Abstract: A method for automatically entering a SIM's PIN in case of a reset or other condition includes the steps of storing (206) in RAM the PIN after it has been verified (204). Whenever a reset condition occurs, the PIN that is cached in RAM (106) is automatically presented to the SIM (214). In order to make sure that the PIN stored in RAM (106) in not corrupted during a reset condition, the inverse (208) or other coded form of the PIN is also stored in RAM (106) as an additional check of the correctness of the stored PIN.

Abstract: A mobile pointing device includes a portable communication device (10) having an optical sensor (40) integrated in the portable communication device, a display (12) on an opposing side of the optical sensor, and a processor (16). The processor can be programmed to operate the optical sensor as a camera in a first mode (74) and as a mobile pointing device in a second mode (80 or 82) for the portable communication device itself or for an external computing device (52).

Abstract: In the context of a passenger common carrier system, a method for the secure and convenient handling of luggage employing a parcel carrier system. Baggage is entrusted to a parcel carrier with sufficient time for shipment to the destination terminal or final destination of the passenger, who then converts a baggage check system to a parcel waybill system, transports the resulting parcel, converts the parcel back to baggage, then returns it to the common carrier for delivery to the passenger. In a variation of the method, the parcel carrier transports the parcel to the final destination of the passenger before converting the parcel back into baggage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing noise in a speech signal. A handset or remote unit provides to users with a hearing deficiency, a first mode of operation where noise suppressant/speech enhancement algorithms are used during any auditory-related service. There is also provided, in a related mode of operation, speech filtering for reducing noise in a speech signal received through the microphone and outputting the filtered sound to the speaker. The handset includes a microphone for receiving an auditory sound, a receiver for receiving an auditory signal and a speech filter for suppressing noise in the auditory signal and sound. The speech filter also may be configured to shift the frequency and/or alter the intensity of the auditory signal and sound. The speaker is used for amplifying and outputting the enhanced speech component as an audible sound.

Abstract: An adjustable earth boring device for provides a strong, easy to use, adjustable mount for cutters on earth boring devices. In a preferred embodiment, the device includes a grooved, wedge-shaped pocket and matching cutter segment with means to secure the cutter segment in the pocket. The wedge shaped pocket in the boring head is axially aligned with the boring device. Each side of the pocket has deep grooves somewhat resembling bolt threads. A slot in the rear of the pocket receives a bolt to secure the segment tightly in place. Threaded holes in the bottom of the pocket receive bolts through the cutter segment for a back up securing means. The cutter segment has a rolling cone cutter or series of blades or picks for cutting earth formations on the head end and a wedge shaped mounting body supporting it. The grooves are constructed such that the segments can be mounted at differing heights from the centerline of the boring head, thus determining the diameter which the boring device will cut.

Abstract: An e-mail message is analyzed to derive response information concerning a commercial transaction. Based on the derived information, commercial transaction data are automatically generated in a format that is usable to automatically complete the commercial transaction.

Abstract: A mobile communication device (102) capable of performing non-standard communication modes, such as dispatch calling uses a subscriber identity module (SIM) (104). In order to allow the use of the non-standard, or extended features, the SIM has information for allowing use of the extended features stored therein (112). In order to determine if the SIM in the mobile communication device allows extended feature, the SIM must be checked upon initialization (202) of the mobile communication device. The mobile communication device has, stored in a non-volatile memory, a directory name or address of a feature directory in the SIM (111), and a copy of a feature signature file (111). The mobile communication device first checks to see if the directory is present (206) having the name stored in the mobile communication device, or at the address provided in the mobile communication device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of determining the point at which a tubular is stuck within another tubular or a wellbore by applying a tensile or torsional force to the stuck tubular and measuring the response of various locations within the tubular. In addition, the apparatus may be combined with a cutting tool to separate the free portion of the tubular from the stuck portion.

Abstract: A surgical instrument has a motor which rotates a tubular shaft about an axis. The shaft drives an implement and has an aperture which contains a ball. When the implement is installed, the ball extends through the aperture to engage the implement and lock it in. The tool has an actuation sleeve which is axially movable between locked and released positions for engaging and disengaging the ball to the implement. The actuation sleeve has an axial slot and a safety sleeve located radially outward from the actuation sleeve. The safety sleeve has a pin which extends radially inward and a cylinder extending radially outward. The cylinder contains a ball which is biased inward. The outer surface of the tool has a pair of detents for receiving the ball. The safety sleeve has locked and unlocked positions. In the unlocked position, the pin is aligned with the slot and the ball engages the first detent to permit the actuation sleeve to move between the locked and released positions.

Abstract: A modular, polymorphic network interconnecting a plurality of electronically reconfigurable devices via a modular, polymorphic interconnect, to permit a fixed, physical configuration of operating hardware devices to take on a plurality of logically addressable configurations. The modular, polymorphic interconnect further permits allocation and deallocation of selected electronically reconfigurable devices for a particular logically addressable configuration. The modular, polymorphic interconnect additionally permits the logical topology of selected electronically reconfigurable devices to be configured as at least one mixed-radix, N-dimensional network. The logical topology of mixed-radix, N-dimensional networks can be dynamically changed under control for a new configuration of logical addresses for selected electronically reconfigurable devices.

Abstract: A reconfigurable, associative network apparatus and method. During a configuration phase of the associative network apparatus, active signals corresponding to wanted input patterns are configured as an associative network and distinguished from signals corresponding to unwanted input patterns; wanted input patterns can be further associated with output patterns corresponding to wanted responses. During an operational phase of a previously configured associative network, input patterns are formed from signals produced by one or a plurality of activated inputs. Selected input patterns are then filtered from a set of possible input patterns, and output patterns are obtained in response to a particular set of connections between input and output signals.

Abstract: A method for converting methane to methanol is provided comprising subjecting the methane to visible light in the presence of a catalyst and an electron transfer agent. Another embodiment of the invention provides for a method for reacting methane and water to produce methanol and hydrogen comprising preparing a fluid containing methane, an electron transfer agent and a photolysis catalyst, and subjecting said fluid to visible light for an effective period of time.

Abstract: Genetic regulatory elements which effect anoxic induction of a DNA molecule in mammalian cells exposed to anoxia are identified. The genetic regulatory elements, designated mammalian anoxia-responsive elements, when operably linked to a DNA molecule and basal promoter regulate the transcription of the DNA molecule in response to anoxia. The invention relates to recombinant vectors useful for introduction into mammalian cells, and the selective expression in mammalian cells exposed to anoxic conditions. Also provided are methods of using such vectors.

Abstract: A modular, polymorphic network interconnecting a plurality of electronically reconfigurable devices via a modular, polymorphic interconnect, to permit a fixed, physical configuration of operating hardware devices to take on a plurality of logically addressable configurations. The modular, polymorphic interconnect further permits allocation and deallocation of selected electronically reconfigurable devices for a particular logically addressable configuration. The modular, polymorphic interconnect additionally permits the logical topology of selected electronically reconfigurable devices to be configured as at least one mixed-radix, N-dimensional network. The logical topology of mixed-radix, N-dimensional networks can be dynamically changed under control for a new configuration of logical addresses for selected electronically reconfigurable devices.

Abstract: An orienting device for a perforator or the like to permit directing the tool at a selected angle relative to a ferrous element such as an adjacent casing string, and further an orienting device which is resistant to signal reversal resulting from ferrous non-uniformities in the region of the wellbore, the orienting device comprising an electromagnetic field source producing an alternating electromagnetic field and a receiver array longitudinally spaced from the electromagnetic field source, the disposition of the receiver array being such that the voltages induced therein vary differentially with the angle presented by the proximate ferrous elements by reason of the distortion of the otherwise axially symmetrical field. Electronic circuitry is provided to convert the differential voltages to a signal which is received at the surface and caused to register the orientation angle. A motor section is provided to rotate the device.

Abstract: A surgical resection tool of the type having a rotary motor, a dissecting tool and a bearing tube is provided with dual quick releases for quickly releasing and latching dissecting tools and bearing tubes to expedite tooling changes during surgical procedures. The surgical resection tool preferably has a canted centerline in which the centerline for the rotary motor is canted with respect to the centerline for the dissecting tool and the bearing tube to provide an ergonomic shape for holding the resection tool. In a preferred embodiment, the two quick releases are provided by collet type latches having latching balls and slidable sleeves. The slidable sleeves are coupled together for selectively moving to a latching position where latching balls are pressed into grooves formed into dissecting tools and bearing tubes to latch a dissecting tool and a bearing tube into the resection tool.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the free point tool and a sensor for assembly for use in the free point tool. The sensor assembly comprises a first housing having an axis in a transmitter coil mounted thereon as well as at least one receiver coil. The axis of each coil is substantially parallel to the axis of the first housing. The second housing is movably attached to the first housing such that it can move along the axis of the first housing and also rotate about the axis of the first housing. The second housing carries the sensor plate which is located operatively adjacent to the receiving coils. Movement of the plate relative to the receiving coils changes the output of the receiving coils.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved roller cone core bit comprising a plurality of cone cutters facing inboard and a single cone cutter facing outboard. The single outboard facing cone cutter provides additional cutting elements for cutting a core. The single outboard facing cone cutter also creates an unbalanced loading condition on the core bit causing the bit to drill smoother than conventional reversed cone core bits.

Abstract: Object spaces which mechanize higher order relationships between attributes which describe a particular problem domain. An abstract object description defined by a set of attributes and their corresponding values is transformed into a mixed-resolution, N-dimensional object space. The mixed-resolution, N-dimensional object space represents a mechanized, logically encoded expression of attribute relationships that can be visualized. The method and apparatus interleave the frame to generate an object descriptor and generate from the frame and the object descriptor, encoded names of spatial locations for each of the N dimensions of the mixed-resolution, N-dimensional, object space, conforming to a primary form of a reflected binary code. A virtual image of the N-dimensional, object space is generated from the dimensional-spatial locations and resolution-spatial locations, and attribute values corresponding to a region of the virtual image may be selected for display.