Abstract: Instant messaging with data sharing is described. One or more of the described techniques may be employed to share data in conjunction with an instant messaging session, even if one or more clients which are to share the data are not currently available.

Abstract: Secure instant messaging is described. In an embodiment, a messaging device encrypts a challenge identifier to generate an encrypted challenge message, and communicates the encrypted challenge message via a peer-to-peer communication link to a recipient messaging device. The recipient messaging device decrypts the encrypted challenge message and encrypts the challenge identifier as a return challenge identifier to generate an encrypted challenge return. The messaging device receives the encrypted challenge return from the recipient messaging device, decrypts the encrypted challenge return, and verifies that the return challenge identifier matches the challenge identifier to establish that communications are secure when communicated via the peer-to-peer communication link and, optionally, to establish control policies pertaining to a communication received at the recipient messaging device.

Abstract: A device control model provides an integrated set of addressing, naming, discovery and description processes that enables automatic, dynamic and ad-hoc self-setup by devices to interoperate with other devices on a network. This permits a computing device when introduced into a network to automatically configure so as to connect and interact with other computing devices available on the network, without a user installation experience and without downloading driver software or persisting a configuration setup for connecting and interacting with such other computing devices. Upon completing interaction with such other devices, the computing device automatically releases the setup for such other devices so as to avoid persistent device configurations that might create a configuration maintenance and management burden.

Abstract: A schema-based service for Internet access to per-user services data, wherein access to data is based on each user's identity. The service includes a schema that defines rules and a structure for each user's data, and also includes methods that provide access to the data in a defined way. The services schema thus corresponds to a logical document containing the data for each user. The user manipulates (e.g., reads or writes) data in the logical document by data access requests through defined methods. In one implementation, the services schemas are arranged as XML documents, and the services provide methods that control access to the data based on the requesting user's identification, defined role and scope for that role. In this way, data can be accessed by its owner, and shared to an extent determined by the owner.

Abstract: A robust device messaging framework is disclosed that enables a user to send commands to a device. A provisioning service is used to provision unique device identities and maps user web identities to device identities. The provisioning service also limits device per day provisioning attempts to limit denial of service attacks. A command service allows remote users to issue commands to a device, synchronize outgoing commands with incoming results, receive accurate feedback about whether a command was received, and maintain state information about the device. A device layer encrypts and stores device identities, authenticates itself with the command service, establishes a high-availability Internet connection to receive alerts that a command has issued, and reports results to the server-based command service.

Abstract: A method of predicting component crack behavior in a nuclear reactor provides access to a crack growth behavior model over a global network. A user inputs water chemistry and material characteristics of a particular nuclear reactor and can perform crack growth rate predictions by accessing the behavior model over the computer network. A crack growth prediction profile or crack growth based result is output over the network according to an analysis by the behavior model.

Abstract: A device control model provides an integrated set of addressing, naming, discovery and description processes that enables automatic, dynamic and ad-hoc self-setup by devices to interoperate with other devices on a network. This permits a computing device when introduced into a network to automatically configure so as to connect and interact with other computing devices available on the network, without a user installation experience and without downloading driver software or persisting a configuration setup for connecting and interacting with such other computing devices. Upon completing interaction with such other devices, the computing device automatically releases the setup for such other devices so as to avoid persistent device configurations that might create a configuration maintenance and management burden.

Abstract: Improvements in previously disclosed methods of and apparatuses for converting alkanes, alkenes, and aromatics to olefins, alcohols, ethers, and aldehydes includes: safety improvements, use of alternative feedstocks, process simplification, improvements to the halogenation step, improvements to the reproportionation step, improvements to the solid oxide reaction, improvements to solid oxide regeneration, improvements in separations, maintenance, start-up, shut-down, and materials of construction.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a composition of matter useful for insect repellency, which is topically applied in the form of a spray, liquid, cream, gel, ointment or towelette comprising a B vitamin, and in particular vitamin B1 (thiamine) in any chemical form, as the sole active ingredient or in combination with other active ingredients known to provide insect repellency. Such thiamine component of a final formulation is particularly effective when thiamine concentrations exceed 0.01% w/v in the topical mixture, and its use is preferred when concentrations are between 0.01 to 30% w/v thiamine. Said formulation is increased in effectiveness for insect repellency when additional ingredients are also added which are also known to provide insect repellency.

Abstract: A method of sending data from a first party participating in a telephone call to a second party participating in the telephone call, comprising, in the terminal of the first party, storing, as a consequence of the telephone call, identifier data that identifies the second party; using the stored identifier data to determine automatically a destination address for a data message; and sending, during the telephone call, the data message with the automatically determined destination address. A method for sending data from a first party participating in a telephone call to a second party participating in the telephone call, comprising, in the terminal of the first party: providing, while the telephone call is on-going, a user selectable option to transfer data to another party participating in the telephone call without user specification of a destination address.

Abstract: A universal plug and play (UPnP) device makes itself known through a set of processes—discovery, description, control, eventing, and presentation. Following discovery of a UPnP device, an entity can learn more about the device and its capabilities by retrieving the device's description. The description includes vendor-specific manufacturer information like the model name and number, serial number, manufacturer name, URLs to vendor-specific Web sites, etc. The description also includes a list of any embedded devices or services, as well as URLs for control, eventing, and presentation. The description is written by a vendor, and is usually based on a device template produced by a UPnP forum working committee. The template is derived from a template language that is used to define elements to describe the device and any services supported by the device. The template language is written using an XML-based syntax that organizes and structures the elements.

Abstract: A universal plug and play (UPnP) device makes itself known through a set of processes—discovery, description, control, eventing, and presentation. Following discovery of a UPnP device, an entity can learn more about the device and its capabilities by retrieving the device's description. The description includes vendor-specific manufacturer information like the model name and number, serial number, manufacturer name, URLs to vendor-specific Web sites, etc. The description also includes a list of any embedded devices or services, as well as URLs for control, eventing, and presentation. The description is written by a vendor, and is usually based on a device template produced by a UPnP forum working committee. The template is derived from a template language that is used to define elements to describe the device and any services supported by the device. The template language is written using an XML-based syntax that organizes and structures the elements.

Abstract: A vehicle weatherseal includes a reflective surface, wherein the reflective surface can be located on a dynamic seal, a static seal or a trim portion of the weatherseal. The reflective surface can be extruded, molded, particulated, flocked or a colliquefied powder coating. The reflective surface can include a reflective matrix, reflective particles, or a reflective textile or fabric. The reflective surface can be incorporated in, or used with a friction reducing material to provide a friction reducing reflective dynamic seal.

Abstract: A removable data store (34) for a mobile station (8) used in a mobile communications system, the data store being provided with two alternative fixed dialling number lists (70, 72) which are accessible by the mobile station. The data store itself determines a mode of operation of the mobile station, for example a telephone line mode, in order to select between accessing the first list or the second list. This allows the alternate list feature to be implemented without requiring the mobile station (8) to be modified for compatibility with the removable data store (34).

Abstract: A process for mitigating stress corrosion cracking of steam turbine components in a steam environment, includes coating the metal components of the steam turbine with a noble metal. The noble metal is preferably a platinum group metal selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium, osmium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium, and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing platinum group metals. In another embodiment, the process comprises coating the metal components with a platinum group metal and introducing a reductant into the steam to mitigate the stress corrosion cracking. Also disclosed herein is a steam turbine comprising a metal component having a surface coated with a platinum group metal.

Abstract: A reactant selected from the group consisting of alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, dienes, and aromatics is reacted with a halide selected from the group including chlorine, bromine, and iodine to form a first reaction product. The first reaction product is reacted with a solid oxidizer to form a product selected from the group including olefins, alcohols, ethers, and aldehydes, and spent oxidizer. The spent oxidizer is oxidized to form the original solid oxidizer and the second reactant which are recycled.

Abstract: A method of predicting component crack behavior in a nuclear reactor provides access to a crack growth behavior model over a global network. A user inputs water chemistry and material characteristics of a particular nuclear reactor and can perform crack growth rate predictions by accessing the behavior model over the computer network. A crack growth prediction profile or crack growth based result is output over the network according to an analysis by the behavior model.

Abstract: A process for puncture-proofing a pneumatic tire mounted on a wheel rim comprises filling the tire with a liquid reactant mixture of (a) at least one liquid polyoxypropylene polyether polyol and (b) a diphenylmethane diisocyanate chemically modified by known means to liquid form, the amounts of these reactants being such that the ratio of functional isocyanate groups to hydroxyl groups in the reactants is in the range 0.65 to 0.9, and cross-linking said mixture to form a resilient solid polyurethane material filling the tire, and a tire and wheel rim assembly so formed.