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The present invention has particular applications to the navigation of Internet web pages using two-way interactive communication devices, such as a mobile device, a mobile phone, a landline telephone, and an Internet capable remote controller. According to one aspect of the present invention, each of the two-way interactive communication devices is a node in a distributed network, thus the devices can access hypermedia or hierarchic layers of information stored in server devices on the network. When one or more pages of information are updated, rather than sending the entire updated information to users of the devices subscribing to the updated information through the network, the present invention sends a notification to a proxy server that forwards the notification to the users using a messaging system via a low cost narrowband channel. Upon receiving the notification, the users can fetch the updates, when needed, through a wideband channel. Hence systemic solutions are provided in the present invention to integrate wideband and narrowband channels so as to keep the users informed of any updates to their desired information and meanwhile provide efficient means to the users for retrieving the latest updates without incurring uncontrollable costs and increasing unnecessary network traffics.

A practical system and method for the remote distribution of financial services (e.g., home banking and bill-paying) involves distributing portable terminals to a user base. The terminals include a multi-line display, keys “pointing to” lines on the display, and additional keys. Contact is established between the terminals and a central computer operated by a service provider, preferably over a dial-up telephone line and a packet data network. Information exchange between the central computer and the terminal solicits information from the terminal user related to requested financial services (e.g., for billpaying, the user provides payee selection and amount and his bank account PIN number). The central computer then transmits a message over a conventional ATM network debiting the user's bank account in real time, and may pay the specified payees the specified amount electronically or in other ways as appropriate. Payments and transfers may be scheduled in advance or on a periodic basis. Because the central computer interacts with the user's bank as a standard POS or ATM network node, no significant software changes are required at the banks' computers. The terminal interface is extremely user-friendly and incorporates some features of standard ATM user interfaces so as to reduce new user anxiety.

Chips that include one or more particle manipulation mechanisms, or force transduction elements, provided at specific locations to manipulate and localize particles proximal the substrate surface. In one embodiment, individually addressable magnetic control mechanisms such as electric coils are provided at specific locations to create a magnetic field to attract magnetic particles, such a magnetic or magnetizable beads, to those specific locations. In another embodiment, electrostatic control mechanisms such as electrodes are provided to attract and manipulate electrically charged micro-particles. A location may include a crater or well formed in the substrate, or it may include an element on the surface of the substrate. In some embodiments, one or more sensors are located proximal specific locations, e.g. specific craters, so as to analyze specific conditions at each location. In other embodiments, multiple locations share one or more sensors.

The invention provides a system and a method for data input that can be used with or incorporated into electronic, computer, and portable devices. The interface includes a small set of control buttons or keys that are used to provide access to an associated set of secondary keys, from which the user can select a character for input into the device. Intelligent ordering and grouping of the control and secondary keys allows the user to input information in a manner conducive to speed, accuracy, and ease of use, while the interface can be minimized to require less real estate than traditional keyboards. In accordance with one embodiment, a set of characters or symbols is divided into subsets, each subset being represented by a control button. Selecting a control button displays a secondary set of buttons representing actual characters or symbols that can be selected, stored, or displayed.

A method is described for selectively etching a high k dielectric layer that is preferably a hafnium or zirconium oxide, silicate, nitride, or oxynitride with a selectivity of greater than 2:1 relative to silicon oxide, polysilicon, or silicon. The plasma etch chemistry is comprised of one or more halogen containing gases such as CF4, CHF3, CH2F2, CH3F, C4F8, C4F6, C5F6, BCl3, Br2, HF, HCl, HBr, HI, and NF3 and leaves no etch residues. An inert gas or an inert gas and oxidant gas may be added to the halogen containing gas. In one embodiment, a high k gate dielectric layer is removed on portions of an active area in a MOS transistor. Alternatively, the high k dielectric layer is used in a capacitor between two conducting layers and is selectively removed from portions of an ILD layer.

The present invention provides various contact center embodiments for interacting with customers using instant messaging. In one embodiment, the contact center is configured to receive instant message notifications from a customer when the customer is available for contact by instant messaging. In another embodiment, the contact center is configured to route sessionless instant messages only to a selected agent for a specified period of time. In another embodiment, the contact center is configured to provide to customers presence information for administered instant message addresses before the customers contact the contact center. In another embodiment, the contact center is configured to perform an outbound instant messaging campaign or alert with customers.

The present invention has particular applications to the navigation of Internet web pages using two-way interactive communication devices, such as a mobile device, a mobile phone, a landline telephone, and an Internet capable remote controller. According to one aspect of the present invention, each of the two-way interactive communication devices is a node in a distributed network, thus the devices can access hypermedia or hierarchic layers of information stored in server devices on the network. When one or more pages of information are updated, rather than sending the entire updated information to users of the devices subscribing to the updated information through the network, the present invention sends a notification to a proxy server that forwards the notification to the users using a messaging system via a low cost narrowband channel. Upon receiving the notification, the users can fetch the updates, when needed, through a wideband channel. Hence systemic solutions are provided in the present invention to integrate wideband and narrowband channels so as to keep the users informed of any updates to their desired information and meanwhile provide efficient means to the users for retrieving the latest updates without incurring uncontrollable costs and increasing unnecessary network traffics.

An improved method and device for capturing image data benefits from having a single central processor execute the operating system, and the image capture, decode and processing programs. A method for capturing of image data comprises transmitting image data from an imager, assembling the image data, assigning a memory address to the assembled image data and transferring the assembled image data into system memory. This method is capable of central processing whereby the capturing of image data is executed via the main processor without having to invoke a dedicated processor or incorporate external components, such as additional PCBs, external digital signal processing or external data storage. Additionally, an imaging device comprises an image builder module that receives image data from the imager bus and assembles the data, and a transfer controller that initiates the image builder module and controls the transfer of image data into and out of memory.

Various embodiments of the present invention relate to a plasma electron source apparatus. The apparatus comprises a cathode discharge chamber in which a plasma is generated, an exit hole provided in said cathode discharge chamber from which electrons from the plasma are extracted by an accelerating field provided between said cathode discharge chamber and an anode, at least one plasma confinement device, and a switching mechanism for switching the at least one plasma confinement device between a first value allowing for electron extraction from the plasma and a second value prohibiting electron extraction from the plasma. Associated methods are also provided.

A system and method for increasing the effective bandwidth of a communications network is provided by overlaying a “super” transport and caching structure over the conventional TCP / IP communications network, for example, the Internet, which increases the transfer rate of information in the communications network. The “super” transport and caching structure includes software or hardware or both added to at least two modules separated by a communications link in the communications network. The net result is that the users of the communications network have their time to access and / or retrieve information significantly reduced, and the communications network, particularly a large network, e.g., the Internet, becomes an efficient means of performing commercial transactions by both businesses and individuals.

The present invention includes a system and method for communicating across an electronic communication network. The present invention permits a user of the electronic communication network to communicate with one or more other users of the electronic communication network. The software employed in such a system and method permits a user to select one or more individuals to whom communication is desired and / or one or more terminals to which communication is desired, enter a message, and send the message. The recipient or recipients of the message are defined on the network and are selectable at the sender's terminal through a graphical user interface (GUI).

A method for wirelessly transmitting data from an utility meter, such as an electric meter, is disclosed. A microprocessor housed inside an energy meter obtains readings of various power indicia, stores the readings, processes the buffer to determine an efficient means of formatting the data for transmission using a radio frequency communications link. The method examines the plurality of readings and determines if values can be communicated by transmitting an initial reading and followed by the difference of the next reading from the previous reading. A special indication is transmitted to turn ‘on’ compression and allow the receiver to propertly interpret received data. Other indicators are transmitted to turn ‘off’ compression, turn on compression for a pre-defined limited duration, or vary the range of the difference between readings.

An eddy-current braking mechanism including a rotor, rotatable about a rotor axis; at least one electrically conductive member coupled to the rotor for rotation therewith; at least one magnet configured to apply a magnetic field extending at least partially orthogonal to the plane of rotation of the conductive member, and characterised in that upon rotation of the rotor, the conductive member is configured to move at least partially radially from the rotor axis into the applied magnetic field.

The present invention provides an optical system having an array of light emitting semiconductor devices to performing an operation that have multiple characteristics associated with performing the operation. The array includes at least one detector located within the array to selectively monitor multiple characteristics of the light emitting semiconductor devices and is configured to generate a signal corresponding to the selected characteristic. A controller is configured to control the light emitting semiconductor devices in response to the signal from the at least one detector. At least one of the multiple characteristics may be concentrated at an area of the array and the at least one detector may be located within the array at the area of the array to selectively monitor characteristic that is concentrated at the area of the array.

Water-resistant, protein-based powder adhesive compositions and methods for preparing them are provided. The adhesives are prepared by denaturing a vegetable protein, such as soy flour to the “preferred adhesive state”, co-polymerizing with one or more reactive cross-linking agents and spray-drying or freeze-drying the composition to preserve the preferred adhesive state. The adhesives exhibit superior water resistance, and can be used to bond wood substrates, such as panels or laminate, or in the preparation of composite materials.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a novel method, system, process, and computer program is provided that synthetically replicates a plain vanilla IR Swap through a future as well as to create a more fungible interest rate swap in the spot market. The forward start interest rate swaps of the present invention consist of a consecutive series of futures that value a forward start interest rate swap to start on a settlement date. The futures replicate the floating-rate payment terms for the interest rate swap that is being synthetically replicated. The spot interest rate swap is a standardized interest rate swap that is fungible.

An apparatus for separating a first gas from a mixture of the first gas and at least one second gas comprises a housing having an inlet port and an outlet port and an adsorbent which is positioned in the housing. The adsorbent comprising a carbon based foam monolith that has an affinity for the first gas. Thus, as the gas mixture flows through the housing, the first gas will be adsorbed onto the adsorbent and the second gas will exit the housing through the outlet port. In this manner, the first gas is separated from the second gas.

The present inventions provides a directing device for controlling the orientation of a ball launching device, comprising a first member, a second member pivotally attached to the first member, and a third member disposed substantially parallel to the second member, rotatably connected to the second member and operably configured to receive the ball launching device. The device further includes a first actuator connected to the first and second members and, a second actuator connected to the first and third members. When the first actuator is actuated the second member pivots relative to the first member, and when the second actuator is actuated the third member rotates relative to the second member. This invention also provides an automatic ball throwing device having the directing device of this invention and a method of converting a pitching machine into the same. This invention further provides a hopper for use with the directing device.

A practical system and method for the remote distribution of financial services (e.g., home banking and bill-paying) involves distributing portable terminals to a user base. The terminals include a multi-line display, keys “pointing to” lines on the display, and additional keys. Contact is established between the terminals and a central computer operated by a service provider, preferably over a dial-up telephone line and a packet data network. Information exchange between the central computer and the terminal solicits information from the terminal user related to requested financial services (e.g., for billpaying, the user provides payee selection and amount and his bank account PIN number). The central computer then transmits a message over a conventional ATM network debiting the user's bank account in real time, and may pay the specified payees the specified amount electronically or in other ways as appropriate. Payments and transfers may be scheduled in advance or on a periodic basis. Because the central computer interacts with the user's bank as a standard POS or ATM network node, no significant software changes are required at the banks' computers. The terminal interface is extremely user-friendly and incorporates some features of standard ATM user interfaces so as to reduce new user anxiety.

The present invention provides a method and apparatus to be used to extend the range of standard USB devices, and in particular, USB devices operating in accordance with Revision 2.0 of the USB Specification. An extended range hub is provided which comprises a Local Expander (LEX) and a Remote Expander (REX) which can be separated by up to, for example 100 meters. The LEX and REX operate in accordance with an enhanced high-speed USB Extended Range Protocol (USB-ERP) which permits USB devices to be more conveniently located and used, and is in compliance with Revision 2.0 of the USB Specification.

Various embodiments of the present invention relate to a plasma electron source apparatus. The apparatus comprises a cathode discharge chamber in which a plasma is generated, an exit hole provided in said cathode discharge chamber from which electrons from the plasma are extracted by an accelerating field provided between said cathode discharge chamber and an anode, at least one plasma confinement device, and a switching mechanism for switching the at least one plasma confinement device between a first value allowing for electron extraction from the plasma and a second value prohibiting electron extraction from the plasma. Associated methods are also provided.

Detection and monitoring of flying insects of a given species can be facilitated by placing inside a lure-baited trap a microcontroller assembly that can sense and discriminate the presence of that species, usually by the sound it makes and then sending a positive report to a central monitoring station by satellite, internet, or antennae transmission. The central monitoring station receives the putative identifications of the targeted insect species, matched with the locations of traps responding positively, and then maps the locations of the positive trap responses. Additional features include: identification of insect species by a characteristic acoustic frequency range, a pattern stored in the microcontroller and / or the central monitoring station; use of multi-lure traps; periodic transfer of test signals from the central monitoring station to remote detection stations to verify that the system is working properly; and use of the microcontroller sensor assembly without traps to monitor sound-emitting life forms at sites attractive to targeted species.

The present invention provides a torquer for maneuvering a medical guidewire during endovascular surgical procedures or the like, which can be easily positioned and re-positioned along the length of the wire. A clamp-like device is formed with a top arm and a bottom arm connected to one another by means of a flap hinge. A horizontal slit is defined within the flap hinge, and a vertical slit is defined on a clamping tongue positioned at the top distal end of the top arm, such that the torquer is placed onto the guidewire and snapped into place with the guidewire penetrating the vertical slit. A wire channel means is further defined between the two arms to hold the guidewire within the torquer.

This invention provides a combination of microRNAs for evaluating the physiological and / or pathological condition of a subject, wherein the combination comprises all detectable microRNAs stably existing in the serum / plasma of a subject; and a method for evaluating the physiological and / or pathological condition of a subject, wherein the method includes determining all detectable microRNAs stably existing in the serum / plasma of a subject; and a kit for evaluating the physiological and / or pathological condition of a subject, wherein the kit contains the tools for determining all detectable microRNAs that stably existing in the serum / plasma of a subject; and a biochip for evaluating the physiological and / or pathological condition of a subject, wherein the biochip contains the components for determining all detectable microRNAs stably existing in the serum / plasma of a subject. The aforementioned combination, method, kit and biochip can be used for diagnosis as well as differentially diagnosis of diseases including various tumors; various acute / chronic infectious diseases, e.g. viral diseases such as viral influenza, viral hepatitis, AIDS, SARS, bacterial diseases such as tuberculosis, bacterial pneumonia, and other acute / chronic infectious diseases caused by various pathogenic microorganisms; other acute / chronic diseases such as diseases of respiratory system, diseases of immune system, diseases of blood and hematopoietic system, diseases of circulatory system such as cardio-cerebrovascular diseases, metabolic diseases of endocrine system, diseases of digestive system, diseases of nervous system, diseases of urinary system, diseases of reproductive system and diseases of locomotor system, prediction of complications occurrence and malignant diseases relapse, evaluation of therapeutic effects, screening of pharmaceutical active ingredients, assessment of drug efficacy as well as forensic authentication and prohibited drug inspection and the like, possessing a number of advantages such as extensive detection spectrum, high sensitivity, low cost, convenience for sampling, ease for sample preservation, etc. The said method can be widely used in work related to general survey of diseases and so on, improve the low-specificity and low-sensitivity caused by individual differences which single markers are difficult to overcome, significantly increasing the clinical detection rate of diseases, all of which make it become an effective means for diagnosing diseases in an early phase.

Small implantable magnetostrictive-electroactive (ME) device for delivering electrical energy to surrounding tissue. The wireless ME device is activated by a changing magnetic field from an externally applied alternating magnetic field source. The ME device provides a means for stimulating a nerve, tissue or internal organ with direct electrical current, such as relatively low-level direct current for temporary or as needed therapy. The field source (e.g. small coil antenna) may be a hand-held device or affixed to the wearer's skin, clothing or accessories. The ME implant may be configured as pellets which are small enough to be implanted through a surgical needle. In one embodiment, the wireless energy transmission system can be used for stimulating bone growth.

The present invention provides HIV-derived lentivectors which are safe, highly efficient, and very potent for expressing transgenes for human gene therapy, especially, in human hematopoietic progenitor cells as well as in all other blood cell derivatives. The lentiviral vectors comprise a self-inactivating configuration for biosaftey and promoters such as the EF1α promoter as one example. Additional promoters are also described. The vectors can also comprise additional transcription enhancing elements such as the wood chuck hepatitis virus post-transcriptional regulatory element. These vectors therefore provide useful tools for genetic treatments such as inherited and acquired lympho-hematological disorders, gene-therapies for cancers especially the hematological cancers, as well as for the study of hematopoiesis via lentivector-mediated modification of human HSCs.