Abstract: This invention defines a computer system for conducting an auction of a plurality of items including receiving bids and determining an allocation of at least one of the items, the auction including a dynamic auction phase followed by a later phase.

Abstract: This invention defines a computer system for conducting an auction of a plurality of items including receiving bids and determining an allocation of at least one of the items, the auction including a dynamic auction phase followed by a later phase.

Abstract: A device and technique are presented to calibrate an imaging device for generating three-dimensional surface models of moving objects and calculating three-dimensional coordinates of detected features relative to a coordinate system embedded in the device. The internal projector and camera parameters, i.e., zoom, focus, aperture, optical center, logical pixel size, aspect ratio, are determined for all projectors and cameras and all possible focal planes of the device in operation.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method to sell or procure complementary goods. A complementary good according to the invention is a good whose value or utility is enhanced when paired with another good, such a pair of goods is a communications license to encumbered spectrum and a complementary clearing right to clear the spectrum of its encumbrance. The invention provides automated procedures to facilitate the fashioning and sale of clearing rights so as to enhance the value of the communications license.

Abstract: A computer implemented system and method of executing an auction. The system has at least two intelligent systems, one for the auctioneer and at least one for a user. The auction is conducted by the auctioneer's system communicating with the user system(s). The auctioneer's system receives information from the user system(s) based on bid information entered by the user(s). With this information the auctioneer's system determines whether the auction can be concluded or not and appropriate messages are transmitted to the user(s).

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus, method and system for time synchronizing data from various sensor types that enables data fusion and transport. To provide this capability, the present invention utilizes an inverted Passive Optical Network (PON) approach for synchronous communication. Further, the present invention introduces an inverted Passive Electrical Network (iPEN) that extends the iPON approach. Data that are in a common format with embedded time synchronization information can easily be integrated or fused and transported over such communication links. The present invention provides the ability to merge and aggregate data from a wide range of disparate sensors and systems while maintaining close synchronization. The present invention is appropriate for synchronization of data, voice, and video onto a single network and/or multi-tiered networks and can also handle signal processing and control technologies at line rates well into the Gigabits per second (Gbps) range.

Abstract: A lightning detector designed for aircraft carried applications provides for improved lightning discrimination and display. The instrument employs a relatively wide band receiver so as to retain the received waveform or digital replicas thereof. This allows more precise discrimination between desired lightning signals and noise. Signals are processed to provide for effective display of the available information. The display modes that are enabled by the signals include flash and cell mode as well as a combined flash and cell mode. The cell mode provides for generating and displaying a cumulative weight of lightning activity, giving each strike a regional effect as opposed to illustrating it as a point. Color is used to improve the user's grasp of the displayed information; the color illustrating increased intensity from the blue-green to the yellow-red. Flash mode shows locations of the different flashes within the range scale; this mode too may use color for a similar effect.

Abstract: An appliance is provided having a waste receptor module and an energy generation module for converting household waste into energy. The receptor module has a rotary drum with an opening for receiving the household waste and a steam reforming means for converting the waste into synthesis gas. A swing arm is attached adjacent to the opening in the rotary drum and a sealing door is mounted on the swing arm for sealing the opening when the waste receptor module is in operation. An outer door is used to cover the sealing door. The steam reforming means includes a tube mounted within the rotary drum for receiving the volatilized organic waste and an internal heater for heating the organic waste to temperatures to convert the waste into the synthesis gas. The energy generation module has an inlet in fluid communication with the waste receptor module for receiving the synthesis gas and a fuel cell for converting the synthesis gas into electrical energy.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method to efficiently transmit a digital message over a unidirectional optical link, such as the link between a computer screen and a security token equipped with photosensitive elements. It is an object of this invention to provide a source coding scheme that is optimized for transmissions of alphanumerical data containing frequent occurrences of numerals and less frequent occurrences of non-numerical data. This is achieved by using a modified Huffman code for source coding, consisting of a nibble-based prefix-free binary code. The output of the coder is efficiently mapped onto a 6B4T channel code, wherein unused ternary codewords can be used to signal data-link layer events. This efficient signalling of data-link layer events, in turn, allows for a synchronization scheme based on repeated transmissions of a finite-length message, combined with an out-of-band clock signal.

Abstract: The invention describes a method and system for verifying the link between a public key and a server's identity as claimed in the server's certificate without relying on the trustworthiness of the root certificate of the server's certificate chain. The system establishes a secure socket layer type connection between a client and a server, wherein the server transmits information including the server's public key to the client while establishing the connection. Next, a first information is sent from the client to the server. The client and the server create an identical authentication key using a shared secret known to the server and the client. Next, the server transmits a first encrypted message to the client, wherein the first encrypted message includes the server's public key encrypted with the authentication key.

Abstract: An automated system for conducting an auction and a method for operating the system. The system comprises a plurality of bid entry terminal and a bidding information processor communicatively coupled to the bid entry terminals. Bidders at the bid entry terminals observe displayed information and enter bids accordingly. The bidding information processor and the bid entry terminals communicate and process information in order to conduct an auction. The method involves conducting an auction in which the price paid by bidders is independent of their own bids, in which participants are provided with information concerning their competitors' bids as the auction progresses, and in which the confidentiality of high values is maintained. This provides the advantage of improving the economic efficiency of the auction design over the existing art.

Abstract: An improved system and method for a computer-implemented auction in which multiple types of items are auctioned together without imposing a particular division of supply or demand among the individual types of items. In some embodiments the auction of the present invention provides a means or method for establishing prices for the types of items, wherein the prices maintain a relationship. In other embodiments, the present invention provides a means or method for implying prices from price parameters in the bids received form bidders, based on a relation among the prices for the types of items. Market clearing may be defined by the condition that the aggregate quantity bid for all types of items is less than or equal to the available quantity of all types of items. The division among the types of items within is thus determined flexibly, based on the bids at the associated prices.

Abstract: The present invention implements an auction in which multiple types of goods may be auctioned in a dynamic process. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is a system and method for a computer implemented dynamic multi-unit auction in which the price paid or received by bidders tends to be independent of their own bids, in which participants may be provided with information concerning their competitors' bids as the auction progresses, and in which the confidentiality of high values may be maintained. Participants' quantities bid at a given time may be restricted to be less than or equal to the quantities bid at an earlier time. These features provide the advantage of improving economic efficiency of the auction design over the prior art.

Abstract: The process of the invention converts carbonaceous feedstock such as coal, hydrocarbon oil, natural gas, petroleum coke, oil shale, carbonaceous-containing waste oil, carbonaceous-containing medical waste, carbonaceous-containing military waste, carbonaceous-containing industrial waste, carbonaceous-containing medical waste, carbonaceous-containing sewage sludge and municipal solid waste, carbonaceous-containing agricultural waste, carbonaceous-containing biomass, biological and biochemical waste, and mixtures thereof into electrical energy without the production of unwanted greenhouse emissions. The process uses a steam/CO2 reformer operating in the exit range of at least 700° to about 1600° C. (1300-2900° F.) to convert the carbonaceous feedstock and a greenhouse gas stream into a synthesis gas comprising mostly carbon monoxide and hydrogen that contains poisons and the compounds that poison fuel cells.

Abstract: A method is presented that allows multiple devices for generating three dimensional surface models of moving objects to be used simultaneously. A timing pattern is used to control and trigger the devices in order to operate seven of the devices without interference. In one embodiment, a method of employing optical filters is also described that then allows operation of forty nine of the devices at the same time if the normal visible spectrum is to be used for simultaneous video acquisition. In another embodiment, if no simultaneous video acquisition is required, the optical filtering technique can support up to one hundred fifty four imaging devices operating simultaneously.

Abstract: Collection information managers improve the productivity of knowledge workers by organizing information about arbitrary collections of computer files into collection data structures, for use by automated collection processing programs. Three kinds of knowledge are obtained and organized by collection information managers: collection instance information, collection content information, and collection processing information. Software programs can use information in collection data structures to precisely understand and process collections in useful ways that were not previously possible.

Abstract: Collection content classifiers classify computer files and other collection content in accordance with predetermined classification specifications. In operation, collection content classifiers dynamically discover collection content members, assign data types to content members, associate symbolic actions with content members, determine processing dependencies among content members, and return organized classification information to calling programs for subsequent use in processing content members. Collection content classifiers thereby improve the productivity of human knowledge workers by enabling the construction of smart, collection-aware application programs that can perform more extensive, more complex, and more automated collection processing operations than were previously possible.

Abstract: A global server includes a communications engine for establishing a communications link with a client; security means coupled to the communications engine for determining client privileges; a servlet host engine coupled to the security means for providing to the client, based on the client privileges, an applet which enables I/O with a secured service; and a keysafe for storing a key which enables access to the secured service. The global server may be coupled to multiple sites, wherein each site provides multiple services. Each site may be protected by a firewall. Accordingly, the global server stores the keys for enabling communication via the firewalls with the services.

Abstract: A collapsible resistance exercise device for compact storage and quick deployment includes a horizontally disposed base support frame and an upright frame pivotally attached to the base frame. The upright frame includes a resistance bar pivotally mounted thereon. In practice, the device is placed on a level surface with the base support frame resting on the surface. The free end of the upright frame is rotated upwardly to a vertical position where it is releasably locked into position to be free standing. One end of a pair of springs are attached to spring attachment loops disposed on the upright frame. The opposing ends of the springs are attached to spring attachment loops disposed on a resistance bar, strap or similar device. The exerciser exercises a muscle group by contacting a limb with the resistance bar and repetitively moving the resistance bar against the restoring force of the springs.

Abstract: A multi-accessory hammer is provided having an rapid release accessory change mechanism that includes a housing mounted to the butt end of a hammer and having an opening therein. A resilient means such as a spring is mounted within the housing, and an accessory locking device is mounted over the spring. One end of this locking device extends through the opening in the housing and is capable of rapidly hooking onto an accessory. The locking device also has a side arm extending along the exterior of housing and is capable of urging the locking device against the resilient means to allow unhooking of the accessory from the locking device.