Abstract: A device is configured to process contactless payments by wirelessly reading account information from enabled payment instruments and providing the account information, along with other information, to a remote payment processing system. The device has an embedded reader, such as a near-field communications (NFC) reader or a radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader. The operating system of the device has a device driver that provides access to the embedded reader. The device driver is implemented as part of the operating system kernel in order to protect it from access by non-privileged software. A POS application installed on the device uses the device driver to obtain payment instrument information from a payment instrument such as a credit card. Before providing the payment instrument information to the POS application, the device driver encrypts the payment instrument information using a public key provided by the payment processing system.

Abstract: A device is configured to process contactless payments by wirelessly reading account information from enabled payment instruments and providing the account information, along with other information, to a remote payment processing system. The device has an embedded reader, such as a near-field communications (NFC) reader or a radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader. The operating system of the device has a device driver that provides access to the embedded reader. The device driver is implemented as part of the operating system kernel in order to protect it from access by non-privileged software. A POS application installed on the device uses the device driver to obtain payment instrument information from a payment instrument such as a credit card. Before providing the payment instrument information to the POS application, the device driver encrypts the payment instrument information using a public key provided by the payment processing system.

Abstract: This disclosure describes, in part, techniques for storing transaction data at a central service, and techniques for querying information associated with the data from the central service when authorizing payment instruments for transactions. For instance, a central service may receive historical transaction data from multiple payment services that authorize payment instruments for merchants, and then store the historical transaction data in one or more databases. A payment service may then receive a request to authorize a payment instrument for a transaction between a merchant and a customer. Based on receiving the request, the payment service can send the central service a message that includes a query for information associated with historical transaction data corresponding to the payment instrument. In response, the payment service can receive the information from the central service and authorize the payment instrument using the information.

Abstract: A method and system detect directionality between two objects by measuring angles of signals incident on antenna arrays on at least one side to determine angle of incidence. The methods utilize Bluetooth Low Energy communications for both the control protocol and for providing updated information for deriving directionality. Directionality information is broadcast on selected BLE advertising or data channels, or broadcast using a hopping pattern over the BLE data channels, both at a specific interval duty cycle. If a hopping pattern is selected to transmit directionality information, then anchor information is simultaneously broadcast on the BLE advertising or data channels at a different, asynchronous duty cycle. In additional embodiments, signals incident on antenna arrays located on both target and tracking sides are used to determine angle of incidence, separate antennas are combined to form new antennas and antenna models are used to anticipate known antenna structure responses.

Abstract: Provided herein are soluble engineered polypeptides for oxidizing hydrocarbons, and methods of use, manufacture, and design thereof. In particular, soluble, polypeptides capable of oxidizing methane to methanol (e.g., hydroxylation) are provided.

Abstract: A method and system detect directionality between two objects by measuring angles of signals incident on antenna arrays on at least one side to determine angle of incidence. The methods utilize Bluetooth Low Energy communications as the means for both the control protocol and for providing updated information for deriving directionality. Directionality information is broadcast on selected BLE advertising or data channels, or broadcast using a hopping pattern over the BLE data channels, both at a specific interval duty cycle. If a hopping pattern is selected to transmit directionality information, then anchor information is simultaneously broadcast on the BLE advertising or data channels at a different, asynchronous duty cycle. In additional embodiments, signals incident on antenna arrays located on both target and tracking sides are used to determine angle of incidence, separate antennas are combined to form new antennas and antenna models are used to anticipate known antenna structure responses.