Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed which relate to a smart cover for a mobile communications device. The smart cover includes a housing plate, a secure element coupled to the housing plate, a transceiver in communication with the secure element, and an antenna coupled to the transceiver. The transceiver and the antenna are coupled to the housing plate as well. The housing plate couples to the mobile communications device to provide protection for electronics in the mobile communications device, to make the mobile communications device more aesthetically pleasing, etc. A user having a mobile communications device with a smart cover may enter secure areas, pay funds from an account, or anything else requiring positive identification. The user holds the mobile communications device up to a smart cover reader. The smart cover reader communicates with the smart cover to identify the user.

Abstract: A security label (310) comprises a first layer (114) of a non-affixing polymeric coating printed on a coating receiving surface (362) of a carrier film substrate (112). Affixing portions (121) of a second layer (118) adhere to the carrier film substrate (112) via affixing regions (116) defined by the first layer (114). The first layer (14) is less adherable to the carrier film substrate (12) than the second layer (18), so that, in use, when the carrier film substrate (12) is removed from the first layer (14), the affixing portions (121) of the second layer (18) remain adhered to the carrier film substrate (12) and are disassociated from an adhesive material layer (120), and those portions of the second layer which are not affixing portions remain associated with the adhesive material layer (120) and are disassociated from the carrier film substrate (112).

Abstract: Devices and systems are disclosed which relate to enabling NFC communication on devices such as an iPhone. A traditional smart card tray is modified to include contact leads from the inside of the smart card tray to an exterior surface of the smart card tray. Exposed contacts on the external surface provide an outside interface for add-ons. An exemplary add-on is an NFC circuit coupled to or embedded within a mobile device skin. The skin fits snugly around a portion of the mobile device, and includes on one surface contact points that line up with the outside interface of the mobile device. The contact points provide electrical communication between NFC circuitry of the mobile device skin and the smart card within the mobile device. When the skin is worn on the mobile device, the mobile device is NFC enabled. When the skin is removed, the NFC is no longer available.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed which relate to a smart cover for a mobile communications device. The smart cover includes a housing plate, a secure element coupled to the housing plate, a transceiver in communication with the secure element, and an antenna coupled to the transceiver. The transceiver and the antenna are coupled to the housing plate as well. The housing plate couples to the mobile communications device to provide protection for electronics in the mobile communications device, to make the mobile communications device more aesthetically pleasing, etc. A user having a mobile communications device with a smart cover may enter secure areas, pay funds from an account, or anything else requiring positive identification. The user holds the mobile communications device up to a smart cover reader. The smart cover reader communicates with the smart to cover to identify the user.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed which relate to securing payments from a mobile communications device. In exemplary embodiments, a mobile communications device communicates with a payment server via a point-of-sale device to conduct a transaction. The mobile communications device uses a client payment logic to send payment information to the point-of-sale device. The point-of-sale device uses a vendor payment logic to forward the payment information to the payment server. The payment server verifies the payment information and sends confirmation to the point-of-sale device.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed which relate to executing a transaction at a point-of-sale device using a mobile device. In exemplary embodiments the mobile device reads an identifier from the point-of-sale device through wireless technology such as RFID. The identifier is an IP address, serial number, telephone number, etc. The mobile device prompts the user to input the amount of the sale, a payment method, and an authorization code. Once input, the mobile device sends the information along with the identifier to a payment server which verifies the information. Once verified, the payment server notifies the point-of-sale device that the amount has been transferred. The point-of-sale device prints a receipt for the customer or sends it back through the network to the mobile device.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed which relate to allowing a recipient of a closed-loop gift card to select one of a plurality of merchants toward which to apply the value. A consumer buys a variable gift card from a service provider for a set amount. The consumer pays the service provider that amount, but the service provider holds that amount in escrow. The consumer sends the gift card to a recipient with a predetermined merchant. The recipient receives the gift card and decides not to use the gift card for the predetermined merchant, but for a desired merchant. The recipient requests the service provider to change the merchant. The service provider requests a final confirmation before delivering the amount from escrow to the desired merchant, and the gift card is ready for use. If the recipient does desire to use the predetermined merchant, the recipient simply contacts the service provider for activation, where the service provider transfers the amount to the predetermined merchant.

Abstract: An electromechanical generator for converting mechanical vibrational energy into electrical energy, the electromechanical generator including a cantilever spring having a fixed end, a free end and a central portion therebetween, a mount for the cantilever spring to which the fixed end is fixed, a mass located at the free end of the cantilever spring, the mass including either a coil or at least one magnet defining a region of magnetic flux, wherein at least one of the fixed end and the free end of the cantilever spring is substantially stiffer than the central portion of the cantilever spring.

Abstract: An electromechanical generator for converting mechanical vibrational energy into electrical energy, the electromechanical generator including a cantilever spring having a fixed end, a free end and a central portion therebetween, a mount for the cantilever spring to which the fixed end is fixed, a mass located at the free end of the cantilever spring, the mass including either a coil or at least one magnet defining a region of magnetic flux, wherein at least one of the fixed end and the free end of the cantilever spring is substantially stiffer than the central portion of the cantilever spring.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for rapid forensic analysis of mitochondrial DNA and methods for characterizing heteroplasmy of mitochondrial DNA, which can be used to assess the progression of mitochondrial diseases.

Abstract: A sensing device and method. The device includes a first element and a second element. Each of the elements includes a first electrode, and a second electrode, and a piezoelectric layer between and connected to the first and second electrode. The first electrode, second electrode and piezoelectric layer of each element form a pressure wave transducer. The first and second elements are oriented such that the second electrode of the first element faces the second electrode of the second element. The elements are displaced from one another such that the second electrodes form the plates of a capacitor.

Abstract: A sensing device and method. The device includes a first element and a second element. Each of the elements includes a first electrode, and a second electrode, and a piezoelectric layer between and connected to the first and second electrode. The first electrode, second electrode and piezoelectric layer of each element form a pressure wave transducer. The first and second elements are oriented such that the second electrode of the first element faces the second electrode of the second element. The elements are displaced from one another such that the second electrodes form the plates of a capacitor.

Abstract: An electromagnetic generator comprising a multilayer assembly of a first layer carrying at least one magnet, a second layer carrying at least one coil, and a third layer carrying at least one magnet, the at least one magnet of the first and third layers being configured to define therebetween a region of magnetic flux in which the at least one coil is disposed, at least one of the layers being shaped to define a respective displaceable portion thereof which is displaceable by vibration of the electromagnetic generator thereby to cause relative movement between the coil and the magnets and generate an electrical current in the coil.

Abstract: A triple beam resonator (10) is provided with three beams or tines (12, 14, 16) aligned in parallel alongside each other and joined at a decoupling zone (18) at each end, which is in turn connected to the surrounding material. The central beam (14) is twice the width of the two outer beams (12, 16). The resonating element has a length of 15.5 mm, a thickness of 0.25 mm and beam widths of 2 mm and 1 mm. The distance between the beams is 0.5 mm. Finite element analysis predicts the modal behavior with stress distribution and eigenfrequencies of the resonator (10). Thick-film PZT elements (20, 22) were printed on separate regions at each end of the central beam (14), where maximum stresses exist as the resonator (10) operates in its favored mode of vibration. The PZT element (20) at one end drives the vibrations, while the PZT element (22) at the other end detects them.

Abstract: An improved structure and method for building large-aperture lightweight deformable mirrors uses a hinged substrate. In addition to reduced weight, the approach provides rigidity to the mirror, which is necessary for the accurate response to actuator commands and tolerance to disturbances. No stresses are induced in the substrate due to the commanded deformation of the substrate, regardless of the magnitude of the deformation. Any stresses in the substrate structure are those induced due to forces in the face sheet, which are likely to be small using advanced nano-laminate and membrane face sheet technologies. The magnitude of the deformation (dynamic range) is limited only by the actuator stroke, and not by the stresses induced in the substrate. The design therefore accommodates small-force, large-stroke actuators, as opposed to the current designs that use large-force, small-stroke actuators.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for rapid forensic analysis of mitochondrial DNA and methods for characterizing heteroplasmy of mitochondrial DNA, which can be used to assess the progression of mitochondrial diseases.

Abstract: An improved structure and method for building large-aperture lightweight deformable mirrors uses a hinged substrate. In addition to reduced weight, the approach provides rigidity to the mirror, which is necessary for the accurate response to actuator commands and tolerance to disturbances. No stresses are induced in the substrate due to the commanded deformation of the substrate, regardless of the magnitude of the deformation. Any stresses in the substrate structure are those induced due to forces in the face sheet, which are likely to be small using advanced nano-laminate and membrane face sheet technologies. The magnitude of the deformation (dynamic range) is limited only by the actuator stroke, and not by the stresses induced in the substrate. The design therefore accommodates small-force, large-stroke actuators, as opposed to the current designs that use large-force, small-stroke actuators.

Abstract: A pressure compensating manifold for a gerotor device having a manifold with bidirectional valving passages and a passage selectively connecting as least one of such bidirectional passages to a chamber behind the manifold so as to pressure equalize the gerotor structure.

Abstract: A hydraulic brake is interconnected to two ports of a hydraulic motor, the pressurization of either port will act on a unitary brake piston to deactivate a spring loaded brake.

Abstract: A matt knurl for a sleeve bearing is utilized in order to provide a reservoir of lubricant, thus to eliminate the gauling and physical damage to sleeve bearings during the non-operational shipment thereof.