Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for managing resource link relationships to activity tasks in a collaborative environment. In a preferred aspect of the present invention, a method for managing resource relationships to tasks in a collaborative environment can include creating relationship records for resources utilized in performing tasks in a task list, and storing the relationship records in association with respective ones of the tasks in the task list. The method further can include retrospectively accessing the relationship records to produce a historical view of the tasks in the task list.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for live creating and managing shortcuts in a computing environment. In a preferred aspect of the present invention, a method for managing live shortcuts can include selecting an underlying object from among one or more underlying objects and creating a live shortcut for the underlying object. The created live shortcut can be positioned in a user interface for a computing environment and liveness can be maintained for the created live shortcut based upon a changing state of the underlying object.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for creating and managing an activity in a collaborative environment. In a preferred aspect of the present invention, a unified activity manager for use in a collaborative environment can include an activity list including a hierarchical listing of activities. Each of the activities can include at least one task. The unified activity manager further can include an activity view including a rendering of properties associated with a selected activity in the activity view. Finally, the unified activity manager yet further can include a persons and roles view including at least a listing of collaborators available for association with the selected activity in the activity view.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method of forming a tapered via using a receding mask are disclosed. In one embodiment, an etch mask formed on a substrate includes a first aperture in a first photoresist layer and a second, larger aperture in an overlying second photoresist layer. Peripheries of the first and second apertures may be tapered as a result of an out-of-focus exposure. An etching process may be performed to create a tapered via in the substrate, and during this etching process, the first, relatively thinner photoresist layer will recede outwardly toward the aperture in the second photoresist layer. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A compliant interconnect is described that is useful for coupling semiconductor dies to other components. In one embodiment, the interconnect includes a base to couple to a first component and an arch extending from and integral with the base to couple to a second component. The interconnect may be formed by coating a substrate with photoresist, exposing the photoresist with a defined pattern, developing the photoresist, baking the photoresist at a first temperature for a first amount of time to reflow the photoresist, and baking the photoresist at a second higher temperature for a second amount of time to reflow the photoresist.

Abstract: Coatings for microporous printing sheets are disclosed. The coatings comprise an acrylic resin and a dye fixative material. The coated microporous sheets may be inkjet printed with good image characteristics. The printed sheets may be laminated, and possess high peel strengths while maintaining favorable optical characteristics. The coated microporous printing sheets are useful for many applications such as laminated security cards, tags and labels, as well as wide format printing applications.

Abstract: An integrated power supply air inlet unit (124) coupled to slidably insert into a first interspace region (120) of an embedded computer chassis (100), where the first interspace region is defined by a module portion (102), a rear surface (110) and a first side surface (112), includes a power supply (128) coupled to supply power to the embedded computer chassis, and a front surface (130) that is substantially perpendicular to the first side surface. A cooling air mass (140) is drawn into the embedded computer chassis through the front surface in a direction substantially perpendicular (150) to the front surface, where upon entering the integrated power supply air inlet unit the cooling air mass is turned substantially ninety degrees to flow over the module portion in a direction substantially parallel the front surface, and where the integrated power supply air inlet unit is hot-swappable in the embedded computer chassis.

Abstract: Hydrogen purification devices, components thereof, and fuel processors, fuel processing systems, and fuel cell systems containing the same. The hydrogen purification devices include an enclosure that contains a separation assembly adapted to receive a mixed gas stream containing hydrogen gas and to produce a stream that contains pure or at least substantially pure hydrogen gas therefrom. In some embodiments, the separation assembly includes at least one hydrogen-permeable and/or hydrogen-selective membrane. In some embodiments, the fuel processors, fuel processing systems, and/or fuel cell systems include at least one modular, or cartridge-based component. In some embodiments, the hydrogen purification device is, and/or includes, a modular, or cartridge-based, component. In some embodiments, the hydrogen purification device includes components that are formed from materials having the same or similar coefficients of thermal expansion.

Abstract: A multi-service platform system (100) includes a rear transition module (102) coupled to receive a DSX signal (105) and a payload node (104) coupled to the rear transition module via a backplane (110), where the payload node is coupled to process the DSX signal. A secondary payload node (114) is coupled to secondary rear transition module (112) via the backplane. A protection bus (150) couples the rear transition module to the secondary rear transition module outside the backplane, where failure of the payload node operates to shunt the DSX signal through the rear transition module to the secondary rear transition module. Failure of the payload node operates to switch processing of the DSX signal from the payload node to the secondary payload node, and the secondary rear transition module independently controls shunting of the DSX signal through the rear transition module to the secondary rear transition module.

Abstract: The present invention is a method, system and apparatus for the policy based provisioning and management of a collaborative context. A policy based application provisioning system for use in a collaborative environment can include a policy having rules for limiting collaborative context creation and operation in the collaborative environment. A context provisioning process can be coupled to the policy and configured to create collaborative contexts in the collaborative environment limited by the rules in the policy. Finally, a context management process can be coupled to a data store of usage data for created ones of created collaborative contexts in the collaborative environment.

Abstract: The present invention is a method, system and apparatus for combining synchronous and asynchronous collaborative components in a single collaborative content. A named collaborative context can include a selection of collaborators in a membership and at least one role applied to the collaborators. The named collaborative context can further include a selection of resources for use by the collaborators. Most importantly, the named collaborative context can include an ad hoc mix of synchronous and asynchronous tools. Preferably, the named collaborative can also include a template defining the selection of collaborators, the role or roles applied to the collaborators, the selection of resources, and the ad hoc mix.

Abstract: A computer based method and system to provide insurance protection to compensate an interested party against the financial risk that an elderly person (the “Insured”) lives a longer than expected lifetime. The method comprises the steps of determining a target survival date for the insured; determining a survival benefit; receiving a premium in exchange for payment of the survival benefit to a survival-beneficiary upon survival of the insured to the target survival date; and paying the survival benefit to the survival-beneficiary based on the insured surviving to the target survival date.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a portable work station for use during reactor refueling operation to allow inspection/repair of the reactor vessel simultaneously with the removal insertion of fuel cells from and into the reactor due to the work station being sized to fit into the reactor vessel spaced from the wall of the vessel and still clear of the fuel cell area of the reactor vessel to provide a direct view of the wall to personnel on the work platform while the refueling operation is ongoing.

Abstract: Flow control in a distributed switch fabric (100, 200) includes detecting at least one of a congestion condition (238) in a downstream transceiver port (205) and an oversubscribing condition (257) of a channel buffer (230), where the downstream transceiver port (205) and the channel buffer (230) both correspond to a channel (231) of a traffic manager (208). Packets begin accumulating in the channel buffer (230). Per-flow flow control (254) operates to modify transmission of the packets over the channel (231) to the channel buffer (230) if the channel buffer (230) reaches a threshold value (256). Link level flow control (252) operates transparently to the traffic manager (208) if the congestion condition (238) is detected and the channel buffer (230) fails to reach the threshold value (256).

Abstract: A computer-based system is used to communicate between a central location and distal locations to allow submission of bidding information on a project or elements of a project. A project manager (e.g., private or public organization, commercial or residential developers, general contractor, architect, etc.) establishes a website where potential bidders on a project or request for bid (RFB) can submit detailed bids. The bids and associated information are submitted in a defined format and enables the submission of exceptions in the bidding process. The system organizes individual bids according to elements of a project and can identify bidding errors and red flag extremes in bids. The system can categorize and organize bids for the project manager, but does not render decisions.

Abstract: A disposable waterless tooth brushing assembly, and a method for its manufacture, comprising a diminutive toothbrush; a non-foaming saliva-activated teeth-cleaning agent pre-applied to the toothbrush bristles; a small moistened disposable towel for use after teeth cleaning; and a compact, lightweight, two-layer, heat-sealed packaging container for pre-use sanitary storage of the toothbrush and towel. For efficiency and reduced cost, several assemblies would be attached together during manufacture, and made readily separable for individual use.

Abstract: A ceramic fiber composite structure particularly suitable for use as a hot gas cleanup ceramic fiber composite filter and method of making same from ceramic composite material has a structure which provides for increased strength and toughness in high temperature environments. The ceramic fiber composite structure or filter is made by a process in which a continuous ceramic fiber is intimately surrounded by discontinuous chopped ceramic fibers during manufacture to produce a ceramic fiber composite preform which is then bonded using various ceramic binders. The ceramic fiber composite preform is then fired to create a bond phase at the fiber contact points.

Abstract: Melt-shapeable polymeric compositions comprising a first fluoropolymer of relatively low crystallinity, e.g. a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and a perfluorinated comonomer, and a second fluoropolymer of relatively high crystallinity, especially a fluoropolymer obtained by irradiating PTFE or another fluoropolymer which cannot be melt-shaped in the absence of other polymers. The weight ratio of the first to the second polymer is preferably 0.3:1 to 2.5:1. The compositions have a wide variety of uses, for example as insulating materials or, if they contain carbon black or another conductive filler, as PTC conductive polymers.

Abstract: A thermally bonded fibrous product is composed of a sintered blend of ceramic fibers, low-grade silica material and boron nitride.