Abstract: Communication occurs between a source and a destination over plural communications paths by first identifying content to be sent to a destination via a communications system. After discovering that plural communications paths connecting directly to the destination are available, the content is divided into plural different portions and is transmitted to the destination such that each of the plural different portions is routed via a different one of the plural communications paths.

Abstract: Provided is an alarm for detecting heat, radiation and/or pollutants. The alarm includes housing means and also includes detection means for detecting the heat, radiation and/or pollutants. The detection means, in turn, includes detection circuitry and a power source, and is contained within a cartridge that is mountable within the housing means and removable therefrom.

Abstract: A method of periodically spraying live plants and/or animals, using a portable electric sprayer, is described and claimed. In the preferred embodiments, the portable electric sprayer includes: (i) a fluid reservoir; (ii) a nozzle for producing a spray of fluid; (iii) a conduit between the fluid reservoir and the nozzle; (iv) an electric pump coupled so as to pump fluid from the reservoir, through the conduit and out of nozzle; and (v) a control panel. In addition, a control circuit in the portable electric sprayer accepts the user settings from the control panel, and activates and deactivates the electric pump when indicated by the user settings. The nozzle is directed so as to provide the sprays toward at least one of: a terrarium, a bird cage, an aviary, a garden or a potted plant, and the portable electric sprayer is allowed to cycle through a plurality of the sprays while unattended.

Abstract: Defects are detected in a reticle used in integrated circuit chip fabrication by obtaining digital image data corresponding to an image of the reticle. Typically, this is accomplished by scanning the reticle using a laser scanner. The digital image data are then processed according to predetermined criteria to identify defects. Such processing may include, for example, processing the digital image data in comparison to reference digital image data for the same or a similar portion of the reticle. Next, a response that would be produced if the reticle were to be utilized in a photolithographic system is simulated by processing the digital image data corresponding to the reticle.

Abstract: Provided are methods and apparatuses for decoding input data by using a single decoder for decoding a first set of symbols and then, after those decoded symbols have been interleaved, using the same decoder for decoding the decoded and interleaved first set of symbols together with a second set of symbols. Also provided are methods and apparatuses for decoding input data by using multiple read/write means for controlling the storage and reading of data so as to interleave and/or de-interleave data simultaneously with data buffering.

Abstract: Provided are static and free-floating breakwater apparatuses that utilize a rocking panel (or beach) to dissipate wave energy. At the same time, such rocking motion can in certain embodiments be used to generate electrical power. Generally speaking, the breakwater apparatuses use a buoyant element, such as an open-bottomed hollow chamber and/or a ballast tank to resist the wave's force.

Abstract: Provided is a technique for classifying stocks into business sectors by calculating, for each of multiple exogenous variables, a measure of a tendency for a value of a stock to change as a result of a change in a data value for each such exogenous variable. The foregoing step is then repeated for each of several different stocks. Finally, the different stocks are grouped into different sectors based on similarities of such measures of tendency to change.

Abstract: A method for optimal placement of cells on a surface of an integrated circuit, comprising the steps of comparing a placement of cells to predetermined cost criteria and moving cells to alternate locations on the surface if necessary to satisfy the cost criteria. The cost criteria include a timing criterion based upon interconnect delay, where interconnect delay is modeled as a RC tree expressed as a function of pin-to-pin distance. The method accounts for driver to sink interconnect delay at the placement level, a novel aspect resulting from use of the RC tree model, which maximally utilizes available net information to produce an optimal timing estimate. Preferred versions utilize a RC tree interconnect delay model that is consistent with timing models used at design levels above placement, such as synthesis, and below placement, such as routing. Additionally, preferred versions can utilize either a constructive placement or iterative improvement placement method.

Abstract: Provided is a flashlight that includes a plurality of light sources for providing a beam of light. Preferably, the light sources have different levels of power consumption, different brightnesses and/or different beam lengths. More preferably, the plurality of light sources includes at least one light-emitting diode (LED) and at least one incandescent lamp. A housing directs the beam of light and an integrated circuit controls illumination of the plurality of light sources, with a switch providing an input signal to the integrated circuit. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the switch is a pushbutton switch and the integrated circuit is a multi-state electronic device that changes state when the signal is input from the switch, with different states of the integrated circuit causing different combinations of the light sources to become illuminated.

Abstract: Provided is thong-type shoe that has a heel and a layered sole, with a shape-retaining member sandwiched between the layers. In one example, the shoe according to the present invention has a top layer, a bottom layer and a shape-retaining member sandwiched between the two, with a heel mounted to the shape-retaining member through the bottom layer. A provided upper has plural elongated insert elements, each having a stopper on its bottom end. Each of the plural elongated insert elements extends through a hole in the top layer and a hole in the bottom layer such that the stopper engages the hole in the bottom layer.