Abstract: A variety of technologies are detailed that can be employed by state departments of motor vehicles (DMVs), and other agencies, e.g., to reduce customer wait time and otherwise improve customer satisfaction, to streamline workflow, and to enhance security.

Abstract: A variety of technologies are detailed that can be employed by state departments of motor vehicles (DMVs), and other agencies, e.g., to reduce customer wait time and otherwise improve customer satisfaction, to streamline workflow, and to enhance security.

Abstract: A variety of technologies are detailed that can be employed by state departments of motor vehicles (DMVs), and other agencies, e.g., to reduce customer wait time and otherwise improve customer satisfaction, to streamline workflow, and to enhance security.

Abstract: A tangible object (such as a microprocessor, wristwatch, pharmaceutical, compact disc, vehicle part, etc) is surface-textured to encode a plural-bit code thereon. In one arrangement, this encoding conveys date information. In use, the object can be imaged by a scanner apparatus, and the resulting scan data analyzed to discern the plural-bit code. The decoded date information can be used in a determination relating to the object. For example, at a port of entry, date information encoded on a Rolex wristwatch can be used to determine whether importation of the wristwatch should be permitted. The texture-encoded data can also convey other information, such as a vehicle identifier for an automotive part, a place of fabrication, a specification with which the part complies, etc.

Abstract: A method for testing for the presence of sol-gel on an aluminum test specimen includes: preparing an ammonium molybdate solution; preparing a hydrochloric acid solution; and mixing the solutions in 2:1 ratio in each of a number of receptacles. A test specimen of unknown coating, a first control specimen, and a second control specimen are placed in the mixed solution in three receptacles. The first control specimen has a sol-gel coating over an alodine coating; and the second control specimen has an alodine only coating. By timing events such as a change in color of the test and control specimens or the solution becoming opaque, the method determines that the test specimen of unknown coating has a like coating to that of a particular one of the control specimens if the timing of the event of the test specimen and the timing of the event of the particular control specimen are comparable.

Abstract: Novel compounds of the formula I are described: wherein: R1=(CH2)mCH3 where m is 0 or an integer in the range from 1 to 16, or an alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, or alkyl sulfinyl group having from 2 to 17 carbon atoms, R2=H, CH3 or CH2CH3 R3=H or CH3 R4=H or CH3 R5=lower alkyl having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms n is an integer in the range from 1 to 3, and X is carboxyl (COOH) or carbalkoxy (COOR5), cyano (C?N), phosphonic acid (PO3H2), phosphonate ester (PO3[R5]2) or 5-tetrazole, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. Preferably, the compounds are optically pure enantiomers of the R- or S-configuration in which R3=R4=R5=H, R2=CH3 and R1 is a saturated aliphatic chain of one to five carbon atoms. The compounds are useful as cellular rescue agents.

Abstract: According to one aspect, the detailed technology concerns assessment of the fraud risk presented by an applicant for a driver's license, based on a particular ensemble of information presented by the applicant. For example, certain collateral identification documents presented by the applicant (birth certificate, passport, student body ID card, etc.)—or certain combinations of documents—may be found to have relatively higher or lower historical incidences of fraud associated therewith. Based on such historical insight, the issuing agency can tailor its scrutiny of the applicant accordingly. In one arrangement a score is determined based on the presented information. If it falls below a threshold, extra verification checks can be undertaken, such as querying additional third party databases (credit bureaus, military discharge records, etc.). An automated system may guide the evaluation process, based on the particular ensemble of information presented, and on the results of any database queries.

Abstract: A mouse having X- and Y-position encoders, and associated circuitry for generating X- and Y-movement data, additionally includes an optical sensor for producing grey-scale image data, thereby allowing the mouse to serve both as a positioning device and an optical input device. Desirably, the substrate on which the optical sensor is formed also includes a steganographic decoder. This decoder can enable a variety of functionality, such as linking to web addresses steganographically encoded in print media (e.g., by subtle inking variations or by texture). In other embodiments, such a peripheral is provided without mouse-like functionality, and again permits reading machine-readable indicia printed in catalogs and the like.

Abstract: Media objects are transformed into active, connected objects via identifiers embedded into them or their containers. In the context of a user's playback experience, a decoding process extracts the identifier from a media object and possibly additional context information and forwards it to a server. The server, in turn, maps the identifier to an action, such as returning metadata, re-directing the request to one or more other servers, requesting information from another server to identify the media object, etc. The server may return a higher fidelity version of content from which the identifier was extracted. In some applications, the higher fidelity version may be substituted for the original media object and rendered to provide higher quality output. The linking process applies to broadcast objects as well as objects transmitted over networks in streaming and compressed file formats.

Abstract: A value of infrared energy reflected from a metallic substrate with a polished surface is determined. The value of the infrared energy reflected, or conversely absorbed, is correlated to a quality of polish. According to an aspect of the invention, one embodiment of the invention utilizes an infrared spectrometer to determine the infrared absorbance of a polished metallic substrate. An infrared beam is reflected off the metallic substrate. The infrared energy of the reflected beam is compared with a pre-determined value of infrared energy reflected off a reference polish surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for chemically analyzing a sample fluid are provided. The apparatus includes two fluid selection valves with multiple input ports for selectively receiving sample and reagent fluids. The selection valves are configured to selectively connect the input ports to output ports such that the sample and reagent fluids can be delivered through a fluid injection valve to a sample vessel and therefrom to an analysis device. The analysis device is configured to receive the sample and reagent fluids and determine at least one chemical characteristic of the sample fluid.

Abstract: An electronic program schedule system which includes a receiver for receiving broadcast, satellite or cablecast television programs for a plurality of television channels and a tuner for tuning a television receiver to a selected one of the plurality of channels. A data processor receives and stores in a memory television program schedule information for a plurality of television programs to appear on the plurality of television channels. A user control apparatus, such as a remote controller, is utilized by a viewer to choose user control commands and transmit signals in response to the data processor which receives the signals in response to user control commands. A television receiver is used to display the television programs and television program schedule information.

Abstract: An electronic program schedule system with product ordering capability which includes a data processor for receiving program schedule information for a plurality of programs, and a user control apparatus, such as a remote controller, for generating user control commands and transmitting signals to the data processor in response thereto. The television program schedule information is displayed on a display apparatus such as a television receiver. A video display generator receives video control commands from the data processor and program schedule information and displays a portion of the program schedule information on the receiver. The program schedule information indicates the availability of a product or service for certain of the programs included in the program information, wherein the product or service is associated with the program, such as a program transcript or videocassette.

Abstract: An electronic program schedule system with access to both stored television program schedule information and data feeds containing status information for live programs such as sporting events. The system includes a data processor for receiving program schedule information for a plurality of programs and data feeds containing status information for certain of the programs, and a video display generator for generating a display signal simultaneously comprising information from both the stored schedule information and the received data feed. The system is further provided with user control means such as a remote controller for generating user control commands and transmitting signals to the data processor in response thereto so as to control the content of the display signal. The display signal may be displayed on a display apparatus such as a television receiver.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for using an interactive television program guide to display video for a user on a display on which program listings information is displayed. Program listings information is displayed using the interactive television program guide. A complete video is simultaneously displayed in a reduced size video window using the interactive television program guide. In some embodiments, the complete video may be associated with a television program that is currently available for viewing by the user. In some embodiments, the complete video may be associated with a television program that will be available for viewing by the user at a future time. In some embodiments, the program listings information and the complete video may be displayed simultaneously with video for a given television program. In some embodiments, the program listings information and the complete video may be displayed simultaneously with promotional information.

Abstract: An electronic program schedule system which includes a receiver for receiving broadcast, satellite or cablecast television programs for a plurality of television channels and a tuner for tuning a television receiver to a selected one of the plurality of channels. A data processor receives and stores in a memory television program schedule information for a plurality of television programs to appear on the plurality of television channels. A user control apparatus, such as a remote controller, is utilized by a viewer to choose user control commands and transmit signals in response to the data processor which receives the signals in response to user control commands. A television receiver is used to display the television programs and television program schedule information.

Abstract: An electronic program schedule system with product ordering capability which includes a data processor for receiving program schedule information for a plurality of programs, and a user control apparatus, such as a remote controller, for generating user control commands and transmitting signals to the data processor in response thereto. The television program schedule information is displayed on a display apparatus such as a television receiver. A video display generator receives video control commands from the data processor and program schedule information and displays a portion of the program schedule information on the receiver. The program schedule information indicates the availability of a product or service for certain of the programs included in the program information, wherein the product or service is associated with the program, such as a program transcript or videocassette.

Abstract: An electronic program schedule system with product ordering capability which includes a data processor for receiving program schedule information for a plurality of programs, and a user control apparatus, such as a remote controller, for generating user control commands and transmitting signals to the data processor in response thereto. The television program schedule information is displayed on a display apparatus such as a television receiver. A video display generator receives video control commands from the data processor and program schedule information and displays a portion of the program schedule information on the receiver. The program schedule information indicates the availability of a product or service for certain of the programs included in the program information, wherein the product or service is associated with the program, such as a program transcript or videocassette.

Abstract: An electronic program schedule system with product ordering capability which includes a data processor for receiving program schedule information for a plurality of programs, and a user control apparatus, such as a remote controller, for generating user control commands and transmitting signals to the data processor in response thereto. The television program schedule information is displayed on a display apparatus such as a television receiver. A video display generator receives video control commands from the data processor and program schedule information and displays a portion of the program schedule information on the receiver. The program schedule information indicates the availability of a product or service for certain of the programs included in the program information, wherein the product or service is associated with the program, such as a program transcript or videocassette.

Abstract: An electronic program schedule system with product ordering capability which includes a data processor for receiving program schedule information for a plurality of programs, and a user control apparatus, such as a remote controller, for generating user control commands and transmitting signals to the data processor in response thereto. The television program schedule information is displayed on a display apparatus such as a television receiver. A video display generator receives video control commands from the data processor and program schedule information and displays a portion of the program schedule information on the receiver. The program schedule information indicates the availability of a product or service for certain of the programs included in the program information, wherein the product or service is associated with the program, such as a program transcript or videocassette.