Abstract: The present invention relates to pneumatic tube systems generally. More specifically, it relates to an automated system for the storage and distribution of empty carriers for a pneumatic tube system. The system comprises an easy to use one-touch process and includes the following apparatus: storage cabinets and pneumatic tube system comprising a blower, controller, retrieval cabinets, and main station. According to the invention there is provided an automated storage and distribution system comprising a pneumatic tube system, a first diverter with blower, and a storage cabinet with a second diverter. The system comprises several methods which are currently in the market place, and is useful in many places, such as hospitals, where the automated processing of pharmaceutical products via robot devices is used. Such a system is disclosed in co-pending application Parenteral Products Automation System (PPAS), application Ser. No. 08/513,569.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for filtering high frequency time series data using a variety of techniques implemented on a computer. The techniques are directed to detecting and eliminating data errors such as the decimal error, monotonic series of quotes, long series of repeated quotes, scaling changes, and domain errors. Further, by means of comparison with nearby quotes in the time series, the techniques are also able to evaluate the credibility of the quotes.

Abstract: A secure electronic message exchange system, including a plurality of workstations, a communications medium, and a control platform coupled to a workstation of the plurality of workstations by the communications medium. The control platform includes one or more apparatuses for monitoring, controlling, converting, and billing related to, messages exchanged between a plurality of local users and a plurality of remote users. The control platform also prevents a forwarding of or a copying of a message, sent by a local user of the plurality of local users and received by a remote user of the plurality of remote users, to another party, where the control platform provides authentication of the remote user.

Abstract: A method and system that limits the use of a communication device present in an area controlled by an intelligent controller. The intelligent controller detects any present communication devices in the area and conducts an inventory providing information about each detected device. The intelligent controller compares that information to a standard of use data, which specifies the conditions need to be present for allowing the usage of a communication device. If such conditions are not met, the intelligent controller sends commands to the communication device to restrict its functionality. Else if, the intelligent controller is incapable of restricting the communication device, it can notify authorities of unauthorized usage of a communication device in the restricted area.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for collecting, sorting, counting and consolidating an unorganized pool of solid or semi-solid articles such as pills for dispensation. Specifically, the articles are extracted from inside a bin using attraction points on a transport substrate and sorted into containers in finite quantities. The system consists of several components, preferably including a torque source, a counter and a vacuum source, which are uniquely integrated onto a single end-effector to reduce cost and redundancy by servicing several bins. Further, the system presents a method of attracting and carrying pills using negative vacuum pressure, gravity and centrifugal force. This centrifugal force holds articles to the local attraction points and is provided by the spinning of the transport substrate. Pills are collected from the bin or plenum at the local attraction points, counted, cleaved from the local attraction points and guided to a container or vial.

Abstract: The present invention is a novel device for climbing inside corners, outside corners, and a variety of surfaces. The technology presented herein relies on high friction materials, suction devices, adhesive materials, pneumatic devices, etc. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention are designed to clamp onto inside or outside corners such that the devices weight, and an optional load, can be supported. Further embodiments allow the device to climb up, down, and across corners. Moreover, embodiments that can scale flat, rough, or jagged surfaces are also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosed methods and apparatus relate generally to the electronics media industry, such as cable television (CATV), home shopping services, on-line computer services and computer memory applications. These methods and apparatus allow a user to access and make use of electronic media input and output devices by reference to and/or utilization of standard printed matter, such as magazines, textbooks, or any other printed matter that can be correlated to electronic media.

Abstract: Methods and systems for fabricating integrated pairs of HBT/FET's are disclosed. One preferred embodiment comprises a method of fabricating an integrated pair of GaAs-based HBT and FET. The method comprises the steps of: growing a first set of epitaxial layers for fabricating the FET on a semi-insulating GaAs substrate; fabricating a highly doped thick GaAs layer serving as the cap layer for the FET and the subcollector layer for the HBT; and producing a second set of epitaxial layers for fabricating the HBT.

Abstract: This invention relates to an integrated building control and information system with wireless networking, including the controlling and/or monitoring of various building devices or appliances such as air conditioning, lighting, temperature, humidity, etc., including practically any environmental condition-or-mechanical operation. Also, the invention relates to a system which includes a vendor tracking system comprising an industrial operator interface, with communication, local data processing, and data storage capabilities, which provide an efficient information resource for service and product control. Additionally, the invention relates to a system including a utility monitoring and/or control system to monitor and/or control the facilities utilities such as electricity, gas, water, steam, etc., through revenue and non-revenue rated metering devices, allowing real-time demand side utility management through the controlled equipment.

Abstract: The disclosed methods and apparatus relate generally to the electronics media industry, such as cable television (CATV), home shopping services, on-line computer services and computer memory applications. These methods and apparatus allow a user to access and make use of electronic media input and output devices by reference to and/or utilization of standard printed matter, such as magazines, textbooks, or any other printed matter that can be correlated to electronic media.

Abstract: A system method and computer program product for redirecting a consumer (i.e., user) to a previously selected Web site is provided. In an embodiment of the invention, the user acquires a product or service from a first Web site. In the course of acquiring the product or service, the first Web site places a cookie on the user's computer. The cookie identifies the first Web site and associates it with the product or service the user has purchased. Subsequently, the user will receive a Universal Resource Locator (URL) from a second Web site offering the same product or service. When the user activates the URL, they are directed to the second Web site. In response, the second Web site searches for a relevant cookie located on the user's computer. If found, the second Web site determines from the cookie whether the user already possesses the particular product or service being offered by the second Web site.

Abstract: The disclosed methods and apparatus relate generally to the electronics media industry, such as cable television (CATV), home shopping services, on-line computer services and computer memory applications. These methods and apparatus allow a user to access and make use of electronic media input and output devices by reference to and/or utilization of standard printed matter, such as magazines, textbooks, or any other printed matter that can be correlated to electronic media.

Abstract: A device for circulating heat along a side wall of a cooking vessel, a cooking vessel comprises such device, and a method of using such device. The device can be constructed as part of the cooking vessel or can be an accessory that attaches to different sized cooking vessels via adjusting means. Specifically, the device comprises a skirt-like body extending from the side of the cooking vessel that directs heat to circulate along an underside of the body and over the side wall of the cooking vessel, thereby heating the side wall of the cooking vessel. The device can further comprise diffusers, a bottom portion with a plurality of openings, and a heat shield.

Abstract: The disclosed methods and apparatus relate generally to the electronics media industry, such as cable television (CATV), home shopping services, on-line computer services and computer memory applications. These methods and apparatus allow a user to access and make use of electronic media input and output devices by reference to and/or utilization of standard printed matter, such as magazines, textbooks, or any other printed matter that can be correlated to electronic media.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment comprises a method for obtaining predictive information (e.g., volatility) for inhomogeneous financial time series.

Abstract: The disclosed methods and apparatus relate generally to the electronics media industry, such as cable television (CATV), home shopping services, on-line computer services and computer memory applications. These methods and apparatus allow a user to access and make use of electronic media input and output devices by reference to and/or utilization of standard printed matter, such as magazines, textbooks, or any other printed matter that can be correlated to electronic media.

Abstract: A collapsible box comprising a body having a front panel, a bottom panel, a back panel, a top panel, a closing panel, a left panel, a right panel, a front folding panel, and a back folding panel. Each of the front and back folding panels comprises foldably connected center panel and two side panels. The bottom panel edges are foldably connected to edges of the front, left, back, and right panels. The opposite edges of the top panel are foldably connected to the back and closing panels. The edges of the front folding panel are foldably connected to one set edges of the left and right panels, and edges of said back folding panel are foldably connected to opposite set edges of the left and right panels.

Abstract: A collapsible box has a body with a front panel, a bottom panel, a back panel, a top panel, a closing panel, a left folding panel, a right folding panel, and a back folding panel. The back folding panel has a center panel foldably connected to two side panels. Each of the left and right folding panels comprises two foldably connected panels. The bottom panel edges are foldably connected to edges of the front, back, left folding, and right folding panels. The opposite edges of the top panel are foldably connected to the back and closing panels. The edges of the front panel are foldably connected to one set edges of the left folding and right folding panels, and edges of the back folding panel are foldably connected to opposite set edges of the left folding and right folding panels.