Abstract: A method for performing a vehicle diagnostic process for diagnosing, scanning and/or programming a vehicle includes recording a diagnostic message from a diagnostic computer device to generate a recorded diagnostic message, transmitting the recorded diagnostic message to a local computer at a repair facility, with the diagnostic computer device being located remotely from the repair facility, and playing the recorded diagnostic message at the local computer for delivery via an interface device to an electronic system of a vehicle. The method then further includes recording with the local computer a vehicle message from the electronic system of the vehicle to generate a recorded vehicle message in response to playing the recorded diagnostic message, and transmitting the recorded vehicle message from the local computer to the diagnostic computer device.

Abstract: A lighting device may include an elongated housing that defines a cavity. The lighting device may include plurality of emitter printed circuit boards configured to be received within the cavity. Each of the plurality of emitter printed circuit boards may include a plurality of emitter modules mounted thereto. Each of the plurality of emitter printed circuit boards may include a control circuit configured to control the plurality of emitter modules mounted to the respective emitter printed circuit board based on receipt of one or more messages. The lighting device may include a total internal reflection lens for each of the plurality of emitter printed circuit boards. The total internal reflection lens may be configured to diffuse light emitted by the emitter modules of the plurality of emitter printed circuit boards.

Abstract: A system and method of detecting remote use of a diagnostic scan tool computer device for scanning, diagnosing and/or programing a vehicle at a repair facility. A time duration for exchange of data signals between the diagnostic scan tool and an electronic system of a vehicle is tracked via a monitor application on a computer device. The tracked time is compared to a predetermined expected time threshold for the operation of exchanging data signals between the diagnostic scan tool and the electronic system of the vehicle, and an alert is provided if the tracked time exceeds the predetermined expected time threshold for the operation indicating that the diagnostic scan tool is being operated remotely from the vehicle. An electronic identifier of the diagnostic scan tool may be detected such that the number of times the diagnostic scan tool is used may be tracked and compared to an expected threshold.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the trustworthiness of calling party information, such as caller ID and ANI information, contained in a call request are provided. The method includes receiving a call request at a service provider network element, such as a telecommunication carrier switch. A decision is made as to whether the call request should be verified by reviewing a database of called telephone numbers for monitoring. When the call request is to be verified, a determination is made whether a discrepancy exists between the calling party information contained within the call request and authenticated stored calling party information. For example, the caller ID information in a call request is compared to service provider caller ID information for the calling party to determine if they match. When a discrepancy exists, a discrepancy report is transmitted to the called party.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for in-situ plasma cleaning of a deposition chamber are provided. In one embodiment a method for plasma cleaning a deposition chamber without breaking vacuum is provided. The method comprises positioning a substrate on a susceptor disposed in the chamber and circumscribed by an electrically floating deposition ring, depositing a metal film on the substrate and the deposition ring in the chamber, grounding the metal film deposited on the deposition ring without breaking vacuum, and removing contaminants from the chamber with a plasma formed in the chamber without resputtering the metal film on the grounded deposition ring and without breaking vacuum.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for in-situ plasma cleaning of a deposition chamber are provided. In one embodiment a method for plasma cleaning a deposition chamber without breaking vacuum is provided. The method comprises positioning a substrate on a susceptor disposed in the chamber and circumscribed by an electrically floating deposition ring, depositing a metal film on the substrate and the deposition ring in the chamber, grounding the metal film deposited on the deposition ring without breaking vacuum, and removing contaminants from the chamber with a plasma formed in the chamber without resputtering the metal film on the grounded deposition ring and without breaking vacuum.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for in-situ plasma cleaning of a deposition chamber are provided. In one embodiment a method for plasma cleaning a deposition chamber without breaking vacuum is provided. The method comprises positioning a substrate on a susceptor disposed in the chamber and circumscribed by an electrically floating deposition ring, depositing a metal film on the substrate and the deposition ring in the chamber, grounding the metal film deposited on the deposition ring without breaking vacuum, and removing contaminants from the chamber with a plasma formed in the chamber without resputtering the metal film on the grounded deposition ring and without breaking vacuum.

Abstract: A convertible financial instrument provides incentives to holders to keep the instruments outstanding so that issuers maintain flexibility and control over the maturity date of the instrument and the manner in which it is settled. The instrument may provide issuers with the ability to deduct an amount for tax purposes that approximates the true economic cost of the financial instrument. The instrument may contain a provision calling for contingent payments (which may include, for example, contingent interest, preferred distributions, contingent principal, dividends, and other pay-outs) to the holder in some circumstances, which may be based on formulae calculations. For example, this may occur when the trading value of the convertible instrument exceeds a pre-determined value such as, for example, a certain percentage of the accreted value of the convertible instrument, or, for example, another circumstance that may trigger a contingent payment may be when the price of another financial instrument (e.g.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for in-situ plasma cleaning of a deposition chamber are provided. In one embodiment a method for plasma cleaning a deposition chamber without breaking vacuum is provided. The method comprises positioning a substrate on a susceptor disposed in the chamber and circumscribed by an electrically floating deposition ring, depositing a metal film on the substrate and the deposition ring in the chamber, grounding the metal film deposited on the deposition ring without breaking vacuum, and removing contaminants from the chamber with a plasma formed in the chamber without resputtering the metal film on the grounded deposition ring and without breaking vacuum.

Abstract: A convertible financial instrument provides incentives to holders to keep the instruments outstanding so that issuers maintain flexibility and control over the maturity date of the instrument and the manner in which it is settled. The instrument may provide issuers with the ability to deduct an amount for tax purposes that approximates the true economic cost of the financial instrument. The instrument may contain a provision calling for contingent payments (which may include, for example, contingent interest, preferred distributions, contingent principal, dividends, and other pay-outs) to the holder in some circumstances, which may be based on formulae calculations. For example, this may occur when the trading value of the convertible instrument exceeds a predetermined value such as, for example, a certain percentage of the accredited value of the convertible instrument, or, for example, another circumstance that may trigger a contingent payment may be when the price of another financial instrument (e.g.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide systems and methods for creating or developing, issuing, and servicing or maintaining convertible or exchangeable financial instruments. These convertible or exchangeable financial instruments are created by a building block approach, whereby new financial instruments can be generated and evaluated prior to issuance. In other embodiments, a user will be able to employ the systems and methods for origination, testing, issuance or sale, marketing, trading, hedging, risk management and regulation of convertible or exchangeable financial instruments.

Abstract: Methods and systems for offering and servicing financial instruments create a way for issuers to offer financial instruments with incentives to holders to not voluntarily convert or redeem such instruments so that issuers maintain greater flexibility and control over the maturity date of the instrument and the manner in which it is settled. Additionally, some embodiments of this invention provide issuers of convertible and exchangeable financial instruments with the ability to deduct an amount for tax purposes that approximates the true economic cost of the financial instrument.

Abstract: A modular, electrically conductive bar system comprising of a plurality of elongate bars made of electrically conductive material. Each elongate bar has proximate and distal ends and a plurality of conductor attachment points. First and second mutually mating joining means are respectively provided on the proximate and distal ends of each elongate bar. In operation the proximate end of a first elongate bar can be connected to the distal end of another elongate bar through the corresponding first and second mutually mating means, and/or the distal end of the first elongate bar can be connected to the proximate end of another elongate bar through the corresponding first and second, mutually mating joining means.

Abstract: Systems and methods for offering and servicing financial instruments creates a way for issuers to offer financial instruments that are accretive to earnings regardless of the Price/Earnings ratio. Specifically, the present invention provides systems and methods for offering and servicing convertible or exchangeable contingent conversion financial instruments.

Abstract: A contingent convertible debt instrument contains a provision permitting conversion only if any of certain economically substantial contingencies is satisfied. For example there may be a provision that conversion is permitted only if the issuer's stock price reaches some price, defined as some predetermined price substantially higher than the conversion price, is reached. This contingent conversion trigger price may be 110% or 120% more of the conversion price. The debt instrument may be a negotiable long-term zero-coupon note, and a provision may be included that the number of underlying instruments issuable or deliverable at conversion or exchange is adjusted under certain circumstances (e.g., merger, acquisition, or formulae amounts). Corresponding methods and systems are employed for offering and servicing such financial instruments.

Abstract: A convertible financial instrument provides incentives to holders to keep the instruments outstanding so that issuers maintain flexibility and control over the maturity date of the instrument and the manner in which it is settled. The instrument may provide issuers with the ability to deduct an amount for tax purposes that approximates the true economic cost of the financial instrument. The instrument may contain a provision calling for contingent payments (which may include, for example, contingent interest, preferred distributions, contingent principal, dividends, and other pay-outs) to the holder in some circumstances, which may be based on formulae calculations. For example, this may occur when the trading value of the convertible instrument exceeds a pre-determined value such as, for example, a certain percentage of the accreted value of the convertible instrument, or, for example, another circumstance that may trigger a contingent payment may be when the price of another financial instrument (e.g.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide systems and methods for creating or developing, issuing, and servicing or maintaining convertible or exchangeable financial instruments. These convertible or exchangeable financial instruments are created by a building block approach, whereby new financial instruments can be generated and evaluated prior to issuance. In other embodiments, a user will be able to employ the systems and methods for origination, testing, issuance or sale, marketing, trading, hedging, risk management and regulation of convertible or exchangeable financial instruments.