Abstract: An Estimated Wait Time (EWT) service for a Web page provider has an internet-connected facility for monitoring communication status with a communication center having communication equipment hosting agents of the web page provider, and an interactive link in a web page hosted by the Web page provider. The interactive link is presented to a user accessing the Web page, and when selected, connects the user to the facility for monitoring communication status. In a preferred embodiment the facility provides a Web page display for the user, displaying parameters regarding the communication status, such as estimated wait time (EWT). In some cases there are options in a user interface for placing an Internet Phone (IP) call, for sending a message, and e-mail, and so forth, or for requesting a call back. In the case of a cal back the user may, in some embodiments, provide alternative numbers or addresses and times for call back.

Abstract: An integrated router (IR) in a call center monitors and controls both a telephony switch receiving and forwarding connection-oriented, switched telephony (COST) calls and a Data Network Telephony (DNT) processor receiving and forwarding DNT calls. The one IR consults a common data repository storing status of agents on both types of calls, and routes all calls according to a single set of rules, which can take a variety of forms. In one embodiment telephones at agent stations are adapted to handle both OST and DNT calls.

Abstract: An automated dialer for a call center maximizes agent efficiency in two different ways. In a first method overdial probability is expressed as a probability function of number of agents and total traffic volume; the probability function is set equal to a maximum allowable overdial probability; and the resulting equation is solved for maximum total traffic volume producing the maximum overdial probability. The maximum total traffic volume is then used to determine a new dialing rate by dividing the difference between the calculated maximum traffic volume and known inbound traffic volume by the product of average call length and hit rate, where hit rate is the percentage of connected calls to total dialed outbound calls. In a second method a maximum total traffic volume is calculated from total number of agents times a desired agent utilization factor, and the total traffic volume is used as in the first method to calculate and set a new dialing rate for outbound calls.

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) in a selected manner 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 and the particles for a pattern at the selected depth. An energy source such as pressurized fluid 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: In a multimedia call center (MMCC) an agent work presentation software model (AWPM) may be programmed to an individual agent or group of agents, and set to launch automatically each time an agent for whom the model is programmed logs on to the operating system of the MMCC. The AWPM has interfaces for accessing all necessary information to prepare agent work lists, such as agent skills, licenses, authorizations, waiting calls, and waiting work of other sorts, and automatically accesses the needed information and prepares a dynamic work list to an agent for the duration of a work session. Work lists are updated by the pertinent AWPM as each agent accomplishes tasks, and work-in-progress is updates as well. Many other tasks may be done as well, such as statistical updates, agent rating, alerts, and so on.

Abstract: Novel isolated plant polynucleotide promoter sequences are provided, together with DNA constructs comprising such polynucleotides. Methods for using such constructs in modulating the transcription of DNA sequences of interest are also disclosed, together with transgenic plants comprising such constructs.

Abstract: Novel polynucleotides including partial and extended sequences, and open reading frames, are provided, together with probes and primers, DNA constructs comprising the polynucleotides, biological materials and organisms incorporating the polynucleotides, polypeptides expressed by the polynucleotides, and methods for using the polynucleotides and polypeptides.

Abstract: A system for wireless communication comprises an architecture of routers connected to a network and having connected transceivers for wireless transmission and reception of data, and a plurality of hand-held communicators adapted for users to communicate with the network through the routers. The system is configured for data network telephony (DNT) in the wireless portion, wherein voice data is encoded and transmitted in real time in data packets, and also provides data exchange for document-type entities. In one aspect a unique mirroring of channels from the wireless portion to a hard-wired link provides for mutual access and sharing of overall bandwidth from and to individual transceivers.

Abstract: A dual cylinder pivotal work piece holding device includes a fixture pivotally mounted on a frame. A crank arm drives the fixture about a pivot axis. First and second cylinders have rods pivotally connected to the crank arm at a drive point offset from the fixture pivot axis. The rods form an oblique angle with each other and a controller is provided for extending and retracting the rods in a coordinated cycle so that at least one of the rods is moving at any instant during rotation of the fixture.

Abstract: A telephone switching and routing system has a first switching apparatus for receiving incoming calls, a first processor connected to the first switching apparatus, and a plurality of destination sites each connected to the first switching apparatus by a telephony trunk, each destination site including a destination processor coupled to the first processor by a communication link separate from the telephony trunk. The first processor connected to the first switching apparatus maintains a list of incoming calls received at the first switching apparatus as a virtual queue, wherein individual ones of the destination processors at the destination sites monitor local agent status and skill sets, and request switching of calls from the published lists as agents become available to handle new calls, and the first processor in response to requests from the destination processors controls the first switching apparatus to switch calls to the requesting destination sites.

Abstract: An Internet Protocol Network Telephony call center system has a plurality of call centers managed by a central controller. The central controller accepts IPNT calls and routes the calls to the plurality of call centers to be distributed to agents based on status of the call centers maintained in a stat-server coupled to the central controller. The call centers periodically report call center status to the stat-server at the central controller via dedicated data links. In the event of failure of a data link between a call center and the central controller, the central controller continues to route calls by retrieving historical data previously reported for the disconnected call center, estimating the current status of the call center based on the historical data, and using the estimates with current status of other call centers in making routing decisions.

Abstract: In an operating system (OS) for a multimedia communications center (MMCC), an interactive process module (IPM) for accomplishing a process has a plurality of code sets, each adapted to completion of a specific task in the overall process, an input interface for providing one or more inputs to the IPM, and an output function for returning a result. The plurality of code sets are related by pre-requisite status, creating a required order of progression for the process, the process is initiated after being called by the OS and receiving required inputs, the IPM is adapted to interface with other OS modules for accessing and providing data, and upon completion of the last task the IPM returns the result. In one embodiment the IPM is represented by an interactive GANT chart. In a preferred embodiment a tool kit is provided for a programmer to create such IPMs to perform business processes. IPMs thus created may be displayed and edited as object models.

Abstract: A hybrid-type magnet includes an electromagnet having a U-shaped core made of a magnetic material. The core includes a core body having outer ends and a pair of opposing arms extending upwardly from the outer ends of the core body, wherein each opposing arm includes an upper end having an end surface. An excitation coil is wound on the core. The hybrid-type magnet also includes a bar-like engagement member including a permanent magnet having a direction of magnetization, the permanent magnet being disposed between magnetic members. The magnetic members are closely joined to the respective end surfaces of the arms, the permanent magnet being positioned between the arms of the core, whereby the end surfaces of the opposing arms extend in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of magnetization of the permanent magnet.

Abstract: An adjustable shelving unit for a robotic work station includes a plurality of elongated upright channel members each having a C-shaped transverse cross-section, the channel members being arranged in parallel pairs; and at least one shelf being releasably and movably clamped to the channel members by spring nut means so as to be adjustable in both height and angle with respect to the channel members. The adjustable shelving unit is useful in combination with a work piece positioning device and can even be attached thereto so that bins for parts and parts can be stored near their point-of-use.

Abstract: Polypeptides and polynucleotides isolated from Mycobacterium vaccae are provided, together with compositions comprising such polypeptide and polynucleotides and methods for their use in the enhancement of immune responses to heterologous antigens.

Abstract: A telephony call center has agent workstations having telephones connected to station-side ports of a telephone switching apparatus adapted to receive and switch conventional telephone calls to the telephones, and also computer platforms connected on a local area network (LAN). A processor also connected on the LAN has a wide area network (WAN) port and is adapted to receive and distribute computer-simulated telephone calls from the WAN to computer platforms at the agent stations. At individual agent stations the telephone and computer platform is connected by a Telephone Application Programming Interface (TAPI)-compliant bridge. Status of calls of both types at agent workstations is communicated to a network-level router by the processor having a WAN connection, which may also receive computer-simulated calls. The router may then make routing decisions based on agent status relative to both kinds of calls.

Abstract: Novel isolated polynucleotides that encode polypeptides involved in plant cell signaling are provided, together with DNA constructs comprising such polynucleotides. Methods for using such constructs for the modulation of cell signaling in plants are also disclosed, together with transgenic plants comprising such constructs.

Abstract: The present invention provides polypeptides comprising an immunogenic epitope of a M. vaccae protein, polynucleotides encoding such polypeptides, and fusion proteins comprising at least one such polypeptide, together with DNA constructs comprising at least one inventive polynucleotide. Compositions comprising such polypeptides, polynucleotides, fusion proteins and/or DNA constructs may be employed in the treatment of infectious diseases and immune disorders.

Abstract: An anesthesia mask for use with animals that comprises a body and a seal member. The body of the anesthesia mask is shaped to define a cavity therein that substantially conforms to the facial anatomy of an animal such as a dog. The body has a first end configured to interface with a breathing circuit and a second end that is open. The breathing circuit interface is located on the first end of the body so as to be substantially proximate to the nose of the animal when the nose portion is received in the cavity. The anesthesia mask includes a flexible and elastic seal member that is disposed across the second end of the body. In one embodiment, seal member is releasably engaged with the anesthesia mask. The seal member has an aperture formed therein through which a portion of the head of the animal is disposed so as to be removably received in the cavity.

Abstract: Methods for the prevention and treatment of disorders, including disorders of the respiratory system, such as infection with mycobacteria such as M. tuberculosis or M. avium, sarcoidosis, asthma, allergic rhinitis and lung cancers are provided, such methods comprising administering a composition comprising derivatives of delipidated and deglycolipidated M vaccae cells.