Abstract: A system and method are provided for secure encryption via use of at least two different communication channels, such as the internet and a Short Message Service (SMS) channel, to transmit an authentication request and/or encryption information between at least one user device that is associated with a common user and a network entity. In this regard, an authentication request and/or the encryption information generated in response to an authentication request is separated into at least two portions and transmitted via different communication channels.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for communicating an emergency and an associated method are provided. In one embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus is a mobile terminal including an input mechanism that is capable of receiving user input indicative of an emergency, and a wireless transmitter capable of transmitting an emergency message. The mobile terminal further includes a recording device capable of recording at least one of audio and imagery information indicative of the emergency, and a memory capable of storing the audio and imagery information. The audio and imagery information are also capable of being transmitted by the wireless transmitter.

Abstract: A network device with a configurable interface. The device has at least two communication ports. An interface in communication with the ports is configurable as to the network layer, or layer 2 and 3, and the physical layer, or layer 1. The interface includes at least two lines for transmitting data and two lines for receiving data and a processor that determines the data transmitted and received. The processor controls the data in accordance with the configuration parameters of the interface, which are each independently selectable.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the data storage media can comprise: a substrate, a data layer, and a reflective layer disposed between the data layer and the substrate. The substrate can comprise a substrate material selected from the group consisting of polyphenylene ether, blends comprising polyphenylene ether, copolymers comprising polyphenylene ether, mixtures comprising polyphenylene ether, reaction products of a compostion comprising polyphenylene ether, and composites comprising polyphenylene ether. The data layer can comprise a material selected from the group consisting of organic dye and inorganic phase change materials. The storage media can comprise imprinted features. In another embodiment, the first surface data storage media can comprise: a substrate, a reflective layer on a first side of the substrate, and a protective layer disposed on a side of the substrate opposite the first side. The protective layer can comprise silicon dioxide. The first surface data storage media comprises imprinted features.

Abstract: This invention describes a protective device and associated method for protecting (including the protection from water and dust) a mobile terminal whether or not the terminal is in use, and for providing a hands-free operation of the mobile terminal, wherein the mobile terminal can be a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a pager, a MP3 player, or any similar portable communication device or a mobile electronic device.

Abstract: Interfaces, methods, devices and data structures assist in configuring network devices with operating systems and software application packages that are compatible with each other. An interface renders various network devices, operating systems, and software application packages available for selection. When one of them is selected, the interface enables for further selection those that are compatible with the selected item, while disabling from further selection those that are incompatible. The interface enables selection of more of the compatible items, and updates the remaining compatible items to be further selectable. A data structure includes items that represent the network devices, operating systems, and software application packages. Compatibility objects refer to pairs of the items that are known to be compatible. Constraint objects denote constraints in specific pairs of compatible items, and are also referred to by the appropriate compatibility objects.

Abstract: A performance manager and method for managing the performance of a computer system based on a system model that includes measured entities representing the operational characteristics of the system components and relationships among the measured entities. The performance manager includes data producers for interacting with the interface agents of the components, an engine for exchanging information with the data producers and the system model, and an interaction model for determining relevant measured entities in the system model. The system model and interaction model are maintained in a repository where data might be accessed via an access interface. Incoming performance data is analyzed by an analyzer in the background to detect trends and relationships among the entities. An operator might review the relevant entities and apply controls to selected entities to manage the overall system performance as well as to resolve problems affecting the performance of the components in the system.

Abstract: A method of detecting and quantifying head-disc interference in a disc drive includes obtaining a position error signal representing deviation of a head from a track on a disc in the disc drive. A portion of the position error signal is analyzed to produce a signal value that corresponds to a level of head-disc interference in the disc drive. The signal value is compared to a predetermined benchmark value. A head-disc interference detection system is adapted to detect and quantify contact between discs and heads positioned over data surfaces of the discs in disc drives. The system includes a disc drive including a disc and a head positioned over a data surface of the disc. The head is able to produce a position error signal representing deviation of the head from a track of the data surface. The detection system is able to analyze magnitudes of the position error signal to produce a signal value. The detection system is also able to compare the signal value to a predetermined benchmark value.

Abstract: A method for assembling disks in a disk drive apparatus is disclosed, as well as the resultant assembly. The method reduces the occurrence of disk head crashes resulting from penetration of the air bearing on which the disk head rides because of one or more surface irregularities found in the disk surface at or near inner diameter portions of the disk which lead to rippling of the disk surface. The elimination or reduction in size of the surface irregularities is achieved using a flowable filler material that is received by the surface irregularities and remains therein after the disk or disks are clamped to a spindle. The filler material is preferably an adhesive and it reduces any differences in the surface topography of the disk and the accompanying clamping-related parts. Bowing of the disk at its inner diameter portions due to uneven clamping forces is also reduced in the present invention.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a clean room filter bank under essentially "clean" conditions is disclosed, and wherein the filter bank includes a supporting latticework composed of a plurality of interconnected channel members which define rectangular open areas, and a plurality of high efficiency air filters positioned on the supporting latticework. The channel members of the latticework include a self-healing gel sealant, and they are fabricated under clean room conditions and then packaged in a protective wrapping for storage or shipment. At the installation site, the channel members are assembled to form the latticework while the protective wrappings remain essentially in place, and the wrappings are removed only just prior to the assembly of the filters in the latticework. Thus the sealant of the channel members is protected from contamination, during manufacturing, shipment and storage, and also during the actual assembly of the filter bank.

Abstract: An air flow control apparatus is disclosed which is characterized by essentially zero leakage in its closed position, and by minimal air resistance in its open position. The apparatus includes a housing having an interior framework which defines a plurality of troughs of V-shaped cross section, and with each side of each trough including an opening. A closure is associated with each trough, which includes a pair of pivotally mounted plates which are movable between a spread apart position covering and closing the openings in the trough, and a collapsed position wherein the plates are substantially aligned with each other and spaced from the associated openings to permit free air flow therethrough.

Abstract: An air flow control apparatus is disclosed which is characterized by an essentially zero leakage rate in its closed position, and by minimal air resistance in its open position. The apparatus includes an orifice panel which defines a plurality of troughs of V-shaped cross section, with at least one elongate opening disposed in each trough. A closure is associated with each trough, and includes a pair of pivotally mounted plates which are movable between a spread apart position wherein the plates cover and close the openings in the trough, and a collapsed position wherein the plates are contiguous to each other and spaced from the associated openings to permit free air flow therethrough. A hinge pivotally interconnects the free edges of each pair of plates, and control means is provided for effecting operation of the closures.

Abstract: An essentially air tight plastic bag is disclosed, together with a novel method of replacing such bag on the flange surrounding the side access opening of a HEPA filter housing and in accordance with the conventional bag-out, bag-in procedure for removing a potentially contaminated article, such as a filter, from the housing. The novel method includes moving the article through the side access door into the bag, gathering the bag together at a location intermediate the filter in the bag and the open end of the bag, and circumferentially compressing the gathered portion of the bag at two closely spaced apart locations by means of two metal compression bands. The manner in which the bands are applied results in sufficient compressive force at each location to form an essentially solid sealing plug having the appearance and physical characteristics of a rigid, solid rod segment.