Abstract: A lifting platform for use in a body of water has (a) a plurality of float modules, each float module having a buoyancy compartment, and each float module being attached to adjacent float modules by means of flexible joints; (b) at least one container disposed in each float module for retaining a buoyancy fluid; and (c) a discharge apparatus for discharging buoyancy fluid to the buoyancy compartments of the float modules, so as to fill each buoyancy compartment with buoyancy fluid, thereby causing the plurality of modules to float to a position at or near the surface of the body of water.

Abstract: A technique of authenticating a person involves obtaining, during a current authentication session to authenticate the person, a first authentication factor from the person and a second authentication factor from the person, at least one of the first and second authentication factors being a biometric input. The technique further involves performing an authentication operation which cross references the first authentication factor with the second authentication factor. The technique further involves outputting, as a result of the authentication operation, an authentication result signal indicating whether the authentication operation has determined the person in the current authentication session likely to be legitimate or an imposter. Such authentication, which cross references authentication factors to leverage off of their interdependency, provides stronger authentication than conventional naïve authentication.

Abstract: A technique performs an authentication operation using pulse and facial data from a user. The technique involves obtaining current pulse data from a user, and performing a comparison between the current pulse data from the user and expected pulse data for the user. The technique further involves generating an authentication result based on the comparison between the current pulse data and the expected pulse data. The authentication result may control user access to a computerized resource. Since such a technique uses pulse data, a perpetrator cannot simply submit a static image of a subject's face to circumvent the authentication process. In some arrangements, the technique involves obtaining videos of human faces and deriving cardiac pulse rates from the videos. For such arrangements, a standard webcam can be used to capture the videos. Moreover, such techniques are capable of factoring in circadian rhythms and/or aging adjustments to detect and thwart video replay attacks.

Abstract: A semi-autonomous underwater vehicle has (a) a hull; (b) one or more thruster motors; (c) a preprogrammed controller for controlling the motors and/or separate steering components to carry out a plurality of different maneuvers; and (d) a wireless signal receiver for providing instructions to the controller.

Abstract: A lifting platform for use in a body of water has (a) a plurality of float modules, each float module having a buoyancy compartment, and each float module being attached to adjacent float modules by means of flexible joints; (b) at least one container disposed in each float module for retaining a buoyancy fluid; and (c) a discharge apparatus for discharging buoyancy fluid to the buoyancy compartments of the float modules, so as to fill each buoyancy compartment with buoyancy fluid, thereby causing the plurality of modules to float to a position at or near the surface of the body of water.

Abstract: An eddy current crack detection system configured in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention employs a high frequency rotary eddy current probe that is capable of detecting very shallow surface cracks, including cracks originating at scribe lines located near lap joints on an aircraft fuselage. The rotary eddy current probe includes a differential sensing coil arrangement surrounded by a reflection coil, both of which are located within the probe tip housing of the rotary eddy current probe. The differential sensing coil arrangement and the reflection coil are positioned off-axis within the rotary eddy current probe. In addition, the rotary eddy current probe employs a partial electromagnetic shield that does not completely surround the differential sensing coil arrangement.

Abstract: A method for detecting scratches proximate an aircraft lap joint formed where an outer skin panel overlaps an inner panel comprises trimming a portion of the outer skin panel overlapping the inner panel to expose a previously overlapped region thereof, and inspecting the previously overlapped region to detect scratches present thereon.

Abstract: Quasi-parallel read/write interleaver architecture for data blocks by sequential spreading of variable size data subblocks into memory banks with bank address contention initiating the next data subblock. Iterative Turbo decoders with MAP decoders use such quasi-parallel interleavers and deinterleavers.

Abstract: Quasi-parallel read/write interleaver architecture for data blocks by sequential spreading of variable size data subblocks into memory banks with bank address contention initiating the next data subblock. Iterative Turbo decoders with MAP decoders use such quasi-parallel interleavers and deinterleavers.

Abstract: A computer uses an environmental manager (20) to detect and respond to changing environmental conditions, in order to enhance and simplify a users interaction with the computer. Environment changes are detected by a plurality of informants (22), each of which has a specified function. Informants communicate through a CIM (26). The CIM (26) establishes communication channels with each informant regarding which information will be provided by the informant and which information that informant needs from other informants. Informants (22) may receive environmental information from a number of sources, including physical location detectors, hardware configurations, software configurations, and network connections. As environmental conditions change, the informants and applications may respond to the changes. A particular capability to respond is the autolaunch capability which detects user behavior and uses this knowledge to automatically load a program responsive to changing environmental conditions.