Abstract: Authentication method and systems using RFID-enabled payment cards are disclosed herein where a server receives a request corresponding to authorization of a payment associated with a payment card from an electronic terminal. The server identifies an electronic device of a user associated with the payment card. The server then transmits an instruction to the electronic device to cause an RFID reader of the electronic device to determine whether an RFID tag corresponding to the payment card is located within a predetermined proximity to the electronic device. When the payment card is located within the predetermined proximity, the server executes a first authentication protocol. Moreover, when the payment card is not located within the predetermined proximity, the server executes a second authentication protocol, wherein the second authentication protocol is more restrictive than the first authentication protocol.

Abstract: An electronic distance recorder configured to be coupled to a wheel hub of a vehicle, the electronic distance recorder comprising: means for determining distance travelled by the vehicle; means for storing a current vehicle odometer value; means for accruing the current vehicle odometer value based on the distance travelled by the vehicle; a receiver for receiving license data representative of a vehicle license issued for the vehicle; and an electronic display configured to display an indication of the validity of the vehicle license. Vehicle information recorders, communication devices and power generators are also disclosed.

Abstract: A first connection state may be entered on a computing device. While the computing device is in the first connection state, actions taken on a playlist on the computing device may be applied to the playlist and not applied to a playback queue associated with a zone. An input may be received via the computing device, indicating a selection of the zone. In response to receiving the input, a second connection state may be entered. Entering the second connection state may comprise establishing a connected state between the computing device and the one or more playback devices. While the connected state is established, one or more actions taken on the playlist on the computing device may be applied to the playlist and transmitted, in a message to the zone over a network. The one or more actions may be one or more corresponding actions applied to the playback queue.

Abstract: A self-checkout (SCO) terminal in a retail store controls banks of lights to communicate context information to a customer in order to better inform them about various events. The context information may be related to a predetermined event, such as a self-checkout process or an emergency event, and is enhanced using the personal preferences of the customer using the SCO terminal.

Abstract: A network device is configured to (i) play back a media item indicated by a remote playback queue provided by a cloud-based computing system, (ii) receive an indication that a playback device is available for playback, (iii) display a now playing screen including (a) information identifying the media item, and (b) an icon that indicates that the network device is not in a connected state with any other network device, (iv) receive a first input selecting the icon, (v) in response to the first input, display a list of one or more available network devices including the playback device, (vi) receive a second input selecting the playback device from the list (vii) after receiving the second input, update the list to indicate that the playback device is selected for playback of the remote playback queue, and (viii) transfer playback of the remote playback queue from the network device to the playback device.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods including: a cable; a housing having a tapered exit hole connected to an internal volume; a tapered seal having a tapered outer surface and an inner aperture, where the inner aperture of the tapered seal receives the cable; an encapsulant disposed in the internal volume and about one or more wires of the cable; and a compression cap placed over the tapered seal and about a flange of the housing to compress the tapered seal into the tapered exit hole; where compression from the compression cap forces the encapsulant up inside the cable and around the one or more wires of the cable, and where curing of the encapsulant seals the cable from moisture incursion.

Abstract: Some implementations may include a computer-assisted method for authenticating a person at a point of service, the method including: receiving a digital identification document including a digital biometric of the person and a digital watermark, the digital watermark encoding personally identifiable information of the person; retrieving the digital watermark from the received digital identification document; extracting the personally identifiable information from the retrieved digital watermark; and authenticating the person identified by the digital biometric based on the retrieved digital watermark.

Abstract: Methods and Systems implement patient management. In some cases, a patient management system 200 may include one or more respiratory pressure therapy devices to deliver respiratory pressure therapy to patients, and generate therapy data relating to a therapy session for a patient. The patient management system may include a data server communicating with the therapy device(s). The data server may compute, from therapy data, therapy summary data for the session, the summary data may include one or more statistics summarising therapy data. The patient management system may include a therapy management server communicating with the data server. The therapy management server may apply one or more rules to the summary data, update or generate one or more workflow groups of patients, each workflow group corresponding to a rule, depending on results of the respective rule applications; and/or serve a graphical layout representing one or more workflow groups.

Abstract: A method for providing a frame-based mel spectral representation of speech includes receiving a text utterance having at least one word, and selecting a mel spectral embedding for the text utterance. Each word in the text utterance has at least one syllable and each syllable has at least one phoneme. For each phoneme, using the selected mel spectral embedding, the method also includes: predicting a duration of the corresponding phoneme by encoding linguistic features of the corresponding phoneme with a corresponding syllable embedding for the syllable that includes the corresponding phoneme; and generating a plurality of fixed-length predicted mel-frequency spectrogram frames based on the predicted duration for the corresponding phoneme. Each fixed-length predicted mel-frequency spectrogram frame representing mel-spectral information of the corresponding phoneme.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for introducing loudspeaker harmonic nonlinearities to a signal without outputting the signal as audio or sound through a loudspeaker and recording the output audio or sound. The device includes a resistive element and an inductive element. The resistive element includes a hollow core and a first wire wound around the hollow core in a first direction. The inductive element is inserted within the hollow core of the resistive element, and includes a metal-based core and a second wire wound around the metal-based core in an opposite second direction. A signal or current is first passed through the inductive element, creating electromagnetic distortion between the resistive element and the inductive element that simulates inductance of the loudspeaker voice-coil. The electromagnetic distortion alters the signal by introducing harmonic nonlinearities into the signal.

Abstract: Methods or systems (7000) are implemented for treatment with or monitoring use of respiratory pressure therapy device(s). The device may be for a respiratory disorder. A processor, such as a processor of a server communicating with the therapy device, may analyse data relating to respiratory therapy delivered by the device. The processor may generate data in the processor representing a prediction, such as compliance prediction(s), about progress of therapy based on the analysis. The processor may select an action to improve therapy based on data representing the prediction. The processor may take or prompt selected action to improve the therapy. In some cases, a processor may analyse usage data concerning a period of days with a therapy device and generate compliance prediction indicators based on the analysis. The indicators indicate whether compliance will be likely. The processor may recommend engagement action to improve compliance based on evaluation of the indicators.

Abstract: Programmable media interfaces, methods and systems for programming a plurality of displays in a multiple display environment are described herein. The media interfaces, methods and systems include processors configured to program a sequence of broadcast content to the plurality of display devices, control pre-set or pre-programmed sequencing of the broadcast of the future content at times, and select particular displays in the plurality of displays to display portions of the broadcast content at the pre-set or pre-programmed times for future playing.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a contact lens comprising a first colourant which is a blue-blocking colourant having an absorption maximum (?max) in the range of from 415 nm to 455 nm and a second colourant, wherein the second colourant is a polymerizable dye having an absorption maximum (?max) in the range of from 470 nm to 600 nm, and optionally also comprising a third colourant which is a colourant having an absorption maximum in the range of from greater than 600 nm to 800 nm. A method of making the lens is also provided.

Abstract: A vapor impermeable solenoid for a fuel tank isolation valve assembly an outer housing defining an inner cavity, windings configured to generate a magnetic flux when energized, and a flux collector configured to direct the magnetic flux. An armature tube is disposed within the inner cavity inboard of the flux collector and formed of a magnetic and vapor impermeable material configured to prevent fuel vapor molecules from passing therethrough. A pole piece is disposed within the armature tube, and a magnetic armature is disposed within the armature tube and operably coupled to a seal configured to selectively seal a passage that allows fuel vapor to pass to a purge canister. The magnetic armature is configured to move from a first position to a second position when an electric current is applied to the windings.

Abstract: A Micro Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) device comprises an evaluator circuit that receives a temperature signal, where the evaluator circuit compares the received temperature signal to a lower threshold value and an upper threshold value, and where the evaluator circuit generates an evaluation signal indicating when the temperature signal is between the lower threshold value and the upper threshold value; and a loading circuit that receives the evaluation signal, where the loading circuit generates a first pre-set output signal indicating when the temperature signal is between the lower threshold value and the upper threshold value, and wherein the loading circuit generates a second pre-set output signal when the temperature signal is not between the lower threshold value and the upper threshold value, such that the MEMS device functions as a 2-wire electronic sense circuit providing both an indication state and deriving power from an external two-wire sense circuit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for introducing loudspeaker harmonic nonlinearities to a signal without outputting the signal as audio or sound through a loudspeaker and recording the output audio or sound. The device includes a resistive element and an inductive element. The resistive element includes a hollow core and a first wire wound around the hollow core in a first direction. The inductive element is inserted within the hollow core of the resistive element, and includes a metal-based core and a second wire wound around the metal-based core in an opposite second direction. A signal or current is first passed through the inductive element, creating electromagnetic distortion between the resistive element and the inductive element that simulates inductance of the loudspeaker voice-coil. The electromagnetic distortion alters the signal by introducing harmonic nonlinearities into the signal.

Abstract: A tripod for use with an accessory device and a battery pack includes a main body, a battery receptacle, and a head. The main body includes a center column having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a longitudinal axis extending through the first end and the second end. The main body also includes a plurality of legs coupled to the center column. The battery receptacle is supported on the main body. The battery receptacle has a first interface configured to mechanically and electrically couple to the battery pack. The head is supported at the second end of the center column. The head has a second interface configured to mechanically and electrically couple to the accessory device.

Abstract: A method for providing a frame-based mel spectral representation of speech includes receiving a text utterance having at least one word, and selecting a mel spectral embedding for the text utterance. Each word in the text utterance has at least one syllable and each syllable has at least one phoneme. For each phoneme, using the selected mel spectral embedding, the method also includes: predicting a duration of the corresponding phoneme by encoding linguistic features of the corresponding phoneme with a corresponding syllable embedding for the syllable that includes the corresponding phoneme; and generating a plurality of fixed-length predicted mel-frequency spectrogram frames based on the predicted duration for the corresponding phoneme. Each fixed-length predicted mel-frequency spectrogram frame representing mel-spectral information of the corresponding phoneme.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for a two wire detection circuit powered system comprising: an electronic switch circuit configured to sense a pressure level above or below a predetermined value and indicate an open or closed switch condition, wherein the electronic switch circuit provides a contact resistance voltage of about 20 mV in the closed switch condition; and an energy harvester configured to convert 20 mV when the electronic switch circuit is in the closed switch condition to an operating voltage between 3.6 Volts and 5 Volts for the electronic switch circuit to operate without an additional power source.

Abstract: Methods for generating an object based audio program which is renderable in a personalizable manner, e.g., to provide an immersive, perception of audio content of the program. Other embodiments include steps of delivering (e.g., broadcasting), decoding, and/or rendering such a program. Rendering of audio objects indicated by the program may provide an immersive experience. The audio content of the program may be indicative of multiple object channels (e.g., object channels indicative of user-selectable and user-configurable objects, and typically also a default set of objects which will be rendered in the absence of a selection by a user) and a bed of speaker channels. Another aspect is an audio processing unit (e.g., encoder or decoder) configured to perform, or which includes a buffer memory which stores at least one frame (or other segment) of an object based audio program (or bitstream thereof) generated in accordance with, any embodiment of the method.