Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present invention allow a second end-point determination (EPD) system to actively control the end-pointing of a semiconductor process chamber, by leveraging a legacy EPD system that is already integrated with the chamber. In one embodiment, the second EPD system controls a shutter that regulates the amount of light transmitted between a plasma light source and an optical emission spectroscopy (OES) sensor of the legacy OES EPD system. In this embodiment, the legacy OES EPD system is pre-configured to call end-point when an artificial end-point condition occurs, i.e. the intensity of light falls below a pre-set threshold. When the second EPD system determines an actual end-point condition has been reached, it closes the shutter which, causes the light intensity being read by the OES sensor to fall below the pre-set threshold. This in turn triggers an end-point command to the chamber from the legacy OES EPD system.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method separates gingiva from a model of a tooth by defining a cutting surface along the gingiva; and applying the cutting surface to the tooth to separate the gingiva from the tooth.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for scanning an illumination spot over a target area. The present invention removes stored energy from a scanning element to stop the scanning element from vibrating and to substantially return the scanning element to its starting position so as to enable high frame rates.

Abstract: According to the invention, a system for supporting a floor structure from a central structure is disclosed. The system may include a plurality of receptacles and a plurality of support members. Each of the receptacles may be located within a corner of an exterior perimeter of the central structure. Each of the receptacles may also at least partially define a cavity which may open to two different sides of the central structure. Each of the support members may be configured to pass through the cavity of at least one of the receptacles. Furthermore, each of the support members may be configured to be supported by at least one of the receptacles, and extend outward from two different sides of the central structure. The support members may further be configured to support the floor structure on two different sides of the central structure.

Abstract: A low cost fare collection system includes a removable farebox having an integral collection box. The farebox can be installed in a temporary installation at a fare collection location for the collection of fares and can be removed to a secure location for emptying and reconciliation. The farebox can include an integral collection box for receiving fares deposited in the farebox. The farebox can be configured such that the collected fares can be emptied only when the farebox is removed from the temporary installation to reduce tampering and theft. A fare validator can be used to verify the amount and value of a fare deposited in the farebox to eliminate human validation of fares. Electronic monitors can collect data relating to fares deposited, total revenue collected, time of fare collection, and other data items that can be retrieved when the farebox is removed and emptied.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for performing a biometric function. A purported skin site of an individual is illuminated under distinct optical conditions during a single illumination session for a fixed position of the purported skin site. Light from the purported skin site is received for each of the optical conditions. Images of the purported skin site are generated from the received light. The images are analyzed to identify a biometric feature as a characteristic in a portion of at least one of the images. The biometric function is implemented in accordance with an identification of the biometric feature.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided that extend the functionality of electro-optical sensors. A device has a multiple light sources, a light detector, and a processor configured to operate the light sources and the light detector to perform distinct functions. At least one of the distinct functions includes a biometric identification function in which light is propagated from the plurality of light sources through presented material. The propagated light is received with the light detector, with the presented material being identified from the received light. Another of the distinct functions includes a nonidentification function performed with the light sources and the light detector.

Abstract: According to the invention, a sampling system for spectroscopic measurements of a biological sample is disclosed. The sampling system includes a plurality of illumination points, a plurality of detection points, a memory, and a processor. Each of the plurality of illumination points is involved in at least two measurements of illumination through the biological sample. Each of the plurality of detection points is involved in at least two measurements of illumination through the biological sample. The memory stores a plurality of measurements. The processor determines a value from the plurality of measurements that is related to the biological sample.

Abstract: A dynamic optical tag system and method that allows for operation over a wide temperature range. A variable wavelength optical source, such as a dual wavelength fiber laser, is generated by combining the outputs from two distributed feedback lasers having separate operating wavelengths using a wavelength division multiplexer (WDM). A quantum well optical modulator mounted on the front surface of a retro-reflector in the remote receiver end of the communication link is biased to modulate one of the two laser wavelengths. At higher temperatures, the optical modulator can be biased to operate at the wavelength of one of the two lasers. At a lower temperature, the optical modulator can be biased to operate at the second of the two wavelengths. The DC bias required to tune the optical modulator is reduced by operating at two separate wavelengths depending on temperature.

Abstract: Techniques for managing instant message (IM) communications are provided. Instant message communications of a plurality of network implementations is managed using an instant message module that uses one or more policies. A policy in the one or more policies includes an action applicable for an IM communication. The techniques comprise receiving an instant message communication at the instant message module. The IM communication may be in a network implementation of one of the plurality of network implementations. Then, a policy is determined from the one or more policies that is applicable for the instant message communication. An action associated with the policy for the instant message communication is then performed.

Abstract: A method for analyzing data from a database using an analytic database function includes receiving a selection of measured items from a user, receiving a placement item from the user, and determining a partitioning of the selection of measured items from the placement item. A placement item can be a column, a row, or an axis. A template associated with the analytic database function is adapted to define at least one partitioning relative to the placement item. The template is further adapted to define an ordering parameter for the analytic database function and optionally an aggregation level for the analytic database function. A database query is created with the partitioning. The database query can be an SQL statement.

Abstract: A method for determining the compensation due an affiliate from a merchant for traffic to a merchant Web site that originates from an affiliate Web site. The method may include steps of defining a plurality of compensation plans, exposing one or more of the plurality of compensation plans to the affiliate, the selected compensation plan(s) exposed to the affiliate being tailored to the affiliate and/or a product or service offered by the merchant; accepting a selection of compensation plans by the affiliate, and measuring traffic to the merchant Web site that originates from the affiliate Web site and applying the measured traffic to the compensation plan(s) selected by the affiliate to determine the compensation due to the affiliate.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an efficient and effective technique for storing and dispensing reagent beads. In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided for dispensing reagent beads contained in a bead storage device which includes a bead carrier having a plurality of wells; a plurality of reagent beads disposed in the wells; and a cover tape releasably attached to the bead carrier to cover the wells and retain the reagent beads in the wells. The apparatus comprises a channel in which to place the bead storage device with the bead carrier facing a support wall of the channel and the cover tape facing a stripping wall of the channel. The stripping wall includes a stripping gap disposed between a stripping edge and an opposite edge, and a dispense opening provided adjacent the opposite edge on a side of the stripping wall opposite from the stripping edge.

Abstract: A device for adjusting a spacing between a chamber body such as a chamber body and a leveling plate such as a leveling plate comprises a mounting stud configured to be mounted to the chamber body. The mounting stud includes a stud threaded surface. A bushing is capable of being fixed to the leveling plate, and includes a bushing threaded surface. An adjustment screw has a first threaded surface threadingly engaged with the stud threaded surface of the mounting stud, and a second threaded surface threadingly engaged with the bushing threaded surface of the bushing. The threaded surfaces are configured, when the bushing is fixed to the leveling plate and the adjustment screw is turned, to cause the adjustment screw to move in a first direction with respect to the mounting stud at a first rate and the bushing to move in a second direction opposite from the first direction with respect to the adjustment screw at a second rate which is different from the first rate.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved apparatus, methods, and systems for displaying and packaging financial presentation instruments, particularly stored value, gift, or other pre-paid debit cards. In one embodiment of the present invention, a method for displaying a financial presentation instrument with an integrated holder is provided. The method comprises providing a data card having an information storage medium and an aperture therethrough. The data card is then suspended from a display hook through the at least one aperture. Hence, the present invention advantageously allows for convenient displaying and easy access to the data card for activation at the time the card is purchased by a consumer. Further, the integrated holder on the data card decreases the operating costs and increases the efficiency for selling such debit cards as no additional materials, packaging, or carriers other than the data card itself are needed for the presentation and display of such debit cards.

Abstract: A system for authenticating items includes: a processing unit for generating indicia for imprints to be applied to items and authenticating imprints applied to items, each indicium including a cryptographically encoded component; at least one item printing station for printing imprints on items as generated by the processing unit; and at least one item presentation station to which items are presented in authenticating the same. The item presentation station is configured to transmit data relating to the indicium on an item presented thereto to the processing unit, and to receive an authentication message in dependence upon whether the indicium is determined to be valid or invalid.

Abstract: Techniques for capturing and receiving digital information. The digital information may comprise information of one or more types including video information, audio information, images, documents, whiteboard information, notes information, and the like. Various actions may be performed based upon the digital information. The digital information may be captured by one or more capture devices.

Abstract: A method for scaling and converting sounding data into physical properties of a scanned medium is disclosed. In one embodiment, sounding data is received and transformed into phase space, where the phase space transformation linearizes the sounding data. The slope and intercept of the phase space data is determined and then converted into physical parameters. The physical parameters are then returned. In a more specific embodiment, the critical frequency is returned for an ionogram.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining a liveness state of purported tissue. The purported tissue is illuminated under a plurality of distinct optical conditions during a single illumination session. Light scattered from the purported tissue is received separately for each of the plurality of distinct optical conditions. A multispectral image of the purported tissue is derived from the received light. It is verified that the derived multispectral image is consistent with living tissue.