Abstract: A method and apparatus that monitors at least one environmental characteristic associated with a location of a wireless signal receiver (102). A determination is then made as to whether the wireless signal receiver (102) is likely to receive a wirelessly transmitted signal at its location. The determination is based at least in part upon the monitored at least one environmental characteristic that is associated with the location of the wireless signal receiver (102). The performance of the wireless signal receiver (102) is then improved based upon determining if the wireless signal receiver (102) is likely to receive a wirelessly transmitted signal.

Abstract: Tags, wireless communication systems, tag communication methods, and wireless communications methods are described. In one aspect, a tag includes a plurality of antennas configured to receive a plurality of first wireless communication signals comprising data from a reader, a plurality of rectifying circuits coupled with respective individual ones of the antennas and configured to provide rectified signals corresponding to the first wireless communication signals, wherein the rectified signals are combined to produce a composite signal, an adaptive reference circuit configured to vary a reference signal responsive to the composite signal, a comparator coupled with the adaptive reference circuit and the rectifying circuits and configured to compare the composite signal with respect to the reference signal and to output the data responsive to the comparison, and processing circuitry configured to receive the data from the comparator and to process the data.

Abstract: An articulating window assembly is adapted for use with a vehicle. The assembly includes a windowpane with an inner surface and a hinge adjacent to the inner surface. The hinge includes a stationary member having a pivot element with cylindrical extensions and a central portion of larger cross-sectional area than the cylindrical extensions. The hinge further includes a mounting element extending at an angle from the pivot element. A polymeric member surrounds at least a portion of the cylindrical extensions so as to permit the hinge member to articulate about the pivot axis. Optionally, the polymeric member defines a cavity adjacent the central portion on the compression side of the stationary member to provide clearance of the polymeric member when the window is opened.

Abstract: A process comprising contacting a liquid polyester stream with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst comprising a metal supported on the surface of silicon carbide at a metal dispersion of at least 0.5% or graphite at a metal dispersion of at least 10% to produce a treated liquid polyester stream. The treated stream may be polycondensed in the presence of a polycondensation catalyst to produce a polyester polymer having an It.V. of at least 0.55 dL/g. The liquid polyester stream desirably has a composition comprising: a) terephthalic acid residues, isophthalic acid residues, and/or naphthalenedicarboxylic acid residues and b) an average degree of polymerization of 0.5 to 20 and c) an acid number ranging from 5 to 600.

Abstract: An automated system (100) and method for developing Complete Context™ Bots (30) for an organization. After extracting data from existing narrowly focused systems, mission measures and organization levels are defined for one or more organizations. The elements, factors and risks that contribute to mission measure performance by organization level and organization are systematically defined and stored in a ContextBase (60) using up to six context layers. ContextBase (60) information is extracted for specified combinations of context layers, organization levels and organizations as required to produce complete context frames that are used to support simulations of bot performance under a variety of scenarios. The program instructions that will maximize bot performance under the forecast scenarios are identified. After this programming is transferred to the Complete Context™ Bot (30), it is activated.

Abstract: A business context layer for an operating system. A market value matrix package is used to develop a business context layer for an operating system. The business context layer is propagated to all the operating systems within an enterprise or multi-enterprise organization. Internal systems, partner systems and vendor systems access the information in the layer as required to make informed decisions that benefit the entire enterprise or multi-enterprise organization.

Abstract: An automated method and system (100) for the collaborative, on-line development and delivery of customized risk transfer programs. A profile of risk, liquidity and foreign exchange is obtained from each customer via a network connection. A series of scenarios under both normal and extreme situations are then developed in order to provide a complete picture of the risks facing the customer base. Information from external sources and internals systems is then combined with the scenarios to drive simulations that identify the optimal mix of risk transfer for each customer and the required pricing for risk transfer transactions. The optimal mix is then presented to the risk exchange system operator (21) for optional editing, rejection or acceptance. After the optimal mix has been determined, asset sales and purchases are completed as required to bring the asset mix in line with the specified mix. The information regarding the proposed risk transfers is reviewed by the customer (20) and optionally accepted.

Abstract: A system (100), method and media for an entity centric computer that develops, entity knowledge before analyzing, applying, distributing, maintaining, replicating and/or synchronizing said knowledge as required and/or requested.

Abstract: An automated system (100) and method for defining and measuring elements of value and real options of a commercial enterprise on a specified valuation date. The elements are analyzed using predictive models and vector creation algorithms to determine the value drivers associated with each element. The vector creation algorithms are also used to create vectors that relate element performance to enterprise revenue, expenses and changes in capital. Predictive models are then used to determine the correlation between the value drivers and the enterprise revenue, expenses and changes in capital. The correlation percentages for each value driver are combined with the estimated life of the element and the capitalized value of future revenue, expenses and changes in capital, to calculate a value for each element.

Abstract: An automated system (100) and method for optimizing process risk and return from the perspective of the process owner. The process, process features and feature options are defined using process management system data. The expected process outputs are then mapped to matrices of value and risk for the owner. The system then identifies the mix of features and feature options that maximize expected process value from the perspective of the owner. The system also identifies the mix of features and feature options that maximize expected process value while minimizing process risk for other frames.

Abstract: An automated method and system (100) for identifying, measuring and enhancing categories of value for the different levels of a value chain on a continual basis. The categories of value are analyzed at each level in the value chain using predictive models and vector creation algorithms to define the enterprise and element vectors before valuing the organization, each enterprise in the organization and the elements of value in each enterprise. The relative strengths of the intangible elements of value are used in evaluating the real options of each enterprise and in determining the allocation of industry real options to the enterprise and the organization before summary reports are prepared, displayed and optionally printed. The system then generates potential value improvements which the user (20) optionally accepts, rejects or modifies before simulations are completed to analyze the value impact of the enhancements.

Abstract: An automated method and system (100) for identifying and measuring the value and risk associated with tangible elements of value, intangible elements of value and external factors and using said measurements to optimize financial performance, risk transfer and business activities.

Abstract: A method of and system for improving the financial performance and operational effectiveness of an interactive sales process. Interactive sales processes include on-line interactive sales from e-commerce web sites, sales from on-line exchanges, sales completed by telemarketing centers and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that monitors at least one environmental characteristic associated with a location of a wireless signal receiver (102). A determination is then made as to whether the wireless signal receiver (102) is likely to receive a wirelessly transmitted signal at its location. The determination is based at least in part upon the monitored at least one environmental characteristic that is associated with the location of the wireless signal receiver (102). The performance of the wireless signal receiver (102) is then improved based upon determining if the wireless signal receiver (102) is likely to receive a wirelessly transmitted signal.

Abstract: An automated method and system (100) for identifying, measuring and enhancing categories of value for the different levels of a value chain on a continual basis. The categories of value are analyzed at each level in the value chain using predictive models and vector creation algorithms to define the enterprise and element vectors before valuing the organization, each enterprise in the organization and the elements of value in each enterprise. The relative strengths of the intangible elements of value are used in evaluating the real options of each enterprise and in determining the allocation of industry real options to the enterprise and the organization before summary reports are prepared, displayed and optionally printed. The system then generates potential value improvements which the user (20) optionally accepts, rejects or modifies before simulations are completed to analyze the value impact of the enhancements.

Abstract: A heat exchanger assembly that includes a tube having an internal surface and an external surface. An aluminum-based component is disposed adjacent to the tube, the aluminum-based component has an aluminum-based material that has a magnesium content that is above 0.3%, wherein the aluminum-based component is joined to the tube using a brazing flux applied during a controlled atmosphere brazing process.

Abstract: An optical switching core includes a first plurality of beam directing devices, wherein each of said first plurality of beam directing devices redirects an incoming optical beam to at least one of a plurality of output ports within a scan area and a convergence lens, optically coupled to at least a portion of the first plurality of beam directing devices, for shifting the scan area of at least the portion of the first plurality of beam directing devices toward an optical axis of the switch core to increase the overlap of the scan areas and increase the number of output ports that may be addressed.

Abstract: A set of trim forward bins is utilized to set aside, distribute and allocate portions of granular product made in a continuous, usually fluidized bed, olefin polymerization reactor, to form blends which more efficiently utilize the products made during transitions from one set of specifications to another and/or to maintain a target property substantially continuously during steady state production of a single product.

Abstract: An automated system (100) and method for defining and measuring the real options of a commercial enterprise on a specified valuation date. The real options are evaluated on the basis of the relative strength of the elements of value of the enterprise. The performance of the elements of value are first summarized using composite variables. The elements of value that cause change in enterprise stock price are then determined. The relative strength of the causal elements of value for the enterprise vis a vis its competitors are then calculated. The relative ranking of the enterprise causal elements of value is then used in determining the discount rate to be used in real option valuation. The real options are then valued using Black Scholes algorithm.

Abstract: A local traffic signal controller (3) is interfaced to a satellite subscriber unit (10) to provide for centralized control of the traffic signals (1) controlled by the local controller (3). A central controller (7) provides central control and can download program control information to local controller (3). Dial-up access to local controller (3) is provided to central controller (7) with the subscriber unit (10). The resultant communication path may be utilized to provide for accessing information from the local traffic signal controller (3). Such information may include indications of lamp failures, traffic pattern information and other status or traffic related information.