Abstract: To prevent utilization of device storage space for storage of application updates affecting features which a user does not use, selective application updates are offered on a per-feature, per-user basis based on analysis of monitored application use patterns. Application analytics software monitors user behavior and interaction with the application and uploads usage metrics to an application store server (“server”). The server determines for each user the features for which a high, low, or no usage activity has been observed. The server maintains data structures to correlate code units with application features. The server determines which application features are impacted by updates to the application source code based on correlations indicated in the data structures. The server determines if a user's device should receive an auto-update or a notification that an update is available if the application update affects the features for which high user activity has been observed.

Abstract: A method includes performing by a processor: receiving a transaction request associated with a first user from a first device where a combination of the first user and the first device lacks an authentication history, determining that the first user or the first device is associated with a second user or a second device, determining that the second user or the second device has been authenticated, generating an affinity score that is representative of the association between the first user or the first device and the second user or the second device, and selecting an authentication requirement for acceptance of the transaction request based on the affinity score.

Abstract: A method is described for receiving a first request for authentication from a user, the first request including a current location, a current location keyword, a current timestamp, and a photo representing the current location. The method further includes generating a pHash of the photo representing the current location, transmitting a second request for an encrypted true index from a server, and receiving the encrypted true index from the server. The method further includes interrogating a plurality of pHashes to identify a true pHash that corresponds to the encrypted true index, where the plurality of pHashes includes the true pHash and a plurality of dummy pHashes, each of the plurality of dummy pHashes being associated with a respective dummy index. The method further includes comparing the pHash of the photo representing the current location with the true pHash to determine whether to authenticate the user.

Abstract: A system and method is described for receiving audible speech from a user and detecting stuttering by the user. A log is interrogated to determine the at least one word that is causing the stuttering. The word that is causing the stuttering is presented to the user.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, devices and methods for authenticating and authorizing a transaction without issuing a credit or debit card to a customer may include receiving an encrypted code from a mobile device participating in a transaction through a mobile application registered with a bank and decoding the encrypted code. The devices and methods may also include determining whether the decoded encrypted code has been validated by the bank and receiving a one-time access code, initiated by the bank in response to validation of the decoded encrypted code, from the mobile device. The devices and methods may further include authenticating the one-time access code and processing the transaction in response to authentication of the one-time access code.

Abstract: A method is described for receiving data from a first sensor associated with a first wearable device. The method further includes detecting a first activity based upon the data received from the first sensor and determining that the first activity is an incorrect activity. The method further includes determining an expected action associated with the first activity and determining a correct activity associated with the expected action. The method further includes determining whether to modify parameters of the first sensor associated with the correct activity based upon a difference between the first activity and the correct activity. The method further includes modifying the parameters of the first sensor associated with the correct activity based upon the difference between the first activity and the correct activity.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, devices and methods for authorizing a transaction may include steps of receiving a transaction initiation request from a user of a mobile application, generating a first encrypted code in response to receiving the transaction initiation request, and transmitting the first encrypted code to the mobile application. The steps also may include receiving a second encrypted code in response to transmission of the first encrypted code, determining whether the first encrypted code matches the second encrypted code. The steps may further include transmitting a one-time access code (OTAC), receiving a response to the OTAC, verifying the response to the OTAC, and authorizing the transaction in response to verifying the response to the OTAC. The steps may include receiving an acknowledgement message to apply to an account of the user for billing the transaction in response to authorizing the transaction.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, devices and methods of setting a selfie for expression-based authentication that strengthens the uniqueness of the selfie are provided. The method includes prompting a user to submit a non-standard selfie to be used for authentication, wherein the non-standard selfie comprises a facial expression of the user that the user does not typically make in a photo. After receiving the non-standard selfie, the method includes determining whether an expression in the non-standard selfie meets a pre-defined required degree of uniqueness. In response to determining that the expression in the non-standard selfie meets the required degree of uniqueness, the non-standard selfie is set as an authentication password.