Abstract: A thermal indicator device is disclosed for providing an indication that an article of food is heated to a certain level of preparedness. The thermal indicator device comprises a stake and a marker secured to the stake. The stake comprises an end adapted for insertion into the food. The marker is adapted for movement between a retracted position and an extended position. The marker is retained in the retracted position via a string, and actuated to the extended position via an internal spring. Accordingly, at a temperature below the melting temperature, the string maintains the marker in the retracted position, and when the internal temperature of the food rises to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting temperature, the string melts to permit release of the marker into the extended position. Once the string melts, the internal spring actuates the marker into the extended position for visual indication.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for mitigating the risk of fraud in Internet banking. In an embodiment comprising an end user seeking access to the Internet banking site of a financial institution, the end user having already satisfied a first authentication requirement (such as providing a valid user ID and password), the end user is required to satisfy a second authentication test when a measure of improbability associated with the login exceeds a threshold. The measure of improbability, in an embodiment, is based on the improbability of a combination of session statistics such as IP address, browser ID, hour of day, and time since the user's last valid login.

Abstract: A thermal indicator device is disclosed for providing an indication that an article of food is heated to a certain level of preparedness. The thermal indicator device comprises a stake and a marker secured to the stake. The stake comprises an end adapted for insertion into the food. The marker is adapted for movement between a retracted position and an extended position. The marker is retained in the retracted position via a string, and actuated to the extended position via an internal spring. Accordingly, at a temperature below the melting temperature, the string maintains the marker in the retracted position, and when the internal temperature of the food rises to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting temperature, the string melts to permit release of the marker into the extended position. Once the string melts, the internal spring actuates the marker into the extended position for visual indication.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for mitigating the risk of fraud in Internet banking. In an embodiment comprising an end user seeking access to the Internet banking site of a financial institution, the end user having already satisfied a first authentication requirement (such as providing a valid user id and password), the end user is required to satisfy a second authentication test when a measure of improbability associated with the login exceeds a threshold. The measure of improbability, in an embodiment, is based on the improbability of a combination of session statistics such as IP address, browser ID, hour of day, and time since the user's last valid login.

Abstract: A plastic button for use in a rearview mirror mounting system. The plastic (e.g. polymer or polycarbonate) buttons holds tighter tolerances than conventional metal buttons. Additionally, it has improved flatness characteristics. No metal grinding is required to make the plastic buttons, which may be injection molded. Furthermore, the coefficient of expansion is satisfactory in view of a flexible adhesive utilized, and the button manufacturing process is cheaper than for conventional metal buttons.