Abstract: A transaction data processing system and method is provided, which is especially configured to capture, store and retrieve transaction data, including a digital representation of a signature of a person initiating a transaction. The transaction data processing system includes a scanner located at a point of use location. The scanner is configured to scan a transaction document including the signature of at least one party to the transaction. A transaction data processor is also included for processing the scanned transaction data and for generating a transaction data record. A remote database site having stored therein a database of transaction data records is also provided. A communications link links the remote database site to the transaction data processor, which is located at the point of use location.

Abstract: A weatherproofing membrane having a high traction surface is used on a roof or other such location to prevent individuals from slipping. The weatherproofing membrane includes a facer sheet formed of a weatherproofing material and one or more polymer regions disposed on an upper side of the facer sheet. The weatherproofing membrane also includes a layer of modified asphalt disposed on the lower side of the facer sheet and a release backing disposed over the modified asphalt. The polymer is softer than the weatherproofing material and thus provides a higher traction surface than the weatherproofing material of the facer sheet. The polymer includes a low molecular weight polyethylene and an amorphous polyolefin (APO) in respective proportions ranging from about 50/50 to 90/10. The low molecular weight polyethylene and the APO are mixed hot and applied to the facer sheet, for example, using conventional coating techniques.

Abstract: A method of treating natural rubber latex to reduce the antigenic protein content includes enzyme treatment of the natural rubber latex and utilizing a chemical stabilizer of the type similar to branched dodecyl benzene sulphonic acid alone or in combination with other stabilizers such as a sulfated fatty acid in combination with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose is disclosed. Also disclosed is a treatment of natural rubber latex with antioxidants either alone or together which ether serve to allow natural rubber latex products to be chlorinated without suffering debilitating aging effects. The first antioxidant is of the type 4,4-(6-T-butyl-M-cresol) or 4,4+-Butylidenebis (3-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol) while the second antioxidant is of the type of a polymeric hindered phenol or butylated reaction product of P-cresol and dicyclopentadiene.

Abstract: The system removes contaminating gases, such as radon, from water using a bubbling action. Contaminated water is sprayed together with air through a duct to a bottom region of a bubbling container. The water and air move generally in the same direction through the system, allowing the flow rate to be varied while maintaining forced air/water contact. The aerated contaminated water bubbles upwardly through the bubbling container and passes through one or more diffusing or mixing plates causing the aerated contaminated water to further break out contaminating gases into the air. At the top region of the bubbling container, the contaminating gases are vented while the decontaminated water flows into a tank. The decontaminated water can then be pumped to a desired location, for example, to a house water system.

Abstract: An automated take back and transfer (TBX) telephone call routing system for interfacing a party connected to a first call center agent located at a first call center with at least a second call center agent located at a second call center, wherein the second call center is remotely located from the first call center, is disclosed. The system includes a transfer call interface, which is displayed on an agent display associated with the first call center agent. The transfer call interface is configured to accept a remote agent identifier, which, in the preferred embodiment is the name of a remote agent or the name of a group of remote agents. The system also includes a database that includes a plurality of call center agent data records. Each call center agent data record includes a destination identifier field, where a remote agent name or group name is entered, and a destination address field, where a dial string is entered.

Abstract: The system and the method are used to determine the process viscosity (&mgr;) of a fluid (22) in a film metering device (10) used to form a film (24) to be applied on a substrate (20), such as a paper web or any other suitable flexible materials. The apparent shear rate ({dot over (&ggr;)}) of the fluid, indicative of the flow field, may also be calculated. These parameters are calculated using a pressure profile representing the pressure of the fluid between a transfer roll (12) and a metering rod (30) which controls the thickness of the coating film (24). The torque (T) applied on the metering rod (30) is also measured and taken into account in the calculations. The system and method allow the process viscosity (&mgr;) to be easily and accurately determined during the operation of the film metering device (10) without the need of testing the fluid in an external device and attempting to extrapolate the results to the process.

Abstract: An inbound/outbound call record processing system and method processes outbound call records for use with inbound telephone calls. The call record processing system includes a call record finder that finds outbound call records that match an inbound telephone call, for example, by searching a call record index table including a plurality of indexed call records corresponding to a plurality of outbound call records in one or more outbound call lists. One way of finding matching outbound call records is by receiving and automatically identifying a telephone number associated with the inbound telephone call and searching for an indexed call record having a searchable key field that matches the telephone number. If no records are found by searching for the telephone number, a search can be made based upon requested information provided by the calling party.

Abstract: A bobbin for a concentrically wound transformer, preferably a signal transformer, has a core, an area between two shoulders for a primary winding and an area between two flanges for a secondary winding surrounding the primary winding. The shoulder at the end of the transformer where the entry and exit wires for the primary winding are located is formed with an angled axial slot, and with undercut regions beneath the upper surface of the shoulder. The entry and exit wires pass through this undercut region and are thus isolated from the turns of the secondary winding. One lateral edge of the slot and the corresponding lateral edge of the undercut region diverge from one another in the direction of the bobbin end. Also disclosed is a housing for an electronic component, the housing having a set of walls for surrounding the component and lugs past which the component can snap to retain the component in the housing.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser has a housing containing a reservoir which is closed by a dispensing closure. Liquid is dispensed by squeezing the housing, whereupon the closure opens to dispense liquid from the reservoir. The housing has suction cups which allow the housing to be removeably stuck onto a vertical surface from which it can be pulled away when liquid is to be dispensed. After dispensing, the housing can be replaced at any position on the surface merely by pressing the cups onto the surface.

Abstract: A binary demand feedback DC converter having multiple DC outputs which are all independently regulated using a binary on/off technique is disclosed. A comparator associated with each output compares the voltage at a given output with a reference voltage for the respective given output and generates a first signal the moment the output voltage exceeds the reference voltage. Responding immediately to the first signal a switch opens the converter transformer secondary winding associated with that output from a rectifier and filter. The voltage at that output is determined by the voltage across a capacitor in the filter and the capacitor commences discharging to be below the reference voltage at which time the first signal ceases and the switch reconnects the secondary winding to the rectifier and filter to recommence charging the filter capacitor.

Abstract: A stamping press has a pair of plates defining a press gap between them, a hydraulic ram to produce relative movement between the plates to close the press gap and apply pressure to the die against a substrate in the gap, a hydraulic pump driven by an electric motor through a flywheel means for shutting off the motor on reaching a predetermined pressure in the circuit, and a dump valve for dumping hydraulic pressure from the circuit.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved optical fiber tight buffermaterial. The improved material is a ultraviolet (UV) light curable polymer matrix, which is applied to optical fibers and is substantially instantaneously cured, in-place at ambient temperatures. The use of the disclosed UV-light curable tight buffermaterial allows for greatly increased optical fiber buffering operations and provides an improved end product, which does not exhibit any significant optical signal loss after an optical fiber is coated according to the invention.

Abstract: The expandable band is used to secure a sealing element within a generally cylindrical structure, such as a pipe or manhole, or other round hole. The expandable band includes a band body having a first band end portion and a second band end portion. A plurality of slots are disposed in the first band end portion, and a locking member extends from the second band end portion. The locking member includes a tab for extending through the second band end portion and into one of the plurality of slots to lock the expandable band at the desired diameter. An end section of the second band end portion extends beyond the tab of the locking member to ease the transition between the overlapping first and second band end portions. When the band is expanded, the tab is disengaged from the slots and slides over the slots, allowing the first and second band end portions to move relative to one another. At the desired diameter, the tab engages one of the slots to lock the band at the desired diameter.

Abstract: The multi-purpose Combo Jack.TM. tool combines the functions of a ladder jack, a roof bracket and a roof hooks into one piece of equipment. There are a pair of hooks attached to a rail supporting arm which is pivotably connected to a bracket body arm. The bracket body arm includes the plank stop lever and a retractable nailing blade. A combination support arm is connected to the rail support arm at either the tri-function setting or the steep roof bracket setting, and is also connected to the upward or downward slots in the bracket body arm (or at the end but not in a slot). The tool includes a safety stop as part of the retractable nailing blade, a ladder lock, and a safety protrusion to prevent collapse of the tool because of slippage along the bracket body arm by the combination support arm.

Abstract: A system and method for depositing a pattern of media on a moving surface includes a media depositing apparatus that deposits media in a predefined pattern on the moving surface. A media applicator roll having a media receiving region, such as engraved or raised portions, receives the media from a media feeder as the media applicator roll rotates. A media retaining member maintains the media in contact with the media receiving region until the media reach a bottom region of the media applicator roll and are released from the media applicator roll in the predefined pattern onto the moving surface. The media depositing system also includes a multiple compartment media feeder that selects and selectively feeds one or more of multiple types of media or granules to the receiving region of the media applicator roll.

Abstract: A telecommunications system (10) is provided that provides for telephone functions to be accessed through client computer system (14). A server computer system (16) provides telephony services, database services and access to E-mail, voice mail, video conferencing and facsimile systems. A graphical user interface 116 is presented to a user to allow the user to perform a large number of functions and to access databases of information associated with calling and called parties.

Abstract: A data resampler for a data processing system for logically adjacent data samples is provided. The data resampler includes a memory subsystem for storing samples to be rendered, a digital differential analyzer (DDA) for generating an interpolation corner address for a sample to be rendered and which also generates a set of interpolation fractions. The resampler also includes a fetch unit, which receives the generated interpolation corner address and generates four source addresses of samples to be fetched from the memory subsystem. A number of memory units are included in the resampler. The first memory unit is a first in, first out FIFO memory, for holding the generated interpolation fractions and for permitting the DDA and fetch unit to continue to operate during memory read latency periods. The second memory unit is also a FIFO memory and is used to hold pixel data.

Abstract: A method of forming a molded, multi-layer structure begins with a pre-laminated, multi-layer structure having a thermoplastic substrate layer and a cover layer. One or more optional layers laminated may be provided between the cover layer and substrate layer. Thermoplastic materials are selected having various physical characteristics (e.g. degrees of cross-linking) to produce a molded structure having a desired shape, rigidity, hardness/softness, and other physical properties. All of the multiple layers can be made of thermoplastic materials having the same polymers to allow the molded structure to be recycled into a reusable thermoplastic material. The pre-laminated, multi-layer structure is uniformly heated, by a method which provides heat penetration and absorption substantially throughout the multi-layer structure. During thermoforming, such as with male/female molds or vacuum molds, the thickness and rigidity of the multi-layer structure can be varied.

Abstract: A wire belt having increased belt strength includes a plurality of wire links having alternating wide linking portions and narrow linking portions interlocked with respective linking portions of an adjacent wire link. The assembly of the wire belt includes interlocking the wire links, for example, by placing the wide linking portions into an engagement with wide linking portions of an adjacent wire link. The width of the wide linking portions is about equal to the minimum width that will allow the wire link to be interlocked with an adjacent wire link without bending the wire link in excess of the yield strength of the wire link. The width of the narrow linking portions is less than the width of the wide linking portions, and preferably, dimensioned to receive a sprocket for driving the wire belt. The wire links preferably have an undulating shape and include first and second end loops that interlock with adjacent wire links.