Abstract: A method of applying bonding energy to form a bond between a portion of a wire and a contact of a bonding location using a wire bonding machine is provided. The method includes: (1) moving a bonding tool towards the contact; (2) detecting when a portion of the contact (100a) is pressed against a device supporting surface (112) of the wire bonding machine; and (3) applying bonding energy to the portion of the contact such that a bond is formed between the contact and the portion of wire.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes providing software for testing; during execution of the software, performing a symbolic execution of the software to produce path constraints; injecting issue constraints into the software where each issue constraint comprises a coded formula; solving the constraints using a constraint solver; based at least in part on the solving, generating input for testing the software; and testing the software using the generated input to check for violations of the injected issue constraints. Such a method can actively check properties of the software. Checking can be performed on a path for a given input using a constraint solver where, if the check fails for the given input, the constraint solver can also generate an alternative input for further testing of the software. Various exemplary methods, devices, systems, etc., are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for implementing portions of a provisional signature scheme are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises creating a provisional signature by performing an operation on a message and completing the provisional signature to create a final signature on the message. Such a scheme may be used for server assisted signature schemes, designated confirmer signature schemes and blind signature schemes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for implementing portions of a provisional signature scheme are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises creating a provisional signature by performing an operation on a message and completing the provisional signature to create a final signature on the message. Such a scheme may be used for server assisted signature schemes, designated confirmer signature schemes and blind signature schemes.

Abstract: A system for protecting software against piracy while protecting a user's privacy enables enhancements to the protection software in a user device and extended protections against piracy. The protection system allows the user device to postpone validation of purchased tags stored in a tag table for installed software and to re-establish ownership of a tag table to recover from invalidation of a tag table identifier value resulting from revelation of a tag table identifier value. Continued use of the tag table is provided by the use of credits associated with a tag table. A protection center is protected against denial of service attacks by making calls to the protection center cost time or money to the attackers.

Abstract: A system for protecting software against piracy while protecting a user's privacy enables enhancements to the protection software in a user device and extended protections against piracy. The protection system allows the user device to postpone validation of purchased tags stored in a tag table for installed software and to re-establish ownership of a tag table to recover from invalidation of a tag table identifier value resulting from revelation of a tag table identifier value. Continued use of the tag table is provided by the use of credits associated with a tag table. A protection center is protected against denial of service attacks by making calls to the protection center cost time or money to the attackers.

Abstract: Software is identified while in main memory by examining small portions of its executable image or by examining the results of its execution. These portions, or an encoding of them, are then compared with previously stored identifying information about at least one Software through an approximate matching process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for implementing portions of a provisional signature scheme are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises creating a provisional signature by performing an operation on a message and completing the provisional signature to create a final signature on the message. Such a scheme may be used for server assisted signature schemes, designated confirmer signature schemes and blind signature schemes.

Abstract: Software is identified while in main memory by examining small portions of its executable image or by examining the results of its execution. These portions, or an encoding of them, are then compared with previously stored identifying information about at least one Software through an approximate matching process.

Abstract: A system for protecting software against piracy while protecting a user's privacy enables enhancements to the protection software in a user device and extended protections against piracy. The protection system allows the user device to postpone validation of purchased tags stored in a tag table for installed software and to re-establish ownership of a tag table to recover from invalidation of a tag table identifier value resulting from revelation of a tag table identifier value. Continued use of the tag table is provided by the use of credits associated with a tag table. A protection center is protected against denial of service attacks by making calls to the protection center cost time or money to the attackers.