Abstract: A computer-implemented method for digitally signing an electronic document by a plurality of signers includes determining a signing role of each signer; identifying a to-be-signed portion of the document corresponding to the signing role of each signer; receiving an indication from each signer to digitally sign the document; and applying the digital signature of each signer to the corresponding to-be-signed portion in response to the indication from each signer. A computer-implemented method for processing electronic documents includes receiving a document at a document processing station; reading a processing instruction from a processing portion of the document; identifying a processing service within the document processing station for executing the processing instruction; executing the processing instruction at the document processing station using the identified processing service; and applying a digital signature of the document processing station to the document after the processing is executed.

Abstract: A method of detecting, blind, the coding mode used to encode digital data, for data transmitted in frames of n bits, partially subjected to a convolutional coding. A soft syndrome value is calculated over a sequence of bits representative of a transmission error probability in these bits, and a likelihood value V(&agr;,&bgr;), where &agr;, &bgr; denote the number of coded bits and non-coded bits respectively, is then calculated on the basis of the mean value m and the variance &sgr; of the distribution of the absolute soft syndrome values. The likelihood value V(&agr;,&bgr;) is maximised as a function of &agr; or &bgr; which makes it possible to determine the coding mode used on the basis of the corresponding values &agr; or &bgr;.

Abstract: Emulsions are provided which are useful in imparting water resistance to gypsum products. In one embodiment, the emulsions comprise a plurality of waxes, at least one saponified wax, a complexed starch, a polymerized alkyl phenol, and a small amount of a co-surfactant. In another embodiment, the emulsions comprise a single wax, a balanced dual surfactant system, a complexed starch and a polymerized alkyl phenol. Emulsions of this embodiment may be added to hot, even boiling, water without the emulsion separating or curdling. The emulsions of the present invention are stable for extended periods of time when stored at room temperature and do not require the addition of a bactericide. The emulsions of the present invention are pourable liquids at room temperature.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hand-held striking tool that has a head disposed forward of the centerline of a handle. The hand-held striking tool of the present invention may further include a flange positioned beneath the head of the tool, the flange functioning as a second area of contact so that the effect of overstrike may be controlled. The present invention also provides a hand-held striking tool that isolates the striking head of the tool from the handle such that the effect of vibrations caused by using the tool are reduced.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for handling inline recovery from speculatively executed instructions. Each register may be provided with an E-tag, that, when set, indicates an exception occurred in the generation of the value stored in its register, and an R-tag, which is used to manage data flow dependencies in recovery mode. Recovery is performed by re-executing speculatively those set of speculative instructions that are data flow dependent upon a first excepting speculative instruction. The disclosed invention provides an architecture and method for efficient exception handling when combining control speculation, data speculation and predication, thereby resulting in substantially enhanced instruction level parallelism.