Abstract: A process for providing one or more protected copper elements on a surface of a workpiece is set forth. In accordance with the process, a barrier layer is applied to the workpiece. If the barrier layer is not suitable as a seed layer for subsequent electroplating processes, a separate seed layer is applied over the surface of the barrier layer. One or more copper elements are then electroplated on selected portions of the seed layer or, if suitable, the barrier layer. If used, the seed layer is then substantially removed. At least a portion of a surface of the barrier layer is rendered unplatable while leaving the copper elements suitable for electroplating. A protective layer is then electroplated onto surfaces of the one or more copper elements.

Abstract: A system and method for collecting ticket data from mass transportation vehicles in which conductors on each vehicle collect tickets, scan in the ticket information into readers, and the readers on each vehicle transmit the ticket information back to a central computer. In some embodiments the central computer can also transmit data, such as expected passenger lists, to the readers.

Abstract: A computer implemented system and method of allocating costs of wireless telephone usage. Billing and usage information is received from at least one wireless telephone service provider related to calls made and received by a plurality of wireless telephone service users. Each call is automatically categorized as a business call or a personal call based on at least one of a phone book, time of day, day, and preset flag associated with a given telephone number. A categorization policy may also be applied in the event call categorization cannot be completed. The categorized calls can be reviewed via a graphical user interface and modification of a categorization can be effected. A final categorization of the calls is ultimately approved, which then allows charges to be appropriately allocated to users, and/or to/from a pool of available wireless time.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of preparing an aqueous dispersion of poly(perfluorovinyl ether)homopolymers. The present invention further relates to a method of making an aqueous fluoropolymer dispersion comprising bicomponent particles of poly(perfluorovinyl ether)homopolymers and a second fluoropolymer. The dispersions of the present invention may be used for rendering fibrous substrates oil repellent, water repellent and/or stain repellent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of preparing an aqueous dispersion of poly(perfluorovinyl ether) homopolymers. The present invention further relates to a method of making an aqueous fluoropolymer dispersion comprising bicomponent particles of poly(perfluorovinyl ether) homopolymers and a second fluoropolymer. The dispersions of the present invention may be used for rendering fibrous substrates oil repellent, water repellent and/or stain repellent without altering the looks and feel of the substrate.

Abstract: An aqueous composition includes silica particles with a particle size distribution and particle structure that improve water retention and exchange characteristics of the aqueous composition. The aqueous silica composition includes silica network particles and water. The silica network particles comprise main particles and bridging particles that form chains between adjacent main particles. The main particles have a particle size greater than the particle size of the bridging particles. Because of the silica network particles, the aqueous composition is capable of wetting a hydrophobic substrate more than pure liquid water. The silica network particles are generated in water by a method in which an aqueous sodium silicate solution is subjected to vigorous agitation in air, followed by periods of circulation through magnetic fields of alternating direction and further periodic agitation exposed to the air. An aqueous composition of the silica network particles can be beneficially used as a hydrating agent.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for forming a microelectromechanical (MEM) structure on a substrate having from 5 to 6 or more layers of deposited and patterned polysilicon. The process is based on determining a radius of curvature of the substrate which is bowed due to accumulated stress in the layers of polysilicon and a sacrificial material used to buildup the MEM structure, and then providing one or more stress-compensation layers on a backside of the substrate to flatten the substrate and allow further processing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bone fracture fixation system, such as for reducing and compressing fractures in the proximal femur. The fixation system includes a plurality of elongated bodies with a helical cancellous bone anchor on a distal end of each of the bodies. An axially moveable plate with a plurality of openings is carried by the proximal end of the elongated bodies. The elongated bodies are rotated into position across the fracture or separation between adjacent bones and into the adjacent bone or bone fragment, and the plate is distally advanced to apply secondary compression and lock the device into place. The device may also be used for soft tissue attachments.

Abstract: Reservation and allocation of additional space on a hard disk drive for use by an end user is disclosed. A user-accessible area of a hard disk drive is enlarged by determining if a boot engineering extension record is present. If the boot engineering extension record is present, the amount of free media space in the host protected area of the hard disk drive is determined. If media space is available, the unused portion of the host protected area is converted to be user-accessible.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fixation device for spinal fixation. The fixation device includes an elongated body comprising a bone anchor at a distal end. An axially moveable proximal anchor is carried by the proximal end of the fixation device. In one embodiment, the device is inserted through a first vertebra and the bone anchor is rotated into positioned within a second vertebra. The proximal anchor is distally advanced with respect to the bone anchor to provide compression across the first and second vertebra. In other embodiments, the device is used to secure stabilization devices across two or more vertebra.

Abstract: A vending machine incorporates a product support and dispensing system including an oscillator and an adjustable bail cap. The oscillator is pivotally mounted at a lower portion of one of a plurality of stack areas provided within the vending machine. The oscillator includes a product retention zone having first and second staging regions, each of which has upper and lower holding elements for retaining a product containers in pre-vend positions. The adjustable bail cap is detachably secured to the oscillator and includes an arcuate intermediate portion adapted to selectively support the product containers. The adjustable bail cap can be selectively repositioned to allow the product support and delivery system to accommodate a wide range of container sizes.

Abstract: A system for determining movement of an item bearing an RFID label. The system includes an RFID reader for receiving RFID label identification information from an RFID label associated with the item, and a computer for determining a location of the RFID label and the item by determining location information for the RFID reader, for determining a preferred location for the RFID label and the item, and for comparing the determined location with the preferred location to determine that the RFID label and the item have been moved.

Abstract: A hinged front gate assembly includes a plurality of wire retaining elements pivotally secured across a vending machine through a plurality of hinge units for movement between a product retention position and a product loading position through a swing radius defined by the hinge units. When the front gate is shifted to the product retention position, the retaining elements can impinge upon and shift product containers into proper alignment. The front gate assembly can be automatically shifted through closure of a main door, with the door either directly engaging cammed hinges of the front gate assembly or indirectly through a gate pusher attached to the door.

Abstract: A fluorochemical composition for rendering a fibrous substrate oil and/or water repellent which comprises a solution or dispersion of a fluoropolymer having a partially or fully fluorinated backbone and comprising one or more repeating units corresponding to the general formula: wherein Rf represents a perfluorinated organic group having a chain length of at least 2 atoms and having at least one carbon atom and optional auxiliary components.

Abstract: Fluorochemical composition for rendering fibrous substrates oil repellent, water repellent, and/or stain or soil repellent.

Abstract: A fluorochemical composition for rendering a fibrous substrate oil and/or water repellent without substantially adversely affecting the look and/or feel of the fibrous substrate, comprising a fluorinated polyether compound and an extender. The fluorinated polyether compound comprises one or more perfluorinated polyether groups and the extender comprises a non-fluorinated organic compound comprising one or more blocked isocyanate groups and/or a carbodiimide compound.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for accessing at least one emulated readable storage in a processor-based system. The system comprises a memory for storing instruction sequences by which the processor-based system is processed. The memory has at least one readable emulated storage location. A processor is coupled to the memory, and the stored instruction sequences cause the processor to (a) detect an access to at least one readable storage element; (b) transfer the access to the at least one readable storage element to an access to at least one readable emulated storage location; and (c) process an instruction sequence corresponding to the access to the at least one readable storage element.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically drilling and backreaming a horizontal borehole underground. The system includes a horizontal drilling machine and a machine control system for operating the drilling machine. The machine control system has sensors and control circuits for monitoring and automatically controlling the functions of the drilling machine. The machine control system manages the power consumption of the drilling machine, the fluid dispensed during drilling and backreaming, the lengthening and shortening of the drill string, the tracking and recording of progress along a selected bore path, and the guiding of the downhole tool along the selected bore path. In a drilling operation the method involves identifying a selected bore path and automatically guiding the downhole tool along the selected bore path. In a backreaming operation the method involves connecting a backreamer and a utility line to the drill string and automatically pulling the utility line back through the borehole.

Abstract: Methods for processing basic input output system (BIOS) modules of a computer to initialize the computer. The computer includes a system memory, a central processing unit (CPU), a computer bus, a critical nonvolatile storage device, and a secondary nonvolatile storage device. Selected BIOS modules required for operation of the computer are transferred from the critical nonvolatile storage device, and optionally a protected area of the secondary nonvolatile storage device, to system memory and executed to initialize the computer. Minimal BIOS initialization code is stored in a first portion of the critical nonvolatile storage device which is operative to initialize the CPU and the system memory. Additional BIOS modules are stored in the critical nonvolatile storage device or the protected area of the secondary nonvolatile storage device. A dispatch manager is stored in a second portion of the critical nonvolatile storage device.

Abstract: Computer systems, software and methods that permit reservation and allocation of additional space on a hard disk drive for use by an end user after a computer system is in the hands of the end user. The hard disk drive is configured (such as by using the PARTIES specification) to have a boot engineering extension record (BEER) including a BEER pointer that points to a SETMAX marker that defines a host protected area and indicates an end of a user-accessible area of the hard disk drive. The user-accessible area of the hard disk drive is enlarged by determining if the boot engineering extension record is present on the hard disk drive. If the boot engineering extension record is present, the amount of free media space available on the hard disk drive is determined.