Abstract: In examples, a relative skin reflectance of a captured image of a subject is quantified. Based on the relative skin reflectance, the captured image is determined as suitable or not suitable for biometric identification. When the captured image is determined not suitable, a remedial capture setting is calculated and provided to an image capturing resource. Another captured image of the subject, captured under the remedial capture setting, is received from the image capturing resource. The relative skin reflectance of the another captured image is quantified and based thereon, there is a determining of whether the another captured image is suitable or is not suitable.

Abstract: A mobile communication device operates to: pair with a remote device, generate first control data to control an auxiliary device coupled to a home automation device also paired to the mobile communication device; establish a group of the plurality of home automation devices; generate second control data corresponding to the group of auxiliary devices associated with the group of the home automation devices; establish tasks, via user interaction with the graphical user interface, the tasks each having an associated action to be performed by one or more of the home automation devices; display a menu of the tasks; receive selection of a selected task; and generate third control data in response to selection of the selected task, transmits the third control data to the one or more of the home automation devices associated with the selected task to perform the associated action corresponding to the selected task.

Abstract: A side lining adapted to be mounted to a sidewall of a vehicle includes a step structure defining a step surface extending horizontally and inside a passenger compartment of the vehicle. The step surface is arranged proximate to a bottom end of the side lining and defines a load surface to support a cargo.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a cellular foam composition, a method for producing and using the same. One particular aspect of the disclosure provides a cellular foam composition comprising a plurality of foam layers, where each foam layer is made from a hollow microstructure material. In particular, the density of the hollow microstructure material in each foam layer is different from the density of the hollow microstructure material that forms the adjacent foam layer. In some embodiments, cellular foam compositions of the disclosure further include an interfacial layer comprising interfacial voids in between adjacent layers.

Abstract: A pet immobilizing system utilizes a vest to located a bladder between a pet's legs. The bladder is rapidly inflated to hinder the pet's movement or to immobilize the pet. A remote electronic device sends a wireless signal to a wireless signal receiver coupled with the pressure source to activate inflation of the bladder. A pressure source may be canister or chemical inflation pressure source that produces an inflation fluid from the reaction of two or more chemicals, A vest may include a waist portion that extends around the pet's waist. A bladder compartment may be configured in the vest for retaining the bladder. A bladder compartment may have an opening to direct the inflation of the bladder out between the pet's legs. A remote electronic device may be a mobile phone that operates an App with an activation button to initiate inflation of the bladder.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a code carrier divergence (CCD) high-pass filter monitor are provided.

Abstract: A method of implementing a real-time screening process for phase scintillation is presented. The method includes detecting a phase scintillation event during a sample time period at a phase scintillation monitor; excluding associated satellite measurement data from further use based on the detection of the phase scintillation event at the phase scintillation monitor; detecting an end to the phase scintillation event at the phase scintillation monitor; and readmitting associated satellite measurement data collected after the end of the phase scintillation event as detected by the phase scintillation monitor.

Abstract: A method of implementing a real-time screening process for amplitude scintillation is presented. The method includes detecting an amplitude scintillation event during a sample time period at an amplitude scintillation monitor; excluding associated satellite measurement data from further use based on the detection of the amplitude scintillation event at the amplitude scintillation monitor; detecting an end to the amplitude scintillation event at the amplitude scintillation monitor; and readmitting associated satellite measurement data collected after the end of the amplitude scintillation event as determined by the amplitude scintillation monitor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring broadband radio frequency interference are provided. In certain embodiments, a method comprises calculating a smoothed carrier to noise value for a received signal on a processing unit, wherein the received signal is associated with a receiver and at least one satellite; calculating an average jammer power to noise power value for the receiver; calculating an instantaneous carrier to noise value for the received signal based on the average jammer power to noise power value and the smoothed carrier to noise value; comparing the instantaneous carrier to noise value to an exclusion threshold, and determining whether to exclude the received signal from calculations of global positioning data based on the comparison of the instantaneous carrier to noise value to the exclusion threshold; and when the received signal is excluded, monitoring the received signal for readmittance to the calculation of global positioning data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a code carrier divergence (CCD) high-pass filter monitor are provided.

Abstract: A method of implementing a real-time screening process for amplitude scintillation is presented. The method includes detecting an amplitude scintillation event during a sample time period at an amplitude scintillation monitor; excluding associated satellite measurement data from further use based on the detection of the amplitude scintillation event at the amplitude scintillation monitor; detecting an end to the amplitude scintillation event at the amplitude scintillation monitor; and readmitting associated satellite measurement data collected after the end of the amplitude scintillation event as determined by the amplitude scintillation monitor.

Abstract: A method of implementing a real-time screening process for phase scintillation is presented. The method includes detecting a phase scintillation event during a sample time period at a phase scintillation monitor; excluding associated satellite measurement data from further use based on the detection of the phase scintillation event at the phase scintillation monitor; detecting an end to the phase scintillation event at the phase scintillation monitor; and readmitting associated satellite measurement data collected after the end of the phase scintillation event as detected by the phase scintillation monitor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring broadband radio frequency interference are provided. In certain embodiments, a method comprises calculating a smoothed carrier to noise value for a received signal on a processing unit, wherein the received signal is associated with a receiver and at least one satellite; calculating an average jammer power to noise power value for the receiver; calculating an instantaneous carrier to noise value for the received signal based on the average jammer power to noise power value and the smoothed carrier to noise value; comparing the instantaneous carrier to noise value to an exclusion threshold, and determining whether to exclude the received signal from calculations of global positioning data based on the comparison of the instantaneous carrier to noise value to the exclusion threshold; and when the received signal is excluded, monitoring the received signal for readmittance to the calculation of global positioning data.

Abstract: A lightweight, highly portable, yet strong, fiberglass step unit is presented. The fiberglass step unit is tapered to allow removal of the unit from the mold during the two-step manufacturing process. All of the corners and edges of the fiberglass unit are rounded, thus providing strengthening radii at critical points of the construction of the unit. In addition to the strength of the fiberglass, strengthening braces are placed inside the unit and are sealed to the main portion of the unit with an additional application of fiberglass. These strengthening braces provide additional radii which synergistically add to the strength and reliability of the step. A heating coil may also be fabricated within the fiberglass step thickness itself thus providing a highly portable, lightweight, unitary step which may be electrified to prevent the accumulation of snow or ice on the step.