Abstract: A system establishes a telephone call between a calling party and a called party. The system receives a telephone call connection request, including identification of the called party, from the calling party and determines, based on the identification information, if the called party is currently connected to a data network. If the called party is currently connected to the data network, the system establishes the telephone call between the calling party and an instant messaging client of the called party.

Abstract: A Bayesian belief network-based architecture for multimodal biometric fusion is disclosed. Bayesian networks are a theoretically sound, probabilistic framework for information fusion. The architecture incorporates prior knowledge of each modality's capabilities, quality estimates for each sample, and relationships or dependencies between these variables. A global quality estimate is introduced to support decision making.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and systems for performing a matching function between a first pattern and a second pattern. This technique involves creating a set of all distance measurements between pairs of points in the first pattern and all distance measurements between pairs of points in the second pattern. This set is then partitioned into subsets of nearly equal distance elements. Those subsets containing at least one element derived from each pattern determine possible line segment matches which are then analyzed mathematically to determine the partial transform that maps the associated points of the first pattern into the points of the second pattern. The resulting set of partial transforms is then reviewed to determine matched line segments between the two patterns.

Abstract: An iontophoresis electrode that includes a buffer component formed of a first absorbent material with a pH buffering agent dispersed within or coated upon the absorbent material, a component for delivering medicament to a body where the medicament delivery component is formed of a second absorbent material and is located adjacent to and in contact with the buffer component, and an electrical connection in electrical communication with the buffer component.

Abstract: A method of making an electrode that includes dispersing a pH buffering agent within a first absorbent material to form a pH buffer component or coating the pH buffering agent on the first absorbent material to form the pH buffer component, positioning a component for delivering medicament adjacent to and in contact with the pH buffer component where the medicament delivery component is formed of a second absorbent material, and placing an electrical connection in electrical communication with the buffer component.

Abstract: A process for making a medical electrode component that includes dispersing a pH buffering agent within a first absorbent material that is capable of absorbing electrolytic solution or applying the pH buffering agent as a coating on a substantially planar surface of the first absorbent material, forming a first web having first and second surfaces from the first absorbent material, forming a second web from a second absorbent material that is capable of absorbing electrolytic solution, cutting through the first web to form a first web portion having a first surface and a second surface, cutting through the second web to form a second web portion having a first surface and a second surface, and securing the second surface of the first web portion and the first surface of the second web portion in contact to secure the first web portion and the second web portion in layered relation.