Abstract: A method of treating a spent dry film stripping and/or developing solution comprising the steps of adding about 0.01 to 15 grams of an aluminum source per liter of solution; adding about 0.05 to 25 grams of a metal precipitating agent per liter of solution; mixing the aluminum source, the metal precipitating agent and the solution with one another to form a mixture; adding an acid source to the mixture to lower the pH to less than about 6.5; and filtering the mixture to separate the metals and the photoresist from the remainder of the solution. The composition may also include 0 to 10 percent by weight of a dust-suppression agent, per liter of the solution, 0.1 to 10 grams of siliceous particulates per liter of spent stripper solution and/or an agent to enhance flocculation of the polymer precipitate.

Abstract: A heat fusible laminate for imprinting a design on an article of stretchable fabric such as polyamide, polyester and other synthetic materials. The laminate includes a release layer, a first adhesive layer, at least one ink layer of heat fusible composition and a second adhesive layer. The laminate is responsive to heat and pressure, when placed with the second adhesive layer against the fabric article, for securing the design to the fabric and allowing removal of the release layer therefrom.

Abstract: A foldable electronic percussion synthesizer assembly is disclosed that includes two fixed drum heads that are permanently mounted on the synthesizer housing and two movable drum heads that are mounted on respective movable support arms. Each support arm pivots the movable head between a folded position where its striking surface is juxtaposed to and faces the striking surface of a fixed drum head and an unfolded position where the striking surfaces of the fixed and movable head are substantially coplanar and separated from each other. The assembly includes vibration isolation means for each drum head that reduces crosstalk. A latch member is pivotably mounted to the vibration isolation means on the movable drum head to support the movable drum head in the unfolded position and secure the movable drum head on the fixed drum head in the folded position.

Abstract: A method and system for computerizing learning, response, and evaluation is provided. The computerized system comprises a central processing unit and related memory and storage capacity to operate a learning, response, and evaluation system stored in a computer program. The learning, response, and evaluation system comprises an authoring portion and a presentation portion. Through the use of intuitive interface elements, the authoring portion allows an author to quickly and easily construct a lesson from a pool of relevant data. Due to the design and capabilities provided, the authoring portion reduces the time it takes for an author to learn how to construct a lesson and reduces the time it takes to construct the lesson. Data can be organized into pages which are presented to the user and pages which are hidden from the user. The presentation portion allows a user to view and learn the information contained in a lesson.

Abstract: A method and system for computerizing learning, response, and evaluation is provided. The computerized system comprises a central processing unit and related memory and storage capacity to operate a learning, response, and evaluation system stored in a computer program. The learning, response, and evaluation system comprises an authoring portion and a presentation portion. Through the use of intuitive interface elements, the authoring portion allows an author to quickly and easily construct a lesson from a pool of relevant data. Due to the design and capabilities provided, the authoring portion reduces the time it takes for an author to learn how to construct a lesson and reduces the time it takes to construct the lesson. Data can be organized into pages which are presented to the user and pages which are hidden from the user. The presentation portion allows a user to view and learn the information contained in a lesson.

Abstract: A balloon kit package is provided to facilitate erection of a balloon assembly in a desired manner so as to prevent unintentional loss of buoyant balloons. The kit package includes an uninflated balloon, a placard greeting card or other object of mass sufficient of mass to overcome the buoyancy of the balloon when inflated and articles such as a ribbon for joining the balloon to the placard. In an alternative embodiment, the neck of the balloon is inserted directly into the placard. In package form the balloon kit is sealed in a plastic overwrap.

Abstract: A flash memory controller operates a flash memory array comprising a plurality of different types of flash memory chips. The CPU interacts with the array by issuing generic commands through a single Memory Technology Driver (MTD), while the controller translates the generic commands into commands specific to the chip comprising the portion of the array being addressed. The controller operates each of the flash chips which comprises the flash memory array, and presents to the CPU a memory system comprised of a single addressable entity. According to a further feature of the invention, the controller is embedded into each of the flash chips in an array in order to further reduce overhead costs.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating accounting and billing operations information between a gateway mobile switching center (G-MSC) and a visiting mobile switching center (V-MSC) to which a call is being directed to a mobile station within a cellular telecommunications network. The method comprises the steps of: generating in the serving MSC first billing identification data for the call; transmitting the first billing identification data to the destination MSC; generating second billing identification data in the destination MSC corresponding to a call transaction that has occurred in the destination MSC; and returning the second billing identification data as related billing identification data to the serving MSC after an outcome for the call has been determined in the destination MSC. The outcome of the call is determined when a page response has been received in the V-MSC from the mobile station or alternatively, a call has been delivered by seizing a trunk from the serving MSC to the destination MSC.

Abstract: Ferrous powder particles are coated with vaporized phosphorus in a fluid-bed reactor to obtain homogeneous coatings of phosphorus. The coated powders are useful feed for pressed structural parts, exhibiting improved green density, compressibility and sintered density thus improving magnetic and tensile properties.

Abstract: A cellular communications system including a mobile station that shifts periodically between a stand-by operating mode where communications are possible and a deep sleep operating mode wherein communications are impossible and battery power is conserved. Thus, while the mobile station is in deep sleep mode, message transmissions to the mobile station are impossible. The messages are, however, stored for later delivery, and a record of the stored, undelivered messages is maintained for future access. When the mobile station emerges from deep sleep, the maintained message record is checked, and the stored messages for the awakened mobile station are retrieved and delivered.

Abstract: A retainer is provided for a face piece that has a generally triangular face shaped rim for forming a seal over user's face when the face piece is worn. The retainer is made from a stiff material and has a rim that conforms to the rim of the face piece, and is shaped to provide a loose frictional fit over the face piece. The retainer helps protect the face piece during shipping, storage, and when otherwise not in use, and can help correct minor deformation in a face piece.

Abstract: An improved method for scrubbing a substrate, the method including the step of scrubbing one face of the substrate with a cylindrical rotary brush while applying back pressure to the substrate by jetting a fluid for generating back pressure against the other face of the substrate.

Abstract: A damper seal and method of sealing and damping a rotating shaft are disclosed. The damper seal includes a stator housing, a plurality of cavities, a first modulator for modulating the fluid flow into the cavities, and a second modulator for modulating the fluid flow exiting the cavities less than the fluid flow entering the cavities to provide improved damping and sealing.

Abstract: A composite frame member that includes a longitudinally extending external member that defines a longitudinally extending internal cavity within which a longitudinally extending internal member is disposed. The internal member and external member, while being distinct components, are constructed and arranged to cooperate in a substantially synergistic fashion that seeks to provide a frame member having superior strength characteristics. Further, the internal member and the external member cooperate to define an accessible stapling channel that is capable of being readily stapled into. The external member includes walls that at least partially bound the internal cavity. The internal member is disposed within the internal cavity and defines the stapling channel, wherein the stapling channel receives a cover sheet and staples through an opening defined by the external member.

Abstract: A telecommunications network including a CDMA system and FDMA/TDMA system, both operating in a common frequency range, is disclosed. In an embodiment of the invention, the transmission and reception of narrowband FDMA/TDMA signals on a plurality of radio frequency channels within FDMA/TDMA system is synchronized such that at least one time slot of each TDMA frame on each radio channel is reserved. The transmission and reception of CDMA signals in the CDMA system is then performed during the reserved time slots of each TDMA frame. In an alternative embodiment, complete TDMA frames on each radio channel are reserved for CDMA transmission and reception.

Abstract: A refrigerator door-mounted beverage dispenser device for use with bottled beverages, to control beverage flow during dispensing from a bottle. The device comprises a generally cylindrical housing engaging the mouth of the bottle, an operating lever pivotably attached to the housing and movable between upper and lower positions, a self-closing flow valve, and a valve actuator operable with the operating lever to open the flow valve by applying pressure thereto while it is in either of the upper and lower positions, to enable controlled beverage flow. In a preferred embodiment, the beverage dispenser device itself is threaded onto the beverage bottle, sealing it closed. A retractable lever is arranged to displace a ball valve and enable liquid beverage flow into a cup.

Abstract: The load on the communications resources of a cellular telephone system is monitored to detect instances of excess amounts of unused resource capacity. When such instances are detected, a message is transmitted to subscribers via the cellular system offering reduced charging rates for calls initiated in response to the offering message. The subscriber mobile stations are programmed to alert the subscriber to the broadcast of the offering message, after which the subscriber may initiate a reduced rate call. The mobile stations may further be programmed to automatically initiate the cellular call in response to receipt of the offering message, and to thereafter engage in the communication. Monitoring of communications resources external to the cellular system is also made, and an offering message is broadcast by the system in response to detection of excess amounts of unused external resource capacity, in response to which subscribers may initiate calls requesting reduced rate access to the resource.

Abstract: Methods are provided for transforming Musa plants. In particular, methods for wounding meristematic Musa plant tissue to facilitate access of Agrobacterium tumefaciens comprising genetically-engineered T-DNA is provided. The methods may be used to transform the plant to produce pharmaceutical products or to alter the phenotypic trait of the fruit of the plant.