Abstract: Methods, systems, and techniques for harnessing wind energy use a tethered airfoil and a digital hydraulic pump and motor, which may optionally be a combined pump/motor. During a traction phase, a wind powered airfoil is allowed to extend a tether and a portion of the wind energy harnessed through extension of the tether is stored prior to distributing the wind energy to an electrical service. During a retraction phase, the wind energy that is stored during the traction phase is used to retract the tether. The digital hydraulic pump and motor are mechanically coupled to the tether.

Abstract: A weapon system is provided. The weapon system includes a receiver and an operating group. The operating group includes a bolt at least partially housed within the receiver; an operating rod (op-rod) assembly arranged to axially translate within the bolt. The operating group also includes a carrier assembly, a bolt assembly, and a recoil assembly. The system further includes a hinge or pivot joint at a connection between the recoil assembly and the carrier assembly, a firing pin lock, an elastomeric cone interface between the bolt assembly and the receiver, a hollowed out piston, and/or tapering on the lug of the bolt assembly.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for managing personal data on a mobile communications device in which personal data stored at one or more locations on the mobile communications device is identified by a policy management module on the mobile communications device. A policy is then created based on the identified personal data. The policy management module on the mobile communications device monitors at least the personal data stored in the one or more locations on the mobile communications device and detects attempts to access the monitored data.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for conditionally granting access to service levels based on a determined security state of the device requesting access. A software component, upon receiving a request for access to a provider having a plurality of service levels, determines the current security state of the requesting device. The software component compares that security state to a policy associated with the provider. The software component then allows the requesting device access to the provider services where the device's current security state meets or exceeds the security state required for the service.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enhancing the security of an electronic device by causing the electronic device to go into a mode for lost or stolen devices after a security component receives information regarding an event at the electronic device and determines that the event indicates the electronic device is lost or stolen.

Abstract: A recoil assembly for a rifle includes a barrel assembly, a bolt, bolt actuator, and a buffer assembly. The barrel assembly includes a barrel secured to a barrel extension. The barrel assembly is configured to be movably received through the fore end of the upper receiver and to move axially relative to the upper receiver when the rifle is fired. The barrel extension is coupled to a hydraulic buffer assembly located below the barrel extension and counteracts recoil forces acting on the barrel extension when the rifle is fired. An op-rod spring is coupled to an op rod extending from a gas piston assembly on the barrel. The op-rod spring counteracts recoil forces acting the bolt actuator when the rifle is fired.

Abstract: A system and method to create a policy for managing personal data on a mobile communications device are disclosed. Personal data stored at one or more locations on the mobile communications device is identified by a policy management module on the mobile communications device. A policy is then created based on the personal data stored at the one or more locations. The policy management module on the mobile communications device monitors at least the personal data stored in the one or more locations on the mobile communications device.

Abstract: A software component, upon receiving a request for access to a provider having a plurality of service levels, determines the current security state of the requesting device. The security state of the requesting device varies according to severity levels of device security events. The software component compares that security state to a policy associated with the provider. The software component then allows the requesting device access to the provider services where the device's current security state meets or exceeds the security state required for the service.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for conditionally granting access to service levels based on a determined security state of the device requesting access. A software component, upon receiving a request for access to a provider having a plurality of service levels, determines the current security state of the requesting device. The software component compares that security state to a policy associated with the provider. The software component then allows the requesting device access to the provider services where the device's current security state meets or exceeds the security state required for the service.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for sharing information and improving the functioning of devices by blocking potentially harmful communications. In the methods and systems disclosed, a security component on an electronic device may receive a policy. The security component may also receive, from a local device proxy on the electronic device, information pertaining to a communication. The security component may compare the information pertaining to the communication to the policy. The comparison may result in a determination that the communication is potentially harmful. The security component may then instruct the local device proxy to block the communication from proceeding past the local device proxy.

Abstract: A method is provided for comparing a usage of a mobile communications device to a stored pattern of usage. When a measure associated with a difference between the usage and the stored usage pattern exceeds a threshold, the mobile communications device is caused to emit a sound encoded with information that may be decoded by another electronic device.

Abstract: A weapon system is provided. The weapon system includes a receiver and an operating group. The operating group includes a bolt at least partially housed within the receiver; an operating rod (op-rod) assembly arranged to axially translate within the bolt. The operating group also includes a carrier assembly, a bolt assembly, and a recoil assembly. The system further includes a hinge or pivot joint at a connection between the recoil assembly and the carrier assembly, a firing pin lock, an elastomeric cone interface between the bolt assembly and the receiver, a hollowed out piston, and/or tapering on the lug of the bolt assembly.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for sharing information and improving the functioning of devices by blocking potentially harmful communications. In the methods and systems disclosed, a security component on an electronic device may receive a policy. The security component may also receive, from a local device proxy on the electronic device, information pertaining to a communication. The security component may compare the information pertaining to the communication to the policy. The comparison may result in a determination that the communication is potentially harmful. The security component may then instruct the local device proxy to block the communication from proceeding past the local device proxy.

Abstract: A method is provided for comparing a usage of a mobile communications device to a stored pattern of usage. When a measure associated with a difference between the usage and the stored usage pattern exceeds a threshold, the mobile communications device is caused to emit a sound encoded with information that may be decoded by another electronic device.

Abstract: A weapon system is provided. The weapon system includes a receiver and an operating group. The operating group includes a bolt at least partially housed within the receiver; an operating rod (op-rod) assembly arranged to axially translate within the bolt. The operating group also includes a carrier assembly, a bolt assembly, and a recoil assembly. The system further includes a hinge or pivot joint at a connection between the recoil assembly and the carrier assembly, a firing pin lock, an elastomeric cone interface between the bolt assembly and the receiver, a hollowed out piston, and/or tapering on the lug of the bolt assembly.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for sharing information and improving the functioning of devices by blocking the installation of an application based on an assessment. In the methods and systems disclosed, a server may receive data pertaining to an application from the mobile communications device. The server may process the data from the mobile communications device to determine an assessment of the application, where the assessment is based on an analysis using information shared by sources other than the mobile communications device. The server may then provide the assessment to the mobile communications device.

Abstract: A method is provided for evaluating the usage of a mobile communications device that itself provides access to a resource. In the method, a detected usage of the mobile communications device is compared to a stored usage pattern of an authorized user. When a measure associated with the difference between the detected usage and the stored usage pattern exceeds a threshold, it is concluded that the mobile communications device is being used by an unauthorized user. In response to this conclusion, a restriction is placed on an ability of the mobile communications device to access the resource.

Abstract: A server receives from a mobile communication device information about a data object (e.g., application) on the device when the device cannot assess the data object. The server uses the information along with other information stored at the server to assess the data object. Based on the assessment, the device may be permitted to access the data object or the device may not be permitted to access the data object. The other information stored at the server can include data objects known to be bad, data objects known to be good, or both.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for sharing information and improving the functioning of devices by blocking the installation of an application based on an assessment. In the methods and systems disclosed, a server may receive data pertaining to an application from the mobile communications device. The server may process the data from the mobile communications device to determine an assessment of the application, where the assessment is based on an analysis using information shared by sources other than the mobile communications device. The server may then provide the assessment to the mobile communications device.

Abstract: The security of network connections on a computing device is protected by detecting and preventing compromise of the network connections, including man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks. Active probing and other methods are used to detect the attacks. Responses to detection include one or more of displaying a warning to a user of the computing device, providing an option to disconnect the network connection, blocking the network connection, switching to a different network connection, applying a policy, and sending anomaly information to a security server.