Abstract: The present invention is directed to a customer contact 100 in which a agent service function 136 to collect predetermined types of information regarding the contact and/or the contact center 100 and interface with the contact. The interface can include presenting service options to the contact. A mood detector 152 can be used to collect information about the customer's state of mind.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a customer contact 100 in which a session monitor 140 identifies and implements multi-customer sessions. A conferencing function 136 connects the plurality of customers 110-118 simultaneously to the same resource and/or to each other. Participation in the sessions can be mandatory or optional. The sessions can be created continually or periodically, such as when the contact center 100 is in an session mode. The sessions can be closed or open to new customers after commencement.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of quickly heating a gas-solvent solution from a relatively low temperature T1 to a relatively high temperature T2, such that the gas-solvent solution has a much higher dissolved gas concentration at temperature T2 than could be achieved if the gas-solvent solution had originally been formed at the temperature T2. Various apparatuses are also provided for carrying out the heating method.

Abstract: This invention concerns a method for treating a material on a substrate. It comprises the steps of a) forming an ozone-solvent solution at a first temperature; and b) reacting the ozone-solvent solution with the material at a second temperature, wherein the first temperature is lower than the second temperature, the lower first temperature facilitating an increased concentration of dissolved ozone in the solvent, the higher second temperature facilitating an increased reaction rate between the ozone-solvent solution and the material. After step b) the material is then rinsed (step c) with a first rinse solution. Then, after step c) the ozone-solvent solution is reacted with the material at a third temperature (step d) which is higher than the first temperature. Exposure of the substrate to the ozone-solvent solution and the rinse solution may be carried out a number of times. The invention applies to a number of substrates including semiconductor wafers, flat panel displays and the like.

Abstract: Our audio processing system for use in teleconferencing systems includes a microphone, receiver, and substantially the same comb filter and frequency scaler at each station for reducing acoustic echo and increasing the margin of acoustic stability. The comb filters and frequency scalers cooperate with one another in that the frequency scalers each induces a shift in frequency which corresponds to the peak-to-trough spacing of the transfer function of the comb filters. Our audio processing system may also include auxiliary echo suppressors for reducing acoustic echo and increasing the margin of acoustic stability in systems having high and low transmission delays. Other devices may be employed for reducing noise and smoothing out the operation of individual components in the system.

Abstract: A high-intensity, inexpensive X-ray source for X-ray lithography for the production of integrated circuits. Foil stacks are bombarded with a high-energy electron beam of 25 to 250 MeV to produce a flux of soft X-rays of 500 eV to 3 keV. Methods of increasing the total X-ray power and making the cross section of the X-ray beam uniform are described. Methods of obtaining the desired X-ray-beam field size, optimum frequency spectrum and elminating the neutron flux are all described. A method of obtaining a plurality of station operation is also described which makes the process more efficient and economical. The satisfying of these issues makes transition radiation an exellent moderate-priced X-ray source for lithography.

Abstract: An intense, relatively inexpensive X-ray source (as compared to a synchrotron emitter) for technological, scientific, and spectroscopic purposes. A conical radiation pattern produced by a single foil or stack of foils is focused by optics to increase the intensity of the radiation at a distance from the conical radiator.

Abstract: Disclosed is a memory or display device which includes a shift register having a bubble generator, a bubble propagator, and a bubble annihilator. Front and back glass plates are provided with dielectric-covered, transparent electrodes with the plates being positioned in spaced, parallel alignment. A suitable medium having a bilaterally symmetric V-J characteristic with a current controlled negative resistance region is provided between the plates and in contact with the dielectric covering the transparent electrodes. Bubbles are moved along an asymmetric track in the propagator by modulating voltage on two electrodes on opposing sides of the asymmetric track.