Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention disclosed herein provide techniques for associating a firewall policy with a dynamic domain name system (DNS) hostname. A policy configuration portal transmits a first request to a names server to translate a first hostname into a corresponding network address. The policy configuration portal receives a first network address from the names server in response to the first request. The policy configuration portal determines that the first network address is different than a second network address that is currently associated with the first hostname. The policy configuration portal associates the first network address with the first hostname. The policy configuration portal modifies a firewall policy configuration associated with the first hostname to include the first network address. At least one advantage of the disclosed techniques is that a firewall policy can be implemented for a residential home or small business that employs dynamic IP addressing.

Abstract: When in long term storage, battery degradation is avoided by performing battery charge cycles at a voltage level where a change in the battery's voltage divided by a change in the battery's storage capacity is at a minimum, rather than discharging the battery to its minimum storage capacity and then charging to its maximum storage capacity. Further, based on physical and practical limitations, such battery charge cycles can instead be performed within a range or delta Depth of Discharge (“DOD”) and corresponding battery voltage levels rather than at a single voltage level, while still avoiding battery degradation.

Abstract: When in long term storage, battery degradation is avoided by performing battery charge cycles at a voltage level where a change in the battery's voltage divided by a change in the battery's storage capacity is at a minimum, rather than discharging the battery to its minimum storage capacity and then charging to its maximum storage capacity. Further, based on physical and practical limitations, such battery charge cycles can instead be performed within a range or delta Depth of Discharge (“DOD”) and corresponding battery voltage levels rather than at a single voltage level, while still avoiding battery degradation.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to a drone system including a drone configured for navigation of an outdoor facility and equipped with an RFID reader, an optical code reader, and at least one of powertrain control module data receiver and an electronic control module data receiver. The system includes a computing system in communication with the drone.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to an indoor drone system including an autonomous drone configured for autonomous navigation, and a computing system in communication with the autonomous drone. The autonomous drone includes an optical code reader and at least one navigational sensor. The computing system includes a verification module.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention disclosed herein provide techniques for associating a firewall policy with a dynamic domain name system (DNS) hostname. A policy configuration portal associates a first hostname with a first network address. The policy configuration portal sets firewall policy configuration associated with the first hostname to include the first network address. The policy configuration portal receives a first message that associates a DNS hostname with a second network address. The policy configuration portal, in response to receiving the first message, associates the second network address with the first hostname. The policy configuration portal modifies a firewall policy configuration associated with the first hostname to include the second network address. At least one advantage of the disclosed techniques is that a firewall policy can be implemented for a residential home or small business that employs dynamic IP addressing.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention disclosed herein provide techniques for managing a domain name system (DNS) based attack. An exfiltration and tunneling mitigation platform receives a first DNS request directed to a first domain name. The exfiltration and tunneling mitigation platform determines that a first characteristic associated with a first fully qualified domain name (FQDN) included in the first DNS request exceeds a first threshold value. In response, the exfiltration and tunneling mitigation platform computes a distance between the first FQDN and a second FQDN included in a second DNS request also directed to the first domain name. The exfiltration and tunneling mitigation platform increments a first count value associated with the first domain name based on the distance. At least one advantage of the disclosed techniques is that a DNS-based attack can be detected and mitigated before a significant amount of DNS exfiltration or DNS tunneling has occurred.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle-based item retrieval system and method utilizing a logic train autonomous stock picking vehicle that provides support for the picking of items in a facility is discussed. The logic train autonomous stock picking vehicle may utilize sensors to detect a location, a user, obstacles, and the placement of items in the vehicle and may be dispatched as part of a logical group of vehicles forming a “logic train” to meet with a specified individual at a designated location in a facility.

Abstract: Described herein are a modular robotic rover and a system for a modular robotic rover. An exemplary system includes a modular robotic rover that has a motor coupled to a drive train, a body frame, at least one battery and one or more sensors. The system further includes multiple removable attachments configured to couple to the rover's body frame. The attachments include at least a temperature-controlled compartment with a configurable size. The system also includes a cooling and heating mechanism with an integrated electrical interface that is removably coupled to the body frame and configured to control a temperature of the temperature-controlled compartment. The system also includes a control system to control the drive train and to provide power to the cooling and heating mechanism via the integrated electrical interface.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention disclosed herein provide techniques for associating a firewall policy with a dynamic domain name system (DNS) hostname. A policy configuration portal associates a first hostname with a first network address. The policy configuration portal sets firewall policy configuration associated with the first hostname to include the first network address. The policy configuration portal receives a first message that associates a DNS hostname with a second network address. The policy configuration portal, in response to receiving the first message, associates the second network address with the first hostname. The policy configuration portal modifies a firewall policy configuration associated with the first hostname to include the second network address. At least one advantage of the disclosed techniques is that a firewall policy can be implemented for a residential home or small business that employs dynamic IP addressing.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention disclosed herein provide techniques for managing a domain name system (DNS) based attack. An exfiltration and tunneling mitigation platform receives a first DNS request directed to a first domain name. The exfiltration and tunneling mitigation platform determines that a first characteristic associated with a first fully qualified domain name (FQDN) included in the first DNS request exceeds a first threshold value. In response, the exfiltration and tunneling mitigation platform computes a distance between the first FQDN and a second FQDN included in a second DNS request also directed to the first domain name. The exfiltration and tunneling mitigation platform increments a first count value associated with the first domain name based on the distance. At least one advantage of the disclosed techniques is that a DNS-based attack can be detected and mitigated before a significant amount of DNS exfiltration or DNS tunneling has occurred.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to a drone system including a drone configured for navigation of an outdoor facility and equipped with an RFID reader, an optical code reader, and at least one of powertrain control module data receiver and an electronic control module data receiver. The system includes a computing system in communication with the drone.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to an indoor drone system including an autonomous drone configured for autonomous navigation, and a computing system in communication with the autonomous drone. The autonomous drone includes an optical code reader and at least one navigational sensor. The computing system includes a verification module.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention disclosed herein provide techniques for associating a firewall policy with a dynamic domain name system (DNS) hostname. A policy configuration portal transmits a first request to a names server to translate a first hostname into a corresponding network address. The policy configuration portal receives a first network address from the names server in response to the first request. The policy configuration portal determines that the first network address is different than a second network address that is currently associated with the first hostname. The policy configuration portal associates the first network address with the first hostname. The policy configuration portal modifies a firewall policy configuration associated with the first hostname to include the first network address. At least one advantage of the disclosed techniques is that a firewall policy can be implemented for a residential home or small business that employs dynamic IP addressing.

Abstract: Described are systems, methods, and computer readable medium for drone dispatch and operation. Exemplary embodiments provide a group of drones, a server in communication with the drones, and a detachable basket coupled to a shopping cart including an optical machine-readable label that represents identifying data for the basket. The identifying data for the basket is received from a client device at a server. The basket is associated with a user profile corresponding to the client device. Information identifying a vehicle associated with the user profile is determined. A checkout message is received indicating that a user of the client device completed a purchase transaction and requested a drone for transporting the basket. In response to the checkout message, identifying data for the basket is transmitted to a selected drone in the group of drones, and instructions to carry the basket to the vehicle are also transmitted to the selected drone.

Abstract: An electrical connector system includes a panel having a plurality of connector openings and a plurality of vent openings interspersed among the connector openings. Cable connectors are coupled to the panel and extend at least partially into the connector openings. The cable connectors have mating interfaces presented at the front for mating with mating connectors and the cable connectors have cables extending from cable ends of the cable connectors and located rearward of a rear of the panel. Air funnels are coupled to the panel at corresponding vent openings. The air funnels extend rearward of the rear of the panel. The air funnels route the cables clear of the space rearward of the vent openings to define an unimpeded flow path through the vent openings.

Abstract: A cable backplane system includes a backplane having a plurality of openings extending between a front and a rear of the backplane. The backplane has mounting locations proximate the openings. Mounting blocks are coupled to the front of the backplane at corresponding mounting locations. The mounting blocks are secured to the backplane by fasteners. A cable rack is coupled to the rear of the backplane and has a tray with a frame surrounding a raceway and spacers coupled to the tray. The spacers hold corresponding cable connectors and are secured to corresponding mounting blocks to position the spacers and cable connector assemblies relative to the backplane. The cable connectors are received in corresponding openings in the backplane and are held in position relative to the backplane by the spacers and mounting blocks.

Abstract: Improved battery charge state determination. The estimated charge state of a battery comprising a plurality of series connected cells is updated using Coulomb counting during battery operation, for example, while operating an electric vehicle motor. The estimated charge state may be coupled to a fuel gauge. When the battery is in a no load state, a no load voltage measurement is made. During testing, a set of relationships between battery no load voltages and associated known good charge states have been determined. The measured no load voltage is compared to the set of no load voltages associated with known good charge states. A known good charge state associated with the measured no load voltage is used to update the estimated charge state, thereby providing a more accurate indication of the actual battery charge state, thus providing a more robust and accurate fuel gauge.

Abstract: A cable backplane system includes a backplane having a plurality of openings therethrough and a plurality of mounting blocks. A cable rack is coupled to a rear of the backplane and includes a tray having a frame surrounding a raceway. Spacers are coupled to the tray that are secured to corresponding mounting blocks to position the spacers relative to the backplane. Cable connector assemblies are held by the tray. Each cable connector assembly has a plurality of cables extending between at least two cable connectors. The cables are routed in the raceway. Each cable connector assembly is positioned between and supported by corresponding spacers on opposite sides of the cable connector assemblies. The spacers allow limited movement of the cable connectors in at least two directions to allow alignment of the cable connectors within corresponding openings in the backplane.

Abstract: When in long term storage, battery degradation is avoided by performing battery charge cycles at a voltage level where a change in the battery's voltage divided by a change in the battery's storage capacity is at a minimum, rather than discharging the battery to its minimum storage capacity and then charging to its maximum storage capacity. Further, based on physical and practical limitations, such battery charge cycles can instead be performed within a range or delta Depth of Discharge (“DOD”) and corresponding battery voltage levels rather than at a single voltage level, while still avoiding battery degradation.