Abstract: Methods and devices for thwarting code and control flow based attacks on software. The source code of a subject piece of software is automatically divided into basic blocks of logic. Selected basic blocks are amended so that their outputs are extended. Similarly, other basic blocks are amended such that their inputs are correspondingly extended. The amendments increase or create dependencies between basic blocks such that tampering with one basic block's code causes other basic blocks to malfunction when executed.

Abstract: Methods and devices for thwarting code and control flow based attacks on software. The source code of a subject piece of software is automatically divided into basic blocks of logic. Selected basic blocks are amended so that their outputs are extended. Similarly, other basic blocks are amended such that their inputs are correspondingly extended. The amendments increase or create dependencies between basic blocks such that tampering with one basic block's code causes other basic blocks to malfunction when executed.

Abstract: Methods and devices for thwarting code and control flow based attacks on software. The source code of a subject piece of software is automatically divided into basic blocks of logic. Selected basic blocks are amended so that their outputs are extended. Similarly, other basic blocks are amended such that their inputs are correspondingly extended. The amendments increase or create dependencies between basic blocks such that tampering with one basic block's code causes other basic blocks to malfunction when executed.

Abstract: Methods and devices for thwarting code and control flow based attacks on software. The source code of a subject piece of software is automatically divided into basic blocks of logic. Selected basic blocks are amended so that their outputs are extended. Similarly, other basic blocks are amended such that their inputs are correspondingly extended. The amendments increase or create dependencies between basic blocks such that tampering with one basic block's code causes other basic blocks to malfunction when executed.

Abstract: A method for rendering software resistant to reverse engineering. Replace at least one first constant (mathematical expression, etc.) in a computational expression with a second mixed mathematical and bitwise-Boolean expression, the first constant being simpler than the second expression and the second expression being based on the value or the variables found in the first constant (or expression).

Abstract: Methods and devices for thwarting code and control flow based attacks on software. The source code of a subject piece of software is automatically divided into basic blocks of logic. Selected basic blocks are amended so that their outputs are extended. Similarly, other basic blocks are amended such that their inputs are correspondingly extended. The amendments increase or create dependencies between basic blocks such that tampering with one basic block's code causes other basic blocks to malfunction when executed.

Abstract: A method for rendering software resistant to reverse engineering. Replace at least one first constant (mathematical expression, etc.) in a computational expression with a second mixed mathematical and bitwise-Boolean expression, the first constant being simpler than the second expression and the second expression being based on the value or the variables found in the first constant (or expression).

Abstract: A high-speed area-efficient cross bar switch architecture is embedded on a chip to provide connections between a plurality of ports such that multiple and concurrent point-to-point connections may be established between any devices connected to the cross bar. The cross bar is especially well adapted for distributed communication systems implemented as a system on chip. A protocol system ensures that high priority data flows through the cross bar ahead of lower priority data in the event that there are two or more devices concurrently attempting to send data to the same port. The protocol system also arbitrates between two or more devices concurrently attempting to send data to the same port, if data from such sending devices have equal priorities. In a distributed system, concurrency of transmitting and sending data can provide significant performance advantages, as semaphores and notifications are accomplished quickly. Data transfers experience minimal blocking and throughput degradation.

Abstract: A semantic-based system is provided to upgrade software written in a high level language of the kind having a type system and being statically compiled in compilers which check types and usages at compile time. The system employs conversion declarations which are inserted into the source code of the software and executed by the compiler. These declarations comprise a list of substitutable parts, with each substitutable part having a list of properties, a set of semantic patterns to be matched using the substitutable parts, and a result pattern showing what will be substituted for each matching portion of source code.

Abstract: A thermal mass (18) is reflow soldered atop of a multi-layered medium (10) in order to yield minimum thermal resistance between a heat source (22) located on the multi-layered medium (10) and the thermal mass (18) for greater heat dissipation efficiency. Moreover, the thermal mass (18) can be auto-placed onto the multi-layered medium (10) in order to accurately and closely position the thermal mass (18) next to the heat source (22).

Abstract: An encoding technique of the invention protects software programs and hardware designs from being copied, tampered with, and its functions from being exposed. The software programs and hardware designs (collectively called programs) thus encoded still remain executable. The encoding technique employs the concept of complexity of programs and produces proximity inversion in terms of functions contained in the programs, while preserving the behaviors. Various embodiments are possible to achieve this encoding which includes, for example, cascading and intertwining of blocks of the programs.

Abstract: A single-station type total body exercise and rehabilitation weight-lifting machine and method of selectively recruiting, isolating, and maximally contracting a specific segment of a target muscle or task-specific synergistic segments of different muscles using the machine are presented. The exercise and rehabilitation machine is designed to provide resistance to variable force vectors in all directions. The machine comprises a weight support member mounted in a box-shaped main support frame. The rear end of the weight support member is multi-pivotally connected through a "sliding box" adjustment device to the rear of the main support frame while the front end of the weight support member is supported by a vertically adjustable roller bar support member of the main support frame. The weight support member can be oriented at many angles using the combined adjustments for the sliding box adjustment device and roller bar support member.

Abstract: Sales activity of a product at sales outlets including sales outlets at which sales activity data is sampled and unsampled sales outlets is estimated by determining the distances between each of the sampled sales outlets and each of the unsampled sales outlets and correlating sales activity data from the sampled sales outlets according to the determined distances. The sales activity volume of the product at the plurality of sampled outlets and the estimated sales activity volume of the product at the unsampled outlets are combined to obtain an estimate of sales activity for all the sales outlets. Sales activity of products prescribed by a physician at both the sampled and unsampled outlets can be estimated by correlating sales activity data for the prescribing physician at the sampled outlets according to the distances between the sampled outlets and the unsampled outlets.

Abstract: A safety guard for attachment to a pedestrian-operated or riding machine having rotatable blades utilizes at least one semi-rigid guard attached to the machine body and movable away from the ground when pushed upward by contact with an object while preventing lateral movement of objects under the machine. The moveable guard will act as a rigid barrier to an operator's foot or leg and reduce the possibility of the machine overrunning the operator's foot or leg, thereby minimizing injury from the rotatable blades.

Abstract: An encoding technique of the invention protects software programs and hardware designs from being copied, tampered with, and its functions from being exposed. The software programs and hardware designs (collectively called programs) thus encoded still remain executable. The encoding technique employs the concept of complexity of programs and produces proximity inversion in terms of functions contained in the programs, while preserving the behaviors. Various embodiments are possible to achieve this encoding which includes, for example, cascading and intertwining of blocks of the programs.

Abstract: A safety guard for a pedestrian-operated or riding machine having rotatable blades and incorporating a strip switch for disabling the motor of the machine upon sensing the presence of an operator's body part or other foreign object in contact with a side of the housing or between the housing of the machine and the ground. The strip switch is secured to the housing and is oriented to be actuated when the machine overruns or contacts a foreign object. Upon actuation, the strip switch disables operation of the motor to prevent the machine's rotating blades or other moving parts below the housing of the machine from striking the foreign object. Another approach to minimizing injury from machinery having rotatable blades is to provide a semi-rigid guard which is attached to the machine body and movable in a forward movement and away from the ground while preventing lateral movement of objects under the machine.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a liquid crystal display driver for driving liquid crystal display electrodes, comprises: a voltage signal generator adapted to provide a predetermined voltage signal to the liquid crystal display electrodes, the voltage signal generator being further adapted to be activated when the voltage signal level of said electrodes is outside a predetermined dead zone region, the voltage signal generator being deactivated when the voltage signal level of the electrodes is substantially within the predetermined dead zone region; and a switch adapted to couple the voltage signal generator to at least one of said liquid crystal display electrodes.

Abstract: A safety guard uses a strip switch to prevent injury at pinch points on either lift gates or pedestrian-operated industrial trucks. A strip switch is provided at the pinch point between the lift gate and the truck bed or vehicle body to stop or reverse operation of the lift gate when contacted by body parts or items improperly loaded on the lift gate. A strip switch may also be located adjacent the portions of a pedestrian-operated lift truck. The strip switch is disposed located about a portion of the perimeter of the pedestrian-operated lift truck adjacent the operator. Upon contacting the strip switch, the pedestrian-operated lift truck may be stopped or reversed to permit the operator to free his foot from the potential pinch point where injury can occur.

Abstract: A liquid fuel burning apparatus having a system for interrupting operation of the apparatus during refueling. The apparatus has a spring biased cable mounted at one end within a slot located proximate a refueling opening. A fuel tank cap has a projection which is adapted to contact a portion of the cable disposed within the slot. When the cap is fully seated on the refuelling opening of the fuel tank, the cable is depressed within the slot by the projection. When the cap is removed, the biasing device causes the cable to move to a released position. For example, this movement of the cable in a specifically disclosed heater embodiment is transmitted via the cable to a wick retracting mechanism which responds by lowering the wick into the reservoir and extinguishing any flames.