Abstract: A proxy system enables a worker remote from a communication center and limited to a light computer device unable to operate as a workstation at the communication center to operate with full access to data and software at the communication center. A proxy server, which may be a LAN-connected server at the communication center, has a two-way data link to the light computer device operated by the remote agent, and executes software which ascertains the hardware and software characteristics of the light device. The proxy server accesses communication center data at direction from the light device, operates communication center software tools, and provides results to the light device over the communication link in a form usable by the light device.

Abstract: A communication system for an organization having multiple sites uses a dual-mode device capable of both cell phone communication and telephone communication on a local area network (LAN). IP LANS are established at organization sites such that a temporary IP address is assigned to a dual-mode device that logs onto an organization LAN, and the IP address is associated at a PSTN-connected server on the LAN with the cell phone number of the communication device. The IP server notifies a PSTN-connected routing server when a device logs on to a LAN, and also provides a destination number for the IP server. Cell calls directed to the device are then redirected to the IP server and directed to the device connected to the LAN.

Abstract: A system for reducing turbulence and therefore improving fuel efficiency for land-operated vehicles uses at least one linear array of vortex generators along typically a leading edge of a vehicle profile. I addition an aerodynamic bug diversion system is provided for creating and directing an airflow shield to prevent bugs and other lightweight debris from hitting the windshield of a moving vehicle.

Abstract: A foldable smoking pipe is constructed from a flat blank of metal, small enough to fit in a wallet, that can be folded into a functional smoking pipe with an integrated bowl, screen, and stem. The stem is formed by multiple flat panels folded to create a passageway having an opening at one end. The stem has an upper panel with holes in it to form the screen. The bowl is formed by multiple flat panels folded to surround the screen. The flat blank of metal has a number of fold lines, which preferably are etched to about one-half the thickness of the metal blank, joining adjacent panels.

Abstract: A mobile silvicultural apparatus for use in a land of trees comprising mature trees and immature trees. The apparatus includes a steerable wheeled support frame, an articulated boom, a motor system, and a control system. The steerable wheeled support frame has a horizontally extending ground-clearing section, and first and second opposite vertical side sections. The ground-clearing and side sections define a tunnel-shaped passage through which the immature trees are allowed to pass as the support frame travels thereover. The articulated boom is mounted to the support frame for selectively manipulating the mature trees. The motor system is used for imparting motion to the support frame and the control system is used for controlling the steerable support frame, the motor system, and the articulated boom.

Abstract: A system for anonymously initiating communication between system-connected communications devices is provided wherein the initiation of communication results from comparison and priority matching of profile information shared between the devices. The system in one aspect comprises at least two communications devices connected to the system, the communications devices having at least a microprocessor, a data-input mechanism, a display screen, a wireless local-area-network protocol application enhanced with short-wave radio communication capability installed per instance to each of the devices, and a profile comparison and matching application installed per instance to each of the devices.

Abstract: This invention relates to application of eco-friendly starch solution as a quenching medium for heated metal parts fabricated from steel, alloy steel, aluminum and aluminum alloys. Depending on the material grade, critical temperature and desired cooling rate, various types of starch solution can be used and the composition and concentration of the starch quenchant can be tailored to provide the required cooling characteristics for wide range of materials. In particular the starch solutions have the potential to replace quenching oil. The starch solutions are environmentally friendly, having no toxic fumes and no after usage disposal liabilities as compared to oil fumes.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products are provided which automatically distribute tasks associated with a telephone system and tasks associated with a computer system between a plurality of agents tracking ACD telephone status of the plurality of agents and tracking computer status of the plurality of agents. When a request for a computer task is received, an agent of the plurality of agents is assigned to the computer task corresponding to the received request based on the ACD telephone status and the computer status of the agent of the plurality of agents.

Abstract: A replaceable circuit breaker module has a housing for supporting and enclosing elements of the module, a circuit breaker mounted in the housing in a manner that an action of installing the module connects the breaker to bridge an incoming and an outgoing conductor, and monitoring circuitry for monitoring characteristics of the circuit breaker, the monitoring circuitry mounted in the housing and having a first connector element for engaging a mating connector element in the action of installing the module. The module is characterized in that action of withdrawing the circuit breaker module also withdraws the monitoring circuitry. Sensors in the monitoring circuitry may include sensors for monitoring one or more of breaker presence, on/off state of the breaker, and voltage provided to the breaker.

Abstract: A retaining-wall block has a set of liquid impervious walls defining a completely bounded cavity having a sealable opening for filling the cavity with a fill material to add weight, and a seal element for sealing the sealable opening. In some cases the block has a second cavity with openings for collecting liquid and for passing collected liquid out of the second cavity to adjacent blocks in an assembly.

Abstract: A system and method for transferring data from a source to a destination are described. Data packets are split into multiple data packet portions and are transferred in parallel over parallel data streams or pipes to grouping circuitry where they are recombined into full data packets. Each packet portion is assigned a synchronization code and a pipe state machine state. The grouping circuitry reads individual packet portions from the parallel streams and analyzes the synchronization codes and the state machine states to determine if the individual packet portions were generated from the same packet. If so, they are recombined into a full packet and are forwarded to the destination. If not, an error is detected. The grouping circuitry automatically realigns the data streams to recover synchronization without the need for any feedback to the individual streams to correct the error.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for encapsulating and forwarding packets on a network are disclosed. The network can include a first subnetwork such as a virtual private network connected to a larger public network such as the Internet. An encapsulating header is attached to a packet to be transferred across the public network from a source node on the private network to a destination node on the private network, such that the packet can be transferred across the public network. The encapsulating header includes a value which is derived from the private header on the packet used to transfer the packet along the private network. The value is therefore associated with a source/destination pair within the private network. The value can be derived by performing a hash operation on the private network header. After the public network header containing the value derived from the private network header is attached to the packet, it can be forwarded across the public network.

Abstract: A new method for CVD deposition on a substrate is taught wherein radical species are used in alternate steps to depositions from a molecular precursor to treat the material deposited from the molecular precursor and to prepare the substrate surface with a reactive chemical in preparation for the next molecular precursor step. By repetitive cycles a composite integrated film is produced. In a preferred embodiment the depositions from the molecular precursor are metals, and the radicals in the alternate steps are used to remove ligands left from the metal precursor reactions, and to oxidize or nitridize the metal surface in subsequent layers. A variety of alternative chemistries are taught for different films, and hardware combinations to practice the invention are taught as well.

Abstract: Improvements to chemical vapor deposition processes are taught for depositing tungsten nitride in semiconductor manufacturing processes. In one irmproved process NF3 is used as a source of nitrogen, and a plasma is introduced under controlled conditions to control particle formation and lower the temperature at which acceptable films may be produced. In another set of processes substantially pure tungsten is produced by rapid thermal annealing of substantially amorphous tungsten nitride at temperatures lower than achieved in the art, by using hydrogen in the ambient atmosphere. In yet another set of new processes particle formation and step coverage enhancement when using NH3 as a nitrogen source is controlled by limiting the pressure at which source gases mix, by unique wall coating technique, and by controlling chamber wall temperature.

Abstract: An Internet subscription system for alerting subscribers to changes in data maintained at Internet sites has an input interface for a subscriber to specify a data condition to be monitored and a condition for notification and a gatherer for gathering data changes from one or more Internet sites. A guard compares data changes with the condition for notification, and a notification alert system notifies the subscriber of a change that meets the condition for notification. The system is particularly suited to notification requirements regarding metadata changes over multiple sources. Users can configure the system to many different frequencies and many different data and notification conditions. Alerts may be made to many different devices in different ways as well, and may or may not include specific data.

Abstract: A new method for CVD deposition on a substrate is taught wherein radical species are used in alternate steps to depositions from a molecular precursor to treat the material deposited from the molecular precursor and to prepare the substrate surface with a reactive chemical in preparation for the next molecular precursor step. By repetitive cycles a composite integrated film is produced. In a preferred embodiment the depositions from the molecular precursor are metals, and the radicals in the alternate steps are used to remove ligands left from the metal precursor reactions, and to oxidize or nitridize the metal surface in subsequent layers. A variety of alternative chemistries are taught for different films, and hardware combinations to practice the invention are taught as well.

Abstract: An RF electrode module for use with a gas-diffuser showerhead device in a CVD chamber has an electrically-conductive electrode ring with a ring, inside diameter (R-ID) and a ring outside diameter (R-OD). The ring has an upwardly-extending power post, and an internal water-cooling channel open to an upwardly extending inlet tube and an upwardly-extending outlet tube, the post and tubes parallel to a central axis of the ring. There is further an electrical-insulator ring having an insulator outside diameter (I-OD) equal to or greater than the R-OD and an insulator inside diameter (I-ID) equal to or smaller than the R-ID, and through-openings extending in the direction of the central axis of the ring and spaced such that the power post, inlet tube, and outlet tube extend through the through-openings in the insulator ring. In a preferred embodiment the I-ID is sized to engage a shoulder diameter of the gas diffuser showerhead device.

Abstract: A telephony call center system comprises an Internet connection adapted for receiving data from a WEB server, the data originating from the computer platform of a person browsing the Internet, including data identifying the browsing person, such as a telephone number, an IP address or the like, and indicating to the WEB server a desire of the browsing person to communicate with an agent at the call center. The communication desired may be (a) a request for an agent at the call center to receive a call from the browsing person, or (b) a request for a call to be placed to the browsing person from the call center. In both (a) and (b) the practical result is a telephone conference between the browsing person and an agent at the call center.

Abstract: In a conduit system subject to longitudinal conduit twisting, a staking device for fixing the conduit in position on a ground surface has a clamping apparatus having gripping elements on an inside surface of an opening substantially the size and shape of a cross section of the conduit, the clamping element openable to fit over the conduit and closable to clamp to the conduit such that the conduit may not rotate relative to the clamping element, a stake adapter mounted to the clamping apparatus, the stake adapter having a sleeve opening with an opening of a first size first and a longitudinal axis substantially tangential to the clamping element, and a stake having a length and substantially the first diameter to slide into the sleeve opening and into the ground surface, to pin the conduit securely to the ground surface, preventing rotation of the conduit.

Abstract: A system for wireless communication comprises an architecture of routers connected to a network and having connected transceivers for wireless transmission and reception of data, and a plurality of hand-held communicators adapted for users to communicate with the network through the routers. The system is adapted to provide wireless Data Network Telephony (DNT), and the hand-held communicators execute Quality of Service (QoS) code adapted to prioritize DNT packet code over all non-DNT traffic, thereby preserving the real-time nature of the DNT code.