Abstract: Disclosed herein is an adaptive communications network and a method of adapting the network. The network comprises, at least a first and second base station operable to communicate with one another and with a plurality of mobile client platforms (MCPs), at least a first and second MCP, each provided with a communications module, a processing module, and a means of manoeuvring. The first MCP is provided with and operable to execute: a first initial route plan and a first initial communications plan for maintaining a communication link with either of the base stations. Further, the first MCP is operable to collect and transmit first situational awareness data. Similarly, the second MCP is provided with and operable to execute: a second initial route plan and a second initial communications plan for maintaining a communication link with at least one of the base stations, and is operable to collect and transmit second situational awareness data.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system that programmably interconnects integrated circuit chips and other components at near-intra-chip density. The system's contact structure allows it to adapt to components with a wide variety of contact spacings and interconnection requirements, the use of releasable attachment means allows component placement to be modified as needed, the system identifies the contacts and the components to facilitate specifying the inter-component connections, and the system provides signal conditioning and retiming to minimize issues with signal integrity and signal skew.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method and a system for facilitating settlement processing within a network of financial institutions may include receiving one or more payment items from a plurality of payment entities, at a centralized agent; aggregating the payment items into one or more categories; identifying a payee financial institution and a payor financial institution for each payment items, wherein the payee financial institution and the payor financial institution are different; determining whether the payee financial institution and the payor financial institution are within the network of financial institutions; for the payee and payor within the network, determining at the centralized agent a settlement path within the network of financial institutions for each payment item; and for the payee and payor that are not within the network, forwarding the payment items to a third party settlement entity.

Abstract: A device having an encryption module in communication with first and second communication ports may facilitate connecting to an access network, without requiring a non-secure hard drive to initiate the network access. The encryption module may define a normal mode and a bypass mode. In normal mode, data from the first port may be sent encrypted to the second port, for communicating securely in an encrypted environment. In bypass mode, data from the first port may be sent unencrypted to the second port. The data being sent may be intercepted and presented to the user for approval in a human readable format. The user may confirm that the data is appropriate for being sent unencrypted. This data may be sent unencrypted in response to a request for information (e.g., an assent to terms and conditions) from the access network, such as at a hotel or public wireless hotspot, for example.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system that programmably interconnects integrated circuit chips and other components at near-intra-chip density. The system's contact structure allows it to adapt to components with a wide variety of contact spacings and interconnection requirements, the use of releasable attachment means allows component placement to be modified as needed, the system identifies the contacts and the components to facilitate specifying the inter-component connections, and the system provides signal conditioning and retiming to minimize issues with signal integrity and signal skew.

Abstract: A computer program product and business method is described for generating a market growth strategy. The computer program product in a computer-readable medium having instructions for directing a computer to focus on the core job that needs to be performed. A specific sequence is executed in several phases: market selection, target generation, business generation and portfolio generation strategies. Inputs are tailored to the outcomes that are desired for each phase and cover customer(s), company(-ies) and society. Three aspects (job, job executor and platform) are transformed by the instructions to generate six potential growth paths A market growth strategy is built around these potential growth paths. The business method and program product receives, stores, and manipulates this data using storage for input, desired outcomes and output data.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method and a system for facilitating settlement processing within a network of financial institutions may include receiving one or more payment items from a plurality of payment entities, at a centralized agent; aggregating the payment items into one or more categories; identifying a payee financial institution and a payor financial institution for each payment items, wherein the payee financial institution and the payor financial institution are different; determining whether the payee financial institution and the payor financial institution are within the network of financial institutions; for the payee and payor within the network, determining at the centralized agent a settlement path within the network of financial institutions for each payment item; and for the payee and payor that are not within the network, forwarding the payment items to a third party settlement entity.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system that programmably interconnects integrated circuit chips and other components at near-intra-chip density. The system's contact structure allows it to adapt to components with a wide variety of contact spacings and interconnection requirements, the use of releasable attachment means allows component placement to be modified as needed, the system identifies the contacts and the components to facilitate specifying the inter-component connections, and the system provides signal conditioning and retiming to minimize issues with signal integrity and signal skew.

Abstract: An exemplary method and system may include receiving one or more payment items from a plurality of payment entities, at a centralized agent, wherein the one or more payment items comprise one or more electronic images and paper instruments; aggregating the payment items into one or more categories; identifying a payee financial institution and a payor financial institution for each payment items, wherein the payee financial institution and the payor financial institution are different; determining whether the payee financial institution and the payor financial institution are within the network of financial institutions; for the payee and payor within the network, determining at the centralized agent a settlement path within the network of financial institutions for each payment item; and for the payee and payor that are not within the network, forwarding the payment items to a third party settlement entity by the centralized agent for settlement processing.

Abstract: The present invention is primarily directed to improvements to cost-effective systems for concentrating and using solar energy. The present invention co-optimizes the frame and the primary mirrors and secondary concentrator for a cost-effective very high concentration quasi-parabolic dish system that uses no moulded optics for the primary concentration, and also optimizes fabrication jigs for the main components of that design. The present invention also optimizes cell contacts and provides cost effective receiver cooling for dense receiver arrays for very high concentration photovoltaic systems. The present invention also includes a semi-dense receiver array that can provide a higher acceptance angle than a dense receiver array, and finally includes mutual-shading impact minimization methods and apparatus compatible with very high concentration photovoltaic systems.

Abstract: A Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) card may establish, via a non-secure network, a secure communications channel between a computer and a secure network. The non-secure network may define a first address space. The secure network may define a second address space. The PCMCIA card may include a cryptography module, a network adapter, and/or a processor. The cryptography module may provide Type 1 cryptography of data communicated between the computer and the secure network. The network adapter may be in communication with the non-secure network and may be associated with a first network address from the first address space. The processor may be in communication with the secure network via the cryptography module and the network adapter. The processor may identify a second network address for the computer from the second address space and may communicate the second network address to the computer, for example via dynamic host control protocol (DHCP).

Abstract: A system and method for performing Electronic Check Presentment (ECP) processing. The system and method employ digital imaging techniques to digitally image the physical checks as they arrive subsequent to posting of the ECP items. The images are electronically linked to the data records that represent the checks. During the proofing process, in which the data records for the ECP items are validated against the data records for the physical items, the records are updated such that the posting date and ISN number for the data records for the physical items reflect the posting date and ISN number of the ECP items. As the digital image of the check is electronically linked to the data records, the image is thus carries the posting date and ISN of the ECP item.

Abstract: Electromagnetic-energy absorbing materials are combined with thermally conductive materials, such as those used for thermal management in association with electronic equipment, thereby suppressing the transmission of electromagnetic interference (EMI) therethrough. Disclosed are materials and processes for combining EMI-absorbing materials with thermally conductive materials thereby improving EMI shielding effectiveness in an economically efficient manner. In one embodiment, a thermally conductive EMI absorber is prepared by combining an EMI-absorbing material (for example, ferrite particles) with a thermally conducting material (for example, ceramic particles), each suspended within an elastomeric matrix (for example, silicone). In application, a layer of thermally conductive EMI-absorbing material is applied between an electronic device or component, and a heat sink.

Abstract: The present invention is primarily directed to cost-effective systems for using large reflective elements that track the sun on two axes to concentrate solar energy onto a receiver that can convert the sun's optical energy to a form usable for extensive displacement of combustion of fossil fuels. The structures of the tracker frame, tracking mechanism and tracker supports are co-optimized with the optical elements and the receiver for high efficiency, low cost, and ease of assembly, making moderate and large-scale implementations cost-competitive with fossil fuels for peak power, and, with suitable storage, for base-load power and dispatchable peaking power in sunny locations. Improvement to small-tracker two-axis systems and one-axis tracking systems that focus in two dimensions are also included, as are improvements in systems for space-based solar power.

Abstract: A device having an encryption module in communication with first and second communication ports may facilitate connecting to an access network, without requiring a non-secure hard drive to initiate the network access. The encryption module may define a normal mode and a bypass mode. In normal mode, data from the first port may be sent encrypted to the second port, for communicating securely in an encrypted environment. In bypass mode, data from the first port may be sent unencrypted to the second port. The data being sent may be intercepted and presented to the user for approval in a human readable format. The user may confirm that the data is appropriate for being sent unencrypted. This data may be sent unencrypted in response to a request for information (e.g., an assent to terms and conditions) from the access network, such as at a hotel or public wireless hotspot, for example.

Abstract: A hand-held ground-supported display device for warning passersby is disclosed. Included is a self-supporting sign panel and a plurality of at least three mast sections telescopically interfittable, one within the other. A coupler is attached to the sign panel, with a socket for releasably engaging the top mast section. The mast sections have progressively smaller internal diameters and progressively shorter lengths, with the outermost mast section having the largest internal diameter and the longest length. Middle mast upper and middle mast lower stop members are attached to upper and lower ends of the middle mast section, respectively. In one example, the middle mast upper stop member has an end wall with first and second sidewalls extending downwardly therefrom with lower free ends for interfering with stop members associated with the top and the bottom mast sections. A kit including the display device is also disclosed.

Abstract: Electromagnetic-energy absorbing materials are combined with thermally conductive materials, such as those used for thermal management in association with electronic equipment, thereby suppressing the transmission of electromagnetic interference (EMI) therethrough. Disclosed are materials and processes for combining EMI-absorbing materials with thermally conductive materials thereby improving EMI shielding effectiveness in an economically efficient manner. In one embodiment, a thermally conductive EMI absorber is prepared by combining an EMI-absorbing material (for example, ferrite particles) with a thermally conducting material (for example, ceramic particles), each suspended within an elastomeric matrix (for example, silicone).

Abstract: A system and method for performing Electronic Check Presentment (ECP) processing. The system and method employ digital imaging techniques to digitally image the physical checks as they arrive subsequent to posting of the ECP items. The images are electronically linked to the data records that represent the checks. During the proofing process, in which the data records for the ECP items are validated against the data records for the physical items, the records are updated such that the posting date and ISN number for the data records for the physical items reflect the posting date and ISN number of the ECP items. As the digital image of the check is electronically linked to the data records, the image is thus carries the posting date and ISN of the ECP item.

Abstract: A hand-held ground-supported display device for warning passersby is disclosed. Included is a self-supporting sign panel and a plurality of at least three mast sections telescopically interfittable, one within the other. A coupler is attached to the sign panel, with a socket for releasably engaging the top mast section. The mast sections have progressively smaller internal diameters and progressively shorter lengths, with the outermost mast section having the largest internal diameter and the longest length. Middle mast upper and middle mast lower stop members are attached to upper and lower ends of the middle mast section, respectively. In one example, the middle mast upper stop member has an end wall with first and second sidewalls extending downwardly therefrom with lower free ends for interfering with stop members associated with the top and the bottom mast sections. A kit including the display device is also disclosed.