Abstract: The disclosed and claimed concept describes a handheld electronic device that has the capability to process electronic messages that originate from an electronic mail service using the features that are supported by the electronic mail service.

Abstract: A haptic device includes an elongated piezo bender supported by a first holder and a second holder. The first holder and the second holder being spaced apart from each other and located at or near opposite ends of the elongated piezo bender. A mass is supported by the elongated piezo bender and positioned in between the first holder and the second holder. The mass has a non-uniform thickness in a direction along a major axis of the elongated piezo bender. An electrical driving signal generator is configured to generate a signal to create a vibration in the elongated piezo bender.

Abstract: Users of an online system are authenticated based on signatures of cameras that were used to capture images uploaded to the online system. Users of an online system upload photos taken from their cameras. The online system extracts characteristic information about the camera that captured the photos. This information includes a mapping of faulty pixels, metadata included with the photos, a naming convention, and the like. The online system stores an association between the user and the camera. This association is used for authentication of the user. For authentication, the user is asked to upload new photos taken from the camera that the user used previously. The information extracted from the newly uploaded photos is matched against stored information of cameras used previously by the user. The user is successfully authenticated if the camera used for the newly uploaded photos matches a previously stored camera.

Abstract: A method of automating testing of a first computing system comprises identifying a plurality of system interface elements of a second computing system; determining an untested state at the first computing system of one of the identified plurality of system interface elements; determining the existence of any dependency of the one of the identified plurality of system interface elements upon another of the identified plurality of system interface elements; responsive to a finding of no the dependency, seeking in a repository a system interface element test corresponding to the one of the identified plurality of system interface elements and having an expected output according to a structure of the second computing system; and executing the system interlace element test at the first computing system.

Abstract: The XML conversion system provides methods and architecture for defining an interface between a spreadsheet application and a COM server independent of the areas that the interface is defined. In support of defining the interface, an add-in function defines the interface using extensible markup language (“XML”). An add-in XML file is scanned for instructions. An instruction is analyzed to determine the interface it will expose. An interface XML file having a function specification can be retrieved from a COM server based on the interface exposed in the instruction. Function qualifiers are taken from the instruction and applied to the function specification. The function specification is converted to an intermediate function and implementation specifiers are applied to the intermediate function. The intermediate function is then converted to an add-in function and applied in the spreadsheet application.

Abstract: The disclosed and claimed concept describes a handheld electronic device that has the capability to process electronic messages that originate from an electronic mail service using the features that are supported by the electronic mail service.

Abstract: A multiple accessory support bracket that mounts a plurality of external accessories for an auxiliary power unit (APU) so that all the external accessories may be mounted to the APU in a single operation.

Abstract: A method of accounting for online Internet usage credit includes establishing an account identifier in a database for a selected user. A number of credit value block records are associated in the database with the account identifier. Each credit value block has a stored credit value amount, and at least a second stored property indicator. In response to a measured amount of consumption of services by the user, at least one of the credit value blocks is debited by a debit amount based on the measured amount and the second stored property indicator. The stored property indicator may be a rate multiplier, or other factor indicating a different cost mode of online service, connection or usage.

Abstract: A mixing apparatus suitable for mixing and conveying solid, particulate, polymeric materials, comprising a barrel that can be heated and cooled, at least two co-rotatable, self-wiping extruder screws located within the bore of the barrel, the screws being connected through a laterally flexible coupling to a drive means which can reverse the direction of rotation of the screws upon the occurrence of a predetermined event. The apparatus also comprises a closeable feed port and a closeable discharge port, both of which can be made gas-tight, the shafts of the screws being provided with seals capable of withstanding elevated gas pressures inside the barrel.

Abstract: A staged feeding process for preparing a composition by mixing at least a first polymer and a second, dissimilar polymer forms a final composition comprising a uniform, small-particle dispersion of the first polymer in a matrix of the second polymer. Preferably, the first polymer has a melt viscosity greater than the second polymer. The process comprises the steps of feeding the first polymer in a first feed stage and feeding all of the second polymer as a melt at least two feed stages to mix the first and second polymers. Alternatively, the process may comprise feeding the first polymer in a first feed stage and feeding all of the second polymer in at least two feed stages subsequent to the first feed stage. In either case, this mixing initiates a chemical reaction between the first and second polymers.

Abstract: A mixing apparatus suitable for mixing and conveying solid, particulate, polymeric materials, comprising a barrel that can be heated and cooled, at least two co-rotatable, self-wiping extruder screws located within the bore of the barrel, the screws being connected through a laterally flexible coupling to a dirve means which can reverse the direction of rotation of the screws upon the occurrence of a predetermined event. The apparatus also comprises a closeable feed port and a closeable discharge port, both of which can be made gas-tight, the shafts of the screws being provided with seals capable of withstanding elevated gas pressures inside the barrel.

Abstract: A linear polyamide having a weight average molecular weight above 200,000 is made by heating a lower molecular weight molten polyamide with thorough mixing at a temperature of about 265.degree.-300.degree. C. for at least 5 minutes while an inert gas is swept gently through the reactor, the increase of molecular weight of the polyamide being catalyzed by a particular phosphinic acid derivative.

Abstract: A continuous process for preparing particulate microporous, open-celled polymer structures in a co-rotating twin-screw processor comprising agitating normally solid organic polymer and chlorofluorocarbon in the melt zone of said processor, cooling the resulting solution under agitation in the cooling and milling zone, extruding a snow-like mass from the cooling and milling zone, and then removing the chlorofluorocarbon from the snow-like mass to leave the polymer structures.

Abstract: Clear, bubble-free acrylonitrile polymer solutions of high polymer concentration are rapidly prepared by feeding powdered acrylonitrile polymer to a cool zone of a twin-screw machine and injecting solvent to form a slurry at a temperature below 40.degree. C., advancing the cool slurry to a heated zone and converting the slurry into a concentrated solution at 110.degree. to 150.degree. C. while intermittently squeezing it in directions transverse to the axes of the screws, and discharging the hot solution continuously from the machine. A zone of reduced pressure is provided to remove gases trapped in the slurry. A twin-screw machine for carrying out the process is disclosed.