Abstract: A multi-mode oil base mud imager for use in non-conductive drilling fluid includes at least one current source-a current return pair, and one or more monitor electrodes not located between the current source and the current return of the current source-current return pair. Where more than one current source-current return pair is included, the tool is capable of multiple depths of investigation into surrounding formation. This data can be used as a gauge to establish the reliability of the data and to determine the resistance of the invaded zone around the borehole, as well as standoff distance of the tool from the borehole wall.

Abstract: Method and system for calculating resistivity of an earth formation. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods comprising transmitting a current from a first current source, receiving at least part of the current at a first current return, said first current disposed remotely from the first current source, and measuring a first voltage at a monitor electrode, said monitor electrode disposed more remotely from below the first current source than said first current return.

Abstract: A printhead garage for receiving an ink jet printhead cartridge includes a chassis defining an opening for receiving the ink jet printhead cartridge when the ink jet printhead cartridge is not installed for use by the imaging apparatus for printing. A maintenance assembly is coupled to the chassis and configured to perform at least one printhead maintenance operation. In one embodiment, a printhead firing unit is coupled to the chassis.

Abstract: A method of creating a signature for an article can be provided. The method can comprise illuminating regions of the article sequentially by light at non-normal incidence and detecting light reflected from the surface of each region of the article. The method can further comprise processing signals representative of the reflected light from each region, the signals being indicative of a surface roughness of the region, to determine a signature for the article.

Abstract: Provided is a method of producing a bioabsorbable, implantable substrate having a graded molecular weight distribution, comprising exposing at least a portion of the implantable substrate to electron beam irradiation. There is also provided a bioabsorbable, implantable substrate comprising a bioabsorbable polymer having a graded molecular weight distribution through at least a portion of its thickness.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a inkjet printhead having an internal ink reservoir, an ink via in fluid communication with the ink reservoir, a filter tower extending into the ink reservoir, and one or more walls at the base of the filter tower. In order to promote the movement of bubbles toward and into the ink via, the wall(s) at the base of the filter tower can converge and be inclined toward the ink via, and can have one or more protrusions thereon and/or recesses therein.

Abstract: A multi-fluid body and an ejection head substrate connected in fluid flow communication with the multi-fluid body for ejecting multiple fluids therefrom. The multi-fluid body includes at least two segregated fluid chambers. Independent fluid supply paths lead from each of the fluid chambers providing fluid to multiple fluid flow paths in the ejection head substrate. The ejection head substrate is attached adjacent an ejection head area of the body. The fluid flow paths in the ejection head substrate have a flow path density of greater than about one flow paths per millimeter.

Abstract: An apparatus may be provided for determining a signature from an article in a reading volume of the apparatus. The apparatus can comprise a source operable to generate a coherent beam and a beam directing member operable to direct the coherent beam into the reading volume. The apparatus may also comprise a detector arrangement for collecting signals created by scatter of the coherent beam within the reading volume, wherein different ones of the signals relate to scatter from different parts of the reading volume, the detector arrangement having a numerical aperture greater than a predetermined minimum and a processor operable to determine a signature for an article in the reading volume from the collected signals. Use of such apparatus can be repeated whenever required to test authenticity of the article.

Abstract: Packaged integrated circuits (ICs) of some types, such as processors, are graded and sold according to a performance scale, such as maximum specified clock speed, set by the manufacturer as a result of testing. As a record of this grading some part of the package, usually the upper surface, is marked with the specified performance attribute. However, criminal activity has developed where the packaging is relabelled to show a higher specification so the ICs can be fraudulently resold at a higher price. To address this problem, the invention envisages that manufacturers maintaining a product database for each packaged IC which logs not only the performance specification, but also a digital signature derived from a speckle pattern obtained from the packaging. Subsequently, any packaged IC can be rescanned to interrogate its speckle pattern and recompute the signature. The signature is then used to find the product in the database, whereby the originally specified performance attribute is retrieved.

Abstract: A key distribution system can comprise a key packaging unit operable to package a key using a signature based upon an intrinsic property of a security token, a channel operable to have the packaged key transmitted therethrough; and a key unpacking unit operable to unpack the key using a signature based upon the intrinsic property of the security token. Thereby the key can be transmitted via a non-secure channel to a recipient for use thereby, without it being possible for a third party to obtain a copy of the key by monitoring the channel.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a printhead having a chip feed extending between an ink reservoir and printhead nozzles, wherein the chip feed has an inlet, and outlet, and one or more projections or recesses in a transition surface of the chip feed. The transition surface and the projection or recess can be inclined with respect to the outlet of the chip feed, and in some cases can be curved to present a concave or convex shape toward the outlet of the chip feed.

Abstract: An article verification system can comprise a first scanner operable to scan an article to create a signature based upon an intrinsic characteristic of the article and a comparator operable to compare the created signature to a plurality of stored signatures created from previous scans of a plurality of articles. More than one stored signature can be associated with each article, each signature for each article being associated with a respective different portion of each article to the other signatures for that article. Thus the system provides for an article to be checked against multiple records of that article. In some examples, a single match between the later scan and a stored record can be used to positively verify the article.

Abstract: A method for authenticity verification. The method can comprise conducting a transaction between first and second parties, the parties being respectively located at first and second locations remote one-another, the outcome of the transaction being the transfer of title to goods and/or services from the first party to the second party. Data describing a value entitlement token of the second party can be captured to create a signature for the value entitlement token, the signature being based upon an intrinsic property of the value entitlement token. The signature can be transmitted from the second party to a third party which can compare the signature to a database of stored signatures. A validation result indicating whether the value entitlement token corresponds to a value entitlement token signature in the database can be transmitted from the third party to the first party.

Abstract: An article identification method can comprise: determining a signature from an article based upon an intrinsic characteristic of the article; and comparing the determined signature to a stored signature. The method can also comprise splitting the determined signature into blocks of contiguous data, performing a comparison operation between each block and respective blocks of the stored signature, and comparing an attribute of a comparison result from each block comparison to an expected attribute of the block comparison to determine a compensation value for use in determining a comparison result. The method can also comprise determining a similarity result between the determined signature and the stored signature, using the compensation value to adjust the determined signature. Thus an article damaged by stretching or shrinking can be successfully identified. Also, a non-linear signature determination can be accommodated without losing identification accuracy.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system 100 for verifying the authenticity of medicament entitlement tokens, such as prescriptions 102, used to control the dispensing of medicaments. The system comprises a network 104 connecting at least one token provider terminal 106, a system server 120 and a verification terminal 130. The token provider terminal 106 is operable to provide a signature from a speckle pattern derived from a medicament entitlement token that can be stored by the server system 120. The verification terminal 130 can then be operated remotely to recreate the signature in order to verify the authenticity of the medicament entitlement token by comparing it to stored signatures. The system 100 relies upon the intrinsic physical properties of the medicament entitlement token to generate a unique signature for each token that is produced. This makes the medicament entitlement tokens themselves very difficult to forge.

Abstract: A data access system can be provided. The system can comprise a data record associated with a stored access token signature and a signature generator, operable to scan an access token to create a signature for the access token, the signature being based upon an intrinsic property of the access token. The system can also comprise a comparator for comparing the created signature with the stored signature. The system can be operable to make the data record available in the event of a match between the stored signature and the created signature. Thus secure access to sensitive or private data can be controlled using an access token in the possession of an individual or entity described by or in the data record.

Abstract: A single-ended Ethernet management system and method are provided. The system enables a user to provision and monitor an Ethernet interface, as well as to detect and isolate faults, from a single end. The method may be executed on the system to provide Ethernet services from a first end to a second end. After the Ethernet service is established, the method monitors the service from the first end to detect an occurrence of a fault and to identify service degradation issues. If a fault occurs, the method automatically executes a fault isolation procedure to isolate a location of the fault between the first and second ends. In addition, the method may categorize one or more potential causes for the fault based on fault location or type.

Abstract: A replacement component for printing operations that includes a recess that is adapted to be engaged by a projection of a replacement component holder associated with a printing apparatus to mount the replacement component to the replacement component holder, the replacement component also including an actuatable release adapted to operatively contact at least one of the projection and the recess to substantially disengage the projection from the recess.

Abstract: A method for authenticity verification. The method can comprise conducting a transaction between first and second parties, the parties being respectively located at first and second locations remote one-another, the outcome of the transaction being the provision by the first party to the second party of the right to an entitlement token. Following the transaction outcome, data describing a written format for the entitlement token can be transmitted from the first party to the second party. The entitlement token can be written at the second location using the data describing the written format. The method can further comprise creating a first signature for the written entitlement token at the second location, the signature being based upon an intrinsic property of the written entitlement token, and storing the first signature in a signature database.

Abstract: A multi-mode oil base mud imager for use in non-conductive drilling fluid includes at least one current source—a current return pair, and one or more monitor electrodes not located between the current source and the current return of the current source—current return pair. Where more than one current source—current return pair is included, the tool is capable of multiple depths of investigation into surrounding formation. This data can be used as a gauge to establish the reliability of the data and to determine the resistance of the invaded zone around the borehole, as well as standoff distance of the tool from the borehole wall.