Abstract: A method of configuring an online account of a user is disclosed. A service provider receives a public cryptocurrency address from a user's computer and associates the public cryptocurrency address with the online account of the user. The service provider establishes a secure communication session between the user's computer and the service provider based on the user logging into a first area of the online account of the user. After establishing the secure communication session, the service provider determines that a second area of the online account is in a locked state. The service provider determines that the user has reduced a balance associated with the public cryptocurrency address during the secure communication session, and in response to determining that the balance associated with the public cryptocurrency address has been reduced during the secure communication session, unlocks the second area of the online account.

Abstract: A method of maintaining a chain-of-ownership for art pieces is disclosed. A first record is stored in a chain-of-ownership database which assigns a first art-piece cryptocurrency address to a first art piece, and the Internet is used to transfer cryptocurrency from a first artist cryptocurrency address assigned to a first artist to the first art-piece cryptocurrency address. A second record is stored in the chain-of-ownership database which assigns a second art-piece cryptocurrency address to a second art piece, and the Internet is used to transfer cryptocurrency from the first artist cryptocurrency address to the second art-piece cryptocurrency address.

Abstract: A method of maintaining a chain-of-ownership for art pieces is disclosed. A first record is stored in a chain-of-ownership database which assigns a first item cryptocurrency address to a first item, and the Internet is used to transfer cryptocurrency from a first originator cryptocurrency address assigned to a first originator to the first item cryptocurrency address. A second record is stored in the chain-of-ownership database which assigns a second item cryptocurrency address to a second item, and the Internet is used to transfer cryptocurrency from the first originator cryptocurrency address to the second item cryptocurrency address. The first originator cryptocurrency address is transmitted over the Internet to a chain-of-ownership (COO) website, and the first originator cryptocurrency address is displayed in an originator website of the first originator.

Abstract: A method of configuring an online account of a user is disclosed. A network of computers is used to receive a public cryptocurrency address from a user computer, and a balance associated with the public cryptocurrency address is checked using an Internet. When at least part of the online account was previously configured into a locked state based on the public cryptocurrency address, access to the at least part of the online account is disabled until the balance of the public cryptocurrency address is increased and then reduced.

Abstract: A method of managing an online account is disclosed comprising receiving a public cryptocurrency address using a network of computers, checking a balance associated with the public cryptocurrency address using the Internet, and when the checked balance of the public cryptocurrency address has been reduced from a non-zero value, enabling access to at least part of the online account. Any suitable cryptocurrency may be employed, such as bitcoin or ethereum.

Abstract: A method of configuring an online account is disclosed comprising using a network of computers to receive a public cryptocurrency address, configuring the online account based on the public cryptocurrency address, and using the network of computers to transmit the public cryptocurrency address to a user computer. Any suitable cryptocurrency may be employed, such as bitcoin or ethereum.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for automating an information disclosure statement (IDS). A reference id is sent over a network to a patent database site, and reference data is received over the network from the patent database site corresponding to the reference id. The reference data is imported into an IDS file using Adobe Acrobat. In one embodiment the method is performed by an applicant computer communicating with a patent database site (e.g., a web site), and in an alternative embodiment, an applicant computer communicates with an intermediate site (e.g., a web site) which communicates with the patent database site. Another embodiment of the present invention comprises a computer readable storage medium storing code segments for implementing the method.

Abstract: A magnetic disc storage system employing two stage actuators for simultaneously positioning recording heads over the top and bottom surfaces of the disc is disclosed. The recording heads are fastened to a distal end of respective top and bottom load beams. A base end of the load beams is connected to a voice coil motor (VCM) rotary actuator which simultaneously positions both recording heads over the disc. A silicon microactuator is also fastened to the distal end of at least one of the load beams for positioning the recording heads independent of one another, thereby allowing simultaneous tracking of embedded servo data. Various data formats are provided, including interleaving logical sector numbers, symbols of a logical sector, and segments of a logical sector, between the top and bottom physical sectors of a track.

Abstract: In a disc storage system employing multiple recording heads to increase throughput by providing simultaneous access through multiple data streams, a sampled amplitude read channel is disclosed for detecting, in parallel, estimated data sequences from the read signals associated with each data stream. Timing recovery in the read channel is implemented through interpolation, that is, by asynchronously sampling the analog read signals and interpolating to synchronous sample values. In this manner, a frequency synthesizer can generate a single reference clock for clocking operation of all the discrete time circuitry, thereby eliminating noise caused by multiple clocks as well as simplifying diagnostics. Furthermore, interpolated timing recovery avoids noise due to cross-talk between voltage controlled oscillators (VCOs) that would likely occur in a conventional synchronous sampling timing recovery design. A significant advantage is that the read channel can reside in a single integrated circuit.

Abstract: A sampled amplitude read channel reads user data and embedded servo data stored on a magnetic medium by detecting digital data from a sequence of discrete time interpolated sample values. A write frequency synthesizer generates a write clock for writing digital data to the magnetic medium at a predetermined baud rate for a selected zone, and upon read back, a read frequency synthesizer generates a fixed sampling clock at a frequency slightly higher than the write frequency at the outer zone. A sampling device samples the analog read signal at this fixed sampling rate across the data zones and servo wedges to generate a sequence of discrete time channel samples that are not synchronized to the baud rate. Before sampling, an analog receive filter processes the read signal to attenuate aliasing noise without having to adjust its spectrum across data zones or servo wedges. A discrete time equalizing filter equalizes the channel samples according to a predetermined partial response (PR4, EPR4, EEPR4, etc.).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for programming a home answering machine having multiple storage devices for individual voice mail boxes and capable of receiving "Caller ID" data. The answering machine is programmed either by the caller or the user so that the "Caller ID" data can be used to automatically route incoming messages to individual voice mail boxes. A caller identification data base stores the "Caller ID" data, and a CPU uses the data base to direct the caller's message to the appropriate voice mail box.