Abstract: A computerized system for transacting the purchase and sale of consumer motor fuels between motor fuel merchants and retail consumers through software on a mobile or desktop connected device for periods in the future through the simultaneous execution of multi-party, multi-layered contingent transactions and pricing algorithms to ensure that all inter-related motor fuel merchant transactions are simultaneously transacted upon a retail consumer purchase execution. Motor fuels include refined products such as gasoline and diesel fuel, renewable fuels (e.g. ethanol, biodiesel), natural gas (including liquefied natural gas), jet fuel and electricity.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for performing context-based delayed notification of messages are disclosed. Context-based delayed notification of messages can include delaying notification of incoming messages received or generated by a user device to a user of the device until a determination is made that the messages satisfy message delivery criteria. Contextual data such as location data, time data, device usage data, or the like can be used to determine whether the message delivery criteria are satisfied. Messages received by a user device from one or more senders can be categorized into one or more message categories based on message categorization criteria. Individual messages or groups of messages within a message category can be evaluated against the message delivery criteria using the contextual data to determine whether notification of the messages to a user should be delayed or allowed to proceed.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for performing context-based delayed notification of messages are disclosed. Context-based delayed notification of messages can include delaying notification of incoming messages received or generated by a user device to a user of the device until a determination is made that the messages satisfy message delivery criteria. Contextual data such as location data, time data, device usage data, or the like can be used to determine whether the message delivery criteria are satisfied. Messages received by a user device from one or more senders can be categorized into one or more message categories based on message categorization criteria. Individual messages or groups of messages within a message category can be evaluated against the message delivery criteria using the contextual data to determine whether notification of the messages to a user should be delayed or allowed to proceed.

Abstract: A method and system for binding a device to a planar is disclosed. According to the preferred embodiment of the method and system of the present invention, a programmable memory chip is provided on the planar and the device is detachably attached to the planar. The method and system further includes using the programmable memory chip to bind the device to the planar. Through the aspects of the present invention, the programmable memory chip transmits a message associated with the planar to the device, which is programmed to receive the message associated with the planar. If the message received by the device is not the message associated with the planar, the device is disabled.

Abstract: Indicating when the cover for a computer chassis has been opened is disclosed. A computer of an embodiment of the invention includes a chassis and a basic input/output system (BIOS), or another type of firmware. The chassis has an openable cover, and circuitry indicating when the openable cover has been opened. The BIOS has a non-volatile memory in which a flag is set when the circuitry indicates that the openable cover has been opened. The computer may further include always-on circuitry, such as time-of-day and real-time clock circuitry, to which the circuitry indicating when the openable cover has been opened is electrically connected. The computer may also include one or more encryption and/or signing modules that encrypt and/or sign data according to one or more keys. The keys are rendered invalid when the cover of the chassis has been opened.

Abstract: A system and method for installing a customized set of software on a personal computer, tailored to the requirements of the prospective user and avoiding unnecessary software and attendant license fees. Software (all that may be desired) in unusable form is loaded onto the personal computer then selected software (that which a particular user may require and/or desire) is converted (decompressed and/or decrypted) to produce usable versions of the selected software while the other software may be erased, if desired, to free up space in storage. The selection of software is done on the user's function (department and/or mission) and may be supplemented by a user selection from a menu, based on a selection utility.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method and system for configuring the language of a BIOS of a computer system. The method and system comprise providing a plurality of BIOS images in the computer system, each of the plurality of BIOS images being related to a particular language, selecting one of the pluralities of BIOS images based on the language supported by the computer system and utilizing the selected BIOS to configure the computer system. Through the use of the method and system in accordance with the present invention, the language being supported by the computer system is determined when the computer system is booted up as opposed to when the computer system is being built. This results in an increase in manufacturing productivity since original equipment manufacturers can build computer systems without having to worry about language restrictions.

Abstract: Aspects for providing protection against theft and loss of a portable computer system are described. The aspects include establishing boundary conditions within which the portable computer system is authorized for use and tracking a position of the portable computer system with a global position system (GPS) unit in the portable computer system. The position is compared to the boundary conditions to identify whether the portable computer system has violated the boundary conditions, and anti-theft routines are performed when the position has violated the boundary conditions. The anti-theft routines include calling a preset phone number with a cellular calling facility of the portable computer system.

Abstract: Method and system aspects for securely transferring a computer system are described. A computer system is disabled at a shipping point via an RFID (radio frequency identification) interface and re-enabled at a receiving point via the RFID interface. Disabling the computer system includes selecting a boot password, writing the boot password to storage in the computer system via the RFID interface, and setting a disable bit in the storage via the, RFID interface. Re-enabling the computer system includes entering the boot password via the RFID interface and clearing the disable bit.

Abstract: A method for determining the physical locations of a plurality of computers in a network is disclosed. The network includes a plurality of wall plates, each of the wall plates for coupling one of the computers to the network. The method and system comprises providing an additional information physical layer and logic in each of the wall plates. The method and system further comprises capturing and storing the system media access-controller (MAC) address of the connect computer in the additional logic of each of the plurality of wall plates and storing a physical address of the wall plate in the logic of each of the plurality of wall plates. The method and system also comprises providing a command from the network that will cause the system MAC address and the physical address of at least one of the plurality of computers to be provided to an application in the network.

Abstract: A system for monitoring tamper events in a computer system is disclosed. The computer system is on a network. The system comprises a tamper real time clock (RTC) means which receives at least one tamper event signal from the computer system. The tamper RTC means includes a timer for indicating the time of a tamper event and a management device for receiving the at least one tamper event signal. The management device issues a command to the tamper RTC means to obtain the time of the at least one tamper event. The management device also generates a network packet which includes the time of the tamper event to a system administrator of the network. The present invention in a preferred embodiment is directed to a computer system which has the ability to functionally detect and store the time of a tamper event. A tamper real time clock (RTC) circuit is operatively connected with logic to store the date and time of an event as it occurs.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring tamper events in a computer system in accordance with the present invention is disclosed. The system comprises a detector means for detecting at least one tamper event and for providing an indication when the tamper event has occurred for longer than a predetermined time period. The system also includes an adapter means coupled to the detector means for receiving the indication and for disabling the computer system. The present invention is directed to a computer system, which has the ability to functionally determine if a tamper event is authorized and therefore allows the computer to operate after such an event. In a preferred embodiment, the tamper event could be as simple as a toggle switch being activated when the cover of the personal computer is removed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a method and system for retrieving and reporting serial numbers of hard disk drives in a computer system. The method and system include electronically obtaining the serial number of each of the hard disk drives. The method and system also include providing the serial number of each of the hard disk drives to a display via a browser. The method and system additionally include copying the serial number of each of the hard disk drives to a radio frequency (RF) enabled memory, wherein the serial numbers can be logged utilizing an RF reader. The RF reader may be included in an RF gate and/or a hand held device. Computer systems with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology configured in accordance with the present invention enable automated electronic tracking of computer assets such as the hard disk drives as they pass through the RF gate in or out of a portal.

Abstract: Described is a computer system which is coupled to a remote computer via a data communication link. The computer system has a normally closed enclosure and is capable of securing data retained within the system against unauthorized access. The computer system includes an erasable memory element mounted within the enclosure for selective activation to active and inactive states and for receiving and storing a security password when in the active state. A manually operable option switch is mounted within the enclosure. The option switch is operatively connected with the erasable memory element and manually settable by a user of the computer system for setting the erasable memory element to the active and inactive states.

Abstract: A memory device comprises a memory array having corresponding first access control bits to control access thereto. A second set of access control bits is provided to control write access to the first access control bits. The memory array is divided into memory blocks, each block having a corresponding access control bit. At least one such block is further subdivided into pages, each page having a corresponding control bit.

Abstract: A timeout mechanism for a computer system is provided, comprising a clocked linear feedback shift register and a programmable comparing mechanism. The linear feedback shift register comprises a series of latches serially connected to each other, and is responsive to a received interrupt signal to (i) incrementally count sequentially in the presence of the interrupt signal to provide a distinct binary vector array at the outputs of the latches for each count in the sequence and (ii) reset to a particular binary vector array in the absence of the interrupt signal. The comparing mechanism outputs a timeout command in response to the linear feedback shift register reaching a predetermined count and outputting a corresponding predetermined binary vector array at the output of the latches. The timeout mechanism uses a minimal amount of combinatorial logic, while permitting the issuance of a timeout command after the detection of an interrupt signal after any multiple of clock cycles.

Abstract: A parallel port interface for utilization between a first device and a second device designated by a user for transmitting a digital signal from the device to the second device. The parallel port interface includes a switchable driver circuit for transmitting the digital signal, which includes a first circuit for emulating an open collector circuit and a second circuit for emulating a totem pole circuit. The switchable driver circuit is controlled by a logic control circuit that automatically selects either the first circuit or the second circuit for transmitting the digital signal in response to the digital signal and a designation of the second device.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for detecting and correcting a lost hardware interrupt generated by an input/output device in a multiple I/O port computer environment. The lost interrupt condition is caused by the simultaneous occurrence of (i) the reading and subsequent resetting of a interrupt request status bit in an I/O port by a device driver and (ii) the setting of the interrupt request status bit by an I/O device attached to the port. Because the interrupt request status bit is reset before it can be read, the device driver fails to see an acknowledgement of the previous data transmission to the I/O device, and the system encounters a deadlock condition. After a normal timeout timer expires the device driver terminates transmission of data and returns a "cancel or retry" message to the request originator. The present invention prevents a deadlock condition in this situation by providing a second timer in addition to and of significantly less duration than the normal timeout timer.

Abstract: In computing system where two entities of the system are transferring data, each entity enqueues and dequeues control elements for the data transfer on an outbound pipe and an inbound pipe, respectively. The enqueue and dequeue operations are based on local control information at the entity. This local control information is in part control information generated at the entity and in part surrogate control information generated at the other entity participating in the data transfer. This surrogate control information is stored at the other entity as well as a surrogate copy being stored in memory shared by both entities. Before an entity begins an enqueue or dequeue operation, it pulls the other entity's surrogate information as a single addressable block from shared memory and distributes it to its own local storage. This local storage is divided into outbound pipe control information and inbound pipe control information.

Abstract: A mixture of branched fatty acids containing 18 carbon atoms such as commercial iso-stearic acid is treated to lower the freezing point to below -10.degree. C., by mixing with urea and a lower alcohol, such as methanol, and filtering. The product is useful in the production of low freezing point esters for use as lubricants.