Abstract: The present invention provides an integrated composite floor unit and front wall assembly that can be used in a variety of structures. The integrated composite floor unit and front wall assembly is formed of a floor unit having a front portion and a front wall integrally formed with and rising up from the front portion of the floor unit. The assembly can include other structural features and may be easily combined with a number of further structural components to form a structure. In specific embodiments, the assembly forms part of a modular trailer. In particular, the trailer can be formed of the composite assembly, a composite roof, composite side walls, and a composite rear frame. Such composite trailers advantageously provide a storage volume approximately equal to or greater than conventional trailers but are lighter in weight, thus allowing for storage and/or hauling of a greater weight of cargo than in conventional trailers.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of evaluating the operating characteristics of a Distributed Bragg Reflector (DBR) laser diode is provided. According to the method, a diagnostic electrical current is injected into the wavelength tuning section of the DBR laser to generate amplified spontaneous emission of light in the wavelength tuning section. Light emitted from the wavelength tuning section is absorbed by the gain section and photo current generated by the light absorbed in the gain section is measured. The photo current measured in the gain section can be correlated with an evaluation of the operating characteristics of the DBR laser diode. For example, the measured photo current can be correlated with a substandard operating characteristic when it departs from a given photo current metric by more than an acceptable amount. Additional embodiments are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: An optical proximity correction (OPC) method for photolithography applications can be utilized to reduce the processing time, cost, and post-OPC file size associated with conventional methods. The OPC method provides a target layout pattern that represents a corresponding mask pattern for a photolithography mask, and aligns the target layout pattern relative to a suitably dimensioned fragmentation grid. Then, at least one feature of the target layout pattern is fragmented using the fragmentation grid. Thereafter, a fragment data set is generated in response to the grid-based fragmentation of the target layout pattern.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of evaluating the operating characteristics of a DBR laser diode is provided. According to the method, a diagnostic electrical current is injected into the wavelength tuning section of the DBR laser to generate amplified spontaneous emission of light in the wavelength tuning section. Light emitted from the wavelength tuning section is absorbed by the gain section and photo current generated by the light absorbed in the gain section is measured. The photo current measured in the gain section can be correlated with an evaluation of the operating characteristics of the DBR laser diode. For example, the measured photo current can be correlated with a substandard operating characteristic when it departs from a given photo current metric by more than an acceptable amount.

Abstract: An optical proximity correction (OPC) method for photolithography applications can be utilized to reduce the processing time, cost, and post-OPC file size associated with conventional methods. The OPC method provides a target layout pattern that represents a corresponding mask pattern for a photolithography mask, and aligns the target layout pattern relative to a suitably dimensioned fragmentation grid. Then, at least one feature of the target layout pattern is fragmented using the fragmentation grid. Thereafter, a fragment data set is generated in response to the grid-based fragmentation of the target layout pattern.

Abstract: A shelter comprises a roof, a floor, and a plurality of side walls secured to the floor and the roof. At least one of the floor, the roof, and the plurality of side walls comprises an exterior panel, an interior panel, and an attachment device secured to the exterior panel and the interior panel for relative movement of the exterior panel and the interior panel between collapsed and expanded positions. An associated method of assembling the shelter is disclosed.

Abstract: A customized offer is transmitted to an applicant. A requested term is obtained from the applicant and a set of offers is determined for the applicant. An offer is selected from among the set of offers to display to the applicant using the requested term and the selected offer is transmitted to the applicant. Alternatively, a requested term is obtained from an applicant and the requested term is fixed. A set of offers is determined with the fixed requested term. An offer is selected from among the set of offers to display to the applicant and the selected offer is transmitted to the applicant.

Abstract: A shelter comprises a roof, a floor, and a plurality of side walls secured to the floor and the roof. At least one of the floor, the roof, and the plurality of side walls comprises an exterior panel, an interior panel, and an attachment device secured to the exterior panel and the interior panel for relative movement of the exterior panel and the interior panel between collapsed and expanded positions. An associated method of assembling the shelter is disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for opening, funding, and/or using a financial account are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method for providing a financial account includes receiving a request from a user to open a financial account. In response to receiving the request, the method further includes providing a plurality of unused checks to the user. The method additionally includes receiving a first check which has been used in commerce and includes a first signature of the user, and storing an image of the first signature from the first check. The method further includes receiving a second check which has been used in commerce and includes a second signature of the user, and comparing the second signature on the second check to the image of the first signature to authenticate the second signature.

Abstract: Systems and methods for opening, funding, and managing financial accounts are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for opening and funding a financial account includes electronically receiving application information for a first account from a customer, verifying the identity of the customer and, after verification, establishing the first account. The method also includes depositing one or more microdeposits into a preexisting second account of the customer. The method then includes receiving electronically from the customer at the first account a monetary value of the one or more microdeposits. Before providing input regarding the monetary value of the one or more microdeposits, the customer securely logs into the first account by electronically providing selected personally-identifying information.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for use in assembling a steering wheel cover, an air bag device and a retainer plate into a single unit. The air bag device includes an inflatable cushion portion and a base plate portion. The steering wheel cover includes a central portion and a plurality of side portions which extend out from the central portion to define with the central portion a pocket for receiving the air bag device. At least one of the side portions has a tab for lockingly engaging the retainer plate.

Abstract: An electronic voting system is disclosed that provides voters who may be blind, illiterate, or conversant in a foreign language, with a means to enter selection information without having to rely on visually perceptible information. In accordance with exemplary embodiments, candidate and/or referendum information is supplied audibly such that the voter can respond to selection options by speech input, actuating a button on a hand-held device, or other mechanism that permits the voter to indicate his or her selection preferences without having to visually interact with the system. The system provides an audio confirmation of the voter's selection. Such a system allows the aforementioned individuals to vote in confidence without assistance.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for assembling an inflator and an air bag unit into an inflator-air bag assembly. The apparatus comprises a frame and a holder device coupled to the frame. The holder device includes a movable nest adapted to receive an air bag unit and an inflator. The air bag unit has at least one stud which is capable of passing through at least one stud receiving opening provided in the inflator. The nest is adapted to move the air bag unit and the inflator such that the stud is moved to a nut-applying station. The apparatus further includes a driver unit coupled to the frame which is adapted to secure the nut to the stud to assemble the inflator and the air bag unit into an inflator-air bag assembly. The apparatus additionally includes a clamping element movably coupled to the support structure for engaging the inflator when the support structure is in the nut-securement position so as to act with the nest to clamp the inflator and the air bag unit together.

Abstract: An electronic data collection device configured in a substantially two-dimensional arrangement is disclosed. The data collection device uses inexpensive flexible sheet materials to provide a flat framework in which to situate an interconnected combination of electronic components. The components provide an interactive function to supply input-output, control, and power functions. Components can include an information display, switches for responding to questions displayed on the information display, memory for storing responses to the questions, and a controller for controlling the operation of the data collection device. In addition, the device is provided with a data transfer interface that permits stored responses to be gathered by a response data accumulation device, such as a computer, having a corresponding interface.

Abstract: An electronic data collection device configured in a substantially two-dimensional arrangement is disclosed. The data collection device uses inexpensive flexible sheet materials to provide a flat framework in which to situate an interconnected combination of electronic components. The components provide an interactive function to supply input-output, control, and power functions. Components can include an information display, switches for responding to questions displayed on the information display, memory for storing responses to the questions, and a controller for controlling the operation of the data collection device. In addition, the device is provided with a data transfer interface that permits stored responses to be gathered by a response data accumulation device, such as a computer, having a corresponding interface.