Abstract: The disclosure provides apparatus and methods for enabling transactions to be conducted securely using audio output signals.

Abstract: A thermally insulated holder for beverage cans includes a cylindrical sleeve and a retaining ring that couples to the upper end of the sleeve. A beverage can fits into the sleeve with the upper portion of the can extending above the sleeve. The retaining ring has a circular opening in its upper wall that engages the shoulder of the can to clamp the can in place. The retaining ring has a side wall that extends outward of the sleeve and down over the upper end of the sleeve. The lower edge of the retaining ring side wall defines a ledge. A user can grasp the sleeve with one or more fingers in contact with the ledge to provide a more comfortable and secure grip.

Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein provide a geo-targeted online reservation system that ensures authenticity of customer devices requesting reservations by generating reservations only if threshold authentication conditions are satisfied. For example, a computing device registered with a server system receives inputs for requesting a reservation of a limited release product and for configuring the product. To authenticate the computing device, the server device transmits an electronic message to the computing device requesting the computing device to respond. A response to the message is one threshold authentication condition for generating the reservation. Upon determining that one or more threshold authentication conditions are satisfied, the server device generates a reservation for the product.

Abstract: One aspect provides a method in an audio data transmission module. The method comprises: obtaining an audio data stream comprising speech from a user to be authenticated, the audio data stream comprising a plurality of data segments; obtaining a voice biometric authentication result relating to the speech in one or more first data segments of the audio data stream; generating data-authentication data for one or more second data segments of the audio data stream; generating one or more cryptographically signed packets comprising the voice biometric authentication result and the data-authentication data; and outputting the one or more cryptographically signed packets.

Abstract: A processing system uses a set of rules that identify a set of keywords and stores a set of creative images associated with the keywords. The processing system identifies metrics for the social media that includes the keywords and displays the creative images associated with the keywords with the largest social media metrics. The set of rules may include promotions to display with the creative content and filters that determine what social media to use to generate the metrics. No manual curation of content is necessary. The processing system saves time and effort as well as taps into real time consumer trends.

Abstract: A composition useful for cell capture, the composition comprising a solid substrate on which is affixed a patterned polymer, and a cell-targeting agent attached to said patterned polymer, wherein said cell-targeting agent is exposed. Also described is a method for the preparation of the cell capturing composition, as well as flow through devices in which the cell capturing composition is incorporated. Further described is a method of capturing cells by contacting the cell-capturing composition with a liquid or gaseous sample containing cells. The method for capturing cells may also be a method for testing for the presence of one or more classes or species of cells or cellular organisms in a liquid or gaseous sample.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a panel luminaire (300, 400, 500) may include a housing (302, 402) that frames a light aperture (304, 404), a linear substrate (308, 408) mounted to the housing along a first plane, at least one light source (306, 406) mounted along the linear substrate to emit light along the first plane, and a planar light guide (310, 410, 510) mounted to the housing parallel to the first plane. The planar light guide may include a light extraction feature (312) to extract light emitted by the at least one light source. In some embodiments, a portion (334) of a periphery (314) of the planar light guide may be curved to redirect light emitted by the at least one light source towards the light extraction feature. In some embodiments, the planar light guide and an aesthetic panel (418, 518) of the housing may be spaced apart to form a gap (420, 520) big enough to allow for the aesthetic panel to be three dimensional.

Abstract: Traps are monitored for catch, by-catch, and environmental conditions. A catch sensor is configured to detect a catch of animals or marine life caught in a trap. An environmental sensor is configured to sense an environmental condition associated with a location of the trap. A trap monitor is configured to collect and transmit catch data indicative of the detected catch and environmental data indicated of the environmental condition to a communications subsystem for distribution to a remote device or a device in close proximity to the communications subsystem.

Abstract: An aftertreatment system comprises a SCR system. The SCR system includes a housing having an inlet, an outlet and defining an internal volume. At least one catalyst can be positioned within the internal volume. A mounting support is positioned around at least a portion of a perimeter of the housing. A heat shield is positioned around the perimeter of the housing such that the housing is positioned substantially within the heat shield. A portion of the heat shield is disposed on and in contact with the mounting support. A clamp is positioned around a heat shield perimeter. The clamp is positioned on the portion of the heat shield disposed on and in contact with the mounting support. The mounting support is configured to transmit a clamping force of the clamp on the heat shield to the housing to prevent buckling of the heat shield from the clamping force.

Abstract: A system for and method of separating oil from crankcase air is provided. The system includes replacing a standard shaft, such as a water pump shaft, with a breather shaft of the present invention and venting crankcase air through the breather shaft to an outside volume of air, such as in an air box. The breather shaft includes a centrifuge positioned within an interior volume of the crankcase and a first portion extending from the centrifuge through a wall of the crankcase. The centrifuge defines a plurality of inlet passageways extending from an outer surface of the centrifuge towards an interior area of the centrifuge. The first portion of the breather shaft defines a venting passageway extending from the interior area of the centrifuge to a vent opening at a distal end of the breather shaft.

Abstract: A loading apparatus for a tailgate-equipped cargo bed of a pickup truck features a cargo bed platform assembly, and a tailgate platform assembly pivotally connected to the rear end of the cargo bed platform assembly. The tailgate platform assembly is pivotable relative to the cargo bed platform assembly between a stowed position overlying the cargo bed platform assembly and a deployed position forming a rearward extension of the cargo bed platform. Between uses, the tailgate platform is storable in the cargo bed in a secured manner behind a closed tailgate. When needed, the tailgate is opened and the tailgate platform is folded down onto the open tailgate. An overall effective length of the apparatus is adjustable to fit different cargo bed sizes by extension of retraction of a longitudinal adjustment member that extends forwardly from the cargo bed platform to abutting against a front wall of the cargo bed.

Abstract: A cooling system is provided for an engine. The cooling system may have an air cooler configured to cool intake air being supplied to the engine. The cooling system may also have a sensor configured to generate a temperature signal indicative of a temperature of the intake air and a fan in proximity to the air cooler. The cooling system may further have a controller in communication with the sensor and the fan. The controller may be configured to cause the fan to operate at a speed that is a function of the temperature signal when the temperature of the intake air is above a threshold temperature. The controller may further be configured to selectively cause the fan to pulse when the temperature of the intake air drops below the threshold temperature.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide methods and apparatus in which a biometric authentication score generated as the result of a biometric authentication algorithm is compared to a threshold value that can be dynamically varied as required to provide a variable level of security. For example, the threshold value may be varied in dependence on the semantic content of a voice signal, and/or the context in which the voice signal was acquired. Authentication of the signal may be initiated in parallel with speech recognition, such that the appropriate threshold value is only determined after authentication has already begun.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide methods and apparatus for monitoring the routing configuration within an electronic device such that a biometric authentication process can be carried out without interference from other components of the device, such as may occur when the device has become infected with malware for example. The invention may provide a codec or speaker recognition processor, coupled to receive biometric input data, comprising a security module that determines whether a routing configuration complies with one or more rules. The security module may be implemented to prevent genuine biometric data from being output from the speaker recognition processor, and/or to prevent spoof biometric data from being inserted into the authentication module.

Abstract: A tree stand for removably supporting a tree includes a base having a water basin. A plurality of spaced apart jaws are biased upwardly and inwardly of an axis of the base to form an expandable clamp. An end of a trunk of the tree forcibly expands the jaws against their bias as the trunk is inserted into the water basin. The jaws of the clamp engage an outer surface of the trunk as they are biased towards their closed position to hold the tree vertically upright and stable.