Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the types of tasks in queue at a plurality of cryptographic devices, determining an estimated completion time for each cryptographic device, and assigning tasks to the device with the lowest total estimated completion time for tasks in queue.

Abstract: A lift device for loading game animals or other objects, onto the cargo rack of an ATV. The lift device includes a vertical support frame member adapted for attachment to the rear of an ATV. A horizontally extending base support member is pivotally attached at one end thereof to the bottom of the vertical support frame member; a loading platform is pivotally hinged to the opposite end of the horizontally extending base support member. A cable is attached to the base support member and a winch, mounted on the vertical support frame member, moves the cable to move the lift device from a loading position on the ground to a loaded position wherein the game animal is secured by the loading platform on the top of the ATV cargo rack.

Abstract: A protection apparatus for protecting electrical and electronic equipment from damage due to disturbances introduced by external electrical conductors. The apparatus employs one or more of the following methods to switch an interfacing relay from the operating state to the protected state: Surge protection; detection of the sound of an approaching thunderstorm. The apparatus may include a means to manually select either the protected state in which the connected equipment is disconnected from the external conductors, the override state in which the connected equipment is connected to the external conductors and the sensing systems are overridden and the normal operating state in which the sensing systems are employed to automatically disconnect the equipment in the event of a disturbance.

Abstract: In a telephone order shopping system, an on-line shopping system, or a brick and mortar store that uses point of sale terminals, retail prices are compared with price bounds in order to guard against inappropriate retail prices caused by data-entry errors in a retail price database. The price bounds may be read directly from a price bound database or computed from antecedent data such as wholesale prices stored in the price bound database. When a retail price is found to violate an applicable price bound, the retail price is flagged for further evaluation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for improving data recovery operations in a disc drive employing a redundant sync data block format. The disc drive includes a rotatable disc and a controllably positionable head which is used to store user data in a plurality of data blocks on tracks of the disc. Each data block includes a user data field to store user data, a first sync field and a redundant, second sync field, the sync fields storing first and second sync words, respectively, which establish symbol boundaries used by a read channel of the disc drive. User data are recovered from a selected data block by initiating a delay of selected duration during which a first portion of the selected data block passes proximate the head, allowing the second, remaining portion of the selected data block to be read at the completion of the delay.

Abstract: A protection apparatus for protecting electrical and electronic equipment from damage due to disturbances introduced by external electrical conductors. The apparatus employs one or more of the following methods to switch an interfacing relay from the operating state to the protected state: Surge protection; detection of the sound of an approaching thunderstorm. The apparatus may include a means to manually select either the protected state in which the connected equipment is disconnected from the external conductors, the override state in which the connected equipment is connected to the external conductors and the sensing systems are overridden and the normal operating state in which the sensing systems are employed to automatically disconnect the equipment in the event of a disturbance.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention illustrate various configurations of a channel-to-controller interface. In one embodiment, width of symbols crossing the interface is fixed, as is the clock rate. In other embodiments, the symbol width is variable, and the clock rate is also varied based upon the size of the interface symbol width and the operation of the channel.

Abstract: A lift device for loading game animals or other objects, onto the cargo rack of an ATV. The lift device includes a vertical support frame member adapted for attachment to the rear of an ATV. A horizontally extending base support member is pivotally attached at one end thereof to the bottom of the vertical support frame member; a loading platform is pivotally hinged to the opposite end of the horizontally extending base support member. A cable is attached to the base support member and a winch, mounted on the vertical support frame member, moves the cable to move the lift device from a loading position on the ground to a loaded position wherein the game animal is secured by the loading platform on the top of the ATV cargo rack.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the types of tasks in queue at a plurality of cryptographic devices, determining an estimated completion time for each cryptographic device, and assigning tasks to the device with the lowest total estimated completion time for tasks in queue.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention illustrate various configurations of a channel-to-controller interface. In one embodiment, width of symbols crossing the interface is fixed, as is the clock rate. In other embodiments, the symbol width is variable, and the clock rate is also varied based upon the size of the interface symbol width and the operation of the channel.

Abstract: A protected/security document is provided that foils counterfeiting even if a laser photocopy machine (such as a Canon 500 color copier) is utilized. The document has at least three discrete half-tone printed bands disposed on its surface, provided by dots or lines. Each printed band has a different screen density and within each bands the dots or lines comprise a warning word or symbol (e.g. “Void”), or a background. The dots or lines of either the “Void” or background drop out when photocopied, while the dots or lines of the other do not. The dots or lines that do not drop out may be dimensioned so that there are about 24-34 per centimeter, while for those that do drop out there are about 52-64 per centimeter. The bands are typically arranged either linearly or in concentric circles, and interband areas having density gradually transitioning between the densities of adjacent bands are provided.

Abstract: Provided are water-dispersible sulfopolyester compositions having relatively large proportions of pigments and/or fillers. Such compositions are useful as packaging materials and are substantially non-blocking when processed using packaging rolls and are comprised of at least one sulfopolyester as described herein, about 10 to about 75 weight percent of a pigment and/or filler, and a wax.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for improving data recovery operations in a disc drive employing a redundant sync data block format. The disc drive includes a rotatable disc and a controllably positionable head which is used to store user data in a plurality of data blocks on tracks of the disc. Each data block includes a user data field to store user data, a first sync field and a redundant, second sync field, the sync fields storing first and second sync words, respectively, which establish symbol boundaries used by a read channel of the disc drive. User data are recovered from a selected data block by initiating a delay of selected duration during which a first portion of the selected data block passes proximate the head, allowing the second, remaining portion of the selected data block to be read at the completion of the delay.

Abstract: In an automated process for folding and unfolding a lift truck fork in response to movement of a carriage relative to a supporting mast, the lift truck fork is pivotally supported on the carriage such that under normal conditions a fork tine extends outwardly generally perpendicularly from the carriage. A latch is provided which is connected to the mast and is capable of selectively engaging the lift truck fork. When the carriage is at or near the bottom of the mast, the latch may be selectively caused to engage the lift truck fork. With the latch so engaged, raising of the carriage causes the fork tine to pivot until it lies generally parallel to the carriage. Subsequent lowering of the carriage then causes the fork tine to pivot back to its unfolded position wherein it extends generally perpendicularly from the carriage. The latch is biased to normally remain out of engagement with the lift truck fork so that once the carriage is lowered, the latch disengages from the lift truck fork.

Abstract: A protected/security document is provided that foils counterfeiting even if a laser photocopy machine (such as a Canon 500 color copier) is utilized. The document has at least three discrete half-tone printed bands disposed on its surface, provided by dots or lines. Each printed band has a different screen density and within each bands the dots or lines comprise a warning word or symbol (e.g. "Void"), or a background. The dots or lines of either the "Void" or background drop out when photocopied, while the dots or lines of the other do not. The dots or lines that do not drop out may be dimensioned so that there are about 24-34 per centimeter, while for those that do drop out there are about 52-64 per centimeter. The bands are typically arranged either linearly or in concentric circles, and interband areas having density gradually transitioning between the densities of adjacent bands are provided.

Abstract: The present invention makes it possible for a user to have a security key created from one or more biometric elements of the user, such as a fingerprint. For example, a biometric feature or combination of biometric features of the user can be used to create an instance of a problem which can only be solved by data inherent in the biometric feature or combination of biometric features. The user can supply the data to solve the problem by inputting, through an appropriate input device, an image, or other representation of the biometric elements from which the data that will solve the instance of the problem is derived. If problem is solved, either completely or partially, using the derived data then the identity of the user can either be verified or ascertained. the solution can then be used for other purposes such as the generation of a cryptographic key.

Abstract: An address translation unit is provided for logical to physical address conversion. In particular, apparatus and method are described for receiving a logical cylinder head sector for a logical block address and converting it into a physical cylinder head sector. If a logical block address is received, it is converted to a physical block address and then the physical block address is converted into a physical cylinder head sector. If a logical cylinder head sector is first received, it is converted into a logical block address, and then the conversion takes place just as it would for an initially received logical block address.

Abstract: An amphibious vehicle has a land mode and a water mode wherein in the land mode the front end and the rear end angles of inclination are reduced to minimize the damage to the landscape of the earth's terrain. The amphibious vehicle comprises first and second pontoons, each having a bottom curved surface wherein the bottom curved surface has a knuckle-like point for facilitating turning thereabout.

Abstract: An improved clarity copolyester of a diethylene glycol modified poly(ethylene terephthalate) has a b* value of less than 15, preferably less than 10. The copolyester composition has an inherent viscosity of about 0.4 to 1.0 dL/g and comprises (A) 100 mol percent dicarboxylic acid residue component, (B) 100 mol percent diol residue component, (C) catalyst residues and (D) color control agent residues. The dicarboxylic acid residue component comprises at least 75 mol percent of terephthalic acid residues. The diol residue component comprises 10 to 50 mol percent diethylene glycol residue and 50 to 90 mol percent ethylene glycol residue. The catalyst residues comprise 20 to 100 ppm manganese, 50 to 300 ppm antimony, 0 to 100 ppm titanium and 40 to 150 ppm phosphorus, based on the weight of the copolyester.