Abstract: A multi-user virtual reality universe (VRU) process receives input from multiple remote clients to manipulate avatars through a modeled 3-D environment. A VRU host models movement of avatars in the VRU environment in response to client input, which each user providing input for control of a corresponding avatar. The modeled VRU data is provided by the host to client workstations for display of a simulated environment visible to all participants. The host maintains personalized data for selected modeled objects or areas that is personalized for specific users in response to client input. The host includes personalized data in modeling the VRU environment. The host may segregate VRU data provided to different clients participating in the same VRU environment according to limit personalized data to authorized users, while all users receive common data.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and techniques for determining optimal safe driving behaviors and optimal safety thresholds of the various parameters for particular routes are disclosed. Historical driver data for a plurality of drivers operating vehicles over various routes during different contextual situations and/or different combinations of conditions along the routes is analyzed to determine respective, relative weightings/contributions of various parameters towards driving safety. Data indicative of a particular driver's behavior along a particular route during a particular set of conditions or contexts is obtained and compared to the analysis results to thereby determine or assess the driver's safety performance. The driver's safety performance may be evaluated in real-time, e.g.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for performing blockchain validation of user identity and authority. In various aspects, the blockchain-based validation system includes: a server communicatively coupled to a blockchain-based network; and program instructions stored in a program memory that, when executed by the server, cause the server to: receive a blockchain ID associated with a user, wherein the blockchain ID is associated with a blockchain; aggregate a plurality of blockchain transactions, the plurality of blockchain transactions including at least a blockchain transaction associated with the blockchain; establish, based on the plurality of blockchain transactions, a trust relationship between the user and a second entity; and generate a trust profile for the user and the second entity based on the trust relationship, wherein the trust profile includes a level of trust between the user and the second entity based on the plurality of blockchain transactions.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for enhancing and developing a damage scene virtual reality (VR) visualization. Annotated immersive multimedia image(s) may be received from a first user, where the annotated immersive multimedia image(s) can be associated with a damage scene. A VR visualization of the annotated immersive multimedia image(s) may be rendered using a VR device associated with a second user. The VR visualization may be used to determine a damage amount, where the damage amount is determined from one or more damaged items identifiable in the annotated immersive multimedia image(s).

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring use, determining risk, and pricing insurance policies for a vehicle having one or more autonomous or semi-autonomous operation features are provided. According to certain aspects, an identity of a vehicle operator may be determined and a vehicle operator profile and/or operating data regarding autonomous operation features of the vehicle may be received after the vehicle operator opts into a rewards program and agrees to share their data. Autonomous operation and vehicle operator risk levels associated with operation of the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle may be determined. Based upon the risk levels and/or comparison thereof, one or more autonomous operation features may be disengaged. A preparedness level of the vehicle operator to assume or reassume control of operating the vehicle is determined prior to disengagement. If satisfactory, an alert is presented to the vehicle operator prior to disengagement of the autonomous operation features.

Abstract: Methods and systems for analyzing vehicle operation data associated with a temporary or periodic usage of a vehicle by a driver. In aspects, the driver may associate with an electronic device within the vehicle that may record or collect the vehicle operation data. After the vehicle operation has concluded, the vehicle operation data may be analyzed to assess a performance of the driver during operation of the vehicle, whereby the performance may be influenced by positive or negative driving events. Based on the performance of the driver, a profile or account of the user may be processed accordingly such that the user may be incentivized to modify certain driving behaviors.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing an aspirational safe driving incentive to drivers having the propensity or ability to improve high risk driving behaviors are provided. Drivers exhibiting high risk driving behaviors may be identified, and initial vehicle telematics data associated with each of the drivers may be collected and analyzed in order to determine which drivers have propensity or ability to improve their high risk driving behaviors. These candidate drivers may receive a probationary safe driving incentive along with feedback configured to improve the drivers' high risk driving behaviors. Updated vehicle telematics data associated with each candidate driver may be collected in order to evaluate an extent to which each candidate driver has improved his or her high risk driving behaviors. Accordingly, a candidate driver's probationary safe driving incentive may be modified or maintained based on the extent to which the candidate has improved upon high risk driving behaviors.

Abstract: The invention compensates for abnormal operating temperatures and/or abnormal behaviors of a holographic metasurface antenna (HMA) that is generating a beam based on a holographic function. The HMA is characterized with different holographic functions for a plurality of operating temperatures and a plurality of behaviors during the manufacturing process. The characterization of the HMA identifies different hologram functions that cause the HMA to generate more or less heat or exhibit more or less abnormal behavior while generating equivalent beams. Further, or more characterizations of a hologram function may be performed remotely after the HMA is installed in a real world environment. An operating temperature and/or a temperature gradient may be detected by temperature sensors physically located on a circuit board for the HMA.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for performing blockchain validation of user identity and authority. In various aspects one or more processors receive a first blockchain ID and a second blockchain ID, where each of the first blockchain ID and the second blockchain ID is associated with a user and is further associated with a first and second blockchain, respectively. A plurality of blockchain transactions may be aggregated where the plurality of blockchain transactions includes at least a first blockchain transaction associated with the first blockchain and a second blockchain transaction associated with the second blockchain. A first validation event providing a first indication of validity for the user may be identified based on the first blockchain transaction or the second blockchain transaction.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for controlling an interior configuration of a vehicle. The system may include an interior vehicle component, an actuator component configured to adjust a physical configuration of the interior vehicle component, a vehicle operation controller configured to generate vehicle operation data representing the operation of the vehicle, and one or more processors configured to receive vehicle operation data and detect, by processing the vehicle operation data, a specific action taken by the vehicle. When the one or more processors detect a specific action taken by the vehicle, the one or more processors may cause the actuator component to restrict movement of the interior vehicle component to a predetermined range of physical configurations.

Abstract: A method for performing monitoring, commissioning, upgrading, analyzing, load balancing, remediating, and optimizing the operation, control, and maintenance of a plurality of remotely located RF signal repeater devices in a wireless network arranged to operate as an Internet of Things (IoT) network. Electronic RF signal repeater devices are employed as elements in the wireless network and communicate wireless radio frequency (RF) signals for a plurality of users. An RF signal repeater device may be arranged to operate as a donor unit device that provides RF signal communication between one or more remotely located wireless base stations, or other donor unit devices on the wireless network. Also, an RF signal repeater device may be arranged to operate as a service unit device that provides wireless RF signal communication between one or more user equipment devices (UEs) and a donor unit device or a wireless base station.

Abstract: Methods and systems for analyzing vehicle operation data associated with a temporary or periodic usage of a vehicle by a driver. In aspects, the driver may associate with an electronic device within the vehicle that may record or collect the vehicle operation data. After the vehicle operation has concluded, the vehicle operation data may be analyzed to assess a performance of the driver during operation of the vehicle, whereby the performance may be influenced by positive or negative driving events. Based on the performance of the driver, a profile or account of the user may be processed accordingly such that the user may be incentivized to modify certain driving behaviors.

Abstract: Systems and approaches relate to, inter alia, identifying customer opportunities. The systems and approaches may monitor a plurality of routes traversed by a vehicle. The systems and approaches may then access historical route data for the plurality travel routes. The systems and approaches may further calculate a risk index based on the historical route data, and determine at least one customer opportunity based on the calculated risk index.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring use, determining risk, and pricing insurance policies for a vehicle having one or more autonomous or semi-autonomous operation features are provided. According to certain aspects, an identity of a vehicle operator may be determined and a vehicle operator profile and/or operating data regarding autonomous operation features of the vehicle may be received after the vehicle operator opts into a rewards program and agrees to share their data. Autonomous operation and vehicle operator risk levels associated with operation of the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle may be determined. Based upon the risk levels and/or comparison thereof, one or more autonomous operation features may be disengaged. A preparedness level of the vehicle operator to assume or reassume control of operating the vehicle is determined prior to disengagement. If satisfactory, an alert is presented to the vehicle operator prior to disengagement of the autonomous operation features.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for enhancing and developing a damage scene virtual reality (VR) visualization. Annotated immersive multimedia image(s) may be received from a first user, where the annotated immersive multimedia image(s) can be associated with a damage scene. A VR visualization of the annotated immersive multimedia image(s) may be rendered using a VR device associated with a second user. The VR visualization may be used to determine a damage amount, where the damage amount is determined from one or more damaged items identifiable in the annotated immersive multimedia image(s).

Abstract: Empirically modulated antenna systems and related methods are disclosed herein. An empirically modulated antenna system includes an antenna and a controller programmed to control the antenna. The antenna includes a plurality of discrete scattering elements arranged in a one- or two-dimensional arrangement. A method includes modulating operational states of at least a portion of a plurality of discrete scattering elements of the antenna in a plurality of different modulation patterns. The plurality of different modulation patterns includes different permutations of the discrete scattering elements operating in different operational states. The method also includes evaluating a performance parameter of the antenna responsive to the plurality of different empirical one- or two-dimensional modulation patterns. The method further includes operating the antenna in one of the plurality of different one- or two-dimensional empirical modulation patterns selected based, at least in part, on the performance parameter.

Abstract: Systems and methods for real-time detection and mitigation anomalous behavior of a remote vehicle are provided, e.g., vehicle behavior that is consistent with distracted or unexpectedly disabled driving. On-board and off-board sensors associated with a subject vehicle may monitor the subject vehicle's environment, and behavior characteristics of a remote vehicle operating within the subject vehicle's environment may be determined based upon collected sensor data. The remote vehicle's behavior characteristics may be utilized to detect or determine the presence of anomalous behavior, which may be anomalous for the current contextual conditions of the vehicles' environment. Mitigating actions for detected remote vehicle anomalous behaviors may be suggested and/or automatically implemented at the subject vehicle and/or at proximate vehicles to avoid or reduce the risk of accidents, injury, or death resulting from the anomalous behavior. In some situations, authorities may be notified.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of assessing driver capability for operating an autonomous vehicle includes identifying a human operator of the autonomous vehicle, the human operator being associated with a driving capability profile. The method further includes signaling to the human operator with the signal, the signal requesting a response from the human operator. The method also includes updating, based on the response from the human operator to the signal, the driving capability profile to indicate a level of skill of the human operator at responding to the signal.

Abstract: A multi-instance, multi-user animation platform includes a plurality of modeled parallel dimensions in a computer memory. Each of the parallel dimensions may be an independent model of a physical, three-dimensional space having corresponding features such that the parallel dimensions are recognizable as counterparts to each other. Avatars are located within corresponding ones of the parallel dimensions so as to prevent over-population of any one of the parallel dimensions by avatars. Avatars are animated within different ones of the parallel dimensions using input from respective users to provide virtual-reality data. A common space is modeled in the computer memory configured in relation to the plurality of parallel instances so that an object located inside the common space is visible from viewpoints located inside each of the plurality of parallel instances. Remote clients may output an animated display of a corresponding one of the parallel dimensions and avatars therein.

Abstract: A method for performing monitoring, commissioning, upgrading, analyzing, load balancing, remediating, and optimizing the operation, control, and maintenance of a plurality of remotely located RF signal repeater devices in a wireless network arranged to operate as an Internet of Things (IoT) network. Electronic RF signal repeater devices are employed as elements in the wireless network and communicate wireless radio frequency (RF) signals for a plurality of users. An RF signal repeater device may be arranged to operate as a donor unit device that provides RF signal communication between one or more remotely located wireless base stations, or other donor unit devices on the wireless network. Also, an RF signal repeater device may be arranged to operate as a service unit device that provides wireless RF signal communication between one or more user equipment devices (UEs) and a donor unit device or a wireless base station.