Abstract: Methods of carrying out an electronic transaction that includes payment via a secure electronic draft, include steps of establishing a secure computer site that includes a representation of the draft, the site being controlled by a financial service provider and accessible only to authenticated parties to the transaction; creating a first online letter of credit linked to a drawer of the draft and including predetermined terms, satisfaction of the terms being a precondition to the financial service provider extending credit to the drawer; authenticating each party to the draft requesting access to the draft represented at the computer site, and releasing payment on the draft to a drawee of the draft. At least a portion of the released payment may originate from the credit extended to the drawer. An online performance bond may define liquidated damages to be paid to a drawer upon non-performance of the drawee or to the drawee upon non-performance of the drawer.

Abstract: In one embodiment, watch rules can be created for diagnosis information. The watch rules can be examined against the diagnosis information and if there is a match, a notification can be based upon a predetermined notification type.

Abstract: A saw table includes a clamping mechanism for clamping a work piece on the saw table. The clamping mechanism includes a clamping bar having a first end and a second end. A longitudinal axis is defined between the first and second ends. A first pivoting arm is operatively connected to one of the ends of the clamping bar to support the clamping bar for rotation about a pivot axis. A biasing device biases the clamping bar about the pivot axis to clamp the work piece between the clamping bar and a table base.

Abstract: A well bore fluid recovery system and method is disclosed for recovering a column of well bore fluid within a stand of casing before cutting the casing. The recovery system relates to a system for preventing fluids from being spilled when casing is being finished for a well bore. After being run the casing must be cut and finished at an appropriate level to install rig equipment such as blow out preventers along with other equipment. However, because of earlier operations, the entire length of casing is typically filled with drilling fluid. Depending on conditions, the length of casing which is to be cut and removed may therefore over a 100-foot (27.4 meter) column of drilling fluid therein. The drilling fluid in this section must be properly drained before the casing is cut and removed.

Abstract: A gaming machine includes a video display and gaming controls fixed within the machine so that the surfaces of the display and controls are at an angle that provides enhanced ergonomics and increased interior space within the gaming machine. A hopper with a tall and narrow shape stores a large number of coins while increasing interior space. A video connection system allows a video cable to connect the video display and PC of the gaming machine without the cable being substantially bent, thereby increasing interior space. Multiple heat dispensing devices and a vent having fins directed inward and upward into the machine efficiently dispense heat from within the gaming machine while allowing the rear of machine to be placed very close to another surface. A multiple pin deck latch mechanism reduces wobbling when the deck is closed. Also, redemption tickets are dispensed into the same receptacle as coins are dispensed.

Abstract: An implantable lead is provided with at least one extendable member to position therapy delivery elements, which may be electrodes or drug delivery ports, after the lead has been inserted into the body. The lead may formed as a resilient element which is contained in a retainer tube that may be removed to permit the lead to deploy. Alternatively, a non-resilient lead may be provided with a slotted retainer tube. A series of mechanical linkages for expanding and retracting the lead within the human body may be actuated with various mechanisms. A control system may be provided for closed-loop feedback control of the position of the extendable members. The invention also includes a method for expanding an implantable lead in situ.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for selecting a desired Roman or non-Roman-alphabet character or objects from a set of non-Roman characters or objects may include steps of providing an association database that includes, for each non-Roman-alphabet character of the set, a Roman alphabet or other phonetic transliteration associated with each said non-Roman-alphabet character and a plurality of entries that are associated with each said non-Roman-alphabet character; receiving a phonetic transliteration of the desired non-Roman-alphabet character or data object and at least one associated entry that is associated with the desired non-Roman-alphabet character or other similar symbolic input; accessing the association database and identifying as candidate characters those characters of the set that are associated with the received phonetic transliteration and with the at least one received associated entry; if a number of candidate characters is greater than one, receiving additional associated entries and repeating

Abstract: A method and system for preventing or minimizing false back pressure faults caused by a new particulate filter in an engine exhaust system. When a new particulate filter is placed in an engine exhaust system, the normal back pressure threshold for the fault detection system is increased by a new filter offset amount. Back pressure faults at the normal level are not recorded for a limited period of engine operation and only records back pressure faults that exceed the normal back pressure threshold by the value of the new filter offset.

Abstract: Herbidically active compositions, comprising: A) at least one phenyluracil compound of the formula (I); in which the variables R1-R7 are as defined in the claims, and/or at least one of its agriculturally acceptable salts; and at least one further active compound, selected from B) herbicides of classes b1) to b15): b1) lipid biosynthesis inhibitors; b2) acetolactate synthase inhibitors (ALS inhibitors); b3) photosynthesis inhibitors; b4) protoporphyrinogen-IX oxidase inhibitors; b5) bleacher herbicides; b6) enolpyruvyl shikimate 3-phosphate synthase inhibitors (EPSP inhibitors); b7) glutamine synthetase inhibitors; b8) 7,8-dihydropteroate synthase inhibitors (DHP inhibitors); b9) mitose inhibitors; b10) inhibitors of the synthesis of very long chain fatty acids (VLCFA inhibitors); b11) cellulose biosynthesis inhibitors; b12) decoupler herbicides; b13) auxin herbicides; b14) auxin transport inhibitors; b15) other herbicides selected from the group consisting of benzoylprop, flamprop, flamprop-M, bromobutide, c

Abstract: A center high mounted stop lamp (12) including a plurality of LEDs (34) mounted on a printed circuit board (30). TIR lenses (40) are employed to focus the light from the LEDs (34) to give an even lighting appearance. The TIR lenses (40) include a prism (44) for directing the light in a desired direction. The circuit board (30) and lenses (40) are mounted in a housing (18) so that each LED (34) includes a separate lens (40) configured relative thereto to provide the desired collection and reflectance of the light. The housing (18) includes a plurality of posts (70) that extend through openings (48, 50) in the circuit board (30) and the lenses (40) to align the LEDs (34) to the lenses (40) relative to the housing (18).

Abstract: Rotary joints are provided, to allow fluid to flow from a stationary member to a rotating member. The rotary joints include a housing, configured to fit over the rotating member, a rotatable coupling disposed within the housing, configured to be fixedly attached to the rotating member, and a floating seal system that allows relative movement between the parts being sealed, accommodating thermal expansion and contraction of the rotating member and associated parts.

Abstract: A method of dynamically allocating usage of a shared resource between user A and user B includes the steps of establishing an initial allocation percentage for user B for using the shared resource and establishing a threshold allocation percentage for user B. The allocation percentage is modified for user B based on the availability of the shared resource to user A. If the shared resource is unavailable to user A, the allocation percentage for user B is decreased. If the shared resource is available to user A, the allocation percentage for user B is increased. Usage of the shared resource by user B is allocated in accordance with the modified allocation percentage provided that the modified allocation percentage is less than a pre-set threshold level. The method is particularly useful in dynamically allocating telephone calls into call centers.

Abstract: A carrier comprised of a core, and thereover a polymer coating containing antimony tin oxide with an average diameter of from about 5 to about 90 nanometers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a product package which includes a sleeve and at least on rigid end cap. The sleeve has longitudinally opposed first and second ends, the first end of the sleeve defining an opening and having at least two locking tabs extending therefrom. The first end of the sleeve also includes a tear strip positioned adjacent to the opening which has been formed using known techniques, such as, microperforation. Each locking tab includes a locking edge and is folded inwards into the opening. A rigid end cap is dimensioned to fit closely within the sleeve opening, the end cap including a rim that, when the end cap is inserted into the opening, engages the first end of the sleeve and prevents the end cap from being inserted further into the opening. The end cap also includes at least one channel for receiving the pair of locking tabs, the at least one channel having a ledge that engages the locking edge of each locking tab to prevent the end cap from being removed from the sleeve opening.

Abstract: A coating method is disclosed that applies a coating to a product in a uniform and controlled manner. The coating method comprises a feeding step, an optional pre-treatment step, at least one coating step, and a finishing step. The coating step(s) comprise the use of a coating material feeder and a coating device. During the coating step(s), a substrate passes through an aperture in the coating device which, includes first and second shell portions, where the first shell portion has a concave surface surrounding the aperture portion. The second shell has a substantially flat face and a mirror aperture that aligns with the aperture of the first shell. The concave surface of the first shell and a groove formed along the perimeter of the aperture collect coating material for coating the object as it passes through the apertures of both shells.

Abstract: A handle 16 for exterior use in a vehicle to authorize a mechanism (18) to unlatch an access door has a structural part (34); a cover (36); and a pair of sensors or switches (28, 29) between the structural part (34) and the cover (36). A first sensor or switch (28) to interact with one or more fingers of a user's (26) hand (2) and a second sensor or switch (29) spaced from said first sensor (28) to be activated by a user's (26) different finger or the user's (26) thumb. The combination of the two switches or sensors (28, 29) signal the mechanism (18) to unlatch the access door and wherein the activation of only the second sensor or switch (29) in the absence of touching the first sensor or switch (28) authorizes a mechanism (18) to lock the access door. Preferably, the first and second sensors or switches (28, 29) are electrically coupled such that activation of both authorizes an unlatching of the access door while the activation of only the second sensor or switch (29) authorizes a lock only feature.

Abstract: A multi-functional building assembly includes a plurality of elongated studs, each of the studs including a recessed notch defined in axially extending fashion along first and second opposite extending surfaces. A plurality of elongated and planar shaped panels include extending edges which match in configuration that of each of the notches and in order that a selected panel is secured to a selected stud. A plurality of the studs and panels are engaged in end-to-end extending fashion to construct at least one of a wall and a corner detail.

Abstract: A shipping carton adapted to hold sheet products in packages is provided. The shipping carton includes a carton having an internal compartment configured to hold packages of sheet products. The carton has a first pull tab and a second pull tab. A tear strip is connected to the first pull tab and it extends about an inner surface of an inner perimeter of the carton to connect to the second pull tab. The tear strip is configured such that when a user pulls as least one of the first and second pull tabs, the carton is separated into two separate containers. A shipping assembly and a method of using a shipping carton are also provided.