Abstract: A transactional method and system of managing access to API services based on the performance of computational tasks by an end-user is disclosed. The system and method are configured to identify requests from an end-user to an API for services that are associated with a transactional cost. This cost is passed on to the end-user by generation of a computational task assignment to be completed by the client computing system. Once the assignment has been performed, the end-user may be granted access to the requested service.

Abstract: A polarization scrambler using a retardance element (RE) is disclosed. The polarization scrambler may include an optical fiber input to transmit an optical signal, and a beam expander to receive and expand the optical signal to create an expanded optical signal. The polarization scrambler may include a retardance element (RE) to cause a polarization scrambling effect on the expanded optical signal and to create a scrambled expanded optical signal. The polarization scrambler may include a beam reducer to receive and reduce the scrambled expanded optical signal to create a scrambled optical signal. The polarization scrambler may include an optical fiber output to receive scrambled optical signal. The optical fiber output may transmit the scrambled optical signal to one or more downstream optical components.

Abstract: A publish-subscribe messaging method may include identifying a definition of a transformation rule for transforming a message received from a publisher. The message may be received from the publisher at a broker. The message may identify a topic and may include message data. A determination may be made as to whether the message is associated with a transformation rule for transforming the message. The method may further include transforming the message as defined by the transformation rule and sending the transformed message to a destination.

Abstract: A system for a high resolution optical spectrum analyzer (OSA) using various optical configurations to reduce polarization dependent loss (PDL) is disclosed. The system may include a birefringent element to receive an input optical beam. The birefringent element may then split the optical beam into at least two exit beams. The system may also include an optical configuration comprising at least one optical element. The optical configuration may receive the at least two exit beams from the birefringent element and transform at least one of the two exit beams using the at least one optical element to provide two parallel beams with parallel polarizations. The optical configuration may then output the two parallel beams with parallel polarizations to a downstream optical element, such as a diffraction grating, or other optical element.

Abstract: A monochromator apparatus for an optical spectrum analyzer may include a diffraction grating, a rotatable oblique prism reflector element with a non-right-angle apex angle, and a mirror. An input optical beam received from an input component may be diffracted by the grating element and reflected by a reflector element, where the reflector element may include a rotatable oblique prism with an apex angle that is different from a right angle. A mirror may reflect the reflected diffracted optical beam back to the reflector element and the grating element. An output optical beam from the grating element may be provided via an output element to a detection element for high resolution optical measurement. The oblique prism reflector element may reduce or eliminate a Littrow ghost effect or secondary ghost effects caused by the grating element.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting an anomaly based on user interaction with a mobile computing device is disclosed. The method includes activating, on the mobile computing device, an application, which is configured to store the machine learning model and the behavioral profile generated by the machine learning model in the memory of the mobile computing device; receive, track, and store in the memory of the mobile computing device an input pattern including navigation information and identification information inputted from the user during the user interaction with the mobile computing device; detect anomaly based on the user interaction with the mobile computing device by comparing the stored behavioral profile with the stored input pattern; and prohibit user to have further access to the financial application including user accounts in response to detection of the anomaly.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method uses a first list of ranked entities to determine a first ordering of entities in slots of an electronic programming guide. Information is outputted to display at least a portion of the first ordering of entities in slots of the electronic programming guide. The method determines when a refresh of the electronic programming guide should be performed. When it is determined that the refresh should be performed, if a second list of ranked entities is available: the method uses the second list of ranked entities to determine a second ordering of entities in slots of an electronic programming guide and outputs information to display at least a portion of the second ordering of entities in slots of the electronic programming guide to update the electronic programming guide for the refresh.

Abstract: A corporate information technology (IT) network can protect sensitive data sent to computers located outside of the IT network. For example, a customer of a company may control who can access his or her sensitive personal information by identifying his or her access preference included in an access control list, where the access preference describes a level of access that at least one remote employee or person may have to the customer's sensitive personal information. A data protection server may containerize the sensitive personal information and the access control list of the person in a data protection container. If a remote employee or a person requests access the customer's sensitive personal information, the data protection server may perform data protection related operations to provide the sensitive personal information to the remote employee or person.

Abstract: This disclosure provides new containers, preforms, methods, and designs for small and light-weight carbonated beverage packaging that provide surprisingly improved carbonation retention and greater shelf life, while still achieving light weight. This disclosure is particularly drawn to small PET containers for carbonated beverages, for example less than or about 400 mL, and methods and designs for their fabrication that attain unexpectedly good carbonation retention and shelf life.

Abstract: A connected oven, including a set of in-cavity sensors and a processor configured to automatically identify foodstuff within the cooking cavity, based on the sensor measurements; and automatically operate the heating element based on the foodstuff identity.

Abstract: Oligomerization catalyst and method for oligomerization using the catalyst. The catalyst comprises a single Zn(II) or Ga(III) metal ion center directly bonded to a support through a shared oxygen atom, the catalyst having at least one M-O bond which forms an active site for oligomerization. The method includes reacting one or more C2 to C12 olefins with the oligomerization catalyst at a temperature of about 200° C. or higher to provide an oligomer product comprising C4 to C26 olefins.

Abstract: A connected oven, including a set of in-cavity sensors and a processor configured to automatically identify foodstuff within the cooking cavity, based on the sensor measurements; and automatically operate the heating element based on the foodstuff identity.

Abstract: A system for amplification of optical signals for optical measurement instrumentation is disclosed. The system may include a first logarithmic amplifier circuit in a first amplification path, and a linear amplifier circuit and a second logarithmic amplifier circuit coupled in series in a second amplification path. The first and second amplification paths may receive an input signal from a photodiode and provide amplified signals, in parallel, to a selection circuit, which may select one of the outputs of the first and second amplification paths based on one or two power thresholds. The selection circuit may then provide the selected output to a measurement circuit or device. In some examples, the system may also include a sampling circuit to sample the outputs and an analog-digital conversion circuit to digitize the outputs before selection. The power threshold(s) may be determined based on a saturation level of the linear amplifier circuit.

Abstract: Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices can be used to perform authentication related operations because IoT devices are prevalent in our society and because a server performing an authentication operation can communicate with IoT devices via the Internet. In a first example authentication technique, a server determines whether a person can perform an operation requested by the person based on whether the person performed an action on an IoT device, where the action is selected by the server and send to the person's user device. In a second example authentication technique, a server determines whether a person can perform an operation based on whether a person accurately identified an action performed by an IoT device, where the IoT device performs the action based on a command sent by the server.

Abstract: A system may include a first vehicle and a first control system that may control one or more vehicle operations of the first vehicle. The first control system may perform operations including receiving a first vehicle operation signal from a second control system associated with a second vehicle, sending one or more requests to one or more computing systems for a confirmation of the first vehicle operation signal, and determining a set of vehicle instructions to control the one or more vehicle operations based on whether one or more responses from the one or more computing systems provide the confirmation. The first control system may then control the first vehicle based on the set of vehicle instructions.

Abstract: A connected oven, including a set of in-cavity sensors and a processor configured to automatically identify foodstuff within the cooking cavity, based on the sensor measurements; and automatically operate the heating element based on the foodstuff identity.

Abstract: A polarization scrambler using a retardance element (RE) is disclosed. The polarization scrambler may include an optical fiber input to transmit an optical signal, and a beam expander to receive and expand the optical signal to create an expanded optical signal. The polarization scrambler may include a retardance element (RE) to cause a polarization scrambling effect on the expanded optical signal and to create a scrambled expanded optical signal. The polarization scrambler may include a beam reducer to receive and reduce the scrambled expanded optical signal to create a scrambled optical signal. The polarization to scrambler may include an optical fiber output to receive scrambled optical signal. The optical fiber output may transmit the scrambled optical signal to one or more downstream optical components.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to preventing laser access to microphones of smart devices. In one embodiment, a microphone of the smart device may be covered with an opaque material such as a cloth cover. The opaque material may serve as a barrier that is impenetrable to light, thereby preventing laser light to reach the microphone. In a further embodiment, a smart device may prevent the one or more microphones of the smart device from receiving an audio command embedded in a light signal by disrupting the light signal, ignoring the audio command, or both. In another embodiment, the smart device may block the audio command from being received at a microphone of a smart device by determining a frequency of the light signal, instructing a laser jammer to transmit a counter light with the frequency to interfere with the light signal.

Abstract: The method for dirty camera detection including: detecting a first predetermined state change event; sampling a set of cavity measurements; optionally determining a set of features of the set of cavity measurements; determining a class label based on the cavity measurements; optionally verifying the classification; and facilitating use of the appliance based on the classification.

Abstract: Authentication techniques are described to allow a person to be authenticated to interact with an organization, where a type of authentication can be determined based on an environment in which the person is located. For example, an authentication server can collect a status information related to a safety setting of a mobile device. The safety setting can be enabled, e.g., if a person is driving a vehicle. When enabled, the safety setting can prevent the person from performing one or more operations on the mobile device. Based on the collected status information, the authentication server can request the person to provide user information via the mobile device so that the authentication server can determine whether the person is authenticated to interact with an organization.