Abstract: At least some embodiments of the present invention are directed to barcode readers having a housing with upper and lower portions, and a platter. Additionally, the barcode readers include a platter frame and an imaging assembly, the first imaging assembly having a first field of view (FOV) directed through at least one of the substantially horizontal window or the substantially upright window of the housing, and a reader accessory removably coupled with at least one of the lower housing portion or the platter frame that includes a thermal transmitter. The thermal transmitter is thermally coupled with at least one of the housing frame or the platter frame to transfer thermal energy generated by the reader accessory thereto.

Abstract: Method and systems for maintaining a loyalty scheme or a royalty scheme are described. A method includes receiving a request pertaining to at least one of the loyalty scheme or the royalty scheme and targeted to an attribute of a user. It is then determined that a user profile includes the attribute of the request via a blockchain. In response to determining that the user profile includes the attribute of the request, the request for a product or a service is transmitted to a device associated with the user profile. A response to the request for the product or service is received from the device associated with the user profile. A commitment to the blockchain is then posted based on the response.

Abstract: Advertisement targeting with a secure identity is described. A request pertaining to supplemental content targeted to an attribute of a user is posted from a requesting system to a blockchain. It is then determined that a user profile includes an attribute that matches with the attribute of the request via the blockchain. The supplemental content is then caused to be displayed in response to the determination that the user profile includes the attribute that matches with the attribute of the request and via a user interface of a device associated with a user associated with the user profile.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating a fuel cell stack with improved performance recovery from sub-saturated conditions, the method comprising setting an alert for the performance recovery of the fuel cell stack, performing at least one oxidant starvation by supplying oxidant at a stoichiometric ratio below 1 to the fuel cell stack in at least one pulse for a preset amount of time and at low current while the fuel cell stack does not generate power. The fuel cell system with an improved performance recovery comprises a shorting circuit which is connected to the fuel cell stack at predetermined times (startup, shutdown or standby mode) and an air compressor powered by a DC-DC converter which supplies a predetermined number of oxidant pulses of a predetermined duration to the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A system for authenticating user identities and exchange data via a blockchain is described. Initially, first data related to a commitment being made by a user is obtained by a client device. The first data is partly based on information identificatory or a characteristic of the user. The first data is sent by the client device to a verification system. The verification system then verifies that the first data corresponds with second data generated using identification documentation of the user. The data representing the commitment to a blockchain is posted by the verification system responsive to a successful verification.

Abstract: Collecting surveys with a secure identity is described. A request (i) pertaining to a survey and (ii) targeted to an attribute of a user is posted from a requesting system to a blockchain. It is determined, via the blockchain, that a user profile includes an attribute that matches with the attribute of the request. The request to a device associated with the user profile is transmitted via the blockchain and in response to determining that the user profile includes the attribute that matches with the attribute of the request. A response to the request is received from the device associated with the user profile. A commitment based on the response to the request is generated to the blockchain. The commitment is transmitted from the blockchain to the requesting system.

Abstract: A system for authenticating user identities and exchange data via a blockchain is described. Initially, first data related to a commitment being made by a user is obtained by a client device. The first data is partly based on information identificatory or a characteristic of the user. The first data is sent by the client device to a verification system. The verification system then verifies that the first data corresponds with second data generated using identification documentation of the user. The data representing the commitment to a blockchain is posted by the verification system responsive to a successful verification.

Abstract: A system for authenticating user identities and exchange data via a blockchain is described. Initially, first data related to a commitment being made by a user is obtained by a client device. The first data is partly based on information identificatory or a characteristic of the user. The first data is sent by the client device to a verification system. The verification system then verifies that the first data corresponds with second data generated using identification documentation of the user. The data representing the commitment to a blockchain is posted by the verification system responsive to a successful verification.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack assembly is disclosed comprising: a fuel cell stack comprising a first end plate, a second end plate, and a plurality of fuel cells interposed between the first and the second end plates; and a compression band which urges the first end plate towards the second end plate along a first face of the fuel cell stack and also along an opposing second face of the fuel stack in a stacking direction thereof in at least two passes on each face of fuel cells stack, thereby applying a compressive force upon the plurality of fuel cells in the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A system for authenticating user identities and exchange data via a blockchain is described. Initially, first data related to a commitment being made by a user is obtained by a client device. The first data is partly based on information identificatory or a characteristic of the user. The first data is sent by the client device to a verification system. The verification system then verifies that the first data corresponds with second data generated using identification documentation of the user. The data representing the commitment to a blockchain is posted by the verification system responsive to a successful verification.

Abstract: Improved techniques involve transferring data into a target device using bar codes. Along these lines, suppose that someone wants to send a message to the target device via a source device. For some messages, the source device may encode the message into a single bar code that the target computer may decode back into the message. However, for a sufficiently large message, the source device breaks the message into a series of message portions, encodes each of the portions into a distinct bar code, and outputs the bar codes, e.g., on sheets of paper using a laser printer. From these sheets, an operator scans each bar code into the target device. The target computer then decodes the scanned bar codes back into message portions and reassembles them into the message.

Abstract: In solid polymer fuel cells employing framed membrane electrode assemblies, a conventional anode compliant seal is employed in combination with a cathode non-compliant seal to provide for a thinner fuel cell design, particularly in the context of a fuel cell stack. This approach is particularly suitable for fuel cells operating at low pressure.

Abstract: In solid polymer fuel cells employing framed membrane electrode assemblies, a conventional anode compliant seal is employed in combination with a cathode non-compliant seal to provide for a thinner fuel cell design, particularly in the context of a fuel cell stack. This approach is particularly suitable for fuel cells operating at low pressure.

Abstract: In solid polymer fuel cells employing framed membrane electrode assemblies, a conventional anode compliant seal is employed in combination with a cathode non-compliant seal to provide for a thinner fuel cell design, particularly in the context of a fuel cell stack. This approach is particularly suitable for fuel cells operating at low pressure.

Abstract: A road data apparatus is disclosed that predicts road conditions comprising a land surface data generator which derives a land surface data output from a plurality of current and forecast weather and location data, said current and forecast weather and location data comprising surface temperature, subsurface temperature, and precipitation depth, a pavement data generator which derives a road temperature and a road condition from said land surface data output and a plurality of pavement generator input data, said plurality of pavement generator input data comprising road layer data; and a roadway status indicator generator which derives a roadway status indicator from said road temperature, road condition and precipitation data. In one embodiment, the roadway status indicator is communicated to an end user through a distribution network.

Abstract: A method, medium and implementing processing system are provided in which the Operating System (OS) driver is divided into two parts, viz. an upper level OS driver and a lower level OS driver. The lower level OS driver sets up the adapter hardware and any adapter hardware work-around. The upper level OS driver is interfaced to the OS communication stack and each can be compiled separately. The upper OS driver is compiled and shipped with the OS to make sure it is compatible with the OS communication stack. The lower OS driver, in an exemplary embodiment, is compiled and stored in an adapter flash memory. The OS dynamically combines the upper and lower OS drivers together during the load time.

Abstract: A technique of providing a cryptographic service on a computer having a processor includes deploying an executable cryptographic agent set on the computer, each executable cryptographic agent from the executable cryptographic agent set being a set of instructions executed on the processor. The technique also includes activating an executable cryptographic agent on the computer, each executable cryptographic agent being constructed and arranged to generate cryptographic codes which change over time in response to activation of the agent. The technique further includes providing, to an application running on the computer, access to the executable cryptographic agent through a Personal Computer/Smart Card (PC/SC) interface of the computer.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an apparatus and process for producing a catalyst composition and a low-fines catalyst composition in particular. A crossflow classification device is used to separate large catalyst particles from catalyst fines. A slurry of a catalyst composition is introduced into the crossflow classification device. A classified catalyst composition is retrieved from a retentate produced as a result of subjecting the catalyst slurry to a crossflow classification process. The solids content of the pre-classified and/or post-classified catalyst slurry is determined by way of NMR spectroscopy. The solids content determination accounts for migration of wash liquid from the catalyst composition and into the slurry liquid phase. The classified catalyst composition has a low-fines content and produces a polyolefin composition with a low polymer fines content.