Abstract: A web service creation system converts legacy application functionality to web services. The system captures the operation of the legacy application through an accessibility layer that monitors operator interaction with the application. The system then defines, creates, and deploys a web service that provides control over the application operation. As a result, the legacy application may be made accessible through web services and an organization may continue to realize a return on their significant investment in the creation of the legacy application.

Abstract: A composer of integrated systems solves the technical problem of enabling graphical user interface applications (GAPs) to interoperate (e.g., exchange information) with each other and web services over the Internet, effectively and non-invasively. The system provides a user friendly visualization mechanism that interacts with an accessibility layer to enable organizations to economically and easily define web service driven information exchange between GAPs, by performing point-and-click, drag-and-drop operations on GAPs. The system allows users to rapidly create integrated systems composing GAPs enabled to interoperate with other GAPs and web services, so that organizations extend the life-cycle use of their legacy GAPs in business operations.

Abstract: Vapor depositions sources, systems, and related deposition methods. Vapor deposition sources for use with materials that evaporate or sublime in a difficult to control or otherwise unstable manner are provided. The present invention is particularly applicable to deposition of organic material such as those for forming one or more layer in organic light emitting devices.

Abstract: A temperature chamber in which a device is tested is connected to a temperature-controlled air source for controlling temperature of the chamber. The temperature chamber includes thermal insulation formed on side surfaces of the chamber. A universal manifold adaptor for directing the temperature-controlled air directly to a device being tested is connected to the chamber. The temperature chamber also includes an exhaust system. A self-closing cable feed-through module is connected to an outer surface of the chamber. The feed-through module includes a first portion and a second portion, wherein cables are fed through the first and second portions into the chamber in a first position and the first and second portions form a leak tight seal around the cables in a second position.

Abstract: A spacer and a method for its use in an outer wall of a building between the outer vertical surface of its underlying structure and the inner surfaces of each of the portions of overlapped lengths of siding through which the lengths of siding are nailed to the underlying structure to provide a ventilation space between the rear surfaces of the lengths of siding and the outer surface of the underlying structure. The spacers each have a planer rear surface adapted to be positioned against the outer surface of the underlying structure, and a planer front surface portion that can be disposed at a small acute angle with respect to the rear surface at which angle it is desired to have the rear surfaces of the lengths of siding disposed with respect to the outer surface of the underlying structure. Ventilation channels can be provided at both the lower and upper ends of the ventilation space to facilitate movement of air to the atmosphere from such a ventilation space.

Abstract: A spacer and a method for its use in an outer wall of a building between the outer vertical surface of its underlying structure and the inner surfaces of each of the portions of overlapped lengths of siding through which the lengths of siding are nailed to the underlying structure to provide a ventilation space between the rear surfaces of the lengths of siding and the outer surface of the underlying structure. The spacers each have a planer rear surface adapted to be positioned against the outer surface of the underlying structure, and a planer front surface portion that can be disposed at a small acute angle (e.g., in the range of about 2 to 3 degrees) with respect to the rear surface at which angle it is desired to have the rear surfaces of the lengths of siding disposed with respect to the outer surface of the underlying structure.

Abstract: A modified gain system and method are provided for non-causal channel equalization using feed-forward and feedback compensation. The method comprises: receiving a serial data stream first bit (present) input; comparing a second bit (past) value, received prior to the first bit input, to a third bit (future) value received subsequent to the first bit input; modifying the amplitude of the first bit input to compensate for the effect of the second and third bit values being equal; and, determining the value of the first bit input by comparing the amplitude modified first bit input to a Vopt threshold. When only one of the second and third bit values is a “1” value, a unity amplitude modifier is supplied. When the second and third bit values are a “1”, a low amplitude modifier is supplied. When the second and third bit values are a “0”, a high amplitude modifier is supplied.

Abstract: A system and method for personalizing cards and other secure identification documents. The card personalization system and method provide improved data integrity, system reliability, and system performance. Improvements to card handling and processing within the modules, improved card transfer between modules, improvements to control of the modules, and other improvements are set forth, all of which contribute, individually and collectively, to achieving these goals.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for five-level non-casual channel equalization in a communications system. The method comprises: receiving a non-return to zero (NRZ) data stream input; establishing a five-level threshold; comparing the first bit estimate to a second bit value received prior to the first bit; comparing the first bit estimate to a third bit value received subsequent to the first bit; and, in response to the comparisons, determining the value of the first bit. Establishing a five-level threshold includes: establishing thresholds to distinguish a first bit value when the second and third bit values are a “1” value, when the second bit value is a “1” and the third bit value is a “0”, when the second bit value is a “0” and the third bit value is a “1”, when the second and third bit values are a “0” value, and an approximate midway threshold.

Abstract: A method of reducing the occurrence of ring-sticking in an internal combustion engine in which the crankcase of such an engine is lubricated with a multigrade crankcase lubricating oil composition containing 1 to 15 mass %, based on the mass of the oil composition, of a non-hydrogenated olefin polymer having a number average molecular weight in the range of 100 to 5,000.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for non-causal channel equalization in a communications system. The method comprises: establishing a first threshold (V1) to distinguish a high probability “1” first bit estimate; establishing a second threshold (V0) to distinguish a high probability “0” first bit estimate; establishing a third threshold (Vopt) to distinguish first bit estimates between the first and second thresholds; receiving a non-return to zero (NRZ) data stream; comparing the first bit estimate in the data stream to a second bit value received prior to the first bit; comparing the first bit estimate to a third bit value received subsequent to the first bit; in response to the comparisons, determining the value of the first bit.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for feed-forward/feedback non-causal channel equalization in a communications system. The method comprises: receiving a non-return to zero (NRZ) data stream input; using three thresholds, estimating a first bit in the data stream; using two thresholds, determining a third bit value received subsequent to the first bit; comparing the first bit estimate to the third bit value; comparing the first bit estimate to a second bit value received prior to the first bit; and, in response to the comparisons, determining the value of the first bit. In some aspects of the method, the third bit value is determined in response to a prior third bit value determination. Determining a third bit value includes: distinguishing NRZ data stream inputs between fourth and fifth thresholds as a “0” if the prior third bit value was a “1”, and as a “1” if the prior third bit value was a “0”.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for non-causal channel equalization in a communications system. The method comprises: receiving a non-return to zero (NRZ) data stream input; establishing thresholds to distinguish a first bit estimate; comparing the first bit estimate in the NRZ data stream to a second bit value received prior to the first bit, and a third bit received subsequent to the first bit; in response to the comparisons, determining the value of the first bit; tracking the NRZ data stream inputs in response to sequential bit value combinations; maintaining long-term averages of the tracked NRZ data stream inputs; adjusting the thresholds in response to the long-term averages; and, offsetting the threshold adjustments to account for the asymmetric noise distribution. Two methods are used to offset the threshold adjustments to account for the asymmetric noise distribution: forward error correction (FEC) decoding and tracking the ratio of bit values.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for non-causal channel equalization in a communications system. The method comprises: receiving a non-return to zero (NRZ) data stream input; establishing thresholds to distinguish a first bit estimate; comparing the first bit estimate in the NRZ data stream to a second bit value received prior to the first bit, and a third bit received subsequent to the first bit; in response to the comparisons, determining the value of the first bit; tracking the NRZ data stream inputs in response to sequential bit value combinations; maintaining long-term averages of the tracked NRZ data stream inputs; adjusting the thresholds in response to the long-term averages; and, offsetting the threshold adjustments to account for the asymmetric noise distribution. Two methods are used to offset the threshold adjustments to account for the asymmetric noise distribution: forward error correction (FEC) decoding and tracking the ratio of bit values.

Abstract: A system and a method are provided for non-causal channel equalization using error statistics. The method comprises: receiving a non-return to zero (NRZ) data stream input encoded with forward error correction (FEC); establishing a plurality of thresholds to generate a first bit estimate; comparing the first bit estimate in the data stream to a second bit value received prior to the first bit; comparing the first bit estimate to a third bit value received subsequent to the first bit; in response to the comparisons, determining the value of the first bit; FEC decoding the determined first bit value; and, using FEC error statistics to adjust the thresholds by evaluating the number of errors associated with a plurality of three-bit sequence combinations.

Abstract: An apparatus for slush molding a thin shell having an outer layer and an inner layer. The apparatus includes two tubs alternately movable to a cast position for dispensing their respective material contents into a mold cavity. According to another embodiment of the invention, the apparatus includes a diverter valve configured to alternately open a passage from each of two tubs to the mold cavity to selectively dispense charge materials from the respective tubs into the mold cavity. In addition, a method is provided for forming a thin shell having an outer layer and an inner layer. A first polymer material is cast and allowed to melt on a heated mold surface to form an outer layer. A second polymer material is then cast and allowed to melt and form an inner layer on the inner surface of the outer layer. The shell is then removed from the mold.

Abstract: An apparatus for slush molding a thin shell having an outer layer and an inner layer. The apparatus includes two tubs alternately movable to a cast position for dispensing their respective material contents into a mold cavity. According to another embodiment of the invention, the apparatus includes a diverter valve configured to alternately open a passage from each of two tubs to the mold cavity to selectively dispense charge materials from the respective tubs into the mold cavity. In addition, a method is provided for forming a thin shell having an outer layer and an inner layer. A first polymer material is cast and allowed to melt on a heated mold surface to form an outer layer. A second polymer material is then cast and allowed to melt and form an inner layer on the inner surface of the outer layer. The shell is then removed from the mold.

Abstract: A method and system to facilitate the design of artifacts by a process of participative refinement; this process being analogous to natural selection as it operates in biological populations. In this invention, designs are encoded as genetic data structures. Participants publish the encoded designs through a communication network to form a population of variant genotypes. The genotypes are subject to human guided mutation and recombination, resulting in the progressive refinement of the designs.

Abstract: An apparatus for slush molding a thin shell having an outer layer and an inner layer. The apparatus includes two tubs alternately movable to a cast position for dispensing their respective material contents into a mold cavity. According to another embodiment of the invention, the apparatus includes a diverter valve configured to alternately open a passage from each of two tubs to the mold cavity to selectively dispense charge materials from the respective tubs into the mold cavity. In addition, a method is provided for forming a thin shell having an outer layer and an inner layer. A first polymer material is cast and allowed to melt on a heated mold surface to form an outer layer. A second polymer material is then cast and allowed to melt and form an inner layer on the inner surface of the outer layer. The shell is then removed from the mold.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for non-casual channel equalization in a communications system. The method comprises: establishing a first threshold (V1) to distinguish a high probability “1” first bit estimate; establishing a second threshold (V0) to distinguish a high probability “0” first bit estimate; establishing a third threshold (Vopt) to distinguish first bit estimates between the first and second thresholds; receiving a non-return to zero (NRZ) data stream; comparing the first bit estimate in the data stream to a second bit value received prior to the first bit; comparing the first bit estimate to a third bit value received subsequent to the first bit; in response to the comparisons, determining the value of the first bit.