Abstract: A method centrally controls communication at a single venue. Information, at least at the venue, is provided to attendees at the venue for transmitting electronic signals to the central communication point. At least one electronic communication transmission from an attendee who has access to the central communication point is enabled to have at least part of the transmission broadcast at the venue or allow open communication from the attendee to be broadcast at the venue. The personal mobile communications device of an attendee is used as a microphone over wireless telephone networks or local wireless communication networks.

Abstract: Techniques, apparatus and systems for information collecting and decision making based on one or more tiered networks of sensors and communication nodes for security monitoring and warning, disaster warning, counter-terrorism, and other applications associated with information collecting and decision making. In implementations, the one or more tier networks in the plurality of different tier networks include network nodes at roadway intersections; the sensors include automatic license plate recognition sensors to obtain data on vehicle license plates; and the response produced by the processing mechanism includes controlling traffic controllers to alter traffic routes at one or more locations.

Abstract: A written document (hereinafter referred to as a “work,” on electronic format which includes, stories, novels, education texts, biographies, compilations, collections, anthologies, tracts, and any other traditional format for relatively extensive texts) provides access to reference, bibliography and/or definition material through an electronic software capability associated with the work. Depending upon reader access information or characteristics (e.g., age, grade, proficiency, or position within the work or any other identifiable reader characteristic or access limitation), any request for reference material, definitions, explanations, translations, or other material provided in the associated software capability is automatically limited by system acknowledgement of the reader access information or characteristics. As the reader's access information or characteristics change, the quality and/or quantity and/or format of requested information with respect to a work changes.

Abstract: Techniques, apparatus and systems for information collecting and decision making based on networks of sensors and communication nodes for security monitoring and warning, disaster warning, counter-terrorism, and other applications associated with information collecting and decision making.

Abstract: A plant item package which includes a vessel portion and a lid with an opening. The vessel portion may be at least partially filled with water. Stems of plant items, e.g. herbs, are passed through the opening of the lid and into the water of the vessel. Placing herbs in the vessel maintains the freshness of the herbs, eliminates shrinkage of the herbs, eliminates refrigeration requirements, and increases the shelf life of the herbs. Further, the herbs can continue to grow in the water filled vessel. A cellophane wrapping may also be placed around the herbs outside of the vessel. The herbs can thus be sold in predetermined amounts, and price and/or identification information can be placed on a label placed on one of the wrapping or vessel. Further, a plurality of the vessels can be inserted into a shipping container which can also be used as a display for the vessels.

Abstract: A method and encapsulation material for encapsulating the solder joints of an IC device mounted on the substrate of an electronic circuit assembly. The encapsulation material is formulated to be sufficiently opaque to x-radiation to enable the use of x-radiation imaging techniques to detect air pockets and voids in the encapsulation material that might degrade the fatigue life properties of the solder joints encapsulated by the encapsulation material. For the purpose of enhancing the fatigue life properties of the solder joints, the encapsulation material contains a filler material dispersed in a polymeric material, such as an epoxy, such that the encapsulation material is characterized by a coefficient of thermal expansion approximately equal to that of the solder joints. The filler material contains a sufficient amount of an element to render the encapsulation material opaque to x-radiation.

Abstract: A method and encapsulation material for encapsulating the solder joints of an IC device mounted on the substrate of an electronic circuit assembly. The encapsulation material is formulated to be sufficiently opaque to x-radiation to enable the use of x-radiation imaging techniques to detect air pockets and voids in the encapsulation material that might degrade the fatigue life properties of the solder joints encapsulated by the encapsulation material. For the purpose of enhancing the fatigue life properties of the solder joints, the encapsulation material contains a filler material dispersed in a polymeric material, such as an epoxy, such that the encapsulation material is characterized by a coefficient of thermal expansion approximately equal to that of the solder joints. The filler material contains a sufficient amount of an element to render the encapsulation material opaque to x-radiation.