Abstract: A system is provided for facilitating access to data stored in a cloud-based storage service. Data associated with a user account is stored at the cloud-based storage service. A portion of the data is associated with a heightened authentication protocol. A request for an application to receive data that is associated with the heightened authentication protocol is received at the cloud-based storage service. In response to the request, the request is authenticated based on the heightened authentication protocol. In response to authenticating the request, permission is granted for the application to receive the data that is associated with the heightened authentication protocol. In response to a locking of the data that is associated with the heightened authentication protocol, an indication that the data is unavailable is sent to the application.

Abstract: A system is provided for controlling access to data stored in a cloud-based storage service. A first request is received to access data stored at the cloud-based storage service, the data associated with a user account. The first request is authenticated based on a username and password associated with the user account. A second request is received for a file that is stored in an area associated with a heightened authentication protocol. The heightened authentication protocol is performed to authenticate the second request. In response to authenticating the second request, permission is granted to a temporary strong authentication state. The permission is to access the file that is stored in the area associated with the heightened authentication protocol.

Abstract: A system is provided for controlling access to data stored in a cloud-based storage service. A first request is received to access data stored at the cloud-based storage service, the data associated with a user account. The first request is authenticated based on a username and password associated with the user account. A second request is received for a file that is stored in an area associated with a heightened authentication protocol. The heightened authentication protocol is performed to authenticate the second request. In response to authenticating the second request, permission is granted to a temporary strong authentication state. The permission is to access the file that is stored in the area associated with the heightened authentication protocol.

Abstract: A system is provided for facilitating access to data stored in a cloud-based storage service. Data associated with a user account is stored at the cloud-based storage service. A portion of the data is associated with a heightened authentication protocol. A request for an application to receive data that is associated with the heightened authentication protocol is received at the cloud-based storage service. In response to the request, the request is authenticated based on the heightened authentication protocol. In response to authenticating the request, permission is granted for the application to receive the data that is associated with the heightened authentication protocol. In response to a locking of the data that is associated with the heightened authentication protocol, an indication that the data is unavailable is sent to the application.

Abstract: A system is provided for controlling access to data stored in a cloud-based storage service. A first request is received to access data stored at the cloud-based storage service, the data associated with a user account. The first request is authenticated based on a username and password associated with the user account. A second request is received for a file that is stored in an area associated with a heightened authentication protocol. The heightened authentication protocol is performed to authenticate the second request. In response to authenticating the second request, permission is granted to a temporary strong authentication state. The permission is to access the file that is stored in the area associated with the heightened authentication protocol.

Abstract: A project management system is enabled to implement filtering, sorting, and field level security for data associated with managed projects. A filter for field selection is prepared by a project client application and forwarded to a project server. The server generates an access attribute table based the user permissions that may be set for each field within the managed projects. Upon retrieving the selected fields from project database, the project server builds a secured list of fields. A data set to be provided to the project client is prepared by removing the fields for which the user lacks the requisite access permission prior to sorting the data. The removed data may be used for user-transparent computations within the project server, but guarded from client applications.

Abstract: An automated machine program generator (10) and a method for optimizing the manufacture of articles. The automated machine program generator (10) includes a data repository editor (11), a table parameter editor (13), and an optimizer editor (14). The data repository editor (11) collects data from various sources. The data is transformed and placed in a table (12). If necessary, the data in the table (12) is modified by the table parameter editor (13). The modified data is optimized by the optimizer editor (14) and transferred to a piece of equipment (15) for manufacturing the article.

Abstract: An induction heating apparatus having a refractory vessel for holding a quantity of material to be heated by the apparatus. The vessel being surrounded by, but does not touch, an induction coil having a plurality of helical turns. The turns of the induction coil have a surface on which is disposed a layer of high temperature superconducting material.

Abstract: A method executed by a computer for performing numerical optimization of arbitrary functions in a computer model using parallel processors (10, 12, 14). The method initializes (20) each processor with an initial estimate of the parameter value to be optimized. The initial estimate is evaluated (22) in each processor to determine a solution. A best estimate of the parameter value from the result in each processor is selected (24), and one or more of the parallel processors with the best estimate is set to run in gradient mode while the remaining processors run in random mode (26). The estimates of the parameter value from the processors running in random mode is evaluated until a local minimum is obtained from the processor running in gradient mode (28). The process is repeated until an optimal solution is found (34).

Abstract: A method for unified design documentation includes capturing design information in a computer file and adding implementation code to the computer file. The implementation code is marked to distinguish it from the design information in the computer file. The implementation code is then extracted from the computer file and compiled into a prototype.

Abstract: An induction furnace which provides a controlled escape pathway for superheated metal is disclosed. The induction furnace comprises a base layer of refractory material in the bottom of the furnace vessel. The base layer of refractory is composed of a first refractory having a maximum operational temperature and a second refractory having a maximum operational temperature lower than that of the first refractory. At least a portion of the second refractory is arranged in a contiguous zone through the thickness of the base layer. The base layer supports a packed granular refractory lining that extends up along the side wall of the vessel. In one embodiment of the invention, the base layer takes the form of a means for pushing out the packed granular lining from the furnace. The pusher means is arranged for axial movement within the furnace in response to a driving force applied from below the base layer. The pusher means contains the contiguous zone of the second refractory.

Abstract: An automatic lancet device comprising a housing with a recess in one side through which a mounting member can move to carry a lancet from a retracted to an operative position, and a finger guard through which or past which the lancet makes its finger piercing movement in use. The finger guard is provided with a stem dimensioned to be removably located in a recess in the housing. A displacement member is permanently mounted on the device and is movable from a first position to a second position to cause displacement of the finger guard from the recess, the displacement being achievable by actuation at a location remote from the finger guard.

Abstract: FIG. 2 shows a lancet device for performing a pricking operation. A barrel (36) is closed at one end by a finger guard plate (43) having a centrally positioned hole (42). Prior to use, the hole (42) is closed by a centrally disposed axially protruding spigot (54) found on the inside of a cap 40. In use, the cap is removed and the spigot (54) is inserted into the other end of the barrel (36) to bear against a shank 44 of a needle assembly 16 is secured to the periphery of a hole (46) in an end plate (48). A finger to be pricked is placed against the finger guard plate (43) and a thumb is placed over the cap (4) which is now located over the other end of the barrel from that shown in the drawing.Pressure between the thumb and finger causes the spigot (54) to break the attachment between the shank of the needle and the periphery of the hole (46) to allow the needle assembly to be projected through the barrel (36) under the force exerted by a compressed spring (16).

Abstract: A network for carrying real-time (RTS) and data services comprises stations (12) on a ring (11). Frames on the ring have a fixed boundary (15) between a real-time portion of the frame and a data portion. A sequence of cycles is initiated by a priority station. During a refresh cycle a bit map on the ring is marked by each station in turn to indicate which slots in the real-time portions are occupied. Next the stations bid for slots needed for new calls. During a third cycle information transfer for RTS calls takes place. After these cycles, priority is passed to the next station. The data portion may use a slotted ring or token ring data control protocol, and data transfer proceeds during RTS cycles. In an alternative version the boundary (15') may be relocated periodically depending on the level of real-time traffic.

Abstract: A plurality of zones of an induction heating coil are individually controlled by varying the current through one or more zones of the coil to obtain a desired temperature profile in a workpiece. The current flow through a zone of the coil is determined by the conduction state of an associated saturable reactor, which is controlled in accordance with a preselected value or a variable value generated, for example, by a computer.

Abstract: A dose metering device for use with a syringe comprises a fixed screwthreaded member (17) which is either integral with or fixed in use to the cylinder (10) of the syringe and is in threaded engagement with a screwthreaded plunger (13) which can be rotated by a manually-rotatable cap (30) acting through a ratchet and pawl mechanism (32, 34) whose ratchet wheel (26) drives a driving rod (24) which is slidably keyed to the plunger (13). The plunger engages the piston or plug (11) of the syringe. A stop (42) limits rotation of the cap (30) which can be turned away from the stop through a variable angle to a selected angular position shown on a scale (39) of volumetric dose units, the pawl (32) overriding the ratchet teeth (34), to preset a dose to be expressed.

Abstract: A collector device for collecting, metering and holding a small sample of liquid, e.g. a drop of blood taken from a finger prick, comprises a vessel provided with an opening closed by a plug, and a screwthreaded cap having a protruding spigot which, when the cap is screwed fully onto the vessel, enters the opening and pushes the sliding plug down into the interior of the vessel. The plug is formed at its outer end with an outwardly facing recess, e.g. part-spherical, and the spigot is formed at its end which enters the opening with a tapering conical formation adapted to enter the recess. In use, with the cap removed the recess is filled with a quantity of liquid, the cap is then partly replaced to cause the spigot to abut the end of the plug so that its conical formation enters the recess and displaces excess liquid therefrom, trapping a metered sample of liquid of predetermined volume, less than the volume of the recess, in the space defined between the abutted ends of the plug and spigot.

Abstract: An automatic lancet device for use in pricking a patient's skin to yield a blood sample. The device comprises an arm pivoted at one end in a housing and protruding therefrom at its other end through an arcuate slot in the housing, the outer end of the arm being formed outside the housing as a carrier which will hold a replaceable mounted needle with its point projecting tangentially. The arm is spring-biassed in the angular direction corresponding to the direction in which the needle points, and can be held retracted against the spring means by a latch in the housing. When the latch is released the arm is swung forwardly by the spring means to effect a pricking operation. The spring is arranged to be slightly over-center with respect to the arm pivot when the arm is fully forward, to assist the recoil of the arm. A detachable finger rest is mounted in the housing, and includes a ring for resting on the patient's skin, so that the needle projects through the ring for pricking.