Abstract: A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) reader containing a reader key authenticates an RFID tag containing a tag key by receiving a tag identifier from the tag; challenging the tag with a tag challenge; receiving a tag response based at least on the tag challenge and the tag key but not including the tag key; sending a second message including at least the tag identifier and the tag response to a verification authority; and receiving a reply from the verification authority. The reader and the verification authority may mutually authenticate each other before, during, or after the tag authentication process. The verification authority may notify a designated party if a response is incorrect.

Abstract: Multi-layer golf balls having a hard, high compression center, a relatively soft intermediate layer, and a stiff outer cover layer, are provided. The outer surface hardness of the intermediate layer is less than that of both the center and the outer cover layer.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture for encoding a compressed media stream are disclosed. Example method of watermarking a digital media signal disclosed herein include copying compressed audio packets associated with an audio stream included in a transport stream of the digital media signal into respective frames of compressed audio data to be watermarked to include media identification information. Such example methods can also include determining whether a composition of the transport stream has changed during copying of the compressed audio packets into the respective frames of the compressed audio data. Such example methods can further include, if the composition of the transport stream has changed, writing the frames of the compressed audio data to an output stream corresponding to the digital media signal without applying a watermark to the frames of the compressed audio data.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for authorizing an item with an RFID tag to leave a facility. In one embodiment, a mobile device receives or determines an exit code (EC) to write into the tag in response to providing authorizing information. The EC may be based on information stored in the tag such as the tag's item identifier or other tag information (collectively an item identifier or II), a ticket value, other information such as the OC, a mobile identity or location, or any other suitable information. Upon verification of the EC, the tagged item is allowed to leave the facility. In another embodiment, the mobile device stores an item identifier (II) associated with the tag and provides authorizing information. Upon verifying the authorizing information and confirming that the stored II corresponds to the tagged item's II, the tagged item is allowed to leave the facility.

Abstract: A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system including an RFID reader and a reader proxy authenticates itself to a verification authority. The proxy receives a proxy challenge from a verification authority and determines a proxy response based on the proxy challenge and a proxy key known to the proxy. The proxy response is then sent to the verification authority along with an identifier for the reader. The reader then authenticates an RFID tag by sending a tag response to the verification authority, which determines whether the reader is authentic based on the authenticity of the proxy response.

Abstract: A golf ball includes a single core having an outer surface and a geometric center. The core is formed from a substantially homogenous rubber composition. An inner cover layer is disposed about the core, the inner cover including a high-acid ionomer and having a material hardness of about 66 to 75 Shore D. The high-acid ionomer has an acid content of about 16% or greater. An outer cover layer is disposed about the inner cover layer, the outer cover including a polyurethane and having a material hardness of about 38 Shore D to about 56 Shore D. The core surface hardness is from 0 Shore C to 15 Shore C lower than the geometric center hardness to define a hardness gradient.

Abstract: A process is provided including subjecting a raw C5 stream containing C5 diolefins to extractive distillation to form C5 diolefins and a raffinate stream. The process includes subjecting the raffinate stream to dehydrogenation to form additional C5 diolefins, which are recycled to the extractive distillation. Another process includes modifying a C5 diolefin extractive distillation unit by forming a recycle loop with a C5 olefin dehydrogenation reactor. A system is provided that includes a C5 diolefin extractive distillation unit and a C5 olefin dehydrogenation reactor that are arranged in a recycle loop. A process is provided that includes subjecting a raffinate stream containing C5 olefins from an extractive distillation unit to dehydrogenation to form C5 diolefins.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture to monitor media presentations are disclosed. An example method includes providing a software development kit (SDK) to an application developer. The SDK is to enable the application developer to create a monitoring enabled application. A panelist identifier is transmitted in response to a request from a registrar executed by the media device. The request includes demographic information associated with a user of the media device. The panelist identifier is stored in a shared memory of the media device and is accessible to the monitoring enabled application. The monitoring enabled application is to collect data if the panelist identifier is in the shared memory and to disable collection of the data if the panelist identifier is not in the shared memory. The data is collected from the monitoring enabled application.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are multilayer golf balls having a layer with a higher Shore C hardness and a lower Shore D hardness than another layer.

Abstract: Multi-layer golf balls having a hard, high compression center, a relatively soft intermediate layer, and a stiff outer cover layer, are provided. The outer surface hardness of the intermediate layer is less than that of both the center and the outer cover layer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to identify users of handheld computing devices are disclosed. An example method includes generating, via a logic circuit, a first handling pattern indicative of a manner in which a handheld computing device is moved while the handheld computing device is presenting media; and storing the first handling pattern and corresponding user identification information in a database, handling patterns stored in the database to identify users of the handheld computing device.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture to monitor media presentations are disclosed. An example method includes collecting demographic information from a user. The demographic information is transmitted to a central facility. A panelist identifier identifying the user is generated. The panelist identifier is stored in a shared memory of the media device, the panelist identifier to be retrieved by a monitoring enabled application, the monitoring enabled application to collect monitoring information if the panelist identifier is in the shared memory and to disable collection of the media monitoring information if the panelist identifier is not in the shared memory.

Abstract: A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) reader containing a reader key authenticates an RFID tag containing a tag key by receiving a tag identifier from the tag; challenging the tag with a tag challenge; receiving a tag response based at least on the tag challenge and the tag key but not including the tag key; sending a second message including at least the tag identifier and the tag response to a verification authority; and receiving a reply from the verification authority. The reader and the verification authority may mutually authenticate each other before, during, or after the tag authentication process. The verification authority may notify a designated party if a response is incorrect.

Abstract: A process for producing high impact polystyrene including feeding at least one vinyl aromatic monomer, an elastomer, and a free radical initiator to a first linear flow reactor to form a reaction mixture. Polymerizing the reaction mixture in the first linear flow reactor to a point below the point at which phase inversion occurs to produce a first polymerization mixture and feeding the first polymerization mixture from the first linear flow reactor to a second linear flow reactor. Polymerizing the reaction mixture in the second linear flow reactor to at least a phase inversion point of the mixture to produce a second polymerization mixture and feeding the second polymerization mixture from the second linear flow reactor to at least a third linear flow reactor for post-inversion polymerization of the second polymerization mixture. The product stream can have an ESCR value of at least 10% toughness retained with less than 10 wt % rubber content.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are multilayer golf balls having a layer with a higher Shore C hardness and a lower Shore D hardness than another layer.

Abstract: Multi-layer golf balls having a hard, high compression center, a relatively soft intermediate layer, and a stiff outer cover layer, are provided. The outer surface hardness of the intermediate layer is less than that of both the center and the outer cover layer.

Abstract: A product includes a container, a photosensitive material carried by the container and responsive to ultraviolet light, and a UV protector carried by the container to protect the photosensitive material from exposure to UV light. A method of producing a food or beverage container includes applying a photochromic material to a food or beverage container that is responsive to ultraviolet (UV) light so as to darken upon exposure thereto, and protecting at least a portion of the photochromic material from exposure to UV light.

Abstract: A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) reader may be configured to endorse an RFID tag. The reader receives an identifier from the tag and challenges the tag with a challenge. After receiving a response from the tag, the reader sends a first message including at least the identifier, challenge, and response to an authenticating entity and sends a second message including at least the identifier to a certifying entity. The reader then receives a first reply from the authenticating entity and a second reply from the certifying entity. The second reply may include a certificate associated with the tag, or may identify some property of the tag or an item associated with the tag. In some embodiments, the reader may serve as the authenticating and/or certifying entity.

Abstract: A product includes a container, a photosensitive material carried by the container and responsive to ultraviolet light, and a UV protector carried by the container to protect the photosensitive material from exposure to UV light.

Abstract: A golf ball having an inner core layer having an outer surface and a geometric center and being formed from a rubber composition. An outer core layer surrounds the inner core to form a dual core. An inner cover layer surrounds the dual core, and includes a high-acid ionomer having a hardness of about 66 to 75 Shore D and an acid content of 16 wt. % or greater. An outer cover layer surrounds the inner cover layer, and includes a polyurethane and having a material hardness of about 38 to 56 Shore D. The inner core layer surface hardness is from 0 Shore C to 10 Shore C lower than the geometric center hardness to define a negative hardness gradient and the outer core layer has a surface hardness at least 10 Shore C greater than the geometric center hardness to define a dual core positive hardness gradient.