Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for use in detecting relay attacks between devices in a communications network. One method includes sending first data by a first device to a second device, and receiving, by the first device, a communication from the second device where the communication comprises second data generated at the second device and a time parameter related to the generation of the second data. The method also includes measuring a total transmission time at the first device between sending the first data and receiving the communication, and determining a further time parameter related to the generation of the second data based at least in part on the measured total transmission time. The method then further includes determining the presence of a relay attack between the first and second devices in dependence on a comparison of the time parameter and the further time parameter.

Abstract: A transaction device for establishing a shared secret with a point of interaction (POI) over a communications network to enable encrypted communications between the transaction device and the point of interaction, the device comprising: an input arranged to receive communications from the point of interaction; a processor arranged to generate a first communication according to a Diffie-Hellman protocol; an output arranged to send the first communication to the point of interaction; wherein the processor is arranged to apply a randomly generated blinding factor, r, when generating the first communication and wherein, in response to receiving a second communication from the point of interaction at the input, the second communication having been generated according to the Diffie-Hellman protocol, the processor is arranged to apply the randomly generated blinding factor and generate a shared secret according to the Diffie-Hellman protocol in dependence on data contained within the second communication.

Abstract: A system and method of authenticating a communication network comprising a first computing device, a second computing device and an intermediary computing device, wherein there is a first path between the first computing device and the intermediary computing device and a second path between the second computing device and the intermediary computing device. The method is executed at the intermediary computing device, and comprises receiving, from the first computing device, a first session key generated by the first computing device using a function, wherein an input to the function comprises an incremented variable; receiving, from the second computing device, data associated with a second session key generated by the second computing device using the function; determining that the first session key and the second session key are the same; and defining the communication network as authentic when the first session key and the second session key are the same.

Abstract: A transaction device for establishing a shared secret with a point of interaction (POI) over a communications network to enable encrypted communications between the transaction device and the point of interaction, the device comprising: an input arranged to receive communications from the point of interaction; a processor arranged to generate a first communication according to a Diffie-Hellman protocol; an output arranged to send the first communication to the point of interaction; wherein the processor is arranged to apply a randomly generated blinding factor, r, when generating the first communication and wherein, in response to receiving a second communication from the point of interaction at the input, the second communication having been generated according to the Diffie-Hellman protocol, the processor is arranged to apply the randomly generated blinding factor and generate a shared secret according to the Diffie-Hellman protocol in dependence on data contained within the second communication.

Abstract: A system and method for generating an authentication token which is used by an issuer associated with a integrated circuit card to authenticate a transaction. A personal card reader receives data, including an authentication cryptogram, from the integrated circuit card. The personal card reader uses the data received from the integrated circuit card to select one of at least two default bitmaps stored in a memory portion of the personal card reader. The personal card reader uses the selected default bitmap and the authentication cryptogram to build the authentication token.

Abstract: A multi-bird poultry shackle includes a stanchion having a connection point adapted to couple to a conveyor; a first shackle coupled to the stanchion, the first shackle having a first pair of leg loops adapted to hold the legs of a first bird, and a second pair of leg loops adapted to hold the legs of a second bird; a second shackle coupled to the stanchion below the first shackle, the second shackle having a third pair of leg loops adapted to hold the legs of a third bird, and a fourth pair of leg loops adapted to hold the legs of a fourth bird; and a third shackle coupled to the stanchion below the second shackle, the third shackle having a fifth pair of leg loops adapted to hold the legs of a fifth bird, and a sixth pair of leg loops adapted to hold the legs of a sixth bird. A method of conveying poultry carcasses is also described.

Abstract: A poultry shackle redirecting apparatus can include a conveyor that conveys a plurality of poultry shackles and a guide bar having an entrance positioned along the conveyor. The guide bar can be adapted to redirect a shackle from a poultry processing line to a disposal line. A detection device can be positioned at a distance upstream of the entrance to identify a shackle to be removed. An encoder can be positioned between the detection device and the entrance. The encoder can track a position of the shackle to be removed along the conveyor. Upon receiving instructions from the encoder that the shackle to be removed is positioned in registry with the entrance, a pushing device can be adapted to push the shackle to be removed into the entrance of the guide bar. A method of directing poultry shackles from a poultry processing line to a disposal is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system which provides communication between a first portable device and a second portable device. The first portable device stores a first sequence number and a first key, and the second portable device stores a second sequence number and a second key. Verification is performed using the first and second keys. The first sequence number is compared to the second sequence number. If the second sequence number is newer than the first sequence number, the first sequence number is set to have a value of the second sequence number if the verification succeeds. If the first sequence number is newer than the second sequence number, the second sequence number is set to have a value of the first sequence number if verification succeeds.

Abstract: A system and method for generating an authentication token which is used by an issuer associated with a integrated circuit card to authenticate a transaction. A personal card reader receives data, including an authentication cryptogram, from the integrated circuit card. The personal card reader uses the data received from the integrated circuit card to select one of at least two default bitmaps stored in a memory portion of the personal card reader. The personal card reader uses the selected default bitmap and the authentication cryptogram to build the authentication token.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system in which a network system has one or more individual networks. The topology of the first individual network includes two or more service modules. At least one of the service modules is modeled to represent a network element that performs one or more functions to process a packet in a network system. The two or more service modules may be arranged in the first individual network in an arbitrary topology. The packet processing by the two or more service modules is governed by the topology of the first individual network.

Abstract: A cover removal apparatus includes a frame, an electromagnet and a power source, which is electrically coupled to the electromagnet for selectively energizing the electromagnet. The removal apparatus may further include means for positioning the electromagnet relative to a cover and/or means for loosening the cover.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide methods for effecting a desired business solution. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a plurality of aspects of a business are analyzed. Each aspect corresponds to an element of a particular domain of a set of domains wherein the plurality of aspects corresponds to elements from at least two domains. A modification of each element that will result in a desired outcome in regard to the corresponding aspect is determined. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the business solution development process identifies and provides exit criteria pertaining to each stage of the business solution development process. For one embodiment of the invention a set of metrics are defined and tracked to measure the effectiveness of the business solution.

Abstract: A cover removal apparatus includes a frame, an electromagnet and a power source, which is electrically coupled to the electromagnet for selectively energizing the electromagnet. The removal apparatus may further include means for positioning the electromagnet relative to a cover and/or means for loosening the cover.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide methods for effecting a desired business solution. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a plurality of aspects of a business are analyzed. Each aspect corresponds to an element of a particular domain of a set of domains wherein the plurality of aspects corresponds to elements from at least two domains. A modification of each element that will result in a desired outcome in regard to the corresponding aspect is determined. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the business solution development process identifies and provides exit criteria pertaining to each stage of the business solution development process. For one embodiment of the invention a set of metrics are defined and tracked to measure the effectiveness of the business solution.

Abstract: A business solution development process having one or more pre-definition stages and one or more post-deployment stages is disclosed. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, data pertinent to an understanding of a business is analyzed and a future state of the business is envisioned. One or more desired outcomes necessary to attaining the envisioned future state of the business are then determined. One or more transformations that will effect each desired outcome are determined and implemented to attain the envisioned future state of the business.

Abstract: A manhole cover remover, including an attachment; a support; a pivot arm having a proximal end hinged to the support and the pivot arm having a distal end; a connector joining the attachment to the distal end of the pivot arm; a winch joined to the distal end of the pivot arm; and a power source, the power source in operable communication with the winch and method of use including the steps of rotating a pivot arm down toward a manhole over; connecting the pivot arm to the manhole cover; and winching the pivot arm upward.

Abstract: A manhole cover remover, including a support, the support being a utility vehicle, equipped with a plow carriage, hydraulic ram, and plow connectors; at least one pivot arm joined to the plow connectors; a cable connecting the hydraulic ram and the at least one pivot arm; an attachment joined to the at least one pivot arm; a video camera in optical communication with the attachment; and a monitor located within the utility vehicle and in communication with the video camera and a method of converting a snow plow to a manhole cover remover, including the steps of removing a snowplow blade from plow connectors and hydraulic ram; joining pivot arms to the plow connectors; joining an attachment to the pivot arms; and joining the hydraulic ram to the pivot arms.

Abstract: A manhole cover remover, including an attachment; a support; a pivot arm having a proximal end hinged to the support and the pivot arm having a distal end; a connector joining the attachment to the distal end of the pivot arm; a wench joined to the distal end of the pivot arm; and a power source, the power source in operable communication with the wench and method of use including the steps of rotating a pivot arm down toward a manhole cover; connecting the pivot arm to the manhole cover; and wenching the pivot arm upward.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system in which a network system has one or more individual networks. The topology of the first individual network includes two or more service modules. At least one of the service modules is modeled to represent a network element that performs one or more functions to process a packet in a network system. The two or more service modules may be arranged in the first individual network in an arbitrary topology. The packet processing by the two or more service modules is governed by the topology of the first individual network.

Abstract: A method and a machine for automatically bagging articles in a bag and in a sequential and uninterrupted manner. A plurality of articles are continuously fed to the machine and received in two or three compartments, herein three compartments. Once the third article is received in the third compartment, all three articles are discharged within a bag held under the machine. A control circuit, after a predetermined time delay actuates an article support element which is caused to enter into the third compartment or the first compartment depending on the sequence of loading the machine whereby to support a fourth article entering the third compartment due to the fact that the bottom end of all compartments is open. The feeding device is uninterrupted and continues to feed articles to the machine regardless if the bottom discharge gate is open and the sequence is automatically reversed, back and forth, between the first and third and third and first compartments.