Abstract: A security seal to be attached to an object. The security seal includes a receptacle, a unique identifier, a tip adapted to be housed in the receptacle and a custody aperture having a dimension adapted to house a portion of a second security seal and adapted to remain intact after the security seal is removed from attachment to the object. In use, a chain of custody record for security seals is provided including securing a first security seal to an object, removing the first security seal from the object, threading a second security seal through a custody aperture in the removed first security seal and securing the second security seal to the object such that the first and second security seals are secured together.

Abstract: A security seal including a receptacle, a tip and a middle portion therebetween. The receptacle includes a bore with an entrance end and an exit end, at least one tab extending into the bore and an end plate having thereon a saddle. The tip has a cutout therein. The tip is insertable into the receptacle bore and engageable with the at least one tab. The end plate is moveable with a living hinge to block the exit end of the bore and to insert the saddle into the cutout.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for setting and monitoring the tension of a cargo restraint and for tracking the usage of and monitoring the lifecycle of a cargo restraint.

Abstract: A braking system and a method for applying one or more aircraft wheel brakes according to at least one of a plurality of wheel brake control functions are disclosed. The method includes receiving an indication of an aircraft speed from an aircraft speed indicator, controlling a wheel braking operation of the aircraft according to at least a first wheel brake control function if the aircraft speed indicated by the aircraft speed indicator exceeds a speed threshold, and controlling the wheel braking operation of the aircraft according to at least a second wheel brake control function if the aircraft speed does not exceed the speed threshold. Also disclosed is an aircraft including one or more aircraft wheel brakes and the disclosed braking system.

Abstract: Systems and methods of providing improved directional noise suppression in an electronic device implement a technique that specifies a direction or speaker of interest, determines the directions corresponding to speakers not lying in the direction of interest, beam forms the reception pattern of the device microphone array to focus in the direction of interest and suppresses signals from the other directions, creating beam formed reception data. A spatial mask is generated as a function of direction relative to the direction of interest. The spatial mask emphasizes audio reception in the direction of interest and attenuates audio reception in the other directions. The beam formed reception data is then multiplied by the spatial mask to generate an audio signal with directional noise suppression.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for setting and monitoring the tension of a cargo restraint and for tracking the usage of and monitoring the lifecycle of a cargo restraint.

Abstract: Systems and methods of providing improved directional noise suppression in an electronic device implement a technique that specifies a direction or speaker of interest, determines the directions corresponding to speakers not lying in the direction of interest, beam forms the reception pattern of the device microphone array to focus in the direction of interest and suppresses signals from the other directions, creating beam formed reception data. A spatial mask is generated as a function of direction relative to the direction of interest. The spatial mask emphasizes audio reception in the direction of interest and attenuates audio reception in the other directions. The beam formed reception data is then multiplied by the spatial mask to generate an audio signal with directional noise suppression.

Abstract: A method and electronic device that enables quick presentation of user briefs on the electronic device includes: receiving, at the electronic device, an informational brief (IB) request (IBR) input that includes an identifier of a topic and a trigger that causes the electronic device to open an IB content screen that temporarily presents specific information corresponding to the topic. In response to receipt of the IB input, the method further includes: retrieving the IB content screen, with content that includes at least one of the specific information; presenting the IB content screen on the electronic device; monitoring an elapsed presentation time for the IB content screen on the electronic device; comparing the elapsed presentation time against a time limit allocated for presenting the IB content screen; and in response to expiration of the time limit, closing the IB content screen to return the device to its previous operating state.

Abstract: A method, a system, and a computer program product for preventing initiation of a voice recognition session. The method includes monitoring at least one audio output channel for at least one audio trigger phrase that initiates a voice recognition session. The method further includes in response to detecting the at least one audio trigger phrase on the at least one audio output channel, setting a logic state of at least one output trigger detector of the at least one audio output channel to a first state. The method further includes gating a logic state of at least one input trigger detector of at least one audio input channel to the first state for a time period and preventing initiation of a voice recognition session by the at least one audio trigger phrase on the at least one audio input channel while the logic state is the first state.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling braking of a vehicle having a plurality of brake-packs. The apparatus includes a controller configured to receive a first plurality of input values having a first scatter value; calculate an adjustment factor for each brake-pack based on the received first plurality of input values; output a control signal to cause each brake-pack of the plurality of brake-packs to be applied at a pressure based on the adjustment factor calculated for that brake-pack; and receive a second plurality of input values having a second scatter value. Each input value relates to a different one of the plurality of brake-packs. The adjustment factors are calculated such that the second scatter value is less than or equal to the first scatter value.

Abstract: A method, a system, and a computer program product for detecting an audio trigger phrase at a particular audio input channel and initiating a voice recognition session. The method includes capturing audio content by a plurality of microphone pairs of an audio capturing device, wherein each microphone pair of the plurality of microphone pairs is associated with an audio input channel of a plurality of audio input channels of the audio capturing device. The method further includes simultaneously monitoring, by a processor of the audio capturing device, audio content on each of the audio input channels. The method further includes: independently detecting, by the processor, an audio trigger phrase on at least one audio input channel of the plurality of audio input channels; and in response to detecting the audio trigger phrase, commencing a voice recognition session using the at least one audio input channel as an audio source.

Abstract: Baking (e.g., pancake) mixes comprising at least one type of whole grain flour, at least one natural sweetener, at least one solid fat and a leavening system are provided herein. Packaged food products comprising single-serving containers containing said baking (e.g., pancake) mixes, as well as methods of preparing pancakes, are also provided. The baked goods (e.g., pancakes) described herein are preferably 100% whole grain and free from preservatives and/or artificial colorings.

Abstract: Voice controlled multimedia content creation techniques are discussed in which a multimedia package is created and shared to a specified destination responsive to voice commands. The voice commands can be received by a device as a single stream (e.g., a single phrase) that causes automatic performance of a sharing sequence or as a series of multiple voice commands that are input in response to prompts for voice input as part of the sharing sequence. The voice commands can be recognized and handled by a content creation system of the device to select a clip for tagging of content (such as captured audio or video). The selected clip is then combined with the content to create the multimedia package. Voice commands can also be employed to specify a destination for sharing of the content, such as one or more contacts or a particular sharing site.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring deflection of a tire including a non-transitory memory, storing tire behavior information which relates tire deflection to tire load and tire pressure; and a controller in communication with the memory. The controller is configured to: receive load information which relates to a load on the tire; receive pressure information which relates to a pressure of the tire; and determine a deflection of the tire based on the received load information, the received pressure information, and the stored tire behavior information.

Abstract: A method, a system, and a computer program product for detecting an audio trigger phrase at a particular audio input channel and initiating a voice recognition session. The method includes capturing audio content by a plurality of microphone pairs of an audio capturing device, wherein each microphone pair of the plurality of microphone pairs is associated with an audio input channel of a plurality of audio input channels of the audio capturing device. The method further includes simultaneously monitoring, by a processor of the audio capturing device, audio content on each of the audio input channels. The method further includes: independently detecting, by the processor, an audio trigger phrase on at least one audio input channel of the plurality of audio input channels; and in response to detecting the audio trigger phrase, commencing a voice recognition session using the at least one audio input channel as an audio source.

Abstract: A method, a system, and a computer program product for preventing initiation of a voice recognition session. The method includes monitoring at least one audio output channel for at least one audio trigger phrase that initiates a voice recognition session. The method further includes in response to detecting the at least one audio trigger phrase on the at least one audio output channel, setting a logic state of at least one output trigger detector of the at least one audio output channel to a first state. The method further includes gating a logic state of at least one input trigger detector of at least one audio input channel to the first state for a time period and preventing initiation of a voice recognition session by the at least one audio trigger phrase on the at least one audio input channel while the logic state is the first state.

Abstract: A method and apparatus increase audio output of a device. A mode of audio output operation of a device can be determined. Audio output can operate in a determined first mode of audio output operation that powers at least one first speaker at a first bandwidth and at a first output level below a first output level threshold. The audio output can operate in a determined second mode of audio output operation. The second mode of audio output operation can power the at least one first speaker at a high pass filtered second bandwidth that filters out low frequencies of the first bandwidth. The second mode of audio output operation can power the at least one first speaker at a second output level below a second output level threshold. The second output level threshold can be higher than the first output level threshold. The second output level can exceed the first output level threshold at least once.

Abstract: A method and electronic device that enables quick presentation of user briefs on the electronic device includes: receiving, at the electronic device, an informational brief (IB) request (IBR) input that includes an identifier of a topic and a trigger that causes the electronic device to open an IB content screen that temporarily presents specific information corresponding to the topic. In response to receipt of the IB input, the method further includes: retrieving the IB content screen, with content that includes at least one of the specific information; presenting the IB content screen on the electronic device; monitoring an elapsed presentation time for the IB content screen on the electronic device; comparing the elapsed presentation time against a time limit allocated for presenting the IB content screen; and in response to expiration of the time limit, closing the IB content screen to return the device to its previous operating state.

Abstract: Systems and methods for voice recognition determine energy levels for speech and noise and generate adaptive thresholds based on the determined energy levels. The adaptive thresholds are applied to determine the presence of speech and to generate noise-dependent triggers for indicating the presence of speech during high-noise conditions. In an embodiment, the signal energy is averaged in the presence of speech and in the presence of background noise. Audio energy calculations may be made by averaging via a sliding window or via a memory filter.

Abstract: Pancake mixes comprising at least one type of whole grain flour, at least one natural sweetener, at least one fat and a leavening system are provided herein. Packaged food products comprising single-serving containers containing said pancake mixes, as well as methods of preparing pancakes, are also provided. The pancakes described herein are preferably 100% whole grain and free from preservatives and/or artificial colorings.