Abstract: An auction verification subsystem provides verification, without revealing actual bid values, that bid values remained sealed prior to a closing time for the auction and that an announced winning bidder for the auction provided a highest bid. The verification subsystem receives encrypted bids from bidders and generates commitment data based on the bids and provides the commitment data to each of the bidders. In response to receiving the commitment data, the bidders provide decryption keys for the encrypted bids. In turn, the bids are decrypted and an auction is performed using the decrypted bids. The results of the auction can be verified based on bid representations that do not reveal the actual values of bids, thereby maintaining the secrecy of bids. Providing access to an exchange between bidders and the verification subsystem facilitates verification that the auction is performed as a sealed bid auction.

Abstract: An auction verification subsystem provides verification, without revealing actual bid values, that bid values remained sealed prior to a closing time for the auction and that an announced winning bidder for the auction provided a highest bid. The verification subsystem receives encrypted bids from bidders and generates commitment data based on the bids and provides the commitment data to each of the bidders. In response to receiving the commitment data, the bidders provide decryption keys for the encrypted bids. In turn, the bids are decrypted and an auction is performed using the decrypted bids. The results of the auction can be verified based on bid representations that do not reveal the actual values of bids, thereby maintaining the secrecy of bids. Providing access to an exchange between bidders and the verification subsystem facilitates verification that the auction is performed as a sealed bid auction.

Abstract: An auction verification subsystem provides verification, without revealing actual bid values, that bid values remained sealed prior to a closing time for the auction and that an announced winning bidder for the auction provided a highest bid. The verification subsystem receives encrypted bids from bidders and generates commitment data based on the bids and provides the commitment data to each of the bidders. In response to receiving the commitment data, the bidders provide decryption keys for the encrypted bids. In turn, the bids are decrypted and an auction is performed using the decrypted bids. The results of the auction can be verified based on bid representations that do not reveal the actual values of bids, thereby maintaining the secrecy of bids. Providing access to an exchange between bidders and the verification subsystem facilitates verification that the auction is performed as a sealed bid auction.

Abstract: A hair densitometer measures the number of hair shafts in a fixed area and measures the diameters of the counted hair shafts. This is done for two different areas of the head and the comparison results in a quantified measure of the thinning of a persons hair on their head.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for augmenting subscription services with pay-per-use services. One embodiment of the invention is a method comprising the following steps: providing content on a subscription basis; and providing content on a pay-per-use basis comprising: accepting a token having a unique indicia and a monetary value; providing subscription content; and, reducing the monetary value of the token based upon the value of the provided subscription content.

Abstract: Sensor elements each of which occupies one of at least two states at a given time, are exposed to an external influence capable of switching a state of at least a random one of the elements. After the exposing has occurred, information identifying the sensor elements, the states of which have been switched, is used to generate random numbers.

Abstract: Software is identified while in main memory by examining small portions of its executable image or by examining the results of its execution. These portions, or an encoding of them, are then compared with previously stored identifying information about at least one Software through an approximate matching process.

Abstract: A mechanism for the purchase of tags for copies of software ensures that identity of the purchaser of a tag table identifier value included in a purchased tag is not revealed.

Abstract: Fuel cells (e.g., air-depolarized fuel cells) are stacked, supported and electrically interconnected into a battery structure with a connector block. The anode and cathode elements of each fuel cell are provided with conductive terminating elements (e.g., plug connectors), preferably extending in downward “U” shaped configuration from the upper ends of the anode and cathode elements respectively. The connector block comprises a series of conductive apertures, positioned and sized, to accommodate the conductive terminating elements of the anodes and cathodes therein. When the conductive terminating elements of the anodes and cathodes are slidably engaged with the conductive apertures of the connector block, the connector block mechanical support the anodes and cathode so engaged.

Abstract: Flat plate fuel cells, particularly air-depolarized cells, are stacked and electrically interconnected into a battery structure with a connector block and tray. The anode and cathode elements of each cell are provided with extending terminal conductor elements (e.g., banana plugs), preferably extending in downward “U” shaped configuration from the upper ends of the anode and cathode elements respectively. The connector block comprises a series of conductive apertures, positioned and sized to accommodate the terminal conductor elements of the electrodes therein and the connector block comprises electrical interconductive elements to electrically connect- the electrodes of the stacked cells in a desired electrical interconnection (serial, parallel and mixed serial and parallel segments).