Abstract: A storage media comprises: a substrate comprising a plastic resin portion, wherein to plastic resin portion comprises poly(arylene ether) and a styrene material selected from the group consisting of polystyrene, styrenic copolymer(s), and reaction products and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing styrene material(s), and a data layer on the substrate. The data layer can be at least partly read from, written to, or a combination thereof by an energy field. Additionally, when the energy field contacts the storage media, the energy field is incident upon the data layer before it could be incident upon the substrate.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program for interactive communication among a plurality of users. The invention, called Holocene Conversation Mode (“HCM”), takes advantage of the observation that human beings have developed or utilize a number of real-world characteristics to participate in, perceive, control, and glean subtleties from conversations. These characteristics include proximity and orientation of a listener to other speakers, memory ageing, emphasis by a speaker, relative importance of a speaker to a listener, reputation of a speaker, and the unique human ability to “filter” words of special interest to a listener from overheard conversations. HCM includes a suite of techniques, including spatial and content compression as a function of some of such characteristics, that can be implemented in various combinations in computer software.

Abstract: A computer based lottery which allows entries to be sold over the telephone, by ATM or POS machines, by email, or via kiosks, in which participants are invited to choose at least one unique number from a defined range of numbers, e.g. between one and one million which hopefully no-one else has or will select before the end of the competition. The participant can register their selection with an entry-logging engine (which can be an automated call answering system allowing the user to key in the number chosen by using the telephone keypad). This records the identity or contact details of the participant (for example telephone number or email address), the number selected by the participant, and the date and time of the entry, the entry-logging engine giving the participant an optional receipt number.

Abstract: A curable composition includes a functionalized poly(arylene ether), an olefinically unsaturated monomer, about 0.2 to about 5 parts by weight of a curing initiator per 100 parts by weight total of the functionalized poly(arylene ether) and the olefinically unsaturated monomer, and about 0.005 to about 1 part by weight of a curing inhibitor per 100 parts by weight total of the functionalized poly(arylene ether) and the olefinically unsaturated monomer. The weight ratio of the curing initiator to the curing inhibitor is about 1.2:1 to about 50:1. The composition provides improved and reproducible flow during the early stages of molding without compromising curing time. The composition is useful for preparing plastic-packaged electronic devices.

Abstract: A conductive thermosetting composition comprises a functionalized poly(arylene ether), and alkenyl aromatic monomer, an acryloyl monomer, and a conductive agent. After curing, the composition exhibits good stiffness, toughness, heat resistance, and conductivity, and it is useful in the fabrication of a variety of conductive components, including the bipolar plates of fuel cells.

Abstract: When a user's request is entered it is then transmitted to a network interface unit which digitizes and stores the request. The digitized request and information about the user's network of devices is then transmitted from the network interface unit to a natural language server, preferably over the internet. The natural language server then processes the request and generates commands necessary to complete the request within the user's network of devices. These commands are then transmitted from the natural language server to the network interface unit. The network interface unit then transmits the commands to the appropriate devices within the network of devices. The devices within the network of devices then execute the received commands to complete the user's request.

Abstract: A syndiotactic polystyrene blend comprises syndiotactic polystyrene and poly(arylene ether) wherein the poly(arylene ether) has an intrinsic viscosity less than about 0.25 deciliters per gram (dl/g) when measured in chloroform at 25° C.

Abstract: A curable composition includes a functionalized poly(arylene ether); an alkenyl aromatic monomer; an acryloyl monomer; and a polymeric additive having a glass transition temperature less than or equal to 100° C. and a Young's modulus less than or equal to 1000 megapascals at 25° C. The polymeric additive is soluble in the combined functionalized poly(arylene ether), alkenyl aromatic monomer, and acryloyl monomer at a temperature less than or equal to 50° C. The composition exhibits low shrinkage on curing and improved surface smoothness. It is useful, for example, in the manufacture of automotive body panels.

Abstract: An automatically configuring storage array includes a plurality of media storage devices coupled together within a network of devices. Preferably, the network of devices is an IEEE 1394-2000 serial bus network of devices. The media storage devices are utilized to record and retrieve streams of data transmitted within the network of devices. The media storage devices communicate with each other in order to store and retrieve streams of data over multiple media storage devices, if necessary. When a record or playback command is received by any one of the media storage devices, the media storage devices send control communications between themselves to ensure that the stream of data is recorded or transmitted, as appropriate. Control of the record or transmit operation is also transferred between the media storage devices in order to utilize the full capacity of the available media storage devices. Preferably, streams of data are recorded utilizing redundancy techniques.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device comprising a III-V semiconductor substrate, and an insulating layer deposited on the substrate by Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD). The use of ALD to deposit the insulating layer was found to facilitate the creation of active devices that avoid Fermi layer pinning. In addition, such insulating layer may be advantageously used as a passivation layer in III-V substrate based active devices and transistors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device comprising an insulating layer that includes a seed layer formed on a substrate. The seed layer is formed by removing hydrogen forming the substrate, depositing a seed layer precursor and exposing the precursor to excited atoms to form a seed layer on the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device comprising an insulating layer that includes a seed layer formed on a silicon substrate. The seed layer is formed by exposing a hydrogen-terminated surface of the silicon substrate in a substantially oxygen-free environment to a seed layer precursor comprising a methylated metal. Forming the insulating layer further includes depositing a dielectric material on the seed layer.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provide monitoring information for a document-production process. A query requesting status information for production of an identified document is received with a production-monitoring computer. A queriable data store includes status data received periodically for multiple documents that includes the identified document from distinct sources. Each of the distinct sources is configured to provide information related to a subprocess of the document-production process. Status data are retrieved from the queriable data store in accordance with the query with the production-monitoring computer. The retrieved status data are transmitted from the production-monitoring computer as a response to the query.

Abstract: A method and system for allowing a network of devices (nodes) which conform to standards with different physical interfaces and communication protocols to share a communication link. In one embodiment of the present invention, a 1394a compliant node is connected to a partially compliant bi-lingual 1394b node. The partially compliant bi-lingual 1394b node is connected to a fully compliant 1394b node. Thus, the partially compliant bi-lingual 1394b node provides a bridge between the 1394a node and the fully compliant 1394b node. The fully compliant 1394b node has a physical interface in compliance with the 1394b standard and arbitrates according to either the 1394b standard or the 1394a standard. The partially compliant 1394b node has a physical interface in compliance with the 1394b standard but arbitrates according to the 1394a standard. The 1394a node has a physical interface in compliance with the 1394a standard and arbitrates according to the 1394a standard.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device comprising a III-V semiconductor substrate, and an insulating layer deposited on the substrate by Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD). The use of ALD to deposit the insulating layer was found to facilitate the creation of active devices that avoid Fermi layer pinning. In addition, such insulating layer may be advantageously used as a passivation layer in III-V substrate based active devices and transistors.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for providing financial reporting information to a customer. Financial reporting information for a multiple distinct financial accounts is received at a host. The received financial reporting information is mapped onto a set of distinct financial account types. A consolidation of the mapped financial reporting information is determined according to a set of consolidation rules. The consolidated financial reporting information is then formatted according to a set of fulfillment rules for distribution to the customer.

Abstract: An adapter (e.g., connector, dongle) is used to connect a component video television, such as an SDTV or HDTV, to a video providing unit, such as a computer or any other suitable video providing unit, that includes a plurality of video input pins, a plurality of video output pins, a plurality of control pins and a circuit. The circuit is operative to identify to a video providing unit through the control pins, that the component video input television is not of a display type that the video providing unit expects.

Abstract: A method and system for a multi-phase net refresh on a bus bridge interconnect, the interconnect comprising a number of nodes, a bus bridge, and a number of buses, are described. In one embodiment, a primary bus is acquired by communicating with other bus bridges on the buses. A secondary bus is breached to acquire the secondary bus. In addition, the primary bus and the secondary bus are committed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device comprising an insulating layer that includes a seed layer formed on a silicon substrate. The seed layer is formed by exposing a hydrogen-terminated surface of the silicon substrate in a substantially oxygen-free environment to a seed layer precursor comprising a methylated metal. Forming the insulating layer further includes depositing a dielectric material on the seed layer.

Abstract: A computer based lottery which allows entries to be sold over the telephone, by ATM or POS machines, by email, or via kiosks, in which participants are invited to choose at least one unique number from a defined range of numbers, e.g. between one and one million which hopefully no-one else has or will select before the end of the competition. The participant can register their selection with an entry-logging engine (which can be an automated call answering system allowing the user to key in the number chosen by using the telephone keypad). This records the identity or contact details of the participant (for example telephone number or email address), the number selected by the participant, and the date and time of the entry, the entry-logging engine giving the participant an optional receipt number.