Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for binding an IoT device with an identity of a user, whereby action by the IoT device may be attributed to the user. One exemplary method includes receiving identifying data for a user, transmitting an OTP to the user, and receiving an OTP from the user. When the received OTP matches the transmitted OTP, the method includes compiling an identity for the user based on the identifying data, receiving an IoT device ID associated with an IoT device, and appending the IoT device ID to the identity of the user. The method further includes seeking authentication of the user at a communication device of the user, in response to a request indicator from the IoT device, and providing to the IoT device, in response, a confirmation of authentication of the user and/or a portion of the identifying data from the stored identity of the user.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method and an apparatus for wireless communications are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method of wireless communications involves encoding bits in Extremely High Throughput (EHT) signaling fields of a packet corresponding to at least one of an Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) mode, a non-OFDMA mode, and a Null Data Packet (NDP) mode, wherein EHT signaling fields include a Universal signal (U-SIG) field and an EHT signal (EHT-SIG) field, and transmitting the packet with encoded bits corresponding to at least one of the OFDMA mode, the non-OFDMA mode, and the NDP mode.

Abstract: Communication apparatus includes a transceiver configured to transmit and receive signals over a wireless channel in accordance with both a first communication protocol and a second communication protocol. The second communication protocol is backward-compatible with the first communication protocol, while defining an enhanced communication bandwidth that is at least twice the nominal communication bandwidth of the first communication protocol. A communication controller generates data frames for transmission by the transceiver, including frame headers in a header format that is compatible with both the first communication protocol and the second communication protocol, such that the frame headers are transmitted within the nominal communication bandwidth. The data frames that are transmitted in accordance with the second communication protocol have first and second frame headers that are transmitted in parallel in respective first and second sub-bands of the enhanced communication bandwidth.

Abstract: Communication apparatus includes a transceiver configured to communicate over a wireless channel in accordance with both a first and a second communication protocol. The second communication protocol is backward-compatible with the first communication protocol, and has an extended range, which is greater than a nominal range defined by the first communication protocol. A communication controller is configured to generate data frames for transmission by the transceiver, including frame headers in a header format that is compatible both with the first communication protocol and with the second communication protocol. The frame headers include a set of legacy header fields. The communication controller is configured to transmit the legacy fields with a first gain according to the first communication protocol, and to apply a second gain, greater than the first gain, to a transmission of at least one of the legacy header fields for communicating in accordance with the second communication protocol.

Abstract: A booster splitter for a gas turbine engine and a method of additively manufacturing the booster splitter are provided. The booster splitter includes an annular outer wall defining an internal fluid passageway in fluid communication with a fluid supply and terminating in discharge ports that eject a flow of fluid into the compressor section of the gas turbine engine. The internal fluid passageway may also be in fluid communication with heating plenums of a first plurality of airfoils for heating those airfoils.

Abstract: Communication apparatus includes a transceiver configured to transmit and receive signals over a wireless channel in accordance with both a first communication protocol and a second communication protocol. The second communication protocol is backward-compatible with the first communication protocol, and has a first variant having an extended communication throughput, which is greater than the nominal communication throughput of the first protocol, and a second variant having an extended range, which is greater than the nominal range of the first protocol. A communication controller generates data frames for transmission by the transceiver, including frame headers in a header format that is compatible both with the first communication protocol and with both the first and second variants of the second communication protocol.

Abstract: A method for providing a confidence score for a seller in an online marketplace includes: storing account profiles, each including one or more unique account identifiers for one or more online marketplaces; storing activity data entries, each including data for transactional activity in an online marketplace including a marketplace identifier, two or more transacting account identifiers, and activity data; receiving a confidence request that includes a specific account identifier and marketplace identifier; identifying a specific account profile that includes the specific account identifier; identifying a set of activity data entries where a transacting account identifier matches a unique account identifier in the specific account profile; determining a confidence score for the specific account profile based on the activity data included in the identified set of activity data entries; and transmitting the confidence score in response to the received confidence request.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for facilitating a payment transaction wherein a cardholder purchases an item from a merchant on behalf of a buyer is provided. The method includes receiving proposal data from a buyer computing device including at least one of an identification of an item proposed for purchase, a particular merchant, and a merchant purchase price. The method includes receiving a selection message from the buyer computing device indicating a selected cardholder chosen to purchase the item on behalf of a buyer using a merchant payment card associated with the particular merchant. The method includes reserving at least the merchant purchase price and a cardholder processing fee associated with the merchant payment card in a buyer account. The method includes transferring funds from the buyer account to a selected cardholder account, the funds determined at least in part by the merchant purchase price and the cardholder processing fee.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for facilitating enrollment of consumers in programs associated with entities. One exemplary method includes, in response to a selection of registration for an account with an entity, calling an application programming interface (API) associated with a virtual wallet platform, and receiving from the virtual wallet platform, via the API, a token associated with the entity. The method also includes displaying the token to a user and receiving, from the virtual wallet platform, a packet of personal identifying information for the user. The method further includes populating an application for registration of the user for the account with the personal identifying information included in the packet, and, upon an input from the user, enrolling the user in a program associated with the entity, based on the personal identifying information included in the packet, and providing the account to the user.

Abstract: In a vehicular communication network, a communication device generates a physical layer (PHY) preamble of a PHY protocol data unit (PPDU) for transmission in the vehicular communication network. The communication device generates a plurality of PHY data segments of the PPDU, and one or more PHY midambles, each PHY midamble to be transmitted between a respective pair of adjacent PHY data segments, and each PHY midamble including one or more training signal fields. Generating the one or more PHY midambles includes, when the PPDU is to be transmitted according to an extended range (ER) mode, generating each training signal field to include i) a first portion based on a very high throughput long training field (VHT-LTF) defined by the IEEE 802.11ac Standard and ii) a second portion based on the VHT-LTF defined by the IEEE 802.11ac Standard; and transmitting, by the communication device, the PPDU in the vehicular communication network.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining configuration settings for a display apparatus includes a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor where the processor is configured to determine configuration settings for a display apparatus in dependence on one or more first input parameters indicative of one or more conditions that affect a user experience when a user views content reproduced on the display apparatus, predict an expected user response as a result of operating the display apparatus according to the determined configuration settings, search for an updated set of configuration settings that are expected to produce a user response closer to an intended result than the predicted user response, and control the display apparatus to operate according to the updated set of configuration settings.

Abstract: A method for verifying the authenticity of a point of sale prior to the initiation of a payment transaction using unique merchant-specific data and blockchain registration includes: receiving identification data from a point of sale device; receiving data comprising a permissioned blockchain, the data including a plurality of blockchain data values, each data value including at least a set of merchant data; verifying the point of sale device by identifying, in the plurality of blockchain data values, a set of merchant data that matches the received identification data; and outputting a notification to a user of the mobile communication device if verification of the point of sale device fails, or transmitting payment credentials stored in the mobile communication device to the point of sale device if verification of the point of sale device is successful.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a system, method and medium for facilitating automated distribution of a stated item to two or more receivers, where each of the receivers are associated with one or more entities. A selection device receives information indicating the receivers authorized to receive a stated item. The selection device is used to select which of multiple authorized receivers are to receive the stated item. Once the selector has made the selections, a stated item in a quantity determined by the selector is directed to the selected receivers.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for binding an IoT device with an identity of a user, whereby action by the IoT device may be attributed to the user. One exemplary method includes receiving identifying data for a user, transmitting an OTP to the user, and receiving an OTP from the user. When the received OTP matches the transmitted OTP, the method includes compiling an identity for the user based on the identifying data, receiving an IoT device ID associated with an IoT device, and appending the IoT device ID to the identity of the user. The method further includes seeking authentication of the user at a communication device of the user, in response to a request indicator from the IoT device, and providing to the IoT device, in response, a confirmation of authentication of the user and/or a portion of the identifying data from the stored identity of the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for distributing parcels to users by way of unmanned devices. One computer-implemented method includes actuating a locking mechanism of a compartment of the unmanned device to secure a parcel within the compartment and receiving, from a parcel provider associated with delivering the parcel to a user, a delivery location and a hashed key for the parcel. The method then also includes, at the delivery location of the parcel: capturing an image of a computer-readable indicia representative of a hashed key from the user; determining that the hashed key from the user and the hashed key received from the parcel provider match; and when the hashed keys match, actuating the locking mechanism associated with the compartment of the unmanned device to enable the user to access the compartment and retrieve the parcel.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a system and a method of transmitting identity verification information to a merchant include receiving an account identifier from a user in response to the user interacting with a merchant. The user is authenticated based on the account identifier and identity verification information is transmitted to the merchant.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for handling a blockchain network based file storage system including a plurality of electronic devices.

Abstract: At least a portion of a physical layer (PHY) preamble of a PHY protocol data unit (PPDU) for transmission in a vehicular communication network is generated to span a first bandwidth a) based on a first orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) numerology that is defined for a second bandwidth greater than the first bandwidth and b) down-clocked to generate the at least the portion to span the first bandwidth. The at least the portion includes a legacy portion decodable by a legacy device operating in the network. A data portion is generated based on a second OFDM numerology defined to span the second bandwidth. The PPDU is generated to include the at least the legacy portion of the PHY preamble in a first sub-band, a duplicate of the at least the portion of the preamble in a second sub-band, and the data portion that spans the second bandwidth.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for facilitating network transactions. One exemplary method includes receiving, by a computing device, via a first wireless connection, a credential from a mobile device where the credential is specific to an account associated with the mobile device. The method also includes determining an identifier of the mobile device, compiling an authorization request for the network transaction, where the authorization request includes the identifier and the credential, and transmitting the authorization request to a first party for authorization. The method further includes; receiving an authorization reply in response to the authorization request, where the authorization reply includes a result for the network transaction and the identifier, and transmitting, via a second wireless connection, a notification, including the result of the network transaction, to the mobile device, based on the identifier included in the authorization reply.

Abstract: A method of storing or searching data files on a plurality of cloud-based storage systems includes detecting an event on the electronic device indicative of storing at least one data file on a cloud-based storage, analyzing the at least one data file in response to detecting the event to extract a plurality of elements, mapping the plurality of elements to one or more rules stored in a memory of the electronic device, selecting at least one cloud-based storage for storing the at least one data file, and storing information corresponding to the at least one data file in the memory upon storing the at least one data file onto the selected at least one cloud-based storage for searching the at least one data file.