Abstract: A lock assembly includes a bolt movable between a first position and a second position, a rotating body rotatable between a first position and a second position, and a pawl member rotatable between a first position and a second position. Rotation of the rotating body from the first position to the second position is configured to cause the bolt to move from the first position to the second position. The pawl member is configured to prevent rotation of the rotating body from the first position to the second position when the pawl member is in the first position and the rotating body is in the first position.

Abstract: A protective headwear includes a main body having an opening and a bottom edge extending around the opening, the opening configured to receive a user's head. The protective headwear includes a protective material coupled to the bottom edge so the protective material extends around a back end of the main body. The protective material includes a first side portion, a second side portion, a back portion between the first side portion and the second side portion, a first side pleat between the first side portion and the back portion, a second side pleat between the second side portion and the back portion, and a back pleat on the back portion.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for using a mobile device to assist with the efficient and secure delivery of item. The mobile device can assist an item deliver to lock or unlock secure item delivery receptacles. The mobile device can also notify an item deliverer about particular delivery conditions associated with particular delivery endpoints. The mobile device can further help the item deliverer to determine whether or not he or she is delivering the item to the correct location.

Abstract: A composite dielectric material and a capacitor with this material are provided. The material has a main body with a thermoplastic polymer, and a plurality of particles, particularly nanoparticles, dispersed in the main body, wherein the particles are made of a dielectric ceramic material. Each of the particles is at least partially coated with a shell of the thermoplastic polymer. A method of manufacturing and a capacitor utilizing the composite material are also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for using a mobile device to assist with the efficient and secure delivery of item. The mobile device can assist an item deliver to lock or unlock secure item delivery receptacles. The mobile device can also notify an item deliverer about particular delivery conditions associated with particular delivery endpoints. The mobile device can further help the item deliverer to determine whether or not he or she is delivering the item to the correct location.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for storage, delivery, receipt, and/or other handling of an item in an electronically controllable storage receptacle are disclosed. The disclosure provides features for keyless access to the storage receptacle by use of user access information, such as a PIN or bar code. Further, features are disclosed for receiving and/or transmitting data related to the recipient and the item to facilitate the various handling actions of the item.

Abstract: Provided herein is a portable clothes drying device, which includes a base unit and an air outlet unit; wherein the base unit is configured to not only enable the portable clothes drying device to be used in various kinds of use spaces, but also provide the portable clothes drying device with the functions of heating, drying, disinfecting, etc.; and wherein the air outlet unit is configured to correspond to various kinds of clothes with different geometric shapes.

Abstract: A lock can include attack-resistant and/or weather-resistant features. Attack-resistant features can include a sacrificial link between a locking mechanism and an external keyway covering an exterior face of the locking mechanism. The sacrificial link can break during a torque attack on the lock such that the full force of the torque attack is not applied to the locking mechanism. Weather-resistant features can include drain openings in one or more housing components external to the locking mechanism to facilitate drainage of liquid matter from the lock before the liquid matter reaches the locking mechanism.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for storage, delivery, receipt, and/or other handling of an item in an electronically controllable storage receptacle are disclosed. The disclosure provides features for keyless access to the storage receptacle by use of user access information, such as a PIN or bar code. Further, features are disclosed for receiving and/or transmitting data related to the recipient and the item to facilitate the various handling actions of the item.

Abstract: A process for verifying an item deposit via a smart drop box. The process includes an item receptacle, a processor in communication with the item receptacle, a scanning device, and a database. The item receptacle is configured to receive an item from a user, scan the item, and generate item information. The processor is configured to compare the item information generated with identified item information from the database. If the information generated matches the information from the database, the item is accepted. In some embodiments, the deposit verification includes a printed receipt and/or an electronic verification.

Abstract: A charger including a charging interface and a converter coupled to the charging interface. The converter includes a first plurality of switching transistors coupled to the charging interface and a transformer including a primary winding, a secondary winding, and an auxiliary winding. The primary winding is coupled to the first plurality of switching transistors. A second plurality of switching transistors is coupled between the secondary winding and a battery interface. An auxiliary system interface is coupled to the auxiliary winding. A controller is configured to control the first plurality of switching transistors and the second plurality of switching transistors to generate a first signal at the battery interface and a second signal at the auxiliary system interface.

Abstract: A process for verifying an item deposit via a smart drop box. The process includes an item receptacle, a processor in communication with the item receptacle, a scanning device, and a database. The item receptacle is configured to receive an item from a user, scan the item, and generate item information. The processor is configured to compare the item information generated with identified item information from the database. If the information generated matches the information from the database, the item is accepted. In some embodiments, the deposit verification includes a printed receipt and/or an electronic verification.

Abstract: An intelligent item receptacle, system, and method for providing supplemental media content in response to depositing an item having media indicia disposed thereon. An intelligent item receptacle includes an item receptacle securely enclosing an interior volume, an item sensor configured to detect an inserted item, a camera within the interior volume configured to capture an image of the item, and an output configured to play audio or visual content to bystanders outside the item receptacle. Processing circuitry within the item receptacle analyzes the image to determine if the media indicia are present on the item and, if present, causes the output to play the audio or visual content associated with the media indicia.

Abstract: A charger including a charging interface and a converter coupled to the charging interface. The converter includes a first plurality of switching transistors coupled to the charging interface and a transformer including a primary winding, a secondary winding, and an auxiliary winding. The primary winding is coupled to the first plurality of switching transistors. A second plurality of switching transistors is coupled between the secondary winding and a battery interface. An auxiliary system interface is coupled to the auxiliary winding. A controller is configured to control the first plurality of switching transistors and the second plurality of switching transistors to generate a first signal at the battery interface and a second signal at the auxiliary system interface.

Abstract: Locking systems and devices and methods for using the systems and devices are provided. A locking system may include a receptacle having a lock and an electronic credential. If the electronic credential is brought into proximity of the receptacle, then a key can be used to open the lock. The electronic credential can be incorporated into a vehicle or into a handheld device.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for using a mobile device to assist with the efficient and secure delivery of item. The mobile device can assist an item deliver to lock or unlock secure item delivery receptacles. The mobile device can also notify an item deliverer about particular delivery conditions associated with particular delivery endpoints. The mobile device can further help the item deliverer to determine whether or not he or she is delivering the item to the correct location.

Abstract: Systems are disclosed for producing audio that is audible outside a collection box for delivery items, the collection box including a user-operated door. The system can include a trigger device, a sensor, an audio transducer that generates the produced audio from an audio signal, an audio chip and one or more processors. The sensor can detect the trigger device when the trigger device is in close proximity, and the one or more processors can be operably connected to the sensor and to the audio chip, where the one or more processors signal the audio chip to send the audio signal to the audio transducer. The one or more processors can further receive and record a status signal indicating that the door is in an opened state. Systems can further include an environmental sensor that measures environmental information.

Abstract: A retractable arm device, system, and method with a locking mechanism for preventing items placed in a device or receptacle from getting stuck, damaged, or torn. The retractable arm includes an inner tube, a pawl, and an outer tube surrounding the inner tube. The inner tube slides within the outer tube and the pawl preventing the retractable arm from moving into an extended position under particular conditions. The retractable arm may be placed in a receptacle for items to prevent the door from being reopened before the door is fully closed.