Abstract: A method and corresponding system for supporting authentication processing of commercial transactions conducted over a communications network between consumers and merchants. Payment information for a commercial transaction between a consumer and a merchant is received over the communications network. The payment information identifies a payment instrument supporting an authenticated payment program. A determination is made as to whether to authenticate the consumer using the authenticated payment program based on authentication criteria defined by the merchant. The consumer is authenticated over the communications network in accordance with the authenticated payment program if authentication is determined to be appropriate based on the authentication criteria defined by the merchant.

Abstract: Segmented steel core plates for either double sided or single sided wet clutch friction plates or separator plates and a process for making the same are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing for virtual communication and collaboration comprises a collaborative virtual environment (CVE) application executing within a distributed data processing system, and a navigation module implemented within the CVE application. The CVE application provides a virtual world represented as a grid of an interconnected set of locations each divided into a set of zones and each having an assigned context through a user interface provided to a plurality of users through one or more client systems. The CVE provides each user with a respective avatar representation for navigating and interacting within the locations of the virtual world. The navigation module provides a user interface element for each user to specify a respective set of navigation settings.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing for virtual communication and collaboration comprises a collaborative virtual environment (CVE) application executing within a distributed data processing system, and a shadow module implemented within the CVE application. The CVE application provides a virtual world represented as a grid of an interconnected set of locations each divided into a set of zones and each having an assigned context through a user interface provided to a plurality of users through one or more client systems. The CVE provides each user with a respective avatar representation for navigating and interacting within the locations of the virtual world. The shadow module provides a first user interface element through which a first user can create and leave a shadow object representation for the first user within a zone of a subset of the set of locations when the avatar representation for the user is currently located in that zone.

Abstract: A method for generating an audio file is provided. The method can include receiving a plurality of data entries, wherein each data entry comprises a text portion and converting the text portion of each data entry into a data audio segment, thereby generating a plurality of data audio segments. The method can further include generating, for each data entry in a subset of the plurality of data entries, an introduction audio segment that describes a data entry, thereby producing a plurality of introduction audio segments. The method can further include concatenating the plurality of data audio segments and the plurality of introduction audio segments into a single audio file, wherein each introduction audio segment is positioned in the audio file directly prior to a data audio segment corresponding to the data entry described by the introduction audio segment.

Abstract: Software is automatically provisioned for a user by obtaining provisioning rules that define target objects and threshold criteria for competency level and learning history. Information indicative of the user's competency level and learning history is obtained using the target objects, and the threshold criteria defined by the provisioning rules is compared with the information indicative of the user's competency level and learning history. Provided that the information indicative of the user's learning history and competency level meet the threshold criteria defined in the provisioning rules for competency and learning history, the user is provided with access to the software.

Abstract: A system for temporally associating a user with a location. The system includes a receiving component for receiving identity data from an electronic sensor, the identity data being indicative of a user's presence being detected at a location at a given time. The receiving component further receives scheduling information about the availability of the location for the given time, and an analysis component determines from the scheduling information and the user's detected presence whether the location is available for use by the user.

Abstract: Segmented steel core plates for either double sided or single sided wet clutch friction plates or separator plates and a process for making the same are disclosed.

Abstract: An automotive car and truck transmission clutch module friction plate and a method of manufacture thereof is provided wherein the friction plate is fabricated from a polymeric material, which is less expensive and lighter than comparable steel friction plates.

Abstract: The preferred embodiment addresses the problem of delivering stereoscopic media in electronic form (images, videos, animations, object models, etc.). First, it provides a single format with independent right and left channels to represent the stereoscopic media. Second, it provides a means of displaying stereoscopic media inside a movable windowed area while eliminating pseudostereo conditions during movement. Third, it provides automatic and manual optimization adjustments (parallax shift adjustment, brightness control, color adjustment, and cross-talk reduction) to the stereoscopic media based on viewing hardware, monitor size, and media content for optimal viewing quality. Fourth, it provides seamless support for monoscopic (2D) viewing modes allowing delivery of said stereoscopic media in a normal 2D viewing mode.

Abstract: A system (100) and method for application sharing based on automatic translation by: running an application in a source language (310), automatically translating (210) at least part of the application from the source language to a target language, and sharing (110) the application in the target language (320). Interception of the application occurs at as high as possible a level so that text methods can be intercepted. The translation may use translation memory (230), machine translation (240) or a combination of these with human translation (250). The sharing may be performed by Windows™ application sharing (120), Java™ application sharing (130), web server redirection (140) or web browser redirection (150). This provides the following advantage(s): An application sharing system can be used, with a link to an automated translated system (either translation memory or machine translation depending on the usage) such that the remote/copy version of the application appears translated.

Abstract: An envelope with its flap in an open position is driven along a transport path by first transport means (31a) at a first location. When the crease line between the flap and the body of the envelope reaches a predetermined location along the transport path, buckling means (31b, 53) engage the envelope from opposite sides at a second location, spaced apart from the first location, such as to cause the envelope to buckle laterally of the transport path and be partially closed. The buckling envelope with its crease line leading is then received by sealing means (31a, 31b), by means of which the envelope fully closed.

Abstract: A network or other type of processor operates to switch packets from an incoming cell stream to an outgoing cell stream. Each received and transmitted cell in a cell stream includes portions of packets, or complete packets or both. Packets are reassembled from incoming cells, and outgoing cells may be created from portions of packets, complete packets or both. The packets in the outgoing cells may be from incoming packets, switched reassembled packets or both. Each incoming and outgoing cell is associated with one virtual channel, and each virtual channel for an outgoing cell may be different from the virtual channel corresponding to the incoming cell or cells from which a packet was reassembled. Switched packets also may have their conversation identifications changed. Partial packets or partial cells that are awaiting completion are retained such that switching capabilities associated with the virtual channel and channel identification modifications may be used.

Abstract: An envelope with its flap in an open position is driven along a transport path by first transport means (31a) at a first location. When the crease line between the flap and the body of the envelope reaches a predetermined location along the transport path, buckling means (31b, 53) engage the envelope from opposite sides at a second location, spaced apart from the first location, such as to cause the envelope to buckle laterally of the transport path and be partially closed. The buckling envelope with its crease line leading is then received by sealing means (31a, 31b), by means of which the envelope fully closed.

Abstract: A non-blocking crossbar for packet based networks and a method of operation thereof. In one embodiment, the non-blocking crossbar includes: (1) n inputs, n numbering at least two, (2) n outputs, each of the outputs having a destination first-in, first-out buffer (FIFO) and n crossbar FIFOs interposing corresponding ones of the n inputs and the destination FIFO, and (3) a scheduler configured to cause a packet to be transmitted from one of the inputs toward one of the outputs only when both the destination FIFO associated therewith and an interposing one of the crossbar FIFOs are available to contain the packet.