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.

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 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 method of manufacturing a membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell comprising a proton exchange membrane and a catalyst layer including a catalyst, the method comprising; forming a gas diffusion layer comprising graphene.

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: Aspects of the present disclosure describe an inspection apparatus which performs inspection on a smaller field of a wafer with structures for current collection. The defective via holes may be located based on the collected current. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A method and system for securely propagating client identities in a service call from a first system to a target service system are provided. The system includes a memory device for storing data and a service provider (SP) computer system. The SP computer system is programmed to determine identities to transmit to the target system in association with a request, construct a data structure to represent each identity and additional information related to the identity, digitally sign the identity information, pair the identity information and the corresponding digital signature in a header of a request message from the first system to the target service system, receive the request message and extract the identity information and corresponding digital signatures from the header, validate the corresponding digital signatures, and construct using the corresponding identity information a data structure that represents each of the original identities established in the first system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing airport surface collision-avoidance. A wingtip-mounted camera allows the pilot to positively ascertain that the wingtip will clear objects located in the video. An exemplary system implemented on an aircraft includes a wingtip module having a camera that generates a video stream and a communication device that transmits the generated video stream. A processor receives the video stream and generates a reticule for the video stream. A display device simultaneously presents the video stream and the reticule. The reticule includes a horizon line and is based on a focal length of a lens of the camera and height of the camera above ground. The reticule includes curved and/or straight distance lines and curved or straight travel lines. The travel line(s) correspond to at least one aircraft component or a zone of importance and are based on location of the camera and trajectory of the aircraft.

Abstract: A computer system in which a touch-screen display displays an electronic program guide to a user. A first user can book to watch a television program at a future time by selecting a “book to watch” button 56 on the EPG. The first user can then invite a number of contacts to watch the television program as well. Invitations are sent to the contacts' devices using a server, and an indication of those contacts that have accepted the invitation is displayed on an EPG associated with the first user.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a method for managing cryptographic information. The method includes initiating cryptographic information loading application on a general purpose mobile device (GPMD) and establishing a connection between the GPMD and a server that includes cryptographic information. Authentication input is received from a user of the GPMD. Data identifying the GPMD and the authentication input is sent from the GPMD to the server for authentication of the GPMD and the user. The GPMD also sends data identifying an electronic device into which cryptographic information is to be loaded. In response, the GPMD receives cryptographic information for the electronic device at the GPMD from the server. The GPMD then sends the cryptographic information from the GPMD to the electronic device for loading therein.

Abstract: A method and system for throttling a volume of request messages to a service application stored within a service provider (SP) computer system through an open application programming interface (API) platform is provided. The SP computer system is in communication with a memory device. The method includes storing a throttling profile for a developer application within the memory device wherein the throttling profile includes at least a throttling amount threshold and a throttling time period, receiving at the API platform a request message initiated by the developer application wherein the request message is included within a volume of request messages initiated by the developer application, identifying the request message as being associated with the developer application, retrieving the throttling profile for the developer application, and validating the volume of request messages as complying with the throttling profile.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a method for managing cryptographic information. The method includes initiating cryptographic information loading application on a general purpose mobile device (GPMD) and establishing a connection between the GPMD and a server that includes cryptographic information. Authentication input is received from a user of the GPMD. Data identifying the GPMD and the authentication input is sent from the GPMD to the server for authentication of the GPMD and the user. The GPMD also sends data identifying an electronic device into which cryptographic information is to be loaded. In response, the GPMD receives cryptographic information for the electronic device at the GPMD from the server. The GPMD then sends the cryptographic information from the GPMD to the electronic device for loading therein.

Abstract: A method and system for throttling a volume of request messages to a service application stored within a service provider (SP) computer system through an open application programming interface (API) platform is provided. The SP computer system is in communication with a memory device. The method includes storing a throttling profile for a developer application within the memory device wherein the throttling profile includes at least a throttling amount threshold and a throttling time period, receiving at the API platform a request message initiated by the developer application wherein the request message is included within a volume of request messages initiated by the developer application, identifying the request message as being associated with the developer application, retrieving the throttling profile for the developer application, and validating the volume of request messages as complying with the throttling profile.

Abstract: A method and system for securely propagating client identities in a service call from a first system to a target service system are provided. The system includes a memory device for storing data and a service provider (SP) computer system. The SP computer system is programmed to determine identities to transmit to the target system in association with a request, construct a data structure to represent each identity and additional information related to the identity, digitally sign the identity information, pair the identity information and the corresponding digital signature in a header of a request message from the first system to the target service system, receive the request message and extract the identity information and corresponding digital signatures from the header, validate the corresponding digital signatures, and construct using the corresponding identity information a data structure that represents each of the original identities established in the first system.

Abstract: Exemplary methods and systems provide for processing weather data received from a weather radar system. An exemplary embodiment receives radar reflectivity data, decomposes the received radar reflectivity data into multiple adaptive Gaussian component functions, selects at least one parameter from the decomposed Gaussian component functions, generates the compressed weather radar display data based on the at least one selected parameter, and communicates the weather radar display data from the craft.

Abstract: Exemplary methods and systems provide for processing weather data received from a weather radar system. An exemplary embodiment receives radar reflectivity data, decomposes the received radar reflectivity data into multiple adaptive Gaussian component functions, selects at least one parameter from the decomposed Gaussian component functions, generates the compressed weather radar display data based on the at least one selected parameter, and communicates the weather radar display data from the craft.

Abstract: A lamp, a method of making a bulb for a lamp and an optical apparatus are disclosed. The lamp may include an anode and cathode disposed within a bulb. The bulb may include an optically refractive wall that is rotationally symmetric about an axis. A thickness of the wall may decrease with increase in azimuthal angle between an equatorial plane of the bulb and a point on the bulb's surface. The apparatus may include the lamp and an ellipsoidal reflecting surface. An alternative apparatus may include an ellipsoidal reflecting surface and a lamp having an anode and cathode within a bulb. A gap between the anode and cathode may be proximate a focus of the reflecting surface. The bulb may include an optically refractive wall configured such that a 0.24/0.13 NA power ratio for bulb light coupled to the interior ellipsoidal reflecting surface is between about 3.0 and about 3.3.