Abstract: An apparatus system, method and computer program product for providing pre-paid telecommunications services is set forth and may include: receiving an automatic number identification (ANI) at an ANI recognition system of a service provider platform from a user, where the user having previously acquired a communications device, where a pre-paid service has been bundled with the device, and where, upon the user having depressed a long distance service (LDS) auto-key having been pre-programmed with a feature code and dialing sequence may include exposing the ANI. In another exemplary embodiment, the method may further include: upon an initial use of the communications device by the user, upon the user having depressed the LDS auto-key, receiving at the service provider platform at least one of: retailer identification; an account number; and/or the automatic number identification (ANI) of the user.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, method and computer program product for cordless radio frequency and voice over Internet protocol protocol includes a cordless component and a VOIP component. The cordless component is operable to communicate with one or more wireless handsets over a cordless radio frequency connection. The VOIP component is operable to communicate voice data over an Internet protocol connection to an IP network via packet data communications. The apparatus may include a master base station operable to communicate with one or more extension base stations remote from the master base station over a cordless RF connection, with each cordless extension operable to communicate with the wireless handset over a cordless RF connection. The cordless component and the VOIP component may be separated by a shield or insulator operable to reduce dispersal of heat or electromagnetic radiation between the components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus packaging components of an optical reading device which may include illumination optical elements, receive optical elements, and signal processing elements. In one embodiment a single circuit board can carry multiple elements such as an image sensor together with illumination elements. In one embodiment, a control circuit can be provided that is coupled to a light source and an image sensor.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards speckled tire treads for tires. Specifically, the speckled tire tread includes a primary tread compound that serves as a matrix in which is distributed discrete particles of one or more secondary tread compounds, at least one of the compounds is a different color than the other tread compound(s) so as to be visually distinguishable. For example, the primary tread compound may include carbon black pigment and be black in color while the secondary tread compound can include one or more pigments to provide the particles with non-black color. Thus, the colored particles have a visually distinguishable color from that of the primary tread composition. Additionally, at least a portion of the particles may be situated for viewing on a running surface of the tire tread so that a subject can visually distinguish between the compounds, and such observed compounds may provide a different tire performance characteristic(s).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pneumatic tire having a rubber component comprised of (A) 100 parts by weight of at least one elastomer containing olefinic unsaturation; (B) 10 to 120 phr of a filler selected from carbon black and silica; (C) 0.1 to 10 phr of N,N?-(m-phenylene) bismaleamic acid; (D) 0.1 to 0.5 phr of zinc dibenzyl dithiocarbamate; and (E) 0.1 to 5 phr of an additional cure accelerator.

Abstract: An apparatus system, method and computer program product for providing pre-paid telecommunications services is set forth and may include: receiving an automatic number identification (ANI) at an ANI recognition system of a service provider platform from a user, where the user having previously acquired a communications device, where a pre-paid service has been bundled with the device, and where, upon the user having depressed a long distance service (LDS) auto-key having been pre-programmed with a feature code and dialing sequence may include exposing the ANI. In another exemplary embodiment, the method may further include: upon an initial use of the communications device by the user, upon the user having depressed the LDS auto-key, receiving at the service provider platform at least one of: retailer identification; an account number; and/or the automatic number identification (ANI) of the user.

Abstract: A method of effecting an improved adhesive bond between a rubber surface and a device adhered thereto is disclosed. In pneumatic tires, monitoring devices are more securely adhered to the innerliner of the tire utilizing a room temperature vulcanizable adhesive wherein curing is facilitated in the presence of moisture. The innerliner formulation is prepared by incorporating a material which has incomplete compatibility with the rubber of the innerliner formulation, and which has hygroscopic properties which thereby tends to attract moisture.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards the use of low levels of a desiccant material in a rubber compound, such as for use as a tire tread, that allows for reduced cure times of tires cured under pressure, thereby increasing tire production. The low level of desiccant material reduces the blow point of the rubber compound by substantially eliminating blows earlier in the pressure curing process, thereby allowing for the reduced cure time of the tire under pressure. In one embodiment, low levels of no greater than about 9 phr of desiccant material, which may include generally a metal oxide (e.g. calcium oxide or magnesium oxide), are provided in the rubber compound. The rubber compound including the low levels of desiccant material may be cured, under pressure, at less than 30% of full cure of the rubber compound.

Abstract: A balance material is applied to the inner surface of a tire at one or more selected locations to offset an imbalance of the tire. The balance material is fluently applied to the inner surface at a first viscosity, whereafter the balance material transforms to exhibit a second viscosity that is higher than the first viscosity and remains affixed to the inner surface of the tire at the point of application. A method of balancing a tire comprises determining the location and amount of balance material needed to correct an imbalance of the tire, applying the balance material at a first viscosity, and transforming the balance material to have a second viscosity sufficient to maintain the balance material at the desired location.

Abstract: This invention relates to the preparation of a cis 1,4-polyisoprene rubber-rich rubber composition containing precipitated silica which has been pre-treated with a fatty alcohol and/or epoxidized soybean oil together with an organosilane containing polysulfide coupling agent and to tires having at least one component comprised of such rubber composition.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for measuring adhesion capability in a tire liner, the apparatus including a film strip attaching to the tire liner and having a through opening and an attachment interface distanced from the opening; an adhesive backed cover member attaching to the film strip in covering relationship to the strip opening and a cover member surface portion establishing an adhesive bond with the tire liner through the film strip opening; means attached to the strip attachment interface for exerting a directional peeling force upon the strip sufficient to unitarily peel the film strip and the cover member from the tire liner; and means for measuring the directional peeling force.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preparing a tire surface for installation of a transponder apparatus of the type comprising a transponder housing and an antenna, includes the steps: identifying a tire target surface having a footprint configured to receive the transponder apparatus thereagainst; positioning the tire target surface in an accessible relationship to cleaning apparatus; and actuating the cleaning apparatus to substantially eliminate undesired surface agents from the tire target surface. Relative movement between the cleaning apparatus and the tire target surface may be initiated to create the desired target surface shape, such as an annular configuration, and to facilitate a substantial purging of undesired surface agents from substantially all of the target surface.

Abstract: A method and system for determining a route for a packet traveling over at least one system from a source to a destination is disclosed. A first geographic area corresponds to the source and a second geographic area corresponds to the destination. The destination further has an address which does not indicate the second geographic area. In this aspect, the method and system include associating an address for the destination with the second geographic area to allow selection of the route for the data packet based on the second geographic area and selecting the route based on a second geographic area. In a second aspect, the method and system include providing a direct link having a controllable amount of traffic and selecting the direct link as at least a portion of the route when a data packet to the destination is to be routed. The method and system also facilitate selection of a route for a data packet. In this aspect, the method and system include obtaining information relating to an autonomous system.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process of preparation of components and articles of manufacture containing at least one of such components, such as tires, and the resulting prepared components and fabricated articles, by use of directed high frequency energy internally heated silica-rich rubber compositions which contain sulfur curative and a significant content of high softening point polymer, namely a polymer and/or elastomer having a melting point (Tm) and/or high glass transition temperature (Tg) above 0° C., and particularly above 30° C., and which contains a minimal, if any, carbon black reinforcement. Such directed high frequency energy heating is provided, individually, by directed radio frequency (electromagnetic) radiation and/or by directed microwave radiation.