Abstract: Electroless-nickel-plated metal cookware, having a substrate consisting of a skillet, pot, pan or the like, coated by cleaning and deoxidizing the surface of the cookware substrate, rinsing the substrate, and applying an electroless nickel coating to the surface of the metal substrate. The method of coating is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for providing controlled access via an external network to a resource residing on an internal network. An external request addressed to a first computer system associated with the internal network is received at the first computer system via the external network. The external request comprises a request from a requesting party for response data from a second computer system associated with the internal network. At least part of the content of the external request is analyzed at the first computer system to determine whether the request is authorized. If it is determined that the request is authorized, the request is processed.

Abstract: Method and systems are described which can be used to track and manage the states of electronic media in a communications network. The electronic medium can be restored, archived, and used to create new electronic media. Moreover, the electronic medium can be superseded and deleted. Additionally, notification processes can be used to prioritize and emphasize certain portions of the electronic medium. Access to the electronic medium may also be blocked or limited to certain recipients of the medium.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for providing controlled access via an external network to a resource residing on an internal network. An external request addressed to a first computer system associated with the internal network is received at the first computer system via the external network. The external request comprises a request from a requesting party for response data from a second computer system associated with the internal network. At least part of the content of the external request is analyzed at the first computer system to determine whether the request is authorized. If it is determined that the request is authorized, the request is processed.

Abstract: Within the scope of existing XML Schema specifications, an approach is provided to embed simple types within a complex type so an XML stream can have instances of the embedded simple types, even without the presence of XML elements. Because the approach is within the scope of existing XML Schema specifications, the approach is transparent to known XML parsers. With the approach, an XML schema will have a complex type with a mixed flag set to true and an element set to be a dummy element. The dummy element has a simple type and one of (i) a name of the dummy element and (ii) a name of the simple type is one of a predetermined set of names. This XML schema is for use with a parser which, on parsing the schema, will interpret the dummy element as one of an embedded simple type and an inherited simple type.

Abstract: A hosted facilities management system and method capable of simultaneously monitoring a plurality of conditions, equipment, and systems within one or more facilities is described and claimed. The monitoring system collects, archives, and processes data pertaining to utility services at a facility, environmental conditions within a facility, security around and within a facility, hazardous conditions within a facility, and equipment functionality including but not limited to manufacturing, telecommunications, and data management operations. Anomalous conditions are identified and reported. Data is filtered and compressed to facilitate the efficient storage and management of conditional state data collected from multiple sources. Archived data is retrieved and reported to client facilities via various means. Graphical, numerical, and plot reports are viewable over a distributed network.

Abstract: A method and system are described that can be used to support a process interaction among a group of participants connected to a network. A participant completes an electronic form specifying the subject matter of the process interaction and a list of network addresses corresponding to other participants in the interaction. A server receives the form and includes resources for delivering an electronic mail message associated with an electronic medium associated with the interaction. When the participant opens the message, the electronic medium is produced by the server that includes static and dynamic regions. The participant can add comments to the interaction or direct the process interaction using an interaction region. The dynamic regions are asynchronously updated in the server and indicate the current content of the electronic medium that can be accessed by other participants.

Abstract: A method and system is described that can be used to reliably, efficiently, and securely transmit information in a communications network. The information can be static or dynamic content. A server is configured with logic to encode and decode a link identifier into, safe character sets that are recognizable to many known web browsers. A redirect process is used to limit the amount of communication with the database. This means that the load and the cost of system operation can be reduced.

Abstract: Method and systems are described which can be used to track and manage the states of electronic media in a communications network. The electronic medium can be restored, archived, and used to create new electronic media. Moreover, the electronic medium can be superseded and deleted. Additionally, notification processes can be used to prioritize and emphasize certain portions of the electronic medium. Access to the electronic medium may also be blocked or limited to certain recipients of the medium.

Abstract: A method and system are described that can be used to support content collaboration among a group of participants connected to a network. A participant creates an electronic form specifying the content and a list of network addresses corresponding to other participants in the content collaboration. A server receives the form and includes resources for delivering an electronic mail message associated with an electronic medium associated with the content collaboration. When the participant opens the message, the electronic medium is produced by the server that includes static and dynamic regions. The participant can modify or change the content. The dynamic regions are asynchronously updated in the server and indicate the current content of the electronic medium that can be accessed by other participants. The content may be binary or textual.

Abstract: A method of distributing and executing upgrade/installation instructions as data objects. These instructions can then be completed automatically requesting user interaction only when required. This method would allow someone with little knowledge of the application and/or internal implementation of said application to perform an upgrade to the application.

Abstract: A method and system are described that can be used to support making choices, such as in a schedule, invitation, or poll, among a group of participants connected to a network. A participant creates an electronic form specifying the subject matter of a choice topic and a list of network addresses corresponding to other choosing participants. A server receives the form and includes resources for delivering an electronic mail message associated with an electronic medium providing various choices. When the participant opens the message, an electronic medium is produced by the server that includes static and dynamic regions. The participant can input a choice using an interaction region. The dynamic regions are asynchronously updated in the server and indicate the current content of the electronic medium that can be accessed by other participants in the group.

Abstract: Method and systems are described which can be used to track and manage the states of electronic media in a communications network. The electronic medium can be restored, archived, and used to create new electronic media. Moreover, the electronic medium can be superseded and deleted. Additionally, notification processes can be used to prioritize and emphasize certain portions of the electronic medium. Access to the electronic medium may also be blocked or limited to certain recipients of the medium.

Abstract: A hosted facilities management system and method capable of simultaneously monitoring a plurality of conditions, equipment, and systems within one or more facilities is described and claimed. The monitoring system collects, archives, and processes data pertaining to utility services at a facility, environmental conditions within a facility, security around and within a facility, hazardous conditions within a facility, and equipment functionality including but not limited to manufacturing, telecommunications, and data management operations. Anomalous conditions are identified and reported. Data is filtered and compressed to facilitate the efficient storage and management of conditional state data collected from multiple sources. Archived data is retrieved and reported to client facilities via various means. Graphical, numerical, and plot reports are viewable over a distributed network.

Abstract: A lug with relatively small resistance is provided that allows current to be determined between a source and a load by measuring the voltage drop across the lug. The voltage drop is sufficient to be above the electronic noise, and yet the resistance of the lug is low enough so that the heat produced by current flow is small compared with the heat generated by the source. The material comprising the lug is of a type and strength to be readily manufactured, and its resistivity varies by a relatively small amount with temperature.

Abstract: Method and systems are described which can be used to track and manage the states of electronic media in a communications network. The electronic medium can be restored, archived, and used to create new electronic media. Moreover, the electronic medium can be superseded and deleted. Additionally, notification processes can be used to prioritize and emphasize certain portions of the electronic medium. Access to the electronic medium may also be blocked or limited to certain recipients of the medium.

Abstract: A ball joint assembly includes a socket member secured in a housing (e.g. a steering rack), and a bearing member having bearing surfaces for co-operating with the head of a ball pin. The bearing member is biassed by an anti-rattle spring which reacts against the housing to keep the bearing surfaces in contact with the ball pin but is non-releasably retained in the socket member to prevent unskilled attempts to compensate for wear by shimming.