International Business Machines Corporation

Stephen S Harding

Rayne Anderson

Alpeshkumar Patel

Jiafu Yu

Robert A Sebrosky

Edward Raymond Swiatek

Jody Lynn Mace

Richard A Halbeisen

Provided is a method for securely exchanging information during application startup. A processor may send a request for a passphrase to one or more remote devices using a first out-of-band message. The processor may receive, from at least one of the remote devices, a response that includes the passphrase. The response may be a second out-of-band message. The processor may decrypt application startup data that is stored in a first configuration file for the application using the received passphrase. The application startup data may be necessary for the application to execute. The processor may then execute the application using the decrypted application startup data.

Securely exchanging information during application startup

An apparatus and method for converting a numeric representation of a number stored in a memory into a string representation of the number. Numeric representation includes an integer portion and may include a fractional portion. The numeric representation is rounded to a specified amount of precision. Each digit of the integer portion is converted to a string character in accordance with the invention. Each digit of the fractional portion, if any, is also converted to a string character. Appropriate 'negative' signs and decimal points are created as required. The invention is also embodied as an article of manufacture.

Method and apparatus for numeric-to-string conversion

Electromagnets and spring-damper units respectively impart forward movement and rearward movement to slider members having hammer faces at their forward ends and armatures intermediate their lengths. The electromagnets and spring-damper units are mounted by the frame of the print mechanism for independent longitudinal adjustive movement. Adjustive movement of the spring-damper assemblies effects lateral alignment of the hammer faces at the forward ends of the sliders. Adjustive movement of the electromagnets effects adjustment of the forward movement characteristics of the sliders. Clamping forces are preferably imposed upon the electromagnets pending and during their adjustive movement. Anchoring of the electromagnets in their final positions preferably is accomplished by laser welding. An inexpensive frame plate restrains lateral movement of the sliders, maintains desired spacing between the pole faces of confronting electromagnets, and provides a surface upon which adjustive movement of the electromagnets can readily occur.

Impact printer print mechanism and method of manufacture

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Charlotte, NC, United States of America

Stephen S Harding