Abstract: A method and system for scheduling a meeting between a schedule entity and a plurality of booking entities over a communications network. The method comprises presenting a meeting schedule of the schedule entity for access by the plurality of booking entities, such that the meeting schedule defines a meeting period including a start time and an end time and the meeting period is divided into a first meeting interval and a second meeting interval such that the intervals are located in the meeting period between the start and end times. The method also confirms booking of a first meeting for a first booking entity of the plurality of booking entities in the first meeting interval and maintains the availability of the first meeting interval to accept another meeting booking by another booking entity of the plurality of booking entities based on a booking number threshold defining the maximum number of allowed meeting bookings for the first meeting interval.

Abstract: A process of pairing a wireless PAN (personal area network) device with a system can be facilitated first by assuming default PIN codes that are traditionally used with wireless PAN devices and then by attempting such presumed default codes before querying the user for input. Accordingly, a cumbersome task conventionally required of the user is most often removed. Also, the devices that are paired and connected are preferably graphically conveyed on a display or graphical user interface (GUI) in a manner that solidly implies that each PAN device is connected only to its system, and not (directly) to other PAN devices.

Abstract: A method for making a free-standing, single crystal, aluminum gallium nitride (AlGaN) wafer includes forming a single crystal AlGaN layer directly on a single crystal LiAlO2 substrate using an aluminum halide reactant gas, a gallium halide reactant gas, and removing the single crystal LiAlO2 substrate from the single crystal AlGaN layer to make the free-standing, single crystal AlGaN wafer. Forming the single crystal AlGaN layer may comprise depositing AlGaN by vapor phase epitaxy (VPE) using aluminum and gallium halide reactant gases and a nitrogen-containing reactant gas. The growth of the AlGaN layer using VPE provides commercially acceptable rapid growth rates. In addition, the AlGaN layer can be devoid of carbon throughout. Because the AlGaN layer produced is high quality single crystal, it may have a defect density of less than about 107cm?2.

Abstract: A system and process for de-halogenating ballast water before releasing the ballast water from the vessel. In one embodiment, the system comprises a means for measuring the halogen content of the ballast water, a reducing agent source in fluid communication with the ballast water, and a means for controlling the amount of reducing agent supplied to the ballast water. In one aspect, the means for measuring the halogen content comprises one or more oxidation/reduction potential analyzers. In another embodiment, the system comprises one or more hypochlorite electrolytic cells for generating hypochlorite to treat the ballast water. One embodiment of the process for de-halogenating ballast water comprises measuring the oxidation/reduction potential of the ballast water and adding one or more reducing agents to the ballast water to de-halogenate the ballast water in response to the measured oxidation/reduction potential.

Abstract: A system and method for treating ballast water within an ocean going vessel by generating hypochlorite for treating the ballast water. The system comprises one or more hypochlorite electrolytic cells in fluid communication with a stream of ballast water. A chlorine analyzer is positioned downstream from the electrolytic cells to determine the chlorine concentration of the treated ballast water. A hydrogen separator is connected to the hypochlorite electrolytic cells for venting hydrogen. In the method of this invention, water is taken aboard the ship for ballast in one port. A treatment stream is separated from the ballast water stream and piped to hypochlorite electrolytic cells. Hypochlorite is generated into the treatment stream and the hydrogen byproduct is separated by the hydrogen separators. The treatment stream is then reintroduced to the ballast water to eliminate marine species and pathogenic bacteria from ballast water.

Abstract: A system for organizing one or more accessory devices for a personal computer includes a first body structure that houses a first accessory device and an attachment unit detachably attached to the first body structure for attaching and detaching the first body structure mechanically to an outside surface of a personal computer (PC) component. According to the present invention, the attachment unit can be removed from the first body structure and attached to a second body structure that houses a second accessory device so that the second body structure can be attached to the PC component.

Abstract: A method for making a free-standing, single crystal, aluminum gallium nitride (AlGaN) wafer includes forming a single crystal AlGaN layer directly on a single crystal LiAlO2 substrate using an aluminum halide reactant gas, a gallium halide reactant gas, and removing the single crystal LiAlO2 substrate from the single crystal AlGaN layer to make the free-standing, single crystal AlGaN wafer. Forming the single crystal AlGaN layer may comprise depositing AlGaN by vapor phase epitaxy (VPE) using aluminum and gallium halide reactant gases and a nitrogen-containing reactant gas. The growth of the AlGaN layer using VPE provides commercially acceptable rapid growth rates. In addition, the AlGaN layer can be devoid of carbon throughout. Because the AlGaN layer produced is high quality single crystal, it may have a defect density of less than about 107 cm?2.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically determining the shipping weight and cost of a plurality of photofinishing items from a service provider without physically weighing the photofinishing order. A computer system receives photofinishing orders from the customers and associates an order ID with respect to each of the photofinishing orders. The orders are filled and sent to a packing station for assembling the photofinishing order. Each order is placed in a shipping package having the order ID thereon in a machine readable format. A reading device reads order ID and obtains information for determining the associated estimated weight for each package. A printer produces a manifest to be used in shipping the plurality of photofinishing orders wherein the manifest provides the estimated weight and cost for each of the orders that is given to the shipping agent for shipment to customers.

Abstract: A system and method for verifying the validity of a customer order by a service provider. The service provider receives a photofinishing order for at least one photofinishing product. An estimated weight of the photofinishing order is determined based on the known average weight for each of the at least one photofinishing product and package that is containing the product and compared with the actual package containing the photofinishing order. The order is shipped if the difference between the actual weight and the estimated weight is within tolerance.

Abstract: A laptop computer has a base, which base has a front and rear end. A display screen is mounted on a display screen mounting mechanism for movement between a closed position and a first open position, with the display screen adjacent the rear of the base, and a second open position with the display screen spaced above and forward of the rear of the base. The display screen is pivotally movable in both open positions. A keyboard assembly is mounted on the base for movement between a retracted position and an extended position, and a keyboard mounting mechanism guides the keyboard assembly between the retracted and the extended positions, and lifts the rear of the keyboard assembly when the screen is in the second open position. The mechanisms have cooperating structures to retract the keyboard assembly from the extended position responsive to movement of the display screen mounting mechanism.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically determining the shipping weight and cost of a plurality of photofinishing items from a service provider without physically weighing the photofinishing order. A computer system receives photofinishing orders from the customers and associates an order ID with respect to each of the photofinishing orders. The orders are filled and sent to a packing station for assembling the photofinishing order. Each order is placed in a shipping package having the order ID thereon in a machine readable format. A reading device reads order ID and obtains information for determining the associated estimated weight for each package. A printer produces a manifest to be used in shipping the plurality of photofinishing orders wherein the manifest provides the estimated weight and cost for each of the orders that is given to the shipping agent for shipment to customers.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically determining the shipping weight and cost of a plurality of photofinishing items from a service provider without physically weighing the photofinishing order. A computer system receives photofinishing orders from the customers and associates an order ID with respect to each of the photofinishing orders. The orders are filled and sent to a packing station for assembling the photofinishing order. Each order is placed in a shipping package having the order ID thereon in a machine readable format. A reading device reads order ID and obtains information for determining the associated estimated weight for each package. A printer produces a manifest to be used in shipping the plurality of photofinishing orders wherein the manifest provides the estimated weight and cost for each of the orders that is given to the shipping agent for shipment to customers.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically determining the shipping weight and cost of a plurality of photofinishing items from a service provider without physically weighing the photofinishing order. A computer system receives photofinishing orders from the customers and associates an order ID with respect to each of the photofinishing orders. The orders are filled and sent to a packing station for assembling the photofinishing order. Each order is placed in a shipping package having the order ID thereon in a machine readable format. A reading device reads order ID and obtains information for determining the associated estimated weight for each package. A printer produces a manifest to be used in shipping the plurality of photofinishing orders wherein the manifest provides the estimated weight and cost for each of the orders that is given to the shipping agent for shipment to customers.

Abstract: A system and method for verifying the validity of a customer order by a service provider. The service provider receives a photofinishing order for at least one photofinishing product. An estimated weight of the photofinishing order is determined based on the known average weight for each of the at least one photofinishing product and package that is containing the product and compared with the actual package containing the photofinishing order. The order is shipped if the difference between the actual weight and the estimated weight is within tolerance.

Abstract: A laptop computer has a base, which base has a front and rear end. A display screen is mounted on a display screen mounting mechanism for movement between a closed position and a first open position, with the display screen adjacent the rear of the base, and a second open position with the display screen spaced above and forward of the rear of the base. The display screen is pivotally movable in both open positions.

Abstract: A method for making a free-standing, single crystal, aluminum gallium nitride (AlGaN) wafer includes forming a single crystal AlGaN layer directly on a single crystal LiAlO2 substrate using an aluminum halide reactant gas, a gallium halide reactant gas, and removing the single crystal LiAlO2 substrate from the single crystal AlGaN layer to make the free-standing, single crystal AlGaN wafer. Forming the single crystal AlGaN layer may comprise depositing AlGaN by vapor phase epitaxy (VPE) using aluminum and gallium halide reactant gases and a nitrogen-containing reactant gas. The growth of the AlGaN layer using VPE provides commercially acceptable rapid growth rates. In addition, the AlGaN layer can be devoid of carbon throughout. Because the AlGaN layer produced is high quality single crystal, it may have a defect density of less than about 107 cm−2.