Abstract: A network-based call center for managing a company's interactions with its customers uses resources supplied by an application service provider. The call center stores sensitive information on a database within the company's private network, behind a firewall. When a call center resource or another client or server obtains new sensitive information, the resource writes the information to the database and then erases the information. When a resource needs sensitive information stored on the database, the resource requests the information from the database, uses it, and then erases the information. The call center further provides a browser-based tool, running on the Internet, for enabling non-technical personnel of the company to provision a call center from the resources of the application service provider.

Abstract: A system and method for avoiding mutual interference between two communications system is disclosed. One embodiment of the invention provides a system that includes a fixed unit and a portable unit. The fixed unit has a fixed transceiver. The portable unit has a portable transceiver. The fixed transceiver and the portable transceiver are members of a first RF system of the first RF system. The portable transceiver is configured to communicate with the fixed transceiver via a first RF link of the first RF system. The system further includes an additional transceiver. The additional transceiver is configured to communicate with a headset via a second RF link of a second RF system. The system further includes a processor that is coupled to one of the fixed transceiver, the portable transceiver, and the additional transceiver. The processor is configured to avoid interference between the first RF link and the second RF link.

Abstract: Systems and methods for wireless communications between a cellular telephone and a landline telephone. A system includes a cellular telephone in communication with a cordless telephone base station. The cordless telephone base station includes a BLUETOOTH radio transceiver, and the cellular telephone includes a BLUETOOTH radio transceiver, so that the cellular telephone can communicate with the base station using BLUETOOTH communications. The cordless telephone base station includes a cordless radio transceiver, and a cordless handset that includes a cordless radio transceivers. The cordless handset can communicate with the cordless telephone base station using cordless radio frequency communications. The BLUETOOTH radio transceiver and the cordless radio transceiver of the cordless telephone base station are coupled so that the cordless handsets can communicate with the cellular telephone.

Abstract: A time division duplex digital radio frame structure with time and frequency diversity and method for use thereof is presented. Each packet of data is transmitted twice in successive frequency hops, such that the redundant transmission differs in both time and frequency from the primary transmission. A communications system employing the frame structure may be configured to dynamically shift between fully diverse, asynchronous and non-diverse modes of operation. The mode of operation may be selected based upon one or more operating parameters, such as battery power or detected interference. When error correction is implemented and a primary transmission is received without error, system devices may de-power circuitry to reduce power consumption.

Abstract: A putter head includes a first half member, a second half member, and an insert. The first half body includes a first metal, and has a face surface on a front face. The second half body includes a second metal, which is higher in specific gravity than the first metal, and is attached to the forward half body. The insert is disposed inside the first half body to be along the face surface and includes one selected from a group consisting of a synthetic resin and a rubber.

Abstract: A method including establishing a commission-free fee-based brokerage account for a client and maintaining a balance between the account's fee, its investment activity and services received, and compensation to a financial advisor of the client. Customized flat fee pricing can be calculated based on investment objectives, risk tolerances, asset mix, asset size, expected trading patterns, utilization of other firm services and the client account relationship (the existence of other accounts of that client with the firm). Systems calculate and recommend a fee to the financial advisor, who then negotiates with the client and determines a final fee. This dynamic pricing process includes a compensation adjustment to the financial advisor under certain pricing and trading scenarios.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for producing a multi-pulse sequence for irradiating a substance provided with quadrupole nuclei with either integer or half-integer spins to detect an NQR signal emitted therefrom. The apparatus has pulse sequence generating means adapted to produce a combination of two or more pulse sequences, arranged so that a definite regularity of the phase alteration of pulses in each of the pulse sequences occurs that is equivalent to a shift of spectral components of the pulse sequences in relation to each other. Furthermore, in at least one of the pulse sequences, there are not less than two phases alternating. A preparatory pulse may be included in one of the pulse sequences to reduce the effect of temperature, increase the intensity of the NQR signal and simultaneously eliminate intensity anomalies. Alternatively, the combination of pulse sequences may be different from a combination of PAPS and NPAPS, and none of the pulse sequences contain a preparatory pulse.

Abstract: To provide a camera that is suited to shoot both a demagnified image and a magnified image. The camera includes a housing body 11 containing a CCD 15, and a lens barrel 12. An abutted member 20 having an objective lens 40 therein is engaged with the lens barrel 12 and a rotatable manually-controlled member 30 is fitted around that lens barrel. The abutted member 20 moves back and forth in the direction of an optical axis K in response to the rotation of the manually-controlled member 30. A user moves the objective lens 40 back and forth by moving the abutted member 20 back and forth to shoot either a demagnified image or a magnified image. A demagnified image is photographed with the abutted member 20 contained in the lens barrel 12. A magnified image is photographed with the abutted member 20 projected from the lens barrel 12. An end of the abutted member 20 is positioned so that the focal point of the objective lens 40 falls on the center thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of controlling the spark current in a spark plug (8), comprising a voltage source (1; 14), an ignition system (2) connected to the voltage source, and a spark plug (8) connected to the ignition system, which ignition system (2) comprises an ignition coil (3) and at least one regulating unit (5, 6) as well as a control unit (4), enabling control of the intensity and/or duration of the spark current, said ignition coil (3) comprising a secondary side (6, 31) arranged to be controlled in order to control the duration of the spark in Arc Discharge Mode. The invention also relates to an ignition device.

Abstract: A transport device comprises a replaceable telescoping handle. Replacement is achieved by including a release and retaining mechanism in a base to which the telescoping handle is installed. A user can obtain a replacement telescoping handle, release and remove a broken telescoping handle using the release and retaining mechanism, and then install the replacement telescoping handle.

Abstract: An integrated camera, motion detector and cordless telephone system. A wireless camera operates to detect motion and then alerts a user to the motion via a base station/cordless handset. In one embodiment, the camera then also transmits still or streaming video to the base station/cordless telephone. Accordingly, a user can monitor image(s) via a cordless telephone handset and/or be alerted of motion within the camera's field of view.

Abstract: A method produces a physical dental arch model having at least two physical tooth models. The method includes detecting the interference between two physical tooth models. If interference is detected between the first physical tooth model and the second physical tooth model, the positions and orientations of at least one physical tooth model is modified to prevent interference between the first physical tooth model and the second physical tooth model.

Abstract: A knowledge discovery apparatus and method that extracts both specifically desired as well as pertinent and relevant information to query from a corpus of multiple elements that can be structured, unstructured, and/or semi-structured, along with imagery, video, speech, and other forms of data representation, to generate a set of outputs with a confidence metric-applied to the match of the output against the query. The invented apparatus includes a multi-level architecture, along with one or more feedback loop(s) from any Level N to any lower Level so that a user can control the output of this knowledge discovery method via providing inputs to the utility function.

Abstract: A crystal forming apparatus and method for using the apparatus, the method including depositing a precipitant solution in a site, incubating the site, during which time volatile vapor evaporates from the precipitant solution and accumulates in the site, and pumping the accumulated volatile vapor away from the site. An exemplary apparatus includes a sealed site except for a vent on the sealed site. In one embodiment, the vent is a passive vent that inhibits vapor diffusion out of the site. In another embodiment, the vent is an active vent that opens in response to a pressure differential. The present invention accelerates and controls the crystal growth process by pumping volatile vapor away from the sealed site.