Abstract: A chomping bubble producing toy including a shaft secured between a bubble solution reservoir and a housing. The housing is the shape of a character and includes an upper and moveable lower jaw piece. A lever is secured to a connection rod within the housing, which connection rod is secured to the lower jaw about a rotational axle. When the lever is pulled, the connection rod moves upward, which pushes the lower jaw down about the fixed rotational axle. A compression spring is secured to the connection rod, which spring keeps the jaw closed when the lever is at rest. Secured within the housing adjacent to the connection rod is a lever switch. When the lever is pulled, the connection rod moves and contacts the lever switch, thereby triggering it, which automatically plays sound from a speaker within the device and/or transmits a wireless signal.

Abstract: Systems, methods and articles of manufacture for evaluating a password policy are disclosed. The password evaluation system receives password policy data regarding a password policy, including a password constraint. The system analyzes the password policy data to determine a usability index and a password strength index for the password policy, and also determines a usability index and password strength index for a plurality of modified password policies having password constraints different from the password policy. The system then provides a graphical representation of the usability index and the password strength for the password policy and the modified password policies, thereby allowing a password designer to optimize the tradeoffs between usability and security of a password policy.

Abstract: Systems, methods and articles of manufacture for logging computer generated log messages utilizing a computerized feedback signal. A logging server logs computer generated log messages from a log source at a logging server at a first detail level. The detail level of logging is the amount of information or data logged for a given activity. A log analyzer analyzes the log messages being logged by the logging server at a first detail level. Then, in response to a computerized feedback signal based upon the analysis of the log messages by the log analyzer, the detail level of logging at the logging server is automatically modified to a second detail level which is different than the first detail level.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that ensures the integrity of a downloaded data set. During operation, a browser application executing on a computing device receives a data set that was signed using the private key of a host computer. The browser application stores this signed data set in a browser data store. Subsequently, the browser application also receives a public key from the host computer (e.g., while accessing a web page associated with the signed data set). The browser application ensures the integrity of the data set by executing scripted program code that: uses the public key to decode the signature for the data set; calculates a hash value for the signed data set; and compares the decoded signature with the hash value to validate the data set.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that captures financial data using a camera. During operation, the system uses the camera to scan a barcode that is associated with a financial document. The system decodes the barcode to generate a financial data set that is then input into a financial application. Allowing data to be input by capturing and decoding a scanned barcode reduces errors and generally improves the user data entry experience.