Abstract: The purpose of the Virtual Copier invention (“VC”) is to enable a typical PC user to add electronic paper processing to their existing business process. VC is an extension of the concept we understand as copying. In its simplest form it extends the notion of copying from a process that involves paper going through a conventional copier device, to a process that involves paper being scanned from a device at one location and copied to a device at another location. In its more sophisticated form, VC can copy paper from a device at one location directly into a business application residing on a network or on the Internet, or visa versa. The VC invention is software that manages paper so that it can be electronically and seamlessly copied in and out of devices and business applications (such as Microsoft Office, Microsoft Exchange, Lotus Notes) with an optional single-step Go operation.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system of marking data media products by introducing a predetermined tracing substance constituting a security marking into a polycarbonate (or polystyrene) composition during the manufacturing stages of the polycarbonate material into a data media, such as a compact disc (CD) or digital versatile disc (DVD). This marking technique is useful in tracking pirated data and/or sources, such as CDs or DVDs, to thereby prevent future pirating of data. Using mass spectrometry, specific types and/or quantities of isotopes of each tracing substance, on a structural level, are used to indicate a specific marking and product identity characteristics, such as a specific lot number, batch number, manufacturer identity, shipping date and the like. The security marking is preferably invisible to the naked eye. The security marking technique is also useful for tracking, authenticating and quality control purposes.

Abstract: There is described a method and an apparatus for testing or isolating a section of pipe, the apparatus comprising a cylindrical mandrel for insertion into a section of pipe, the mandrel including at least one portion of progressively increasing diameter, and at least one seal disposed around the mandrel and actuatable in response to applied fluid pressure to move along the increasing diameter portion of the mandrel, causing the seal member to radially expand into sealing contact with an inner surface of the pipe.

Abstract: A method generates an operational ballistic capture transfer for an object emanating substantially at earth or earth orbit to arrive at the moon or moon orbit using a computer implemented process. The method includes the steps of entering parameters including velocity magnitude VE, flight path angle &ggr;E, and implementing a forward targeting process by varying the velocity magnitude VE, and the flight path angle &ggr;E for convergence of target variables at the moon. The target variables include radial distance, rM, and inclination iM. The method also includes the step of iterating the forward targeting process until sufficient convergence to obtain the operational ballistic capture transfer from the earth or the earth orbit to the moon or the moon orbit.

Abstract: In a mobile satellite system, a system for providing satellite communication between multiple users in a virtual network arrangement includes first and second mobile earth terminals (METs) responsively connected to and registering with the mobile satellite system. The first MET selects a virtual network identifier (VN ID) representing a virtual network group including the first and second METs to establish voice communication therewith and transmits the VN ID to a central controller. The central controller receives the VN ID from the first MET, validates the first MET for communication, validates the VN ID, allocates a frequency for the virtual network group, and broadcasts the message to the virtual network group including the second MET informing the virtual network group of the allocated frequency and the voice communication associated therewith. The second MET tunes to the frequency in response to the message broadcast by the central controller.

Abstract: A method of communicating on at least one channel group of a communication system provides improved data transfer efficiencies over conventional systems by using discrete transfer rates. The channel group is includes at least one forward channel for channeling data transmitted from a central station to a plurality of terminals. At least one return channel is included for channeling transmissions by any of the plurality of terminals to the central station. Changes in the discrete data transfer rate are optionally accompanied by a change in a slot timing rate based on a frame transmission rate used over the forward channel. The method also allows the assignment of a predetermined number of return channel slots for a transmit frame for at least one combination of forward and return channels having prescribed forward and return data rates.

Abstract: A video poker game method and apparatus for extending the play of a hand of poker includes optionally initializing a credit tally, and optionally determining whether a sufficient wager has been deposited before starting a round of video poker. The game includes associating the deposited wager with a respective payoff table from which the payoff for the chosen payable subset is obtained. At the beginning of a round of the modified poker game, the game includes dealing, for example, five playing cards from at least one deck of cards. The game includes determining payable subsets of the playing cards. The game includes ending the round of modified poker, if payable subsets do not exist. The game includes displaying, some or all, of the payable subsets, if payable subsets exist. The game includes determining which of the displayed payable subsets is chosen by a user, and adding a payoff associated with the chosen payable subset to the credit tally.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for identifying an item to or with which a radio frequency identification tag is attached or associated is provided. The tag is made of a nonconductive material to have a flat surface on which a plurality of circuits are pressed, stamped, etched or otherwise positioned. Each circuit has a capacitance and an inductance. The capacitance is formed from the capacitive value of a single capacitor. The inductance is formed from the inductive value of a single inductor coil having two conductive ends each connected to the capacitor. Each tag is associated with a binary number established from a pattern of binary ones and zeros which depend on the resonance or nonresonance of each circuit, respectively and the circuits position with respect to the binary table. The binary number may be converted to a decimal number using the binary table for conversion.