Abstract: A mailing machine that optimizes throughput by reducing the amount of time necessary for the PSD to generate the digital signature and indicium for each mail piece is provided. The debit operation performed by the PSD, i.e., adjusting the PSD registers, is separated into three different sections, a pre-debit operation, a perform debit operation, and a complete debit operation. In addition, the calculation of the digital signature can optionally be pre-computed, or, alternatively, computed in stages, i.e., partial signature calculation. Utilizing this granularity, the cryptographic operations associated with generating the digital signature can be shifted between the three debit operations such that the execution time of the time critical portion of the debit operation (perform debit) can be optimized to meet the performance requirements of the mailing machine in which the PSD is deployed.

Abstract: A system for controlling the distribution and use of digital works using digital tickets. In the present invention, a “digital ticket” is used to entitle the ticket holder to exercise some usage right with respect to a digital work. Usage rights are used to define how a digital work may be used or distributed. Each usage right may specify a digital ticket which must be present before the right may be exercised. Digital works are stored in repositories which enforce a digital works usage rights. Each repository has a “generic ticket agent” which punches tickets. In some instances only the generic ticket agent is necessary. In other instances, punching by a “special ticket agent” residing on another repository may be needed.

Abstract: The service presentation apparatus includes a member database (310) for storing the information of members registered preliminarily as users, basic authentication means (321) for authenticating official members through an open information communication line (202), and mobile communication authentication means (322) for executing the authentication by way of the mobile communication terminal (102) preliminarily registered in the member database (310), while the user side includes a service terminal (101) connected to a server (300) through the open information communication line (202). In this configuration, an individual authentication system of higher accuracy will be realized. Moreover, a highly reliable accounting system is realized by applying the individual authentication system.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and apparatus for efficiently utilizing software licenses in a large organization having multiple divisions is disclosed. A preferred embodiment of the present invention accomplishes this goal by providing for a pool of organization-wide software licenses. This license pool is subdivided into a number of reserved or dedicated licenses for each particular division and a set of shared licenses to be shared among the various divisions. A given division, when checking out licenses from the organization-wide pool, will first exhaust its reserved licenses before checking out shared licenses. In the event that all shared licenses are being used, but there are reserved licenses that are sitting idle, a division may borrow a reserved license from another division, subject to the lending division's right of preemption in the event that the borrowed license is needed by the division lending the license.

Abstract: A method and system for providing an electronic shopping service integrated into a software application, and for controlling the set of web sites that are reachable from within the shopping service. Each web site is represented by data which is signed by a private key, and the data together with this signature is delivered to a plurality of computing devices that provide the shopping service. Each of the computing devices has access to the public key that corresponds to the private key, and uses the public key to verify the signature. The computing device displays links to those web sites whose representative data validates against the signature.

Abstract: An interface for providing monitoring information from any monitored component to a central monitoring system in which an XML document is created according to a DTD conforming to a tree-structured monitoring architecture and then is made available to the central monitoring system either by posting it as an HTTP message or filing it in a designated directory, where it can be periodically polled by the central monitoring system. An initial long-form XML document can be used to completely specify the monitoring tree for the monitored component, and then subsequent short-form XML documents can be posted with current data corresponding to the monitoring tree elements themselves. An XML processor at the central monitoring system converts the XML document contents and applies them to a standard interface which has previously been available directly to fully conforming components.

Abstract: A method for processing transactions while maintaining a customer's confidentiality includes receiving a customer's identity information and transaction information at a local server. The customer's identity information is substituted with a unique generic ID at the local server. The generic ID and the transaction information are forwarded from the local server to a distinct compliance system while the customer's identity information is retained at the local server. The transaction information is processed at the distinct compliance system to obtain compliance information using the transaction information and the generic ID. The compliance information and the generic ID are forwarded from the distinct compliance system to the local server. The customer's identity information is retrieved using the generic ID at the local server.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for making online purchases using electronic funds transfers from the buyers' bank account to the vendor's bank account, enabled by an intermediate funds transfer from the buyer's account to a holding account maintained by the buyer's bank or a third party. The system is further enabled by the buyer's bank acting as a portal to the Internet that pre-authenticates buyers, enforces security, and speeds the execution of online transactions.

Abstract: A method and system for checking a franking mark (28), comprising at least an identification code and a unique bit string, said system comprising means for: a) reading the franking mark (28), b) decoding the franking mark (28), c) checking whether the identification code is correct by comparing it to data stored in a memory (40), d) checking whether the unique bit string is valid by comparing it to data stored in said memory (40).

Abstract: A method of configuring an architecture for provision of mobile access to a wireless communication device provides a structured framework for defining a preferential configuration of the architecture. A target list of resources is established with respect to mobile access of a wireless communication device. A set of components, associated with each established resource, is retrieved to form a menu of components of an architecture. Component data, associated with respective components, is presented to facilitate the defining of a preferential configuration. An arrangement is selected of the components from the menu to form the preferential configuration of the architecture.

Abstract: Described is an absorbent article comprising a liquid-permeable layer (18) disposed towards the wearer's body when the said article is in use; a liquid-impermeable layer (20) disposed away from the wearer's body when the said article is in use; as well as an absorbent body arranged between the liquid-permeable layer (18) and the liquid-impermeable layer (20). The absorbent body comprises an absorbent material (32) which remains able to flow even after contact with a liquid. In addition, the invention discloses an absorbent article which comprises a liquid-impermeable layer disposed away from the wearer's body when the article is in use, as well as an absorbent body covered by a liquid-permeable layer; with the said absorbent body containing an absorbent material which remains able to flow even after contact with a liquid. In this, the absorbent body is connected to the liquid-impermeable layer in a central area of the said absorbent body.

Abstract: An absorbent article is disclosed having a liquid permeable bodyside cover, a liquid permeable garment side liner and an absorbent core enclosed by the cover and the liner. The absorbent article also has a pair of fringes formed by joining the cover to the liner. The pair of fringes extend laterally outward from the absorbent core and are capable of being biased upward to form a pair of upstanding side walls when placed in an undergarment. The pair of upstanding side walls form a pair of reservoirs located adjacent to the absorbent core. The pair of reservoirs are capable of retaining body fluid that has run off of the cover until the body fluid can be absorbed by the absorbent core.

Abstract: A urine collection device which includes a urine collection vessel and a handle which releasable grips a pouring edge of the urine collection vessel.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent sanitary article that includes sheets to form a pair of flaps and a pair of flaps. The sheets are folded along flap fold lines back onto themselves, respectively, to form free edge portions of the respective pairs of flaps. Elastic members are secured under tension to the sheets inside the respective free edge portions and are spaced from the fold lines at least by 1 mm, respectively.

Abstract: An expandable vaginal insert device for reducing the occurrence of female urinary incontinence. The vaginal insert device includes at least a resilient member capable of expanding to transmit pressure to the urethro-vaginal myofascial area. Optionally, the device may include one or more non-absorbent layers in addition to the resilient member. The resilient member and any additional layers are formed into an elongated member, which may be then be shaped into a M-shaped shaped profile or a dome-shaped profile.

Abstract: A body-contacting surface or topsheet for absorbent articles or devices that is comfortable when it is placed in contact with hydrous body tissues is disclosed. In one non-limiting embodiment, the topsheet is a non-absorbent, moderately hydrophilic to substantially hydrophobic nonwoven web. The topsheet can have a critical surface tension of less than or equal to about 45 dynes/cm. In one embodiment, the nonwoven web has been mechanically modified so that it is extensible in an amount greater than equal to about 30% under a force of 50 grams, and undergoes a caliper change of greater than or equal to about 30% under a pressure of 1,000 Pa after being subjected to a pressure of 250 Pa. The topsheet is placed on absorbent devices such as sanitary napkins, tampons, pantiliners, interlabial devices, incontinence devices, bandages, and other types of articles.

Abstract: The aid includes at least one hose-like conduit element (1) having walls (2, 3) made of absorbent hygienic paper which bound a conduit channel (4) for urine. The conduit element (1) comprises a first end section (A) having an inlet part (5) positionable at the body of a respective user and a second end section (B) having an outlet part (6) to channel the urine. The first end section (A) is formed by first wall parts (2a and 3a) which are provided with a wetting inhibiting coating (18) at the inner sides. The second end section (B) is formed by second wall parts (2b and 3b) free of wetting inhibiting agent. The first end section (A) is designed with a gripping part (7) protruding to the side which is formed by tongue-like protrusions (12) of the first wall parts (2a and 3a). This embodiment allows a comfortable, hygienically advantageous use of the aid and a fast softening and/or dissolving of the used conduit element (1) in the water of a toilet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an individually folded and wrapped product, comprising and absorbent article and an enveloping sheet. The absorbent article is provided with side flaps and adhesive regions that aid in fixing it to a wearer's panties, keeping it in the correct position and avoiding the occurrence of leakage. The enveloping sheet totally encloses the absorbent article when the absorbent article is transversely folded over itself with the flaps in an open position.

Abstract: An absorbent product includes an absorbent portion with an absorbent body between a liquid permeable sheet and a liquid impermeable sheet, and flexible flaps projecting from tapering longitudinal edges of the absorbent portion. A first removable protective layer covers substantially the entire absorbent portion and second and third removable protective layers each cover substantially all of a respective one of the flexible flaps. Each of the second and third protective layers is directly opposite the first protective layer along substantially an entire length of a first line along the respective longitudinal edge of the absorbent portion. The second and third protective layers are at least partially separated from the first protective layer by a cut line that follows the respective first line.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an absorbent structure comprising an integral absorbent element with an upper surface and a lower surface defining a thickness therebetween. The thickness has an upper 35% containing a high absorbency zone and a lower 65%. The high absorbency zone has a first surface and a second surface separated by a zone thickness. The zone thickness is less than about 35% of the absorbent element thickness. The high absorbency zone comprises absorbent fibers and superabsorbent polymer particles. The superabsorbent polymer particles are present at a loading of no more than 75 grams per square meter and are separated from one another by the absorbent fibers. The lower 65% of the absorbent element thickness is substantially free of superabsorbent polymer particles.