Abstract: Piezoelectric elements are attractive for systems in which both sensing and actuating is required because a single element, i.e. the piezoelectric actuator, can be used that act as both a sensor and an actuator. In conventional systems combining both actuating and sensing functionality, active circuitry is required to read the sensor, and that circuitry requires static and/or dynamic current from a few microamps to a few milliamps. In systems where buttons are used a few times a day, this requirement for current leads to a significant amount of wasted power. Accordingly, a wake-up circuit is provided that does not draw power when no force is applied to the piezoelectric actuator but is capable of detecting pressure applied to the piezo actuator, generate a power-up signal to the actuating circuit, and initiate a haptic feedback with low-latency.

Abstract: Piezoelectric elements are attractive for systems in which both sensing and actuating is required because a single element, i.e. the piezoelectric actuator, can be used that act as both a sensor and an actuator. In conventional systems combining both actuating and sensing functionality, active circuitry is required to read the sensor, and that circuitry requires static and/or dynamic current from a few microamps to a few milliamps. In systems where buttons are used a few times a day, this requirement for current leads to a significant amount of wasted power. Accordingly, a wake-up circuit is provided that does not draw power when no force is applied to the piezoelectric actuator but is capable of detecting pressure applied to the piezo actuator, generate a power-up signal to the actuating circuit, and initiate a haptic feedback with low-latency.

Abstract: A method, system, and article of manufacture for defining and managing instances of time-based organization hierarchies, and for assigning sales credit to corresponding positions within the time-based organization hierarchy in response to a sales data input are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a user may define and/or manage one or more instances of the time-based organization hierarchy via a user interface generated on a client. Moreover, and in response to the sales data input corresponding to a transaction, a sales credit assignment process may then be executed to assign sales credit to one or more positions within the instance of the time-based organization hierarchy based on an evaluation of conditions specified in one or more identified assignment rules associated with the time-based organization hierarchy.

Abstract: A method, system, and article of manufacture for defining and managing instances of time-based organization hierarchies, and for monitoring achievement and attainment, and calculating compensation for individuals and/or groups within instances of the time-based organization hierarchies are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a user may define and/or manage one or more instances of the time-based organization hierarchy via a user interface generated on a client. Moreover, and in response to a sales data input corresponding to a transaction, an achievement and attainment monitoring process may then be executed to accumulate transaction data in one or more achievement containers, and to compile achievement containers from a specified attainment period to calculate a user's attainment.

Abstract: A method, system, and article of manufacture for defining and managing time-based organization hierarchies are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a user interface, including a plurality of user interface displays configured to receive a user input to define and/or manage one or more instances of a time-based organization hierarchy, may be generated on a client. The user may then define, via interaction with the user interface, the at least one instance of the organization hierarchy to include a plurality of nodes, and specify an effective period for the instance of the time-based organization hierarchy by defining a start date and an end date. The user may also define a territory to correspond to each of the plurality of nodes in the organization hierarchy. In one embodiment, the territory may include at least one position and an assignment rule, the position having a corresponding quota.

Abstract: A computer security monitoring method and system includes receiving input data, wherein the input data includes user account data associated with a user's security-related interaction with a particular network, security-related local network data associated with the particular network, and security-related external network data regarding security threats at one or more independent, external networks. The input data is analyzed to generate at least one composite security status score, wherein the analyzing includes an analysis of the user account data based on previously stored data associated with the user account, and an analysis of the security-related local and external network data to adjust the composite security status score when the analysis of the security-related local and external network data indicates an increased security threat. The method and system may produce human-readable output including an alert associated with the at least one composite security status score.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for assessing computer security risks attributed to a computer user's behavior. In accordance with these methods and systems, a user is presented on a computer with a series of questions concerning behaviors that may affect a risk or benefit to the user's security. The computer receives input on the computer from the user responding to the questions. As responses are received to the questions, the computer dynamically assesses changes to the user's security level as a result of additional information provided by the response. The computer then displays a visual indication of the user's security level.

Abstract: Systems and methods for displaying a graphical user interface are disclosed. In some embodiments, the method can include displaying a primary user-selectable control in a graphical user interface, receiving a user selection of the primary displayed control, displaying a first group of user-selectable controls based on the selected primary control, and, after expiration of a predetermined time, automatically displaying a second group of user-selectable controls based on the selected primary control.

Abstract: A software facility is disclosed that provides enhanced authentication of a user in a security system. During an initialization phase, the facility stores the responses of a user to a set of queries and also stores various parameters surrounding the responses. During an authentication session, the user is required to provide responses to at least some of the queries that were previously presented to the user in the initialization phase. Response parameters are measured as the user provides their responses during the authentication session. The identity of the user is verified by comparing the user's new responses to the queries with the stored responses to the queries. The identity of the user is also verified by comparing the recently-measured response parameters with the previously-stored response parameters.

Abstract: A method and system for analyzing user input for security, authentication or other purposes includes displaying an objective for a user to pursue and receiving user input via a user input device as the displayed objective is pursued, wherein the user input includes manual manipulation of a user input device, such as a mouse. The received user input is then compared to a user profile representing prior manual manipulation of the user input device in pursuit of the displayed objective. Other features and functions are also disclosed, including a method to improve security by permitting multilingual users to employ an alternative language when responding to on-screen prompts.

Abstract: An authentication or security system can provide multiple categories to user (e.g., a young user), where at least one of the categories does not relate to an experience to be recalled by the user, but relates to one or more fictional stories, fictional narratives, historical stories, fictional locations, fictional constructs, fictional characters (e.g. avatars) etc., and the user selects a category and answers several questions to personalize the story/construct/etc. Received data for this personalization is then stored in an authorization profile that is later used to authenticate the user. Other features and aspects are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method, system, and article of manufacture for defining and managing instances of time-based organization hierarchies, and for monitoring achievement and attainment, and calculating compensation for individuals and/or groups within instances of the time-based organization hierarchies are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a user may define and/or manage one or more instances of the time-based organization hierarchy via a user interface generated on a client. Moreover, and in response to a sales data input corresponding to a transaction, an achievement and attainment monitoring process may then be executed to accumulate transaction data in one or more achievement containers, and to compile achievement containers from a specified attainment period to calculate a user's attainment.

Abstract: A method, system, and article of manufacture for defining and managing instances of time-based organization hierarchies, and for assigning sales credit to corresponding positions within the time-based organization hierarchy in response to a sales data input are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a user may define and/or manage one or more instances of the time-based organization hierarchy via a user interface generated on a client. Moreover, and in response to the sales data input corresponding to a transaction, a sales credit assignment process may then be executed to assign sales credit to one or more positions within the instance of the time-based organization hierarchy based on an evaluation of conditions specified in one or more identified assignment rules associated with the time-based organization hierarchy.

Abstract: A method, system, and article of manufacture for defining and managing time-based organization hierarchies are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a user interface, including a plurality of user interface displays configured to receive a user input to define and/or manage one or more instances of a time-based organization hierarchy, may be generated on a client. The user may then define, via interaction with the user interface, the at least one instance of the organization hierarchy to include a plurality of nodes, and specify an effective period for the instance of the time-based organization hierarchy by defining a start date and an end date. The user may also define a territory to correspond to each of the plurality of nodes in the organization hierarchy. In one embodiment, the territory may include at least one position and an assignment rule, the position having a corresponding quota.

Abstract: An electronic access security method includes posing multiple categories to a user, where each category relates to a personal event that the user may recall, and providing several questions for a user-selected personal event category, where each question includes multiple corresponding choices. The method also includes storing the received selection of one of the personal event categories and the received choices of the one of the multiple choices, where the stored received selection and received choices are associated with the user.

Abstract: An authentication system for authenticating an identity of a user which has a database having a plurality of training questions about the user's past and a corresponding testing question for each of the training questions stored thereon. The authentication system also has a central processing unit (CPU) coupled to the database and is operative in both a training session and a testing session to select a sub-set of the training questions and to pose them to the user, store user responses to the subset of training questions in the user's profile and, in said testing session and to select a subset of the testing questions. The subset of testing questions is posed to the user and the responses of said user to said subset of test questions checked against the user's profile. Each of the testing questions is based on a corresponding training question without a context.

Abstract: The microbridge structure comprises a substrate layer provided with two first electrical contacts, a microstructure provided with two second electrical contacts, and a micro support for suspending the microstructure over and at a predetermined distance from the substrate layer. The micro support extends along a vertical axis. The micro support has a central upper cavity extending along the vertical axis within the micro support. The micro support has a lower end connected to the substrate layer and an upper end connected to the microstructure for supporting the microstructure with respect to the substrate layer. The micro support is a multilayer micro support comprising two conductive paths and a layer made of dielectric material. The conductive paths and the layer of the micro support extend from the upper end to the lower end thereof. The two conductive paths connect respectively the two first contacts to the two second contacts.

Abstract: The microbridge structure comprises a substrate layer provided with two first electrical contacts, a microstructure provided with two second electrical contacts, and a micro support for suspending the microstructure over and at a predetermined distance from the substrate layer. The micro support extends along a vertical axis. The micro support has a central upper cavity extending along the vertical axis within the micro support. The micro support has a lower end connected to the substrate layer and an upper end connected to the microstructure for supporting the microstructure with respect to the substrate layer. The micro support is a multilayer micro support comprising two conductive paths and a layer made of dielectric material. The conductive paths and the layer of the micro support extend from the upper end to the lower end thereof. The two conductive paths connect respectively the two first contacts to the two second contacts.

Abstract: The microbridge structure is for emitting or detecting radiations. According to one embodiment, it comprises a substrate layer provided with two first electrical contacts, and a microstructure provided with two second electrical contacts and having an underside, a top side opposite to the underside, through which radiations are emitted or received, at least one radiation active layer lying between the underside and the top side, the radiation active layer having two distal points connected respectively to the two second electrical contacts of the microstructure, and a radiation reflective layer lying between the underside and the radiation active layer. It also comprises a micro support for suspending the microstructure over and at a predetermined distance from the substrate layer with the underside of the microstructure facing the substrate layer.