Abstract: A message pathway selection system dynamically selects an optimum message pathway for transmitting messages. The system dynamically optimizes a message pathway according to various criteria such as, for example, efficiency, economy, data requirements, auditing requirements, security, data size, etc. The system can direct a message to bypass an infrastructure messaging server, using a direct message pathway. The system can also switch from an infrastructure messaging server to a direct method. The system can also utilize an infrastructure messaging pathway either as an alternative or in parallel with the direct message pathway. The system allows an application to use a single communication system for both a direct mode and an infrastructure mode of data transfer. The present system can bypass the infrastructure message pathway, thus reducing message latency, number of messages sent, and improving overall bandwidth.

Abstract: Described is a way for computing proximity (location-based proximity or preference-based proximity) between mobile wireless subscribers (who use different services) without either divulging their location/preference to the other (preservation of privacy). Privacy is kept by providing location/preference information in steps, along with an evaluation function. The services receive partial results and then locally compute the final result, or proximity. The term proximity includes not just physical proximity but also multi-dimensional data such as preference profiles and vectors (e.g., an affinity for baseball, apple pie, and ballroom dancing).

Abstract: Described is a way for computing proximity (location-based proximity or preference-based proximity) between mobile wireless subscribers (who use different services) without either divulging their location/preference to the other (preservation of privacy). Privacy is kept by providing location/preference information in steps, along with an evaluation function. The services receive partial results and then locally compute the final result, or proximity. The term proximity includes not just physical proximity but also multi-dimensional data such as preference profiles and vectors (e.g., an affinity for baseball, apple pie, and ballroom dancing).

Abstract: An item of value to one or more individuals in a group is tracked wherein each valuable object is tagged, and one or more members of the group carry a personal information management (PIM) device equipped with a sensor which constantly scans for the presence of a known valuable. The sensor is able to detect the type of tag(s) used by the group of individuals. Whenever a member of the group carrying a PIM device comes across a known tagged valuable, the system detects it and logs the location, valuable ID, and user ID in a database. Optionally, visual data is captured from the valuable and compared against a standard located in a database in order to locate the valuable.

Abstract: A item of value to one or more individuals in a group is tracked wherein each valuable object is tagged, and one or more members of the group carry a personal information management (PIM) device equipped with a sensor which constantly scans for the presence of a known valuable. The sensor is able to detect the type of tag(s) used by the group of individuals. Whenever a member of the group carrying a PIM device comes across a known tagged valuable, the system detects it and logs the location, valuable ID, and user ID in a database. Optionally, visual data is captured from the valuable and compared against a standard located in a database in order to locate the valuable.

Abstract: A system for rejecting second and subsequent copies of an informationally-equivalent card or badge asserted into a client/server system by processing only those cards having transaction histories recorded thereon by comparison matching a history recorded in a central repository and then rewriting the history on the card and in the repository. The rewritten histories include the current transaction. Counterfeit cards, informationally equivalent to the original card prior to the transaction update of the original card, will be rejected when asserted into the system since their histories mismatch that recorded in the repository.

Abstract: The invention relates to an organic electroluminescent device comprising a light emitting composition disposed between a first and second electrode. The composition comprises a charge transporting polymer and an organic salt comprising immobilized anions and cations nonuniformly distributed in the polymer matrix.

Abstract: A thin film cobalt alloy magnetic recording disk has a metal nitride layer located between the disk substrate and the top surface of the disk to provide texturing of the disk at the head-disk interface. The texturing layer is made up of generally contiguous clusters of aluminum nitride (AlN) with rounded upper surfaces that are formed on top of the substrate and under the conventional Cr underlayer. The AlN texturing layer is formed by sputtering an Al target in the presence of N.sub.2 gas. The subsequently sputter-deposited Cr underlayer, cobalt alloy magnetic layer and protective amorphous carbon overcoat replicate the upper surface of the contiguous AlN clusters, resulting in a textured surface at the head-disk interface. The AlN texturing layer may also be sputter deposited above the magnetic layer in the middle of the protective carbon overcoat.

Abstract: A nonvolatile magnetic random access memory (MRAM) is an array of individual magnetic memory cells. Each memory cell is a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) element and a diode electrically connected in series. Each MTJ is formed of a pinned ferromagnetic layer whose magnetization direction is prevented from rotating, a free ferromagnetic layer whose magnetization direction is free to rotate between states of parallel and antiparallel to the fixed magnetization of the pinned ferromagnetic layer, and an insulating tunnel barrier between and in contact with the two ferromagnetic layers. Each memory cell has a high resistance that is achieved in a very small surface area by controlling the thickness, and thus the electrical barrier height, of the tunnel barrier layer.