Abstract: An article of apparel for providing shelter to one or more people during a storm or other severe weather event is provided. In one embodiment, the article of apparel includes a cape. The article of apparel also includes at least one fastening mechanism. The at least one fastening mechanism including a pair of wrist cuffs configured to secure the article of apparel to a wearer. The article of apparel further including at least one securement mechanism. The at least one securement mechanism including a pair of arm straps. The pair of arm straps include a closure system configured to interlock the arm straps together in a locked configuration to secure the wearer to a stationary object.

Abstract: A system and method for alerting a driver of a motor vehicle or a person walking along a road or hiking on a trail of potentially dangerous hazards in their path. Hazards may be deep water, ice, oil slicks or other hazards. In the case of a motor vehicle, the system uses cameras mounted on or within the vehicle to detect potential hazards and then analyzes the images combined with the known topography of the location to evaluate the ability of the vehicle to safely traverse the hazard. In the case of a person walking or hiking, the person may use the camera on a personal mobile device to capture images of the hazard and to combine the images with the known topography at the location to evaluate the danger presented by the hazard.

Abstract: A method and system for a one-time authentication interaction to conduct electronic financial transactions using a wearable smart ring device is described. In one embodiment, a method includes detecting, by a mobile device, that a wearable smart ring device is being worn by a user. The method also includes receiving, by the mobile device, authentication information associated with the user, and comparing the received authentication information with stored authentication information associated with the user. Upon determining that the received authentication information matches the stored authentication information, the wearable smart ring device is authorized to conduct electronic financial transactions. Additionally, the wearable smart ring device remains authorized to conduct electronic financial transactions as long as it is worn by the user. Once removed from the user's finger, the wearable smart ring device is de-authorized.

Abstract: A system and method for locating electronic devices and establishing peer to peer communication with electronic devices, such as a currency exchange unit, using a beacon, is disclosed. The method may include determining a location of the currency exchange unit; generating a message indicating a location of the currency exchange unit and the availability of a variety of different currencies; and managing currency exchanges with various mobile devices.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a graduated process of increasing bandwidth and increasing complexity to identify and confirm a location of a target vehicle based on information received from motor vehicles are described. In one embodiment, a method for detection of a target vehicle includes requesting, from one or more remote devices in a geographic area, information associated with a target vehicle. The method also includes receiving, from the one or more remote devices, information associated with the target vehicle. The method further includes determining whether the received information associated with the target vehicle matches the requested information. Upon determining that the received information matches the requested information, the method includes increasing at least one of a bandwidth or a complexity level of the requested information associated with the target vehicle and decreasing the geographic area associated with the request.

Abstract: A method and system of performing an authentication of a person in order to activate a smart card for access to a secured resource is disclosed. The system and method are configured to collect image data and compare the image data to facial model data stored on the smart card. The system detects whether there is a match between the image data and any facial signatures previously collected and stored in the smart card. If there is a match, the system verifies an identity of the person and can be configured to automatically activate the smart card for a limited period of time.

Abstract: A system includes a transceiver configured to receive one or more Wi-Fi signals associated with a structure, and a processor having computer-executable instructions. When executed, the instructions are configured to cause the processor to perform operations that include receiving the one or more Wi-Fi signals via the transceiver, comparing the one or more Wi-Fi signals with a signal profile, and determining whether an anomaly activity is occurring in the structure based on comparison between the one or more Wi-Fi signals and the signal profile.

Abstract: A dual wearable smart device system and a method of using the dual wearable smart device system for authenticating an electronic financial transaction are described. In one embodiment, a method for approving an electronic financial transaction using at least two wearable smart devices includes providing a first wearable smart device that is designated as a payment device for conducting electronic financial transactions. The method also includes providing a second wearable smart device that is designated as a confirmation device for confirming the electronic financial transactions by the first wearable smart device. The method includes initiating, by the first wearable smart device, an electronic financial transaction, and, approving, by the second wearable smart device, the electronic financial transaction initiated by the first wearable smart device. The method further includes authenticating the first wearable smart device to complete the electronic financial transaction.

Abstract: An artificially intelligent loan recommendation agent and a method of making loan recommendations are disclosed. The artificially intelligent loan recommendation agent can classify applicants into traditional and non-traditional categories. Based on this categorization, the agent may use different information to make loan recommendations for the applicant. For non-traditional applicants, applicant rating information can be used, including ratings of an applicant’s professional skills obtained from consumer review sites. The agent can also conduct virtual interviews and analyze body language and speech to determine if an applicant may be lying.

Abstract: Methods and systems for deploying autonomous vehicles to form a barricade in a coordinated response to an imminent threat are described. In one embodiment, a method for deploying autonomous vehicles to form a barricade is described. The method includes determining at least one location for a barricade and determining a plurality of autonomous vehicles that are available to form the barricade. The method also includes sending instructions to the plurality of autonomous vehicles to form the barricade at the at least one location. In response to the instructions, the plurality of autonomous vehicles are configured to move to the at least one location and form the barricade.

Abstract: Systems and methods of the present disclosure include a vehicle water detection system that includes a housing configured to be disposed within a vehicle. The vehicle water detection system also includes a water-activated battery disposed within the housing and configured to produce an electrical voltage upon contact with water. The vehicle water detection system further includes an electronic circuitry disposed within the housing and configured to detect a water event occurring in the vehicle based at least in part on the electrical voltage.

Abstract: A system and method for verifying a driver seated in a driver's seat of a vehicle is disclosed. The method includes scanning a license of the driver seated in the driver's seat of the vehicle to obtain a driver profile and detecting biometric information of the driver using one or more sensors in the vehicle. The driver profile includes biometric information. The method compares the detected biometric information with the biometric information of the driver profile to verify that the license of the driver seated in the vehicle matches the driver seated in the vehicle. The method may notify a provider computer system as to whether the license of the driver matches the driver seated in the vehicle. The method may adjust vehicle components based on preferences of the driver profile.

Abstract: A system and method for changing the exterior color of a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a vehicle with a color change system integrated into the vehicle body of the vehicle. The color change system can change the color of a portion of the vehicle body in response to commands from a color change module running on a computing system within the vehicle. The color change module can detect information about the vehicle's environment to determine an appropriate target exterior vehicle color that contrasts substantially with the vehicle's environment.

Abstract: Image processing techniques can be used to determine whether a person has installed an unauthorized device on or in a kiosk. For example, an image processing server can determine whether a person's hand(s) are engaging in abnormal behavior by obtaining recorded images of the person's hand(s) that extend towards the kiosk to perform an action, and by comparing the information in the recorded images with a set of previously known information about other persons' hands that are similarly extended towards the kiosk.

Abstract: A method for authenticating signatures is disclosed. The method includes measuring dynamic properties of the signature as the signature is created. The method includes recording pressure and velocity information as an electronic signature is created on an electronic device. The recorded pressure and velocity information may be compared with stored pressure and velocity information to determine if the signature is authentic.

Abstract: Methods and systems for distributed detection of road conditions and damage are described. In one embodiment, a method for distributed detection of road conditions and damage is provided. The method includes receiving, from one or more mobile devices, a plurality of reports of anomalies associated with roads in a geographic area. The method also includes storing the received reports of anomalies in a database and comparing each report of an anomaly to stored reports of previous anomalies in the database. The method further includes determining whether each report of an anomaly indicates road damage or a temporary problem. The method includes generating a prioritized list of locations of anomalies associated with one or more roads that have been determined to have road damage that needs maintenance and/or repair.

Abstract: A system and method for alerting a driver of a motor vehicle or a person walking along a road or hiking on a trail of potentially dangerous hazards in their path. Hazards may be deep water, ice, oil slicks or other hazards. In the case of a motor vehicle, the system uses cameras mounted on or within the vehicle to detect potential hazards and then analyzes the images combined with the known topography of the location to evaluate the ability of the vehicle to safely traverse the hazard. In the case of a person walking or hiking, the person may use the camera on a personal mobile device to capture images of the hazard and to combine the images with the known topography at the location to evaluate the danger presented by the hazard.

Abstract: Methods and systems for deploying autonomous vehicles to form a barricade in a coordinated response to an imminent threat are described. In one embodiment, a method for deploying autonomous vehicles to form a barricade is described. The method includes determining at least one location for a barricade and determining a plurality of autonomous vehicles that are available to form the barricade. The method also includes sending instructions to the plurality of autonomous vehicles to form the barricade at the at least one location. In response to the instructions, the plurality of autonomous vehicles are configured to move to the at least one location and form the barricade.

Abstract: A re-locatable safety deposit box facility that allows for 24/7 access by authorized personnel to their safety deposit boxes without the need for any attendants at the facility. The facility is self-contained and re-locatable, such that it can be moved from one location to another location. In some embodiments, the facility may be, for example, a standard size shipping container. It has interior dimensions that are sufficient to house an array of safety deposit boxes. The container may also be equipped with devices that may be used to lift the entire container up so that it may be moved to another location.

Abstract: A water detection system for a fluid storage system includes a housing configured to be disposed in fluid communication with a fluid storage vessel, a water-activated battery disposed within the housing and configured to produce an electrical voltage upon contact with water, and an electronic circuit disposed within the housing and configured to detect water above a threshold within the fluid storage vessel based at least in part on the electrical voltage.