Abstract: A method for word synchronization can be applied to asynchronous devices including SERDES devices connected across serial lines. A state transition methodology characterizes the state of the device based on control characters received consistently across the serial lines and channels the system to a state of word synchronization. Loss of synchronization and transmission errors lead to a re-establishment of synchronization.

Abstract: A projection module for an automobile headlamp includes at least one semiconductor emission source which emits electromagnetic radiation, a reflector reflecting the emitted irradiation, a baffle arrangement shading at least a portion of the reflected irradiation, and a projection lens for projecting the reflected irradiation. The irradiation passes by the baffle arrangement to create a desired emission distribution from the projection module in front of the automobile. At least one emission source is mounted on, or near, the rear side of the baffle arrangement, and a main irradiation direction of the minimum of one emission source is directed into the semi-open space opposite the irradiation-output direction from the projection module.

Abstract: A data network telephony (DNT) wireless communication system has a base station connected to a DNT-capable data network and to a plurality of wireless transceivers, each transceiver transmitting to a distinct area, the base station adapted to operate the transceivers by a two-way, narrow-band, multiple-channel, real-time duplex radio protocol, and a plurality of portable computer-enhanced client communicator units, including microphone and speaker apparatus, each assigned a unique address and adapted to communicate with the base station via the transceivers by the two-way real-time radio protocol and to process DNT calls. The wireless system operates as a carrier-sense multiple access system with collision detection (CSMA/CD).

Abstract: In a system for reading and writing data, the system including a controller, multiple microprocessor units accessible to the controller, and multiple memory device configurations, each having one dedicated bus connection to individual ones or multiples of the microprocessor units, a method for managing access to one or more of the memory device configurations includes the steps, (a) receiving a request at the controller requiring access of at least one of the memory device configurations, (b) determining at the controller, which microprocessor unit or units will handle the request, (c) handing the request to the selected microprocessor unit or units, (d) determining at the microprocessor unit or units, the tasks specified in the request for that microprocessor unit or units and (e) determining a memory address or addresses in one or more of the memory device configurations and accessing the memory device configuration or configurations to satisfy the request.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming an image has one or more lenses in an optical path, at least one angular-sensitive light transmission filter in the optical path, in which transmission varies with change in angular orientation of the filter with reference to the direction of light in the optical path, and a mechanism for adjusting the angle of the light transmission filter.

Abstract: The invention refers to a device (1) for decoding an optical multi-level DPSK signal (E), the device (1) comprising: means for receiving the multi-level DPSK signal (E); at least two means (3) for transforming optical multi-level DPSK signals (E) into corresponding analog electrical signals (i); means (2) for splitting up the received multi-level DPSK signal (E) into at least two optical multi-level DPSK signals (E0), one for each of the opto-electrical transforming means (3); means (8) for processing electrical signals (i, e); and at least two means (6) for transforming the analog electrical signals (i) into corresponding electrical logical binary signals (e). In order to provide multi-level DPSK receiver (1) with a reduced complexity, it is suggested that concerning the signal flow within the device (1) the analog-to-logical-binary transformation means (6) are disposed before the processing means (8) and that the processing means (8) process electrical logical binary signals (e).

Abstract: A server on a data network including software for providing a bill payment service for a user comprising a bill-payment module for navigating to the user's multiple data sources on the data network collecting and aggregating data on behalf of the user comprising, a main interface for listing the bills due and payment accounts of the user, a plurality of links enabling viewing and manipulation of bill history, recurring payments, and automated transfer of funds between registered accounts and a link for viewing calendar data. The system further provides a plurality of drop-down menus wherein each menu is associated with a listed bill, the menus providing a plurality of selectable, interactive options for viewing, managing and paying a bill and a link embedded in the main interface for enabling selective or complete data refreshing of data displayed in the interface.

Abstract: A software suite for enabling viewing and manipulation of multiple categories of aggregated data compiled from a plurality of data sources and accessible through a single interfacing node operated on a data-packet-network is provided.

Abstract: A networked-based system for providing online verification of users applying for third-party services available through the network is provided. The system employs a first server node connected to the network for offering application to third-party services through the network, a user node connected the network for accessing the first server node and applying for third-party services, a second server node connected to the network and accessible from the first server node, the second server node for processing verification requests communicated from the first server node, a third server node connected the network and accessible from the second server node, the third server node for navigating on the network by proxy according to navigation requests communicated from the second server node and a data repository accessible at least to the second server node for storing data about users being verified.

Abstract: A color-filtering device for enhancing color from a binocular view includes a first variable color filter element a second variable color filter element: and a mechanical assembly for communication of axial rotation to the first and second filter elements.

Abstract: A communication system has a cellular telephony interface in individual ones of two or more mobile vehicles, a position determination system in individual ones of the mobile vehicles, a network of cellular base stations coupled to the mobile vehicles, individual base stations coupled to one or both of a packet-switched or a line-switched telephony system, a router coupled to the base stations and enabled to retrieve GPS position from the telephony events, and a plurality of service centers coupled to one or both of the telephony systems. Telephony events from individual ones of the mobile vehicles are routed according to position reported by the position determination system.

Abstract: A software application for recommending workforce resource allocation in a communication center based on requirements of events represented in a communication-center queue has a first interface for accessing information from the queue; a second interface for accessing information from a data source about workforce availability and state information; a processing component for processing queue information and workforce information; and a message generation and delivery component for generating a workforce allocation recommendation based on processing results and sending the recommendation to a target entity. In a preferred embodiment, the application periodically accesses the queue and the data source to obtain the most recent information for processing and generates periodic recommendations based on real-time requirements of events and availability states of resources, the recommendations sent ahead of time before the resources are required.

Abstract: A system for optimizing response time to events or representations thereof waiting in a queue has a first server having access to the queue; a software application running on the first server; and a second server accessible from the first server, the second server containing rules governing the optimization. In a preferred embodiment, the software application at least periodically accesses the queue and parses certain ones of events or tokens in the queue and compares the parsed results against rules accessed from the second server in order to determine a measure of disposal time for each parsed event wherein if the determined measure is sufficiently low for one or more of the parsed events, those one or more events are modified to a reflect a higher priority state than originally assigned enabling faster treatment of those events resulting in relief from those events to the queue system load.

Abstract: A system for writing and reading data includes a controller accessible to at least one or more computing systems, a plurality of microprocessor units accessible to the controller, and a plurality of memory device configurations each having one dedicated bus connection to individual ones or multiples of the microprocessor units. The controller receives write and read requests from the one or more computing systems and selects which of the plurality of microprocessor units will write or read data associated with the requests.

Abstract: A system for securing a hand-held phone having a base with a keypad to be suspended from a lanyard around a person's neck has a support panel having a length and a width, a front side and a back side, and an opening near one end of the length, an elongate strip of material joined to the support panel at two lateral edges, forming a loop, a pliable, transparent window substantially centered in the strip of material, and a lanyard attached to the opening in the support panel. The hand-held phone is suspended from the lanyard by inserting a base of the phone in the loop with the pliable, transparent window overlying the keypad of the phone.

Abstract: A method is provided for supplementing existing interaction routines in a contact center with added capability including acts for (a) creating at least one rule having at least one rule attribute; (b) creating one or more processes, the processes integral to the rule; (c) defining the at least one rule and integral processes as a strategy; and (d) linking the strategy to the interaction routine, the link serving to cause execution of the strategy during an interaction between an entity and the routine, execution thereof promoting further interaction defined in the strategy.

Abstract: The invention relates to a illumination module (10; 10a; 10b) for a headlamp or a illumination system of an automobile with at least one semiconductor light source (5) secured to a carrier element (4). The carrier element (4) in turn is attached to a heat sink (7) and fixed in place by means of a separate securing bracket (18; 18a; 18b) that is plate-shaped or is in the form of a wire-bale spring. The securing bracket (18; 18a; 18b) is attached to the heat sink (7) and includes a recess that at least partially surrounds the carrier element (4).

Abstract: A call center having agent stations comprising telephones connected to computer stations by a Telephone Application Programming Interface (TAPI)-compliant bridge has data pertaining to callers stored in a database on a local area network (LAN) to which the computer stations are also connected. Origination data for incoming calls, both conventional calls to the telephones and computer-simulated calls to the computer platforms, is used as a key to extract data pertaining to calls from the database for display on video display units (VDUs) of the computer workstations where the calls are terminated. In some cases, data is only extracted and displayed for calls from previously listed origination points.

Abstract: A two-stroke internal combustion engine has at least one cylinder having a bore diameter, a piston slip-fit in the cylinder, the piston having an upper portion and a lower portion and a central portion of significantly less than the bore diameter, providing an annular space between the central portion and the cylinder wall, and an air pump providing air to one or more intake ports, wherein for a significant portion of every stroke both one or more exhaust ports and the one or more intake ports are open to the annular space between the central piston portion and the cylinder wall, allowing the air pump to force air from the one or more intake ports around the central piston portion to the one or more exhaust ports.

Abstract: An object-oriented software application is provided for receiving updates that change state of an object model and reporting those updates to requesting users. The application includes a database application for storing data; an object model driver for writing updates into the database; a notification system for notifying about the updates; and, a plurality of external monitors for reading the updates. In a preferred embodiment the object model produces multiple temporal snapshots of itself in co-currency with received events, each snapshot containing associated update information from an associated event and whereupon at the time of occurrence of each snapshot coinciding with an event the notification system notifies the appropriate external monitor or monitors, which in turn access the appropriate snapshot, performs calculations thereupon if required and renders the information accessible to the users.