Abstract: A system includes a plurality of thermostats corresponding to a plurality of HVAC systems that serve a plurality of spaces and a computing system communicable with the plurality of thermostats via a network. The computing system is configured to, for each space of the plurality of spaces, obtain a set of training data relating to thermal behavior of the space, identify a model of thermal behavior of the space based on the set of training data, perform a model predictive control process using the model of thermal behavior of the space to obtain a temperature setpoint for the space, and provide the temperature setpoint to the thermostat corresponding to the HVAC system serving the space. The plurality of thermostats are configured to control the plurality of HVAC systems in accordance with the temperature setpoints.

Abstract: A high security computer system and method that authenticates a user using iris recognition and liveliness detection. The method for authenticating the user to the secure system includes capturing an image of the user's face and generating an iris template from the image. While the iris template is being generated, liveliness verification is performed on the user's face. User access is granted if the iris template matches the enrolled iris template and if the liveness verification demonstrates the user's face is live, and denied if otherwise. The method may optionally silently re-authenticate the user after access is granted to the secure system. The authentication system includes an image capture device for capturing an image, an iris template generation component to generate an iris template from the image, a liveness detection component, and an iris comparison component adapted to compare the iris template to iris templates of previously enrolled users.

Abstract: A high security computer system and method that authenticates a user using iris recognition and liveliness detection. The method for authenticating the user to the secure system includes capturing an image of the user's face and generating an iris template from the image. While the iris template is being generated, liveliness verification is performed on the user's face. User access is granted if the iris template matches the enrolled iris template and if the liveness verification demonstrates the user's face is live, and denied if otherwise. The method may optionally silently re-authenticate the user after access is granted to the secure system. The authentication system includes an image capture device for capturing an image, an iris template generation component to generate an iris template from the image, a liveness detection component, and an iris comparison component adapted to compare the iris template to iris templates of previously enrolled users.

Abstract: A mobile biometric identification system and method provided in a small mobile housing. The system and method provide rapid determination of identity, or in the alternative, rapid determination of whether an individual's identification information is in a particular database, for example, by iris recognition. The system and method return one of a small number of easily recognizable results, such as “Not Known”, “Known Friendly,” and “Known Unfriendly” by illumination of various LEDs. The configuration and meaning of the LEDs may be customized to a particular application.

Abstract: An instrumental mute is provided which is capable of use as a `straight,` `cup` or `wah-wah` type mute in muting sounds produced by wind instruments. The apparatus comprises a vessel 1 internally divided into first and second adjacent chambers 9 and 10 respectively, support means 5 enabling the vessel to be secured within an instrument bellmouth and including a cylindrical portion allowing communication between the chambers 9 and 10, the vessel 1 being displaceable along an extension 12 by rotation about screw thread 18, to open or close the instrument bellmouth.

Abstract: A lamp outage indicator circuit for sensing and indicating outage of remotely located lamps in a vehicle. The lamp outage indicator employs a semiconductor sensing device to sense the voltage excursion which occurs when a lamp burns out. The sensing semiconductor is located in a bridge circuit to negate the effects of voltage and temperature fluctuations on the operating point of the circuit. Further, the sensing semiconductor device is located in the circuit so that in the normal operating state, a reference semiconductor device is on while the sensing semiconductor device is off. Lamp outage causes the current to shift from the reference semiconductor device to the sensing semiconductor device so as to turn the reference device off, and the sensing device on to energize an appropriate indicator. In one embodiment, the sensing semiconductor device is a light emitting diode while in a second embodiment, the sensing semiconductor device is a transistor.

Abstract: An indicator circuit for indicating whether an incandescent type lamp is burned out. The indicator circuits include a voltage reference source and an indicator LED which is normally biased just below the knee of its conduction curve, but which is biased into conduction whenever the monitored lamp burns out. A bridge circuit is utilized so that relatively small variations in power source voltage do not affect the operating point of the circuit.