Abstract: A method for enhanced access control is provided that includes the steps of displaying buttons, by an electronic device, where each button corresponds to a different service. Moreover, the method includes receiving, by the electronic device, input regarding a selected service, transmitting at least one credential for the selected service to a computer, and capturing, by a camera in communication with the computer, facial image data of a user. The method also includes determining whether the facial image data was taken of a live person. In response to determining the facial image data was taken of a live person, a verification transaction is conducted based on the at least one credential and facial image data. In response to verifying the identity of the user as true, the user is granted access to the selected service.

Abstract: An outboard engine unit for a marine vessel may, in addition to including an engine and a thrust unit, be outfitted with one or more perception sensors configured to capture images of a field of view, where the field of view maintains a fixed spatial relationship with the thrust direction in which the thrust unit is providing thrust for the marine vessel. Further, the outboard engine unit may further include an orientation sensor configured to sense the orientation of the thrust direction relative to the vessel.

Abstract: A bracket assembly comprising a first bracket member associated with a first side of a structural element, a second bracket member associated with an opposed second side of the structural element, and wherein the first bracket member, the second bracket member and the structural element are fastened to one another using one or more fastening assemblies.

Abstract: A journey through a waterway along which a sea-faring vessel manually piloted is identified and stored. A second vessel is later autonomously navigated along the same journey based on the stored data.

Abstract: An integrated audio microphone system simultaneously provides in-room amplification and remote communication during a collaboration session with one or more local participants in a shared space and one or more remote participants. The integrated audio microphone system includes at least one microphone array and speaker system located in the shared space, at least one microphone system for amplification located in the shared space, an audio processor connected to the microphone system and the microphone array and speaker system, and a computer connected to the audio processor. The audio processor is configured to generate a plurality of virtual microphone bubbles and to amplify received audio signals from the microphone system for in-room audio amplification. The amplified audio signals are output to speakers of the microphone array and speaker system. Audio signals from the microphone system and the arrays of microphones are output to the computer to send the audio signals to one or more remote participants.

Abstract: Autonomously piloting a sea-faring vessel traveling on a pre-defined course at a nominal speed includes: measuring a slamming parameter of the vessel; determining that the slamming parameter is outside an acceptable range; and autonomously decreasing the speed of the vessel until the slamming parameter is within the acceptable range, thereby causing the vessel to enter a reduced-speed mode.

Abstract: Autonomously piloting a sea-faring vessel traveling on a pre-defined course at a nominal speed includes: measuring a slamming parameter of the vessel; determining that the slamming parameter is outside an acceptable range; and autonomously decreasing the speed of the vessel until the slamming parameter is within the acceptable range, thereby causing the vessel to enter a reduced-speed mode.

Abstract: This is an application for a patent filing of an original type of articulating prosthetic human elbow joints, with replaceable parts. Intramedullary nails located on the base of each joint is used to secure the joint in bones of the humerus and ulna. The intramedullary nail has small pimples in it like a golf ball that allows bone cells to granulate in and attach themselves permanently to the intramedullary nail. This configuration requires only a small amount of adhesive for fixation until the bone cells granulate into the intramedullary nail for a firm permanent attachment. The joint is equipped with humeral and ulnar pieces that contain the articulating surfaces for the joint. The articulating surfaces are replaceable, this and designed to take the bulk of the load. This is done so that the articulating services will break instead of the bones fracturing when too much of a load is applied to the prosthetic.

Abstract: A boat that operate autonomously or by remote control, and may be operated without on-board personnel (unmanned) or may be operated in conjunction with onboard personnel, and to methods of using such boats at sea.

Abstract: A boat that operate autonomously or by remote control, and may be operated without on-board personnel (unmanned) or may be operated in conjunction with onboard personnel, and to methods of using such boats at sea.

Abstract: A sea-surface vessel configured to operate in an autonomous mode and to implement autonomous operation of one or more undersea autonomous vehicles is described herein.

Abstract: A shoulder rest for a violin, viola or like instrument is described which has a reduced risk and incidence of slippage and disengagement from the instrument by having provided thereon a cross-member adjacent to or displaced from the rest member of the shoulder rest, which cross-member is resilient and substantially stretch resistant and preferably linking two support members protruding from or associated with the rest member of the shoulder rest. When pressure is applied during use, the legs (or support members) of the shoulder rest do not splay and the shoulder rest remains in position. Feet or gripping members for attaching a shoulder rest to a violin reduced any detrimental impact to the sound quality of the violin caused by use of a shoulder rest by maintaining contact with the backplate only in the area of the backplate outside the inner purfling line.

Abstract: A shoulder rest for a violin, viola or like instrument is described which has a reduced risk and incidence of slippage and disengagement from the instrument by having provided thereon a cross-member adjacent to or displaced from the rest member of the shoulder rest, which cross-member is resilient and substantially stretch resistant and preferably linking two support members protruding from or associated with the rest member of the shoulder rest. When pressure is applied during use, the legs (or support members) of the shoulder rest do not splay and the shoulder rest remains in position. Feet or gripping members for attaching a shoulder rest to a violin reduced any detrimental impact to the sound quality of the violin caused by use of a shoulder rest by maintaining contact with the backplate only in the area of the backplate outside the inner purfling line.

Abstract: A spa jet includes a first housing fixedly attached to an exterior surface of a sidewall of the spa basin. At least a first magnet supported by the first housing. A nozzle housing and a blade rotatably supported by the nozzle housing for rotation about an axis of rotation. An electric motor including a stator and a rotor, the rotor is coaxially connected to the bladed for conjoint rotation therewith about the axis of rotation, and the stator is supported by the first housing. At least a second magnetic is supported by the nozzle housing, wherein the nozzle housing is detachably attached to an interior surface of the sidewall of the spa basin by a magnetic attraction force between the at least first magnet and the at least second magnetic with the blade, the rotor, and the stator coaxially aligned along the axis of rotation, whereby the electric motor is operable to rotatingly drive the blade for drawing water into the nozzle housing and for discharging water from the nozzle housing.

Abstract: An elongate mounting strip for mounting screens to structures includes an elongate base that can be secured to the structure with screws, bolts, rivets, adhesives, etc. The elongate base includes an array of relatively stiff filaments or hooks or posts over which the edge of the screen can be stretched and secured. The filaments or hooks engage through and hook onto the openings in the screen to secure the screen in place. A protective and decorative cover is provided for concealing this attachment.

Abstract: An integrated light emitting semiconductor device having integrated feedback for wavelength locking comprises a semiconductor substrate including a waveguide region having a gain section having a gain media therein, and an out-coupling perturbation integrated with the device disposed proximate to the waveguide. A total internal reflection (TIR) structure for providing optical feedback is integrated with the device and disposed in a spaced apart relation relative to the out-coupling perturbation. At least one of the out-coupling perturbation and the TIR structure include a grating or prism to provide dispersion to send different wavelengths of light in different directions. The out-coupling perturbation is preferably a grating that has a grating period that is small enough to allow for only the +1 diffracted order to propagate.

Abstract: A momentum trap ballistic armor comprises an accelerating layer, a plug layer adjacent to the accelerating layer, and an energy absorbing layer. The plug layer includes an opening and at least one plug maintained within the opening. When a projectile impacts the accelerating layer, the plug is accelerated to the velocity of the projectile before the projectile perforates the plug, forming a projectile-plug combination. The energy absorbing layer is used to capture the projectile-plug combination. The accelerating layer is typically ceramic, the plug layer is typically metal, and the energy absorbing layer is typically ballistic cloth material.

Abstract: It has been said that the wheel is the greatest invention of all time; when horses or oxen pulled wagons, dirt roads or no roads sufficed, but the wheels of modern transportation require paved roads for cars and trucks, concrete air strips for airplanes, ballast for railroads, concrete for dams, buildings, and many other things. Rock is the material that answers all these needs, but rock must be crushed to usable sizes. Big boulders or quarried rock are crushed by primary stage jaw or very large gyratory crushers that reduces the rock to sizes that second stage crushers can accept, and if the rock needs to be very small a third stage is used. Cone crushers are the crushers of choice for second and often for third stage crushing which is the type crusher of this patent application.

Abstract: A front bumper for a mobile vehicle that rotates to provide additional access to the vehicle engine. The rotating front bumper is provided in various embodiments, exemplifying possible modes of configuration and operation thereof. Specifically, methods of retaining the front bumper in a non-rotated position are presented, as are methods for preventing over-extension, and linkages that cause the front bumper to rotate when the hood is opened.