Abstract: A computer user interface device is provided, made up of modules having separate sets of user interface features. For instance, a keyboard device has a first module bearing standard alphanumeric and control keys, and a second module, selected from a set of optional modules bearing specialized features such as multimedia controls, communication interfaces, or magnetic media readers. The modules are mechanically coupled together. An electrical interface allows user input signals, such as keystroke signals, to be consolidated on one module, preferably the specialized module, into a single signal stream, for coupling to the computer.

Abstract: A press and tooling apparatus for forming a preheated blank includes a heated upper tool and an opposing heated lower tool mounted within the press for relative closing movement to press the preheated blank there between. A binder ring assembly surrounds the lower tool and is mounted on the press for movement relative to the lower tool so at to bind the preheated blank to the upper tool in air tight sealing relationship in readiness for closure of the tools and application of pressurized gas to force the blank into contact with the upper tools. The binder ring assembly includes an upper ring that is heated so as to prevent the cooling of the preheated blank, and a lower ring that supports the upper ring and is fixedly connected to the upper ring by spaced apart connectors so as to minimize the heat transfer path from the heated upper ring to the lower ring.

Abstract: An organometallic complex represented by the structure: wherein M is a metal selected from Group 4 of the Periodic Table of the Elements and R1-4 can be same or different selected from the group consisting of dialkylamide, difluoralkylamide, hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, fluoroalkyl and alkoxy, cycloaliphatic, and aryl with the additional provision that when R1 and R2 are dialkylamide, difluoralkylamide, alkoxy, fluoroalkyl and alkoxy, they can be connected to form a ring. Related compounds are also disclosed. CVD and ALD deposition processes using the complexes are also included.

Abstract: A method and system for handling hazardous materials contained in a vial includes an isolation enclosure having an opening selectively sealable about the vial, a bag body portion, and a cap portion. A latching extraction element is attached to the cap portion and has a preceding engaging member to secure the vial to the isolation enclosure, an extraction member to be inserted into the vial and remove material therefrom, and a primary engaging member to secure the vial to the extraction member. A valve is mounted outside the isolation enclosure and controls the flow of fluid from the vial. An adaptor having a reseal member permits flow when coupled to the valve and restricts flow when uncoupled from the valve. Once uncoupled, the adaptor is removably associated with a second valve located remotely from the isolation enclosure, allowing fluid to pass into the second valve.

Abstract: A computer system is configured as a referral-tracking system that responds to receipt of a listing from a recruiter by generating an identifier, associating it with that listing, and giving it to the recruiter. If, before the listing is withdrawn, the system thereafter receives from a requester a message offering to forward the listing and incorporating that identifier or another identifier that the system has associated with that listing, it generates a further identifier as a child of the received identifier, associates that further identifier with the listing and the requester, and sends it to the requester. Consequently, if the listing is fulfilled by someone identified to the system as having received a message that incorporated one of those identifiers, the system determines that identifier's ancestors and thereby compute the chain of referring requesters that led to the listing's being fulfilled. It can also compute an appropriate incentive-award distribution to the referring requesters.

Abstract: A computer system is configured as a referral-tracking system that responds to receipt of a listing from a recruiter by generating an identifier, associating it with that listing, and giving it to the recruiter. If, before the listing is withdrawn, the system thereafter receives from a requester a message offering to forward the listing and incorporating that identifier or another identifier that the system has associated with that listing, it generates a further identifier as a child of the received identifier, associates that further identifier with the listing and the requester, and sends it to the requester. Consequently, if the listing is fulfilled by someone identified to the system as having received a message that incorporated one of those identifiers, the system determines that identifier's ancestors and thereby compute the chain of referring requesters that led to the listing's being fulfilled. It can also compute an appropriate incentive-award distribution to the referring requesters.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for flexibly mounting variously sized devices in a computer chassis. A front panel includes a first portion that is reserved for a plurality of contiguous openings supporting a plurality of vertically stacked 3½ inch bays. At least one opening is protected by a corresponding knock-out plate. The front panel also includes a second portion that is adjacent to the first portion. The second portion is reserved for a plurality of module acceptors. At least one module acceptor is located adjacent to a corresponding opening and adapted to receive a corresponding module. Additionally, at least one module acceptor includes a first attaching mechanism capable of mating with a second attaching mechanism located on the corresponding module for attaching the corresponding module to the computer chassis. Further, at least one pair of adjacent opening and module acceptor in combination is adapted to receive a front connector panel bracket.

Abstract: A device connector module. The device connector module includes a device connection mechanism and a housing. The device connection mechanism includes a first port for coupling to an external device and a second port for coupling to a computer system. The housing encasing the device connection mechanism such that the first port and the second port are accessible and wherein the housing is for coupling the device connector module to a device connector module receptacle.

Abstract: A device connector module receptacle. The device connector module receptacle includes a plurality of slots for receiving a plurality of device connector modules. A device connector module includes a device connection mechanism including a first port for coupling to an external device and a second port for coupling to a computer system. A device connector module also includes a housing encasing the device connection mechanism such that the first port and the second port are accessible and wherein the housing is for coupling the device connector module to the device connector module receptacle. The device connector module receptacle is configured for coupling to a chassis of the computer system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention pertain to apparatuses and methods are described. In one embodiment, a USB user interface is integrated with a card reader. The card reader is used for reading information from a card. A USB port is coupled with the USB user interface so that the USB user interface can communicate with the USB port.

Abstract: An apparatus for servicing an inkjet print head includes a print head wiper for wiping the inkjet print head and a wiper cleaner adjacent to the print head wiper for cleaning the print head wiper.

Abstract: A lower enclosure of a keyboard includes a region forming a cavity to stiffen the lower enclosure and a node support disposed in the cavity to support a node of a circuit in a switch-membrane assembly of the keyboard. With the node support, a plate to support the switch-membrane assembly may be omitted from the keyboard. Thus, the keyboard may be easier and less expensive to manufacture than a keyboard that includes a plate.

Abstract: A coupler for releasably mounting a computer peripheral device to another device includes a first portion operable to engage the computer peripheral device, and a second portion operable to engage the other device. Or, a computer peripheral device includes a connector for mounting the computer peripheral device to another device. With the coupler, the computer peripheral device may more securely support the other device as compared to one placing the other device on top of the computer peripheral device. Similarly, with the connector, the computer peripheral device may more securely support the other device. Furthermore, with the coupler, connector, or both, one may generate a stack including three or more peripheral devices of a computer system by mounting each additional device to an adjacent device in the stack. Thus, a housing of the computer system may support more peripheral devices.

Abstract: A process for producing a poly-olefin is disclosed, which comprises contacting at least one 1-olefin under polymerisation conditions with a polymerisation catalyst or catalyst system comprising (1) a compound having the Formula (I) wherein M is Fe[II], Fe[III], Co[I], Co[II], Co[III], Mn[I], Mn[II], Mn[III], Mn[IV], Ru[II], Ru[III], Ru[IV], V[II], V[III], V[IV], or V[V], Ti[II], Ti[III] or Ti[IV]; X represents an atom or group covalently or ionically bonded to the transition metal M; T is the oxidation state of the transition metal M and b is the valency of the atom or group X; R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7 are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, heterohydrocarbyl or substituted heterohydrocarbyl; and when any two or more of R1-R7 are hydrocarbyl, substited hydrocarbyl, heterohydrocarbyl or substituted heterohydrocarbyl, said two or more can be linked to form one or more cyclic substituents; and optionally (2) an activating quantity of an activator compound com

Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming sheet metal articles, such as automotive body panels, having significant curvatures in front-to-back and side-to-side directions. Opposing, complementary, preforming and final shape forming tools are used in a single press. A sheet of superplastically or quick plastically formable sheet metal alloy, heated to a forming temperature, is first stretched against the preform tool using pressurized gas to form a preform that has experienced most of the metal stretching required for the final part shape. The preform is removed from the preform tool and formed against the opposing tool with pressurized gas to obtain the final sheet metal part shape.

Abstract: A keyboard for providing data to a processor of a computer includes two eject keys each operable to eject removable storage media from a storage device coupled with the processor, a user key operable to display a menu of user accounts that include data for identifying a user within the processor, and an illumination device to illuminate the keyboard. With the two ejects keys, one may eject removable storage media from more than one storage device without having to operate an eject key located on the storage device. With the user key, one may access a menu of user accounts without having to use a mouse or other keys of the keyboard to search for and then display a menu of user accounts. With the illumination device one may use the keyboard in a low-light environment.

Abstract: A method and system for handling hazardous materials contained in a vial includes an isolation enclosure having an opening selectively sealable about the vial, a bag body portion, and a cap portion. A latching extraction element is attached to the cap portion and has a preceding engaging member to secure the vial to the isolation enclosure, an extraction member to be inserted into the vial and remove material therefrom, and a primary engaging member to secure the vial to the extraction member. A valve is mounted outside the isolation enclosure and controls the flow of fluid from the vial. An adaptor having a reseal member permits flow when coupled to the valve and restricts flow when uncoupled from the valve. Once uncoupled, the adaptor is removably associated with a second valve located remotely from the isolation enclosure, allowing fluid to pass into the second valve.

Abstract: A modulator 200 is based around a switching circuit 212 and a pausey stub balun 210. The balun 210 has a distributed resistance 232 to ground. The balun may be implemented as a strip line device (FIG. 5b).