Abstract: A service processor is provided that includes a processor, a memory coupled to the processor and having instructions for executing an operating system kernel having an integrity management subsystem, secure boot firmware, and a tamper-resistant secure trusted dedicated microprocessor. The secure boot firmware performs a secure boot operation to boot the operating system kernel of the service processor. The secure boot firmware records first measurements of code executed by the secure boot firmware when performing the boot operation, in one or more registers of the tamper-resistant secure trusted dedicated microprocessor. The operating system kernel enables the integrity management subsystem. The integrity management subsystem records second measurements of software executed by the operating system kernel, in the one or more registers of the tamper-resistant secure trusted dedicated microprocessor.

Abstract: A heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a furnace having a primary heat exchanger and a secondary heat exchanger, where the primary heat exchanger and the secondary heat exchanger form a heat exchange relationship between an airflow and an exhaust gas, and where the primary heat exchanger is positioned upstream of the secondary heat exchanger, a burner configured to generate the exhaust gas, a sensor configured to monitor an ambient temperature, and a control system configured to receive feedback from the sensor, compare the feedback to a threshold, operate the furnace in a first mode when the ambient temperature exceeds the threshold, and operate the furnace in a second mode when the ambient temperature is at or below the threshold, where the furnace operates above a condensation temperature when in the second mode, such that the exhaust gas does not condense when operating in the second mode.

Abstract: Methods of securely controlling a utility grid edge device are provided. A method of securely controlling a utility grid edge device includes receiving renewed security information at a node that includes cryptographic circuitry. Moreover, the method includes controlling an operation of the utility grid edge device via the node, after receiving the renewed security information. Related nodes and utility grid edge devices are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the provision of targeted advertisements in media. Systems and methods are described which facilitate addressable and non-addressable distribution of assets across a plurality of distribution networks and platforms. In this regard, an advertiser may be able to place a single order for advertising through a media distribution platform that allocates and distributes the asset via multiple channels such as internet streaming, websites (e.g., banners, pop-ups, overlays, etc.), cable, satellite, etc.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a fuse bank design for a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system. The disclosed stair-step design enables the positioning of electrical components of the fuse bank in a non-vertically aligned manner, which blocks the accumulation of heat in the upper electrical components as a result of convection heating from the lower components of the fuse bank during operation of the HVAC system. For example, a fuse bank is disclosed for an HVAC system that includes: a mounting surface; a first fuse block including a first fuse holder coupled to the mounting surface; a spacer coupled to the mounting surface vertically below the first fuse block; and a second fuse block including a second fuse holder coupled to the spacer, wherein the spacer offsets the second fuse block from the mounting surface of the fuse bank in a stair-step arrangement.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of objective assessment of images captured from a human gastrointestinal (GI) tract are disclosed. According to this method, one or more images captured using an endoscope when the endoscope is inside the human gastrointestinal (GI) tract are received. Whether there is any specific target object is checked. When one or more specific target objects in the images are detected: areas of the specific target objects in the images are determined; an objective assessment score is derived based on the areas of the specific target objects in a substantial number of images from the images; where the step of detecting the specific target objects is performed using an artificial intelligence process.

Abstract: A wireless communication adapter device includes an enclosure and a communication device base. The communication device base includes a first switch and a wireless communication transceiver. The communication device base is inserted into the enclosure so that the communication device base can move along an axis within the enclosure from a first base position and a second base position. Such movement actuates the first switch against the enclosure to initiate one or more communication operations of the wireless communication transceiver in the communication device base.

Abstract: A system for acquiring data regarding a wound in tissue comprises at least one light source configured to directly illuminate a target surface with a homogeneous field of excitation light. An optical sensor is configured to detect signals responsive to illumination of an illuminated portion of a wound and the area around the wound. A thermal sensor is configured to detect thermal information regarding the illuminated portion of the wound and the area around the wound. A processor receives the detected signals and the detected thermal information and outputs data regarding the illuminated portion of the wound and the area around the wound. The output data may include wound size of the illuminated portion of the wound, bacterial load of the illuminated portion of the wound, or at least one temperature associated with the illuminated portion of the wound and the area around the wound. The data output by the processor may be displayed on a display of the system.

Abstract: A tapered short tunnel for use on a tracked vehicle, such as a snowmobile. The tapered short tunnel has a tapered distal end having a width less than a width of an endless track used on the snowmobile. This tapered portion reduces the snowmobile from catching or grabbing snow in a snow trench, thereby enabling the snowmobile to traverse deeper snow.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sharpening gastrointestinal (GI) images are disclosed. A target distance between the target region and the imaging apparatus is determined for a target region in the regular image. One or more filter parameters of a de-blurring filter are selected from stored filter parameters according to the target distance. A processed target region is generated by applying the de-blurring filter to the target region to improve sharpness of the target region. A method for characterizing an imaging apparatus is also disclosed. The imaging apparatus is placed under a controlled environment. Test pictures for one or more test patterns are captured at multiple test distances in a range including a focus distance using the imaging apparatus. One or more parameters associated a target point spread function are determined from each test picture for characterizing image formation of the imaging apparatus at the selected distance.

Abstract: A furnace of a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a heat exchange tube configured to receive a working fluid from a burner and a modulating valve fluidly coupled to the burner. The modulating valve is configured to regulate an amount of fuel supplied to the burner to generate the working fluid. The furnace also includes a blower configured to draw the working fluid through the heat exchange tube, a motor drive configured to adjust a speed of the blower, and a controller configured to adjust a position of the modulating valve and to control the motor drive to adjust the speed of the blower based on a temperature of air discharged from the HVAC system.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method includes obtaining a media composition for display on an electronic display device is obtained. The media composition includes a plurality of layers, with each layer including a visual element. The method also includes selecting at least some of the layers of the media composition to have a parallax effect applied thereto and determining an amount of total parallax effect to apply to the selected layers. Also, the method includes determining an appropriate amount of offset to apply to each of the selected layers on an individual basis and shifting the selected layers in one or more directions by their respective appropriate amounts. Moreover, the method includes displaying the media composition showing the parallax effect on the electronic display device.

Abstract: Providing an accurate and on-demand status of audit compliance is disclosed. A security policy, agreed upon by a service provider and a service user, is provisioned in a compliance log. A service provider requests to add a first update to the compliance log, the first update indicating that a compliance action has been taken. The first update is added to the compliance log, and a first computational digest of the compliance log is added after adding the first update. An auditor of the compliance action requests to add a second update to the compliance log. The second update is added to the compliance log, and a second computational digest of the compliance log is added after adding the second update. Thereby, the user is provided a more current view of audit compliance that that can be trusted based on the tamper-proof compliance log.

Abstract: A portable, handheld device for fluorescence-based imaging is provided. The device comprises a wireless communication device having a sensor configured to detect optical signals. The device further comprises an assembly configured to receive and secure the wireless communication device therein. The assembly includes a housing, at least one light source coupled to the housing, a power supply, and an optical filter holder coupled to the housing and configured to receive one or more optical filters. An endoscope portion of the device is positioned relative to the sensor to visualize at least a portion of a confined anatomical space and to receive optical signals from a visualized, illuminated portion of a target positioned within the confined anatomical space. A processor of the device includes image analysis software and is configured to produce a composite representation of the illuminated portion of the target positioned within the confined anatomical space.

Abstract: A fishing hook composition includes carbon fiber, graphene fiber, or natural fibers reinforced polymer composite, wherein the carbon fiber, the graphene fiber, or the natural fibers are embedded in the reinforced polymer composite with or without coupling agents.