Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for managing transactions in which an order is specified online and payment is received at a point of sale (POS). Methods are disclosed for managing payment for such transactions at a POS, including transactions involving payment for both in-store purchases and online orders. Methods are also disclosed for managing inventory and price changes for such transactions where payment can occur at any time in a pay period following order creation. Also disclosed are methods for processing refunds for online orders for which payment was made at a POS. Finally, methods for preventing fraud and abuse as well as restricting the availability of this payment method for certain items are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a radiation detector suitable for use in connection with particle therapy applications. The detector comprises at least one set of scintillating optical guides which upon exposure to incident radiation generate scintillating light. The optical guides are arranged in an array, such as in a so-called harp configuration, for detecting a transversal radiation beam profile. The scintillating optical guides are provided in a glass-based material doped with a rare earth dopant. Of particular interest are the rare earth materials: Ytterbium, Holmium, Thulium and Erbium.

Abstract: Use of an oxygen sensor comprising a membrane, preferably in the form of a first tube (2), which is substantially made of zirconium dioxide and has an internal and an external coating (3, 4) of an electrically conductive, catalytic layer. On the electrically conductive, catalytic layer, a porous, preferably ceramic layer (5) is provided. The porous layer (5) is provided on the electrically conductive, catalytic layer (3), which is located at least partially within a second tube (6), made of a gas tight material. The oxygen sensor, which is part of a clamped together structure with O-rings, may be used in a method, in which the measuring gas, especially a reactive measuring gas, is supplied to the external side of the first tube (2).

Abstract: A method to facilitate a transaction using an instant messaging client comprising, receiving a formatted transaction request from the client via a messaging protocol, identifying a recipient and transaction information, facilitating the transaction and sending a notification of completion of the transaction via the messaging protocol.

Abstract: The adaptation of at least a portion of an object provided by a previous script component to a subsequent script component, despite the subsequent component being incapable of recognizing a format of the at least a portion of the object as provided by the previous component. The previous component generates an object having a property. Adaptation script identifies adaptation(s) to perform on the property prior to being used by the subsequent component. The adaptation is performed, and the adapted property is then used by the subsequent component.

Abstract: Dynamically exposing relationships among entities contained in data stores. A method disclosed herein can include receiving data related to a given object that is contained in a given data store, and dynamically determining one or more relationships between the given object and one or more further objects. These relationships can include group memberships, management relationships, containment relationships, or the like. As the data related to the stored objects changes, the relationships among the objects can be updated. Once the relationships are defined, representations thereof may be presented to a user via a suitable user interface. The user interface may present these relationships as graphic icons, hypertext, or the like, and may further depict the dynamic relationships distinctly from static directory listings. The user may then navigate these relationships by interacting with these representations.

Abstract: A specimen holding plate (1) for a gas permeability measuring apparatus. The specimen holding plate comprises a first surface (2) and a second surface (3), a number of passages (11, 12) between said second surface (3) and said first surface (2) so as to allow a predetermined gas mixture to be supplied to a first volume located at least partially about said first surface. The specimen holding plane further compresses a sealing arranged in a connection with said first surface and circumscribing said passages (11, 12) so as to circumferentially delimit said first volume. The sealing is provided as a double sealing (7, 8).

Abstract: The present mechanism provides a data driven command line output within an environment that supports a pipeline of object-based commands. Each object-based command inputs a parseable object for processing and outputs another parseable object for subsequent command processing. The parseable objects do not have methods. The mechanism is operative to direct formatting and subsequent processing of the commands based on a type of the incoming parseable object. Format information is obtained for the type, such as shape, properties to display, and the like. The format information may be specified within an XML-based document. The mechanism utilizes one or more output processing it commands, such as format commands, markup commands, convert commands, transform commands, and out commands. These output processing commands may be arranged within the pipeline in various ways to achieve the desired output results.

Abstract: The present mechanism provides a data driven command line output within an environment that supports a pipeline of object-based commands. Each object-based command inputs a parseable object for processing and outputs another parseable object for subsequent command processing. The mechanism is operative to direct formatting and subsequent processing of the commands based on a type of the incoming parseable object. Format information is obtained for the type, such as shape, properties to display, and the like. The format information may be specified within an XML-based document. The mechanism utilizes one or more output processing commands, such as format commands, markup commands, convert commands, transform commands, and out commands. These output processing commands may be arranged within the pipeline in various ways to achieve the desired output results.

Abstract: High quality epitaxial layers of monocrystalline materials can be grown overlying monocrystalline substrates such as large silicon wafers by forming a compliant substrate for growing the monocrystalline layers. An accommodating buffer layer comprises a layer of monocrystalline oxide spaced apart from a silicon wafer by an amorphous interface layer of silicon oxide. The amorphous interface layer dissipates strain and permits the growth of a high quality monocrystalline oxide accommodating buffer layer. The accommodating buffer layer is lattice matched to both the underlying silicon wafer and the overlying monocrystalline material layer. Any lattice mismatch between the accommodating buffer layer and the underlying silicon substrate is taken care of by the amorphous interface layer. In addition, formation of a compliant substrate may include utilizing surfactant enhanced epitaxy, epitaxial growth of single crystal silicon onto single crystal oxide, and epitaxial growth of Zint1 phase materials.

Abstract: A conveyor construction includes a frame, a drive section stationarily mounted to the frame, and a tensioning section mounted for longitudinal movement relative to the frame. The drive and tensioning sections each include a spindle, and a belt is engaged with the spindles. The frame defines an upper support surface disposed below the upper run of the belt, and mating engagement structure is provided on the belt and the upper support surface for preventing lateral movement of the belt relative to the upper support surface. The drive and tensioning sections include spaced side members, each of which defines an inwardly opening cavity for receiving a bearing assembly for rotatably supporting the spindle. The bearing-receiving cavity faces the spindle, and each side member defines outer wall structure which engages and supports the belt outwardly of the spindle.

Abstract: A SONAD (110) control system (100) detects a received signal strength (RSSI) for a radio frequency (RF) signal (102), selects a threshold transfer function (400-404) in response thereto, generates a threshold control signal in response to the transfer function, and utilizes the threshold control signal to select the SONAD threshold value. During operation, the control system (100) decreases the attenuation of background noise levels for weak RF signals.

Abstract: A conveyor construction includes a frame, a drive section stationarily mounted to the frame, and a tensioning section mounted for longitudinal movement relative to the frame. The drive and tensioning sections each include a spindle, and a belt is engaged with the spindles. The frame defines an upper support surface disposed below the upper run of the belt, and mating engagement structure is provided on the belt and the upper support surface for preventing lateral movement of the belt relative to the upper support surface. The drive and tensioning sections include spaced side members, each of which defines an inwardly opening cavity for receiving a bearing assembly for rotatably supporting the spindle. The bearing-receiving cavity faces the spindle, and each side member defines outer wall structure which engages and supports the belt outwardly of the spindle.

Abstract: A single-chip transceiver integrated circuit (100) has multiple on-chip circuits that implement receiver functions, transmitter functions, and audio processing functions. The IC (100) has interfaces (220, 240, 252, 270, 260, 245, 288, 290) which are situated among the on-chip circuits, and which couple one on-chip circuit to another. At least some of these on-chip interfaces (220, 240, 245, 252, 270) are configurable to couple an off-chip processing circuit to substitute for a corresponding on-chip circuit. In the preferred embodiment, the single-chip transceiver IC (100) supports radio configurations having off-chip versions of corresponding on-chip circuits for performing receiver front-end functions, synthesizer functions, reference oscillator functions, and audio processing functions.

Abstract: A method for acquiring rapid automatic gain control (AGC) response in a narrow band receiver teaches opening the AGC loop (100), setting the gain control signal (106) amplitude of the AGC amplifier stage (104) to a known value, altering the gain control signal (106) amplitude over time, and monitoring the narrow band receiver for an output signal (112). Upon output signal (112) detection, halting alteration of the gain control signal (106) amplitude, closing the AGC loop (100) and commencing normal operation. A particular facet of this approach suggests detecting the output (112) with a varying gain detector (116,132) after the loop (100) is closed and before normal operations are commenced.

Abstract: An audio amplifier clipping avoidance apparatus (140) identifies signal segments of an audio signal that can have an amplitude peak greater than a particular amplifier clip avoidance threshold (530). A scaling factor is determined for each signal segment based on the particular threshold (540). Signal segments are scaled with corresponding scaling factors to produce a modified audio signal having no signal segments with an amplitude peak greater than the particular threshold (560).

Abstract: A noise squelch circuit for a radio receiver (100) includes an adaptive filter (204) for shaping frequency characteristics of a demodulator out put (115) according to factors which effects squelch sensitivity. Such factors may include channel spacing of the receiver, received signal strength level, received signal deviation, and SINAD. The adaptive filter (204) comprises a switched capacitor filter, the response of which may be controlled by a control signal (212) according to one or more of such factors.

Abstract: A conveyor construction including a frame having a pair of side rails with each side rail having a longitudinal T-shaped slot. A plurality of cross members are connected between the side rails and support a bed plate. An endless belt rides on the bed plate and is trained over an adjustable spindle assembly which is located at an end of the conveyor. The spindle assembly includes a spindle journalled between a pair of side members that are mounted for sliding movement in the T-slots of the respective side rails. A ratchet and pinion mechanism interconnects the conveyor frame with the spindle assembly and acts to move the spindle assembly longitudinally of the frame to tension the belt. A belt tracking mechanism is associated with each side of the spindle assembly and includes a cam member which is engaged with the respective side member of the spindle assembly. Individual rotation of the cam members serve to properly track the belt on the bed plate.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for electronically bandswitching a radio (100) is described which includes at least a receiver (110, 111), a PLL (120), and a fully synchronized, programmable counter as a frequency divider (140) that is coupled between the receiver and the PLL. This fully synchronized divider (140) provides an output signal (143) at a lower frequency with minimal harmonic energy and improves the sideband noise performance as the divisor increases. When the radio also includes a transmitter (104), stepped attenuators (128, 132) are also included for adjusting the modulation of the PLL (120) when in the transmit mode.The PLL includes at least a reference signal generator (121, 122), a phase detector (124), and a voltage controlled oscillator (127) having an output (129) coupled, via a feedback path, to a second input (131) of the phase detector (124).

Abstract: A method and arrangement for a fully synchronized, programmable frequency divider is disclosed that exhibits a near 50% duty cycle output signal independent of the divisor, whether even or odd, and that is suitable for use in a phase-locked loop (PLL) frequency synthesizer. As described in a first embodiment, the arrangement includes a data loader 31, a counter 32, a half-period detector 33, and a synchronizer 34. Next, a fast-locking, low-noise PLL frequency synthesizer is disclosed incorporating the fully synchronized, 50% duty cycle divider, and having a reference signal generator 71-72, a phase detector 73, a controlled oscillator 74-75, and the fully synchronized, programmable frequency divider 76. In a second embodiment, a fully synchronized programmable divider is described, including a data loader 31, a counter 32, a half-period detector 33', a synchronizer 34', and an additional block 82, a half-clock period detector.