Abstract: A method for determining the authenticity of an item, the method comprising: receiving, by an item, a seed; storing the seed in a block of non-volatile memory in the supply item follower component; calculating, by the item follower component, an output of a cryptographic function with the input based on the seed and storing the output in the block of non-volatile memory; iteratively calculating, by the item, the outputs of the cryptographic function wherein for each iteration the input for the cryptographic function is based on the seed and all previous outputs, and for each iteration storing the output in the block of non-volatile memory; and determining the authenticity of the item based on a selected output of the cryptographic function of the item, the selected output being one of the outputs stored in the block of non-volatile memory.

Abstract: A method of determining trust in a supply item in an imaging device for verifying other supply items installed in the imaging device via an algorithm, wherein the imaging device has a plurality of installed supply items. The method comprises: sending challenge data and an indication of the algorithm to a candidate supply item, receiving a challenge response from the candidate supply item, and determining, by the controller, a status of the challenge response, the status being verified or unverified. When the controller determines that the received challenge response is a correct output of the algorithm when the challenge data is input to the algorithm, the status is determined as verified. Further, an imaging device configured to determine trust in a supply item installed in the imaging device for verifying other supply items installed in the imaging device via an algorithm.

Abstract: An imaging device comprising a controller, a prover supply item and a verifier supply item, where the imaging device is configured to authenticate the prover supply item by: sending a challenge response from the prover supply item to the verifier supply item, and determining a status of the challenge response. When the verifier supply item determines that the received challenge response is a correct output of an algorithm when challenge data is input to the algorithm, the status is determined as verified. A supply item configured to be operable as a prover supply item when installed in an imaging device. The prover supply item is configured to receive an indication of an algorithm to be performed and receive challenge data, perform the algorithm using the challenge data as input to determine a challenge response, and send the challenge response to a verifier supply item.

Abstract: A method of authenticating a supply item in an imaging device, wherein the supply item is designated as a prover supply item, and a second supply item installed in the imaging device is designated as a verifier supply item. The method comprises: receiving a challenge response from the prover supply item and determining a status of the challenge response. When the verifier supply item determines that the received challenge response is a correct output of an algorithm when challenge data is input to the algorithm, the status is determined as verified. The verifier supply item is disclosed, configured to receive a challenge response from a prover supply item installed in the imaging device, and determine a status of the challenge response. When the verifier supply item determines that the received challenge response is a correct output of an algorithm, the status is determined as verified.

Abstract: Evaluating computers, devices, or endpoints on a network, such as a large network of computers in an enterprise environment. Detecting computers, devices, or endpoints that may present a security risk to the network or may be compromised in some way. Generating network traffic that, in some cases, should be ignored or should prompt specific, known responses. Detecting endpoint(s) that respond to such network traffic in an anomalous way, or otherwise attempt to perform certain operations based on such network traffic.

Abstract: A method for operating a collector assembly of a vehicle that receives electric current from a conductive pathway extending along a route being traversed by the vehicle to power loads of the vehicle. The method includes moving the collector assembly relative to the conductive pathway to examine one or more mechanical components of the collector assembly and sensing one or more electrical characteristics of the electric current conducted to the vehicle from the conductive pathway and through the collector assembly to test electrical components of the collector assembly or the vehicle. The method may implement responsive actions to control operation of the vehicle based on outcomes of one or more of an examination of the mechanical components or the test of the electrical components.

Abstract: A method including detecting that a vehicle that may be propelled by an electric drive system having one or more motors disconnects or begins disconnecting from an off-board source of power while the one or more motors are being powered by the off-board source of power. The method may include supplanting a decreasing amount of a first electric energy supplied by the off-board source of power to the electric drive system with an amount of a second electric energy supplied by an onboard source of power to the electric drive system responsive to the detection of the disconnect from the off-board source of power.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to displaying a user interface for sharing an account associated with a first user identity with a second user identity. The user interface includes a first sharing option and a second sharing option. One or more inputs corresponding to a request to share the account are detected. If the one or more inputs include a selection of the first sharing option, a request to invite the second user identity to become a joint owner of the account is transmitted. If the one or more inputs include a selection of the second sharing option, a request to invite the second user identity to become a participant of the account without becoming a joint owner of the account is transmitted.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling operation of a vehicle system are provided. This vehicle system can be at least partially powered by electric current conducted to a collector device of the vehicle system from a conductive pathway extending along a route traveled by the vehicle system. A voltage level of the conductive pathway may be monitored, and a conduction impaired location of the conductive pathway may be identified based at least in part on the voltage level of the conductive pathway that is monitored. The collector device or a removal device may be controlled to remove a contaminant from the conductive pathway at the conduction impaired location, the vehicle system may be controlled to compensate for the conduction impaired location, and/or an off-board facility and/or another vehicle system may be notified of the conduction impaired location responsive to identifying the conduction impaired location.

Abstract: The present invention relates to plural compartment assemblies in which materials are stored in at least two separate compartments until the compartments are opened for use. More particularly, the invention relates to a dispensing tube whereby the utilization of a novel insert, a conventional dispensing tube can be divided into separate and discrete compartments at a low capital cost. The resulting dispensing assembly provides for dispensing more than one material from the same tube and even more particularly co-dispensing predetermined proportions of incompatible materials simultaneously and effectively.

Abstract: The present invention relates to plural compartment assemblies in which materials are stored in at least two separate compartments until the compartments are opened for use. More particularly, the invention relates to a dispensing tube whereby the utilization of a novel insert, a conventional dispensing tube can be divided into separate and discrete compartments at a low capital cost. The resulting dispensing assembly provides for dispensing more than one material from the same tube and even more particularly co-dispensing predetermined proportions of incompatible materials simultaneously and effectively.