Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling message schema and size for internet-of-things (IoT) devices is provided. An exemplary method includes determining if a cost function for a new schema and message size combination is less than the cost function of a current schema and message size combination by calculating the cost function for each of a plurality of schema and message size combinations, and determining if the cost function for one of the plurality of schema and message size combinations is lower than a current schema and message size combination.

Abstract: Example methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture (e.g., physical storage media) to change a time sensitive networking schedule implemented by a softswitch are disclosed. Example apparatus disclosed herein to change a time sensitive networking schedule implemented by a first softswitch on a compute node include a network node configurator to deploy a second softswitch on the compute node based on a first configuration specification associated with the first softswitch, configure the second softswitch to implement an updated time sensitive networking schedule different from the time sensitive networking schedule implemented by the first softswitch, and replace the first softswitch with the second softswitch in response to a determination that a first set of constraints is met for simulated network traffic processed by the second softswitch based on the updated time sensitive networking schedule.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture for decentralized data storage and processing for IoT devices are disclosed. An example apparatus includes memory; and a processor to cause storage of a contract in an off-chain datastore; generate a hash value of the contract; cause storage of the hash value on a blockchain to be accessible to multiple nodes in an IoT network; and cause storage of a transaction on the blockchain, the transaction corresponding to an objective of the contract based on data sensed by an IoT device in the IoT network.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed to facilitate information exchange using publish-subscribe with blockchain. An example apparatus includes a broker including a processor and a distributed ledger module. The example distributed ledger module stores a message to be relayed by the broker from a publisher to a subscriber. The example processor is to at least compute, triggered by receipt of the message by the broker, a proof-of-work (PoW) function. The example processor is to at least verify the computation of the PoW function. The example processor is to at least transmit, upon verifying the computation of the PoW function, the message to the subscriber. The example processor is to at least process feedback received by the broker to update the PoW function.

Abstract: A method for securing the communications between a publisher and a subscriber in an Internet of things networks. An example method includes receiving a challenge vector from a subscriber and determining a response vector using a physically unclonable function (PUF) for each challenge value in the challenge vector to generate a response value. The response vector it is sent to the subscriber.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture to perform remote monitoring are disclosed. Some example methods include adjusting an image capture rate at which an image sensor captures images based on a difference image containing differences between a first image of a first set of objects and a second image of a second set of objects. Example methods also include reducing a file size of the difference image using an edge detection technique and prioritizing one or more of a set of frames based on an amount of information contained in the frames. The frames are subdivisions of the image. In further example methods, the first image is taken at a first time and the second image is taken at a second, later time, and the method includes subtracting the first image from the second image to generate the difference image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for self-adjusting networks including internet-of-things (IoT) devices is provided. An exemplary system includes a source discovery system configured to identify if a source sending a message is in a database, and, if not, add the source to the database and rank the source by link metrics of messages received from the source. A sink discovery system is configured to identify if a sink receiving a message is in a database, and, if not, add the sink to the database. The sink discovery system is configured to rank the sink by link metrics of messages responded to by the sink. A dynamic mapping system is configured to create a dynamic map of communications between a source and a sink, and implement a self-healing subsystem to restore a loss of communications between a source and a sink.

Abstract: A container is provided, including a tubular body having an open first end and a second end defining a receptacle to receive an elongate storage unit; and a retaining frame within the receptacle to receive and retain the unit, movable between a first configuration to engage a retaining surface of the unit to retain it within the receptacle, and a second configuration in which it is released from engagement with the frame for removal from the container, the frame including a supporting rim circumscribing the first end; and a flexible tab depending from the rim and projecting radially into the receptacle, such that in the first configuration a distal end of the tab is configured to engage the retaining surface, and when the frame is moved from the first to the second configuration, the tab is bent towards a peripheral wall of the body and away from the retaining surface.

Abstract: A charging system (10) for an aerosol-generating device (12) includes a charging unit (14). The charging unit includes a body (20) at least partially defining a receiving volume (22). The receiving volume is sized to receive the elongate aerosol-generating device through an open top end in a plurality of orientations. A charging interface is coupled to the body and includes a biasing element and an electrical contact. The biasing element is configured to apply a force on the aerosol-generating device that causes an electrical contact of the aerosol-generating device to electrically engage the electrical contact of the charging interface when the aerosol-generating device rests on the charging unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for performing authenticated firmware updates of a fog or IoT device, which happens concurrent with a field update of a component coupled to the device, such as a battery.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture for conditional classifier chaining in a constrained machine learning environment are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a classification controller to select a first model to be utilized to classify a first feature identified from sensor data. A memory controller is to copy the first model to a memory. A machine learning processor is to apply the first model to the first feature to create a first classification output, the first classification output indicating an identified class. The classification controller is to, in response to a determination that the first classification output identifies a second model to be used for classification, instruct the memory controller to load the second model into the memory. The machine learning processor is to apply the second model to the second feature to create a second classification output.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring operational parameters in an IoT device is provided. An exemplary method includes performing a statistical analysis of a system metric. A determination is made as to whether an alert limit has been breached. If so, a message is constructed and dispatched to a server.

Abstract: A phosphor-containing drug activator and suspension thereof are provided. The suspension at least includes two or more phosphors capable of emitting ultraviolet and visible light upon interaction with x-rays. The two or more phosphors include Zn2SiO4:M12+ and (3Ca3 (PO4)2Ca(F, Cl)2:Sb3*, Mn2+) at a ratio NP-200:GTP-4300 of from 1:10 to 10:1, and each of the two phosphors have an ethylene cellulose coating and/or a diamond-like carbon coating. The suspension further includes a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed to facilitate information exchange using publish-subscribe with blockchain. An example apparatus includes a broker including a processor and a distributed ledger module. The example distributed ledger module stores a message to be relayed by the broker from a publisher to a subscriber. The example processor is to at least compute, triggered by receipt of the message by the broker, a proof-of-work (PoW) function. The example processor is to at least verify the computation of the PoW function. The example processor is to at least transmit, upon verifying the computation of the PoW function, the message to the subscriber. The example processor is to at least process feedback received by the broker to update the PoW function.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling message schema and size for internet-of-things (IoT) devices is provided. An exemplary method includes receiving an orchestration message from a downstream device, and calculating a new message size for a current schema, based, at least in part, on the orchestration message. A data message using the new message size and the current schema.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for self-adjusting networks including internet-of-things (IoT) devices is provided. An exemplary system includes a source discovery system configured to identify if a source sending a message is in a database, and, if not, add the source to the database and rank the source by link metrics of messages received from the source. A sink discovery system is configured to identify if a sink receiving a message is in a database, and, if not, add the sink to the database. The sink discovery system is configured to rank the sink by link metrics of messages responded to by the sink. A dynamic mapping system is configured to create a dynamic map of communications between a source and a sink, and implement a self-healing subsystem to restore a loss of communications between a source and a sink.

Abstract: Orchestration and/or management of services on deployed computing, electronic, appliance and like devices are described. A service orchestration and/or management system (“SOMS”) may be configured to provide for orchestration and/or management of services to one or more deployed devices. The SOMS may obtain information from deployed devices, such as status, capabilities and service metadata. The SOMS may then encapsulate and store the obtained information for later use. The SOMS may also store service information, facilitate creation of services based on stored service definition meta-data, modeling or simulating a service prior to deployment, and deployment of a service to remotely deployed devices followed by activation to begin operation of the service. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Abstract: A system and method for imaging or treating a disease in a human or animal body. The system provides to the human or animal body a pharmaceutical carrier including one or more phosphors which are capable of emitting ultraviolet or visible light into the body and which provide x-ray contrast. The system includes one or more devices which infuse a diseased site with a photoactivatable drug and the pharmaceutical carrier, an initiation energy source comprising an x-ray or high energy source which irradiates the diseased site with at least one of x-rays, gamma rays, or electrons to thereby initiate emission of said ultraviolet or visible light into the body, and a processor programmed to at least one of 1) produce images of the diseased site or 2) control a dose of said x-rays, gamma rays, or electrons to the diseased site for production of said ultraviolet or visible light at the diseased site to activate the photoactivatable drug.