Abstract: An application on a device includes multiple experience modules that each implement a set of features when the application is running on the device. Each of the multiple experience modules includes a first component that includes code specific to a particular type of the device, and a second component that includes code that is common across multiple types of devices. Update packages changing individual ones of the multiple experience modules can be received from a deployment service and installed on the device.

Abstract: An application on a device includes multiple experience modules that each implement a set of features when the application is running on the device. Each of the multiple experience modules includes a first component that includes code specific to a particular type of the device, and a second component that includes code that is common across multiple types of devices. Update packages changing individual ones of the multiple experience modules can be received from a deployment service and installed on the device.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for determining the status and/or extent of damage caused by a disaster. More specifically, a disaster status system (DSS) is used to create a backup communication network, in the event that the primary communication network has been damaged, to locate and/or contact users that may be in or around a disaster-affected area.

Abstract: A facility for conducting a financial transaction is described. The facility receives a purchase order identifying a customer and an amount of a payment to be made by the identified customer to a payee. The customer identified by the purchase order has an individual account. The facility selects an account from a pool of accounts designated as being shared by a number of customers including the identified customer. The shared pool does not include the identified customer's individual account. The facility transfers the identified amount from the identified customer's individual account to the selected account of the shared pool. The facility causes information identifying a credit card number for the selected account of the shared pool to be provided to the payee for use in effecting the payment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for providing dynamic wizard interfaces to end users. In one embodiment, a client device retrieves a container encapsulating a number of packages utilizing a self-describing data format from a remote server. A wizard engine on the client device interprets the container and packages to produce a wizard interface. Preferably, the present invention utilizes a compatible data structure for receiving, saving, and transmitting captured information regarding the wizard interface.

Abstract: A facility for discerning corruption of an electronic ballot is described. The facility sends from a first computer system to a second computer system an encrypted ballot that reflects a ballot choice selected by a voter. The facility then sends a confirmation from the second computer system to the first computer system, which serves to convey the decrypted contents of the encrypted ballot as received at the second computer system, and which is generated without decrypting the encrypted ballot. In the first computer system, the facility uses the confirmation to determine whether the decrypted contents of the encrypted ballot as received at the second computer system match the ballot choice selected by the voter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for providing dynamic wizard interfaces to end users. In one embodiment, a client device retrieves a container encapsulating a number of packages utilizing a self-describing data format from a remote server. A wizard engine on the client device interprets the container and packages to produce a wizard interface. Preferably, the present invention utilizes a compatible data structure for receiving, saving, and transmitting captured information regarding the wizard interface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for providing dynamic wizard interfaces to end users. In one embodiment, a client device retrieves a container encapsulating a number of packages utilizing a self-describing data format from a remote server. A wizard engine on the client device interprets the container and packages to produce a wizard interface. Preferably, the present invention utilizes a compatible data structure for receiving, saving, and transmitting captured information regarding the wizard interface.

Abstract: A facility for transmitting a ballot choice selected by a voter is described. The facility encrypts the ballot choice with a first secret known only to the client to generate a first encrypted ballot component. The facility also encrypts the ballot choice with a second secret known only to the client, the second secret chosen independently of the first secret, to generate a second encrypted ballot component. The facility then generates a proof demonstrating that the first and second encrypted ballot components are encrypted from the same ballot choice. The facility sends the first and second encrypted ballot components and the proof to a vote collection computer system.

Abstract: Methods and associated systems provide proof of a ballot cast in an election or of user choices under a data structure. The method includes, for example, casting a ballot representing a voter's intended choice associated with a cast ballot, and creating a private, paper receipt that represents the voter's intended choice associated with the cast ballot. The private, paper receipt includes human-readable information to permit the voter to publicly verify that the cast ballot has been included in a ballot tabulation process, and wherein only the voter can discern from the human-readable information on the private, paper receipt what the voter's intended choice was, with respect to the cast ballot.

Abstract: We present a mathematical construct which provides a cryptographic protocol to (verifiably shuffle) a sequence of (k) modular integers, and discuss its application to secure, universally verifiable, multi-authority election schemes. The output of the shuffle operation is another sequence of (k) modular integers, each of which is the same secret power of a corresponding input element, but the order of elements in the output is kept secret. Though it is a trivial matter for the “shuffler” (who chooses the permutation of the elements to be applied) to compute the output from the input, the construction is important because it provides a linear size proof of correctness for the output sequence (i.e. a proof that it is of the form claimed) that can be checked by one or more arbitrary verifiers. The protocol is shown to be honest-verifier zeroknowledge in a special case, and is computational zeroknowledge in general.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for providing dynamic wizard interfaces to end users. In one embodiment, a client device retrieves a container encapsulating a number of packages utilizing a self-describing data format from a remote server. A wizard engine on the client device interprets the container and packages to produce a wizard interface. Preferably, the present invention utilizes a compatible data structure for receiving, saving, and transmitting captured information regarding the wizard interface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for providing dynamic wizard interfaces to end users. In one embodiment, a client device retrieves a container encapsulating a number of packages utilizing a self-describing data format from a remote server. A wizard engine on the client device interprets the container and packages to produce a wizard interface. Preferably, the present invention utilizes a compatible data structure for receiving, saving, and transmitting captured information regarding the wizard interface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for providing dynamic wizard interfaces to end users. In one embodiment, a client device retrieves a container encapsulating a number of packages utilizing a self-describing data format from a remote server. A wizard engine on the client device interprets the container and packages to produce a wizard interface. Preferably, the present invention utilizes a compatible data structure for receiving, saving, and transmitting captured information regarding the wizard interface.

Abstract: A milling tool (3-5; 51-53) in combination with a stabilizer therefor has a milling tool with a body (51) with a plurality of radially extending and circumferential blades (3) diposed about the body. The lower portion of the body (51) has a portion (57) upon which is located a stabilizer (70), the stabilizer comprising a sleeve (71) about which are disposed a plurality of helically disposed fins (75). The sleeve (71) has an internal screw thread (73) for mating with an external screw thread (55) on the body (51).By providing a single milling tool on site and a plurality of separate pilot stabilizers so stabilizer sleeves can be quickly and easily secured to the milling tool thereby eliminating the necessity of cutting the fins to the required radial height when on site.

Abstract: A cutter for a downhole milling or cutting tool and a tool incorporating the blade has a longitudinal axis about which the tool is rotatable. The tool may have a plurality of circumferentially disposed blades which are either fixed or radially movable to perform a cutting operation. Each of the cutters has a blade having a cutting surface which is formed by a plurality of cutting elements. Each of the cutting elements has a cutting edge and a plurality of protruding ridges each of which are longitudinally spaced from one another and interspaced from one another by a recess portion so that in use swarf moves upwardly from a first cutting edge along the recess portion and is broken off when approaching the next, uppermost, ridge. By providing such relatively closely spaced ridges generally C-shaped swarf cuttings are produced and "birdnesting" is substantially reduced or eliminated. The cutting elements each have a cutting surface which presents a negative radial rake angle.

Abstract: A bottom hole assembly is described having a bit driven by a downhole motor and stabilizers located above the motor on the drill string. A subassembly is also provided for controlling the bit trajectory that is operational on demand at the rig site. The subassembly comprises an underreamer located directly above the bit. The underreamer is hydraulically actuated to retract and extend the cutters.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjusting horizontal, vertical, and horizontal and vertical angular positions of tubes without need to re-position an entire mounting bracket assembly or mounting bracket baseplate. Such adjustable mounting bracket assembly may be used for axial adjustment of a burner nozzle while maintaining a seal by a ball-and-socket joint located on a furnace wall.

Abstract: A knob for the cover of a pan or similar container which is used for waterless cooking. The knob is installed in an opening formed in the pan cover. A vent passage extends from the pan cover opening to an outlet in the lower peripheral portion of the knob. A disc is provided for closing the vent passage and a slidable tubular housing is provided with lifting surfaces to lift the disc and open the vent passage. The knob can be partially disassembled for cleaning by rotation of the outer tubular housing.