Abstract: Secure computation environments are protected from bogus or rogue load modules, executables and other data elements through use of digital signatures, seals and certificates issued by a verifying authority. A verifying authority—which may be a trusted independent third party—tests the load modules or other executables to verify that their corresponding specifications are accurate and complete, and then digitally signs the load module or other executable based on tamper resistance work factor classification. Secure computation environments with different tamper resistance work factors use different verification digital signature authentication techniques (e.g., different signature algorithms and/or signature verification keys)—allowing one tamper resistance work factor environment to protect itself against load modules from another, different tamper resistance work factor environment.

Abstract: The present inventions provide an integrated, modular array of administrative and support services for electronic commerce and electronic rights and transaction management. These administrative and support services supply a secure foundation for conducting financial management, rights management, certificate authority, rules clearing, usage clearing, secure directory services, and other transaction related capabilities functioning over a vast electronic network such as the Internet and/or over organization internal Intranets. These administrative and support services can be adapted to the specific needs of electronic commerce value chains. Electronic commerce participants can use these administrative and support services to support their interests, and can shape and reuse these services in response to competitive business realities. A Distributed Commerce Utility having a secure, programmable, distributed architecture provides administrative and support services.

Abstract: An improved release agent management subsystem for an electrophotographic system comprises a release agent reservoir for storing release agent, and a metering roll at least partially submerged in the release agent stored in the release agent reservoir, the metering roll for delivering release agent from the release agent reservoir to a fusing station. The metering roll includes a metallic cylinder having sealed ends, and an inductive heater located proximate the metering roll for inductively heating the metering roll so heat is transferred from the metering to the release agent being delivered by the metering roll to the fusing station.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes an illuminator for conditioning a beam of radiation, and a first support for supporting a patterning device that serves to pattern the beam of radiation according to a desired pattern. The apparatus also includes a second support for supporting a substrate, a projection system for projecting the patterned beam onto a target portion of the substrate, and at least one gas generator for generating a conditioned gas flow. The gas generator includes a guiding element for guiding the gas flow to a lower volume generally located below a lower surface of the projection system and to a volume between the lower surface and the substrate. The guiding element directs the gas flow in a generally downward direction and then in a direction generally parallel to the lower surface.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions are provided for storage provisioning automation in a data center. A storage manager is provided in the present invention to facilitate end-to-end deployment of storage resources for a server in the data center. The storage manager includes functionalities of a volume manager, file system, and physical volumes. In addition, a hierarchical structure is provided by the present invention to specify configuration data for a volume container. The hierarchical structure includes volume container settings, which includes physical volume settings and logical volume settings linked through data partition settings. For SAN volumes, storage multipath settings and data path settings are included in the structure. File system settings and mounting settings are also included to mount a file system once it is created.

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 inventions provide an integrated, modular array of administrative and support services for electronic commerce and electronic rights and transaction management. These administrative and support services supply a secure foundation for conducting financial management, rights management, certificate authority, rules clearing, usage clearing, secure directory services, and other transaction related capabilities functioning over a vast electronic network such as the Internet and/or over organization internal Intranets. These administrative and support services can be adapted to the specific needs of electronic commerce value chains. Electronic commerce participants can use these administrative and support services to support their interests, and can shape and reuse these services in response to competitive business realities. A Distributed Commerce Utility having a secure, programmable, distributed architecture provides administrative and support services.

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: An apparatus monitors the motion of sheet, such as in a digital printer. An optical sensor is capable of recording an image in a two-dimensional array of pixels, and has acuity to recognize a terrain of a small area on a sheet that is substantially blank to a human eye. The optical sensor views a portion of a sheet moving in a process direction through a path. A detection system compares at least two recorded terrain images from the sheet, thereby directly measuring velocity and direction of the sheet.

Abstract: A parking area entrance or exit barrier includes a control system which receives inputs from various accessories associated with the operation of the barrier, and which provides control signals to the various accessories of the barrier. One of the accessories includes a sensor attached to the barrier. The sensor senses an accident event, such as contact between the barrier and a vehicle. Whenever an accident event is sensed, the control system creates an accident event log of information concerning the accident event. The accident event log may include video images of the barrier, a position of the barrier, a movement direction and speed of the barrier, and an approximated speed of the vehicle. The control system may also monitor a performance of the various accessories of the barrier and create a performance log relating to any malfunction of the accessories.

Abstract: A circuit, method and microcontroller apparatus for performing an analog to digital conversion with continuously variable resolution is disclosed. The circuit includes a integrating modulator for converting an analog input signal, corresponding to an input voltage, to a digital signal at its output over an integrate time. The circuit also includes a counter with an enable input coupled to the integrating modulator output. The counter accumulates the number of cycles where the digital signal is positive during the sample period and provides a corresponding conversion result. Further, the circuit has a pulse width modulator; its output gates a clock to the counter enable input. The pulse width modulator is user programmable on-the-fly to set said integrate time and said sample period.

Abstract: A double-diaphragm bladder. The bladder comprises a non-flexible diaphragm having a peripheral edge and a flexible diaphragm having a peripheral edge. The non-flexible diaphragm has an aperture adapted and constructed to be connected to a liquid port, and the peripheral edges of the non-flexible diaphragm and the flexible diaphragm are sealed together. The bladder is suitable for use in an expansion tank.

Abstract: Electronic steganographic techniques can be used to encode a rights management control signal onto an information signal carried over an insecure communications channel. Steganographic techniques ensure that the digital control information is substantially invisibly and substantially indelibly carried by the information signal. These techniques can provide end-to-end rights management protection of an information signal irrespective of transformations between analog and digital. An electronic appliance can recover the control information and use it for electronic rights management to provide compatibility with a Virtual Distribution Environment. In one example, the system encodes low data rate pointers within high bandwidth time periods of the content signal to improve overall control information read/seek times.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a composition for improving substrate characteristics. The composition has a substrate enhancing agent, like a monohydric alcohol, and the composition reduces wrinkles in substrates that have not been subjected to ironing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wiper device for windows of motor vehicles, comprised of a non-articulated wiper blade with a wiper strip, a wiper lip arranged thereon and a coupling part that can be connected to the wiper blade for a detachable connection with a swivelable wiper arm of the vehicle, wherein the wiper strip includes a profile with guide grooves to laterally accommodate two spring rails, which are each connected with one another as a single piece on their two ends. It is provided that the wiper strip (16) feature a locking device, which, in a locked setting, fixes the spring rails (20) in the wiper strip (16), and which, in an unlocked setting, enables a longitudinal displacement of the spring rails (20) in the guide grooves (24) of the wiper strip (16).

Abstract: A pressure maintenance assembly for a domestic water well system. The assembly comprises a pressure maintenance valve having an inlet side and an outlet side, a pressure tank in fluidic communication with the outlet side, and a calibrated bypass. When the valve is closed, the calibrated bypass provides fluidic communication between the inlet side and the outlet side. The size of the calibrated bypass and the pressure tank are adapted and constructed to permit a flow rate between the inlet side and the outlet side that will fill the pressure tank in a time interval less than twice the time required to pump a volume of water that will dissipate heat generated by the pump when it is turned on.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a method for sealing a container. The method includes, providing at least two components of the container, positioning a crushable material between the at least two components, positioning a reactive multilayer material between the at least two components, deforming the crushable material so as to form a seal between the at least two components, chemically transforming the reactive multilayer material so as to join the at least two components.

Abstract: A low part count, light weight, low-rise air leaf suspension system is provided. One end of the leaf spring has a formed eye pivotally mounted by a pin to a lightweight bracket mounted to the vehicle frame. The leaf spring is tapered toward the ends to reduce weight. Light weight clamping blocks attach an axle to a central portion of the leaf spring. The other end of the leaf spring is curved down and laterally inward so that the end of the leaf spring is positioned directly underneath the vehicle frame and the air spring may be connected directly between the leaf spring and frame.