Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing online offers for rewards that can be tracked to offline transactions for redemption. In order to protect sensitive consumer information, payment processing details such as credit card numbers and other authorizing data are redirected through a secure network to payment processing platforms, and then tokenized for subsequent use in relatively less secure data network communications and transactions. After a secure payment processing platform has authorized a transaction such as a reward for purchases, the payment processing platform can detect qualifying retail activity and generate corresponding rewards, which may be signaled to the customer through any suitable communications medium.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing online offers for rewards that can be tracked to offline transactions for redemption. In order to protect sensitive consumer information, payment processing details such as credit card numbers and other authorizing data are redirected through a secure network to payment processing platforms, and then tokenized for subsequent use in relatively less secure data network communications and transactions. After a secure payment processing platform has authorized a transaction such as a reward for purchases, the payment processing platform can detect qualifying retail activity and generate corresponding rewards, which may be signaled to the customer through any suitable communications medium.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing online offers for rewards that can be tracked to offline transactions for redemption. In order to protect sensitive consumer information, payment processing details such as credit card numbers and other authorizing data are redirected through a secure network to payment processing platforms, and then tokenized for subsequent use in relatively less secure data network communications and transactions. After a secure payment processing platform has authorized a transaction such as a reward for purchases, the payment processing platform can detect qualifying retail activity and generate corresponding rewards, which may be signaled to the customer through any suitable communications medium.

Abstract: A process is described for making renewable para-xylene, comprising converting acetic acid to isobutene in the presence of a catalyst then converting the acetic acid-derived isobutene to a product composition including para-xylene. The catalyst can be a ZnxZryOz mixed oxide catalyst.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing online offers for rewards that can be tracked to offline transactions for redemption. In order to protect sensitive consumer information, payment processing details such as credit card numbers and other authorizing data are redirected through a secure network to payment processing platforms, and then tokenized for subsequent use in relatively less secure data network communications and transactions. After a secure payment processing platform has authorized a transaction such as a reward for purchases, the payment processing platform can detect qualifying retail activity and generate corresponding rewards, which may be signaled to the customer through any suitable communications medium.

Abstract: A laminate structure is provided. The laminate structure includes a plurality of laminate layers. The laminate structure also includes a joint interface. The joint interface includes a retention member at least partially disposed between any two of the plurality of laminate layers. Further, the retention member has an opening for receiving a pin retaining member. The retention member is configured to provide a surface for transitioning the pin retaining member to the laminate structure.

Abstract: A method and associated system is provided for providing an interactive checklist and collaborative shopping session. The method includes displaying desired items on an interactive checklist. A primary user may designate which users can view specific items and should purchase specific items. The method also includes the option for the primary user to send an email to a secondary user with information, extracted from a checklist or registry, with a wish list of items that the recipient can buy with a click to a shopping cart. The primary user may also initiate a real-time or static collaborative shopping session where multiple users can suggest, comment on and purchase items. The primary user may “return” a gift item before the item is shipped and receive credit or cash.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and computing system for determining at least one LUN that was being controlled by a host prior to a crash event concerning the host, thus define at least one target LUN. A Mode Select command is prepared for the at least one target LUN, wherein the Mode Select command defines control information and host identifier information concerning the host. The Mode Select command is processed to determine if the control information and host identifier information included within the Mode Select command matches control information and host identifier information included within a buffer associated with the at least one target LUN. If the control information and host identifier information included within the Mode Select command matches the control information and host identifier information included within the buffer, control of the at least one target LUN is granted to the host.

Abstract: A method and associated system is provided for providing an interactive checklist and collaborative shopping session. The method includes displaying desired items on an interactive checklist. A primary user may designate which users can view specific items and should purchase specific items. The method also includes the option for the primary user to send an email to a secondary user with information, extracted from a checklist or registry, with a wish list of items that the recipient can buy with a click to a shopping cart. The primary user may also initiate a real-time or static collaborative shopping session where multiple users can suggest, comment on and purchase items. The primary user may “return” a gift item before the item is shipped and receive credit or cash.

Abstract: A method for cleaning casino chips includes the step of providing a chip-cleaning system having an ultrasonic cleaning station with ultrasonic cleaning means. The method proceeds by taking a batch of chips to be cleaned out of service and cleaning the batch of chips at the ultrasonic cleaning station with the ultrasonic cleaning means. Preferably, the chip-cleaning system also includes a rinsing station, a coating station, and a drying station, and the method further comprises rinsing the batch of chips at the rinsing station, coating the batch of chips at the coating station, and drying the batch of chips at the drying station. A preferred chip-cleaning system includes a console with four tanks providing the above features, together with two foldable table-top extensions providing a chip staging area wing and a chip re-stacking area wing, and a counterbalancing arm for assisting an operator move the batch of chips between stations.

Abstract: A bearing assembly is for a rotary drill, the drill including a base with a shaft and a bit. The bearing assembly includes a bearing having a central axis and including an inner member disposeable on the shaft and an outer member disposed about the inner member. The outer member is angularly displaceable about the axis with respect to the inner member and having an outer circumferential surface and a recess extending generally radially inwardly from the outer surface. At least one and preferably a plurality of retainer members are each disposed at least partially within the bearing outer member recess and is configured to engage with the bit so as to rotatably couple the bit with the shaft. Preferably, each retainer member includes a generally spherical ball rollable through a passage and into the bearing recess during installation into the recess.

Abstract: A three dimensional audio playback system in which the audio clips are determined by location. The audio playback system being located within a vehicle to aid in navigation or for entertainment or informational or safety purposes.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for receiving, categorically storing, and supplying different types of location-specific audio information to either fixed or mobile users. The audio information is categorically stored by geographical location. As users travel through different environments (i.e., cities, freeway systems, airports) they can access audio information that is specific to their geographical location. Users may also annotate locations with real-time audio information. This audio information is accessible to mobile users using cellular phones, or other transceivers, and by fixed users using phones or computers.

Abstract: Described are techniques for storage configuration. Defined are one or more initiator groups each including one or more initiator ports, one or more target groups each including one or more target ports, and one or more storage groups each including one or more devices. A masking view is created where the masking view includes a first of the initiator groups, a first of the target groups, and a first of the storage groups. The masking view indicates which devices of the first storage group are accessible using one or more paths. Each of the one or more paths is specified using an initiator port from the first initiator group and a target port from the first target group.

Abstract: This invention uses an innovative combination of existing technologies to achieve the novel result of managing access to some number of electronic devices that would normally not be suited to access control. Additionally the invention is specifically designed to enclose various configurations of power strips and surge protectors. One of the key features of this technology, is the property that devices can easily be added to or plugged into this device when it is open and unsecured. Once the lid is secured and closed, the attached devices cannot be unplugged. The design of the device ensures that there is ample room for cords to pass out of the device when the lid is secured, but not enough space to reach inside it with a tool and tamper with it. This application acknowledges the numerous patents in the field methods of electronic power surge protection and contemplates no infringement.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for bundling multiple goods and/or services from one or more vendors. An exemplary system includes: a customer interface module adapted to present a bundle to a customer, the bundle comprising a plurality of items for purchase; a pricing engine module adapted to provide the vendor with pricing information for the bundle based in part on at least one vendor objective, wherein the pricing information includes a price; a fulfillment module adapted to enable a vendor to fulfill a customer order; and a payment and transaction module.

Abstract: A magnetic filtration apparatus to separate ferrous contaminant material from a working fluid. The separation apparatus has a housing that is divided into a plurality of filtration chambers, each chamber having an elongate magnetic core to generate a magnetic field to entrap the contaminant material as it flows through the filter body. A fluid communication passageway is provided between the first and second chambers and is positioned such that the fluid exposure to the magnetic fields is maximised.

Abstract: An encryption and authentication technique that achieves enhanced integrity verification through assured error-propagation using a multistage sequence of pseudorandom permutations. The present invention generates intermediate data-dependent cryptographic variables at each stage, which are systematically combined into feedback loops. The encryption technique also generates an authentication tag without any further steps that is N times longer than the block size where N is the number of pseudorandom permutations used in the encipherment of each block. The authentication tag provides a unique mapping to the plaintext for any number of plaintext blocks that is less than or equal to N. In addition to being a stand alone encryption algorithm, the disclosed technique is applicable to any mode that uses pseudorandom permutations such as, key dependent lookup tables, S-Boxes, and block ciphers such as RC5, TEA, and AES.

Abstract: The invention provides a mechanism for semi-quantitatively measuring individual isotopomer species of a molecule using gas chromatograph mass spectrometry. The method allows for semi-quantitatively tracking the movement of ions by measuring the individual isotopomer species of a molecule.