Abstract: A method for providing a user authentication credential comprises a) registering, in a device, at least one reference character, as a first user authentication credential; b) submitting, by the user, to the device, at least one character, as a second user authentication credential; c) retrieving, by the device, each reference character along with a corresponding position within the first user authentication credential; d) comparing, by the device, each submitted character within the second user authentication credential to a corresponding reference character within the first user authentication credential at one and the same position within the second user authentication credential and the first user authentication credential; and e) providing, by the device to the user, if the submitted character does not match the corresponding reference character, an information item for prompting the user to correct the submitted character.

Abstract: A method provides access to data or a service from a first device relating to a first user. A set of identifiers relating each to a second device is predefined. Each second device is related to a second user. A server receives, from the first device, a request for accessing the data or service from a current location relating to the first user. The server sends, to each selected second device, a request to determine whether the first user is locally present. Each selected second device requests, from to the second device user, whether the first user is locally present. Each selected second device gets, from the second user, a presence response and sends, to the server, the presence response. The server verifies whether the received presence response includes a predefined positive presence response. If yes, the server authorizes the first device to access the data or service.

Abstract: A method of playing media content including an advertising period at a playback device. The method includes: storing the media content in the playback device for playback to a user of the playback device; storing an indication of the playback time of the advertising period relative to the playback time of the media content; storing a plurality of candidate adverts for playing in the adverting period of the media content; playing the stored media content to the user; identifying, on playing of the stored media content, a point in time corresponding to the playback time of the advertising period; applying, responsive thereto, playback rules to determine an advert to be played from the candidate adverts; and playing the determined advert at the playback time of the advertising period.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method to authenticate a user using an authenticator at an access device using another registered device named personal device, said authenticator being stored by the access device after registration of the personal device comprising a double encryption using an access device's secret key and a personal device's public key to be retrieved at each request of authentication received from the personal device, encrypted using a session key and sent with the session key encrypted using the personal device's public key to the personal device for partial decryption using the decrypted session key and the personal device's private key, re-encryption using the session key and sending back to the access device for total decryption of the authenticator, using the session key and the access device's secret key, and use of the thus decrypted authenticator to authenticate at the access device.

Abstract: A method provides access to data or a service from a first device relating to a first user. A set of identifiers relating each to a second device is predefined. Each second device is related to a second user. A server receives, from the first device, a request for accessing the data or service from a current location relating to the first user. The server sends, to each selected second device, a request to determine whether the first user is locally present. Each selected second device requests, from to the second device user, whether the first user is locally present. Each selected second device gets, from the second user, a presence response and sends, to the server, the presence response. The server verifies whether the received presence response includes a predefined positive presence response. If yes, the server authorizes the first device to access the data or service.

Abstract: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), which is given the acronym ULTRA (Unlimited Trains of Radio Acquisitions), can eliminate magnetic gradient reversals and allow simultaneous MR signal acquisition from the entire object volume in each of a multitude of very small receiver coils arranged in a 3D array around the imaging volume, except for gradient reversals and/or RF pulses for refocusing spins into echoes. This permits a rate of MR signal acquisition that is greatly increased (e.g. 256 times) compared with existing techniques, with a full 3D image constructed in as little as 1 millisecond. Furthermore, noise—both audible and electrical—is substantially reduced. The advantages over conventional MRI include: 1. Clinical imaging can be completed in seconds or less, with good signal-to-noise ratio; 2. Signal-to-noise ratio further increased by reducing or eliminating RF noise due to gradient switching; 3. Real-time functional MRI on millisecond timescales; 4.

Abstract: Sending from a first user device to a server, through a first channel, a user identifier and a request to get a table. Generating, by the server, a first table including a first character set and being valid. Sending, from the server to the second user device, the first table and a first request to display this latter. Displaying, by or through the second user device, the first table. Selecting, by a user, through the first user device, a character. Sending, from the first user device to the server, through the first channel, the selected character, as submitted data. Determining, by the server, based upon a reference location within the first table, a corresponding reference character, as reference data. Verifying, by the server, for the user, whether the submitted data does match the reference data. And, if yes, succeeding, by the server, in authenticating the user.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for authenticating a user. A server accesses an identifier relating to the user associated with an identifier relating to a second user device. The server accesses, for the user, at least one predetermined reference location within a reference table. The method comprises the following steps. Sending from a first user device to the server, through a first communication channel, a first message including the identifier relating to the user and a request to get a challenge table, as challenge user authentication data. Generating, by the server, a first challenge table including a first set of characters, the first challenge table being valid. Sending, thanks to the second user device identifier, from the server to the second user device, through a second communication channel, a second message including the first challenge table and a first request to display the first challenge table. Displaying, by or through the second user device, the first challenge table.

Abstract: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), which is given the acronym ULTRA (Unlimited Trains of Radio Acquisitions), can eliminate magnetic gradient reversals and allow simultaneous MR signal acquisition from the entire object volume in each of a multitude of very small receiver coils arranged in a 3D array around the imaging volume. This permits a rate of MR signal acquisition that is greatly increased (e.g. 256 times) compared with existing techniques, with a full 3D image constructed in as little as 1 millisecond. Furthermore, noise—both audible and electrical—is substantially reduced. The advantages over conventional MRI include: 1. Clinical imaging can be completed in seconds or less, with good signal-to-noise ratio; 2. Signal-to-noise ratio further increased by eliminating RF noise due to gradient switching; 3. Real-time functional MRI on millisecond timescales; 4. With single breath holds, high quality imaging of thorax and abdomen. 5. Greatly reduced audible noise and vibration.

Abstract: Using curves to emulate soft body deformation in a computer-generated character is disclosed. A method can include accessing a reference model mapped to one or more deformation curves for the character. The reference model can include a mesh of vertices representing a soft body layer of the character. The deformation curve can include multiple sample points selected for mapping. Each mesh vertex on the model can be mapped to each sample point on the curve to establish a relationship between them for deformation. The method can also include receiving a movement of one or more sample points on the curve to a desired deformation position. The method can further include calculating primary and secondary movements of the mesh vertices on the model based on the movements of sample points. The method can move the mesh vertices as calculated to a desired deformation position and output the reference model with the moved vertices for rendering to emulate the soft body deformation of the character.

Abstract: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), which is given the acronym ULTRA (Unlimited Trains of Radio Acquisitions), can eliminate magnetic gradient reversals and allow simultaneous MR signal acquisition from the entire object volume in each of a multitude of very small receiver coils arranged in a 3D array around the imaging volume. This permits a rate of MR signal acquisition that is greatly increased (e.g. 256 times) compared with existing techniques, with a full 3D image constructed in as little as 1 millisecond. Furthermore, noise—both audible and electrical—is substantially reduced. The advantages over conventional MRI include: 1. Clinical imaging can be completed in seconds, with good signal-to-noise ratio; 2. Signal-to-noise ratio is further increased by eliminating RF noise due to gradient switching; 3. Real-time functional MRI is possible, on millisecond timescales; 4. With single breath holds, high quality imaging of thorax and abdomen is possible. 5. ULTRA greatly reduces audible noise and vibration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method to authenticate a user using an authenticator at an access device using another registered device named personal device, said authenticator being stored by the access device after registration of the personal device comprising a double encryption using an access device's secret key and a personal device's public key to be retrieved at each request of authentication received from the personal device, encrypted using a session key and sent with the session key encrypted using the personal device's public key to the personal device for partial decryption using the decrypted session key and the personal device's private key, re-encryption using the session key and sending back to the access device for total decryption of the authenticator, using the session key and the access device's secret key, and use of the thus decrypted authenticator to authenticate at the access device.

Abstract: Described is novel system for delivering medication to a patient via an infusion pump. The infusion pump includes mechanical means for delivering medication that are locked and unlocked via a remote control device. The remote control device is configured to be programmed with a desired dosage of medication and to unlock the infusion device to permit the patient, user, or healthcare provider to mechanically deliver only the desired amount of medication by turning a dial. Once the desired dosage of medication has been manually delivered, the remote control locks the infusion device.

Abstract: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), which is given the acronym ULTRA (Unlimited Trains of Radio Acquisitions), can eliminate magnetic gradient reversals and allow simultaneous MR signal acquisition from the entire object volume in each of a multitude of very small receiver coils arranged in a 3D array around the imaging volume. This permits a rate of MR signal acquisition that is greatly increased (e.g. 256 times) compared with existing techniques, with a full 3D image constructed in as little as 1 millisecond. Furthermore, noise—both audible and electrical—is substantially reduced. The advantages over conventional MRI include: 1. Clinical imaging can be completed in seconds, with good signal-to-noise ratio; 2. Signal-to-noise ratio is further increased by eliminating RF noise due to gradient switching; 3. Real-time functional MRI is possible, on millisecond timescales; 4. With single breath holds, high quality imaging of thorax and abdomen is possible. 5. ULTRA greatly reduces audible noise and vibration.

Abstract: A self-contained hand-held test device for the single-use determination of an analyte (such as glucose) in a bodily fluid sample (for example, a whole blood sample) includes a housing with proximal and distal ends, a housing cap configured for removable attachment to the distal end of the housing, a single analytical test strip (e.g., a single electrochemical-based analytical test strip) disposed partially in the housing and extending from the distal end thereof, a meter module disposed in the housing, and a lancing module attached to the proximal end of the housing. The lancing module is configured to lance a user's target site (such as a fingertip or other suitable site) for the expression of a bodily fluid sample. In addition, the single analytical test strip has a bodily fluid sample application portion and a meter module contact portion and is operably connected to the meter module in user irreplaceable manner.

Abstract: A method is provided for animating a three-dimensional object using an animation rig. An exemplary method according to the invention is a method that defines a positional relationship between the location of one or more known points on first surface and an equal number of corresponding points on a virtual surface, and a time interval. The time interval is incremented, and the positional offsets of one or more known points on the first surface are determined. The corresponding point or points on the virtual surface are then transformed by the positional offset, and the change in animation rig control values for the transformed points on the virtual surface are calculated. The animation rig control values are then updated based on said calculations.

Abstract: Described is novel system for delivering medication to a patient via an infusion pump. The infusion pump includes mechanical means for delivering medication that are locked and unlocked via a remote control device. The remote control device is configured to be programmed with a desired dosage of medication and to unlock the infusion device to permit the patient, user, or healthcare provider to mechanically deliver only the desired amount of medication by turning a dial. Once the desired dosage of medication has been manually delivered, the remote control locks the infusion device.

Abstract: Described is a housing for a drug infusion pump. Generally, the housing is of a hybrid design having a rigid portion containing the drive mechanism and any desired electronic components, and a pliant portion that improves the adherence of the patch-style infusion device to the body of the patient.

Abstract: Using curves to emulate soft body deformation in a computer-generated character is disclosed. A method can include accessing a reference model mapped to one or more deformation curves for the character. The reference model can include a mesh of vertices representing a soft body layer of the character. The deformation curve can include multiple sample points selected for mapping. Each mesh vertex on the model can be mapped to each sample point on the curve to establish a relationship between them for deformation. The method can also include receiving a movement of one or more sample points on the curve to a desired deformation position. The method can further include calculating primary and secondary movements of the mesh vertices on the model based on the movements of sample points. The method can move the mesh vertices as calculated to a desired deformation position and output the reference model with the moved vertices for rendering to emulate the soft body deformation of the character.

Abstract: A self-contained hand-held test device for the single-use determination of an analyte (such as glucose) in a bodily fluid sample (for example, a whole blood sample) includes a housing with proximal and distal ends, a housing cap configured for removable attachment to the distal end of the housing, a single analytical test strip (e.g., a single electrochemical-based analytical test strip) disposed partially in the housing and extending from the distal end thereof, a meter module disposed in the housing, and a lancing module attached to the proximal end of the housing. The lancing module is configured to lance a user's target site (such as a fingertip or other suitable site) for the expression of a bodily fluid sample. In addition, the single analytical test strip has a bodily fluid sample application portion and a meter module contact portion and is operably connected to the meter module in user irreplaceable manner.