Abstract: A method for generating a trusted biometric reference includes initiating a first contactless transaction, capturing a first biometric sample during the first contactless transaction, generating a first biometric probe from the first biometric sample, initiating a contact fallback event, entering a secondary identifier, if the secondary identifier confirms an authorized user, generating a first trusted biometric reference from the first biometric probe, and storing the first trusted biometric reference in a biometric template seed.

Abstract: A device for contactless communication with a terminal, comprising: an antenna for communication with the terminal, an embedded chip configured to communicate with the terminal in accordance with a contactless transmission protocol whereby a message sent by the terminal sets a specified initial waiting time for a response from the embedded chip to maintain a connection with the terminal, the embedded chip being configured to communicate requests to the terminal to extend the waiting time for response, and a module configured to perform processing formed of a plurality of discrete operations, the module being configured to, in response to completing a subset of one or more discrete operations within a waiting time interval set by the terminal, send a first type of command to the embedded chip if the processing is not complete: wherein the embedded chip is further configured to, in response to receiving the first type of command, communicate a request to the terminal to extend the waiting time for response.

Abstract: A removable blind fastener comprising an anchor having anchor members each having a threaded outer surface and a retainer section, and an anchor drive mechanism comprising a shaft having a top portion with a threaded section. The retainer section has a periphery that extends beyond a periphery of the elongated body. The anchor in a closed configuration is inserted through a frontal face of a hole on a work piece such that the retainer sections are positioned behind a rear face of the hole. The anchor is then set in an open configuration and the shaft is placed irrotatably between the anchor elements. A head having internal threads is engaged to the threaded outer surface and the threaded section such that rotation of the head causes a retraction of the anchor till at least a part of the retainer sections abuts the rear face of the hole.

Abstract: A removable blind fastener comprising an anchor having anchor members each having a threaded outer surface and a retainer section, and an anchor drive mechanism comprising a shaft having a top portion with a threaded section. The retainer section has a periphery that extends beyond a periphery of the elongated body. The anchor in a closed configuration is inserted through a frontal face of a hole on a work piece such that the retainer sections are positioned behind a rear face of the hole. The anchor is then set in an open configuration and the shaft is placed irrotatably between the anchor elements. A head having internal threads is engaged to the threaded outer surface and the threaded section such that rotation of the head causes a retraction of the anchor till at least a part of the retainer sections abuts the rear face of the hole.

Abstract: A device for contactless communication with a terminal, comprising: an antenna for communication with the terminal, an embedded clip configured to communicate with the terminal in accordance with a contactless transmission protocol whereby a message sent by the terminal sets a specified initial waiting time for a response from the embedded chip to maintain a connection with the terminal, the embedded chip being configured to communicate requests to the terminal to extend the waiting time for response, and a module configured to perform processing formed of a plurality of discrete operations, the module being configured to, in response to completing a subset of one or more discrete operations within a waiting time interval set by the terminal, send a first type of command to the embedded chip if the processing is not complete: wherein the embedded chip is further configured to, in response to receiving the first type of command, communicate a request to the terminal to extend the waiting time for response.

Abstract: A device for contactless communication with a terminal, comprising: an antenna for communication with the terminal; an embedded chip configured to communicate with the terminal in accordance with a contactless transmission protocol whereby a message sent by the terminal sets a specified initial waiting time for a response from the embedded chip to maintain a connection with the terminal, the embedded chip being configured to communicate requests to the terminal to extend the waiting time for response; and a module configured to perform processing formed of a plurality of discrete operations, the module being configured to, in response to completing a subset of one or more discrete operations within a waiting time interval set by the terminal, send a first type of command to the embedded chip if the processing is not complete; wherein the embedded chip is further configured to, in response to receiving the first type of command, communicate a request to the terminal to extend the waiting time for response.

Abstract: A device for contactless communication with a terminal, the device comprising: an antenna for receiving a wireless signal emitted by the terminal; an embedded chip configured to generate data for communication to the terminal to perform a first function associated with the device; and a module separate from the chip configured to perform processes as part of a second function associated with the device, the module being connected to the antenna and comprising a power-harvesting unit configured to harvest power from the received wireless signal to power at least the module.

Abstract: A device comprising: an antenna; a power harvesting circuit for harvesting power from a radio frequency field received at the antenna in order to power functions of the device; a communication unit coupled to the antenna for transmitting and receiving signals by means of the antenna, the communication device being configured to communicate according to a protocol in which a party to a communication session deems the session to have timed out if during a predetermined period it does not receive a signal from another party to the session; and a module comprising a processing circuit; the device being configured to interrupt the operation of the module when the communication unit is transmitting a signal by means of the antenna.

Abstract: A device for contactless communication with a terminal, the device comprising: an antenna for receiving a wireless signal emitted by the terminal; an embedded chip configured to generate data for communication to the terminal to perform a first function associated with the device; and a module separate from the chip configured to perform processes as part of a second function associated with the device, the module being connected to the antenna and comprising a power-harvesting unit configured to harvest power from the received wireless signal to power at least the module.

Abstract: A device for contactless communication with a terminal, the device comprising: an antenna for receiving a wireless signal emitted by the terminal; an embedded chip configured to generate data for communication to the terminal to perform a first function associated with the device; and a module separate from the chip configured to perform processes as part of a second function associated with the device, the module being connected to the antenna and comprising a power-harvesting unit configured to harvest power from the received wireless signal to power at least the module.

Abstract: A device for contactless communication with a terminal, comprising: an antenna for communication with the terminal; an embedded chip configured to communicate with the terminal in accordance with a contactless transmission protocol whereby a message sent by the terminal sets a specified initial waiting time for a response from the embedded chip to maintain a connection with the terminal, the embedded chip being configured to communicate requests to the terminal to extend the waiting time for response; and a module configured to perform processing formed of a plurality of discrete operations, the module being configured to, in response to completing a subset of one or more discrete operations within a waiting time interval set by the terminal, send a first type of command to the embedded chip if the processing is not complete; wherein the embedded chip is further configured to, in response to receiving the first type of command, communicate a request to the terminal to extend the waiting time for response.

Abstract: A device comprising: an antenna; a power harvesting circuit for harvesting power from a radio frequency field received at the antenna in order to power functions of the device; a communication unit coupled to the antenna for transmitting and receiving signals by means of the antenna, the communication device being configured to communicate according to a protocol in which a party to a communication session deems the session to have timed out if during a predetermined period it does not receive a signal from another party to the session; and a module comprising a processing circuit; the device being configured to interrupt the operation of the module when the communication unit is transmitting a signal by means of the antenna.

Abstract: A device for contactless communication with a terminal, the device comprising: an antenna for receiving a wireless signal emitted by the terminal; an embedded chip configured to generate data for communication to the terminal to perform a first function associated with the device; and a module separate from the chip configured to perform processes as part of a second function associated with the device, the module being connected to the antenna and comprising a power-harvesting unit configured to harvest power from the received wireless signal to power at least the module.

Abstract: A system for passive marketing comprising a social marketing server which presents a user interface for a social marketing site. The user interface offers options for selecting products for recommendation. Recommendation buttons for the recommended products are generated and displayed for other users linked to the activities and/or contents of the recommender on the social marketing site or on social media sites or on other third party sites which collaborate with the social marketing site. Product page corresponding to a recommendation button is loaded on being clicked by another user which provides options for buying and/or selling the recommended products.

Abstract: A device for contactless communication with a terminal, the device comprising: an antenna for receiving a wireless signal emitted by the terminal; an embedded chip configured to generate data for communication to the terminal to perform a first function associated with the device; and a module separate from the chip configured to perform processes as part of a second function associated with the device, the module being connected to the antenna and comprising a power-harvesting unit configured to harvest power from the received wireless signal to power at least the module.

Abstract: A device for contactless communication with a terminal, the device comprising: an antenna for receiving a wireless signal emitted by the terminal; an embedded chip configured to generate data for communication to the terminal to perform a first function associated with the device; and a module separate from the chip configured to perform processes as part of a second function associated with the device, the module being connected to the antenna and comprising a power-harvesting unit configured to harvest power from the received wireless signal to power at least the module.

Abstract: The present invention provides a direct laser writing fabrication method and system for devices having periodic refractive index modulation structures, for example, Bragg gratings. By focusing a modulated pulsed laser beam into a transparent material substrate, a path of laser modified volumes can be formed with modified refractive index compared with the unprocessed material. Modulation of exposure conditions provides periodic or modified periodic waveguide structures such that the waveguide structures exhibit grating responses and can be used for a variety of optical applications, for example, as spectral filters, Bragg reflectors, grating couplers, grating sensors, or other devices.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a photomultiplier tube with extended dynamic range. According to various embodiments, a repulsive electric field is introduced between a photocathode and a plurality of dynodes in order to repel or block low-energy electrons from reaching and being multiplied by the dynodes. As a result, time intervals between current peaks and drops may be decreased because the photomultiplier current will be primarily affected by high-energy electrons emitted by the photocathode in response to incident illumination versus low-energy electrons, some of which may result from dangling bonds or slow surface states after illumination no longer impinges the photocathode. Dynamic range and optical responsiveness of the photomultiplier tube are increased accordingly.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and systems for making partially popped popcorn. The invention comprises the steps of providing a plurality of corn kernels of the zea mays everta variety; soaking the plurality of corn kernels with water at substantially room temperature for a period of time sufficient to increase the pre-existing moisture content of less than about 15% water to a modified moisture content of greater than about 18% water; dewatering the soaking water away from the plurality of corn kernels; and forcing heated air upwardly through the perforated screen while the perforated screen is being vibrated such that the plurality of corn kernels having a modified moisture content of greater than about 18% water is suspended and heated above the perforated screen by the heated air thereby causing heating and expansion of the plurality of corn kernels to thereby yield the partially popped popcorn.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a photomultiplier tube with extended dynamic range. According to various embodiments, a repulsive electric field is introduced between a photocathode and a plurality of dynodes in order to repel or block low-energy electrons from reaching and being multiplied by the dynodes. As a result, time intervals between current peaks and drops may be decreased because the photomultiplier current will be primarily affected by high-energy electrons emitted by the photocathode in response to incident illumination versus low-energy electrons, some of which may result from dangling bonds or slow surface states after illumination no longer impinges the photocathode. Dynamic range and optical responsiveness of the photomultiplier tube are increased accordingly.