Abstract: A system and method for activating and funding prepaid cards at the point of sale by making innovative use of existing point-of-sale devices and existing credit/debit card acceptance networks and processes. The invention obviates the need to implement new/different technology at point-of-sale terminals that are widely used at retail outlets. This invention makes use of the existing credit and charge card systems and processes, including industry standard message formats, to settle funds and fees between the seller and the issuer of the prepaid card, thus further reducing the expense and time-to-market for product distribution.

Abstract: A motor controller for an electric motor having a plurality of motor terminals is connected to a power supply and comprises a commutation control, a current sensor, a peak target circuit, a pulse width control and a reverse current control. The commutation control is connected to the motor terminals for causing current pulses to flow through selected terminals during each commutation state. The current sensor provides a sense signal representative of the current pulses, and the peak current target circuit provides a target signal. The pulse width control controls pulse width of the current pulses as a function of the sense signal and the target signal. The reverse current control prevents reverse current from flowing into the power supply during change of commutation state.

Abstract: A plastic insert (20) is configured to provide support of thin wafers (49) in wafer carriers (45) configured to provide peripheral wafer support. The invention includes the insert, the insert in combination with a wafer carrier, and the, methods of supporting the thin wafers as provided by the insert and the wafer carrier. The insert (20), in preferred embodiments, utilize tabs (80, 82) that fit into the side wall recesses (53) and have an interference fit in said recesses to secure the insert in place.

Abstract: A transfer switch that includes output contacts, primary input contacts, secondary input contacts and a toggle mechanism. The toggle mechanism includes moving contacts that alternately connect the output contacts with the primary and secondary input contacts. The transfer switch includes an actuator that rotates the first crossbar to alternately engage a first set of moving contacts with the output contacts and the primary input contacts, and rotates the second crossbar to alternately engage a second set of moving contacts with the output contacts and the secondary input contacts. A method of actuating a transfer switch to alternate the supply of power to an electric load. The method includes rotating a first crossbar within the transfer switch to engage a first set of switching contacts with a primary power source and rotating a second crossbar within the transfer switch to engage a second set of switching contacts with a secondary power source.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for fastening a denture plate with many artificial teeth to a plurality of implants screwed into the bone is disclosed that may be completed on the same day as surgical implantation of the implants. The denture plate is prepared before surgery. A rigid metal bar is prepared that is fitted to register with the implants after the implants have been implanted. The rigid metal bar is affixed to the denture plate. Screws through the bar are received into the top of each implant to thereby secure the bar and the attached denture plate to the implants. This distributes the tooth forces among the implants for enhanced function. The bar is composed of a metal attachment for each implant. A pair of wings extends out from each attachment. The attachments are temporarily mounted on the implants so that wings from adjacent attachments overlap. The attachments and wings are temporarily joined with cement.

Abstract: A transfer switch that includes output contacts, primary input contacts, secondary input contacts and a toggle mechanism. The toggle mechanism includes moving contacts that alternately connect the output contacts with the primary and secondary input contacts. The transfer switch includes an actuator that rotates the first crossbar to alternately engage a first set of moving contacts with the output contacts and the primary input contacts, and rotates the second crossbar to alternately engage a second set of moving contacts with the output contacts and the secondary input contacts. A method of actuating a transfer switch to alternate the supply of power to an electric load. The method includes rotating a first crossbar within the transfer switch to engage a first set of switching contacts with a primary power source and rotating a second crossbar within the transfer switch to engage a second set of switching contacts with a secondary power source.

Abstract: A diode laser system providing a high-power laser beam with good spatial coherence, which can be focused to a small spot size over long distances and which has a good pointing stability. The laser system comprises a laser diode (301) adapted to emit a first light beam, where the first light beam comprises a plurality of spatial modes, selection means (304) adapted to select a predetermined part of the first light beam, and a reflector (306), where the laser diode and the reflector define a cavity and where the reflector is adapted to reflect the selected part of the first light beam back into the laser diode as a second light beam. The laser system is characterised in that the selection means is adapted to select a part of the first light beam corresponding to a spatial mode with a higher mode number than a spatial mode with maximum gain.

Abstract: A sod-laying machine having a low center of gravity and a seated operator position adjacent the roll of sod being placed is disclosed. The superior visibility available to the operator makes it possible to place the sod more accurately and with less need for subsequent adjustment than has been possible previously. The machine has sod roll lifting arms that can be spaced apart to lift and place rolls having any of the common large sod roll widths. The machine can be configured to lay sod that is rolled with either the grass side or the dirt side outermost. Propulsion, roll lifting and roll width adjustment is hydraulic with continuously variable speed drive. Turf scuffing is minimized by trailing caster wheels and independently controllable drive wheels mounted close to the location of the sod roll.

Abstract: A vehicle glass includes an outer surface and an inner surface opposing the outer surface. A circumferential edge joins the inner and outer surfaces. The edge has at least, in part, a generally planar portion connected to the outer surface by an outer corner and connected to the inner surface by an inner corner. The planar portion is disposed at an acute angle with respect to the outer surface. Furthermore, the outer corner also has a radius less than one half the thickness of the vehicle glass.

Abstract: A method of sending (321) a service utilization message in a communication system (100) includes the steps of forming (303 through 317) a service utilization message and sending (321) the service utilization message via a service port (109). The service utilization message includes a header, a service controller packet, and a service manager packet. The header includes a block source field (201), a block destination field (203), a block length field (205), and a block command type field (207). The service controller packet includes a block opcode field (209) and a controller packet (211). The service manager packet includes a manager packet (213) and a block sequence number field (215). The service utilization messages assist with call billing and call logging for communication systems (100). A service utilization linking message is similarly formed (503 through 517) and sent (521).

Abstract: An integrated circuit structures such as an SRAM construction wherein the soft error rate is reduced comprises an integrated circuit structure formed in a semiconductor substrate, wherein at least one N channel transistor is built in a P well adjacent to one or more deep N wells connected to the high voltage supply and the deep N wells extend from the surface of the substrate down into the substrate to a depth at least equal to that depth at which alpha particle-generated electron-hole pairs can effectively cause a soft error in the SRAM cell. For a 0.25 &mgr;m SRAM design having one or more N wells of a conventional depth not exceeding about 0.5 &mgr;m, the depth at which alpha particle-generated electron-hole pairs can effectively cause a soft error in the SRAM cell is from 1 to 3 &mgr;m. The deep N well of the 0.25 &mgr;m SRAM design, therefore, extends down from the substrate surface a distance of at least about 1 &mgr;m, and preferably at least about 2 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A method of handling an event by a plurality of consoles includes the steps of receiving an event (519) at a communication system and displaying the event at the consoles (101 and 117), wherein the event is displayed (525) using a first manner of display on each of the consoles (101 and 117). When the event is recognized (505) by a first console (101 and 117), the event is displayed (509) on the first console using a second manner of display in response to the recognition, and each of the consoles that is not the first console continues displaying (525) the event using the first manner of display. After the event is responded (511) to by a second console, the event is displayed (527) on the consoles using a third manner of display. After the event is responded to, the event is deleted (515) by a deleting console, and the event is displayed (533) on the consoles that is not the deleting console using a fourth manner of display and the displaying of the event is discontinued on the deleting console.

Abstract: An improved synthetic alfalfa variety called WL-W316, and method for producing same. One embodiment provides a semidormant, Dormancy-Group-3-type synthetic alfalfa variety, wherein one embodiment is named WL-W316, that provides greater feed value and improved yields under a variety of environmental conditions and, in particular, better resistance to the wet soil pathogen Race 2 Aphanomyces root rot. The primary uses of this WL-W316 variety are hay, haylage, greenchop and dehydrated feed for livestock. The present invention also provides a method for breeding and selecting alfalfa in order to obtain resistance or high resistance to certain alfalfa pests, along with high yield and high quality. In particular, this method obtains a semidormant alfalfa variety that is high in forage quality and resistant to Race 2 Aphanomyces root rot.

Abstract: A multi-site trunked radio communication system (100) in accordance with a preferred method (500) assigns communication resources (117-124) in response to an assigned or requested service level. The service level is determined based upon a number of parameters (128) including affiliated communication site, time, user override service data, network override service data and other service mode assignment data. The parameters are used to dynamically generate and periodically update a subscriber unit service participation mode (SPM) for each subscriber unit (114-116) operating in the communication system. Additionally, an existing service participation mode assignment may be overridden by the user from the subscriber unit and/or by a network operator/manager.

Abstract: Semiconductor processing tools in a semiconductor processing facility are coupled to communicate with a power management system. The power management system monitors the power consumption status of each of the semiconductor processing tools. Using the power consumption status of each of the semiconductor processing tools, the power management system stages the operation of the semiconductor processing tools so as to maintain the power consumption of the semiconductor processing facility below a predefined maximum power consumption. Limiting the power consumption to less than the predefined maximum power consumption reduces the per die processing costs without incurring the expense of building a new semiconductor processing facility or without modifying the semiconductor processing tools for larger batch sizes or for greater throughput.

Abstract: A backpack frame is molded integrally from composite fiber and resin material to provide a light yet strong frame. The frame includes top and bottom members and a pair of side members. A pair of vertical ribs extend between the top and bottom members, and a plurality of horizontal members extend between the side members. The frame has torsional flexibility about a longitudinal axis which is generally parallel to the side members. Each of the ribs has a generally kidney-shaped cross section which is provided by a groove in the rib. A sack is slidably attached to the frame by elongated beaded attaching members which are sewn to the sack. Each bead is slidably inserted into a key-hole shaped channel in one of the side members. A suspension system includes shoulder straps, a waist belt, and a back pad. Each part of the suspension is formed from closed cell foam which is compression molded to form air-circulating grooves. One or both sides of the foam has a flame laminated skin.

Abstract: A method for voice-based affiliation of an operator identification code to a communication unit (101) is accomplished when the communication unit transmits a voice-based affiliation request, a predetermined voice pattern and a communication unit identification code, to a communication resource allocator (103). Upon reception of the voice-based affiliation request, the communication resource allocator compares stored predetermined voice patterns with the predetermined voice pattern to identify a matching predetermined voice pattern. When the matching predetermined voice pattern is identified, the communication resource allocator affiliates the operator identification code with the communication unit identification code, thus affiliating the operator identification code with the communication unit.

Abstract: A self positioning elevating and supporting device carried at the rearward end portion of a snowmobile which upon being released from an inoperative position self positions itself to elevate and support in elevated position the rearward end portion of a snowmobile raising the underlying track arrangement thereof above the supporting ground surface.

Abstract: The business form assembly includes an integrated mailer and return envelope comprising first, second, third and fourth plies having first, second, third and fourth edges. The first and third edges of the four plies are adhesively secured one to the other. Additional lines of adhesive are inset from a tear strip containing the adhesive securing the first, second, third and fourth plies to one another for securing the second and third plies to one another. The second and third plies are inset along second and fourth edges to enable adhesive securement of the first and fourth plies along the first and fourth edges to one another. A return envelope flap is formed by a fold line in the third ply. A registering line of perforations in the second ply defines the back face of the return envelope and a record-keeping portion between the line of perforations and the fourth edge.

Abstract: An air data sensor (10) for mounting on an air vehicle (14), the outer end (11) is spaced outwardly from a surface of the air vehicle (14), a mounting base (12) and an outer end (11) which is provided with sensing ports (21, 22) for sensing air data parameters, the body (32) of the sensor (10) is made so that when viewed in the bisecting plane of the body (32), the inner and outer edges (34, 36) of the body curve continuously from the outer end (11) to the base (12). These edges (34, 36) diverge from adjacent to the outer end (11) to the base (12) to provide a very smooth streamlined probe (10) which tends to reduce drag.