Abstract: A system for a pipeline cascaded content addressable memory CAM system for sequentially processing input data includes an input register, a CAM core, cascade logic and an output register. As the memory association functions produce matches in the CAM core, the cascade logic in parallel composites data associated with each matching CAM core. Each cascade processes a separate data input simultaneously then passes on the cumulative results to the next stage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for verifying the preservation of the integrity of an unprotected request sent by an anonymous client to a server, in which only one public key, that of the server, is used.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for securely transferring an encrypted-data key and a medium key, from a media storage such as a DVD disk to an output device in a computer system, using a randomly generated first secure transfer key generated by a disk drive of the computer system, the first key having a uniqueness factor derived from a phase locked loop circuitry. The first secure transfer key is combined with an output key stored in the output device forming a second secure transfer key. The second secure transfer key is used to encrypt the data key and the medium key to form a third secure transfer key. The third secure transfer key is passed to the output device where the data key and the medium key are decrypted. The data key and the medium key are then used by the output device to decrypt encrypted program data from the disk.

Abstract: A card-enabled processing system comprises a security module for securely exchanging data with cards, such as smart cards, and an application module for processing data from the smart cards. The security module encrypts and decrypts data using keys, which are securely stored in a secure memory. The security module also validates the cards before processing by the application module occurs and assists the card in validating the system. The application module provides a common platform in which different types of smart cards can be processed.

Abstract: A method of automatically generating document extracts. The method makes use of feature value probabilities generated from a statistical analysis of manually generated summaries to extract the same set of sentences an expert might. The method is based upon an iterative approach. First, the computer system designates a sentence of the document as a selected sentence. Second, the computer system determine values for the selected sentence of each feature of a feature set. Third, the computer system increases a score for the selected sentence based upon the value of the feature for the selected sentence and upon the probability associated with that value. Fourth, after scoring all of the sentences of the document the computer system, the computer system selects a subset of the highest scoring sentences to be extracted.

Abstract: An automated product purchasing system allows purchasers to order products via a remote communications medium without having to speak to a sales representative or other human operator. According to the invention, purchasers access the automated product purchasing system and browse among the selections offered. Menu style prompts guide the customer through the various products offered by the automated product purchasing system. Product descriptions are provided to assist the customer in making his or her selections. Where appropriate, product samples are provided to the customer via the communications medium so the customer can evaluate the product prior to purchasing. Examples of product samples include movie previews, sample cuts from music tracks, software demos, and the like. Ordering and purchasing are automated so that human operators are not required to intervene in the process.

Abstract: This invention relates to a production system for retail goods which is intended for timely collection of accurate sales information from retail outlets and flexible production of goods in accordance with the same information, and comprises a retail sales information collecting means, a production quantity setting means for determining a production quantity according to the information so collected, a directing means for directing the preparation and production of raw materials according to the determined production quantity, and a production means for producing the determined production quantity according to a direction to produce. Also provided is a raw materials ordering system, which determines production quantities of raw materials in accordance with production plans for ensuring flexible production of the products without the disadvantage of carrying excessive inventories and for economical and efficient control and supply of raw materials.

Abstract: An SRAM-based programmable logic device having decompression and decryption circuits between its EPROM nonvolatile programming data storage and its SRAM programming registers is secured against copying of the programming data because a would-be copyist would need to know the compression and encryption used. In a system and method for programming the device, a user station preferably contains a plurality of possible encryptions and a plurality of possible compression schemes. An encryption and compression scheme are selected, preferably at random, by the user or by the programming software in the user station. Data indicating which encryption and compression scheme were chosen are included in the programming data to allow decompression and decryption.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a transmission system for transmitting an information signal, and a reception system including an information receiving unit for receiving the information signal, and an information recording/reproducing unit for recording/reproducing the received information signal on/from a recording medium.

Abstract: Printed document contents are scanned and digitized, using a conventional scanner, and displayed page by page on a screen. Using a conventional editor and an input device, the scanned and digitized document contents are edited before being used to generate a digital signature. This allows reading errors, which could invalidate a subsequent verification process, to be corrected. Using the editor, and an input device such as a mouse, the signing authority identifies on the screen different segments of the document, each segment containing data of a single type and selects for each segment a set of rules, among a group proposed by the system, for authenticating it. Then, for each segment, an edited digital form of the data contents are derived using the method defined in the rules. A hash value of the rules used and the edited digital form of the segment contents is calculated using a public hashing algorithm.

Abstract: A personal financial management program is disclosed for implementing, coordinating, supervising, analyzing and reporting upon investments in an array of asset accounts and credit facilities within a client account. Through a mathematical programming function the client specifies his financial objectives, his risk preference, forecast of economic and financial variables, and budgetary constraints. The mathematical programming function suggests to the client a portfolio of investment and credit facilities to best realize his financial objectives over a defined time horizon. In the preferred embodiment the central structural element of the financial account is a mortgage secured by the client's home and one or more asset accounts. Client funds that would normally be used to amortize the mortgage may be alternatively used to increase the value of a designated asset account.

Abstract: A method for sending a secure message in a telecommunications system using public encryption keys. A sending transceiver encrypts the message c using the sender's own public encryption key Ex to generate Ex(c), and, transmits the encrypted message Ex(c) to a receiving transceiver. The receiving transceiver then encrypts the encrypted message Ex(c) using the encryption key Ey of the intended receiver of the message to generate the message Ey(Ex(c)), and, transmits the message Ey(Ex(c)) back to the sending transceiver. The sending transceiver then decrypts the message Ey(Ex(c)) using sender's private decryption key to generate Dx(Ey(Ex(c)))=Ey(c), and, transmits the message Ey(c) back to the receiving transceiver.

Abstract: Apparatus and method is disclosed for providing user session continuity over several transactions being conducted on the internet. A secure token is made part of each HTML page sent to a user from the server computer and the token is returned to the server with each submitted transaction request. The token is compared with token information originally sent out. The submitted request is recognized as being from an authorized user if the token and a session table have the same information.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for providing cryptographic assurance based on ranges as to whether a particular data item is on a list. According to one computer-implemented method, the items on the list are sorted and ranges are derived from adjacent pairs of data items on the list. Next, cryptographically manipulated data is generated from the plurality of ranges. At least parts of the cryptographically manipulated data is transmitted onto a network for use in cryptographically demonstrating whether any given data item is on the list. According to another computer-implemented method, a request message is received requesting whether a given data item is on a list of data items. In response, a range is selected that is derived from the pair of data items on the list that define the smallest range that includes the given data item. A response message is transmitted that cryptographically demonstrates whether the first data item is on the list using cryptographically manipulated data derived from the range.

Abstract: A secure transaction system apparatus and method provide for the auditing of secure messages in a computer network. The secure transaction system includes an electronic commerce service which is in communication with multiple consumer computers and multiple merchant computers. The consumer computers initiate consumer transactions between the consumer computers and the merchant computers. Each consumer transaction can include different items, different merchants, different shipping methods and different payment instructions. An order object within the consumer computer stores summaries about the different items, the different merchants, the different shipping methods and different payment instructions during creation of each commercial transaction. While generating transaction data, the consumer computer also generates related audit data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for quasi-reprographically replicating a source document. The source document is digitized, appropriate locations for embedded code are detected, and any embedded code located in the digitized document along with the detected locations are forwarded to a decoder. The decoder forwards the decoded information to a control unit which processes this information and forwards it to a encoder whereafter it is inserted in the digitized document. The hardcopy replication of the source document being substantially visually identical to the source document, even though new or additional embedded machine-readable data has been added or existing data has been changed. The process occurs without intervention by an operator and without knowledge of the operator producing the replicated documents.

Abstract: An image pickup frame is divided into a plurality of areas. A contrast at each area is measured. An area where a main subject is located is detected by comparing contrasts at areas. A distance to a subject in the area where the main subject is located is measured. With this range finding technique, even if a main subject is not located at the central area of an image pickup frame, an area where the main subject is located can be identified and range finding can be performed only for that area.

Abstract: A method for administering clinical trial material includes a method for administering clinical trial material, comprising the steps of providing at least one kit containing a plurality of bottles, each with two separate indicia appearing thereon, at least one of the bottles containing a quantity of clinical material at a first dosage, and another at least one of the bottles containing one of a quantity of the clinical material at a second dosage, a quantity of control drug and a placebo; identifying first and second study groups, each providing a treatment schedule for administering dosages of at least one of the clinical material, the control drug and the placebo, the first and second study groups having different treatment schedules; randomly assigning patients to the first and second study groups; assigning at least one investigator to administer the contents of the plurality of bottles; telephone means accessible to the investigator and having a keypad; providing sponsor computer means including telephon

Abstract: A random access memory device having nonconforming write-in and read-out data is provided, and includes three major components: a random access memory (RAM) core, a control logic circuit, and a transfer device. The control logic circuit is responsive to a read/write signal, and a chip select signal for generating a write path enable signal, and read path enable signal. The transfer device is separated into a write path and a read path. The write path includes a write-transfer device and a tri-state buffer coupled in series. A data bus external to the memory device provides an input to the write path for write-in data, while the output of the write path is coupled to the RAM core input data. The read path includes a read transfer device coupled in series with a second tri-state buffer. The core output data from the RAM core is coupled to the read path as an input, while the output of the read path is coupled to the data bus external to the memory device.

Abstract: An automated system for partitioning a set of Boolean logic equations onto one or more devices selected from a plurality of commercially available devices. The system utilizes a processor having a memory containing information on the different architectural types of devices, physical device information on individual devices and user generated design constraints, weighting factors and partitioning directives. Based upon this stored information, the system of the present invention selects all acceptable architectural types of devices wherein at least one of the Boolean logic equations can be placed thereon. For all physical devices associated with the acceptable architectural types only those devices which fall within the selected user constraints are selected. The system then evaluates the weighting factors to order the devices in order of cost value and then fits the equations according to the partitioning directives to the devices.