Abstract: A method includes: detecting, by a computing device, connection of a universal serial bus device to a computer; determining, by the computing device, that the computer is in a locked mode; detecting, by the computer device, input to the computer within a predetermined time of detecting the connection; determining, by the computing device as a result of the computer being locked and detecting the input, that the input is a threat to the computer; creating, by the computing device, a temporary virtual environment; receiving, by the computing device, the input into the temporary virtual environment; processing, by the computing device, the input in the temporary virtual environment; and recording, by the computing device, information related to the input.

Abstract: A universal serial bus device, including: a main body; a connection portion attached to the main body; a processor; a storage portion storing a hash function executable by the processor, the hash function producing a hash value; a non-changing visual code on the main body, the visual code being readable by an optical scanner and corresponding to the hash function; and an electronic display configured to display the hash value.

Abstract: A method includes: monitoring outputs of sensors in a machine that receives magnetic stripe cards; determining the outputs of sensors indicate normal usage of the machine or abnormal usage of the machine; in response to determining the outputs of the sensors indicate abnormal usage of the machine, initiating a security action; in response to determining the outputs of the sensors indicate normal usage of the machine, determining the machine is in use or not in use; in response to determining the machine is not in use, initiating the security action; in response to determining the machine is in use, determining whether the use ends within a predefined monitor time; in response to determining the use does not end within the predefined monitor time, initiating the security action; and in response to determining the use does end within the predefined monitor time, returning to monitoring the outputs of the sensors.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes: monitoring, by a computing device, outputs of sensors associated with a machine that receives magnetic stripe cards; in response to the monitoring, detecting, by the computing device, the output of at least one of the sensors indicates an event; in response to the detecting the event, determining, by the computing device, a number of the sensors whose output indicates a respective event during a predefined time period; selecting, by the computing device, a security action from a plurality of predefined security actions based on the determined number of the sensors whose output indicates a respective event during the predefined time period; and initiating, by the computing device, the security action.

Abstract: A method includes: receiving, by a computer device and from an automated teller machine, a personal identification number that is associated with an account; determining, by the computer device, that the personal identification number is a disablement personal identification number that is associated with the account, the account having an activation personal identification number, the disablement personal identification number and the activation personal identification number being different; determining, by the computer device and as a result of receiving the disablement personal identification number, at least one disablement action to be performed by a device other than the automated teller machine; and transmitting, by the computer device, a command to perform the disablement action.

Abstract: In an approach to obfuscation of sensitive information through non-visual feedback, responsive to receiving a signal from a user to start a session requiring input of sensitive data, one or more dummy character positions are determined, where the one or more dummy character positions represent characters that are not part of the sensitive data. Responsive to a current character position is any dummy character position of the one or more dummy character positions, the user is signaled that a next input character will be ignored, where the user is signaled using non-visual feedback. Responsive to receiving the next input character from the user, where the current character position is any dummy character position of the one or more dummy character positions, the next input character is ignored.

Abstract: Control system for facilitating wireless charging of an electronic device is provided, which identifies presence of multiple electronic devices within an environment, with the multiple electronic devices including a self-propelled power relay device with wireless charging capability. Control system processing determines that an electronic device of the multiple electronic devices requires wireless charging, and based on the determining, deploys the self-propelled power relay device to move to an area of the environment within a charging range of the electronic device to facilitate wireless charging of the electronic device via the self-propelled power relay device.

Abstract: A hardware device, inserted in a universal serial bus port of a computing device, is detected. A counter is set to an initial value of one. In response to determining that one or more device descriptors associated with the hardware device are not received by the computing device within a predetermined time period, the hardware device is prevented from discharging a high-voltage charge into the computing device by inhibiting the hardware device from storing the high-voltage charge in a capacitor of the hardware device.

Abstract: A system and method for assisted-learning with a portable computing device that includes converting an audio file into text, parsing the text to determine that a user is requesting information regarding a place of interest, in response to determining that the user is requesting information regarding the place of interest: obtaining a geographical location of the portable computing device, activating a camera of the portable computing device to capture one or more images of a surrounding, analyzing the one or more images using a visual recognition engine in combination with the geographical location to identify the place of interest, determining that an interactive option is available for the place of interest, and instructing the portable computing device to audibly output the interactive option to the user along with information about the place of interest.

Abstract: A system and method for assisted-learning with a portable computing device that includes requesting that a user complete a mathematical challenge by arranging real-world objects in an environment to form an arrangement according to the mathematical challenge, optionally receiving an input from the user that the arrangement is complete, activating a camera of a portable computing device located in the environment with the user to capture an image of the arrangement, wherein the image is received from the portable computing device over a network, evaluating the arrangement using a visual recognition engine to determine whether the arrangement successfully completes the mathematical challenge, and providing at least one of a visual feedback and an audible feedback to the user.

Abstract: Location-based validation of a wireless authentication device. A request is received by a security hardware computing device for an action requiring authentication in connection with security hardware. A security hardware location is received or accessed. A wireless authentication device location of a wireless authentication device in possession of a requester is received by security hardware computing device. The security hardware computing device receives a mobile device location for a mobile device in possession of the requester. The security hardware computing device determines whether the security hardware location, the mobile device location, and the wireless authentication device location are in a proximity. The security hardware computing device performs the action requiring authentication in connection with the security hardware.

Abstract: A computer identifies, based on sensor data from one or more sensors located in proximity to a fire site and on a corpus of firefighting knowledge, one or more firefighting goals. The computer generates, based on the one or more firefighting goals and the corpus of firefighting knowledge, one or more firefighting recommendations. The computer scores, using the corpus of firefighting knowledge, the one or more firefighting recommendations based on historical effectiveness of prior firefighting actions.

Abstract: Techniques are described with respect to addressing at least one sensor abnormality associated with a vehicle. An associated method includes receiving a first measurement value from a first sensor among a plurality of sensors associated with a vehicle and receiving a second measurement value from a second sensor among the plurality of sensors. The method further includes identifying at least one sensor abnormality based upon an inconsistency between the first measurement value and the second measurement value. In an embodiment, the at least one sensor abnormality results from at least one sensor defect, at least one vehicle security fault, or a combination thereof. The method further includes completing at least one predefined action to address the at least one sensor abnormality.

Abstract: Distributed application orchestration management is provided. A first passive member of a set of passive members sends a notification message to other members indicating that the first passive member is initiating start of a distributed application in response to the first passive member validating that a self-restart by a leader member failed. The first passive member compares timestamps associated with an attempt to start the distributed application by other passive members in the set of passive members. The first passive member stops a particular attempt to start the distributed application in response to the first passive member determining that a timestamp associated with the particular attempt to start the distributed application by the first passive member is newer than another timestamp of another passive member. The first passive member designates the other passive member having an older timestamp as a new leader member to continue starting the distributed application.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes: receiving, by a computing device, input from a sender of an email, the input defining the email as having a task associated with it; inserting, by the computing device, code into the email, the code defining a selectable object in the email; sending, by the computing device, the email to one or more recipients; receiving, by the computing device, input indicating a selection of the selectable object by one of the one or more recipients; assigning, by the computing device, the one of the one or more recipients as an owner of the task; and sending, by the computing device, a notification email to the sender and the one or more recipients, the notification email indicating the owner of the task.

Abstract: In an approach for early notification of degradation of 3D printed parts, a processor completes an initial scan of a 3D printed part using backscatter techniques when the 3D printed part is installed and idle in the unit. A processor completes a second scan of the 3D printed part using backscatter techniques when the unit is in operation. A processor determines a baseline delta between the initial scan and the second scan. A processor performs an additional scan after a preset time interval of the 3D printed part using backscatter techniques in operation within the unit. A processor determines whether the additional scan is within the baseline delta.

Abstract: A random password policy for a specific user associated with an entity is generated based on a global password requirement. A new password created by the specific user based on the generated random password policy is identified. That the new password complies with a set of requirements specified by the generated random password policy is confirmed.

Abstract: An operator uses a handheld fastening tool to fasten a surface-mount technology printed-circuit board (PCB) to an adjacent object by installing a fastener at a target location on the PCB. The operator wears augmented-reality (AR) eyewear equipped with image-recognition technology. The system identifies the distance between the target location and the nearest electronic component mounted to the PCB. An accelerometer integrated into the fastening tool continuously monitors the inclination of the tool and the frequency of operator hand movements while holding the tool. The distance, inclination, and movement measurements are used to derive a composite score indicating a likelihood that the current fastening task will be completed successfully without damage. The eyewear represents the score to the operator as a color-coded AR object. The measurements, scores, and color coding are continuously updated to give the operator real-time feedback about the operator's current likelihood of success.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for anomaly detection in a data processing system comprising a processor and a memory comprising instructions which are executed by the processor. The method includes receiving a plurality of real-time airflow patterns acquired by a plurality of airflow alerters, wherein each real-time airflow pattern corresponds to a different airflow alerter; comparing each real-time airflow pattern with a predetermined airflow pattern, wherein each real-time airflow pattern corresponds to a different predetermined airflow pattern; when there is any real-time airflow pattern different from the corresponding predetermined airflow pattern, identifying a group of airflow alerters among the plurality of airflow alerters, wherein a real-time airflow pattern of each airflow alerter in the group is different from the corresponding predetermined airflow pattern; and identifying a location of an anomaly based on the group of airflow alerters.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention may include a method, computer program product and system for managing a sensor area network. An embodiment may include, in response to receiving a geofence trigger event from an Internet of Things device, determining whether to add the Internet of Things device to a sensor area network of Internet of Things devices within a geofence area based on a validation technique. An embodiment may include, in response to determining to add the Internet of Things device, updating the sensor area network with information associated with the Internet of Things device. An embodiment may include enabling sharing of information within the sensor area network between member devices of the sensor area network and the Internet of Things device.