Abstract: Some embodiments include a memory array having a vertical stack of alternating insulative levels and control gate levels. Channel material extends vertically along the stack. The control gate levels comprising conductive regions. The conductive regions include at least three different materials. Charge-storage regions are adjacent the control gate levels. Charge-blocking regions are between the charge-storage regions and the conductive regions.

Abstract: A method of operating a security system (20) including a plurality of sensors (30) and cameras (34). The security system (20) includes a monitoring device (24) and a monitoring database (32), at least one of which stores a plurality of contacts and notification methods for contacting the contacts. When one of the sensors (30) or cameras (34) detects an emergency condition, one of the monitoring device (24) or monitoring database (32) automatically sends a notification message to one of the contacts. If the contact rejects the notification message or does not respond, then the monitoring device (24) or monitoring database (32) automatically sends the notification message to the same contact through a different notification method or to a different contact.

Abstract: A system and method for providing an emergency contact party telephone line in response to an emergency. The system includes a user device (21) and a monitoring database (22), which communicate with one another over the Internet (23). A plurality of contacts and contact methods are stored on the monitoring database (22). The contact methods for each contact are arranged in a hierarchy according to priority. When the user device (21) establishes an emergency condition, it communicates the emergency condition to the monitoring database (22). The monitoring database (22) then establishes a support line, similar to a conference call line. Once the support line is set up, the monitoring database (22) sends a notification message of the emergency to the contacts through a first contact method. The monitoring database (22) then sends another notification message through a second contact method different to the first contact method to each of the contacts who did not respond to the first notification message.

Abstract: A system and method for providing an emergency contact party telephone line in response to an emergency. The system includes a user device (21) and a monitoring database (22), which communicate with one another over the Internet (23). A plurality of contacts and contact methods are stored on the monitoring database (22). The contact methods for each contact are arranged in a hierarchy according to priority. When the user device (21) establishes an emergency condition, it communicates the emergency condition to the monitoring database (22). The monitoring database (22) then establishes a support line, similar to a conference call line. Once the support line is set up, the monitoring database (22) sends a notification message of the emergency to the contacts through a first contact method. The monitoring database (22) then sends another notification message through a second contact method different to the first contact method to each of the contacts who did not respond to the first notification message.

Abstract: A method of operating a security system (20) including a plurality of sensors (30) and cameras (34). The security system (20) includes a monitoring device (24) and a monitoring database (32), at least one of which stores a plurality of contacts and notification methods for contacting the contacts. When one of the sensors (30) or cameras (34) detects an emergency condition, one of the monitoring device (24) or monitoring database (32) automatically sends a notification message to one of the contacts. If the contact rejects the notification message or does not respond, then the monitoring device (24) or monitoring database (32) automatically sends the notification message to the same contact through a different notification method or to a different contact.

Abstract: A file system protection mechanism for an operating system image for a portable computing device is provided to assist in ensuring a good user experience. A signed catalog file is embedded in a resource-sparing operating system (OS), such as a Windows CE image, for security enhancement and load verification purposes. The invention performs various checks on the image and the signature of the image to ensure that image has not been maliciously modified and that it complies with a release standard. Such a mechanism is important to protect image loads from external threats made possible by, e.g. recent incorporation of broadband wireless and wireline connectivity for portable computing devices. The signing technique includes creating a signed catalog of the image and embedding that catalog into the image as it is loaded onto the portable computing device.

Abstract: A materials management system and method configured to handle materials events is provided. The materials management system can be configured to receive event information, comprising information pertaining to a hazardous materials event, to store data pertaining to a plurality of hazardous materials, to retrieve stored data based on the event information and to generate a materials event response based on the retrieved information. According to one embodiment, the materials management system can include an automated telephonic interface for accepting caller input and facilitating system responses.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a system and method of providing emergency response to a user carrying a user device (32). The method establishes a monitoring database (34) including identifications for a plurality of user devices (32) and user information associated with each of the user devices (32). An internet protocol (IP) address is established for the monitoring database (34) and for each user device (32). The monitoring database (34) includes contacts to be contacted in an emergency for each user of each user device (32) and receives priority information for notifying the contacts. Communication is established between one of the user devices (32) and the monitoring database (34) and the monitoring database (34) automatically processes the priority information to notify the contact using either internet protocols or public-switched telephone networks.

Abstract: A flexible, grain-through edgeband (edgeband) having a swirl-type, or other type, pattern formed substantially throughout the thickness of the edgeband may be used to cover a portion of an edge of an object, such as a counter, a table, a shelf, or a furniture panel. The swirl-type, or other type, pattern may represent a simulated woodgrain or other effect, and may be visible when the edgeband is trimmed about flush with a top surface and/or a bottom surface of the object. The edgeband may be formed of a mixture of extruded or co-extruded materials having the same or different properties. Additionally, the edgeband may include a plasticizer in an amount sufficient to impart to the edgeband a flex modulus that enables the edgeband to be applied to concave or convex surfaces having radii of less than about ten (10) times the thickness of the edgeband.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a system and method of providing emergency response to a user carrying a user device (32). The method establishes a monitoring database (34) including identifications for a plurality of user devices (32) and user information associated with each of the user devices (32). An internet protocol (IP) address is established for the monitoring database (34) and for each user device (32). The monitoring database (34) includes contacts to be contacted in an emergency for each user of each user device (32) and receives priority information for notifying the contacts. Communication is established between one of the user devices (32) and the monitoring database (34) and the monitoring database (34) automatically processes the priority information to notify the contact using either internet protocols or public-switched telephone networks.

Abstract: An introducer assembly includes a sheath having a sheath proximal end and distal end, and a passage therethrough. The introducer assembly further includes a valve assembly that is sealingly associated with the passage of the sheath. The valve assembly includes a valve having a first seal and a second seal, where the first and second seal optionally have different sealing properties. For example, the first seal and the second seal have different thicknesses, different sealing durometers, or otherwise different sealing features. In another option, the sheath is removable from the instrument disposed therethrough. In yet another option, the valve of the valve assembly further includes a chamber disposed between the first and second seals. The seals are spaced to accommodate devices with multiple flow holes therein.

Abstract: A file system protection mechanism for an operating system image for a portable computing device is provided to assist in ensuring a good user experience. A signed catalog file is embedded in a resource-sparing operating system (OS), such as a Windows CE image, for security enhancement and load verification purposes. The invention performs various checks on the image and the signature of the image to ensure that image has not been maliciously modified and that it complies with a release standard. Such a mechanism is important to protect image loads from external threats made possible by, e.g. recent incorporation of broadband wireless and wireline connectivity for portable computing devices. The signing technique includes creating a signed catalog of the image and embedding that catalog into the image as it is loaded onto the portable computing device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a “keyboard overlay” that sits on top of a touch-sensitive display screen of a computing device. After aligning the overlay on the display screen, the user types on the overlay. When the user presses a key on the overlay, the pressure is transmitted to the display screen below. That pressure is registered by the display screen as a touch. The keyboard overlay is formed to provide tactile finger-position feedback so that a user can keep his fingers oriented properly over the keyboard. The overlay may be opaque with keycap information displayed in the key areas. The overlay may be transparent, allowing a user to see a virtual keyboard painted on the display screen below. The computing device can detect the presence and type of an overlay. Applications may respond differently to different types of overlays. Different applications may be invoked depending upon the type of overlay detected.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and a system for detecting multiple, simultaneous touches on a touch-sensitive screen of a computing device. The hardware that controls the touch screen performs two measurements to locate a touch location on the screen. If there is a single touch, then the two measurements are equal. A non-zero difference indicates multiple touches and is correlated with the spread of locations simultaneously touched on the screen. If the difference is greater than a set threshold, then an indication is given of multiple touches. The user is warned against multiple touches, and input from the screen is ignored as long as multiple touches are detected. For some embodiments, when multiple touches are detected, the invention also tries to indicate the boundary of the set of locations simultaneously touched. The boundary is used to interpolate the intended single touch from the locations of all the touches.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a method of providing emergency response to a user carrying a user device (32). The method establishes a monitoring database (34) including identifications for a plurality of user devices (32) and user information associated with each of the user devices (32). The monitoring database (34) includes a list of contacts to be contacted in an emergency for each user of each user device (32). An internet protocol (IP) address is established for the monitoring database (34) and for each user device (32). One of the user devices (32) is selected in the database and at least one of the selected user device (32) or at least one contact from the list of contacts associated with the selected user device (32) is notified of the emergency. The communication between the monitoring database (34) and the selected user device (32) is established over the Internet (36) using internet protocols to notify the selected user device (32) and/or the contact.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and a system for detecting multiple, simultaneous touches on a touch-sensitive screen of a computing device. The hardware that controls the touch screen performs two measurements to locate a touch location on the screen. If there is a single touch, then the two measurements are equal. A non-zero difference indicates multiple touches and is correlated with the spread of locations simultaneously touched on the screen. If the difference is greater than a set threshold, then an indication is given of multiple touches. The user is warned against multiple touches, and input from the screen is ignored as long as multiple touches are detected. For some embodiments, when multiple touches are detected, the invention also tries to indicate the boundary of the set of locations simultaneously touched. The boundary is used to interpolate the intended single touch from the locations of all the touches.