Abstract: A sterilization enclosure to be placed within a sterilizer, the sterilization enclosure defining an interior for accommodating at least one surgical instrument and maintaining sterility of the at least one surgical instrument after the sterilization enclosure is removed from the sterilizer. The enclosure comprising a light source and a transparent window. The light source to illuminate the interior and the transparent window positioned such that the interior and the at least one surgical instrument are visible through the transparent window. A process indicator that is either disposed within the interior or coupled to an external surface of the sterilization enclosure. The process indicator in fluid communication with the interior of the sterilization enclosure such that the process indicator is exposed to a sterilant agent disposed within the interior of the sterilization enclosure to measure a characteristic within the interior during a sterilization process.

Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable medium for sharing protected content, comprising instruction stored thereon. When executed on a processor, the instruction performs steps of deriving a shared secret, processing the shared secret using a secure hash algorithm 256 cryptographic hash to produce a primary encryption key, and encrypting a secondary encryption key using the primary encryption key. When the shared secret is derived between a private key and a public key of a first user, encrypting the protected content using the secondary encryption key, and transmitting the encrypted protected content to a server to be accessed by the second user. When the shared secret is derived between the private key of the first user and a public key of a second user, transmitting the secondary encryption key to the second user. The second user uses the secondary encryption key to decrypt the encrypted protected content on the server.

Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable medium for sharing protected content, comprising instruction stored thereon. When executed on a processor, the instruction performs steps of deriving a shared secret, processing the shared secret using a secure hash algorithm 256 cryptographic hash to produce a primary encryption key, and encrypting a secondary encryption key using the primary encryption key. When the shared secret is derived between a private key and a public key of a first user, encrypting the protected content using the secondary encryption key, and transmitting the encrypted protected content to a server to be accessed by the second user. When the shared secret is derived between the private key of the first user and a public key of a second user, transmitting the secondary encryption key to the second user. The second user uses the secondary encryption key to decrypt the encrypted protected content on the server.

Abstract: An interactive computer application operates to displays promotional content to a registered user. The interactive computer application directs the user to watch promotional content and to select and answer questions relating to the promotional content. The user is permitted to receive a reward if they select and answer a number of questions correctly that is equal to or greater than a threshold number of correctly answered questions.

Abstract: A video program is displayed for viewing by an individual on a video player device. The individual viewing the program can enter clues discovered in the video program content into a program application running on either a communication device local to the individual or running in device that is remote from the individual. The program application operates to determine whether or not the individual has enter a correct number of valid clues, and if so the individual is permitted to participate in an activity run by the program application.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the measurement of power consumption, bandwidth usage and the monitoring of the operation of a network from another network. The primary intended application is for an enterprise network (1st network) to be able to measure power and bandwidth of a small cell network (2nd network) or networks that share some of the infrastructure with the enterprise network (1stnetwork). Power and network bandwidth usage per unit time can be measured and used to support interparty billing. In addition, the network and power infrastructure of the 2nd network can be monitored by the 1st network for operational integrity and performance. Sensitive information can be protected with strong encryption to allow it to use unsecured networking (and compute) facilities without exposure to unauthorized access.

Abstract: A trusted relationship service includes a certificate authentication server and a secure file host. The certificate authentication server operates to receive requests from a supplier and a customer to register with the service, verifies the identities of the supplier and the customer and sends digital certificates to both the supplier and the customer. The supplier can send information to the trusted relationship service where it is posted in a secure file host. The supplier can solicit the customer to visit the trusted relationship service web site to view the supplier information stored there, whereupon the customer can use their digital certificate to access the trusted relationship service site and is granted permission by the site to view the supplier information.

Abstract: A trusted relationship service includes a certificate authentication server and a secure file host. The certificate authentication server operates to receive requests from a supplier and a customer to register with the service, verifies the identities of the supplier and the customer and sends digital certificates to both the supplier and the customer. The supplier can send information to the trusted relationship service where it is posted in a secure file host. The supplier can solicit the customer to visit the trusted relationship service web site to view the supplier information stored there, whereupon the customer can use their digital certificate to access the trusted relationship service site and is granted permission by the site to view the supplier information.

Abstract: A communications network gateway receives a stream of information formatted to be compatible with a first sub-network and it receives a stream of information formatted to be compatible with a second sub-network. The frames in the second stream are extracted and modified to be compatible with the transmission format of the first sub-network. The two streams of information are then aggregated for transmission over a logical network link in a manner that optimizes the bandwidth utilization of the overall communications network.

Abstract: A communications network gateway receives a stream of information formatted to be compatible with a first sub-network and it receives a stream of information formatted to be compatible with a second sub-network. The frames in the second stream are extracted and modified to be compatible with the transmission format of the first sub-network. The two streams of information are then aggregated for transmission over a logical network link in a manner that optimizes the bandwidth utilization of the overall communications network.

Abstract: In one embodiment, content is delivered to a customer over a communications network and written to a storage medium. The customer may be authorized to make additional copies of the content. The delivered content and copies are tracked in support of rental, sale or resale applications.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the prevention of carryover infection due to surface contamination on a stethoscope features a disposable stethoscope head cover implemented with hypoallergenic materials and a dispensing apparatus that automatically places a disposable stethoscope head cover in an attachment station, allowing a simple single handed attachment of the disposable stethoscope head cover to the stethoscope.

Abstract: In one embodiment, content is delivered to a customer over a communication network and written to a storage medium. The customer may be authorized to make additional copies of the content. The delivered content and copies are tracked in support of rental, sale or resale applications.

Abstract: An apparatus for measurement of force exerted by the tongue or the lips. The apparatus comprises a sensor assembly having a force-receiving element, a force transducer providing a sensor signal, and a shaft mechanically coupling the force applied to the force-receiving element to the force transducer. An apparatus for providing isometric or resistive treatment to increase the strength and motility of the tongue or the lips. The apparatus comprises an isometric assembly or a resistive assembly having a force-receiving element providing an isometric barrier or a resistive force, respectively, a support structure, and a shaft connecting the force-receiving element to the support structure.

Abstract: A system and method for fast and reliable failure notification and accelerated switchover for path protection in a communications network having several overlapping areas of nodes interconnected by communications links is described. Upon a failure event involving one of the communications links, a failure message is broadcast identifying the failed link, the broadcast being confined within the areas which include the failed link. A reliable transmission protocol is provided wherein at one or more of the nodes, a LAPD protocol unnumbered information frame containing the failure message is sent to connected nodes. The failure message is resent in another unnumbered information frame after a time interval unless an unnumbered acknowledgment frame containing or referencing the failure message is received from the connected node. A method of path protection includes establishing plural working paths through the nodes. For each working path, an associated protection path is precalculated.

Abstract: A communication system includes plural nodes interconnected with an optical transmission medium capable of carrying plural bands of optical channels. A device at each node is coupled to the medium for dropping one or more bands, adding one or more bands, and passively transmitting other bands such that a pair of nodes can communicate directly using a band common to the respective bands. One band of the bands associated with each of a first set of nodes overlaps with one band of the bands associated with each of a second set of nodes. Multiple overlapping bands provide a high level of wavelength termination diversity. An optical management bus system and method connects plural hybrid optical/electrical cables between transmission equipment and optical modules which connect to network fibers to provide a set of electrical connections that can be used to determine optical interconnections in an optical shelf configuration.

Abstract: A communication system includes plural nodes interconnected with an optical transmission medium capable of carrying plural bands of optical channels. A device at each node is coupled to the medium for dropping one or more bands, adding one or more bands, and passively transmitting other bands such that a pair of nodes can communicate directly using a band common to the respective bands. One band of the bands associated with each of a first set of nodes overlaps with one band of the bands associated with each of a second set of nodes. Multiple overlapping bands provide a high level of wavelength termination diversity. An optical management bus system and method connects plural hybrid optical/electrical cables between transmission equipment and optical modules which connect to network fibers to provide a set of electrical connections that can be used to determine optical interconnections in an optical shelf configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising system memory and a cache memory maintain system coherency for data stored in a subset of memory elements utilizing software coherency control, while system coherency for all remaining memory elements is maintained utilizing hardware coherency control.

Abstract: A mechanism for providing point-to-point and point-to-multipoint connections in an ATM network converts VPI/VCI information at an ingress ATM device on incoming cells from a source endpoint to internal VP/VCI information that is used to switch the cells through an ATM network to an egress ATM device. At the egress ATM device, the internal VPI/VCI information is converted back to the source VPI/VCI information for transmission of cells to the destination endpoint. In such a manner, an ATM switch network is able to provide point-to-point connections without requiring individual configuration of VPI/VCI information at the ingress and egress ATM devices.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising system memory and a cache memory maintain system coherency for data stored in a subset of memory elements utilizing software coherency control, while system coherency for all remaining memory elements is maintained utilizing hardware coherency control.