Abstract: A method for eliminating defects in single crystal silicon, which comprises subjecting single crystal silicon prepared by the CZ method to an oxidation treatment and then to an ultra high temperature heat treatment at a temperature of at least 1300° C., or comprises subjecting single crystal silicon which is prepared by the CZ method and is not subjected to an oxidation treatment (a bare wafer) to an ultra high temperature heat treatment in an oxygen atmosphere and at a temperature of higher than 1200° C. and lower than 1310° C. The method allows the elimination of void defects present in single crystal silicon with reliability.

Abstract: A monitoring station displaced from a plurality of regional monitoring systems communicates therewith via a computer network, such as the Internet. The station can interrogate one or more selected systems and evaluate responses therefrom. The station can dispatch detector specific messages to a selected alarm system to retrieve data therefrom or forward commands or data thereto.

Abstract: A method for eliminating slip dislocations in producing single crystal silicon, a seed crystal capable of eliminating the slip dislocations, a single crystal silicon ingot from which the slip dislocations have been eliminated and a single crystal silicon wafer, are disclosed. Single crystal silicon is produced by dipping a seed crystal in a melt and pulling the seed crystal up along the axis of the seed crystal, using a single crystal (1) in which the <110> crystal orientation (10) is inclined at a predetermined angle ? with respect to the axial direction (9) so that the edge direction (8) of the {111} crystal plane is inclined with respect to the axial direction (9). When single crystal silicon is grown while pulling up a seed crystal by the CZ method, a single crystal silicon ingot of a large diameter and a heavy weight can be pulled up by eliminating slip dislocations from the thick crystal.

Abstract: A method of accumulating and summarizing a number of customer interaction records pertaining to a specific customer records system (e.g., an ACD) over a predetermined time period commences with the receipt of interaction record including interaction information describing customer interaction. For example, the interaction information could indicate the hold time for a particular call received at the ACD. A cumulative record to which the interaction record contributes is then identified, and the cumulative record is then automatically updated to reflect predetermined interaction information contained within the interaction record. For example, a cumulative log of hold times for the particular ACD over a predetermined time interval may be updated with hold time information included within the interaction record.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for authenticating a document. The apparatus includes a profile processor adapted to collect a plurality of data profiles from a suspect document, a comparator adapted to compare the plurality of data profiles with a set of envelopes of a library document and to determine that the document is authentic when the plurality of profiles conforms with the plurality of envelopes and a push-in lock that locks a cassette that holds authenticated documents to a body of the apparatus for authenticating the document.

Abstract: The formation of a carotenoid compound containing a 4-keto-?-ionene ring such as astaxanthin or canthaxanthin in flowers, and particularly in the corolla and reproductive parts of a flower of a higher plant whose flowers produce a carotenoid compound containing a ?-ionene ring such as ?-carotene or zeaxanthin, but otherwise do not produce astaxanthin or canthaxanthin is disclosed. One or more genes controlled by a promoter are inserted (transformed) into a higher plant. The inserted gene encodes a chimeric enzyme including (a) a carotenoid-forming enzyme that is at least a ketolase. That gene is operatively linked to (b) a plastid-directed transit peptide. Some higher plants to be transformed produce at least zeaxanthin or ?-carotene in their flowers prior to transformation, whereas other plants produce little if any colored carotenoid pigments prior to transformation and are transformed with a cassette of carotenoids-forming genes. Methods of transformation and use of the transformed plants are described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for gas detection uses a sensor such as an electrochemical (EC) cell and includes a feedback control loop to control a pump to establish a first predetermined gas flow rate to the EC cell. The concentration of the gas at the first predetermined flow rate is measured. If the detected concentration exceeds a predetermined Alert value at the first flow rate an Initial Warning without remedial action is generated, and, the system then changes the gas flow rate before an Alarm is indicated. An Alarm is signaled only if the system verifies the first measurement. Preferably the first flow rate is set to optimize the measurement accuracy of the EC cell being used, and the second flow rate is lower than the first. Verification of an Alarm at the first flow rate may be conducted quickly by a quick-reaction process. The controller may periodically cycle the flow rates between the first and second rates for better accuracy and faster verification times.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for playing a one player video game of chance. The method includes the steps of providing a plurality of items that until selected by the one player occupy a set of non-selected items, displaying an indicia of a winning combination of items present within the plurality of items in advance of selection of any item of the plurality of items by the one player, enabling the one player to select at least some of the plurality of items for inclusion in a set of selected items, wherein at least one other of the plurality of items remains within the set of non-selected items and displaying the items within the set of selected and non-selected items.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extensible real-time workflows are described. The present invention allows a user of a transaction processing system, such as a customer relationship management (CRM) tool or an automatic call distribution (ACD), for example, to easily add new event sources without recompiling the core workflow server engine of the transaction processing system. The invention also supports features such as the adding of new services, the exchange of events and parameters with other systems, real-time collection and display of workflow statistical information, the use of a centralized configuration database, incremental loading and unloading of workflows and rules, and exception handling.

Abstract: An ambient condition detector incorporates an audio transducer for discrimination between alarm and non-alarm conditions. The transducer can provide occupancy information. In addition, a monitoring system can graphically present information as to the location of individuals, such as fire fighters, in the region.

Abstract: A flashlight having a light-emitting diode light source with first and second leads extending therefrom, a power source, a power source frame enclosing at least a portion of the power source; a housing containing the light source and power source, a switch located adjacent the power source and operable to close a circuit including the light source and the power source, and wherein one or all of the following may be included 1) a keyring extension extending from a power source frame or the housing with the keyring extension having an opening whereby an article can be attached to the keyring extension and includes a keyring lock wherein upon exerting a force against the keyring lock, the keyring lock is opened to permit the article to be attached to the keyring extension; 2) the housing is comprised of translucent material; and 3) the housing includes at least one side cover which is not integral with the housing and the at least one side cover being selected from anodized aluminum, anodized metal, anodized met

Abstract: A plurality of displaced paging systems can be controlled from a common paging facility via a computer network such as the Internet. Real-time streaming audio can be transmitted, via the network to one or more identified facilities and/or zones and broadcast thereinto.

Abstract: A variable candela strobe unit couples a substantially constant trigger voltage to a trigger electrode of a gas discharge tube irrespective of the voltage provided across the tube which is specified by a selected candela output value. The trigger voltage is great enough at low candela output settings to provide reliable triggering. It is not high enough even at the highest output settings to cause arcing of the associated step-up transformer.

Abstract: A therapy-based method for increasing the communications skills of children diagnosed with Pervasive Development Disorder (“PDD”) through a combination of therapy steps performed in a particular order and for specific amounts of time. The method makes use of integrating language scripting, sensory integration, occupational and speech therapies, visual supports, and a structured routine, which teaches children diagnosed with PDD specific social-based interactions that improve the ability of those diagnosed with PDD to interact with others in common social settings.

Abstract: For the purpose of providing a discharge excitation type pulse laser apparatus capable of reducing disturbance of the discharge space caused by shock waves, the discharge excitation type pulse laser apparatus according to the present invention is designed for generating a pulsed main discharge by applying a high voltage between main electrodes (14, 15) including a cathode (15) and an anode (14) arranged in opposition to each other, and thereby exciting a laser gas in a discharge space (37) defined between the main electrodes to oscillate laser light (21), and characterized in that no reflector larger than a prescribed size is provided on a surface within a prescribed surface distance (LC) from the discharge space (37), and an insulating cathode insulating member (54) that is inclined such that the cathode (15) side end is highest is arranged on at least one of the upstream and downstream sides of the cathode (15) in close contact with the cathode (15).

Abstract: The method and system for presenting a predetermined announcement or greeting to a calling party attempting to reach a called party within a Multimedia IP Communication System comprising the steps of or software or circuitry for: determining an announcement or greeting based on a variety of parameters, other than DTMF and ANI/DNIS, related to a call or caller; storing the announcement or greeting in a repository of announcements or greetings; identifying an incoming call or caller; selecting the predetermined announcement or greeting for that call or caller; playing the announcement or greeting to the calling party; and advising the called party of the incoming call.

Abstract: Apparatus includes a communications processor to receive and route communications from a plurality of communications mediums. A plurality of program generators is coupled to the communications processor. The plurality of program generators is further automatically to generate a plurality of media-specific control programs corresponding to each of a plurality of communication mediums in accordance with a media-independent portion of a source communications control file.

Abstract: A system for providing support in the shower, such as a toroidal support which can open and can be secured around a bather's chest. In some embodiments, the support can be coupled to a vertical spine which is coupled to the shower enclosing structure.

Abstract: The apparatus and a method are used to produce metal fiber, which can increase production efficiency of metal fiber using a metal plate and simplify manufacturing equipments and includes a controlling device. The method for producing metal fiber includes steps of: making a frame in a vacuum condition by removing the air; vertically inserting an end of a metal plate between the two induction coils arranged horizontally at an interval in the inside of the frame and heating and melting the end of the metal plate with heat generated by the induction coils; gradually moving the metal plate downwardly and bringing the end of the metal plate into contact with blades of a rotary disk, the rotary disk being horizontally mounted at a lower portion of the induction coils in the inside of the frame and rotating in a high speed; and solidifying metal fiber separated by the blades of the rotary disk.