Abstract: A method and system for a fair exchange of user information over a network is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: transmitting over the network the user information encoded in association with a hidden value selected as one of a plurality of values distributed in a sequence wherein a difference between adjacent ones of said values increases and decreases symmetrically about one of the values of a known order; transmitting over said network a first set of the values and a last value in the sequence, wherein the values in said first set have increasing differences between adjacent ones of the values; and transmitting, individually, and in response to receipt of the other user's values, the remaining values in said sequence.

Abstract: A system and method for providing security to a graph of interconnected nodes includes a grouping multiplexing layer configured to monitor calls to the system, a graphing dynamic link layer configured to transmit and receive data to and from the graph, and a group security manager coupled to the grouping multiplexing layer and coupled to the graphing dynamic link layer; the group security manager is configured to perform security-related acts via interacting with a group database to propagate security-related information to members of a group within the graph. The group security manager is configured to provide role-based authorization on publication of one or more records and provide membership control for admission to a graph of interconnected nodes. The group security manager provides membership control by providing credentials to potential members of the graph to enable a connection and by providing a governed system for renewal and revocation of members.

Abstract: A system and method to support platform firmware as a trusted process. Measurement of a trusted portion of original firmware are measured by a core root of trust measurement (CRTM). The measurement is stored in a secure manner during pre-boot. During operating system (OS)-runtime, requests are made to access an unqualified current version of firmware corresponding to a secure execution mode. A portion of the current firmware analogous to the trusted portion is measured. The measurements of the trusted original portion and unqualified current portion are compared to verify they match. If they match, it indicates that the current portion and the trusted portion are one in the same. Thus, the current portion of firmware is trustworthy. Accordingly, the firmware may be executed as a trusted process. Embodiments employ locality to enforce the trusted process. The use of locality prevents unqualified users (i.e., software) from accessing data stored by trusted firmware.

Abstract: A PCMCIA terminal having an elongated mounting base of substantially U-shaped cross section at one end for mounting in a PCMCIA connector, an elongated connecting strip longitudinally forwardly extended from one end of the elongated mounting base, two reinforcing side ribs downwardly perpendicularly raised from two opposite lateral sides of a horizontal middle portion of the elongated connecting strip, and a tongue raised from the horizontal middle portion of the elongated connecting strip and terminating in a horizontal contact portion for soldering to a contact at a circuit board.

Abstract: Retention system (10) for guiding a processor module during mating, and retention thereafter, having a pair of retention members (12) with upper sections (20) pivotable from upright positions to recumbent positions with respect to lower sections (22) when a processor module is absent. Retention members (12) latch a module (16,100) therebetween upon full insertion into guide channels (52). Module (16) includes latching surfaces (78) that latch beneath latch surfaces (76) defined on a latch (70) that is deflectable outwardly to delatch. Module (100) includes latch projections (102) that seat in apertures (88) adjacent the guide channel entrance.

Abstract: A joint circuit is provided to form a joint circuit without inserting terminals into a connector at a later stage. The joint circuit employs terminals 35 that have mount holes. The terminals 35 are connected in advance with ends of wires to be connected with each other among the wires which will form an automotive wiring harness. Partition walls 21 are provided in an insulation casing 20 to define a plurality of terminal connecting chambers 22, 23. The heads of bolts are embedded in the bottom walls of the respective terminal connecting chambers so that the shafts thereof project. The mount holes of the terminals at the ends of the wires to be connected with each other are fitted down on the bolt shafts and are tightened by nuts to form a joint circuit. This joint circuit includes a joint circuit for grounding.

Abstract: A joint structure of a flat cable and joint terminals is provided. In this structure, bus bars are arranged in conformity with the arrangement pitch of the conductors. A bus bar holder is formed by securing the conforming side of the bus bars by a first bus bar resin layer formed of an insulating resin. The conductors are laminated and welded between terminal plates and bus bars held by the bus bar holder. An insulating coating layer of the flat cable is interposed between a first terminal resin layer and a first bus bar coating layer. The bus bar holder also includes a second bus bar resin layer formed of an insulating resin at the other side of the bus bars, and a tip coating layer remaining at the front edges of the conductors of the flat cable is interposed between the second terminal resin layer and the second bus bar resin layer. Furthermore, an insertion groove into which the tip coating layer is inserted is formed on the second bus bar resin layer or the second terminal resin layer.

Abstract: A ZIF PGA socket includes a mother housing and two daughter housings slidably received in the mother housing. The daughter housings are simultaneously moved in the mother housing by a cam which is rotatably received between the mother housing and the daughter housings. The thickness of the socket is substantially equal to the thickness of each of the cam lever, the mother housing, and the daughter housings.

Abstract: A connector system for terminating a shielded flat flexible circuit includes a connector body member on which the circuit is positionable. The body member is conductive and includes at least one projection. A flat flexible circuit includes a plurality of signal conductors and at least one grounding conductor. The circuit includes a hole for receiving the projection of the body member in engagement with the grounding conductor to thereby common the grounding conductor with the conductive connector body member.

Abstract: A water tight quick connect electrical connector is provided for electrically coupling the ends of two conductors together. The connector includes a cylindrical plastic sleeve and a pair of generally cylindrical inserts insertable in the open ends of the sleeve. Each insert has an angled face and is formed with a longitudinal passageway that terminates on the angled face of the insert. In use, conductors are inserted through the passageways of the inserts until their bared ends are exposed on the angled faces of the inserts. The inserts are then pressed into the sleeve until their angled faces engage each other and the bared ends of the conductors are pressed together and held in firm engagement between the faces to form an electrical connection. Locking ribs on the inserts and locking grooves on the inside of the sleeve lock the inserts in place and form a water tight seal.

Abstract: A method of providing such an intercoupling component includes positioning terminals within holes of an insulative support member and attaching a solder ball to each of the terminals. Attaching the solder ball to the terminals is accomplished using a fixture having a number of recesses located in a pattern corresponding to a pattern of the holes in the insulative support member; filling each of the recesses with a solder ball; positioning the insulative support member over the fixture so that an end of each of the terminals contacts a corresponding solder ball; soldering the solder ball to the end of the terminal while maintaining the generally spherical shape of the solder ball; and removing the insulative support member from the fixture. The solder balls are generally soldered by passing the insulative support member with terminals and fixture with solder balls through a reflow apparatus.

Abstract: An insulation displacement connector that includes a plurality of apertures disposed through a mating face and a ribbon-contacting face of the insulation displacement connector. The mating face is configured to mate with a complementary connector complementary in gender to the insulation displacement connector. The ribbon-contacting face is disposed opposite the mating face and configured for coupling with an interspersed ground conductor ribbon cable having a plurality of parallel insulated conductors. The insulation displacement connector includes a plurality of first conductor coupling structures. Each of the first conductor coupling structures is disposed in one of the plurality of apertures and is configured to couple to one of first designated conductors of the plurality of parallel insulated conductors and a contact on the complementary connector when the complementary connector is coupled to the insulation displacement connector at the mating face.