Abstract: Systems and methods of allocating transactions among business objects are described. Allocation is accomplished using a multi-phase process. In a first phase, allocation of the transactions among a set of business objects is attempted. In a subsequent phase, allocation of transactions that were either unallocated, under-allocated, or over-allocated in the first phase is determined. The second phase includes using a set of allocation rules to identify business objects configured to manually determine allocation of the unallocated, under-allocated, or over-allocated transactions. The invention is applicable to a variety of business objects including people, organizations, accounts, tasks, or the like.

Abstract: A device for generating a high power frequency converted laser beam includes a nonlinear optical crystal having an entrance surface and a curved surface. The nonlinear optical crystal is configured to receive at least one laser beam at the entrance surface and provide a frequency converted beam through a frequency conversion process. The device also includes an optical coating coupled to the curved surface. The reflectance of the optical coating is greater than 50% at a wavelength of the frequency converted beam. Additionally, the far field divergence angle of the frequency converted beam increases after reflection off the curved surface. The device further includes a heat sink in thermal contact with the optical coating.

Abstract: A method of enabling anonymous shipment of a package containing goods purchased by a customer from a vendor for delivery to an address unknown to the vendor includes steps of receiving a request for a package code for the package from the vendor, sending the package code to the vendor, the package code being devoid of delivery address information and sending a shipping identifier and an associated address to the shipper. The shipper, after picking up the package for shipment from the vendor, matches the package code sent to the vendor with the shipping identifier and identifies the associated address as the delivery address of the package. A shipping label may then be printed out and affixed to the package.

Abstract: Method and system for forming gate structure with controllable oxide. The method includes a step for providing a semiconductor substrate and defining a source region and a drain region within the semiconductor substrate. Furthermore, the method includes a step for defining a gate region positioned between the source region and the drain region. Moreover, the method provides a step for forming a first layer overlaying the gate region. The first layer includes silicon nitride and/or silicon oxynitride material. Also, the method includes a step for forming a second layer by subjecting the semiconductor substrate to at least oxygen at a predetermined temperature range for a period of time. The second layer has a thickness less than 20 Angstroms.

Abstract: A connector interface system for a communication device is disclosed. The interface includes a docking connector. The docking connector includes first make/last break contacts that minimize internal damage to the internal electronics. The docking connector also includes specific keying arrangement to prevent noncompliant connectors from being plugged in, and thereby minimizes potential damage to the multi-communication device. The connector interface system also includes a remote connector which provides for the ability to output audio, input audio, provides I/O serial protocol, and to provide an output video. Embodiments of the present invention allow for a standard headphone cable to be plugged in but also for special remote control cables, microphone cables, video cables could be utilized in such a system. The connector interface system also includes a serial protocol to control device features. These controls help a user sort and search for data more efficiently within the device.

Abstract: Network proxies reduce server latency in response to series of requests from client applications. Network proxies intercept messages clients and a server. Intercepted client requests are compared with rules. When client requests match a rule, additional request messages are forwarded to the server on behalf of a client application. In response to the additional request messages, the server provides corresponding response messages. A network proxy intercepts and caches the response messages. Subsequent client requests are intercepted by the network application proxy and compared with the cached messages. If a cached response message corresponds with a client request message, the response message is returned to the client application immediately instead of re-requesting the same information from the server. A server-side network proxy can compare client requests with the rules and send additional request messages. The corresponding response messages can be forwarded to a client-side network proxy for caching.

Abstract: Circuits, methods, and apparatus for measuring a video signal's noise level. The determination can be made based on pixel values for a single video image frame, for example, by comparing pixel color values, luminance, or other parameter for a first and second group of pixels in the frame. Each group of pixels may be part of a line in the frame, and several such measurements may be made along each line of the frame. These measurements can then be further refined depending on the measure noise level. Once a video noise level is determined, a decision on how to further process the video signal can be made. For example, the picture can be filtered or sharpened. The amount of noise filtering can be made dependent on the amount of noise measured.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate provided with an active region including a gate forming area, a source forming area and a drain forming area. A recess is formed in the gate forming area. A gate is formed over the gate forming area that is formed with the recess and includes an insulation layer formed at an upper end portion of a side wall of the recess that is in contact with the source forming area. A source area and a drain area are formed in the active region on opposite sides of the gate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a semiconductor device and a method of forming a contact plug of a semiconductor device. According to the method, a first dielectric layer is formed on a semiconductor substrate in which junction regions are formed. A hard mask is formed on the first dielectric layer. The hard mask and the first dielectric layer corresponding to the junction regions are etched to form trenches. Spacers are formed on sidewalls of the trenches. Contact holes are formed in the first dielectric layer using an etch process employing the spacers and the hard mask so that the junction regions are exposed. The contact holes are gap filled with a conductive material, thus forming contact plugs. Accordingly, bit lines can be easily formed on the contact plugs formed at narrow spaces with a high density.

Abstract: Apparatus for connecting together two objects comprises: a body for attachment to a first object and having a concave surface and a corresponding convex surface; a clamp for attachment to a second object and having a first jaw and a second jaw moveable relative to the first jaw, the first and second jaws being configured to engage respectively the concave and convex surfaces of the body when applying a clamping force thereto, wherein at least one jaw comprises at least one tooth configured to bite into the body as the clamping force is applied, thereby resisting movement between the body and the clamp. A chair, in particular a wheelchair for disabled persons, has one or more rests mounted on apparatus as detailed above.

Abstract: A network traffic device for a managed network can operate as a client host, to receive packets from the managed network and forward them to an uplinked external network, thereby operating as a gateway to the uplink network and performing a network address translation (NAT) function for the managed network relative to the uplinked network.

Abstract: A technique for forming a film of material (12) from a donor substrate (10). The technique has a step of introducing energetic particles (22) through a surface of a donor substrate (10) to a selected depth (20) underneath the surface, where the particles have a relatively high concentration to define a donor substrate material (12) above the selected depth. An energy source is directed to a selected region of the donor substrate to initiate a controlled cleaving action of the substrate (10) at the selected depth (20), whereupon the cleaving action provides an expanding cleave front to free the donor material from a remaining portion of the donor substrate.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting the binding between N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors and neuronal proteins in a neuron the method comprising administering to the neuron an effective inhibiting amount of a peptide replacement agent for the NMDA receptor or neuronal protein interaction domain that effect said inhibition of the NMDA receptor neuronal protein. The method is of value in reducing the damaging effect of injury to mammalian cells. Postsynaptic density-95 protein (PSD-95) couples neuronal N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) to pathways mediating excitotoxicity and ischemic brain damage. This coupling was disrupted by transducing neurons with peptides that bind to modular domains on either side of the PSD-95/NMDAR interaction complex. This treatment attenuated downstream NMDAR signaling without blocking NMDAR activity, protected cultured cortical neurons from excitotoxic insults and dramatically reduced cerebral infarction volume in rats subjected to transient focal cerebral ischemia.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for allowing financial transactions to be conducted using mobile phones. A payer initiates a transaction by sending a payment request message from a mobile phone which specifies the payee and amount to be paid. Payees are identified by unique aliases, which are maintained in a database. Methods for assembling the enrollment and alias database are included.

Abstract: A system includes an optical system having two beam splitters (a dichroic beam splitter and a polarizing beam splitter), which are designed to provide three separate beam paths for observing an object. The dichroic beam splitter is designed to separate two beam paths depending on the wavelength of the light of the respective beam path. The polarizing beam splitter is designed such that two beam paths are separated depending on a direction of polarization of the light of the respective beam path. The measuring light is linearly polarized after having passed the polarizing beam splitter and may be influenced with respect to the state of polarization by a retarding plate. The returning measuring light incident on the polarizing beam splitter is linearly polarized and also polarized in such a direction that the returning measuring light is transported through the polarizing beam splitter towards the analyzing detector with a high efficiency.

Abstract: The present invention provides a parylene-based membrane filter device for capturing of circulating tumor cells (CTC). The membrane filter has an array of holes having a predetermined geometric design with precisely controlled size, shape and density. In one aspect, the device has a stack of substantially parallel membrane filters with uniformly-spaced and/or monodispersed holes.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a leg exerciser device offering a pair of footplates arranged for inward and outward reciprocal movement along a respective pair of rails and whereby each of the footplates is operatively connected by way of support arms to a variable number of weights so as to increase the resistance offered by apparatus during an exercise routine. The path of travel of each footplate and the configuration of each arm is such that the vertical distance moved by the weights is greater than the vertical distance moved by each footplate during its reciprocal motion along the rails so as to enhance the degree of work undertaking during an exercise routine.

Abstract: Apparatus for bone reinforcement, fixation and treatment of diseased or fractured bones including a supporting structure optionally coated with therapeutic agent is provided. The supporting structure or device may be collapsible upon deployment at the surgical site, and include fixation features such as anchors to securely position in place once deployed. Bone cement or other material may be provided to alternatively secure the positioned supporting structure for treatment. A lockable bone fixation device is described that comprises: a sleeve adapted to be positioned in a space formed in a bone; a guidewire adapted to guide movement of the sleeve; and an actuable lock adapted to secure the sleeve within the space of the bone from an end of the device.

Abstract: A page buffer circuit of a memory device including a plurality of Multi-Level Cells (MLCs) connected to at least a pair of bit lines includes a Most Significant Bit (MSB) latch, a Least Significant Bit (LSB) latch, a data I/O circuit, an inverted output circuit, a MSB verification circuit, and a LSB verification circuit. The MSB latch is configured to sense a voltage of a sensing node in response to a control signal and store an upper sensing data, and output an inverted upper sensing data, or store an input data and output an inverted input data. The LSB latch is configured to sense a voltage of the sensing node in response to the control signal, and store and output a lower sensing data, or store and output an input data received through the MSB latch. The data I/O circuit is connected to the MSB latch and a data I/O line, and is configured to perform the input and output of a sensing data or the input and output of a program data.

Abstract: A process for introducing microorganisms to carbonaceous material in an anaerobic environment is described. The process includes the step of extracting formation water from a geologic formation, and removing at least a portion of an extractable material from the formation water to make amended formation water. The process may further include introducing the amended formation water to the carbonaceous material. Also, a process for increasing biogenic hydrocarbon production in a geologic formation containing a carbonaceous material is described. The process includes extracting formation water from the formation, removing at least a portion of one or more hydrocarbons from the formation water to make amended formation water, and reintroducing the amended formation water to the geologic formation.