Abstract: A system includes one or more privacy vaults. At least one of the one or more privacy vaults is associated with at least one individual user, stores contents associated with the associated at least one individual user, and stores specific identification of a plurality of third-party entities, authorized to access at least a portion of the contents stored by the one or more privacy vaults, along with access permissions, one or more of the access permissions defined for each of the plurality of third-party entities. At least one of the access permissions defines accessibility of the contents for at least one of the plurality of third-party entities for which the at least one access permission is defined.

Abstract: An audio device includes one or more earcups, at least one of the earcups including a boom connector port, a connection detector connected to the boom connector port and configured to detect a connection state at the boom connector port, one or more first microphones positioned in the one or more earcups, audio processing circuitry, and a microphone switch controller connected to the connection detector and configured to connect audio processing circuitry to one of the one or more first microphones or the boom connector port based on the detected connection state of the boom connector port.

Abstract: Methods, computer-readable media, software, and apparatuses provide a system for controlling access to text messaging capabilities of a mobile computing device of a user while the user is driving. The mobile computing device may be configured to restrict a user from sending or receiving text messages while the user is driving depending on a current driving situation. Whether a user can send or receive text messages may further depend on a priority of the text message or a priority level of a sender or intended recipient of the text message. The system may include devices for collecting information regarding the vehicle and its surroundings and for determining the current driving situation based on the collected information. Further, the system may include devices for maintaining records of the restrictions placed on text messaging and of rewards earned for agreeing to be subject to such restrictions.

Abstract: Polymeric based closed cell foams, such as shape memory polymer foams, contain bubbles. Making these bubbles continuous is called reticulation. Disclosed are embodiments of a device and method to controllably reticulate polymer-based closed cell foams by puncturing the membranes of these polymer-based closed cell foams.

Abstract: In selected embodiments a recommendation generator builds a network of interrelationships between venues, reviewers and users based on their attributes and reviewer and user reviews of the venues. Each interrelationship or link may be positive or negative and may accumulate with other links (or anti-links) to provide nodal links the strength of which are based on commonality of attributes among the linked nodes and/or common preferences that one node, such as a reviewer, expresses for other nodes, such as venues. The links may be first order (based on a direct relationship between, for instance, a reviewer and a venue) or higher order (based on, for instance, the fact that two venue are both liked by a given reviewer). The recommendation engine in certain embodiments determines recommended venues based on user attributes and venue preferences by aggregating the link matrices and determining the venues which are most strongly coupled to the user.

Abstract: An embodiment includes a wound dressing comprising: a shape memory polymer (SMP) foam, including open cells, having first and second states; and a hydrogel (HG) included within the cells; wherein (a) in a first position a composite, including the SMP foam and the HG, is configured to be located proximate a hemorrhagic tissue with the SMP foam in the first state; (b) in a second position the composite is configured to be expanded to the second state against the hemorrhagic tissue when the SMP foam is plasticized at 37° C. depressing a glass transition temperature (Tg) of the SMP foam to below 25° C. Other embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide customizable insurance according to consumer preferences and attributes. An enhanced attributes analysis server may analyze the attributes of a consumer and match these attributes with attributes of current customers of an entity managing the server. The insurance products/plans preferred by the matched customers may then be used to present insurance options to the consumer. In addition, the server may further customize insurance options based on answers to questions that relate to the consumer's specific situation. Further still, the consumer's social network may be used to understand insurance products/plans that may be preferred by the consumer.

Abstract: A system includes a privacy vault storing user-associated contents. The vault also stores access permissions defined for third-parties with whom the user has a sharing relationship. An access permission defines, for at least one third party, procurement and utilization policies for vault contents accessed by the third-party. The system may access a user account to recover user-associated contents stored by the accessed account and stores the recovered contents in the privacy vault. The system receives a request from a third-party to access identified contents stored in the privacy vault and determines if the contents are procurable by the third party based on an access permission defined, in the privacy vault, for the third-party. The system provides procurable contents to the third party along with indication of any constraints on the contents defined by utilization policies of the access permission defined for the third party.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide customizable insurance according to consumer preferences and attributes. An enhanced attributes analysis server may analyze the attributes of a consumer and match these attributes with attributes of current customers of an entity managing the server. The insurance products/plans preferred by the matched customers may then be used to present insurance options to the consumer. In addition, the server may further customize insurance options based on answers to questions that relate to the consumer's specific situation. Further still, the consumer's social network may be used to understand insurance products/plans that may be preferred by the consumer.

Abstract: A volumetric builder machine for enhanced fabrication of sand-casting molds, cores and/or 3-dimensional shapes in printed layers within a build box. A bi-directional layer builder assembly passes back-and-forth over the build box, and with each pass deposits an even layer of loose sand while printing a water-based binder agent according to a pattern representing the mold and/or core to be formed. Heater banks carried on the traveling layer builder assembly accelerate the binder drying module process. The build box has a build plate that is incrementally lowered by a lift unit to accommodate each new sand layer. A strategic heating system preheats the sand, heats the build plate, and directs heat to the sand layer after it has been printed with binder. A ventilation system removes vapors driven from the binder. A sand filling station periodically refills the layer builder assembly. A cleaning station removes binder residue from the printheads.

Abstract: A system includes a privacy vault storing user-associated contents. The vault also stores access permissions defined for third-parties with whom the user has a sharing relationship. An access permission defines, for at least one third party, procurement and utilization policies for vault contents accessed by the third-party. The system may access a user account to recover user-associated contents stored by the accessed account and stores the recovered contents in the privacy vault. The system receives a request from a third-party to access identified contents stored in the privacy vault and determines if the contents are procurable by the third party based on an access permission defined, in the privacy vault, for the third-party. The system provides procurable contents to the third party along with indication of any constraints on the contents defined by utilization policies of the access permission defined for the third party.

Abstract: A system includes one or more privacy vaults. At least one of the one or more privacy vaults is associated with at least one individual user, stores contents associated with the associated at least one individual user, and stores specific identification of a plurality of third-party entities, authorized to access at least a portion of the contents stored by the one or more privacy vaults, along with access permissions, one or more of the access permissions defined for each of the plurality of third-party entities. At least one of the access permissions defines accessibility of the contents for at least one of the plurality of third-party entities for which the at least one access permission is defined.

Abstract: Methods, computer-readable media, software, and apparatuses provide a system for making toll payments using toll payment equipment. The system may include a mobile computing device, a toll gateway, and an insurance company computing device. The mobile computing device (e.g., a phone) may be configured to communicate with the toll gateway when a vehicle carrying the mobile computing device passes through the toll gateway. The mobile computing may send a signal to the insurance company computing device to cause the insurance company computing device to pay an appropriate toll or discounted toll (if applicable). The insurance company may maintain an account for a customer from which toll payments are made. In addition, the insurance company computing device may collect information about the vehicle as it passes through the toll gateway. The insurance company computing device may use this information to determine an insurance-related value, such as an insurance premium.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide customizable package options according to consumer preferences. Demand simulators may be used to guide the creation of selectable graphical objects representing optimized packages of features, which users may select from to form an insurance product appropriate for their particular needs. Packages may be formed with a particular appeal to consumers with common characteristics. In addition, methods and systems are provided for presenting insurance packages for consideration by customers over a network. Presented insurance packages may be formed through an optimization process or according to customer preferences.

Abstract: A system includes one or more privacy vaults. At least one of the one or more privacy vaults is associated with at least one individual user, stores contents associated with the associated at least one individual user, and stores specific identification of a plurality of third-party entities, authorized to access at least a portion of the contents stored by the one or more privacy vaults, along with access permissions, one or more of the access permissions defined for each of the plurality of third-party entities. At least one of the access permissions defines accessibility of the contents for at least one of the plurality of third-party entities for which the at least one access permission is defined.

Abstract: A system collects ongoing user activity information relating to a predefined activity, using one or more devices having a predefined relationship to a user and determines an environmental impact value of the predefined activity based on environmental impact caused by one or more aspects of the predefined activity. The system determines at least one change to the predefined activity that would achieve a diminished environmental impact, suggests the change to the user via a device interface and, responsive to acceptance of the change, implements a control strategy to assist the user in achieving the change.

Abstract: A system includes a privacy vault storing user-associated contents. The vault also stores access permissions defined for third-parties with whom the user has a sharing relationship. An access permission defines, for at least one third party, procurement and utilization policies for vault contents accessed by the third-party. The system may access a user account to recover user-associated contents stored by the accessed account and stores the recovered contents in the privacy vault. The system receives a request from a third-party to access identified contents stored in the privacy vault and determines if the contents are procurable by the third party based on an access permission defined, in the privacy vault, for the third-party. The system provides procurable contents to the third party along with indication of any constraints on the contents defined by utilization policies of the access permission defined for the third party.

Abstract: Implementations described herein provide systems and methods for vehicle telematics control. In one implementation, telematics data for a particular user is obtained. The telematics data is captured using at least one sensor associated with a vehicle in connection with an operation of the vehicle by the particular user. A privacy vault of the particular user is identified. The privacy vault has a user-defined access permission set for at least one service provider. The telematics data is stored in the privacy vault. Access to the telematics data stored in the privacy vault by the at least one service provider is controlled. The access to the telematics data controlled according to the user-defined access permission set for the at least one service provider.

Abstract: A system receives a request to add one or more permissions for a third-party entity to access a privacy vault associated with a user and determine one or more types of contents that are stored by the privacy vault and that the entity intends to access, the determination based on identification of the one or more types of contents by the entity. The system defines a permissions policy applicable to the entity defining permissions relating to access of contents and that encompasses at least permissions relating to access of the one or more types of contents and determines whether the permissions policy falls within user-defined guidelines for automatic acceptance of new permissions policies. Further, system presents the permissions policy to a user for acceptance or modification responsive to the permissions policy falling outside the user-defined guidelines.

Abstract: A system includes one or more privacy vaults. At least one of the one or more privacy vaults is associated with at least one individual user, stores contents associated with the associated at least one individual user, and stores specific identification of a plurality of third-party entities, authorized to access at least a portion of the contents stored by the one or more privacy vaults, along with access permissions, one or more of the access permissions defined for each of the plurality of third-party entities. At least one of the access permissions defines accessibility of the contents for at least one of the plurality of third-party entities for which the at least one access permission is defined.