Abstract: A method of discouraging healthcare fraud in conjunction with providing a health care service to a patient in which the patient provides a biometric signature. An event record is created where the event record creates an association between the biometric signature, a patient identifier, and location information indicating a location at which the biometric signature is obtained. The event record is stored in a central data store and can be later retrieved to verify the patient was present at the location.

Abstract: Post-processing methods for nanoparticles are disclosed. Methods for real time quality control of nanoscale powder manufacture are discussed. Uses of post-processed particles and consolidation methods are disclosed. Disclosed methods can enable commercial use of nanoscale powders in wide range of nanotechnology applications.

Abstract: A pigment with modified properties because of the powder size being below 100 nanometers. Blue, yellow and brown pigments are illustrated. Nanoscale coated, un-coated, whisker inorganic fillers are included. Stoichiometric and non-stoichiometric composition are disclosed. The pigment nanopowders taught comprise one or more elements from the group actinium, aluminum, antimony, arsenic, barium, beryllium, bismuth, cadmium, calcium, cerium, cesium, cobalt, copper, chalcogenide, dysprosium, erbium, europium, gadolinium, gallium, gold, hafnium, hydrogen, indium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lithium, magnesium, manganese, mendelevium, mercury, molybdenum, neodymium, neptunium, nickel, niobium, nitrogen, oxygen, osmium, palladium, platinum, potassium, praseodymium, promethium, protactinium, rhenium, rubidium, scandium, silver, sodium, strontium, tantalum, terbium, thallium, thorium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, ytterbium, yttrium, zinc, and zirconium.

Abstract: A high availability, high reliability storage system that leverages rapid advances in commodity computing devices and the robust nature of internetwork technology such as the Internet. A system of parity distribution in accordance with the present invention allows for greater fault tolerance and levels of storage efficiency than possible with conventional RAID (levels 0-5) paradigms. Data can be recovered or made available even in the case of loss of N, N+1, or more devices or storage elements over which stripes of the data set have been distributed or partitioned. The present invention provides a parity distribution that can be used to distribute data stored in a single storage device or across multiple connected or otherwise networked devices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for routing frames through a fiber channel fabric to make the most efficient possible use of redundant inter-switch links between neighboring switches. The inter-switch links may have different bandwidths. The flow between adjacent switches is monitored to determine various local usage statistics and periodically adjust routing tables to move data flows from congested links to lightly loaded links.

Abstract: Nano-engineered devices exhibiting quantum effect and methods for forming such devices from nanomaterials are disclosed. Multilaminated sensing, piezoelectric, photonic, biomedical and thermal devices are taught. The composition included are chalcogenides, oxides, nitrides, borides, carbides, phosphides, halides, silicate, hydrides, oxynitrides, oxycarbides and other complex nanomaterial composition.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for accessing server resources by a client communicating control data to a server. A context object is associated to the control data. The context object includes methods for recording within the context object a set of properties identifying the client. A request packet is created from the control data and the context object. The request packet is transmitted to the server. The context object is passed to at least one method on the server. The method uses the context object to access the server resources.

Abstract: A central route table design in a fiber channel switch for providing one location for D_ID and exit port combinations. The fiber channel switch has a plurality of ports, each are coupled to the central route look-up table.

Abstract: Methods of producing metal and alloy fine powders having purity in excess of 99.9%, preferably 99.999%, more preferably 99.99999% are discussed. Fine submicron and nanoscale powders discussed include various shapes and forms including spheres, rods, whiskers, platelets and fibers. The use of surfactant, emulsifying agents and capping dispersants in powder synthesis are presented. Compositions taught include nickel, copper, iron, cobalt, silver, gold, platinum, palladium, tin, zirconium, aluminum, silicon, antimony, indium, titanium, tantalum, niobium, zinc and others from the periodic table. The fine powders are useful in various applications such as biomedical, sensor, electronic, electrical, photonic, thermal, piezo, magnetic, catalytic and electrochemical products.

Abstract: A method of speech recognition including receiving speech signals into a front-end processor and storing at least some resources used for speech recognition in a network-attached server. The front-end processor is coupled to the network-attached server to perform the speech recognition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are presented for operating a time slicing shared memory switch. The apparatus includes a bus for receiving a plurality of data frames in a respective plurality of input channels to the switch. A slice crosspoint applies the plurality of data frames to a shared memory in a time sliced manner. The time slice is established for each section of a shared memory to be staggered so that on any clock cycle, one memory portion is being accessed for writing at least some of the data frames and on a next clock cycle the memory portion is accessed for reading at least a portion of the data.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for generating and optimizing native code in a runtime compiler from a group of bytecodes presented to the compiler. The compiler accesses information that indicates a likelihood that a class will be a particular type when accessed by the running program. Using the accessed information, the compiler selects a code generation method from a plurality of code generation methods. A code generator generates optimized native code according to the selected code generation method and stores the optimized native code in a code cache for reuse.

Abstract: An autonomous adaptive agent which can learn verbal as well as nonverbal behavior. The primary object of the system is to optimize a primary value function over time through continuously learning how to behave in an environment (which may be physical or electronic). Inputs may include verbal advice or information from sources of varying reliability as well as direct or preprocessed environmental inputs. Desired agent behavior may include motor actions and verbal behavior which may constitute a system output (and which may also function “internally” to guide external actions. A further aspect involves an efficient “training” process by which the agent can be taught to utilize verbal advice and information along with environmental inputs.

Abstract: An ionic conducting device comprising a nanostructured material layer. The nanostructured layer has a microstructure confined to a size less than 100 nm. The ion conductivity of the nanostructured layer is higher than the ion conductivity of a layer of equivalent composition and size having a micron-sized microstructure. Nano-ionic compositions taught include ceramics, polymers, lithium containing compounds, sodium containing compounds, ion defect structures, silver containing compounds, Applications of nano-ionics to fuel cells, sensors, batteries, electrochemical devices, electrocatalysts are taught.

Abstract: Coated nanoparticles are used for composites and media. Exemplary applications include magnetic applications involving a solid matrix material and a nanostructured magnetic material.

Abstract: Dispersed phosphor powders are disclosed that comprise nanoscale powders dispersed on coarser carrier powders. The composition of the dispersed fine powders may be oxides, carbides, nitrides, borides, chalcogenides, metals, and alloys. Such powders are useful in various applications such as lamps, cathode ray tubes, field emission displays, plasma display panels, scintillators, X-ray detectors, IR detectors, UV detectors and laser detectors. Nano-dispersed phosphor powders can also be used in printing inks, or dispersed in plastics to prevent forgery and counterfeiting of currency, original works of art, passports, credit cards, bank checks, and other documents or products.

Abstract: The production and selection of precursor mixtures used to produce fine powders and methods for making fine powders using the selected precursor. The precursor mixture comprises at least one metal containing precursor, the metal containing precursor has an average molecular weight of less than 2000 grams per unit mol of the metal, the metal containing precursor has a normal boiling point greater than 350K, and the viscosity of the precursor mixture is between 0.1 to 250 cP. The precursor mixture is processed under conditions that produce a fine powder from the precursor mixture. Fine powders produced are of size less than 100 microns, preferably less than 10 micron, more preferably less than 1 micron, and most preferably less than 100 nanometers.

Abstract: Catalyst powders from nanoscale powders dispersed on coarser carrier powders. The composition of the dispersed fine powders may be oxides, carbides, nitrides, borides, chalcogenides, metals, and alloys. Nano-dispersed submicron powders and nano-dispersed nanopowders are discussed.

Abstract: Nanostructured non-stoichiometric materials and methods of reducing manufacturing and raw material costs through the use of nanostructured materials are provided. Specifically, use of non-stoichiometric materials of oxide, nitride, carbide, chalcogenides, borides, alloys and other compositions are taught.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a type of nanostructured ceramic platform for gas sensors and sensor arrays. These sensors comprise micromachined anodic aluminum oxide films, which contains extremely high density (e.g., 1011 cm−2) nanoscale pores. Sensing materials deposited inside this self-organized network of nanopores have ultra-high surface area and nanometer grain structure, therefore enabling high sensitivity. Refractory nature of alumina ceramic enables the desired robustness, long lifetime and stability in harsh environment. This sensor platform can been used for both chemical gas and physical (humidity, temperature) sensors and sensor arrays.