining that the device is on the edge of the pattern of contact.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture to implement computer aided dispatch of drones are disclosed. Example drone dispatching methods disclosed herein include transmitting a flight plan for a drone to a flight control platform, the flight plan based on a first location associated with a service request. Disclosed example methods also include, in response to receiving a message from the flight control platform indicating the flight plan is approved, initiating a first communication session between the flight control platform and a flight control unit of the drone to permit remote piloting of the drone. Disclosed example methods further include, in response to receiving the message from the flight control platform indicating the flight plan is approved, initiating a second communication session to exchange multimedia data between the flight control platform and a drone observation platform separate from the flight control platform.

Abstract: An example method includes determining, by executing an instruction with a processor, whether environmental condition data collected by a plurality of sensors of a mobile device complies with an environmental condition rule. The environmental condition rule including environmental thresholds associated with the environmental condition data, and the environmental condition data being representative of external conditions.