Abstract: A martensitic stainless steel containing, by mass %, C: 0.20% to 0.40%, N: 0.1% or less, Mo: 3% or less, and Cr: 12.0% to 16.0%, such that 0.3%?C+N?0.4% and a PI value (=Cr+3.3Mo+16N) is 18 or more, with the remainder being substantially Fe and unavoidable impurities is quenched from a temperature of 1,030° C. to 1,140° C. and subjected to a subzero treatment and tempering so as to obtain a prior austenite crystal grain size of a surface layer of 30 ?m to 100 ?m and a surface hardness of 58 HRc to 62 HRc.

Abstract: A method for managing de-queuing of transaction queues is discussed. The method includes determining a queue capacity of a queue, where the queue includes a plurality of requested transactions. The requested transactions indicate items for purchase from one or more sellers, and the queue capacity indicates a capacity of the queue to store requested transactions. The method includes determining a transaction capacity of a processing module, where the transaction capacity indicates capacity of the processing module to process a number of requested transactions. The method also includes determining, based on the queue capacity and the transaction capacity, whether to limit a de-queue rate at which the requested transactions are de-queued from the queue by the processing module. In response to determining to limit the de-queue rate, the method adjusts operation of the processing module.

Abstract: A martensitic stainless steel containing, by mass %, C: 0.20% to 0.40%, N: 0.1% or less, Mo: 3% or less, and Cr: 12.0% to 16.0%, such that 0.3%?C+N?0.4% and a PI value (=Cr+3.3 Mo+16 N) is 18 or more, with the remainder being substantially Fe and unavoidable impurities is quenched from a temperature of 1,030° C. to 1,140° C. and subjected to a subzero treatment and tempering so as to obtain a prior austenite crystal grain size of a surface layer of 30 ?m to 100 ?m and a surface hardness of 58 HRc to 62 HRc.

Abstract: A method for reconfiguring disbursement signals at a payment system is discussed. The method includes receiving a general disbursement signal for triggering a first fund transfer of a portion of funds from a buyer account to a general account at the payment system, the first fund transfer for purchasing an item via a marketplace. The method includes, in response to receiving the general disbursement signal, performing the first fund transfer. The method includes determining whether a merchant disbursement signal is received from a second source, the merchant disbursement signal for triggering a second fund transfer of a portion of the funds from the general account to the merchant account. The method also includes determining, based on whether the merchant disbursement signal is received from the second source, whether to reconfigure a disbursement module to receive a different merchant disbursement signal for triggering the second fund transfer.

Abstract: A method for managing de-queuing of transaction queues is discussed. The method includes determining a queue capacity of a queue, where the queue includes a plurality of requested transactions. The requested transactions indicate items for purchase from one or more sellers, and the queue capacity indicates a capacity of the queue to store requested transactions. The method includes determining a transaction capacity of a processing module, where the transaction capacity indicates capacity of the processing module to process a number of requested transactions. The method also includes determining, based on the queue capacity and the transaction capacity, whether to limit a de-queue rate at which the requested transactions are de-queued from the queue by the processing module. In response to determining to limit the de-queue rate, the method adjusts operation of the processing module.

Abstract: A method for managing transaction queues is discussed. The method includes receiving, from a marketplace, a first communication indicating a cart, the cart comprising items for purchase, the items originating from one or more sellers. The method includes performing a first risk analysis on the cart to determine whether to accept the cart for processing into a queue, the first risk analysis being a cart-level analysis. The method also includes, in response to determining to accept the cart, adding requested transactions for the items to the queue. The method includes performing a de-queueing operation for a selected requested transaction from the queue for processing. The method also includes performing a second risk analysis on the selected requested transaction as part of determining whether to process a payment for the selected requested transaction, the second risk analysis being a transaction-level analysis.

Abstract: A method for managing de-queueing of transaction queues is discussed. The method includes determining a queue capacity of a queue, the queue includes a plurality of requested transactions. The requested transactions indicate items for purchase from one or more sellers, the queue capacity indicate capacity of the queue to store requested transactions. The method includes determining a transaction rate of a processing module, the transaction rate indicating a rate at which the requested transactions are de-queued from the queue by the processing module and transmitted to a risk module. The method also includes determining, based on the queue capacity and the transaction rate, whether to increase a processing rate at which the requested transactions are transmitted by the processing module to the risk module for transaction-level risk analysis. In response to determining to increase the processing rate, the method resizes the processing module.

Abstract: A method for managing disbursement signals at a payment system is discussed. The method includes selecting a source of a general disbursement signal indicating a requested transfer of a first portion of funds from a buyer account to a general account at the payment system. The method includes determining an event for transferring a second portion of the funds from the general account to a merchant account. The method includes selecting, based on the event, a source of a merchant signal, the merchant signal indicating a requested transfer of the second portion of the funds from the general account to the merchant account. The method also includes configuring a disbursement module to trigger a transfer of the first portion of the funds in response to receiving the general signal and to trigger a transfer of the second portion of the funds in response to receiving the merchant signal.

Abstract: A martensitic stainless steel containing, by mass %, C: 0.20% to 0.40%, N: 0.1% or less, Mo: 3% or less, and Cr: 12.0% to 16.0%, such that 0.3%?C+N?0.4% and a PI value (=Cr+3.3Mo+16N) is 18 or more, with the remainder being substantially Fe and unavoidable impurities is quenched from a temperature of 1,030° C. to 1,140° C. and subjected to a subzero treatment and tempering so as to obtain a prior austenite crystal grain size of a surface layer of 30 ?m to 100 ?m and a surface hardness of 58 HRc to 62 HRc.

Abstract: A multilayer structure (4) of the present invention includes a hollow plate-like body (1) made of a thermoplastic resin, and a fiber sheet (2) and a thermoplastic resin film (3) that are laminated on at least one principal surface of the hollow plate-like body. Even if this multilayer structure (4) is curved, raised wrinkles (6) are not formed or not likely to be formed on the inner surface due to buckling or bending, so that the strength is not likely to be reduced. Thus, the multilayer structure can satisfy both flexural rigidity and flexural strength while maintaining the light weight. The fiber sheet (2) is preferably a multiaxial fiber sheet and/or a woven fabric. The lamination is preferably thermal lamination using an adhesive film interposed between the layers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a current user by receiving an application-level usage indicator; determining a user identifier by consulting a pre-established set of one or more user profiles according to the application-level usage indicator; and executing the application when the determined user identifier is associated with a user that is entitled to use the application.

Abstract: An apparatus and method that provides current location information services in a network are described. In one preferred embodiment, a location identifier and a user identifier are received from a user. A user profile associated with the user identifier is retrieved from a database of user profiles. The user profile includes one or more stored location identifiers associated with the user. The received location identifier is then compared to the stored location identifiers to determine matching location identifiers and further to determine current location information of the user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing subscription-type arrangements involving a recurring series of messages sent to a plurality of user recipients on a communications network is disclosed. Incoming messages are monitored by a filtering agent, and message attributes are compared to corresponding parameters stored in a database to block certain messages from unauthorized sources and forward authorized messages to an addressee. Provisions are made for a communications service provider to create special arrangements with commercial partners to facilitate the starting, modification, and canceling of subscription arrangements. Individual user recipients can independently contact the commercial partners, third-party commercial entities, individual or groups to establish a subscription-type arrangement. Various forms and procedures enable a subscription manager component to keep track of all such arrangements in the database.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for updating electronic information in a computer environment. A preferred embodiment of the invention automatically inspects a message that is to be delivered to a first address upon receiving the message to determine whether the message contains information about a status of a second address. In response to a determination that the message contains information about the status of the second address, a record for the second address in a database is updated. The record is a portion of an address book of the first user in the database. The message is stored at the first address for retrieval by a first user at the first address. When the status indicates a permanent error in delivering a message to the second address, the address book is updated according to a user preference.

Abstract: An identity based service system is provided, in which an identity is created and managed for a user or principal, such that at least a portion of the identity is available to use between one or more system entities. A discovery service enables a system entity to discover a service descriptor, given a service name and a name identifier of the user, whereby system entities can find and invoke the user's other personal web services. The discovery service preferably provides a translation between a plurality of namespaces, to prevent linkable identity information over time between system entities.

Abstract: Instant messaging communications method and apparatus are provided in which one of the parties is not a person but an automated system or agent (bot) that accepts requests and issues responses. The invention provides such a bot, which can be used as an aid to scheduling events and tasks, either alone, or in conjunction with other individuals. The bot is addressable by the user. In one embodiment, a bot appears as an entity on a buddy list. For example, a participant who would like to schedule a meeting initiates a conversation with the bot, which then asks a series of questions to determine the intent of the user. The bot could also initiate instant messaging communications to prospective meeting attendees and mediate a discussion related to the meeting.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for transferring a fragment of a document via an Internet based messaging system, with the transferred data being available on a receiving computer's clipboard, when pasted into another document in the receiving computer, the transferred data restoring as a fragment in the same format as the original document.

Abstract: A rolling-bearing unit comprising a pair of bearing assembled such that the tolerance range of the radial clearance or contact angle of the ball bearings is divided into a plurality of divisions, and that a pair of ball bearings is selected from the same division, and that a pre-load, which is set according to the division, is applied to the selected pair of ball bearings as they are installed in the unit.

Abstract: A rolling bearing unit for a swing arm comprises a pivot, a pair of rolling bearings for rotatably supporting the pivot with respect to a stationary shaft, and an E block for the swing arm connected to the pivot, the E block having ends at least one of which is provided with an axially extending lip section, and the lip section being bent e.g. at three locations to be crimped against the end of the pivot for connection.

Abstract: A rolling-bearing unit comprising a pair of bearing assembled such that the tolerance range of the radial clearance or contact angle of the ball bearings is divided into a plurality of divisions, and that a pair of ball bearings is selected from the same division, and that a pre-load, which is set according to the division, is applied to the selected pair of ball bearings as they are installed in the unit.