Abstract: An auxiliary power source for continuously powering pumps for replenishing water in a spent fuel pool and sensors monitoring the pool, in the event of a station blackout at a nuclear plant. The power source uses waste heat from spent fuel within the pool to activate a thermoelectric module system or a waste heat engine, such as a Stirling cycle or organic Rankine cycle engine to generate power for the pump and sensors. The auxiliary power source can also power a cooling system to cool the spent fuel pool.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a steam separator is provided with a barrel, a swirler, a pick-off ring, a steam collecting pipe and transverse pipes. A two-phase flow of steam and water ascends inside the barrel. The two-phase flow has a swirl force imparted by the swirler. Flow near the inner surface of the barrel is separated by the pick-off ring, etc. from flow near the center of the barrel and is guided so as to descend along the outer surface of the barrel. A major part of the flow near the center of the barrel is separated from the outside flow by the steam collecting pipe and guided to the outside of the barrel through the transverse pipes.

Abstract: A pressurized water reactor (PWR) includes a vertical cylindrical pressure vessel and a nuclear reactor core disposed in a lower vessel section. A hollow cylindrical central riser is disposed concentrically inside the pressure vessel. A downcomer annulus is defined between the central riser and the pressure vessel. A reactor coolant pump (RCP) includes (i) an impeller disposed above the nuclear reactor core and in fluid communication with the downcomer annulus to impel primary coolant downward through the downcomer annulus, (ii) a pump motor disposed outside of the pressure vessel, and (iii) a drive shaft operatively connecting the pump motor with the impeller. The PWR may include an internal steam generator in the downcomer annulus, with the impeller is disposed below the steam generator. The impeller may be disposed in the downcomer annulus. The RCP may further comprise a pump casing that with the impeller defines a centrifugal pump.

Abstract: An electromotive unit that produces an electric current in response to a pressure applied thereto when a user lands the ground on his/her foot while walking or running, or a pressure detector that detects variation in the applied pressure is formed like a flat plate and arranged within a small space in a shoe. A wire material is provided to deliver, outside the shoe, the electric current produced in response to the pressure applied when the user lands the ground on his/her foot or a signal indicative of the variation in the applied pressure. The wire material is connected to a pedometer unit outside the shoe to perform counting. The wire material can be fixed and mounted onto a desired portion in the opening of the shoe by using a fastener or by being formed as a fixable wire material.

Abstract: A counter in a non-volatile memory including at least two sub-counters, each counting with a different modulo, an increment of the counter being transferred on a single one of the sub-counters and the sub-counters being incremented sequentially.

Abstract: A shift register is formed by connecting unit circuits 11 in multi-stage. One electrode of a capacitor Cap2 in the unit circuit 11 is connected to the gate terminal (node N1) of a transistor T2, and the other connected to a node N2. A compensation circuit composed of transistors T3 to T5 provides a clock signal CKB to the node N2 when the node N1 potential is at low level, and applies a low-level potential to the node N2 when the node N1 potential is at high level. Accordingly, even when the gate potential of the transistor T2 changes with a change in a clock signal CK, a signal that cancels out the change is provided through the capacitor Cap2, stabilizing the gate potential of the transistor T2. Thus, a change in the control terminal potential of an output transistor associated with a change in a clock signal is prevented.

Abstract: A method for estimating effective atomic number and bulk density of objects, such as rock samples or well cores, using X-ray computed tomographic imaging techniques is provided. The method effectively compensates for errors in the interpretation of CT scan data and produces bulk densities which have lower residual error compared to actual bulk densities and produces bulk density—effective atomic number trends which are consistent with physical observations.

Abstract: The present application discloses an X-ray scanner having an X-ray source arranged to emit X-rays from source points through an imaging volume. The scanner may further include an array of X-ray detectors which may be arranged around the imaging volume and may be arranged to output detector signals in response to the detection of X-rays. The scanner may further include a conveyor arranged to convey an object through the imaging volume in a scan direction, and may also include at least one processor arranged to process the detector signals to produce an image data set defining an image of the object. The image may have a resolution in the scan direction that is at least 90% as high as in one direction, and in some cases two directions, orthogonal to the scan direction.

Abstract: Mammography-apparatus for detecting malignant cells in a breast comprising an x-ray source and an x-ray detector that cooperates with the x-ray source for providing an x-ray image of said breast, and further comprising a paddle for flattening the breast by pressing it against said x-ray detector, wherein at least one sensor is applied for measuring a parameter that is used for determining the pressure at which the paddle compresses the breast, and wherein a control system is provided which controls the actuation of the paddle depending on the pressure that is applied to the breast, wherein there is a contact area measuring unit for measuring the contact area between the breast and the paddle.

Abstract: A method and system for acquiring, processing, storing, and displaying x-ray mammograms Mp tomosynthesis images Tr representative of breast slices, and x-ray tomosynthesis projection images Tp taken at different angles to a breast, where the Tr images are reconstructed from Tp images

Abstract: Fouling in the fill portion of a cooling tower is monitored by transmitting radiation through a cooling tower, detecting the amount of radiation that has penetrated the cooling tower, and calculating the density of the fill portion of the cooling tower based on the detected radiation. A higher than expected density indicates the presence of fouling on the fill portion of the cooling tower. A rate of fouling may be established by monitoring the density of the fill portion of the cooling tower over time.

Abstract: A mobile scanning system and methods for inspecting contents of a container. Multiple detector plates are arrayed along an arcuate member coupled to a conveyance with wheels, capable of road travel. A source generates high-energy penetrating radiation that irradiates each of the detector plates from a single position. The arcuate member is disposed, during the course of operation of the system, in a vertical plane. The system has one actuator for rotating the arcuate member about a horizontal pivot into a horizontal plane, and a second actuator for further rotating the arcuate member, once rotated into the horizontal plane, about a vertical pivot, so that the arcuate member is contained, for purposes of transport, entirely within a volume defined by a rectangular prism that does not extend horizontally outward from the conveyance beyond any of its wheels.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring degradation of a device having a metal layer and a composite layer, such as a vehicle-mounted boom arm. The system can include a collar mounted on an outer surface of the device, a radiography device movably coupled to the collar, and a monitor. The radiography device can include a source of radiography signals positioned to direct radiography signals through at least a portion of the device and a detector to detect radiography signals that have passed through the device. The monitor can be connected to the detector to display an image of the device generated from the detected radiography signals. Anomalies in the device image can represent degradation in the device.

Abstract: A differential phase contrast X-ray imaging system includes an X-ray illumination system, a beam splitter arranged in an optical path of the X-ray illumination system, and a detection system arranged in an optical path to detect X-rays after passing through the beam splitter.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for enhanced PCI and dual-use radiation imaging systems. In one implementation high resolution storage phosphor plate radiation detector (an area detector) is employed for conventional attenuation radiation imaging and/or PCI (including conventional PCI and coded aperture PCI). Slit and slot scan implementations for dual-use systems are introduced. Dedicated single and dual-use slit and slot scan system for conventional attenuation imaging and PCI are described that employ face-on or edge-on detectors. Slit and slot scan systems that employ area detectors are described. Edge-on, structured cell detector designs are described. Applications of edge-on structured cell detectors for CT, Nuclear Medicine, PET, and probe detectors are described.

Abstract: An imaging system intended for imaging fast-moving objects, comprising an X-ray source, a scintillating screen, a shutter and a detector of the beam emitted by the shutter, and a processing unit connected to the detector, where the shutter is positioned between the scintillator screen and the detector, and a support for the object to be observed is positioned downstream from the X-ray source and upstream from the scintillator screen, where the shutter is a shutter which can be controlled at high frequencies, for example higher than approximately 1 kHz, where the shutter is fixed and the transmission of the signal originating from the scintillator screen towards the detector is controlled by electrical polarisation means controlled by a control unit.

Abstract: An apparatus including a scintillator panel which absorbs X-rays radiated from an X-ray generator and converts the X-rays into visible light; an image detector including a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix array and charging the plurality of pixels with electric charges proportional to intensity of the visible light converted by the scintillator panel; a gate driver which selects a line in the image detector and applies a drive signal to pixels in the selected line; an automatic exposure request signal generator which generates an automatic exposure request signal as a trigger signal informing of X-ray radiation through detection of X-rays radiated from the X-ray generator; and a controller which controls a time point of performing an exposure operation depending on a state of the drive signal applied to the pixels of the selected line in response to the automatic exposure request signal is disclosed.

Abstract: With the aid of discriminators on a picture element of an X-ray detector, digital outputs are generated that indicate energy intervals to which X-ray quanta are allocated. If this occurs for adjacent picture elements, a distinction may be made between true coincidences, in which k-fluorescence photons play a part, and random coincidences in which two primary quanta randomly strike adjacent picture elements. The energy of the primary quantum may also be at least roughly reconstructed in the case of true coincidences. An energy-triggering measurement may thereby be provided to the extent that different materials of a picture object should be distinguished.

Abstract: A dental radiology apparatus having: an intraoral sensor comprising a detector including an active pixel array produced using biCMOS technology and converting a received x-ray into at least one analog electrical output signal; an electronic module encapsulated in a case and which has at least one detector activation device, the module linked to the sensor for the transmission to the sensor of a detector activation signal generated in the module and for the transmission to the module of the at least one analog electrical output signal, the module having analog-digital means for converting the at least one analog electrical output signal into at least one digital output signal. A remote processing and display unit of the at least one digital output signal is linked to the electronic module to ensure the transmission to the unit of the at least one digital output signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to automatic absorption means positioning in X-ray image acquisition. To improve image quality and to optimize the radiation exposure of an object, optimal position for X-ray absorption means is provided. A first sequence (113) of X-ray images is acquired (112). For each of the images, the optimal position (115) for X-ray absorption means is determined (114). A second sequence (117) of X-ray images is associated 10 (116) with corresponding images of the first sequence. The determined optimal position for the absorption means (14) of the associated corresponding images of the first sequence (113) is selected for an acquisition of the second sequence (117). Hence, a situation-specific database with optimized positions for the absorption means is generated on behalf of the first sequence in order to provide the generated position information for the actual acquisition of a 15 second sequence of images.

Abstract: The invention includes an x-ray goniometer positionable directly adjacent to processing machines used in the cutting, milling, drilling and shaping of crystal boules and crystal ingots, used in conjunction with an adjustable tilt platform capable of pitch, yaw and roll movement, allowing in-situ measurement and automatic adjustment of crystal orientation with respect to the processing machine. The goniometer may be secured to the tool or a portion of the machine which is adjacent the piece to be worked. Various embodiments include an x-ray goniometer and adjustable tilt platform incorporated into a core drilling machine, saw, surface grinder, polishing apparatus, or orientation flat or notch grinder. Incorporating an x-ray goniometer and adjustable tilt platform directly into a crystal processing machine results in a decrease in overall processing time and labor, and a significant increase in precision when processing crystal ingots into a final product, such as a notched wafer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electric field emission x-ray tube apparatus equipped with a built-in getter, and more particularly, to an electric field emission x-ray tube apparatus equipped with a built-in getter that makes it possible to reduce the size of an x-ray tube by forming a stacked structure, with electric insulation and predetermined gaps maintained for each electrode, by manufacturing an x-ray tube having a stacked structure by inserting insulating spacers (for example, ceramic) between an exhausting port, a cathode, a gate, a focusing electrode, and an anode and bonding them with an adhesive substance, and then inserting a spacer between a field emitter on a cathode substrate and a gate hole connected with a gate electrode.

Abstract: A multilayer optic device having an input face and an output face is provided. The optic device includes a high-index material layer having a first real refractive index 1??1 and a first absorption coefficient ?1, wherein the core comprises a first surface and a second surface, a low-index material layer having a second real refractive index 1??2 and a second absorption coefficient ?2, and a grading zone disposed between the high-index material layer and low-index material layer, the grading zone comprising a grading layer having a third real refractive index 1??3 and a third absorption coefficient ?3, such that 1??1 1>1??3>1??2, where at least a portion of one or more of the high-index material layer, the grading zone and the low-index layer comprises one or more corrugations along a first direction.

Abstract: When a multi-system setting command switch, targeted rotating position information switches, and a command executing switch are pressed down, a CPU reads out a path of frontal and lateral systems from a current position to a setting position from a setting position information memory, and reads out rotation direction and angle from a targeted position information memory. The CPU moves the frontal and lateral systems horizontally along the read-out path until the commanded setting position information conforms to detected actual position information. When the setting position information conforms to the actual position information, the frontal and lateral systems are rotated successively until the commanded rotation direction and angle conform to the detected actual position information. Thereby a fluoroscopic X-ray system can be moved smoothly from a standby position via the setting position to a targeted rotating position.

Abstract: A device for mounting and driving a rotatable part of a gantry of a computed tomography system with respect to a stationary part of the gantry around a system axis of the stationary part, has a magnetic bearing that magnetically supports the rotatable part relative to the stationary part, and an electromagnetic drive that drives the rotatable part of the gantry relative to the stationary part.

Abstract: A device for mounting and driving a tiltable part of a gantry of a computed tomography system with respect to a pedestal of the gantry around a system axis of the pedestal, has a magnetic bearing that magnetically supports the tiltable part relative to the pedestal, and an electromagnetic drive that electromagnetically tilts the tiltable part of the gantry relative to the pedestal.

Abstract: A head holder for imaging is provided. The head holder includes a base, a head rest configured to receive a head of a subject, the head rest pivotally connected to the base and rotatable about a rotational axis defined through a lower end of the head rest, and a stopper configured to be inserted between the base and the head rest to support the head rest and fix the head rest at a tilt angle that corresponds to an insertion position of the stopper in a body axis direction of the subject.

Abstract: A telecommunications access network includes a plurality of telecommunications lines (1), a plurality of aggregation devices (51-54), a plurality of data collector modules (71-73) and a line provisioning and de-provisioning system (90), wherein each line is connected between customer premises equipment (11-13,21-23,31-33,41-43) and a line aggregation device (51-54). The access network is operable to provide data connections through at least a first sub-set of the lines (1) to a core network whereby network services may be provided over the network to the customer premises equipment. The access network further includes a management module (80) for managing at least a second sub-set of the lines (1) within the access network, the management module (80) being operable to receive aggregated data from a plurality of data collector modules, each data collector module (71-73) being operable to receive data from a plurality of the line aggregation devices.

Abstract: Diversity among telecommunications circuits is maintained by analyzing factors including whether synchronization leads are shared by diverse circuits, whether violations of diversity are brought about by new orders that have been placed, and whether improper personnel have been assigned to monitor diverse circuits. Diversity is further maintained by reporting within a graphical user interface those circuits that are subject to diversity and reporting violations of diversity that exist for those circuits. The graphical user interface may provide various controls for dictating which violations are displayed for which circuits. Additionally, diversity is maintained by providing search options that allow the circuits subject to diversity to be narrowed depending upon user-specified criteria.

Abstract: A method and system for operating a multitenancy telephony system including a call queue that stores call requests received from a plurality of users; an expandable and contractible telephony resource cluster that establishes call sessions for call requests; a analysis system that calculates capacity requirements of the system; a resource allocator that manages the scaling and operation of the telephony resource cluster; and a plurality of telephony network channels that are used as telephony communication channels for call sessions.

Abstract: A telephone switchboard provides various operating voltages to a telephone in different operation modes. The telephone switchboard includes a control unit, an output control circuit and a voltage converter. The control unit detects the operation mode of a telephone and generates control signals to the output control unit. The output control unit controls direction of current flowing through the telephone according to the control signal, and generates a feedback signal according to any change in the operation mode of the telephone. The voltage converter receives the feedback signal and converts the received power to a suitable output operation voltage according to the feedback signal. The telephone switchboard is capable of providing various operation voltages to the telephone in the different operation modes.

Abstract: Provided herein is a system and method for sharing control of a customer service provided by a contact center. The method may include: receiving, from a customer, a customer contact to request the customer service; communicating by use of a communication channel between the customer and the contact center in order to provide the customer service; receiving a join request, from the customer, to join an outside party to the customer service; and joining the outside party to the customer service.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a method that involves receiving an indication that communications with a subscriber have been interrupted while engaged in voicemail processing, and recording a pointer to a last state of voicemail processing. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Call replay systems and methods are disclosed. A call replay system can record a telephonic communication and replay the recorded communication upon request. The entire communication may be recorded, or only a portion, such as the most recent few minutes. The entire recording can be transmitted to a requestor, or only a portion. The recording may be altered before it is transmitted to a requestor. Alterations may include actions taken to reduce playback time, such as removing spaces in the recording where no conversation is taking place, or speeding up the recording. Other alterations may include adjusting the sonic characteristics of the recording, translating the recording, or transcribing the recording to create a text version.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and a method for real-time monitoring and analyses of a conversation of an agent by capturing and processing a plurality of features of the speech of the agent during the conversation with the caller. The system and method further provides a monitoring device for detecting a variation in the conversation, detecting location of the caller and suggesting location specific vocabulary. The system and method also provides an alert engine for transmitting an alert in real-time at the agent console.

Abstract: A Skqueak™ is an interactively created electronic memo/message that combines a voiceover with user-interaction elements on a selected background. The background could be images, sequence of images from a video, entire video, files such as documents or pre-canned templates. The user inter-action elements are sketch animations, text animations, symbols, shapes, emoticons, image transformation events (pan, zoom, rotation etc.). Skqueak™ also denotes the application that allows the creation of a Skqueak™. Skqueak™ also represents a web service available at www.skqueak.com that allows the creation, viewing, storing, sharing, searching, annotating, and manipulation of Skqueaks.

Abstract: A telephone network voting system receives telephone ballots cast by voters by dialing a telephone number. The telephone number is dialed by voters spread over a large geographic area. The voting calls are routed to points of presence local to or otherwise identified with the caller by using the caller's ANI or other originating number identification. The points of presence then accumulate votes and periodically forward tallies to a centralized location over a data network. Instructions may be transmitted from the centralized location to the points of presence.

Abstract: A particular method includes initiating outbound calls associated with at least two recipients that are to receive a notification message. The outbound calls include a first call to a first telephone address associated with a first recipient of the at least two recipients. The method further includes, in response to a determination that the first call is unanswered, initiating a second call to a second telephone address associated with the first recipient and initiating generation of an email message to an electronic mail address associated with the first recipient.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a system and method for blocking leakage signals and uncoupling connections in a communication system. A leakage signal (LS) blocking splitter employs a high-pass filter which effectively blocks the lower frequency leakage signal. A detect and terminate function detects service on the communication connection to which each one of the LS filters are coupled to. The detect and terminate function detects service on the communication connection to ensure that each LS blocking splitter is coupled to an in-service communication connection. If the communication connection becomes out-of-service, the detect and terminate functions automatically uncouple the respective LS filter from the communication connections so that the LS filter cannot introduce undesirable harmonics into the communication system. In an alternative embodiment, the detect and terminate function may insert an impedance matching element in addition to uncoupling the LS filter.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method for audio/video conferencing. In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises using a dynamic threshold value to determine whether there is speech on a line. One aspect, the method comprises determining a dynamic threshold value based on one or more characteristics of signals received on a port, associating that dynamic threshold value with the port; and comparing one or more characteristics of signals subsequently received on the port to the dynamic threshold value. Signals received over a plurality of ports are summed, but for ports whose signal characteristics have a specified relationship to the dynamic threshold value associated with that port, signals are not contained in the sum.

Abstract: A call method, a device, and a communication system for a private branch exchange (PBX) user are provided. User data of the private branch exchange user may be sent to an application server when the private branch exchange user has opened an account but not registered. The application server ma continue normal calling by using the user data of the private branch exchange user. The PBX user can make a successful call without independent registration when implementing independent supplementary services.

Abstract: A system, method and software for facilitating a speech-enabled call routing application using an action-object matrix is disclosed. In operation, a natural language user utterance may be evaluated to identify an action and object available in an action-object matrix indicating transactions or operations available to a user. Depending upon the contents of the natural language user utterance, additional prompts and/or a disambiguation dialogue may be effected to elicit an available action-object combination selection from the user. Following identification of an action-object combination from the natural language user utterance, the action-object matrix may cooperate with a look-up table to identify an appropriate use routing destination. Following identification of an appropriate routing destination, the user connection may be routed to a service agent or module configured to facilitate the user selected transaction as indicated by the action-object combination.

Abstract: A voltage generation apparatus includes a booster circuit which outputs a direct-current voltage after having performed boosting processing, the voltage value of the direct-current voltage being specified on the basis of a pulse width of a series of pulse signals inputted, a direct-current to alternating-current conversion circuit which generates a ringer voltage to be supplied to a device connectable to a telephone line by converting the direct-current voltage outputted by the booster circuit to an alternating-current voltage, and a control unit which outputs a series of pulse signals to the booster circuit. the series of pulse signals having a feeding-voltage pulse width corresponding to a target voltage value of a feeding, voltage or a ringer-voltage pulse width corresponding to a target voltage value. the feeding-voltage pulse width and the linger-voltage pulse width being pulse widths having been set in a voltage adjustment stage.

Abstract: A soft reset method for a DSL apparatus. The method includes: receiving a soft reset command; controlling, according to the soft command, a service module of the DSL apparatus to perform a soft reset; and simultaneously controlling, according to a preset service module type, a non-service module of the DSL apparatus to maintain a working status. According to at least some embodiments of the invention, during the soft reset process of the DSL apparatus, it is unnecessary to perform reset on all service modules and non-service modules, so that an initialization operation load of the system during the soft reset process is reduced. Moreover, because it is unnecessary to perform soft reset on non-service modules, time that is consumed during the soft reset process of the DSL apparatus is reduced, and the user experience is correspondingly enhanced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to call voice signal processing, and particularly, to apparatus and method for echo control in parameter domain. The apparatus includes: an echo detection module configured to extract parameter domain characteristic parameters of a far-end output signal and a near-end input signal, respectively, through parameter domain decoding, and detect whether a near-end input signal frame is an echo frame according to the parameter domain characteristic parameters; and a transition module configured to re-quantize the fixed codebook gain, the adaptive codebook gain and an LSF prediction error in the near-end input signal frame when the echo detection module detects the near-end input signal frame as a non-echo frame, and replace the original fixed codebook gain, the original adaptive codebook gain and the original LSF in the near-end input signal frame.

Abstract: A method is provided for processing a digital information set having a plurality of information bytes. The method comprises receiving the information set, determining a set of initialization parameters, initializing a set of state variables using the set of initialization parameters, and generating a plurality of cryptors, each cryptor being a virtual dynamic array containing a monoalphabetic cipher. The method further comprises modifying the state variables and one or more of the cryptors, setting the index value for each cryptor in the plurality of cryptors; and selecting an ordered cryptor subset to be applied to an information byte. The information byte is processed using the ordered cryptor subset to produce a processed information byte. If the information byte is a plaintext byte, the processed byte is an encrypted byte, and vice versa. The actions of modifying, setting, selecting, and processing are then repeated for each remaining information byte.

Abstract: A group identity for a set of devices is generated by acquiring an identity for each one of the devices and joining the identities into a common identity data set. A group identity for the set of devices is created by performing a hash function on the common identity set and using a resulting hash value as the group identity. A group identity for a set of devices is verified by acquiring a first group identity from a trusted party. An identity is acquired from each device in the set and the identities are joined into a common identity data set and a second group identity is created for the set of devices by performing a hash function on the common identity data set. A determination is made whether there is a match between the first group identity and the second group identity.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a method of counter-measuring against side channel attacks, the method comprising executing a block-cipher algorithm to mask intermediate variables, wherein the block-cipher algorithm comprises one or more non-linear functions, characterised in that at least one of the non-linear functions is implemented using a match-in-place function.

Abstract: A random source for generating a random number r with a bit length k, r=r0, . . . , rk-1, a memory for storing a threshold value state variable s, which is represented by a number with a bit length n?k, s=s0, . . . , sn-1, and a comparator to compare two numbers with a bit length k, i.e. from r with a subset of the bits from s are provided. Two calculation rules R1 and R2, which are able to change the content of the memory for the threshold value state variable s (i.e. functions from s to s), are defined for a method of generating random wait states.

Abstract: A system and method which protects a data processing system against encryption key errors by providing redundant encryption keys stored in different locations, and providing the software with the ability to select an alternate redundant key if there is any possibility that the encryption key being used may be corrupted. In the preferred embodiment, a memory control module in the data processing device is configured to accommodate the storage of multiple (for example up to four or more) independent password/key pairs, and the control module duplicates a password key at the time of creation. The redundant passwords and encryption keys are forced into different memory slots for later retrieval if necessary. The probability of redundant keys being corrupted simultaneously is infinitesimal, so the system and method of the invention ensures that there is always an uncorrupted encryption key available.