Abstract: An environmentally beneficial process for the production of fuels and chemicals employs carbon dioxide from a natural source or from an artificial chemical source that would otherwise be discharged into the environment. The carbon dioxide is converted to formic acid and the formic acid is then non-biologically converted to fuels and/or chemicals without the intermediate process of hydrogenating the formic acid to methanol or reacting the formic acid with ammonia to form formamide. In the present process, formic acid is converted to one of seven primary feedstocks: formaldehyde, acrylic acid, methane, ethylene, propylene, syngas, and C5-C7 carbohydrates. The formaldehyde, acrylic acid, methane, ethylene, propylene, syngas and/or short chain carbohydrates can either be used directly, or can be converted into a wealth of other products.

Abstract: Electrochemical devices for converting carbon dioxide to useful reaction products include a solid or a liquid with a specific pH and/or water content. Chemical processes using the devices are also disclosed, including processes to produce CO, HCO?, H2CO, (HCO2), H2CO2, CH3OH, CH4, C2H4, CH3CH2OH, CH3COO?, CH3COOH, C2H6, (COOH)2, (COO?)2, acrylic acid, diphenyl carbonate, other carbonates, other organic acids and synthetic fuels. The electrochemical device can be a CO2 sensor.

Abstract: Electrochemical sensors measure an amount or concentration of CO2, typically using catalysts that include at least one catalytically active element and one helper catalyst. The catalysts can be used to increase the rate, modify the selectivity or lower the overpotential of chemical reactions. These catalysts are useful for a variety of chemical reactions including electrochemical conversion of CO2. Chemical processes and devices employing the catalysts are also disclosed, including processes that produce CO, OH?, HCO?, H2CO, (HCO2)?, H2CO2, CH3OH, CH4, C2H4, CH3CH2OH, CH3COO?, CH3COOH, C2H6, O2, H2, (COOH)2, and (COO?)2.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for communicating messages between users that use different messaging services. A message from a user communication device is communicated to a remote user communication device using a first messaging service. The remote user communication device communicates messages using a second messaging service. The message from the user communication device is routed to a messaging interface gateway in accordance with configuration information associated with the remote user communication device. The message is routed from the messaging interface gateway to a messaging server associated with the remote user communication device. The messaging server is configured to use the second messaging service. The message is delivered to the remote user communication device using the second messaging service.

Abstract: A videophone. The videophone can include an imaging mechanism for taking a video picture of a scene. The videophone can include a mechanism for producing a first video stream of the scene and a second video stream of the scene from the video picture and sending the first video stream and the second video stream onto a network at the same time, the producing mechanism in communication with the imaging mechanism. The videophone can include a mechanism for receiving a plurality of video streams of different scenes from a network. The videophone can include a mechanism for displaying the different scenes of the plurality of video streams alongside each other. A method for a video call.

Abstract: A videophone. The videophone can include an imaging mechanism for taking a video picture of a scene. The videophone can include a mechanism for producing a first video stream of the scene and a second video stream of the scene from the video picture and sending the first video stream and the second video stream onto a network at the same time, the producing mechanism in communication with the imaging mechanism. The videophone can include a mechanism for receiving a plurality of video streams of different scenes from a network. The videophone can include a mechanism for displaying the different scenes of the plurality of video streams alongside each other. A method for a video call.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for communicating messages between users that use different messaging services. A message from a user communication device is communicated to a remote user communication device using a first messaging service. The remote user communication device communicates messages using a second messaging service. The message from the user communication device is routed to a messaging interface gateway in accordance with configuration information associated with the remote user communication device. The message is routed from the messaging interface gateway to a messaging server associated with the remote user communication device. The messaging server is configured to use the second messaging service. The message is delivered to the remote user communication device using the second messaging service.

Abstract: A videophone. The videophone can include an imaging mechanism for taking a video picture of a scene. The videophone can include a mechanism for producing a first video stream of the scene and a second video stream of the scene from the video picture and sending the first video stream and the second video stream onto a network at the same time, the producing mechanism in communication with the imaging mechanism. The videophone can include a mechanism for receiving a plurality of video streams of different scenes from a network. The videophone can include a mechanism for displaying the different scenes of the plurality of video streams alongside each other. A method for a video call.

Abstract: A telecommunications system. The system includes a first network. The system includes a first node having audio and video streams of the first network. The system includes a second network. The system includes a second node having audio and video streams of the second network. The system includes means for forming a call between the first node and the second node so the first node and the second node communicate their audio and video streams with each other. A method for forming a telecommunications call.

Abstract: A tri-state capacitance controlled keyswitch having a deformable concave electrode moveable by means of an actuator toward and away from a pair of capacitor plates underlying a dielectric layer in order to change the capacitive coupling between the capacitor plates. The electrode is normally remote from the dielectric layer in a weak capacitance open circuit position, a first higher capacitance closed circuit position exists when the electrode is undeformed and is in contact with the dielectric layer, and a second highest capacitance closed circuit position exists when the electrode is deformed and is in contact with the dielectric layer.