Abstract: A method of digitally signing a message is disclosed. The method comprises distributing first shares of a first secret value among a plurality of participants, wherein the first secret value is a private key accessible by means of a first threshold number of the first shares, and is inaccessible to less than the first threshold number of the first shares; distributing second shares of a second secret value among the participants, wherein the second secret value is an ephemeral key, wherein said ephemeral key is inaccessible to less than said first threshold number of said second shares; and distributing third shares of a third secret value among the participants, wherein each third share is adapted to be applied to a message to generate a respective fourth share of a fourth secret value, wherein the fourth secret value is the message signed with the private key and using the ephemeral key.

Abstract: There may be provided a computer-implemented method that includes: broadcasting, by a node in a blockchain network, a transaction to transfer one or more digital assets to a public group address associated with a congress public key, the public group being associated with one or more other digital assets associated with other members of a congress; generating a private key share to be used in a threshold signature scheme in which at least a threshold of private key shares must be used to generate a valid signature through combination of partial signatures on behalf of the congress, wherein other holders of the private key shares are the other members of the congress who have joined the congress by transfer of respective digital assets to the public group address; and using the private key share to cooperatively generate a valid signature for a transaction from the public group address.

Abstract: A polymer comprising a repeating structure of formula (I) wherein Ar in each occurrence is an arylene or heteroarylene group; p is at least 2; one of Y1 and Y2 is CR1 wherein R1 is H or a substituent; and the other of Y1 and Y2 is N. The polymer may be formed by reaction of monomers containing reactive groups which react to form an imine. The polymer may be used as a thermally conductive polymer, e.g. a thermally conductive layer of an electronic device.

Abstract: A chiral polymer comprising a repeat unit having a first planar group disposed in a first plane; a second planar group disposed in a second plane different from the first plane; a bond or group linking the first planar group and the second planar group; and a first divalent binding group linking the first planar group and the second planar group. The polymer may be used as the active material of an electrooptic modulator.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and building automation system, the building automation system including a network of electronic devices connected in electronic communication. The method includes initiating an electronic security scan of the controller. The controller electronically assesses security vulnerabilities of the controller, including identifying one or more of a validation of whether the controller is protected by a firewall or other network security device, identifying which communication ports are open, identifying and verifying an Ethernet and Wi-Fi configuration of the controller, determining whether any routers communicating with the controller are protected by the firewall or other network security device, determining whether the controller is running an up-to-date software or firmware version, and determining a listing of software applications and versions installed on the controller.

Abstract: An electrically non-conducting film (109) comprising an oligomer comprising an arylene or heteroarylene repeating unit is disposed between a chip (105), e.g. a flip-chip, and a functional layer (101), e.g. a printed circuit board, electrically connected to the chip by electrically conducting interconnects (107). The oligomer may be crosslinked.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for ascertaining the occupancy of a building are presented. The building is divided into one or more control zones which correspond to physical areas of the building associated with controllable modules, such as HVAC units, lighting, irrigation, or other environmental features such as fountains, music, video, and the like. Zone parameters define how zone devices shall react to the number of occupants located in the particular zone. A building control system detects individual mobile devices in and around the building, and determines the locations of each device by using trilateration and/or location services. The identified mobile devices act as proxies for building occupants. The locations of these devices are correlated with the locations of the zones in the building, and the building control system then adjusts the operating parameters of the zone based on the number of devices present in the zone.

Abstract: A furniture system is provided having a support to be mounted to an upright structure of a building, and a shelf that is assembled onto the support. The shelf has a load-bearing surface, a front side, and a rear side with a first connector. The support has an outer face that includes at least one second connector. The first and second connectors are configured to interconnect such that, in the assembled the furniture system, the shelf is supported by the support with the load bearing surface projecting horizontally away from the upright structure, the first and second connectors resist rotation of the shelf about the first and second connectors by a force acting downwardly through the load bearing surface, and the first and second connectors resist disconnection of the shelf from the support by force applied to the shelf in a direction that is normal to the support.

Abstract: A method of generating text features from a document comprises one or more processors grouping text comprised in the document into multiple logical text blocks, wherein each of the logical text blocks comprises one or more tokens. One of the logical text blocks is selected for generating features. Thereafter, logical text blocks neighbouring the selected logical block are identified. Further, the processer qualifies one or more of the neighbouring logical text blocks for generating features. The processor generates features for one or more of the tokens in the selected logical block using the qualified logical text blocks.

Abstract: A thermoelectric device includes each an n-type thermoelectric leg and a p-type thermoelectric leg electrically coupled by an electrical contact. At least one of the n-type and p-type thermoelectric legs contains a particulate semiconductor mixed with hollow microspheres. The hollow microspheres may make up between 40% and 90% by volume of the thermoelectric leg. Adjacent thermoelectric couples may be electrically coupled by a second electrical contact. The thermoelectric legs may be printed by deposition of an ink.

Abstract: A double layered, flexible thermoelectric generator with direct bonded, double layers of active materials that are directly bonded by heat curing, not soldered nor attached/bonded by an adhesive layer. The thermoelectric device is made from a first substrate and a second substrate, each including an n-type and p-type thermoelectric legs. The first and the second substrate are brought together so that the n-type and p-type thermoelectric legs of the first substrate come into direct contact with, respectively, the n-type and the p-type thermoelectric legs of the second substrate. Each thermoelectric leg may be disposed in a well formed in an insulating layer disposed over contact electrodes supported on the first and second substrate. Each thermoelectric leg may contain a particulate semiconductor and a binder, e.g. a polymer binder. The pairs of legs are bonded together by heat curing.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of creating word-level differential privacy with the hashing trick to protect confidentiality of a textual data, the method comprising: receiving a list of a plurality of hashes with a weight (or weights) associated with each of the plurality of hashes; Updating said list with new hashes that are within the range of allowable hash values but not included in said received list of hashes; Updating said list with a new weight to each of said plurality of hashes that are missing said weight; Fitting a probability distribution to said list of said weights of said plurality of hashes; and generating said new weights and said adjusted weights based on sampling of said probability distribution.

Abstract: Thermoelectric elements and modules for thermoelectric generators with low electrical resistance and/or improved thermovoltage, excellent mechanical stability and flexibility. The thermoelectric elements and modules include stack-type thermoelectric legs formed by lamination of at least two layers comprising semiconductive materials. An adhesive layer may be used to laminate the two layers of semiconductive materials and the stack-type thermoelectric legs may be fabricated by solution deposition methods.

Abstract: A furniture system is provided having a support to be mounted to an upright structure of a building, and a shelf that is assembled onto the support. The shelf has a load-bearing surface, a front side, and a rear side with a first connector. The support has an outer face that includes at least one second connector. The first and second connectors are configured to interconnect such that, in the assembled the furniture system, the shelf is supported by the support with the load bearing surface projecting horizontally away from the upright structure, the first and second connectors resist rotation of the shelf about the first and second connectors by a force acting downwardly through the load bearing surface, and the first and second connectors resist disconnection of the shelf from the support by force applied to the shelf in a direction that is normal to the support.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of creating word-level differential privacy with the hashing trick to protect confidentiality of a textual data, the method comprising: receiving a list of a plurality of hashes with a weight (or weights) associated with each of the plurality of hashes; Updating said list with new hashes that are within the range of allowable hash values but not included in said received list of hashes; Updating said list with a new weight to each of said plurality of hashes that are missing said weight; Fitting a probability distribution to said list of said weights of said plurality of hashes; and generating said new weights and said adjusted weights based on sampling of said probability distribution.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are disclosed for correlating merchant ratings to tipping amounts. In a generalized method, a merchant rating is entered by a user via a user interface. Based upon the merchant rating, the system determines a merchant tip amount, which is then communicated to the user via the interface. Accordingly, merchant ratings and tips are seamlessly integrated with one another.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are disclosed for correlating tip amounts to merchant ratings. In a generalized method, a merchant tip amount may be entered via a user interface. Based upon the merchant tip amount, the system then determines a corresponding merchant rating. Accordingly, merchant ratings and tips are seamlessly integrated with one another.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and building automation system, the building automation system including a network of electronic devices connected in electronic communication. The method includes initiating an electronic security scan of the controller. The controller electronically assesses security vulnerabilities of the controller, including identifying one or more of a validation of whether the controller is protected by a firewall or other network security device, identifying which communication ports are open, identifying and verifying an Ethernet and Wi-Fi configuration of the controller, determining whether any routers communicating with the controller are protected by the firewall or other network security device, determining whether the controller is running an up-to-date software or firmware version, and determining a listing of software applications and versions installed on the controller.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a conductive layer includes the step of dissolving an organic semiconductor polymer in a first solvent, the first solvent being an aromatic or heterocyclic compound comprising one or more electron-rich carbon atom(s) and/or heteroatom(s). The method also includes dissolving a dopant in a second solvent, the second solvent being a polar solvent. The method also includes mixing the solutions of the organic semiconductor polymer and the dopant to form a dispersion comprising doped conductive polymer particles suspended in the solvent blend. The method also includes depositing the dispersion by a solution deposition technique to form a conductive layer. The solution deposition technique is preferably an inkjet printing, dispense printing or drop casting method. The dispersion provides a stable ink composition for the manufacturing of thick and uniform layers with excellent conductivity and thermopower, and allows simple fabrication of thermoelectric legs with enhanced performance.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for ascertaining the occupancy of a building are presented. The building is divided into one or more control zones which correspond to physical areas of the building associated with controllable modules, such as HVAC units, lighting, irrigation, or other environmental features such as fountains, music, video, and the like. Zone parameters define how zone devices shall react to the number of occupants located in the particular zone. A building control system detects individual mobile devices in and around the building, and determines the locations of each device by using trilateration and/or location services. The identified mobile devices act as proxies for building occupants. The locations of these devices are correlated with the locations of the zones in the building, and the building control system then adjusts the operating parameters of the zone based on the number of devices present in the zone.