Abstract: A first computing device and a second computing device establish (101) a connection and the first computing device downloads (102) a mini-application which monitors for changed information on the first computing device, such as a new web page address or information entered into the field of a form displayed on the browser of the first computing device. Once the mini-application detects (103) such a change it sends (104) the information regarding the change to the second computing device. The second computing device then implements (105) that information by acting on or displaying that information, such as by going to the new web page address if the change was a new website, or by displaying the information in the appropriate field on the form displayed on the second computing device. The mini-application continues (106) to monitor for change on the first computing device until web collaboration is disabled (107).

Abstract: An apparatus for venting several plumbing pipes through existing roof openings made for existing ventilation systems, including turbine ventilators, roof ventilators, ridge ventilators and hip ventilators. The plumbing vent apparatus has two sides, a bottom and two removable end caps. End caps for use with a ridge ventilator or hip ventilator have slots for fitting around the ridge rafter. The apparatus is mounted in the roof opening made for the ventilation system, which is installed above it. When used with a ventilation system which has a ridge or hip rafter, the apparatus can be configured to have mounting flanges along the top of the sides for attachment to the roof decking, or can have mounting flanges along the slots on the end caps for attachment to the rafter. Each male adapter, which is inserted through an opening in the bottom of the apparatus, can hold the venting end of a PVC plumbing pipe. Removable covers are placed into unused openings.

Abstract: The invention determines when an Internet browsing customer should be provided assistance by monitoring factors such as the customer profile saved at the server or in cookies, the time a customer spends on particular web pages, errors in forms submitted by the customer, web pages repeatedly viewed by a customer, and statistically established abandon points. When the invention determines a customer should be provided assistance, the invention reviews the availability and probability of availability of the customer service representatives (CSRs). If a CSR is available or predicted to be available, the customer is presented with a HELP option. If the customer does not respond to the HELP option within a predetermined time, the HELP option is removed. By dynamically determining the appropriate time to provide a HELP option and only providing the HELP option when a CSR is available, the invention proactively provides meaningful service at the critical time.

Abstract: A method for consolidating the information from multiple information sources so as to provide a uniform set of screens for an agent. All of the information sources are automatically linked in a coherent manner, which is defined by the user. The provision of an information item into a field automatically accesses user-specified information items from the various information sources. The user may combine and present the information from the various information sources in a uniform manner so that a given item of information always appears at the same location on the screen, and in the form desired, regardless of the original display format that is used by the information source. The station (10) receives (501) the initial information item and then sends (503) this information item to the sources specified by the information field, receives additional information items from these sources, and displays or presents the information items received in any desired media type.

Abstract: A medical probe for the heating of soft tissue, such as collagen tissue, wherein the medical probe has an elongated body with a proximal and distal end, a heating source, an RF electrode. Optional components include a thermocouple, and an insulative sleeve. The probe's elongated body is preferably hollow and flexible. The RF electrode and the heating source are powered by independently controlled power sources and cooperate to maintain a constant and smooth temperature to the distal end of the RF electrode. The heating source may be a contained liquid, such as saline, or an electrothermal mass, such as a ferrite, a toroid, a resistive element, or the like. Current induced from the conductor to the heating source creates heat in the heating source. The thermocouple measures the temperature of the heating source and adjusts the power to the conductor to maintain the heating source's temperature.

Abstract: A business has a main office (13) which has a controller (225), a plurality of telephones, a plurality of computers, a PBX and/or an ACD (216), and a plurality of corporate resources (220) such as servers, hosts, applications, databases, routers, gateways, switches, a voicemail system, an e-mail system, and facsimile servers. A user at the main office (13) has access to the various corporate resources and also has a portable communications device (10), such as a laptop computer, with which to place a call to the controller via a communications link (11) such as the Internet, to send user commands to and receive the resultant status, information, or operation, from, the controller, to access any of the corporate resources and data, and to make calls to and receive communications from outside parties (12). In addition, the user may create a personal profile which causes the controller to forward selected communications to him, via the Internet, wherever the user may be.

Abstract: A combination eyeglass device is provided which includes eyeglasses having primary lenses and adapted to fit on the user's head. The eyeglass device also has auxiliary eyeglasses having secondary lenses, which approximately correspond to the dimension and shape of the primary lenses. In addition, the eyeglass device has two pairs of magnetic clamps adapted to grip the eyeglasses adjacent the periphery of the primary and the secondary lenses. The clamps are attached to the primary eyeglasses so that they correspond to the positions of the clamps attached to the auxiliary eyeglasses. The clamps may be magnetically mated with each other to securely hold the auxiliary eyeglasses on the primary eyeglasses. Each of the clamps includes a retainer in the form of a screw and/or a resilient web. A deformable plastic coating on the inside of the jaws may be used to enhance the gripping function.

Abstract: A self-contained system which converts nitrous oxide to a breathable gas mixture of nitrogen and oxygen. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a portable system is disclosed wherein liquefied nitrous oxide is converted to a breathable gas mixture of nitrogen and oxygen. The decomposition occurs over a catalyst bed which is all contained in a small reactor. The invention is useful for underwater, fire fighting and outer space applications.

Abstract: Decorative, protective metallic flakes are made by coating a polyplastic web with a release coating; depositing a resin on the release coating; depositing a metal layer on the resin to form a sandwich; and treating the sandwich with a solvent in order to remove the metal and resin layers in the form of metallic flakes.

Abstract: An object is dynamically created which contains all of the information relating to connections established during a transaction. This object also contains information and/or pointers to information which was used in a communication during the transaction. The object further contains tests for triggering events. When a triggering event occurs the connections are automatically re-established so that a further communication relating to a transaction may be accomplished with excellent efficiency and without any duplication of effort by an agent (including an electronic agent or device) to locate information which was located during the previous communication. The test is administered by a business process mediator, which invokes a business task mediator, which may invoke multiple lesser task mediators, each of which may invoke additional lesser task mediators.

Abstract: A moving system (1) made up of a number of separable but intergratable parts and platform sections (10-90/110-190), including an elastically biased, pivoted, integral end ramp section (10) which is moved down allowing the load (e.g. a copier with “convenience casters”) to be rolled up onto platform sections (40 & 50/140 & 150) for movement from one location to another. Also included are additional parts or sections—in one embodiment or the other a supplemental ramp piece (120), usually stored on the exterior side of the ramp end section (110) when not in use but connectable to the end of the main ramp section to extend the effective ramping distance; a protective pad (30/130) for the ramp end section; a first platform section (40/140); a second platform section (50/150), an auxiliary, pivoting, intermediate braking support member (160); a handle end section (70/170); an extendible handle (80/180); and an interconnecting, ninety (90°) degree, leg section (90/190).

Abstract: An SCSA RX/TX memory (220) receives voice data and stores voice data samples under established voice channel identifiers. A controller (240) selects voice channels, and their associated voice data, for inclusion in an ATM cell. The memory (220) sends the voice channel identifier and the voice data for the selected channels to a Constant Bit Rate Segmentation And Reassembly (CBR SAR) circuit (225). The CBR SAR aggregates the voice data into an appropriate number of ATM cell slots for each of those voice channels. The CBR SAR 225 sends the aggregated information to a Multiplexer/Duplicator Circuit (MUX/DUP) (230) which assembles the ATM cell, and sends the completed ATM cell to an ATM transceiver (265) for transmission. When there is no voice data to be sent information data from an Available Bit Rate (ABR) SAR (260) is assembled to form an ATM cell to be sent by the ATM transceiver.

Abstract: A moving system (1/101) made up of a number of separable but intergratable parts and platform sections (10-90/110-190), including an elastically biased, pivoted, integral end ramp section (10) which can be pivoted and moved down to allow the load (e.g. a copier with "convenience casters") to be rolled up onto platform sections (40 & 50/140 & 150) for movement from one location to another. The moving system also includes the following additional parts or sections--in one embodiment or the other a supplemental ramp piece (120) which is usually stored on the exterior side of the ramp end section (110) when not in use but is connectable to the end of the main ramp section to extend the effective ramping distance; a protective pad (30/130) for the ramp end section; a first platform section (40/140); a second platform section (50/150), as well as an auxiliary, pivoting, intermediate braking support member (160); a handle end section (70/170); an extendible handle (80/180); and an interconnecting, ninety (90.degree.

Abstract: An intraurethral magnetic valve for insertion in the human urethra of a person suffering from incontinence. The intraurethral magnetic valve includes a nonferromagnetic cylindrical housing, a valve seat assembly attached to one end of the housing, a spherical magnetic valve element disposed for universal movement in the housing, and a ring for retaining the valve element which is attached at the other end of the housing. The valve seat assembly has a nonferromagnetic valve seat sealing surface and ferromagnetic ring, each having concentric apertures for passage of fluid. The valve element is maintained in closed check position against the valve seat by attraction to the ferromagnetic ring, restricting the flow of fluid through the valve. An external magnet is used to impart magnetic torque and attraction to the valve element displacing it from the valve seat and opening the valve for fluid flow. On removal of the external magnet, the valve element returns to its closed check position on the valve seat.

Abstract: The automated customer service system maintains and uses a list of available resources, such as an agent qualification profile, in conjunction with a customer sensitivity profile, to automatically assign available resources, such as agents, to the various campaigns. The agent qualification profile identifies any special skills or qualifications that an agent may possess, such as language skills, type of voice, efficiency, and type of call processing skills. The customer sensitivity profile contains information regarding the manner, time and date, and location for contact which are preferred by the customer. The system administrator devises a strategy script based upon the customer sensitivity requirements and the agent qualifications. The strategy script determines which resources, such as agents, meet which requirements, and whether there are adequate resources to handle the requirements of concurrent campaigns.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are disclosed which provide for non-offensive termination of an outbound call which has been answered when an agent is not available to handle said outbound call. An outbound call is placed (10) and a determination is made (11) as to whether the call has been answered. If the call has been answered then a determination is made (12) as to whether the call was answered by a person or an answering machine. If the call was answered by a person then a determination is made as to whether an agent is available to handle said outbound call. If an agent is available then the agent is connected (13) to the outbound call. If an agent is not available then a termination message is played (15). If the call was answered by an answering machine then, depending upon a user-selected option (16), a termination message will be played (15) or an interactive session will be started (17). Also disclosed are a method and an apparatus for detecting an answering machine.

Abstract: A trash pick-up and collection apparatus includes a rotary drum assembly with a plurality of spikes to impale and pick-up the trash along a path to be cleared. A continuous chain mechanism wrapped around the drum assembly lifts, strips and carries the trash to a collection bin. The drum assembly includes a plurality of sections in the direction of the longitudinal axis to allow ease of movement in a turn. The drum is formed of elongated plates extending in the longitudinal direction and each mounts a series of spikes. The chain mechanism preferably includes a plurality of flattened chains that lift the trash from underneath and carry it to the collection bin. An idler roller positioned adjacent the collection bin forms the delivery and return run of the chains. The entire apparatus may be lifted over obstacles and moved along paved roads by wheels that are hydraulically moved to and from an operative position.

Abstract: A container lid, adapted for use with a cold or hot drink, is provided with a condiment reservoir built into the lid. An orifice for drinking a liquid in the container is provided on one side of a planar surface forming the lid and an open top recess, forming the condiment reservoir, is provided on the other side. Closed side walls and a bottom extending down toward the container serve to form the reservoir. The condiment can be carried directly in the reservoir or in a condiment holder, such as a packet or cup, placed in the reservoir. The side walls extend at an acute angle from the planar surface to allow multiple lids to nest together prior to use. A mating groove and annular projection in the recess and on a cup, respectively, serves as a snap fit interlock system to hold the cup in place. The side walls of the recess include a semicircular wall and a diagonal wall connecting the ends to form the reservoir.

Abstract: A method for optimizing the pacing and processing of inbound calls and outbound calls. Statistics are generated concerning inbound calls and outbound calls, and concerning the performance of each agent for inbound calls and outbound calls. Separate statistics concerning inbound calls and outbound calls allow a more accurate prediction of call pacing and handling requirements and of the availability of an agent so as to maximize the productivity of each agent and control the on-hold time of inbound and outbound calls. Each trunk line is designated for inbound calls or outbound calls and the status of each trunk is monitored. If all of the trunks allocated to inbound service are in use then some of the trunks designated for outbound service are redesignated for inbound service. If more than a predetermined number of trunks designated for inbound service are not in use then some of these trunks will be redesignated for outbound service.