Abstract: An apparatus includes an electrical plug insertable into a power outlet of a receptacle, where the electrical plug includes a ground pin with an indent. The apparatus further includes a retention mechanism enclosed by the receptacle includes a rod configured to interact with the indent of the ground pin, where the rod seated within the indent of the ground pin prevents a removal of the electrical plug from the power outlet.

Abstract: A system is provided and includes a securable resource, a locking element configured to assume a locked condition in which the securable resource is locked and an unlocked condition in which the securable resource is unlocked and a controller. The controller is receptive of an instruction to authorize users to unlock the securable resource and is configured to perform operating system (OS) level authentication of the users and OS level control of the locking element in accordance with the instruction to authorize users and the OS level authentication.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an electrical plug insertable into a power outlet of a receptacle, where the electrical plug includes a ground pin with an indent. The apparatus further includes a retention mechanism enclosed by the receptacle includes a rod configured to interact with the indent of the ground pin, where the rod seated within the indent of the ground pin prevents a removal of the electrical plug from the power outlet.

Abstract: A system is provided. The system includes a computing resource, a cable insertable into the computing resource, a locking element and a controller. The locking element is configured to assume a locked condition in which the cable is locked to the computing resource or prevented from insertion into the computing resource and an unlocked condition in which the cable is removable from the computing resource and permitted to be inserted into the computing resource. The controller is configured to define rules for users. The rules are associated with respective identifiers (IDs) of each of the users and establish criteria associated with each user for causing the locking element to assume one of the locked and unlocked conditions.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide a computer-implemented method that includes, responsive to receiving a pickup location request indicating a pickup location, identifying a vehicle in a vicinity associated with the pickup location, the vehicle having vehicle location data associated therewith. The method further includes selecting a shortest route from the vehicle to the pickup location. The method further includes, responsive to determining that a crossing is present along the shortest route, receiving target object location data for a target object associated with the crossing. The method further includes determining whether the target object and the vehicle intersect are predicted to intersect at the crossing. The method further includes, responsive to determining the target object and the vehicle are predicted to intersect at the crossing, identifying another vehicle in the vicinity, wherein the other vehicle traverses a route that avoids the crossing.

Abstract: A system is provided and includes a securable resource, a locking element configured to assume a locked condition in which the securable resource is locked and an unlocked condition in which the securable resource is unlocked, a controller and a physical authentication interface. The controller is receptive of an instruction to authorize users to unlock the securable resource and configured to perform operating system (OS) level authentication of the users and OS level control of the locking element in accordance with the instruction to authorize users and the OS level authentication. The physical authentication interface is configured to enable or disable a capability of the controller to perform the OS level authentication.

Abstract: A system is provided and includes a securable resource, a locking element configured to assume a locked condition in which the securable resource is locked and an unlocked condition in which the securable resource is unlocked, a first controller, which is receptive of an instruction to authorize users to unlock the securable resource, and a common interface to which the first controller and additional controllers, which are independent from the first controller and one another, are tied. The first controller is configured to authenticate the users and to perform operating system (OS) level control of the locking element in accordance with the instruction to authorize users and an authentication of the users by the common interface.

Abstract: A cable assembly is provided. The cable assembly includes a cable element, a plug element to which a terminal end of the cable element is connected and which is configured to be plugged into a plug receptor, a sensor and an analysis engine. The sensor is disposed along the cable element or in the plug element and is configured to sense a manipulation of at least one of the cable element and the plug element relative to the plug receptor and to issue signals indicative of sensing results. The analysis engine is receptive of the signals and is configured to analyze the signals to determine a type of the manipulation and to determine whether to take an action responsive to the manipulation.

Abstract: A system is provided and includes a resource, locking elements and a controller. The resource includes multiple independently securable resources. The locking elements are respectively configured to assume a locked condition in which corresponding ones of the multiple independently securable resources are locked and an unlocked condition in which the corresponding ones of the multiple securable resources are unlocked. The controller is receptive of an instruction to authorize users to unlock the one or more of the multiple independently securable resources and is configured to perform operating system (OS) level authentication of the users and OS level control of the locking elements in accordance with the instruction to authorize users and the OS level authentication.

Abstract: A cable assembly is provided. The cable assembly includes a cable element, a plug element to which a terminal end of the cable element is connected and which is configured to be plugged into a plug receptor, a sensor and an analysis engine. The sensor is disposed along the cable element or in the plug element and is configured to sense a manipulation of at least one of the cable element and the plug element relative to the plug receptor and to issue signals indicative of sensing results. The analysis engine is receptive of the signals and is configured to analyze the signals to determine a type of the manipulation and to determine whether to take an action responsive to the manipulation.

Abstract: Systems for varying orifice cross-section for 3D printing are provided. Aspects of the invention include an actuator operable to control an actuator rod, a plurality of nozzles connected to the actuator rod, the plurality of nozzles comprising a first nozzle and a second nozzle, wherein the first nozzle comprises a first cross-section, wherein the second nozzle comprises a second cross-section, and a controller configured to operate the actuator rod to maneuver the first nozzle under a printer head, wherein the printer head extrudes a filament that passes through the first cross-section of the first nozzle.

Abstract: Systems for varying orifice cross-section for 3D printing are provided. Aspects of the invention include an actuator operable to control an actuator rod, a plurality of nozzles connected to the actuator rod, the plurality of nozzles comprising a first nozzle and a second nozzle, wherein the first nozzle comprises a first cross-section, wherein the second nozzle comprises a second cross-section, and a controller configured to operate the actuator rod to maneuver the first nozzle under a printer head, wherein the printer head extrudes a filament that passes through the first cross-section of the first nozzle.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide a computer-implemented method that includes, responsive to receiving a pickup location request indicating a pickup location, identifying a vehicle in a vicinity associated with the pickup location, the vehicle having vehicle location data associated therewith. The method further includes selecting a shortest route from the vehicle to the pickup location. The method further includes, responsive to determining that a crossing is present along the shortest route, receiving target object location data for a target object associated with the crossing. The method further includes determining whether the target object and the vehicle intersect are predicted to intersect at the crossing. The method further includes, responsive to determining the target object and the vehicle are predicted to intersect at the crossing, identifying another vehicle in the vicinity, wherein the other vehicle traverses a route that avoids the crossing.

Abstract: A locking element for use with a cable having a plug insertable into a plug receiver of a housing is provided. The locking element includes a connector body connected to the plug and including a receiving feature insertable through an aperture of the housing. The locking element further includes a locking feature configured to assume one of a locked condition in which the locking feature locks onto the receiving feature or prevents insertion of the receiving feature through the aperture and an unlocked condition in which the locking feature unlocks the receiving feature or permits insertion of the receiving feature through the aperture and an actuator coupled to the locking feature and configured to control the locking feature to assume the one of the locked and unlocked conditions.

Abstract: A system is provided and includes a securable resource, a locking element configured to assume a locked condition in which the securable resource is locked and an unlocked condition in which the securable resource is unlocked, a first controller, which is receptive of an instruction to authorize users to unlock the securable resource, and a common interface to which the first controller and additional controllers, which are independent from the first controller and one another, are tied. The first controller is configured to authenticate the users and to perform operating system (OS) level control of the locking element in accordance with the instruction to authorize users and an authentication of the users by the common interface.

Abstract: A system is provided and includes a securable resource, a locking element configured to assume a locked condition in which the securable resource is locked and an unlocked condition in which the securable resource is unlocked and a controller. The controller is receptive of an instruction to authorize users to unlock the securable resource and is configured to perform operating system (OS) level authentication of the users and OS level control of the locking element in accordance with the instruction to authorize users and the OS level authentication.

Abstract: A system is provided and includes a resource, locking elements and a controller. The resource includes multiple independently securable resources. The locking elements are respectively configured to assume a locked condition in which corresponding ones of the multiple independently securable resources are locked and an unlocked condition in which the corresponding ones of the multiple securable resources are unlocked. The controller is receptive of an instruction to authorize users to unlock the one or more of the multiple independently securable resources and is configured to perform operating system (OS) level authentication of the users and OS level control of the locking elements in accordance with the instruction to authorize users and the OS level authentication.

Abstract: A system is provided and includes a securable resource, a locking element configured to assume a locked condition in which the securable resource is locked and an unlocked condition in which the securable resource is unlocked, a controller and a physical authentication interface. The controller is receptive of an instruction to authorize users to unlock the securable resource and configured to perform operating system (OS) level authentication of the users and OS level control of the locking element in accordance with the instruction to authorize users and the OS level authentication. The physical authentication interface is configured to enable or disable a capability of the controller to perform the OS level authentication.

Abstract: A locking element for use with a cable having a plug insertable into a plug receiver of a housing is provided. The locking element includes a connector body connected to the plug and including a receiving feature insertable through an aperture of the housing. The locking element further includes a locking feature configured to assume one of a locked condition in which the locking feature locks onto the receiving feature or prevents insertion of the receiving feature through the aperture and an unlocked condition in which the locking feature unlocks the receiving feature or permits insertion of the receiving feature through the aperture and an actuator coupled to the locking feature and configured to control the locking feature to assume the one of the locked and unlocked conditions.

Abstract: A system is provided. The system includes a computing resource, a cable insertable into the computing resource, a locking element and a controller. The locking element is configured to assume a locked condition in which the cable is locked to the computing resource or prevented from insertion into the computing resource and an unlocked condition in which the cable is removable from the computing resource and permitted to be inserted into the computing resource. The controller is configured to define rules for users. The rules are associated with respective identifiers (IDs) of each of the users and establish criteria associated with each user for causing the locking element to assume one of the locked and unlocked conditions.