Abstract: Disclosed is a relational database fingerprinting system and method to identify a user of the relational database, the fingerprint provided by an originator of the relational database. According to an exemplary method, a fingerprint bit string is generated including a data user identification code and a secret key unknown to the user, and the fingerprint bit string is embedded in a plurality of pseudorandomly selected values based on a pseudorandom function seeded with primary keys associated with the relational database.

Abstract: A family of devices attach elements previously bored in a cylindrical manner, wherein each device has a in extending along an axis and a tapered shaft and a head, and a bushing intended for accommodating the shaft of the pin, the bushing extending along the same axis having an outer cylindrical surface and an inner tapered surface. The family has at least two devices with bushings presenting, before installation by interference, an identical outer diameter and a different rate of taper of the inner surface.

Abstract: A system and method for computing a place profile are disclosed. The method includes providing a geographical definition of a place, retrieving a set of images based on the geographical place definition. With a classifier, image-level statistics for the retrieved images are generated. The classifier has been trained to generate image-level statistics for a finite set of classes, such as different activities. The image-level statistics are aggregated to generate a place profile for the defined place which may be displayed to a user who has provided information for generating the geographical definition or used in an application such as a recommender system or to generate a personal profile for the user.

Abstract: A system and method incorporating a multi-function printer (MFP), a mobile device and a server to effect payment of MFP services. The MFP generates and displays a session prepayment code containing identification information for the MFP and for a specific session initiated by a user. The code is entered into the mobile device and the mobile device transmits it to the server. In response, the server transmits a menu of MFP functions and costs to the mobile device, allowing the user to estimate and prepay the cost of the specific session through a service accessible on the mobile device. Once proof of prepayment is received, the server transmits an authorization code to the mobile device and the user inputs it into the MFP. The MFP verifies the authorization code with the server and performs user-selected functions until a time allotted for the specific session ends or until available credit is used, whichever comes first.

Abstract: A method for preparing alpha sources of polonium. A sample of polonium is provided in a solution. A controlled amount of sulfide and a controlled amount of a metal capable of forming an insoluble sulfide salt in the solution are introduced into the solution, in order to co-precipitate polonium from the solution. The precipitates are filtered out.

Abstract: A system and method provide for shared access to a database in a semi-trusted platform. In the method, for each of a set of users, provision is made for regenerating a respective user key, based on a respective predefined user input, such as a hashed password. One or more of the users is authorized to have access to an encrypted database. For each of these, the method includes encrypting a key for the encrypted database with the respective user's user key to generate an encrypted database key. During a user session, one of the authorized users is provided with access to the encrypted database by decrypting the database key from the encrypted database key with the respective user's user key, and decrypting the database, from the encrypted database, with the database key. The database key and each user's user key are not stored on the platform and are thus inaccessible to platform administrators and unauthorized users between user sessions.

Abstract: An advertising system and method are disclosed for generating advertising content based on a user's images. These can be photographs owned by a user of a web page. An advertising template for an advertising sponsor is provided. For a user viewing the web page, a set of the user's images is categorized, based on image content of the images in the set. The categorization is performed with at least one classifier which has been trained on a finite set of image categories. An advertising image is selected for advertising content based on the categorization of the user's images. The template is combined with the selected advertising image to form the advertising content. The advertising content can then be displayed to the user on the web page. A user profile is also disclosed which can be used as the categorized user images.

Abstract: The invention refers to a family of fastening devices including at least two fastening elements (101, 121), each one of said elements including a shaped end portion (105), a frontal face (106) of the shaped end portion (105) having a cavity (107) extending as far as a bottom (108), the fastening elements having different maximum grips (Gmax), the family being configured so that the distance (109?) between the bottom (108) of the cavity (107) and the limit (170) between the body and the shaped end portion is identical for all the fastening elements (101, 121). The invention refers moreover to a unit (100) including such a family of fastening devices and a check gauge (150), as well as a method for checking of the choice of the length of a fastening element (101, 121), by means of the check gauge (150).

Abstract: A system and a method for playing a photograph-based game are provided. The method includes establishing a communication link between a game playing system and one or more game playing devices, each of which is operated by a respective player. Game rules are presented to the player(s) on the respective game playing device(s). The game rules include at least one task for the submission of at least one photographic image. Provision is made for receiving a photographic image in the game playing system which has been submitted via the established link from the game playing device in response to the presented task. An image signature is computed for the submitted photographic image based on visual features extracted from the image and a relevance to the task is computed, based on the computed image signature. A score for the game is output for each player, based on the computed relevance of the submitted images for each of the tasks.

Abstract: A system and a method for playing a photograph-based game are provided. The method includes establishing a communication link between a game playing system and one or more game playing devices, each of which is operated by a respective player. Game rules are presented to the player(s) on the respective game playing device(s). The game rules include at least one task for the submission of at least one photographic image. Provision is made for receiving a photographic image in the game playing system which has been submitted via the established link from the game playing device in response to the presented task. An image signature is computed for the submitted photographic image based on visual features extracted from the image and a relevance to the task is computed, based on the computed image signature. A score for the game is output for each player, based on the computed relevance of the submitted images for each of the tasks.

Abstract: A system and method for computing a place profile are disclosed. The method includes providing a geographical definition of a place, retrieving a set of images based on the geographical place definition. With a classifier, image-level statistics for the retrieved images are generated. The classifier has been trained to generate image-level statistics for a finite set of classes, such as different activities. The image-level statistics are aggregated to generate a place profile for the defined place which may be displayed to a user who has provided information for generating the geographical definition or used in an application such as a recommender system or to generate a personal profile for the user.

Abstract: In the prior art, a multitude of families of different drills and lengths exist, varying per diameter of the attachment, contrary to attachments with cylindrical bodies, for which a single tool is sufficient. One of ordinary skill in the art must provide for the appropriate tool and device for each thickness of the element being fastened, which represents a significant cost in tooling, in addition to a loss of the time required to change the tooling. The invention relates to the idea of adapting the rate of taper (C1; C2) of the device (1; 20) according to the thickness being fastened (12; 31). Preferably, the rate of taper of the bushings falls between 1% and 4%. Thus, with three or four reference clearances for devices with the same outer diameter (16A; 16C), however a different rate of taper, all conceivable element thicknesses can be fastened, without modifying the diameter of the bore made within the elements being assembled.

Abstract: An advertising system and method are disclosed for generating advertizing content based on a user's images. These can be photographs owned by a user of a web page. An advertising template for an advertising sponsor is provided. For a user viewing the web page, a set of the user's images is categorized, based on image content of the images in the set. The categorization is performed with at least one classifier which has been trained on a finite set of image categories. An advertising image is selected for advertising content based on the categorization of the user's images. The template is combined with the selected advertising image to form the advertising content. The advertising content can then be displayed to the user on the web page. A user profile is also disclosed which can be used as the categorized user images.

Abstract: The invention refers to a family of fastening devices including at least two fastening elements (101, 121), each one of said elements including a shaped end portion (105), a frontal face (106) of the shaped end portion (105) having a cavity (107) extending as far as a bottom (108), the fastening elements having different maximum grips (Gmax), the family being configured so that the distance (109?) between the bottom (108) of the cavity (107) and the limit (170) between the body and the shaped end portion is identical for all the fastening elements (101, 121). The invention refers moreover to a unit (100) including such a family of fastening devices and a check gauge (150), as well as a method for checking of the choice of the length of a fastening element (101, 121), by means of the check gauge (150).

Abstract: A periodically poled optical waveguide comprising a nonlinear optical crystalline material is provided having poled optical domains slanted with respect to direction of propagation of light within the waveguide. Light reflected from slanted poled optical domains does not couple efficiently back into the optical waveguide, which facilitates reduction of backreflection towards a semiconductor laser source coupled to the waveguide. Reduction of backreflections facilitates stable operation of the semiconductor laser source. A method of manufacturing of a periodically poled optical waveguide with slanted poled domains is also provided.

Abstract: It has become apparent that the dimensions of inbuilt-collar driving means of the same nominal size may vary according to the method of manufacture. The dimensions of the collar must therefore be adapted to suit the mode of manufacture, at the expense of its strength or mass. Moreover, the transmissible torque for tightening and loosening operations varies according to a useful wrenching height. In order to have a useful height identical to the height of the shank, the idea underlying the invention involves pushing the frustoconical collar of a driving means in towards its center along the extension of the sides of the shank. The inbuilt-collar driving means of the invention is suited to all modes of manufacture, and can be manufactured without adversely affecting the dimensions of the driving means or its installation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fiber laser and harmonic frequency conversion module incorporating a 90 degree Polarization Maintaining (PM) fiber fusion splice therebetween for providing temperature insensitive power stabilization. The present invention has found that incorporating at least one 90 degree splice of the transmission axes of the PM fiber, coupling a fast axis to a slow axis, to create substantially equal optical path lengths of the two transmission axes of the fiber coupling can nearly eliminate output amplitude fluctuation within a practical operating temperature range.

Abstract: A method for detection of phishing attempts in received electronic mail messages includes retrieving the source code, displayed text, and a list of all specified addresses contained within the source code of a received electronic message. Visual character normalization is applied to each specified address to develop all possible address combinations and to form a normalized address list. The specified addresses are removed from the normalized address list to create a revised address list, upon which comparison tests are performed to determine if each address in the revised address list is from a valid source. The recipient of the electronic message is informed of any message found to be from an invalid source.

Abstract: A system for enriching document content using enrichment themes includes a directed search service and an import-export service. The directed search service allows users to author documents while querying information providers using the directed searches that are inserted as part of the authored documents. The import-export service enables meta-document exchanges between systems that provide document enrichment by binding imported meta-documents to identical or similar information providers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fiber laser and harmonic frequency conversion module incorporating a 90 degree Polarization Maintaining (PM) fiber fusion splice therebetween for providing temperature insensitive power stabilization. The present invention has found that incorporating at least one 90 degree splice of the transmission axes of the PM fiber, coupling a fast axis to a slow axis, to create substantially equal optical path lengths of the two transmission axes of the fiber coupling can nearly eliminate output amplitude fluctuation within a practical operating temperature range.