Abstract: A method for secure approval of a check includes: reading a machine-readable code to obtain a block identifier and a validation value, wherein the machine-readable code is displayed on a physical check and encoded with the block identifier and validation value; receiving a digital signature from an external device; identifying a blockchain data value stored in a blockchain, wherein the blockchain data value includes at least the block identifier and an additional value; validating the received digital signature using a public key; validating the validation value based on a comparison of the validation value to the additional value; and approving use of the physical check to fund a payment transaction upon successful validation of the received digital signature and validation value.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a paper straw comprising a flexible portion having a compressed and an extended state, wherein the paper straw comprises a stretchable paper. The disclosure also relates to a drinking kit comprising the paper straw and to a process and a machine equipment for manufacturing the paper straw.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein provide a data transmission system comprising a plurality of video routers, a supervisory system for transmitting one or more router configuration signals to one or more video routers, and a control communication network for coupling the plurality of video routers and the supervisory system. Each router in the system comprises a backplane including a plurality of backplane connections, at least one line card and at least one fabric card. Each line card comprises a plurality of input ports and output ports where each input and output port is coupled to a respective external signal through the backplane. Each line card further comprises a line card cross-point switch having a plurality of input switch terminals and a plurality of output switch terminals. Each fabric card comprises a fabric card cross-point switch having a plurality of input switch terminal and a plurality of output switch terminals.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for receiving one or more input signals and providing output signals in various video, audio, data and mixed formats are described. One or more input processors receive the input signals. Each of the input processors provides one or more packetized signals corresponding to one or more of the input signals received at the input processor. Each output processor can receive one or more packetized signals and generate one or more output signals. The output signals correspond to one or more of the input signals, additional locally generated signals or data relating to the signals or any combination of such signals. Use of a packet router according to the invention allows input signals encoded as one set of packetized signals to be recombined to provide additional packetized signals incorporating the same or different combinations of the packetized signals.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for determining delay of a plurality of media streams. The system and method involve generating, at a source processor, a series of source time packets; transmitting, at the source processor, through a network, the series of source time packets as a source packet stream; generating, at a destination processor, a series of destination time packets; receiving, at the destination processor, through the network, the source packet stream; determining, at the destination processor, a transmission time for the source packet stream based on the source time data and the destination time data; and determining, at the destination processor, a relative synchronization error based on the source signature data and the destination signature data. Each source time packet includes source time data and source signature data. Each destination time packet includes destination time data and destination signature data.

Abstract: A method for processing a multi-account check includes: receiving a first authorization request including a transaction amount, an account identifier, and a check number; identifying a blockchain associated with the account identifier including a plurality of blocks, each block including a block header and blockchain data values, and a blockchain data value included in one of the blocks including the check number; generating two or more additional authorization requests including a payment amount, an alternate account number, and an alternate check number, where the alternate account number included in each of the additional authorization requests is unique among the additional authorization requests and a total of the payment amount included in the additional authorization requests is based on the transaction amount; and transmitting each of the additional authorization requests to a financial institution associated with the alternate account number included in the respective additional authorization request

Abstract: A method for preventing account referral fraud includes: receiving a referral request, the request including a referring account identifier; transmitting a digital signature corresponding to the referral request to a processing server; verifying, by the processing server, the digital signature using a public key; identifying a plurality of blockchain data values included in a blockchain using the public key, wherein each data value is related to a blockchain transaction involving a blockchain wallet associated with the public key; generating an authenticity score for the blockchain wallet based on data included in the plurality of blockchain data values; receiving, by the referral server, the authenticity score from the processing server; and processing the referral request based on the authenticity score, wherein processing the referral request includes one of: declining the referral and awarding a referral reward.

Abstract: A method for tracking rash driving includes: receiving a plurality of rider embarkation notifications, each including a digital signature and a vehicle identifier; generating a new block for a blockchain, the new block including a block header and a plurality of blockchain data values, each blockchain data value corresponding to a rider embarkation notification and including the respective digital signature; receiving a rash driving notification including the vehicle identifier; transmitting a confirmation request to at least one mobile computing device associated with one of the plurality of rider embarkation notifications; receiving a confirmation message from one of the at least one mobile computing devices; and generating a subsequent block for the blockchain, the subsequent block including a new block header and a new data value, the new data value including an indication of rash driving.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for receiving one or more input signals and providing output signals in various video, audio, data and mixed formats are described. One or more input processors receive the input signals. Each of the input processors provides one or more packetized signals corresponding to one or more of the input signals received at the input processor. Each output processor can receive one or more packetized signals and generate one or more output signals. The output signals correspond to one or more of the input signals, additional locally generated signals or data relating to the signals or any combination of such signals. Use of a packet router according to the invention allows input signals encoded as one set of packetized signals to be recombined to provide additional packetized signals incorporating the same or different combinations of the packetized signals.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for determining delay of a plurality of media streams. The system and method involve generating, at a source processor, a series of source time packets; transmitting, at the source processor, through a network, the series of source time packets as a source packet stream; generating, at a destination processor, a series of destination time packets; receiving, at the destination processor, through the network, the source packet stream; determining, at the destination processor, a transmission time for the source packet stream based on the source time data and the destination time data; and determining, at the destination processor, a relative synchronization error based on the source signature data and the destination signature data. Each source time packet includes source time data and source signature data. Each destination time packet includes destination time data and destination signature data.

Abstract: A credit card recommendation system for recommending credit cards to a user can be based on the consumer's estimated monthly spend, estimated spend across a plurality of categories, and user credit data. The credit card recommendation system can filter credit cards based on a likelihood of approval for the user. The credit card recommendation can determine a reward valuation and an adjustment valuation by assessing user spend and the characteristics corresponding to the credit card. The credit card recommendation can train a model to score credit cards for users, and apply specific user data to the model to determine a credit card score particular to the user.

Abstract: A method for processing a multi-account check includes: receiving a first authorization request including a transaction amount, an account identifier, and a check number; identifying a blockchain associated with the account identifier including a plurality of blocks, each block including a block header and blockchain data values, and a blockchain data value included in one of the blocks including the check number; generating two or more additional authorization requests including a payment amount, an alternate account number, and an alternate check number, where the alternate account number included in each of the additional authorization requests is unique among the additional authorization requests and a total of the payment amount included in the additional authorization requests is based on the transaction amount; and transmitting each of the additional authorization requests to a financial institution associated with the alternate account number included in the respective additional authorization request

Abstract: Methods and system for managing media clips over a data network. Media streams may be received over a data network and stored by a storage server. Metadata regarding the media streams may be generated and stored at a metadata server. A control station can retrieve media frames originating in the stored media streams from the storage server, based on metadata. Media frames from multiple media streams can be retrieved and displayed in synchronization, based on respective timecodes.

Abstract: Currently most cancers, including breast cancers, are removed without any intraoperative margin control. Post-operative methods inspect 1-2% of the surgical margin and are prone to sampling errors. The present invention relates to an optical imaging system that will enable evaluation of the surgical margin in vivo and in real-time. The invention provides for simultaneous fluorescence and fluorescence polarization imaging. The contrast of the acquired images will be enhanced using fluorescent agents approved for diagnostic use in patients. As the staining pattern of fluorescence images is similar to that of histology, and the values of fluorescence polarization are significantly higher in cancerous as compared to normal cells, the invention provides for further improvements in diagnostic methods. The systems and methods can be applied to the intra-operative delineation of cancerous tissue.

Abstract: A method for validating a message recipient includes: storing, in a memory of a processing server, a device profile, wherein the device profile is related to a mobile computing device and includes at least a device identifier, and token validation data; receiving, by a receiver of the processing server, a data signal from an external system that is encoded with a message packet, wherein the message packet includes at least the device identifier, a device token, and a content message; validating, by a processing device of the processing server, the device token using at least the token validation data; and electronically transmitting, by a transmitter of the processing server, the content message to the mobile computing device.

Abstract: Provided is a method and system for digital voting. A digital voting system includes a Voting Administration (VA), a Trusted Third Party (TTP), a Voter and a digital voting platform which implements a Voting Chain (VC) as a Blockchain containing multiple blocks that have “roles”. These blocks include a Genesis block, a Campaign block, a Voter block, a Voting block, and a Legitimacy block. The VC contains data that is linked to an operation in the voting cycle, assigns tasks to a specific entity and establishes rules to ensure a highly secure pattern of actions and roles. The VA declares itself to the TTP, enrolls voters, releases ballots, starts election cycles using different blocks, and authenticates Voter IDs. The Voter discloses its Public Key to the TTP, casts and checks votes. The TTP registers Public Keys on the VC, verifies signatures, ensures anonymity, and registers ballots and votes.

Abstract: Methods and system for managing media clips over a data network. Media streams may be received over a data network and stored by a storage server. Metadata regarding the media streams may be generated and stored at a metadata server. A control station can retrieve media frames originating in the stored media streams from the storage server, based on metadata. Media frames from multiple media streams can be retrieved and displayed in synchronization, based on respective timecodes.

Abstract: Currently most cancers, including breast cancers, are removed without any intraoperative margin control. Post-operative methods inspect 1-2% of the surgical margin and are prone to sampling errors. The present invention relates to an optical imaging system that will enable evaluation of the surgical margin in vivo and in real-time. The invention provides for simultaneous fluorescence and fluorescence polarization imaging. The contrast of the acquired images will be enhanced using fluorescent agents approved for diagnostic use in patients. As the staining pattern of fluorescence images is similar to that of histology, and the values of fluorescence polarization are significantly higher in cancerous as compared to normal cells, the invention provides for further improvements in diagnostic methods. The systems and methods can be applied to the intra-operative delineation of cancerous tissue.

Abstract: A method for preventing unauthorized repeat purchases of a product includes: storing a plurality of purchase data values, each related to a completed financial transaction and including a purchase identifier; receiving an authorization request for a new financial transaction from an external system, the authorization request including a specific identifier; identifying a number of purchase data values where the included purchase identifier matches the specific identifier; and transmitting an authorization response to the external system, the authorization response including (i) an approval of the new financial transaction if the number of purchase data values is below a predetermined number, or (ii) a denial of the new financial transaction if the number of purchase data values is equal to or above the predetermined number.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for operating a media transmission network. The system includes at least one destination device for receiving a plurality of media streams from a plurality of source devices. The system further includes a controller that is configured to, for each media stream of the plurality of media streams: determine a media property adjustment for the media stream based at least on the media stream; identify a source device from the plurality of source devices associated with generating the media stream; determine at least one device setting for the identified source device to apply the media property adjustment to the media stream; generate a control packet for configuring the identified source device based on the at least one device setting, the control packet including the at least one device setting; and transmit the control packet to the identified source device.