Abstract: A trip unit for a circuit breaker for an electrical circuit includes a current transformer adapted to sense a current flowing in the electrical circuit and to provide a signal representative of the current. A microprocessor includes a memory, a rotary selector switch, and a routine evaluating the sensed current with respect to a plurality of predetermined current/time conditions, such as long delay protection, override protection, short delay protection and/or ground fault protection, and responsively generating a trip signal. The rotary selector switch has a plurality of positions. Each of the positions selects a first time value, such as a short delay time for a first one of the predetermined current/time conditions, and selects a second time value, such as a ground fault time, for a different second one of the predetermined current/time conditions.

Abstract: A Fibre Channel switch is presented that tracks the congestion status of destination ports in an XOFF mask at each input. A mapping is maintained between virtual channels on an ISL and the destination ports to allow changes in the XOFF mask to trigger a primitive to an upstream port that provides virtual channel flow control. The XOFF mask is also used to avoid sending frames to a congested port. Instead, these frames are stored on a single deferred queue and later processed in a manner designed to maintain frame ordering. A routing system is provided that applies multiple routing rules in parallel to perform line speed routing. The preferred switch fabric is cell based, with techniques used to manage path maintenance for variable length frames and to adapt to varying transmission rates in the system. Finally, the switch allows data and microprocessor communication to share the same crossbar network.

Abstract: A system and method for integrating voice and data operations into a single mobile device capable of simultaneously performing data and voice actions. The mobile device working in a network capable of exchanging both cell phone calls and data items to the mobile device. By wearing an earphone or an ear-bud device the user is capable of dealing with voice conversations while working with data centric information related to the current caller. By providing a data-centric device with voice capabilities there is a new range of features that allow incoming data events to trigger outgoing voice events.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, apparatus, and computer instructions for organizing threads in an instant messaging session. Instant messages are received from a list of contacts. Each of these messages are stored in a set of folders, wherein each folders in the set of folders stores messages for a contact in the number of contacts. Each file is linked for access though a graphical user interface. Message threads are handled by displaying a primary dialog window, wherein the primary dialog window includes an ongoing conversation pane and an outgoing message pane. Responsive to a user input identifying a new thread, a secondary dialog window is displayed, wherein the secondary dialog window includes an ongoing conversation pane and an outgoing message pane. Responses to outgoing messages sent from the outgoing message pane are displayed in the primary dialog window in the ongoing conversation pane in the primary dialog window.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods for enhancing the wear-resistance of polymers, the resulting polymers, and in vivo implants made from such polymers. One aspect of this invention presents a method whereby a polymer is irradiated, preferably with gamma radiation, then thermally treated, such as by remelting of annealing. The resulting polymeric composition preferably has its most oxidized surface layer removed. Another aspect of the invention presents a general method for optimizing the wear resistance and desirable physical and/or chemical properties of a polymer by crosslinking and thermally treating it. The resulting polymeric compositions is wear-resistant and may be fabricated into an in vivo implant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to multi-well platforms, lids, caddies and any combination thereof. The multi-well platforms comprise a plurality of wells that can be of any shape and can be arranged in any ornamental pattern. The lid comprises an area corresponding to the well field. The caddy has a footprint approximately that of a standard 96-well microtiter plate. When the multi-well platform is engaged with the caddy, the wells of the well-field of the multi-well platform are preferably not obscured by the caddy when viewed from the bottom of the combination.

Abstract: A token-based receiver diversity processing is described. In one embodiment, a receiver diversity comprises repeaters receiving wirelessly transmitted packets from a mobile station, and one of the repeaters forwarding packets of the wirelessly transmitted packets to a switch if the one repeater is currently assigned to forward packets from the mobile station based on an indicator assigned prior to the wirelessly transmitted packets being sent.

Abstract: Provided are a variety of variable-buoyancy structures, such anchors, together with methods and apparatuses for fabricating the same in the water. Generally speaking, such methods and apparatuses use a variable-buoyancy platform-based mold, initially floating, that includes multiple forming cells for fabricating the resulting variable-buoyancy structure. As a result, the variable-buoyancy structure produced has multiple corresponding structural cells having open bottoms. However, the structure may be fabricated so as to include a flexible or rigid container within some or all of such open-bottom cells.

Abstract: A contact connection between a semiconductor chip and a substrate has a conductive adhesive extending between each contact of the chip and the substrate. The conductive adhesive includes a matrix component, a filler component, a hardener component and at least one decomposable component so that after curing at a curing temperature T1, the adhesive can be decomposed either by applying thermal energy at a temperature T2>T1 or by radiation so that the two contact surfaces can be separated smoothly. After separation the purposes of replacing a defective semiconductor chip, a second chip can be mechanically connected by applying the adhesive and curing it.

Abstract: The present invention relates to stable thixotropic polysuccinimide (PSI) dispersions, known as slurries, and to their use as additives for improving the flow properties of concrete, in oil wells, in acidic gel cleaners, and in drainage systems of tunnel constructions.

Abstract: A hand-held imager which is capable of reading both linear and two dimensional symbologies, which can perform focusing and illuminating steps quickly and accurately so as to eliminate variation in the position of the imager relative to the code becoming a negative factor, in which can operate in environment where the imager is anywhere from 1.5 inches to 16 inches from the code. The imager includes an imaging system having a focusing system, an illumination system, and a two-dimensional photodetector which forms an image of the coded symbology. After achieving targeting of the coded symbology, the scanning system adjusts the focus between multiple different focuses, and utilizes a portion of the two-dimensional photodetector to determine the optimum focus. Upon the determination of optimum focus, the focusing system is returned to the focusing configuration established in the initial focusing step, and an image is created using the entire two-dimensional photodetector.

Abstract: A clamping device allows welding, or other application of three-axis workpieces by providing X, Y, and Z clamping surfaces. The device is equipped with three mutually perpendicular base plates and on one of which a floating right-angle head is mounted through a threaded shaft with quick acting button for rapid advance and return. Inserts like leveling pads can be inserted to the tooling holes in the floating right-angle head to increase working access, especially at the joint area where the X and Y axes meet. A Z-axis attachment including base plate extension with clamping arm and a threaded shaft is mounted by screws to two of the base plates. The clamping arm of the Z-axis can be swung away for easy removal of the workpiece after work. The outside walls of the base plates are machined flat and square so that the angle clamp can be laid sideway to hold a workpiece vertically in place.

Abstract: A switch segments variable length frames into cells for transmission over a cell-based switch fabric and handles rate differences between the input data rate and the switch fabric data rate. The fabric handles multiple cell packets by maintaining a switch path until a certain number of cells are transmitted as indicated in a length field in the first data cell. The first cell contains a full data payload, and a length field value sufficient to handle a maximum length frame. Subsequent cells can contain less than a full data payload, with the number of valid bytes in the cell being indicated in the length field. The last cell used to segment the frame contains an end of frame indicator. The indicator signals the destination port side of the switch to terminate the packet path in the switch fabric prematurely—before the number of cells indicated in the first data cell.

Abstract: A computer system and program product for managing support of an application. First program instructions receive a request to view contact information for support people for the application, and in response, determine whether the request occurs during On Shift support hours or Off Shift support hours of the application and determine the support people who are On Shift and the support people who are Off Shift for the application. There is a preferred e-mail address for On Shift contact and a preferred e-mail address for Off Shift contact for each of the support people. The preferred e-mail address for On Shift contact is different than the preferred e-mail address for Off Shift contact for at least one of the support people. Second program instructions receive a request to send an e-mail to one or more of the On Shift and Off Shift support people.

Abstract: A device for signal transmission between units that are movable along given tracks comprises at least one transmitter for generating electrical signals, at least one conductor arrangement for conducting the electrical signals along a track of movement, and at least one receiver for coupling out electrical signals from a conductor arrangement. At least one conductor arrangement comprises at least one conductor structure for conducting electrical signals, an electric reference surface assigned thereto, and at least one dielectric between the conductor structure and the reference surface. A dielectric of the kind used has a high homogeneity, or a high symmetry with respect to the electrical center of the longitudinal axis of the conductor structure, or both.

Abstract: In accordance with the objectives of the invention a new method is provided for the creation of interconnect metal. Current industry practice is to uniformly add slots to wide and long copper interconnect lines, this to achieve improved CMP results. These slots, typically having a width in excess of 3 ?m and having a length in excess of 3 ?m, are added to interconnect lines having a width that is equal to or in excess of 12 ?m. This approach however does not, due to its lack of selectivity of location of the slots, solve problems of localized stress that are associated with isolated single vias in the metal lines. For this reason, the invention provides for the addition of one or more localized slots adjacent to isolated vias in bottom or top metal lines that are no wider than about 2 microns.

Abstract: A method of significantly improving the quality of solutions to a system of linear equations. The solution to a system of linear equations is enhanced by: (1) modeling a target medium into a plurality of elements and imposing at least one localized fluctuation into the target medium; (2) measuring an output resulting from at least one localized fluctuation; and (3) processing the measured output to reconstruct a result, determining a correction filter, and applying the correction filter to the result.

Abstract: A movable joint has a first portion and a second portion and at least a deposition of chromium material forming an interface between the first and second portions. The first portion has an outer surface. The second portion also has an outer surface. The deposition of chromium material forms an interface between the outer surface of the first portion and the outer surface of the second portion.

Abstract: A pneumatic fastening tool includes a piston reciprocally disposed in a cylinder, a hammer mounted on the piston for driving engagement with a fastener, and an improved poppet valve disposed at one end of the cylinder and operable to direct high pressure air to cause selected movement of the piston in the cylinder. The poppet valve includes a poppet valve casing having an inner surface, and a reciprocally movable poppet valve member having an end surface that confronts and repetitively engages the inner surface of the poppet valve casing. The poppet valve member end surface includes a portion thereof which is of a material more resilient than the inner surface of the poppet valve casing which it engages.

Abstract: The present invention provides recombinant promoters that drive tissue-specific expression, and transgenes comprising such recombinant promoters. Specifically, the invention provides transgenes comprising a recombinant promoter that drives tissue-specific expression of a heterologous nucleic acid molecule in a floral organ. The invention also provides methods for using such transgenes to produce a protein in a host cell or transgenic plant. The invention further provides methods for producing a transgenic plant that produces, for example, longer-lasting flowers, better fragrance, or better or longer-lasting color as compared to a wild type plant.