Abstract: The industry-standard corkscrew has numerous flaws resulting in broken corks—even in the hands of a professional. The present invention is a radical departure from the traditional corkscrew apparatus. The opener generally consists of the handle and an internally threaded half-pipe. The half-pipe slides between the cork and the bottle, wherein the series of threads engage the cork. Rotating the handle causes the threads to bore deeper into the neck of the bottle until the handles meets the lip of the bottle, and then lift the cork out of the bottle until it disengages and falls away from the opener. It should be appreciated that the elegance of the opener resides in its simplicity.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a system is disclosed for processing event data for an application and transmitting the event data via a computer network. The system can include a memory device and a hardware processor. The memory device can store an application. The hardware processor can execute the application, characterize a user engagement with the application as being a first level of engagement or a second level of engagement, generate event data responsive to user interactions with the application, and control the batch collection of the event data depending on whether the user engagement with the application is characterized as the first level of engagement or the second level of engagement.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a system is disclosed for processing event data for an application and transmitting the event data via a computer network. The system can include a memory device and a hardware processor. The memory device can store an application. The hardware processor can execute the application, characterize a user engagement with the application as being a first level of engagement or a second level of engagement, generate event data responsive to user interactions with the application, and control the batch collection of the event data depending on whether the user engagement with the application is characterized as the first level of engagement or the second level of engagement.

Abstract: The industry-standard corkscrew has numerous flaws resulting in broken corks—even in the hands of a professional. The present invention is a radical departure from the traditional corkscrew apparatus. The opener generally consists of the handle and an internally threaded half-pipe. The half-pipe slides between the cork and the bottle, wherein the series of threads engage the cork. Rotating the handle causes the threads to bore deeper into the neck of the bottle until the handles meets the lip of the bottle, and then lift the cork out of the bottle until it disengages and falls away from the opener. It should be appreciated that the elegance of the opener resides in its simplicity.

Abstract: A device for securing USB or Firewire port interconnections includes a microcontroller comprising a processor; a first connector/lead in communication with the microcontroller and configured to be coupled with a USB or Firewire external device; and a second connector/lead in communication with the microcontroller and configured to be coupled with a protected host. An optional user interface communicates with the microcontroller. When the microcontroller detects that the external device is coupled to the first connector/lead, the processor is configured to display a prompt on the user interface for a user to initiate inputs prior to the external device being allowed to connect with the protected host; or is configured to automatically prevent the external device from being connected with the protected host if the external device is on a blacklist of devices known to have device handlers in the protected host at a BIOS level, without modifying the protected host.

Abstract: A vehicle wireless connection system, the system comprising: at least one portable computing device (PCD), wherein the PCD includes: at least one camera, wherein the camera is configured to capture an image of a vehicle indicator on a vehicle to capture a vehicle indicator image; at least one memory including a certification data file having one or more authorization certificates; at least one PCD processor configured to receive the vehicle indicator image and execute a sign-on application, wherein the sign-on application is further configured to: compare the vehicle indicator image with one or more stored images; when the vehicle indicator image is the same as one of the one or more stored images, direct the PCD to connect to the vehicle; and when the authorization certificates are determined valid, connect the PCD to the vehicle at a wireless access point to provide access to some or all vehicle information.

Abstract: A system and method for ground-to-air communications with an aircraft are provided. The system comprises a ground-to-air communications manager that is configured to analyze incoming data from one or more data sources to determine at least a location and flight mode of an aircraft; and assess outgoing data to be sent to the aircraft based on one or more characteristics of the outgoing data, the location and flight mode of the aircraft, and one or more datalink characteristics. The ground-to-air communications manager selects an outgoing datalink and timing of transmit for the outgoing data according to a best result, which is determined from balancing the one or more characteristics of the outgoing data, the location and flight mode of the aircraft, and the one or more datalink characteristics. The ground-to-air communications manager transmits the outgoing data to the aircraft over the selected outgoing datalink at the selected timing of transmit.

Abstract: A device for secure transmission of vehicle data over vehicle datalinks that may be shared with passenger devices and are connected to a publicly shared network is provided. The device comprises a processor embedded within a portion of an Ethernet cable for a vehicle. A plurality of applications resides in the processor and comprises a VPN application, and a VPN address and certificate update application. A first Ethernet transceiver communicates with the processor through the VPN application and also communicates with onboard electronic equipment. A second Ethernet transceiver communicates with the processor through the VPN application and also communicates with an external datalink. The VPN application automatically establishes a VPN when the datalink is available, provides an authentication certificate to verify that the device is a correct and legitimate node, and verifies a VPN hosting certification to determine whether the device is communicating with a correct and legitimate external facility.

Abstract: A vehicle wireless connection system, the system comprising: at least one portable computing device (PCD), wherein the PCD includes: at least one camera, wherein the camera is configured to capture an image of a vehicle indicator on a vehicle to capture a vehicle indicator image; at least one memory including a certification data file having one or more authorization certificates; at least one PCD processor configured to receive the vehicle indicator image and execute a sign-on application, wherein the sign-on application is further configured to: compare the vehicle indicator image with one or more stored images; when the vehicle indicator image is the same as one of the one or more stored images, direct the PCD to connect to the vehicle; and when the authorization certificates are determined valid, connect the PCD to the vehicle at a wireless access point to provide access to some or all vehicle information.

Abstract: A vehicle wireless connection system, the system comprising: at least one portable computing device (PCD), wherein the PCD includes: at least one camera, wherein the camera is configured to capture an image of a vehicle indicator on a vehicle to capture a vehicle indicator image; at least one memory including a certification data file having one or more authorization certificates; at least one PCD processor configured to receive the vehicle indicator image and execute a sign-on application, wherein the sign-on application is further configured to: compare the vehicle indicator image with one or more stored images; when the vehicle indicator image is the same as one of the one or more stored images, direct the PCD to connect to the vehicle; and when the authorization certificates are determined valid, connect the PCD to the vehicle at a wireless access point to provide access to some or all vehicle information.

Abstract: A processing device and method for generating data reports from a data stream are provided. The processing device may include an analyzer that may identify a data record by detecting a start record event indicator and an end record event indicator within the data stream, the start and end record event indicators representing a start and an end of the respective data record, an extractor that may extract data of the identified data record from the data stream based on the start record event indicator and the end record event indicator, and a generator configured to generate, based on the event indicator, one or more events, wherein an event handler handles the one or more events to process the data record for inclusion into the data report.

Abstract: A switching controller for coupling one of a plurality of voltage sources to a load. The switching controller is configured to receive a characteristic of one of the plurality of voltage sources; for each of the plurality of voltage sources, set a proportion of a switching period of a control signal during which the voltage source is connected to the load, wherein the proportion of the switching period is set based on the received characteristic of one of the plurality of voltage sources; and control which of the plurality of voltage sources is connected to the load in accordance with the control signal.

Abstract: A device for securing USB or Firewire port interconnections includes a microcontroller comprising a processor; a first connector/lead in communication with the microcontroller and configured to be coupled with a USB or Firewire external device; and a second connector/lead in communication with the microcontroller and configured to be coupled with a protected host. An optional user interface communicates with the microcontroller. When the microcontroller detects that the external device is coupled to the first connector/lead, the processor is configured to display a prompt on the user interface for a user to initiate inputs prior to the external device being allowed to connect with the protected host; or is configured to automatically prevent the external device from being connected with the protected host if the external device is on a blacklist of devices known to have device handlers in the protected host at a BIOS level, without modifying the protected host.

Abstract: A fuel cell system with planar manifold having at least one fuel cell assembly with a first side and a second side; a plurality of anodes on the first side; a plurality of cathodes on the second side; ion-conducting electrolyte between the first and second sides; a fluid manifold assembly fluidly connected to the first side. In the planar manifold a first barrier layer provides at least one inlet port in fluid communication with a hydrogen source, and at least one outlet port to remove any unreacted hydrogen and byproducts from the first side; a plurality of conduit layers, on at least one of which is disposed one or more channels fluidly connected to the at least one inlet port and one of which is fluidly connected to the at least one outlet port; and, a second barrier layer disposed above the plurality of conduit layers containing a plurality of perforations affixed to the first side to supply hydrogen gas.

Abstract: A report generating computing device for generating a report based on operational stage rules that are applied sequentially is provided. The computing device includes a processor that is configured to retrieve operational stage data that includes sets of rules defining changes to one or more attributes of a component of the report. The processor is configured to determine a first and a second set of rules associated with corresponding operational stages. The execution of the second set of rules supplement or override the attributes resulting from the first set of rules. The processor is configured to determine a report definition for the component based on the implementation of the sets of rules, to retrieve one or more data records indicated in the determined report definition for the component of the report, and to generate the component of the report based on the report definition and the retrieved database records.

Abstract: A system and method for ground-to-air communications with an aircraft are provided. The system comprises a ground-to-air communications manager that is configured to analyze incoming data from one or more data sources to determine at least a location and flight mode of an aircraft; and assess outgoing data to be sent to the aircraft based on one or more characteristics of the outgoing data, the location and flight mode of the aircraft, and one or more datalink characteristics. The ground-to-air communications manager selects an outgoing datalink and timing of transmit for the outgoing data according to a best result, which is determined from balancing the one or more characteristics of the outgoing data, the location and flight mode of the aircraft, and the one or more datalink characteristics. The ground-to-air communications manager transmits the outgoing data to the aircraft over the selected outgoing datalink at the selected timing of transmit.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems and methods related to providing direct purchase of merchandise from an electronic communication and subsequent delivery of the purchased merchandise. A direct merchandise purchase system may generate an electronic communication associated with an offer for merchandise for a user. The user may be able to directly purchase merchandise from the electronic communication which may then be delivered accordingly.

Abstract: A device for secure transmission of vehicle data over vehicle datalinks that may be shared with passenger devices and are connected to a publicly shared network is provided. The device comprises a processor embedded within a portion of an Ethernet cable for a vehicle. A plurality of applications resides in the processor and comprises a VPN application, and a VPN address and certificate update application. A first Ethernet transceiver communicates with the processor through the VPN application and also communicates with onboard electronic equipment. A second Ethernet transceiver communicates with the processor through the VPN application and also communicates with an external datalink. The VPN application automatically establishes a VPN when the datalink is available, provides an authentication certificate to verify that the device is a correct and legitimate node, and verifies a VPN hosting certification to determine whether the device is communicating with a correct and legitimate external facility.