Abstract: An institutionally-focused, neutral auction platform is provided that may be utilized for both the primary and secondary trading of environmental commodities and instruments. The auction platform may perform an on-boarding process for auction participants. Thereafter, the auction platform initiates an auction event, in response to a request by an auctioner, based on an identified block of environmental commodities. The auction platform may also receive an indication of financial security from one or more of the auction participants. A winning bidder may then be selected based on auctioner-defined parameters. In certain embodiments, the auction platform may also perform a settlement function for the auctioner and winning bidder relating to the delivery of, and payment for, the identified block of environmental commodities. Various other services and processes may also be provided by the auction platform.

Abstract: An administrative computer sends keyboard commands over a network to control a remote computer. If the keyboard at the administrative and remote computers are different in key layout or language, a remote console software application permits the administrative computer to emulate the keyboard of the remote computer. The remote console application includes a graphical user interface through which the administrator can select the particular key layout and language to emulate for compatibility with the keyboard at the remote computer. The remote console application converts the key code for the key that was pressed at the administrative keyboard into a USB usage code that corresponds to a key on the remote keyboard. This usage code is encapsulated in an Ethernet packet and transmitted over the network to the remote computer. This Ethernet packet is decoded at the remote location and coupled to the remote computer over a USB bus.

Abstract: A method and system for allowing a server blade in a blade chassis to use a remote universal serial bus (USB) device. Multiple USB devices are coupled to a management module in the blade chassis. A persona describing only authorized USB devices is sent to a reconfigurable input/output (I/O) device in the server blade in the blade chassis, allowing the server blade to utilize the remote USB device(s).

Abstract: Updating firmware on multiple systems or nodes within a merged networked environment includes providing firmware update code and a firmware update utility to a primary node. The firmware update utility determines the presence of a multi-node partition and detects the partition's configuration. The configuration determination includes determining the location of a remote service processor on each secondary node. The primary node creates an image of the firmware update code and distributes the created image to each of the secondary node service processors over a sideband link. Each of the remote service processors would then restart their respective systems. The node's BIOS detects the presence of the firmware update code on the service processor and forces the node to boot the update code directly. After the firmware update is complete, the firmware update code is deleted. When it subsequent restart occurs, the nodes will boot to the merged state.

Abstract: A method of managing traffic flows in a network without human intervention which comprises detecting the establishment of at least one of a session and a traffic flow between endpoints, assigning a classification to at least one of the session and the traffic flow, and configuring a number of network devices to provide a certain level of service associated with the classification. Another aspect of the disclosure relates to a service quality management system for a network which comprises a service client structured to detect at least one of a session and a traffic flow established on the network and to produce a classification request for the at least one of the session and the traffic flow, and a service quality manager structured to configure one or more network devices to provide a certain level of service associated with the classification request.

Abstract: Systems and methods for provisioning a virtual circuit having a predetermined Quality of Service (QoS) in packet networks such as the Internet. A system for provisioning a virtual circuit having a predetermined QoS is provided for a packet network, consisting of (1) a circuit client (108) connected to the network and able to generate a request for a packet flow between two nodes at a predetermined QoS; and (2) a circuit manager (CM) able to receive the circuit client's (108) request and process such request in order to provide a route between the two nodes, such route having the predetermined QoS.

Abstract: A molded plastic vehicle shield device includes a hood protector region and hood attachment region. The hood protector region is constructed for extending across a portion of a vehicle hood for protecting the vehicle hood. The hood protector region includes at least one flexible region for allowing bending of the hood protector region. The hood attachment region includes a first hood attachment flange attached to a portion of the hood protector region and constructed for attaching to a left side of the vehicle hood, and a second hood attachment flange attached to a portion of the hood protector region and constructed for attachment to a right side of the vehicle hood.

Abstract: A vehicle shield device includes a hood protector region and hood attachment region. The hood protector region is constructed for extending across at least a portion of a vehicle hood for protecting the vehicle hood. The hood protector region includes at least one flexible region for allowing folding of the hood protector region to provide the vehicle shield device in a folded configuration that is shorter than the full length of the vehicle shield device as it would be provided when mounted to a vehicle hood so that the vehicle shield device can be packaged and shipped in the folded configuration. The hood protector region and the hood attachment region can be provided from a molded and continuous plastic sheet.

Abstract: Updating firmware on multiple systems or nodes within a merged networked environment includes providing firmware update code and a firmware update utility to a primary node. The firmware update utility determines the presence of a multi-node partition and detects the partition's configuration. The configuration determination includes determining the location of a remote service processor on each secondary node. The primary node creates an image of the firmware update code and distributes the created image to each of the secondary node service processors over a sideband link. Each of the remote service processors would then restart their respective systems. The node's BIOS detects the presence of the firmware update code on the service processor and forces the node to boot the update code directly. After the firmware update is complete, the firmware update code is deleted. When it subsequent restart occurs, the nodes will boot to the merged state.

Abstract: A vehicle shield device is provided according to the invention. The vehicle shield device includes a hood protector region and hood attachment region. The hood protector region is constructed for extending across at least a portion of a vehicle hood for protecting the vehicle hood. The hood protector region includes at least one flexible region for allowing folding of the hood protector region. The hood attachment region is constructed for attaching the hood protector region to a vehicle hood. The hood attachment region includes a first hood attachment flange attached to at least a portion of the hood protector region and constructed for attaching to a left side of a vehicle hood, and a second hood attachment flange attached to at least a portion of the hood protector region and constructed for attachment to a right side of a vehicle hood. The hood protector region and the hood attachment region can be provided from a molded and continuous plastic sheet.

Abstract: A vehicle shield device is provided according to the invention. The vehicle shield device includes a hood protector region and hood attachment region. The hood protector region is constructed for extending across at least a portion of a vehicle hood for protecting the vehicle hood. The hood protector region includes at least one flexible region for allowing folding of the hood protector region. The hood attachment region is constructed for attaching the hood protector region to a vehicle hood. The hood attachment region includes a first hood attachment flange attached to at least a portion of the hood protector region and constructed for attaching to a left side of a vehicle hood, and a second hood attachment flange attached to at least a portion of the hood protector region and constructed for attachment to a right side of a vehicle hood. The hood protector region and the hood attachment region can be provided from a molded and continuous plastic sheet.

Abstract: A vehicle shield device is provided according to the invention. The vehicle shield device includes a hood protector region and hood attachment region. The hood protector region is constructed for extending across at least a portion of a vehicle hood for protecting the vehicle hood. The hood protector region includes at least one flexible region for allowing folding of the hood protector region. The hood attachment region is constructed for attaching the hood protector region to a vehicle hood. The hood attachment region includes a first hood attachment flange attached to at least a portion of the hood protector region and constructed for attaching to a left side of a vehicle hood, and a second hood attachment flange attached to at least a portion of the hood protector region and constructed for attachment to a right side of a vehicle hood. The hood protector region and the hood attachment region can be provided from a molded and continuous plastic sheet.

Abstract: A vehicle shield device is provided according to the invention. The vehicle shield device includes a hood protector region and hood attachment region. The hood protector region is constructed for extending across at least a portion of a vehicle hood for protecting the vehicle hood. The hood protector region includes at least one flexible region for allowing folding of the hood protector region. The hood attachment region is constructed for attaching the hood protector region to a vehicle hood. The hood attachment region includes a first hood attachment flange attached to at least a portion of the hood protector region and constructed for attaching to a left side of a vehicle hood, and a second hood attachment flange attached to at least a portion of the hood protector region and constructed for attachment to a right side of a vehicle hood. The hood protector region and the hood attachment region can be provided from a molded and continuous plastic sheet.

Abstract: A vehicle shield device is provided according to the invention. The vehicle shield device includes a hood protector region and hood attachment region. The hood protector region is constructed for extending across at least a portion of a vehicle hood for protecting the vehicle hood. The hood protector region includes at least one flexible region for allowing folding of the hood protector region. The hood attachment region is constructed for attaching the hood protector region to a vehicle hood. The hood attachment region includes a first hood attachment flange attached to at least a portion of the hood protector region and constructed for attaching to a left side of a vehicle hood, and a second hood attachment flange attached to at least a portion of the hood protector region and constructed for attachment to a right side of a vehicle hood. The hood protector region and the hood attachment region can be provided from a molded and continuous plastic sheet.

Abstract: A continuously variable reduction scanning optical system wherein a preferred embodiment is disclosed with mechanisms for continuously adjusting the magnification ratio, the total conjugate length, scan speed, scan length, and leading edge registration. Either a single focus or variable focus lens can be used.

Abstract: Sheet separating apparatus to pass sheets one at a time, comprising a nip formed by a positively driven separator roll and a retard roll. Pulleys are located on the shafts of the two rolls and a continuous garter spring is placed around the pulleys. When one sheet is in the nip, slippage occurs between the garter spring and the pulleys; when multiple sheets are in the nip, slippage occurs between the sheets and the retard roll is driven by the garter spring.