Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for maintaining and updating a secure boot process on a computer with a trusted platform module (TPM). A boot process may be maintained by inspecting a log of TPM activity, determining data that prevented a secret to unseal, and returning the data to an original state. In situations where this type of recovery is not workable, techniques for authenticating a user may be used, allowing the authenticated user to bypass the security features of the boot process and reseal the boot secrets to platform configuration register (PCR) values that may have changed. Finally, a secure boot process may be upgraded by migrating TPM sealed secrets to a temporary storage location, updating one or more aspects of a secure boot process, and resealing the secrets to the resulting new platform configuration. Other advantages and features of the invention are described below.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling access to data on a computer with a secure boot process can provide a highly efficient mechanism for preventing future access to encrypted digital resources. This may be advantageous in a range of scenarios, for example where a computer is sold and assurance is desired that no stray private data remains on the hard disk. Data resources, for example all data associated with one or more particular hard disk partitions, may be encrypted. The decryption key may be available through a secure boot process. By erasing, altering, or otherwise disabling a secret, such as a decryption key or a process that obtains a decryption key, the data formerly accessible using such secret becomes inaccessible.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for maintaining and updating a secure boot process on a computer with a trusted platform module (TPM). A boot process may be maintained by inspecting a log of TPM activity, determining data that prevented a secret to unseal, and returning the data to an original state. In situations where this type of recovery is not workable, techniques for authenticating a user may be used, allowing the authenticated user to bypass the security features of the boot process and reseal the boot secrets to platform configuration register (PCR) values that may have changed. Finally, a secure boot process may be upgraded by migrating TPM sealed secrets to a temporary storage location, updating one or more aspects of a secure boot process, and resealing the secrets to the resulting new platform configuration. Other advantages and features of the invention are described below.

Abstract: In a computer with a trusted platform module (TPM), an expected hash value of a boot component may be placed into a platform configuration register (PCR), which allows a TPM to unseal a secret. The secret may then be used to decrypt the boot component. The hash of the decrypted boot component may then be calculated and the result can be placed in a PCR. The PCRs may then be compared. If they do not, access to the an important secret for system operation can be revoked. Also, a first secret may be accessible only when a first plurality of PCR values are extant, while a second secret is accessible only after one or more of the first plurality of PCR values has been replaced with a new value, thereby necessarily revoking further access to the first secret in order to grant access to the second secret.

Abstract: Disclosed are topical compositions for the treatment of microbial infections on the skin or scalp which include a polyvalent metal salt of pyrithione and include a metal ion source. Also disclosed are methods for treating microbial infections of the skin or scalp using such compositions.

Abstract: Methods for treating glassware surfaces, for example dishes and glasses, using corrosion protection agents, especially corrosion protection agents comprising zinc-containing materials. Methods using corrosion protection agents that form a part of a treatment system and/or are incorporated in a composition of matter are also provided.

Abstract: A method for reducing the lapse rate of a first insurance policy comprises the step of offering to sell a rider to said first insurance policy, said rider comprising benefit features, said benefit features configured such that the combination of said rider and said first insurance policy has a higher switching cost than the switching cost of said first insurance policy alone and said rider is constructively attached to said first insurance policy, whereby said step of offering to sell is at least in part performed by technological means. The first insurance policy may be a homeowner's policy. The rider may be a pet health insurance rider.

Abstract: Complete-cycle methods are provided for protecting glassware from corrosion in automatic dishwashing appliances using a through-the-wash detergent composition, especially detergent compositions comprising zinc-containing materials, in combination with a rinse aid composition, especially rinse aid compositions comprising at least one water-soluble metal salt.

Abstract: The present invention provides an interlayer composite having a plastic sheet having a predetermined outer shape and a major surface; a pair of bus bars, and an adhesive layer securing the bus bars directly on the major surface of the plastic sheet in a fixed relationship to one another.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising an effective amount of a particulate zinc material, an effective amount of a surfactant including a surfactant with an anionic functional group wherein the particulate zinc material has a relative zinc lability of greater than about 15% and wherein the composition comprises less than 5.5 micromoles of a zinc binding material per gram of the particulate zinc material/per m2/gram surface area of the particulate zinc material.

Abstract: A system and method for efficiently conducting a fundraising campaign over a wide-area network is provided. In accordance with the invention a method for conducting an efficient fundraising campaign by an organization over a wide-area network includes hosting a website, registering on the website, making a charitable donation on the website, contacting third parties via email messages soliciting charitable donations, and providing one or more reports, on the website, including information on the status of the fundraising campaign. The method further includes contacting third parties, via email messages, to provide information about one or more teams participating in a competition associated with the fundraising campaign. The method further includes providing information, in the reports, about the third parties that have been contacted via email messages.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising an effective amount of zinc-containing layered material, an effective amount of a surfactant including a surfactant with an anionic functional group, an effective amount of a cationic polymer wherein the cationic polymer has a trimethylamine level of less than about 45 ppm, wherein the zinc-containing layered material has a relative zinc lability of greater than about 15% and further wherein the composition has a pH of greater than about 6.8.

Abstract: A system and method for efficiently conducting a fundraising campaign over a wide-area network is provided. In accordance with the invention a method for conducting an efficient fundraising campaign by an organization over a wide-area network includes hosting a website, registering on the website, making a charitable donation on the website, contacting third parties via email messages soliciting charitable donations, and providing one or more reports, on the website, including information on the status of the fundraising campaign. The method further includes contacting third parties, via email messages, to provide information about one or more teams participating in a competition associated with the fundraising campaign. The method further includes providing information, in the reports, about the third parties that have been contacted via email messages.

Abstract: Corrosion protection agents for treating glassware surfaces, for example dishes and glasses, especially corrosion protection agents comprising zinc-containing materials are provided. Treatment systems and composition of matter, which incorporate these corrosion protection agents, are also provided.

Abstract: Methods for protecting glassware from surface corrosion during automatic dishwashing using through-the-wash automatic dishwashing detergent compositions, especially detergent compositions comprising zinc-containing materials are provided.

Abstract: A composition comprising coated particles of a salt of pyrithione selected from the group consisting of monovalent and polyvalent pyrithione salts, and combinations thereof, partially or fully coated with a lipophilic agent. The composition is characterized by enhanced anti-fungal and anti-dandruff efficacy in shampoos. Also disclosed is a personal care composition, preferably a shampoo, containing a topical carrier and coated particles of a salt of pyrithione selected from the group consisting of monovalent and polyvalent pyrithione salts, and combinations thereof, partially or fully coated with a lipophilic agent.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating BIOS integrated encryption is provided. An interface is defined between the operating system and the BIOS. The operating system employs this interface to provide BIOS code information to facilitate decryption of data that is encrypted on the system. In the pre-operating system boot phase, the BIOS employs the decryption information provided from this interface in order to decrypt the data. The decrypted information can be employed to facilitate secure rebooting of a computer system from hibernate mode and/or secure access to device(s).

Abstract: A system and method that utilizes a common hardware register pseudo-language are disclosed. The present invention employs a common platform to specify hardware functionality and to execute hardware action(s). Hardware actions can be effectuated by performing a series of instructions, which comprise hardware register primitives and resources utilized by the primitives. The hardware register primitives are operations defined according to the common hardware register pseudo-language. The series of instructions can be loaded prior to boot or during initialization.

Abstract: A laminate, e.g. a heatable windshield has a pair of glass sheets laminated together about a member responsive to electrical stimuli, e.g. changes transmission or is heated as current passes through the member. A pair of spaced bus bars is in surface contact with the conductive member, and a lead assembly associated with each of the bus bars has a lead in contact with its respective bus bar and extends beyond the periphery of the sheets. The lead assembly further includes first and second air barriers to prevent air from moving between the sheets after the edge sealing procedure and during autoclaving of the laminate subassembly. The first air barrier is an adhesive between surfaces of the lead and inner surfaces of an electric and mechanical protective sleeve positioned over portions of its respective lead.

Abstract: A pair of cooler inserts may be used as single units when immersed in a beverage in a container or as a pair when positioned in a cooler of the type designed to hold multi-pack beverage containers. Each insert has a flat top wall, a flat bottom wall, a pair of sidewalls and a pair of flat end walls. Plural concavities are formed in each side wall to accommodate cylindrical surfaces of beverage cans when the inserts are used as a pair to cool multi-pack beverage containers. Posts are formed in the top wall of each insert and post-receiving recesses are formed in the bottom wall of each insert so that a pair of inserts are easily interlocked to one another when a first insert is positioned in overlying relation to a second insert. The flat top and bottom walls ensure that the concavities abut the respective cylindrical surfaces of the multi-pack beverage cans along the entire vertical extent of the cans so that the cans are cooled to the maximum extent possible.