Abstract: A key-releasable securing device has a flexible strap having a plurality of teeth and a locking head. The locking head has a cavity in which the flexible strap is insertable into and through to form a securing loop of adjustable dimension. The flexible strap is slidably movable in first or second directions to reduce or increase, respectively, the dimension of the securing loop. A pawl member is located inside the locking head so as to engage with the teeth of the flexible strap to allow movement in the first direction but prevent movement in the second direction. As a release key is inserted into the locking head, the release key is guided by guide means into engagement with the pawl member, so as to move the pawl member out of engagement with the teeth of the flexible strap to allow the strap to move in the second direction.

Abstract: A key-releasable securing device has a flexible strap having a plurality of teeth and a locking head. The locking head has a cavity in which the flexible strap is insertable into and through to form a securing loop of adjustable dimension. The flexible strap is slidably movable in first or second directions to reduce or increase, respectively, the dimension of the securing loop. A pawl member is located inside the locking head so as to engage with the teeth of the flexible strap to allow movement in the first direction but prevent movement in the second direction. As a release key is inserted into the locking head, the release key is guided by guide means into engagement with the pawl member, so as to move the pawl member out of engagement with the teeth of the flexible strap to allow the strap to move in the second direction.

Abstract: A security device can include a clip allowing the security device to be attached to clothing, bags or other accessories without the need for a separate holster or carrier. The security device can be readily transported without the need for a separate holster or carrier.

Abstract: A first computing device monitors a presence of a second computing device, and determines when the second computing device has moved out of an area proximate to the first computing device. In response to determining that the second computer moved out of the area, the first computing device is automatically configured to limit user interaction with one or more applications currently operating on the first computing device to a predetermined set of commands while preventing user interaction with other applications provided by the first computing device.

Abstract: A security device can include a clip allowing the security device to be attached to clothing, bags or other accessories without the need for a separate holster or carrier. The security device can be readily transported without the need for a separate holster or carrier.

Abstract: A first computing device monitors a presence of a second computing device, and determines when the second computing device has moved out of an area proximate to the first computing device. In response to determining that the second computer moved out of the area, the first computing device is automatically configured to limit user interaction with one or more applications currently operating on the first computing device to a predetermined set of commands while preventing user interaction with other applications provided by the first computing device.

Abstract: An improved duplicate detection technique that uses query-relevant information to limit the portion(s) of documents to be compared for similarity is described. Before comparing two documents for similarity, the content of these documents may be condensed based on the query. In one embodiment, query-relevant information or text (also referred to as “snippets”) is extracted from the documents and only the extracted snippets, rather than the entire documents, are compared for purposes of determining similarity.

Abstract: A system and method for providing load balanced processing is described. One or more files selected from a set of files are logically duplicated. At least one file and at least one logically duplicated file, is stored at one of a plurality of servers as specified in a load balancing layout. Execution of each operation in an operation stream is scheduled on the server storing at least one staged file required by the operation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus consistent with the invention allow a user to submit an ambiguous search query and to receive relevant search results. In one embodiment, a sequence of numbers received from a user of a standard telephone keypad is translated into a set of potentially corresponding alphanumeric sequences. These potentially corresponding alphanumeric sequences are provided as an input to a conventional search engine, using a boolean “OR” expression, and the search results are presented to the user. The search engine effectively limits search results to those in which the user was likely interested.

Abstract: A system allows a user to submit an ambiguous search query and to receive potentially disambiguated search results. In one implementation, a search engine's conventional alphanumeric index is translated into a second index that is ambiguated in the same manner as which the user's input is ambiguated. The user's ambiguous search query is compared to this ambiguated index, and the corresponding documents are provided to the user as search results.

Abstract: An improved duplicate detection technique that uses query-relevant information to limit the portion(s) of documents to be compared for similarity is described. Before comparing two documents for similarity, the content of these documents may be condensed based on the query. In one embodiment, query-relevant information or text (also referred to as “snippets”) is extracted from the documents and only the extracted snippets, rather than the entire documents, are compared for purposes of determining similarity.

Abstract: A system allows a user to submit an ambiguous search query and to receive potentially disambiguated search results. In one implementation, a search engine's conventional alphanumeric index is translated into a second index that is ambiguated in the same manner as which the user's input is ambiguated. The user's ambiguous search query is compared to this ambiguated index, and the corresponding documents are provided to the user as search results.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus consistent with the invention allow a user to submit an ambiguous search query and to receive relevant search results. In one embodiment, a sequence of numbers received from a user of a standard telephone keypad is translated into a set of potentially corresponding alphanumeric sequences. These potentially corresponding alphanumeric sequences are provided as an input to a conventional search engine, using a boolean “OR” expression, and the search results are presented to the user. The search engine effectively limits search results to those in which the user was likely interested.

Abstract: A system allows a user to submit an ambiguous search query and to receive potentially disambiguated search results. In one implementation, a search engine's conventional alphanumeric index is translated into a second index that is ambiguated in the same manner as which the user's input is ambiguated. The user's ambiguous search query is compared to this ambiguated index, and the corresponding documents are provided to the user as search results.