Abstract: A method and system are provided for authenticating and securing an embedded device using a secure boot procedure and a full non-volatile memory encryption process that implements Elliptic Curve Pinstov-Vanstone Signature (ECPV) scheme with message recovery on a personalized BIOS and master boot record. The signature includes code that is recovered in order to unlock a key that is in turn used to decrypt the non-volatile memory. The use of ECPVS provides an implicit verification that the hardware is bound to the BIOS since the encrypted memory is useless unless properly decrypted with the proper key.

Abstract: Methods and techniques are disclosed for correcting the effect of cycle slips in a coherent communications system. A signal comprising SYNC bursts having a predetermined periodicity and a plurality of known symbols at predetermined locations between successive SYNC bursts is received. The received signal is partitioned into data blocks. Each data block encompasses at least data symbols and a set of check symbols corresponding to the plurality of known symbols at predetermined locations between a respective pair of successive SYNC bursts in the signal. Each data block is processed to detect a cycle slip. When a cycle slip is detected, the set of check symbols of the data block are examined to identify a first slipped check symbol, and a phase correction applied to data symbols of the data block lying between the first slipped check symbol and an end of the data block.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for providing electromagnetic (EM) measurement-while-drilling (MWD) telemetry capabilities using an existing mud-pulse MWD tool. An EM tool intercepts the output from the mud-pulse tool and generates an EM signal that mimics a mud-pulse pressure signal. The EM signal is intercepted at the surface by a receiver module that conditions the signal and inputs the signal into the existing pulse tool receiver. Since the EM signal mimics a mud-pulse signal, the pulse tool receiver does not require software or hardware modifications in order to process an EM telemetry mode. The EM tool can be adapted to also provide dual telemetry by incorporating a conventional pressure pulser that would normally be used with the pulse tool.

Abstract: A pet waste management device includes a housing having upper and lower ends. The device includes a receiving bowl positioned in the housing, the bowl having an open upper end and a lower end having an outlet. A cover is situated upwardly adjacent the bowl upper end. A water outlet is positioned adjacent the bowl upper end to introduce water into the bowl. A supply line provides water to the water outlet. The device includes a first foot pedal configured to selectively allow water from the supply line to enter the bowl through the water outlet. A drain line is operatively coupled to the bowl lower end to drain contents of the bowl. The device includes a heating unit to prevent water from freezing, the heating unit including a resistive heating element and a thermostat and is in electrical communication with a power source.

Abstract: The invention is a tool for lifting building materials, such as shingles, while extracting nails that fastened those materials. The slots that grip the nails are a concatenation of overlapping holes, for smooth insertion of the tool past the nails, and the envelope of the tool is a surface of curves for smooth insertion of the tool under the building materials. The bottom surface is a rocker that provides a moving fulcrum for prying out the nail, giving maximum force when the nail is first gripped and smoothly moving to maximum speed of extraction as the fulcrum moves back towards the user.

Abstract: This invention describes a method for evaluating a polynomial in an extension field Fqm, wherein the method comprises the steps of partitioning the polynomial into a plurality of parts, each part is comprised of smaller polynomials using a q-th power operation in a field of characteristic q; and computing for each part components of qth powers from components of smaller powers. A further embodiment of the invention provides for a method of converting a field element represented in terms of a first basis to its representation in a second basis, comprising the steps of partitioning a polynomial, being a polynomial in the second basis, into a plurality of parts, wherein each part is comprised of smaller polynomials using a qth power operation in a field of characteristic q; evaluating the polynomial at a root thereof by computing for each part components of qth powers from components of smaller powers; and evaluating the field element at the root of the polynomial.

Abstract: A digital filter is provided for processing an electrical input signal to be conveyed through an optical communications system. The processing generates a predistorted electrical signal using a compensation function that substantially mitigates for intra-channel non-linearity imparted to the communications signal by the optical communications system. The digital filter has a memory having a limited size storing a reduced data set used for approximating an original, unreduced data set used to implement the compensation function. The reduced data set is used for the digital filter to apply the compensation function to mitigate the intra-channel non-linearity over longer transmission distances of the optical communications system than would be possible without the use of the reduced data set.

Abstract: A switch assembly operating an electrical circuit using an elastomeric pad is provided. The elastomeric pad comprises one or more collapsible domes that are positioned such that a plunger element supported by the switch assembly collapses the domes when an actuation button is tilted. The plunger element may have a limiting mechanism to limit downward movement of the plunger element such that the collapsible domes are not overloaded. The body and plunger may also be formed with complementary profiled portions that restrict any one or more of fore/aft, side-to-side and up/down movements of the plunger with respect to the body to prevent abnormal loading on the collapsible domes to increase the lifecycle of the elastomeric portion. The elastomeric portion may also be adapted to provide both single and dual double detent feedback by using passive collapsible domes that provide tactile feedback without operating on the electrical circuit.

Abstract: A method and system are provided that examine incoming and outgoing TTY transmissions to determine an identifier for distinguishing between correspondents in a TTY call. The system may utilize existing contact information associated with an incoming call to provide context to a user for accepting incoming calls and during conversations and may apply various display settings. For TTY users, the additional context simplifies the ability to conduct critical reasoning, especially those with cognitive impairments. In particular, a picture from the user's address book is provided to assist in identifying the caller. The other display settings may include modified font styles, colors, multi-line display etc. to differentiate between incoming and outgoing messages.

Abstract: In a coherent optical receiver of an optical communications network, a method of recovering a clock signal from a high speed optical signal received through an optical link. A set of compensation vectors are adaptively computed for compensating Inter-symbol Interference (ISI) due to at least polarization impairments of the optical signal. A channel delay is estimated based on the computed compensation vectors. The estimated channel delay is subtracted from the computed compensation vectors to generate corresponding modified compensation vectors. Finally, the modified compensation vectors are used to derive a recovered clock signal.

Abstract: A method and system for changing the extent of data plane resources controlled by a control plane for a network connection which spans a contiguous set of nodes controlled by existing network control resources is disclosed. This is done in a non-disruptive manner. This typically involves two steps: i) Creating a new set of control plane resources for said network connection such that said data plane resources are shared with said existing network control resources; and ii) then terminating the existing network control resources such that said data plane resources are fully transferred to the new set of control plane resources without disrupting said network connection. The existing network control resources can be either a control plane resource or a non control plane resource. An example of a non control plane resource is network management software (e.g., an OSS (Operation Support System)), which forms part of the Management Plane.

Abstract: Described is a device for conditioning a comminuted light alloy feedstock to heat and remove impurities from the feedstock. The conditioner device includes a reaction chamber having a substrate feed port for feeding the comminuted light alloy feedstock into the reaction chamber and a discharge port for allowing the conditioned feedstock to exit the reaction chamber. A scrubber gas baffle is positioned at one end of the reaction chamber and coupled to a scrubber gas injector which is configured to inject a scrubber gas through the scrubber gas baffle at a volume and rate of flow sufficient to fluidize the feedstock in the reaction chamber. A scrubber gas heater is also provided for heating the scrubber gas to a temperature sufficient to condition the feedstock as desired.

Abstract: A method and system for changing the extent of data plane resources controlled by a control plane for a network connection which spans a contiguous set of nodes controlled by existing network control resources is disclosed. This is done in a non-disruptive manner. This typically involves two steps: i) Creating a new set of control plane resources for said network connection such that said data plane resources are shared with said existing network control resources; and ii) then terminating the existing network control resources such that said data plane resources are fully transferred to the new set of control plane resources without disrupting said network connection. The existing network control resources can be either a control plane resource or a non control plane resource. An example of a non control plane resource is network management software (e.g., an OSS (Operation Support System)), which forms part of the Management Plane.

Abstract: An improved electronic device and method provide an improved clock feature that includes a time zone management function which enables multiple times from multiple time zones to be managed by the user. Responsive to a detection that the electronic device has been moved from one time zone to another, a dialog is initiated wherein the user is queried whether a current time on the electronic device should be changed and whether multiple times should be output on the display.

Abstract: An assembly for installation of a switch in the dashboard of a vehicle without the use of any tools. The assembly comprises a housing, a resilient member such as a washer spring, and a bezel. The switch is secured to the housing and subsequently inserted into the bezel which is integrated with the dashboard. The installation of the switch, which is secured to the housing is then completed through the interaction of a profiled wall on the bezel and a flange on the housing with the washer spring interposed between.

Abstract: A system and method are provided that incorporate subjects or subject lines into instant messaging sessions or conversations on a mobile device. During an instant messaging session, the user is provided with an option to specify a subject for at least the current portion of the session or for the entire session. The subject is proposed to the other users in the session, who can accept, ignore or modify the subject at their end. Multiple subjects can be specified for a single conversation if desired, and the subjects can be displayed with the contact in a message list. The instant messaging sessions may then be searched using search tools that are typically used for search email and other data messages.

Abstract: A method of establishing a trusted path of data and a method of verifying the integrity of data presented for signing to a user of the personalized device in a public-key cryptographic scheme. The method comprises establishing a trusted path between the user and secure module residing on the personalized device. The secure module holds the user's private key, displays information about the data message directly to the user, and generates the signature only when instructed to do so. The decision whether or not to sign the data message is determined by the user.

Abstract: A sensor unit for use in sensing conditions in a pipeline comprises an untethered a ball-shaped surround adapted to roll along the interior surface of a pipeline, and instrument package within the ball-shaped surround. The package contains at least one magnetometer or accelerometer. Preferably, three magnetometers, arranged orthogonally, are present. Other sensors can also be present as required, such as an acoustic sensor to detect leaks and a temperature or chemical sensor. Recording means record the data acquired by the magnetometer(s) or accelerometer and the sensors, and optionally also record a timing trace.

Abstract: A messaging method in a system including a wireless network, a routing server, and a plurality of mobile stations. A first mobile station has first communications applications and a first PIN and a second mobile station has second communications applications and a second PIN. The method includes sending an invitation including the first PIN from the first mobile station to the second mobile station using one of the first communications applications, and sending an acceptance including the second PIN from the second mobile station to the first mobile station using one of the second communications applications. The method further includes creating first messages including the second PIN and sending them to the second mobile station through the wireless network, and creating second messages including the first PIN and sending them to the first mobile station through the wireless network. The routing server routes the messages based on the PINS.