Abstract: In one embodiment, a content filtering system scans an incoming data for malicious content against a portion or the entirety of its knowledge base. If the incoming data is not detected to contain malicious content, the incoming data is forwarded to a content filtering agent that may perform further scanning of the incoming data against portions of its knowledge base that were not employed by the content filtering system. This advantageously allows a complete knowledge base to be segmented, with different computers scanning an incoming data using different segments of the knowledge base. The content filtering system and content filtering agent may be antivirus programs, while the knowledge bases may be virus/pattern files, for example.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the system response time when URL filtering is employed to provide security for web access. The method involves gathering the attributes of the user, and pre-populating a local URL-rating cache with URLs and corresponding ratings associated with analogous attributes from a URL cache database. Thus, the cache hit rate is higher with a pre-populated local URL rating cache, and the system response time is also improved.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the system response time when URL filtering is employed to provide security for web access. The method involves gathering the attributes of the user, and pre-populating a local URL-rating cache with URLs and corresponding ratings associated with analogous attributes from a URL cache database. Thus, the cache hit rate is higher with a pre-populated local URL rating cache, and the system response time is also improved.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a router inspects at a network layer source addresses of network layer packets flowing through the router. The router compares the source addresses to addresses of computers employed by spammers, and performs a predetermined action on a particular network layer packet having a source address that belongs to a computer of a spammer. The predetermined action may involve dropping the particular network layer packet or limiting the data transfer rate of the particular network layer packet.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a content filtering system scans an incoming data for malicious content against a portion or the entirety of its knowledge base. If the incoming data is not detected to contain malicious content, the incoming data is forwarded to a content filtering agent that may perform further scanning of the incoming data against portions of its knowledge base that were not employed by the content filtering system. This advantageously allows a complete knowledge base to be segmented, with different computers scanning an incoming data using different segments of the knowledge base. The content filtering system and content filtering agent may be antivirus programs, while the knowledge bases may be virus/pattern files, for example.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the system response time when URL filtering is employed to provide security for web access. The method involves gathering the attributes of the user, and pre-populating a local URL-rating cache with URLs and corresponding ratings associated with analogous attributes from a URL cache database. Thus, the cache hit rate is higher with a pre-populated local URL rating cache, and the system response time is also improved.

Abstract: A password control method used in an input device is provided. The input device has a coordinate output circuit for outputting coordinates corresponding to a movement of the input device and a storage unit for storing information. The method includes the steps of: (a) providing the input device with a plurality of keys for operational inputs, wherein the keys are selected from the group consisting of number keys, letter keys, and a combination of number keys and letter keys; (b) comparing the operational inputs from the keys with a predetermined password; (c) generating an unlock signal if the operational inputs match the predetermined password; and (d) unlocking the locked storage unit according to the unlock signal thereby enabling a computer system to access the storage unit.

Abstract: A computer system capable of playing multimedia files while in a power off mode or power-saving mode is provided. The computer system has a first operating system operated in a high power mode and a second operating system operated in a low power mode. The first operating system has a hard disk storing multimedia files and a central processing unit for running the first operating system. The second operating system has a non-volatile storage unit consuming substantially less power than the hard disk, for storing multimedia files; a multimedia playing unit for playing the multimedia files of the non-volatile storage unit; and a microcontroller having less computing performance than the CPU and consuming substantially less power than the CPU, for running the second operating system when the first operating system is in a power off mode or power-saving mode. A related method for operating the computer system is also provided.

Abstract: A method for controlling a computer via a portable device is provided. The method includes the steps of: providing an input unit configured in the portable device for operational inputs; providing an operation interface for selecting either one of a computer controlled mode and a portable device controlled mode if the portable device is connected to the computer, wherein the input unit serves as an input unit for the computer in the computer controlled mode, and the input unit serves the audio signal generating device in the portable device controlled mode; receiving an operational input from the input unit, and generating a control signal corresponding to the operational input; translating the control signal to a control instruction according to input mappings and transmitting the control instruction to the computer, if the input unit of the portable device is in the computer controlled mode; and performing operations corresponding to the control instruction.

Abstract: A process comprising computing a histogram of pixel intensity data collected from a digital image of an optically readable symbol including light and dark elements, thresholding the histogram to classify individual pixels as light pixels, dark pixels or gray pixels, thresholding only the portion of the histogram corresponding to gray pixels to re-classify the gray pixels into dark pixels, light pixels or unresolved gray pixels, and heuristically analyzing each string of unresolved gray pixels to determine the elements of the optically readable symbol that created the string of unresolved gray pixels. An apparatus and system to implement the process.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a content filtering system scans an incoming data for malicious content against a portion or the entirety of its knowledge base. If the incoming data is not detected to contain malicious content, the incoming data is forwarded to a content filtering agent that may perform further scanning of the incoming data against portions of its knowledge base that were not employed by the content filtering system. This advantageously allows a complete knowledge base to be segmented, with different computers scanning an incoming data using different segments of the knowledge base. The content filtering system and content filtering agent may be antivirus programs, while the knowledge bases may be virus/pattern files, for example.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting changes in tire status in real time, e.g., changes in tire pressure or changes that might indicate an imminent tread separation or other failure, using magnetic sidewall torsion (SWT) signatures for tires. A measured magnetic signature of a tire is compared to a stored magnetic signature that describes the tire in an undamaged state or otherwise acceptable state. If the measured magnetic signature deviates too much from the stored signature, or if a change in tire pressure is detected, the system and method can further provide an associated warning to the driver and/or provide an input to a vehicle control system, which would automatically take action to correct or at least mitigate the effects of the failing tire, e.g., by decelerating the vehicle.

Abstract: A shaft device used for tape dispenser stands so that a roll of tape may be retained and dispensed. The shaft device comprises two shaft casings, two springs and two covers. Each of the two shaft casings is a hollow body. The closed end of each shaft casing has an angled upper surface and an angled lower surface. The flange of each shaft casing is provided with a transverse groove. Each cover is positioned at the end opposing the corresponding casing, and each spring is retained in the space between a shaft casing and the corresponding cover. Each of the two covers is disposed at an outer end, and each of the two shaft casings is fixedly disposed into the corresponding inner surface of the space between the two supports. With the two springs and the two covers in place, each shaft casing can compress outwards towards the corresponding cover to allow a user to insert a roll of tape into or remove it from the dispenser stand.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for discovering IP and MAC addresses by an application program in a network. The network includes a number of SNMP-manageable and non-SNMP-manageable devices. Active devices can be discovered by the discovery node through a serial pinging mechanism which populates the MIB of the discovery node with IP and/or MAC addresses of all the devices on the network. An SNMP agent on the network is then used to perform a GetNext request that returns to the process layer the IP and MAC addresses of the non-SNMP manageable and SNMP-manageable devices.

Abstract: A flash type optic pen comprises a pen body, a seat and a transparent telescopic head. The pen body is electrically connected to a battery and a switch. The seat is assembled to the front end of the pen body and has at least one circuit board and a plurality of light emitting diodes electrically connected to the circuit board. The transparent telescopic head is formed by a plurality of transparent staged tubes having reducing diameters. Thus, the pen body has the functions of writing and illumination. The light emitting angles, colors, heights and orientations of the light emitting diodes are different. The circuit board is installed with a programmable IC circuit for presetting and controlling the lighting up and extinguishing order of the light emitting diodes. The lights from the light emitting diodes are alternatively changed in a predetermined way or randomly, or flashes overlapped or separately.

Abstract: A photo-pen with the function of displaying a phone calling and illumination in dark comprises a pen head, a pen body, and an inducing light emitter. The pen head has an inner pen tube. The pen body is installed at a distal end of the pen head, have a battery therein and having a transparent portion. The inducing light emitter is received within the pen body and has an inducing circuit board electrically connected to the battery and is controlled by a switch key. The inducing circuit board is installed with at least one first light emitter and at least one second light emitter. The first light emitter is placed at the distal end of the pen body and is covered by the distal cover; and the second light emitter is placed at the second section tube.

Abstract: A link device establishes links automatically to all 10Base-T and 100Base-TX partners regardless of their capability thereby assuring that the link device establishes links with all partners without the need to select a mode of operation manually. The modes of operation provided include 10Base-T half duplex, 100Base-TX half duplex, and 100Base-TX full duplex. The technique includes an algorithm that assures linkability between 10Base-T and 100Base-TX devices that are not 100% compliant with IEEE 802.3u, Clause 28. Using this algorithm, a link device links with 10Base-T and 100Base-TX half duplex legacy partners. Such devices also link with compliant 10Base-T and 100Base-TX auto-negotiating partners at 100Base-TX full duplex, and with non-compliant 10Base-T and 100Base-TX auto-negotiating devices at 100Base-TX half duplex.