Abstract: A remote signal-based method and system of performing an authentication of video of a person in order to authorize access to a secured resource. The system and method are configured to cause a visual and/or audio pattern to be displayed in a remote computing device while collecting image data from the same device. The image data is evaluated to determine whether the appropriate response from the person is present. If the response is present, the system determines the image is authentic and can verify an identity of the person, and can further be configured to automatically grant the person access to one or more services, features, or information for which he or she is authorized.

Abstract: A method and system of intelligently deploying protective structures along the sides of a vehicle in order to protect the vehicle from damage is disclosed. The vehicle includes two protective structures such as bumpers that are each stored in a retracted position during normal vehicle operations. The system receives data collected by sensors in the vehicle to determine whether an accident is likely. If the system determines there is a high likelihood that an accident will occur, one or both protective structures can be deployed from the sides of the vehicle to protect the body of the vehicle from damage.

Abstract: An autonomous data container and methods of use are disclosed. The autonomous data container includes a data storage structure for storing financial transaction information. The autonomous data container also includes an artificially intelligent agent stored as code within the container. The artificially intelligent agent can run on a system storing the autonomous data container. The artificially intelligent agent can access transaction information in the data storage structure and make predictions and/or decisions on a consumer's behalf. The artificially intelligent agent can make new purchases on the consumer's behalf. The artificially intelligent agent can also provide fraud alerts for the consumer.

Abstract: A system may include a router that may receive a plurality of data packets from one or more devices that communicatively couples to the router. The system may also include at least one processor that identifies an identity of a device based on a data packet received by the router from the device, generate an insurance policy that includes the device in response to identifying the identity of the device, and sends a notification indicative of the insurance policy to a computing device in response to generating the insurance policy.

Abstract: A warming device is disclosed. The warming device includes an interior void that is sized to accommodate an exterior plumbing fixture, like an outside faucet. The warming device includes a heating member that is automatically activated in response to a change in temperature. When activated, the heating member generates heat to help protect the exterior plumbing fixture from the elements.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting deviations in building structures over time is disclosed. The system and method use range images of buildings captured using range imaging cameras (for example, time-of-flight cameras) to construct 3D models with sufficient resolution to detect deviations in structures that may not be obvious from looking at only photographic images. The system can also use augmented reality to project parts of a 3D model over photographic images of a structure to facilitate easy inspection of the structure.

Abstract: A package in which an onboard computing system and a plurality of sensor devices are embedded. The package includes a plurality of cameras that are positioned against sidewalls of the package in order to capture image data of the external environment. When the computing system determines the package has arrived at a predesignated set of coordinates corresponding to a target property for which an appraisal is to be performed, the cameras are activated and begin collecting image data. The image data is transmitted to a remote server which will store the image data for review by insurance personnel.

Abstract: Polylactide resin compositions that exhibit rapid hydrolysis rates and leave small amounts of residuals include a poly(meso-lactide) and a second polylactide. The polylactide resin compositions are useful in applications in which rapid hydrolysis is wanted under mildly to moderately elevated temperatures, such as in certain oil & gas well treatment applications.

Abstract: A remote signal-based method and system of performing an authentication of images of a person in order to permit access to a secured resource. The system and method are configured to cause a visual and/or haptic pattern response to occur in a secondary device while collecting image data from a different, primary device. The image data is evaluated to determine whether the appropriate pattern is present. If the pattern is present, the system determines the image is authentic and can verify an identity of the person, and can further be configured to automatically grant the person access to one or more services, features, or information for which he or she is authorized.

Abstract: Food supply may be tracked, authenticated, and evaluated by a variety of systems, processes, and techniques. In certain implementations, computer systems at various animal producers in the food supply chain (e.g., ranch and feedlot) may record and generate data regarding an animal (e.g., breed, age, location, hydration regimen, health history, etc.) and report this to a server system, which may process the data in an authenticated manner. Entities further down the chain (e.g., retailers) may access the server system to retrieve information about meat products and use this in sales efforts. Consumers may also retrieve information about meat products so that they may make informed buying decisions. Additionally, feedback may be provided to animal producers regarding the meat, which may encourage them to continue producing quality animals. Data may also be monetized, and a portion reinvested back to the food producer to assist in labor costs associated with system compliance.

Abstract: A system configured to monitor a condition of a fluid conduit includes a leak detection sensor assembly having a first electrical conductor and a second electrical conductor positioned on the fluid conduit. The system also includes one or more additional sensor assemblies positioned on the fluid conduit. The system further includes a controller configured to determine a presence of a leak along the fluid conduit in response to a resistance of a leak detection electrical circuit formed by the first electrical conductor and the second electrical conductor indicating that the leak detection electrical circuit is closed and data from the one or more additional sensor assemblies indicating the presence of the leak along the fluid conduit.

Abstract: A fire prevention system for a building. The fire protection system has an inlet duct having an interior end and an exterior end. An air handler is disposed at the interior end of the inlet duct to provide air from outside the building to the air handler. A flame arrester is located at the exterior end of the inlet duct to prevent burning embers from entering the inlet duct. The fire protection system also includes an interior duct system for distributing air from the air handler through the building. Distribution vents in the interior duct system allow flow of air from the interior duct system to the interior of the building to raise the pressure in the building above the outside pressure. Exhaust vents to allow flow of air out of the building. Also, a method for fire prevention for a building exposed to a fire.

Abstract: An acoustic apparatus and method of determining the composition of a floor, based on the filtered sound waves produced by vibrating the floor is disclosed. The apparatus includes a transducer for generating vibrations and/or sound, as well as microphones for detecting sounds. The apparatus may include two microphones so that ambient noise can be removed from an audio signal.

Abstract: A remote audio signal-based method and system of performing an authentication of video of a person in order to authorize access to a secured resource. An audio security token with a first set of features is generated and stored for each user. During subsequent sessions, the system and method are configured to cause a remote computing device to play a specific audio signal while collecting audio data from a microphone of the same device. The audio data is evaluated to determine if the same features are present as in the first set of features. If the features are present, the system determines the image is authentic and can verify an identity of the person, and can further be configured to automatically grant the person access to one or more services, features, or information for which he or she is authorized.

Abstract: A method of determining a physical location for an address. The method includes receiving from a first global positioning system on a vehicle a first set of global positioning data indicative of a vehicle location. The method may also receive from a second global positioning system on a portable electronic device a second set of global positioning data indicative of a portable electronic device location. The method may also receive a set of location metadata associated with a picture. The method determines a residence location from the first set of global positioning data, the second set of global positioning data, or the set of location metadata. The method then associates the physical location to the address.

Abstract: A facility receives an indication of a rate of energy output sought from a production array of solar panels. The facility controls a power inverter to which the production array is connected to deliver to an electrical grid to which the power inverter is connected a rate of energy output that is based on the indicated rate of energy output.

Abstract: A system may include a processor. The processor may perform operations including receiving multiple light patterns from multiple wireless devices. The operations may also include determining a location for each of the multiple wireless devices based at least in part on the multiple light patterns. Moreover, the operations may include pairing a first wireless device of the multiple wireless devices to the processor based at least in part on the location for each of the multiple wireless devices.

Abstract: Techniques are described for managing a network through use of a security device that includes, or has access to, a blockchain node. The security device may manage a network of Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices in a home or other environment. The security device may act as an intermediary to manage secure, trusted communications between the IoT device(s) and external service(s). The security device may also provide network security features such as a network firewall. In some implementations, the security device may run a blockchain node, and the blockchain could be used to establish a verifiable home identity. The security device may interact with external resources and/or services, such as utility services, e-commerce services, and so forth, through this secure mechanism.

Abstract: A tangible, non-transitory machine-readable medium includes machine-readable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to receive historical driver data indicative of one or more physiological parameters of one or more drivers during one or more prior driving trips, receive historical position data indicative of a respective position of a respective vehicle driven by the one or more drivers during the one or more prior driving trips, establish a correlation between the historical driver data and the historical position data, and identify one or more low-stress road segments using the correlation between the historical driver data and the historical position data.

Abstract: A central management system includes one or more processors configured to receive mapping data associated with a target property, identify, via machine learning, a geographic characteristic of interest specific to the target property, determine a modification of the geographic characteristic based on the mapping data, identify an impact of the modification to the target property, and provide an indication of the impact via a graphical user interface.