Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods for providing a consumer device presence-based transaction sessions are discussed herein. Some embodiments may provide for an apparatus configured to establish consumer device presence-based transaction sessions. The apparatus and consumer device may wirelessly communicate for a variety interactions within the transaction session. For example, consumers may be allowed to provide one or more instances of consumer approval data for payment. The transaction session may be closed upon receipt of consumer approval data or may be kept open based on wirelessly polling for consumer device presence. Based on the lack of consumer device presence, the apparatus may be configured to close the transaction session and subsequently facilitate a transaction. In various embodiments, the apparatus may be a merchant device or a server. For example, the apparatus may be a server of a central system configured to facilitate transaction sessions between merchant devices and consumer devices.

Abstract: Various systems, apparatuses, and methods are described herein for enabling secure communication protocols for proximity-based validation in distributed multi-device frameworks. Distributed multi-device frameworks present unique challenges when it comes to ensuring that user communications between various devices and over variable-security communication mediums remain secure. To address the noted challenges, some embodiments of the present invention provide for an apparatus configured to establish secure communications with a central system using wallet identifying data that is configured to secure data transfers between the apparatus and the central system. In accordance with some embodiments, devices communicating on proposed networks are arranged in a manner and using a network architecture that is configured to optimize overall network security and system integrity.

Abstract: Various systems, apparatuses, and methods are described herein for enabling secure communication protocols for proximity-based validation in distributed multi-device frameworks. Distributed multi-device frameworks present unique challenges when it comes to ensuring that user communications between various devices and over variable-security communication mediums remain secure. To address the noted challenges, some embodiments of the present invention provide for an apparatus configured to establish secure communications with a central system using wallet identifying data that is configured to secure data transfers between the apparatus and the central system. In accordance with some embodiments, devices communicating on proposed networks are arranged in a manner and using a network architecture that is configured to optimize overall network security and system integrity.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods for providing a consumer device presence-based transaction sessions are discussed herein. Some embodiments may provide for an apparatus configured to establish consumer device presence-based transaction sessions. The apparatus and consumer device may wirelessly communicate for a variety interactions within the transaction session. For example, consumers may be allowed to provide one or more instances of consumer approval data for payment. The transaction session may be closed upon receipt of consumer approval data or may be kept open based on wirelessly polling for consumer device presence. Based on the lack of consumer device presence, the apparatus may be configured to close the transaction session and subsequently facilitate a transaction. In various embodiments, the apparatus may be a merchant device or a server. For example, the apparatus may be a server of a central system configured to facilitate transaction sessions between merchant devices and consumer devices.

Abstract: Cladding-pumped Raman fiber lasers and amplifiers provide high-efficiency conversion efficiency at high brightness enhancement. Differential loss is applied to both single-pass configurations appropriate for pulsed amplification and laser oscillator configurations applied to high average power cw source generation.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to methods for measuring at least one pore characteristic of a polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) element via porosimetry and, for example, using the measurement to adjust one or more process parameters for fabricating a PCD element and/or for quality control on such a PCD element. In an embodiment, a method for characterizing a PCD element is disclosed. The method includes providing a PCD element that includes a plurality of bonded diamond grains defining a plurality of pores therebetween. The method further includes conducting porosimetry on the PCD element to measure at least one pore characteristic of the plurality of pores of the PCD element. In an embodiment, the method additionally includes adjusting the one or more process parameters for fabricating the PCD element at least partially based on the measured at least one pore characteristic.

Abstract: A method and a system for quality assurance automation are described. A system comprises a requirements service to generate requirements artifacts from one or more sources. The requirement artifacts are of a standardized format that is referenced in tested software code. A data provider service standardizes and distributes various types of common test data across multiple business disciplines. An execution service manages test executions across and multiple environments where test software code is installed. An evaluation service analyzes data resulting from the test executions. A reporting service reports the analyzed data.

Abstract: A method to make a graphite block of any desired size and with over 99% carbon purity and high density is provided. The graphite block is obtained by mixing graphite flakes of any size with graphene oxide sheets and subjecting the mixture to elevated temperature and pressure. With this method large graphite blocks can be obtained economically and fast. The graphite blocks of this invention have superlubricity characters.

Abstract: A deterministic methodology is provided for designing optical fibers that support field-flattened, ring-like higher order modes. The effective and group indices of its modes can be tuned by adjusting the widths of the guide's field-flattened layers or the average index of certain groups of layers. The approach outlined here provides a path to designing fibers that simultaneously have large mode areas and large separations between the propagation constants of its modes.

Abstract: A method and a system for quality assurance automation are described. A system comprises a requirements service to generate requirements artifacts from one or more sources. The requirement artifacts are of a standardized format that is referenced in tested software code. A data provider service standardizes and distributes various types of common test data across multiple business disciplines. An execution service manages test executions across and multiple environments where test software code is installed. An evaluation service analyzes data resulting from the test executions. A reporting service reports the analyzed data.

Abstract: A deterministic methodology is provided for designing optical fibers that support field-flattened, ring-like higher order modes. The effective and group indices of its modes can be tuned by adjusting the widths of the guide's field-flattened layers or the average index of certain groups of layers. The approach outlined here provides a path to designing fibers that simultaneously have large mode areas and large separations between the propagation constants of its modes.

Abstract: A system and method for managing and controlling telephone activity in a correctional facility comprises providing a first communicative connection between a caller and a recipient, delivering the conversation between the caller and the recipient over the first communicative connection and executing silence recognition software to identify a plurality of periods of conversation silence delivered over the first communicative connection. By comparing the periods of conversation silence with a silence threshold, a determination can be made as to whether the recipient is attempting to create an unauthorized call connection. Based on that comparison step, a detection response is executed.

Abstract: A pill sorting system to sort, channel, and discharge a plurality of pills. The system includes a sorting tray having a sorting region to receive the plurality of pills and a discharge region including a spout configured to discharge pills from the tray. The system also includes a stylus tool having a body with a first and second end. The first end includes adhesive to pick up a pill and the second end is adapted to sort and move pills within the tray and through the spout.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring telephone activity and conversation content in a correctional facility comprises providing a communicative connection between a caller and a recipient, alerting at least one of the caller and the recipient that the communications may be recorded, delivering the conversation between the caller and the recipient over the communicative connection and storing the conversation into a call record memory. After the communicative connection has been terminated, speech recognition software is executed to identify a plurality of conversation words within the call record memory. By comparing the conversation words with a database of trigger words, a determination can be made as to whether the conversation is of interest to the correctional facility. Based on that comparison step, a detection response is executed.

Abstract: Cladding-pumped Raman fiber lasers and amplifiers provide high-efficiency conversion efficiency at high brightness enhancement. Differential loss is applied to both single-pass configurations appropriate for pulsed amplification and laser oscillator configurations applied to high average power cw source generation.

Abstract: A re-sealing puncturable closure for use with vials having calibration or control solutions chemicals therein adapted for use in a manner that advantageously minimizes evaporation from a solution vial prior to and subsequent to aspiration of solution therefrom.

Abstract: A re-sealing puncturable closure for use with vials having calibration or control solutions chemicals therein adapted for use in a manner that advantageously minimizes evaporation from a solution vial prior to and subsequent to aspiration of solution therefrom.

Abstract: A re-sealing puncturable stopper for use with capped vials having lyophilized calibration chemicals therein adapted for use in a manner that minimizes failure modes: (1) in an initial lyophilization manufacturing process; (2) during a subsequent hydration process; (3) while protecting a vial stored on-board an automated clinical analyzer; (4) when punctured for aspiration; and, (5) when re-sealing the vial after aspiration.

Abstract: An annealing mold and fiber retaining device includes a fiber holding plate having fiber channels and an annealing insert. Retainers are provided for attachment to the plate to retain fibers in the channels. After annealing, the annealing insert is replaced by a packaging insert. The fiber holding plate is mounted between a support plate and a cover plate. The mounted plates include a coextensive current conductor port and the plates are mounted in a housing which includes vibration mounts for isolating the plates from vibration within the housing.