Abstract: The present specification discloses a multimedia distribution system and method. The system and method has a producer workstation, a delivery server, a high-bandwidth one-way satellite transmission system, a terrestrial two-way communication system (including use of the Internet), a plurality of satellite affiliate workstations, and a plurality of terrestrial client workstations. The delivery server receives digital information (envelopes and associates media files) from the producer workstations for delivery of the information to the affiliate and client workstations addressed in the envelope. The affiliate and client workstations provide the delivery server with confirmation of delivery of each received envelope and its associated files. In the absence of receipt of confirmation of delivery, the delivery server re-sends the unconfirmed envelope and associated files to the non-confirming affiliate or client workstation by a two-way terrestrial connection or by a manual system, such as a dub-and-ship service.

Abstract: A pre-polymer/liquid crystal composition is disclosed and includes, a liquid crystal component, a photo polymerization initiator, and a polymer precursor component. The polymer precursor component includes at least, a silane monomer, reactive (meth)acryloxy monomer or oligomer, and an ester, urethane, or (meth)acrylate based polymer or oligomer, bearing one or more reactive (meth)acrylate groups. Methods of forming a bistable electro-optical device are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for monitoring the status of a cell that consumes oxygen. In one embodiment of the present invention, the method includes the steps of confining the cell in a sensing volume, measuring dynamically intracellular or extracellular signaling of the cell, and determining the status of the cell from the measured intracellular or extracellular signaling of the cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of insulinotropic peptides that are synthesized using a solid and solution phase (“hybrid”) approach. Generally, the approach includes synthesizing three different peptide intermediate fragments using solid phase chemistry. Solution phase chemistry is then used to add additional amino acid material to the third fragment which is then coupled to the second fragment and then the first fragment in solution. Alternatively, a different second fragment is coupled to the first fragment in the solid phase. Then, solution phase chemistry is then used to add additional amino acid material to a different third fragment. Subsequently, this different third fragment is coupled to the coupled first and different second fragment in the solution phase. The use of a pseudoproline in one of the fragments eases solid phase synthesis of that fragment and also eases subsequent solution phase coupling of this fragment to the other fragments.

Abstract: In a WDM optical communication system that includes a plurality of nodes interconnected by communication links, a node is provided that includes a first plurality of transponders each generating and/or receiving an information-bearing optical signal at a different channel wavelength from one another. An optical coupling arrangement, which may include one or more reconfigurable optical switches, transfers the channel wavelengths between a link connected to the node and the first plurality of transponders. The arrangement is adaptable to reconfigure its operational state to selectively direct different ones of the channel wavelengths from the link to different ones of the transponders without disturbing the optical path through the node traversed by any other channel wavelengths. A communications and configuration arrangement is provided, which transfers data identifying the respective channel wavelengths at which the transponders operate from the transponders to the optical coupling arrangement.

Abstract: A method for forming a capacitor includes providing a metal-containing bottom electrode, forming a capacitor insulator over the metal-containing bottom electrode, forming a metal-containing top electrode over the capacitor insulator, and forming a dielectric-containing field modification layer over the capacitor insulator and at least partially surrounding the metal-containing top electrode. Forming the dielectric-containing field modification layer may include oxidizing a sidewall of the metal-containing field modification layer. A barrier layer may be formed over the capacitor insulator prior to forming the metal-containing top electrode.

Abstract: A method (500) and a system (300) for implementing point-to-point communications. The method can include identifying at least a first portion (348, 350) of a prefix (344, 346) of a network address, the prefix corresponding to a particular topological region (326, 328) of a communications network (302). The method further can include generating a unique prefix (360, 362) by updating the prefix with an identifier (356, 358) that is unique within the topological region of the communications network, and assigning the unique prefix to a node (304-314) of the communications network.

Abstract: A playing card delivery shoe is used in the play of the casino table card game of baccarat or blackjack or any game where cards are pulled one at a time from the shoe. The apparatus comprises a reader or an imager that scans lines bisecting the image at spaced intervals. The scanning occurs on playing cards in at least the region where suit and rank symbols are provided. The scanner output is a series of voltages that are converted to binary information. This binary information is compared to stored binary information to determine rank and suit. The upper surface of the output end of the shoe contains a partial barrier for cards being scanned. The partial barrier has an elevated surface and limits a size of a pathway so that only one card can be removed at a time.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for identifying unexpected cards in a card handling device are disclosed. The method comprises providing a card handling device, wherein the card handling device comprises card storage area, an output end for the manual removal of cards, a processor with associated memory and a card recognition system capable of reading at least a rank of a card, wherein the associated memory has a data file of a set of expected card values, reading a value of a card, comparing the read card value to the set of expected card values, and when the card value is not an expected card value, generating an error signal indicative of a card not belonging to the set.

Abstract: A communication system reduces set up time for an inter-technology handoff of a multi-mode mobile station (MS) from a source network associated with a first radio frequency (RF) technology to a target network associated with a second RF technology by pre-establishing, prior to a determination to handoff the MS, a registration state of the MS and an authentication of the MS in association with the target network and second RF technology. In order to pre-establish the registration state and authentication, the MS exchanges messaging of the second RF technology with the second network via the first network and first RF technology. To facilitate the exchange, the MS includes shims in a second protocol stack associated with the second technology, which shims intercept second protocol stack signaling and redirect the intercepted signaling to a first protocol stack of the MS, associated with the first technology, for tunneling to the source network.

Abstract: A method of making a patient's dental prosthetic (e.g., prosthetic tooth, crown, veneer, or bridge) by acquiring an image of the patient's teeth that contains black and white normalization references. These references are black and white porcelain, for example, that allow software of the invention to determine absolute black and absolute white within the color image. The acquired color image is then normalized in accordance with the normalization references, which corrects the image for variations in lighting conditions and image source. The normalized image is then standardized by matching the pixels of the normalized image to selected shade standards. The dental prosthesis can then be manufactured by a lab technician by referring to the standardized image. The tooth shade analysis and matching system is also applicable to direct restorations of natural teeth, such as repair of chipped or broken teeth. Methods of whitening teeth are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrode that includes a transparent substrate having a first and second surface; a conductive layer disposed on the second surface of the substrate; and an electrode layer disposed on the conductive layer, wherein the electrode layer includes doped tin oxide nanoparticles and an organic binder, and wherein the electrode layer is transparent. Also disclosed is a method of making such an electrode and electrochromic articles including such an electrode.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display is disclosed, including first and second opposing substrates separated by a cell gap. The cell gap has an inner liquid crystal region including a liquid crystal composition, an outer sealant region including a sealant that bonds the first and second opposing substrates together, and a void region between the inner liquid crystal region and the outer sealant region. The sealant may be a pressure sensitive adhesive. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing the liquid crystal display. A liquid crystal display assembly including at least two light reflecting liquid crystal displays is also disclosed, wherein at least one of the displays comprises the liquid crystal display disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method for forming a capacitor includes providing a metal-containing bottom electrode, forming a capacitor insulator over the metal-containing bottom electrode, forming a metal-containing top electrode over the capacitor insulator, and forming a dielectric-containing field modification layer over the capacitor insulator and at least partially surrounding the metal-containing top electrode. Forming the dielectric-containing field modification layer may include oxidizing a sidewall of the metal-containing field modification layer. A barrier layer may be formed over the capacitor insulator prior to forming the metal-containing top electrode.

Abstract: The instant invention is an aqueous non-ionic hydrophilic polyurethane dispersion, and a continuous process for making the same. The aqueous non-ionic hydrophilic polyurethane dispersion according to instant invention includes the reaction product of a non-ionic hydrophilic prepolymer, water, optionally an external surfactant, and optionally a chain-extending reagent. The non-ionic hydrophilic prepolymer includes the reaction product of a first component and a second component. The first component is selected from the group consisting of an aromatic polyisocyanate, an aliphatic polyisocyanate, and combinations thereof. The second component is a hydrophilic alkylene oxide polyol, a non-ionic hydrophilic alkylene oxide monol, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Provided are novel azeotrope-like compositions of SF6 and N2O, as well as methods of using the same. Also provided are methods of using SF6 compositions, including azeotrope-like compositions, including a method for suppressing an electric arc or corona discharge and a method for flame suppression. Further provided are electrical devices using such SF6 compositions as a dielectric insulating gas and rigid closed-cell foams having such SF6 compositions within the cells, wherein the foam is both thermally and electrically insulative.

Abstract: Imidazoquinoline and tetrahydroimidazoquinoline compounds that contain ether and sulfonamide or sulfamide functionality at the 1-position are useful as immune response modifiers. The compounds and compositions of the invention can induce the biosynthesis of various cytokines and are useful in the treatment of a variety of conditions including viral diseases and neoplastic diseases.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating back bet wagering is disclosed. The system includes a central processor in communication with information gathering devices that gather information about game play and a display device. The central processor is able to manipulate the information provided by the information gathering devices in order to generate data regarding game play, such as a ranking of perceived lucky players, and the display device provides a visual display of this data. The method includes recording game data in real-time, associating the game data with active players in the game, assigning a rank to the active players based on the associated game data, presenting the ranking of active players to one or more passive players and receiving back betting wagers from the one or more passive players.

Abstract: An LED for use with a medical diagnostic instrument having an adapter disposed between an instrument head and a hand-grippable handle, the LED being removably attachable in relation to the adapter in order to permit selective replacement of the LED, as needed. The LED is situated in order to provide mechanical and electrical interface with at least one of the adapter and the instrument, thereby enabling the adapter and the LED to convert the illumination source of the instrument selectively between an incandescent light source and the LED. The adapter matches a polarity between the LED and a power supply that is specifically intended for powering an incandescent light source.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for variable contribution progressive jackpots are disclosed. A variable contribution rate is determined as a function of a wager level. A contribution amount is determined by multiplying each wager by its corresponding contribution rate. The contribution amount is then added to the progressive jackpot meter.