Abstract: In a public internet access terminal, the combination comprising an access station, and computer apparatus at the station and including a user keyboard and data display means, and a user credit card reader at the station, and the computer apparatus including circuit means operatively connected to the card reader to be responsive to reading of user credit card data to enable user access to the internet via the computer apparatus at the access station.

Abstract: The invention provides anti-thiol reagents which inhibit enzyme activity of cell-associated protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) by oxidizing or blocking PDI active site vicinal thiol groups which normally participate in disulfide bond rearrangement of PDI substrates. Inhibition of this PDI function is particularly useful in blocking PDI-mediated entry of HIV or other virions into a host cell, as well as inhibiting lymphocyte traffic through the lymph nodes. The invention further provides an assay for the identification of such PDI inhibitors based on the discovery that inhibitors of the invention also induce shedding of the leucocyte L-selectin adhesion molecule. The invention additionally provides for suppression of inflammation and of lymph node entry by calmodulin antagonists that, like PDI inhibition, cause leukocyte L-selectin shedding.

Abstract: A method for eliminating noise signals in a radio signal receiving device receives data containing a series n bits that include a plurality of noise signal bits. The voltage level of the noise signal bits is corrected based on the voltage level of the bits before and after the noise signal bits and is transformed to the same level as the bits before and after thereby to eliminate the noise signals. The method can correct damaged data bits and determine whether the width of data bits meets requirements to avoid erroneous determination when data are damaged.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for controlling oilfield production to improve efficiency includes a remote sensing unit that is placed within a subsurface formation, an antenna structure for transmitting power and communicating signals to the remote sensing unit and for receiving communication signals from the remote sensor, a casing joint having nonconductive “windows” for allowing an internally located antenna to communicate with the remote sensing unit for those embodiments in which a wireline tool is being used to communicate with remote sensing unit, and a system for obtaining subsurface formation data and for producing the formation data to a central location for subsequent analysis. The remote sensing unit is a standalone sensor that is placed sufficiently far from the wellbore to reduce or eliminate effects that the wellbore might have on formation data samples taken by the remote sensing unit.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a gate structure has the steps of providing a substrate; forming a conducting layer on the substrate; forming a metal layer on the conducting layer; forming a patterned first protective layer on the metal layer, the protective layer having a side surface; partially removing the side surface of the first protective layer to form a first gate element having a first gate pattern; transferring the first gate pattern to the metal layer to form a second gate element; conformally forming a second protective layer on the first gate element, the second gate element and the conducting layer, causing a second gate pattern; and transferring the second gate pattern to the conducting layer to form a third gate element.

Abstract: A storage memory device includes a primary body comprised of a first memory card at one side and a connection portion at the other side. Contacts are provided in the connection portion and in electrical connection with the first memory card to serve as a data transmission interface for the first memory card. The storage memory device further includes a secondary body forming a first slot for receiving the connection portion therein. The secondary body may include a second memory card electrically connectable to the first memory card via the contacts of the connection portion. Alternatively, the second memory card of the secondary body is omitted and replaced by a second slot into which another primary body comprised of a connection portion having contacts and a memory card is received.

Abstract: A wireless communication system, method and apparatus are provided for soft and softer handover of a mobile wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) between two or more base stations and/or base station sectors. A network control unit assigns selected base stations to transmit communication data to the WTRU based on the WTRU being disposed in base station or base station sector geographic range of service. A WTRU joint detector (JD) receiver is configured to receive and process one or more wireless data signals in each of a series of timeframes where each signal received within a common timeslot has a unique channel encoding of the same communication data. The JD receiver has a plurality of channel estimators that estimate received signals within a common timeslot and a combiner configured to decode and combine the channel estimates to derive a resultant data signal.

Abstract: A portable USB device built with rechargeable functional apparatus is disclosed. The portable USB device has a USB connector for being inserted into a socket of a host device. A USB device module is powered by the +5V pin on the USB connector and activated to perform data exchange via the D+ and D? pins on the USB connector when the USB connector is coupled to the host device, so as to provide a first specific function to the host device. A charge circuit charges the rechargeable battery via the +5V pin when the USB connector is coupled to the host device. A functional apparatus is powered by the rechargeable battery so as to provide second specific function different from the first one when the USB connector is not coupled to the host device.

Abstract: A fast gamma correction method for an image reading apparatus is proposed. The original intervals for normalized output data are combined to merged intervals fewer in number and the original color correction function is replaced by a fitting function in the merged intervals. For an input normalized data, the corresponding merged interval is found and a fitting function associated with the merged interval is invoked to find the corresponding normalized and corrected data.

Abstract: A connector for electrically connecting a terminal board includes a base having a plurality of contact terminals extending through a rear frame of the base which is received in a case so that the terminal board can be inserted through an elongated hole in the case to contact with the contact terminals. Two release plates extend through two slots defined in two side frames of the base and each has a hook so as to hook respective ones of two recesses of the terminal board. A spring is connected between the two release plates so that when the two release plates are pushed toward each other, the two hooks are disengaged from the recesses of the terminal board and the connector is easily removed from the terminal board.

Abstract: A flexible vacuum seal pad structure capable of, for example, sealingly securing a bowed substrate to a finger apparatus or “endeffector” used to robotically engage and/or move the substrate from one processing station to another, or capable of securing a wafer to a base member or susceptor during processing of the wafer, i.e., functioning as a chuck. The flexible vacuum seal pad structure of the invention comprises a hollow central post or shank which serves as a mounting or retention mechanism, a flexible arch-like member connected at one end to the central post, and a peripheral ring structure connected to the opposite end of the arch member. The peripheral ring structure contacts and forms a seal with the underside of the wafer, while the arch member provides the flexibility to permit the ring structure to make or form a sealing contact to a bowed wafer, and the central post provides a mechanism through which the flexible vacuum seal pad structure may be secured to the base or finger.

Abstract: The circuitry introduced in this invention selectively slows down the functioning of an electronic circuit maintaining a particular state for a prolonged period of time. This circuitry is used not only to achieve the desired effect in maintaining security from electronic thieves trying to circumvent codes but also in other applications such as enabling a circuit to continue to function in the event of a brief loss of power. For example, in an RFID system, if a reader is frequency hopping, a tag loses power for as long as about 400 milliseconds when the reader changes to other frequencies. In a preferred embodiment, the disclosed circuitry is used in conjunction with a destruct sequence.

Abstract: A two axis stage for microscopes that is thin, has reduced vibration, and is adapted for increased stage transportation speeds is capable of being disposed inside a chamber without changing a floor-projected area. The XY stage comprises a base 1, an X table 2 that can be moved in an X direction on the base 1 by an X feed screw 7, and a Y table 3 that is supported on the X table 2 and movable in a Y direction. A third table 4 is disposed on the base 1, the third table being movable in the Y direction by a Y-feed screw 8 positioned on the base 1. Additionally, a slide unit 14 is disposed on the third table 4, the slide unit 14 being movable in the X direction and connected with the Y table 3.

Abstract: A technique that is usable with a subterranean well includes orienting shaped charges of a perforating gun to extend partially around a longitudinal axis of the gun. The perforating gun is oriented in the well to direct the shaped charges away from a water boundary. In response to this orientation of the perforating gun, the shaped charges are fired. The perforating gun and shaped charges may also be oriented in a deviated well to compensate for the anisotropic permeability of a formation.

Abstract: A method for designing an engine case static structure of a gas turbine engine includes creating signals representing an engine case static structure knowledge base of information. The knowledge base has a plurality of design rule signals with respect to a corresponding plurality of parameter signals of associated elements of an engine case static structure, wherein the knowledge base comprises at least one data value signal for each of the plurality of design rule signals. A desired data value signal is entered for a selected one of the plurality of parameter signals of an associated element of the engine case static structure and compared to the corresponding data value signal in the knowledge base for the corresponding one of the plurality of design rule signals. Signals representative of a geometric representation of the selected parameter signal may be created.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for detecting flaws in a wafer. The apparatus has a detection platform for holding a wafer positioned thereon, a cross-bar ultrasonic detection device positioned above the detection platform for emitting and receiving an ultrasonic wave reflected by a wafer; and a microprocessor for processing the reflected ultrasonic and transmits to a monitor.

Abstract: One embodiment disclosed relates to a LEEM-type apparatus for inspecting a substrate. An illumination system generates an incident beam, and an objective lens system focuses the incident beam onto the substrate. In this case, the objective lens system comprises a magnetic immersion lens causing circumferential velocities in the incident beam, and the illumination system includes another magnetic immersion lens causing circumferential velocities in the incident beam that compensate for the circumferential velocities caused by the magnetic immersion lens in the objective lens system. Advantageously, this enables improved performance of parallel imaging e-beam systems that use a magnetic immersion objective lens.

Abstract: A liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer comprises: a pump; a sample injector; a plurality of separation columns, including a first separation column and a second separation column; and mass spectrometer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method capable of providing spatially multiplexed IR spectral information simultaneously in real-time for multiple samples or multiple spatial areas of one sample using IR absorption phenomena requires no moving parts or Fourier Transform during operation, and self-compensates for background spectra and degradation of component performance over time. IR spectral information and chemical analysis of the samples is determined by using one or more IR sources, sampling accessories for positioning the samples, optically dispersive elements, a focal plane array (FPA) arranged to detect the dispersed light beams, and a processor and display to control the FPA, and display an IR spectrograph. Fiber-optic coupling can be used to allow remote sensing. Portability, reliability, and ruggedness is enhanced due to the no-moving part construction. Applications include determining time-resolved orientation and characteristics of materials, including polymer monolayers.