Abstract: Examples of techniques for wireless communication are presented. In some examples, an apparatus comprises a wireless transceiver and a hardware processor configured to perform: receiving, from a host device, a first indication of a host device clock signal, the apparatus and the host device being coupled via a wired interconnect; determining, based on the first indication and a second indication of an endpoint device clock signal, a phase relationship between the host device clock signal and the endpoint device clock signal; determining, based at least on the phase relationship, a first time for transmitting a sensor data request to a peripheral device of a computer; transmitting, using the wireless transceiver, the sensor data request to the peripheral device at the first time; receiving, from the peripheral device, the sensor data; and providing the sensor data to the host device via the wired interconnect as input data to the computer.

Abstract: In some embodiments a transceiver is configured to wirelessly transfer data between a host computing device and one or more peripheral devices over a communication path using a communication data construct comprising a packet structure arranged in a repetitive communication structure. The repetitive communication structure can include a transmit time window within which the host transmits data to the one or more connected peripheral devices and a receive time window within which the host receives data from the one or more connected peripheral devices. A duration of the receive time window is set based on a predetermined communication report rate between the host computing device and the one or more connected peripheral devices. A new peripheral device is added as a connected peripheral device when the new peripheral device transmits a request to the host to be added as a connected peripheral device and the receive time window has time available to add the new peripheral device.

Abstract: A device for measuring an ionic concentration of an ionic compound in a porous medium solution contained in a porous medium. The device includes a sensing portion, a light source, and a light sensor. The sensing portion is miniaturized and includes a permeable material body defining a measuring cavity therein and is insertable in the porous medium to allow the porous medium solution to diffuse through the permeable material body. The light source illuminates the porous medium solution contained inside the measuring cavity. The light sensor detects a resulting light emanating from the porous medium solution, the resulting light having at least one spectral characteristic indicative of the ionic concentration of the ionic compound in the porous medium solution. There is also provided a method for measuring in situ an ionic concentration of an ionic compound in a porous medium solution contained in a porous medium.

Abstract: Examples of techniques for wireless communication are presented. In some examples, an apparatus comprises a wireless transceiver and a hardware processor configured to perform: receiving, from a host device, a first indication of a host device clock signal, the apparatus and the host device being coupled via a wired interconnect; determining, based on the first indication and a second indication of an endpoint device clock signal, a phase relationship between the host device clock signal and the endpoint device clock signal; determining, based at least on the phase relationship, a first time for transmitting a sensor data request to a peripheral device of a computer; transmitting, using the wireless transceiver, the sensor data request to the peripheral device at the first time; receiving, from the peripheral device, the sensor data; and providing the sensor data to the host device via the wired interconnect as input data to the computer.

Abstract: An input device including a housing and a depressible key plate disposed thereon. The key plate includes a front user-accessible portion, a pivot support portion, and a rear portion. A shaft is disposed in the pivot support portion, where the key plate rotates with respect to the shaft. A force sensor is disposed in the housing and in contact with a bottom surface of the front portion of the key plate, and activates in response to receiving a predetermined force by the bottom surface of the front portion of the key plate. The depressible key plate depresses in response to receiving a predetermined depression force on the top surface. A biasing mechanism is disposed in the housing and in contact with the bottom surface of the rear portion of the key plate to provide an upward force tuned to be substantially equal to the predetermined depression force.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dynamic cervical disk prosthesis (1) comprising two upper (11) and lower (12) rigid plates containing a viscoelastic element (10), said upper and lower plates (11 and 12) having a slightly cambered and striated contact face, the main characteristic of this invention being that the lower plate (12) is in the form of a housing, compatible with a twist-lock of the upper plate (11) while allowing the mobility and damping of the two plates (11 and 12) around the viscoelastic element (10) that can be freely distorted thereby avoiding all risk of detachment of the prosthesis when subjected to applied forces.

Abstract: A method of operating a computer mouse includes receiving electromagnetic (EM) radiation emitted from a source external to the computer mouse, the received EM radiation induces noise within one or more bands of noise frequencies and an image sensor circuit of the computer mouse generates erroneous movement detection signals in response to an operating frequency of the image sensor circuit being within the one or more bands of noise frequencies. The method further includes determining the operating frequency of the image sensor circuit, comparing the operating frequency to a target frequency, wherein the target frequency is outside of the one or more bands of noise frequencies, and tuning the operating frequency of the image sensor circuit towards the target frequency.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, an input device includes a chassis and a depressible actuator disposed on the chassis that, when depressed, generates and sends a control signal to a processor, where the actuator is coupleable to a removable button cover that provides user-access to activate the actuator, and a removable blank cover to prevent user access to activate the actuator. The button cover and blank cover can be separate from the chassis and may directly attach to the actuator. The input device can further include a second depressible actuator disposed on the chassis that, when depressed, generates and sends a second control signal to the processor, where the second actuator is coupleable to the button cover and the blank cover.

Abstract: An input device including a housing and a depressible key plate disposed thereon. The key plate includes a front user-accessible portion, a pivot support portion, and a rear portion. A shaft is disposed in the pivot support portion, where the key plate rotates with respect to the shaft. A force sensor is disposed in the housing and in contact with a bottom surface of the front portion of the key plate, and activates in response to receiving a predetermined force by the bottom surface of the front portion of the key plate. The depressible key plate depresses in response to receiving a predetermined depression force on the top surface. A biasing mechanism is disposed in the housing and in contact with the bottom surface of the rear portion of the key plate to provide an upward force tuned to be substantially equal to the predetermined depression force.

Abstract: A dynamic intervertebral stabilization device (1) comprising the following elements: an upper hook (10), a lower hook (13), a hollow cylindrical body (14), a viscoelastic element, as well as an upper hook (10) integrating a piston (11), which is braced with a minimum of contact on the viscoelastic element, which permits upper (10) and lower (13) hooks to be moved in multiaxial manner within a solid angle (?) while absorbing deformations in compression and in flexion by virtue of the damping produced by the viscoelastic element.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, an input device includes a chassis and a depressible actuator disposed on the chassis that, when depressed, generates and sends a control signal to a processor, where the actuator is coupleable to a removable button cover that provides user-access to activate the actuator, and a removable blank cover to prevent user access to activate the actuator. The button cover and blank cover can be separate from the chassis and may directly attach to the actuator. The input device can further include a second depressible actuator disposed on the chassis that, when depressed, generates and sends a second control signal to the processor, where the second actuator is coupleable to the button cover and the blank cover.

Abstract: There is provided a client device, method and system for facilitating a payment from a customer to a merchant. Payment is carried out upon use of voice data for authentication of a user and subsequent transmission of a payment authorization message.

Abstract: An input device including a housing and a depressible key plate disposed thereon. The key plate includes a front user-accessible portion, a pivot support portion, and a rear portion. A shaft is disposed in the pivot support portion, where the key plate rotates with respect to the shaft. A force sensor is disposed in the housing and in contact with a bottom surface of the front portion of the key plate, and activates in response to receiving a predetermined force by the bottom surface of the front portion of the key plate. The depressible key plate depresses in response to receiving a predetermined depression force on the top surface. A biasing mechanism is disposed in the housing and in contact with the bottom surface of the rear portion of the key plate to provide an upward force tuned to be substantially equal to the predetermined depression force.

Abstract: A computer device for monitoring for fraudulent activity, including (a) a plurality of sensors; and (b) one or more processors in communication with the sensors and non-transitory data storage including, stored thereon, a plurality of instructions which, when executed, cause the one or more processors to perform the steps of (i) receiving instructions to determine a confidence level; (ii) determining a confidence level by monitoring one or more of the following: sensor data; user behaviour; payment history; security level; connected devices; and location data; and (iii) returning said confidence level, wherein the confidence level represents a relative risk of fraudulent activity.

Abstract: A computer device for effecting an authentication procedure associated with a service provider or an application, including a plurality of sensors; and one or more processors in communication with the sensors and non-transitory data storage including, stored thereon, a plurality of instructions which, when executed, cause the one or more processors to perform the steps of (a) receiving an authentication procedure request; (b) determining a hierarchy of authentication processes for the authentication procedure; (c) selecting an authentication process from the hierarchy of authentication processes; and (d) executing the authentication process.

Abstract: A method for constructing a wireless communications apparatus includes attaching a three dimensional antenna having a first end and a second end to a printed circuit board (PCB) using a spring-loaded attachment mechanism. The three dimensional antenna is attached in an orientation that is perpendicular to a mounting surface of the PCB. The first end of the three dimensional antenna is further soldered to the PCB.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, an input device includes a chassis and a depressible actuator disposed on the chassis that, when depressed, generates and sends a control signal to a processor, where the actuator is coupleable to a removable button cover that provides user-access to activate the actuator, and a removable blank cover to prevent user access to activate the actuator. The button cover and blank cover can be separate from the chassis and may directly attach to the actuator. The input device can further include a second depressible actuator disposed on the chassis that, when depressed, generates and sends a second control signal to the processor, where the second actuator is coupleable to the button cover and the blank cover.

Abstract: An input device including a housing and a depressible key plate disposed thereon. The key plate includes a front user-accessible portion, a pivot support portion, and a rear portion. A shaft is disposed in the pivot support portion, where the key plate rotates with respect to the shaft. A force sensor is disposed in the housing and in contact with a bottom surface of the front portion of the key plate, and activates in response to receiving a predetermined force by the bottom surface of the front portion of the key plate. The depressible key plate depresses in response to receiving a predetermined depression force on the top surface. A biasing mechanism is disposed in the housing and in contact with the bottom surface of the rear portion of the key plate to provide an upward force tuned to be substantially equal to the predetermined depression force.

Abstract: A method includes placing an input device in a passive mode of operation and periodically monitoring a displacement sensor of the input device, receiving an indication of displacement from the displacement sensor, and placing the input device in an active mode of operation characterized by a power consumption level. The method also includes determining a passing of a predetermined time period since receiving the indication of displacement, placing the input device in a second active mode of operation characterized by a second power consumption level less than the power consumption level, and periodically monitoring one or more of a plurality of touch sensors. The method further includes receiving an indication of input from the one or more of the plurality of touch sensors and placing the input device in the active mode of operation.

Abstract: A dynamic intervertebral stabilization device (1) comprising the following elements: an upper hook (10), a lower hook (13), a hollow cylindrical body (14), a viscoelastic element, as well as an upper hook (10) integrating a piston (11), which is braced with a minimum of contact on the viscoelastic element, which permits upper (10) and lower (13) hooks to be moved in multiaxial manner within a solid angle (?) while absorbing deformations in compression and in flexion by virtue of the damping produced by the viscoelastic element.