Abstract: The present inventors have observed that in some applications of reactive composite joining there is escape of a portion of the molten joining material through the edges of the joining regions. Such escape is not only a waste of expensive material (e.g. gold or indium) but also a reduction from the optimal thickness of the joining regions. In some applications, such escape also presents risk of short circuits or even fire. In this invention, two approaches are taken toward preventing damage to surroundings by the escape of molten joining material. First, escape may be prevented by trapping or containing the molten material near the joint, using barriers, dams, or similar means. Second, escape may be reduced by adjusting parameters within the joint, such as solder composition, joining pressure, or RCM thickness.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for secure transaction management and electronic rights protection. Electronic appliances such as computers equipped in accordance with the present invention help to ensure that information is accessed and used only in authorized ways, and maintain the integrity, availability, and/or confidentiality of the information. Such electronic appliances provide a distributed virtual distribution environment (VDE) that may enforce a secure chain of handling and control, for example, to control and/or meter or otherwise monitor use of electronically stored or disseminated information. Such a virtual distribution environment may be used to protect rights of various participants in electronic commerce and other electronic or electronic-facilitated transactions. Distributed and other operating systems, environments and architectures, such as, for example, those using tamper-resistant hardware-based processors, may establish security at each node.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for secure transaction management and electronic rights protection. Electronic appliances such as computers equipped in accordance with the present invention help to ensure that information is accessed and used only in authorized ways, and maintain the integrity, availability, and/or confidentiality of the information. Such electronic appliances provide a distributed virtual distribution environment (VDE) that may enforce a secure chain of handling and control, for example, to control and/or meter or otherwise monitor use of electronically stored or disseminated information. Such a virtual distribution environment may be used to protect rights of various participants in electronic commerce and other electronic or electronic-facilitated transactions. Distributed and other operating systems, environments and architectures, such as, for example, those using tamper-resistant hardware-based processors, may establish security at each node.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for secure transaction management and electronic rights protection. Electronic appliances such as computers equipped in accordance with the present invention help to ensure that information is accessed and used only in authorized ways, and maintain the integrity, availability, and/or confidentiality of the information. Such electronic appliances provide a distributed virtual distribution environment (VDE) that may enforce a secure chain of handling and control, for example, to control and/or meter or otherwise monitor use of electronically stored or disseminated information. Such a virtual distribution environment may be used to protect rights of various participants in electronic commerce and other electronic or electronic-facilitated transactions. Distributed and other operating systems, environments and architectures, such as, for example, those using tamper-resistant hardware-based processors, may establish security at each node.

Abstract: A system for serving electronic advertisements over a data packet network has a node connected to the data packet network, data storage accessible to the node for holding advertisements for service and associated data, and a software instance running on the node for selecting and causing placement of advertisements including selected associated data. The system is characterized in that the advertisements are selected and served base on some real time information accessible to the software instance and wherein the associated data may be individually or collectively embedded into or deployed with the advertisements based at least in part on evaluation of the information accessed.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for electronic commerce including secure transaction management and electronic rights protection. Electronic appliances such as computers employed in accordance with the present invention help to ensure that information is accessed and used only in authorized ways, and maintain the integrity, availability, and/or confidentiality of the information. Secure subsystems used with such electronic appliances provide a distributed virtual distribution environment (VDE) that may enforce a secure chain of handling and control, for example, to control and/or meter or otherwise monitor use of electronically stored or disseminated information. Such a virtual distribution environment may be used to protect rights of various participants in electronic commerce and other electronic or electronic-facilitated transactions.

Abstract: Rights management information is used at least in part in a matching, narrowcasting, classifying and/or selecting process. A matching and classification utility system comprising a kind of Commerce Utility System is used to perform the matching, narrowcasting, classifying and/or selecting. The matching and classification utility system may match, narrowcast, classify and/or select people and/or things, non-limiting examples of which include software objects. The Matching and Classification Utility system may use any pre-existing classification schemes, including at least some rights management information and/or other qualitative and/or parameter data indicating and/or defining classes, classification systems, class hierarchies, category schemes, class assignments, category assignments, and/or class membership.

Abstract: A process for the conversion of furfuryl alcohol into levulinic acid or alkyl levulinate comprising contacting furfuryl alcohol and water or an alkyl alcohol with a porous heterogeneous catalyst comprising strong acid ion-exchange resin, wherein the catalyst has pores with an average pore diameter in the range of from 1 to 1000 nm.

Abstract: In apparatus for mechanically bonding and cutting an article during assembly thereof at least a portion of the article is transported through a nip defined by first and second members. A bonding segment is disposed on one of the first and second members and a cutting segment separate from the bonding segment is also disposed on one of the first and second members. The apparatus is operable so that a portion of the article is mechanically bonded as the article passes through the nip and a portion of the article separate from the bonded portion is cut as the article passes through the nip.

Abstract: A method of irradiating to pattern a photosensitive layer such as a resist (L2) immersed in a fluid (L3), involves applying a removable transparent layer (L4, L5), projecting the radiation onto the resist through the immersion fluid and through the transparent layer, such that imperfections in the fluid are out of focus as projected on the surface, and subsequently removing the transparent layer. The transparent layer can help distance such imperfections from the focus of the radiation on the surface and so can reduce or eliminate shadowing. Hence the irradiation can be more complete, and defects reduced. It can be particularly effective for imperfections in the form of small bubbles or particles in the immersion fluid especially at the fluid/surface interface for example. The radiation can be for any purpose including inspection, processing, patterning and so on. The removal of the transparent layer can be combined with a step of developing the resist layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for secure transaction management and electronic rights protection. Electronic appliances such as computers equipped in accordance with the present invention help to ensure that information is accessed and used only in authorized ways, and maintain the integrity, availability, and/or confidentiality of the information. Such electronic appliances provide a distributed virtual distribution environment (VDE) that may enforce a secure chain of handling and control, for example, to control and/or meter or otherwise monitor use of electronically stored or disseminated information. Such a virtual distribution environment may be used to protect rights of various participants in electronic commerce and other electronic or electronic-facilitated transactions. Distributed and other operating systems, environments and architectures, such as, for example, those using tamper-resistant hardware-based processors, may establish security at each node.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for electronic commerce including secure transaction management and electronic rights protection. Electronic appliances such as computers employed in accordance with the present invention help to ensure that information is accessed and used only in authorized ways, and maintain the integrity, availability, and/or confidentiality of the information. Secure subsystems used with such electronic appliances provide a distributed virtual distribution environment (VDE) that may enforce a secure chain of handling and control, for example, to control and/or meter or otherwise monitor use of electronically stored or disseminated information. Such a virtual distribution environment may be used to protect rights of various participants in electronic commerce and other electronic or electronic-facilitated transactions.

Abstract: Thermoplastic sealants and methods for forming a joint, such as a weld joint, between one or more structural members using thermoplastic sealants are provided. The thermoplastic sealants have melting temperatures lower than the melting temperature of at least one of the structural members. The thermoplastic sealants may further include fillers, and are disposed between faying surfaces of the structural members. The sealants can fill the spaces between the structural members to prevent the entry of chemicals, moisture, debris and other substances.

Abstract: A vehicle message display device for delivering messages from a vehicle includes a set of display cards wherein each display card contains text and, optionally, a graphic relating to the text. A spiral binding keeps the set of display cards organized, and tabs with identifying text aid the vehicle occupant in the selection of an appropriate display card.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a mask-like apparatus worn by a user includes a programmable controller for controlling the illumination of a light source such as one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) which are positioned to illuminate the eye area of the user. The programmable controller is battery powered such that the mask is portable. Illumination intensity profiles are used by the controller to control the level of intensity of the illumination to create a time-phased increase in intensity so as to wake the user.

Abstract: A metal cable armor ferrule includes an outer cylindrical portion and an inner cylindrical portion connected at one end by a radial edge surface, wherein at least the outer cylindrical portion is flared outwardly at an opposite end thereof.

Abstract: An audio track system that includes a track mounting fixture for audio speakers including a sliding member to be mounted in a track lighting fixture and constructed to retain audio speakers. Contact members on the sliding member contact conductive strips within a channel on the track member and supply electrical connection of the speakers to a sound system receiver and allowing the speakers to be positioned at any desired position along the channel length. The speaker position may be adjusted easily by sliding the sliding member along the channel and by pivoting the speaker about a joint on the sliding member.

Abstract: An integrated, modular array of administrative and support services are provided for electronic commerce and electronic rights and transaction management. These administrative and support services supply a secure foundation for conducting transaction-related capabilities functioning over electronic networks can also be adapted to the specific needs of electronic commerce value chains. In one embodiment, a Distributed Commerce Utility having a secure, programmable, distributed architecture provides administrative and support services. The Distributed Commerce Utility may comprise a number of Commerce Utility Systems. These Commerce Utility Systems provide a web of infrastructure support available to, and reusable by, the entire electronic community and/or many of its participants. Different support functions can be collected together in hierarchical and/or networked relationships to suit various business models or other objectives.