Abstract: A method for cyber sensing for power outage detection includes receiving a selected geographic region for detection and monitoring of power outages; gathering Internet Protocol (IP) network addresses of IP networks within the geographical region; filtering the gathered IP network addresses of IP networks within the geographical region, wherein the gathered IP network addresses of IP networks within the geographical region are referred to herein as geo-relevant IP network addresses; calculating a baseline value for each geo-relevant IP network; scanning the filtered geo-relevant IP network once per predefined time interval, so that each individual IP address within each geo-relevant IP network is tested for response and determining how many devices within the geo-relevant IP network positively respond to the testing; periodically repeating the step of scanning and comparing scan results; and displaying results of scanning.

Abstract: A method for cyber sensing for power outage detection includes receiving a selected geographic region for detection and monitoring of power outages; gathering Internet Protocol (IP) network addresses of IP networks within the geographical region; filtering the gathered IP network addresses of IP networks within the geographical region, wherein the gathered IP network addresses of IP networks within the geographical region are referred to herein as geo-relevant IP network addresses; calculating a baseline value for each geo-relevant IP network; scanning the filtered geo-relevant IP network once per predefined time interval, so that each individual IP address within each geo-relevant IP network is tested for response and determining how many devices within the geo-relevant IP network positively respond to the testing; periodically repeating the step of scanning and comparing scan results; and displaying results of scanning.

Abstract: A power system is provided having a power source operationally coupled to a generator. The power system also includes an exhaust passage having at least one after-treatment device configured to release exhaust from the power source into the atmosphere. In addition, a controller is configured to determine at least one exhaust passage condition indicative of an exhaust temperature and operate the generator in response to the determination.

Abstract: A device and method for erecting a collapsed individual portion-sized French fry type container of the type having opposed sidewalls connected by a collapsible container bottom are provided. The device includes a retrieving and container grasping device, which may be a suction cup, for grasping one of the opposed sidewalls, a restraining member for restraining the other opposed sidewall, and means for causing movement of the grasping device away from the restraining member to separate the sidewalls. The grasping device may be mounted to carriages for moving it in two dimensions. An inclined ramp may also be included to urge up the container bottom as it is dragged up the ramp, thus urging the container to an erected position. Additionally, a stream of compressed air may be injected into the open end of the container and towards the container bottom by an appropriate injecting means for assisting in the erecting.

Abstract: An automated method of packaging cooked French fries in an individual portion-sized French fry container is provided, wherein the cooked French fries are mechanically delivered to a holding bin, an empty French fry container is mechanically scooped into the cooked French fries to fill the container, and the filled French fry container is mechanically deposited at a drop-off location. The cooked French fries may be received on an inlet chute, the inlet chute optionally vibrated to assist gravity in causing the French fries to travel into the holding bin. Seasoning may be applied to the French fries while the French fries are on the inlet chute, optionally restrained by one or more gates. After filling, the filled container may be mechanically shaken. Additionally, the empty French fry containers may be mechanically selected from a plurality of different-sized collapsed containers, mechanically obtained, and mechanically erected prior to scooping.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method of communicating with a user including wirelessly broadcasting content which is accessible to a multiplicity of users and which includes at least some non-audio content which is not visible to the users without user actuation and which includes product-specific information, enabling a user to select a portion of the content, responsive to a selection by the user, capturing at least part of the non-audio content, corresponding to the portion of the content selected by the user and employing at least part of the captured content to access a contact using a mobile communicator by initially establishing contact with a non product-specific communication facility and employing product-specific information contained in the non-audio content. A system for communicating with a user is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a technique for certifying distributable objects. The technique involves creating a certification for each distributable object to indicate properties of the object. Using certifications such as this, it is possible to accept objects having certain properties only from specified entities.

Abstract: A display device provides for the displaying of collectible cards on two side. The device includes a generally planar card support mat, a mat having a pair of opposed planar surfaces with apertures extending therethrough. The apertures are sized to support a collectible card therein. A pair of transparent plates overlie each of the planar surfaces of the mat allowing viewing of each side of the two-sided card. A frame bounds and supports the mat and encloses the cards in a tamper evident protective manner.

Abstract: Supporting statements are provided to help safely and efficiently construct and verify proofs necessary for deciding whether to grant a request from one entity for accessing a resource owned or administered by another entity.

Abstract: A resource of a first organization provides access thereto to a requestor of a second organization. A first administrator of the first organization issues a first credential to a second administrator of the second organization, including policy that the second administrator may issue a second credential to the requestor on behalf of the first administrator. The second administrator issues the second credential to the requester, including the issued first credential. The requestor requests access from the resource and includes the issued first and second credentials. The resource validates that the issued first credential ties the first administrator to the second administrator, and that the issued second credential ties the second administrator to the requester. The resource thus knows that the request is based on rights delegated from the first administrator to the requester by way of the second administrator.

Abstract: An improved certificate issuing system may comprise a certificate translation engine for translating incoming certificates and certificate requests from a first format into a second format. A certificate issuing engine may then operate on incoming requests in the common format. The issuing engine can issue certificates to clients according to its certificate issuing policy. The policy may be expressed as data in a policy expression language that can be consumed at runtime, which provides for flexible and efficient changing of issuing policy. Issued certificates can be translated back into a format that is consumed by the requesting client. Such translation can be performed by the translation engine prior to delivery of certificates to requesting clients.

Abstract: An improved certificate issuing system may comprise a novel arrangement for expressing certificate issuing policy. The policy may be expressed in a human-readable policy expression language and stored for example in a file that is consumed by a certificate issuing system at runtime. The policy may thus be easily changed by altering the digital file. Certain techniques are also provided for extending the capabilities of the certificate issuing system so it may apply and enforce new policies.

Abstract: Shape animation is described. In one aspect, examples that pertain to a shape or motion that is to be animated are provided. The examples are placed within a multi-dimensional abstract space. Each dimension of the abstract space is defined by at least one of an adjective and an adverb. A point within the multi-dimensional abstract space is selected. The selected point does not coincide with a point that is associated with any of the examples. The selected point corresponds to a shape or motion within the abstract space. A single weight value for each of the examples is computed. The single weight values for each of the examples are combined in a manner that defines an interpolated shape or motion that is a blended combination of each of the examples of the set of examples.

Abstract: In order to allow for security beyond revocation lists, a policy regarding when permissions may be granted (in the form of a rights document, e.g. a use license or a certificate) is enforced. When a request is made for a rights document, the requester submits an account certificate which includes certain metadata regarding the requester. This metadata is analyzed to determine whether it meets a specific policy before the request is granted. If the request is not granted, the cause of the rejection may be overcome, for example by updating or upgrading some system component (hardware or software) in the requesting system. In certain cases, such an update to overcome a policy-based rejection may be performed transparently to the user.

Abstract: An automated food processing system and method is provided that allows food to be dispensed, fried and packaged in a suitable container, which may be an individual portion-sized container. In one embodiment, the system includes separate automated modules for dispensing, frying and packaging the food. In one embodiment, an automated dispensing device dispenser a predetermined portion of food from a bulk storage container or food dispensing magazine. Food is dispensed from the automated dispensing device to an automated fry device that can include at least one circular fry wheel having a plurality of food containing compartments. After the food is fried it is dispensed from the fry device to an automated packaging device. The automated packaging device dispenses food to a container that may be an individual portion-sized container that is retrieved, erected and held into position for filling by an automated container handling system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for shape animation are described. In one aspect, a degree of freedom is linearly approximated. The degree of freedom is associated with a new form or motion for rendering based on multiple examples that define respective forms or motions within a multi-dimensional abstract space. Each dimension of the abstract space is defined by at least one of an adjective and an adverb. A radial basis function is defined for each of the examples by scaling the radial basis function for each example. The scaling includes evaluating a matrix system to ascertain a plurality of scaling weights. Individual weights are used to scale the radial basis functions. The linear approximation and the radial basis functions are combined to provide a cardinal basis function. The cardinal basis function is used to render the new form or motion.

Abstract: A technique for solving an inverse-kinematic problem by interpolating solutions from examples. Example poses or motions of an object are collected and annotated. The annotations are essentially parameters for a function—i.e., the function X(p) generates degree-of-freedom values of an object that is posed in a manner that satisfies parameters p. The analytic function X is interpolated from these examples and improved automatically based on kinematic measurements. Preferably, the interpolation is created by taking a weighted sum of cardinal basis functions having linear and radial parts, Preferably, the interpolation is a weighted sum of cardinal basis functions having linear and radial portions.

Abstract: A predictive load management system includes a power source operable to generate power output, the power source having a desired operating range. A transmission having a drive member is operably engaged with the power source. A control system is in communication with the power source and the transmission. The control system receives at least one input indicative of a load on the transmission and identifies a change in the load on the transmission based on the at least one input. The control system is further operable to determine a desired power output of the power source to account for the change in the load on the transmission. The control system modifies a performance characteristic of the power source to cause the power source to generate the desired power output when the change in the load on the transmission will result in the power source operating outside of the desired operating range.