Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for authenticating users and services communicating over an insecure network. Each user and service has a pass-phrase used for authentication. However, the pass-phrases are not revealed during the authentication process as challenge-response techniques are used to keep the pass-phrase secret. In addition, the users and services do not need to know nor do they learn each other's pass-phrases making the process useful in a distributed environment. Pass-phrases are known by an authentication entity with which the service communicates to authenticate both users and services. Users may have identities in and services may support a number of realms, each of which may be viewed as large collection of users (e.g., CompuServe.com). Users choose the realm in which they would like to be authenticated.

Abstract: An electricity distribution system such as a power strip that has adjustable outlets. The adjustable outlets have no fixed position within a housing. The power strip comprises a power cord/cable that is adapted to receive an input of electricity. One end of the power cord/cable may be terminated with an electrical connector. The opposite end of the power cord/cable is connected to a bus system which may be mounted inside of a housing. The system further includes at least one other power cord/cable that is connected to the bus system. As a result, each additional power cord/cable is adapted to be in electrical communication with the power cord/cable that is adapted to receive the input of electricity. Each of the additional power cord(s)/cable(s) may also be terminated with an electrical connector. In this manner, the present invention may provide at least one adjustable power outlet.

Abstract: A method and associated apparatus for initiating and guiding an electrical discharge arc. This method preferably comprises the steps of: providing a laser beam through a predetermined gas comprising molecules amenable to vibrational excitation by a laser beam so as to cause vibrational excitation of the molecules and to define a beam path in a direction of desired electrical discharge; and propagating an electrical discharge arc so as to intersect the beam path, whereby the electrical discharge arc is directed along the beam path.

Abstract: The present invention includes antenna connectors, antenna connecting devices, and antenna connecting systems. This invention also includes machines or electronic devices using these aspects of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an improved laser welded work piece, such as an automotive body panel, and a system and method for the manufacture thereof. The invention is also directed to an improved system for manufacturing the welded work piece including an improved laser welder and a laser weld inspection device and system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a conveyor and packaging apparatus, as well as packaging conveyance and packaging methods for irregularly shaped articles and packages, such as for packaged food products as in the case of conical packages for ice cream confections and the like. In the present invention, pairs of manufactured articles having irregular profiles are moved along a conveyor system. Each of a given pair of articles moves along an independent conveyor path toward a predetermined destination. Each article may undergo a change in alignment along its path such that it is in a preferred orientation upon leaving the conveyor system. In a preferred embodiment, pairs of conical articles are oriented with the narrow ends in opposing directions (interlaced) upon leaving the system so as to minimize the amount of space required for packaging of the two articles when placed adjacent one another.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an improved laser welded work piece, such as an automotive body panel, and a system and method for the manufacture thereof. The invention is also directed to an improved system for manufacturing the welded work piece including an improved laser welder and a laser weld inspection device and system.

Abstract: A dual-spool hydraulic directional valve for controlling the motion of a hydraulic cylinder or similar device. The dual-spool hydraulic directional valve of the present invention is less costly to manufacture, may be more easily repaired, and is more resistant to contamination than current hydraulic directional valves. The dual-spool hydraulic directional valve of the present invention is particularly suited to applications where the valve is not required to hold a load. The valve of the present invention uses two valve spools, with each valve spool controlling flow of hydraulic fluid through a particular port or ports. The valve spools work independently from one another, therefore, the slight leakage of hydraulic fluid from one valve spool to the other will not markedly affect the operation of the valve. In a preferred embodiment of the valve, a lever is utilized to shift the positions of the respective valve spools, although other means, such as electronic solenoids may also be used.

Abstract: The invention concerns anti-static, peroxide-stable molding compounds on the basis of polyamides and/or polyesters, whereby the molding compounds are modified with very pure conductive carbon black with a low specific surface area. These anti-static molding compounds can be used for the production of injection-molded or extruded parts and the production of sheets or multi-layer hoses and tubes.

Abstract: The present invention is a continuous in-line compounding and extrusion system that does not require pre-dried wood flour or pelletized feed stock of cellulosic/polymer composite materials in order to produce net shapes from cellulosic/polymer composite materials. A preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizes automated loss-in-weight feeders to dispense wood flour and all of the other cellulosic/polymer composite materials into a compounder. The compounder blends the cellulosic/polymer composite materials into a composite melt. The composite melt is continuously devolitalized as it travels through the compounder, a transition chute, and a finish extruder. The composite melt is then forced through a profile die which is fitted to the finish extruder in order to achieve a net shape.

Abstract: A tape dispenser having a novel display ability. The tape dispenser of the present invention may be of a common size, shape and construction typically associated with dispensers for dispensing adhesive cellulose tapes, or may be of alternate shape. The body of the dispenser may be made of plastic or other materials and may be transparent, translucent or opaque. At least one rotatable display component, such as a wheel, is preferably located between the tape roll and an inside wall of the dispenser body. One or more graphics, such as images, wording or both, are located on the rotatable display component. The rotatable display component may be rotated, either independently or in conjunction with rotation of the tape roll, such that the graphic or graphics will periodically appear through the body of the dispenser or through an aperture or other opening located therein. One or more fixed graphics may also be affixed to the body of the dispenser.

Abstract: The present invention includes capacitive film thickness measurement devices and measurement systems. The invention also includes machines or instruments using those aspects of the invention. The present invention additionally includes methods and procedures using those devices of the present invention. The present invention discloses a capacitance measurement device and technique useful in determining lubricant film thickness on substrates such as magnetic thin-film rigid disks. Also disclosed is a device and technique for determining film thickness by suspending the film in a liquid dielectric. Using the present invention, variations in lubricant thickness on the Angstrom scale or less may be measured quickly and nondestructively.

Abstract: The present invention includes heat sinks, heat sink devices, and heat sink systems. The invention also includes machines or electronic devices using these aspects of the invention. The present invention also includes in broadest terms, an electronic device in thermal contact with a two-layered micro-channeled heat sink device.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an improved laser welded work piece, such as an automotive body panel, and a system and method for the manufacture thereof. The invention is also directed to an improved system for manufacturing the welded work piece including an improved laser welder and a laser weld inspection device and system.

Abstract: An arcade-style racing game is described. The game preferably includes one or more individual competition games that measure the fractional performance of a player, and an indicator of progress for each individual game. Each indicator of moves at a variable rate, the rate being determined by the fractional performance of a player in an associated game.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a package having a tear-away opening. The package comprises an outer substrate layer, an inner aseptic layer secured to the outer substrate layer, and a cut in the outer substrate layer. In order to preserve the product in the package, the cut is of a predetermined depth such that the cut does not puncture the inner aseptic layer. The cut, however, is sufficiently deep so that a predetermined portion of the package may be torn off at the cut. The present invention also includes methods for manufacturing and opening a package having a tear-away opening. The method for manufacturing a package having a tear-away opening generally includes the steps of providing an outer substrate layer, securing an inner aseptic layer to the outer substrate layer, making a cut of predetermined depth in the outer substrate layer such that the cut does not puncture the inner aseptic layer, and then forming a package.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an improved vagina cleaning system. The improved system comprises a vagina opener, a vagina cleaning-solution sprayer, a multiple-functional vagina cleaning solution, and a health-promoting bacteria introducer. The system is used to remove semen from the vagina to prevent pregnancy, to reduce pathogenic microorganisms in the vagina to prevent sexually transmitted diseases, to remove other unwanted materials from the vagina to eliminate discomfort, and to add health-promoting bacteria into the vagina to prevent abnormal colonization of microflora in the vaginal cavity. The present invention also discloses methods of using the system for cleaning the vaginal cavity and for introducing health-promoting bacteria into the vaginal cavity.

Abstract: A construction component for improved moisture, decay and insect resistance. The component preferably includes a plurality of members of which certain portions are comprised of materials resistant to moisture, decay and insects. The resistant member(s) are integrally connected to wood portion(s) to provide a single, low cost structure.