Abstract: A transaction processor can receive transaction information from a transaction between a customer and a merchant. The transaction information includes an account identifier associated with a financial account of the customer. The processor determines that the account identifier is associated with a fixed price futures contract. The transaction is completed at the current market price. Thereinafter, the processor can determine if the fixed price is lower than the current market price. If the fixed price is lower than the current market price, the process determines the difference in cost for the transaction if the fixed price were used. Then, the processor can create and send a resettlement transaction to the customer's account to reimburse the customer for the difference. As such, the customer receives a simple method for paying for commodities at a set price without having special payment instruments or special accounts.

Abstract: A method is disclosed. The method includes receiving transaction data relating to a plurality of commercial transactions conducted by a plurality of buyers and sellers conducting commercial transactions using a transaction processing system, and then receiving a request for transaction information relating to the received transaction data from an entity, wherein the transaction information also relates to a commercial transaction between a buyer and a seller. The method further includes providing the transaction information to an entity, wherein the entity thereafter makes a decision about further interacting with the buyer or the seller.

Abstract: A method is disclosed. The method includes receiving transaction data relating to a plurality of commercial transactions conducted by a plurality of buyers and sellers conducting commercial transactions using a transaction processing system, and then receiving a request for transaction information relating to the received transaction data from an entity, wherein the transaction information also relates to a commercial transaction between a buyer and a seller. The method further includes providing the transaction information to an entity, wherein the entity thereafter makes a decision about further interacting with the buyer or the seller.

Abstract: A method for pre-funding is disclosed. The method includes sending a plurality of pre-fund authorization requests to a buyer financial institution, and then receiving a plurality of responses to the pre-fund authorization requests from the buyer financial institution, where each response either accepts or declines a pre-fund authorization request. A funds transfer request is sent to the buyer financial institution, where the funds transfer request corresponds to a total value of the accepted pre-fund authorization requests. Notification that funds have transferred from the buyer financial institution in response to the funds transfer request is received. Then, the sending of the funds to a supplier financial institution is authorized.

Abstract: A method and system for deploying a suite of advanced cryptographic algorithms that includes: providing a legacy cryptographic interface that is associated with a legacy operating system and a legacy application, and supports a suite of legacy cryptographic algorithms; providing a suite of advanced cryptographic algorithms that includes one or more of an advanced asymmetric key algorithm, an advanced symmetric key algorithm, and/or an advanced hash function; providing an advanced cryptographic interface that is independent of the legacy operating system and the legacy application, backwards compatible with the legacy cryptographic interface, and capable of supporting the suite of advanced cryptographic algorithms; and transparently and automatically substituting the suite of advanced cryptographic algorithms for the legacy cryptographic algorithms through the invocation of the advanced cryptographic interface at the time of an initial performance of encrypting, hashing, digitally signing the hash of, decrypti

Abstract: To form a layer separating two volumes of aqueous solution, there is used an apparatus comprising elements defining a chamber, the elements including a body of non-conductive material having formed therein at least one recess opening into the chamber, the recess containing an electrode. A pre-treatment coating of a hydrophobic fluid is applied to the body across the recess. Aqueous solution, having amphiphilic molecules added thereto, is flowed across the body to cover the recess so that aqueous solution is introduced into the recess from the chamber and a layer of the amphiphilic molecules forms across the recess separating a volume of aqueous solution introduced into the recess from the remaining volume of aqueous solution.

Abstract: A transaction processor can receive transaction information from a transaction between a customer and a merchant. The transaction information includes an account identifier associated with a financial account of the customer. The processor determines that the account identifier is associated with a fixed price futures contract. The transaction is completed at the current market price. Thereinafter, the processor can determine if the fixed price is lower than the current market price. If the fixed price is lower than the current market price, the process determines the difference in cost for the transaction if the fixed price were used. Then, the processor can create and send a resettlement transaction to the customer's account to reimburse the customer for the difference. As such, the customer receives a simple method for paying for commodities at a set price without having special payment instruments or special accounts.

Abstract: A method for pre-funding is disclosed. The method includes sending a plurality of pre-fund authorization requests to a buyer financial institution, and then receiving a plurality of responses to the pre-fund authorization requests from the buyer financial institution, where each response either accepts or declines a pre-fund authorization request. A funds transfer request is sent to the buyer financial institution, where the funds transfer request corresponds to a total value of the accepted pre-fund authorization requests. Notification that funds have transferred from the buyer financial institution in response to the funds transfer request is received. Then, the sending of the funds to a supplier financial institution is authorized.

Abstract: A method for pre-funding is disclosed. The method includes sending a plurality of pre-fund authorization requests to a buyer financial institution, and then receiving a plurality of responses to the pre-fund authorization requests from the buyer financial institution, where each response either accepts or declines a pre-fund authorization request. A funds transfer request is sent to the buyer financial institution, where the funds transfer request corresponds to a total value of the accepted pre-fund authorization requests. Notification that funds have transferred from the buyer financial institution in response to the funds transfer request is received. Then, the sending of the funds to a supplier financial institution is authorized.

Abstract: To form a layer separating two volumes of aqueous solution, there is used an apparatus comprising elements defining a chamber, the elements including a body of non-conductive material having formed therein at least one recess opening into the chamber, the recess containing an electrode. A pre-treatment coating of a hydrophobic fluid is applied to the body across the recess. Aqueous solution, having amphiphilic molecules added thereto, is flowed across the body to cover the recess so that aqueous solution is introduced into the recess from the chamber and a layer of the amphiphilic molecules forms across the recess separating a volume of aqueous solution introduced into the recess from the remaining volume of aqueous solution.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is directed to automatically extending a task in a project schedule. If certain information items associated with a task are not specified, the scheduled completion time for a task may be automatically extended under the assumption that if these information items are unknown, the task will take longer to complete than originally planned. The project schedule, incorporating the automatically extended tasks, may then be displayed.

Abstract: A portable encryption device with logon access controlled by an encryption key, with an on board cryptographic processor for reconstituting the encryption key from a plurality of secrets generated by a secret sharing algorithm, optionally shrouded with external secrets using an invertible transform resistant to quantum computing attacks. Another embodiment provides file decryption controlled by a file encryption key, with the on board cryptographic processor reconstituting the file encryption key from a version of the file encryption key which has been shrouded with a network authorization code. A method for encryption of a plaintext file by hashing, compressing, and encrypting the plaintext file, hashing the ciphertext, hashing the plaintext hash and the ciphertext hash, and sealing the ciphertext together with the resulting hash. A portable encryption device for performing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of silicon layer deposition using a cyclical deposition process. The cyclical deposition process comprises alternately adsorbing a silicon-containing precursor and a reducing gas on a substrate structure. Thin film transistors, such as for example a bottom-gate transistor or a top-gate transistor, including one or more silicon layers may, be formed using such cyclical deposition techniques.

Abstract: A method and system for deploying a suite of advanced cryptographic algorithms that includes: providing a legacy cryptographic interface that is associated with a legacy operating system and a legacy application, and supports a suite of legacy cryptographic algorithms; providing a suite of advanced cryptographic algorithms that includes one or more of an advanced asymmetric key algorithm, an advanced symmetric key algorithm, and/or an advanced hash function; providing an advanced cryptographic interface that is independent of the legacy operating system and the legacy application, backwards compatible with the legacy cryptographic interface, and capable of supporting the suite of advanced cryptographic algorithms; and transparently and automatically substituting the suite of advanced cryptographic algorithms for the legacy cryptographic algorithms through the invocation of the advanced cryptographic interface at the time of an initial performance of encrypting, hashing, digitally signing the hash of, decrypti

Abstract: A method is disclosed. The method includes receiving transaction data relating to a plurality of commercial transactions conducted by a plurality of buyers and sellers conducting commercial transactions using a transaction processing system, and then receiving a request for transaction information relating to the received transaction data from an entity, wherein the transaction information also relates to a commercial transaction between a buyer and a seller. The method further includes providing the transaction information to an entity, wherein the entity thereafter makes a decision about further interacting with the buyer or the seller.

Abstract: A toilet roll dispensing device having a body with a specified shape and size resembling a toilet tank and adapted to being mounted to a location associated with a vertically extending surface. A lowermost and extending support is associated with the body. A second upper and selectively displaceable support extends in substantially parallel fashion relative to the lowermost support. A widthwise hinge extends between the upper support and the body and permits the upper support to rotate upwardly against the body. The first and second supports each exhibit an opposing face upon which is defined an annular embossment, a core associated with a toilet roll seating with the annular embossments in heightwise extending and rotatable fashion and in order to provide the supports with an appearance resembling a toilet base and lid.

Abstract: An altitude simulation system is disclosed for simulating an altitude within an enclosure or mask, wherein various improvements are provided, including: (a) a more effective use hypoxpic air generated by the system via recirculating techniques and improvements in air leakage, (b) improvements in determining when a simulated altitude is reached, (c) improvements in controlling hypoxic air generators so that peak electrical power loads are reduced and there are enhanced failsafe features for protecting the health of users, (d) using a pulse oximetry device for measuring oxygen saturation in a user's blood to thereby vary the oxygen content in the air provided to the user.

Abstract: A method of controlling the pressure of a casing annulus in a subterranean well that includes injecting into the casing annulus a composition including a base fluid and a polymer coated colloidal solid material. The polymer coated colloidal solid material includes: a solid particle having an weight average particle diameter (d50) of less than two microns, and a polymeric dispersing agent coated onto the surface of the solid particle during the cominution (i.e. grinding) process utilized to make the colloidal particles. The polymeric dispersing agent may be a water soluble polymer having a molecular weight of at least 2000 Daltons. The solid particulate material may be selected from materials having of specific gravity of at least 2.

Abstract: A method for pre-funding is disclosed. The method includes sending a plurality of pre-fund authorization requests to a buyer financial institution, and then receiving a plurality of responses to the pre-fund authorization requests from the buyer financial institution, where each response either accepts or declines a pre-fund authorization request. A funds transfer request is sent to the buyer financial institution, where the funds transfer request corresponds to a total value of the accepted pre-fund authorization requests. Notification that funds have transferred from the buyer financial institution in response to the funds transfer request is received. Then, the sending of the funds to a supplier financial institution is authorized.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is directed to automatically extending a task in a project schedule. If certain information items associated with a task are not specified, the scheduled completion time for a task may be automatically extended under the assumption that if these information items are unknown, the task will take longer to complete than originally planned. The project schedule, incorporating the automatically extended tasks, may then be displayed.