Abstract: A configuration system is organized with a configuration file for each node in an application hierarchy. Each configuration file includes one or more directives for applying a configuration setting to a node. Each configuration setting is associated with one or more objects that define properties of the configuration setting. The properties define rules for the configuration setting such as inheritance, persistence, validation, merging, and the like. Defining rules for each configuration setting in an object allows the configuration settings to be declaratively extended and edited without requiring user to have knowledge of the underlying hierarchy.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating a secure script. Executable commands in the script are hashed, and the hashed values for the commands are encrypted and appended to the script. Before executing the script, a hashed value for each executable command in a script is computed and the encrypted hashed value appended to the script for each executable command in the script is decrypted to obtain a decrypted hashed value for each executable command in the script. The hashed value and the decrypted hashed value for each executable command is compared, and if the values are the same, the command is executed.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a stream of data in a computer for transmission from the computer. A determination is made whether a portion of the stream of data indicates personal information. Based on the determination, action is automatically taken to control transmission of the portion of the stream. The method may be performed, for example, by a processor of the computer.

Abstract: A digital platform comprises a peripheral and a processing unit. The peripheral produces noise source data that is used by the processing unit to produce a statistically random data stream. In particular, a run-length coding scheme is performed on digitally sampled noise source data to produce a plurality of runs, each run having a count and a pattern value. Then, an intermediary data stream based on the count of each run of the plurality of runs is formed. An anti-biasing scheme is performed on the intermediary data stream to remove bias and produce a statistically random data stream.

Abstract: A method for setting up viewing of a file on a computer system is disclosed. According to the method, a file type of the file is determined. It is determined whether a viewer that supports the file type is installed on the computer system. The computer system interfaces with a server. If the viewer is not installed on the computer system, the computer system obtains a location of the viewer and downloads the viewer from the location. If the viewer is installed on the computer system, a version identifier of the viewer on the computer system is determined and compared with a version identifier of a current version of the viewer on the server. The current version of the viewer is downloaded to the computer system if the version identifier of the current version of the viewer is more recent than the version identifier of the viewer on the computer system.

Abstract: A method is described for generating a digital checksum signature for a collection of data. According to the method, a first operation is performed on the collection of data to generate a first encoded result. The first encoded result is used to define a first portion of the digital checksum signature. A second operation is performed on the collection of data to generate a second encoded result. The second encoded result is used to define a second portion of the digital checksum signature.

Abstract: An image processing system for removing and replacing the background portion of an image with a replacement background image. The image processing system receives an actual background image and a current image. The current image includes a foreground portion and a background portion. The background portion of the current image includes at least a portion of the actual background image. An image mask is generated representing the similarities and differences between the actual background image and the current image. A new image is generated in response to the image mask and contains portions of the current image and portions of the replacement background image.