Abstract: Apparatus and methods for transaction processing. The apparatus may be a transaction terminal including a keypad, a circuit for interacting with the transaction customer and a link communicatively connecting the keypad and the customer-interaction circuit. The cashier may interact with the keypad, while the customer (and not the cashier) may interact with the customer-interaction circuit. The link may communicate a dollar amount for the transaction between the keypad and the customer-interaction circuit. Accessories for the keypad may include a check reader, a display or a receipt printer. Accessories for the customer-interaction circuit may include a smart-card reader, a magnetic-strip reader and biometric readers. The customer-interaction circuit may include a port for connection to a remote service provider. That port may be the only remote-access port in the transaction terminal.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for translation processing. The apparatus may be a transaction system including a keypad, a circuit for interacting with the transaction customer and a link communicatively connecting the keypad and the customer-interaction circuit. The cashier may interact with the keypad, while the customer (and not the cashier) may interact with the customer-interaction circuit. The link may communicate a dollar amount for the transaction between the keypad and the customer-interaction circuit. Accessories for the keypad may include a display. Accessories for the customer-interaction circuit may include a smart-card reader, a magnetic-strip reader, a check reader, a receipt printer and a biometric-information circuit. The customer-interaction circuit may include a port for connection to a remote service provider. That port may be the only remote-access port in the transaction system.

Abstract: A system and method for complete message delivery to a multi-mode communication device is presented. The communication device is adaptable to communicate with one or more carrier networks and one or more data networks. When a new message is received for the communication device, a message notification is sent to the device via a first network. The communication device parses the message notification and retrieves the complete message via a second network. Alternatively, the message notification may be delivered and the complete message may be retrieved via the same network.

Abstract: An adjustable nozzle dispenser and a multi-nozzle dispenser are disclosed for washing an aerofoil of a gas turbine engine. The dispensers are characterised by their nozzle arrangements being capable of washing at least two different parts of the aerofoil. A system and a method of operating such a nozzle dispenser is included.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for encrypting an identifier such as a PIN entered on a keypad. The apparatus may include a pad, an encrypting circuit adjacent the pad and a link coupling the pad and the encrypting circuit. The pad is for entering an identifier, and the circuit for encrypting the entered identifier. The pad may be a physical touch pad such as an N-wire-technology touch pad. Alternatively, the pad may be a virtual touch screen. The encrypting circuit may be a CPU along with a memory coupled to the CPU and programmed to encrypt. The CPU and programmed memory may be the first CPU programmable to encrypt the entered identifier, through which the identifier passes. The encrypting circuit may be a microcontroller programmed to encrypt. In still another variation, the encrypting circuit may be an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The apparatus may include a housing that encloses the encrypting circuit and link. The housing would be resistant to access, tampering or tapping.

Abstract: A footwear package comprises a flexible bag (2) or like container of which at least a front is light-transmitting. Closure means (23) is provided for closing the container. Locating means (21) is provided for locating items of footwear in the container.

Abstract: Local data maps of an optical imaging system are stitched together into a composite global data map based on a merit function supporting closed-form processing. Overlapping regions of the local data maps are defined as difference maps that are given a parametric description. Corrective orientations of the local data maps are derived by collectively matching parametric descriptions of the corrective orientations for the overlapping local data maps to the parametric descriptions of the corresponding difference maps.

Abstract: An image archiving system is provided comprising at least one modality for creating images, at least on workstation for viewing and analyzing the images, at least one archive for storing the images, a proxy to handle the data communication between the modality, workstation and archive and a network for communicably connecting the components of the system. Images and other data associated with the images to be archived may be sent to a proxy to determine which of the archives the images and other data should be stored and the proxy archives the images and other data in the appropriate archive.

Abstract: The present invention presents systems and methods for managing price modeling data through closed-loop analytics including a historical database populated with price modeling data; a rule based policy database populated with rules based on historical price modeling data; a transactional database for generating quotes conforming to rules from the rule based policy database; and a service database for transacting quotes generated by the transaction database and providing the transacted quotes to the historical database.

Abstract: A multilayer structure comprising (A) a fabric and (B) a polymeric layer comprising a substantially random interpolymer comprising in polymerized form i) one or more ?-olefin monomers and ii) one or more vinyl or vinylidene aromatic monomers and/or one or more sterically hindered aliphatic or cycloaliphatic vinyl or vinylidene monomers, and optionally iii) other polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer(s); layer (B) being free from a substantial amount of tackifier. The multilayer structure has desirable haptics and surprisingly good drape properties. It is useful in many applications, for example as water-impermeable clothes, tablecloths, tents, water-impermeable covers, curtains, artificial leather or upholstery.

Abstract: A method of coloring or coating particles, such as small stones, recycled plastic fragments or recycles rubber fragments comprises mixing the particles with curable liquid resin coating in a mixture, wherein the weight of the coating is within the range of 0.2 percent to 20 percent of the weight of the particles, accelerating the curing when needed by heating, radiation, or additional chemicals to speed the cure, and continuing to agitate the mixture in the mixer until the coating is cured. Preferably, the coated particles are recycled rubber fragments, and the particle size is larger than 0.1 mm, preferably in the range of 0.5 mm to 10 mm. The colored particles can be used as a cheap substitute colored EPTM granules.

Abstract: A system and method for complete message delivery to a multi-mode communication device is presented. The communication device is adaptable to communicate with one or more carrier networks and one or more data networks. When a new message is received for the communication device, a message notification is sent to the device via a first network. The communication device parses the message notification and retrieves the complete message via a second network. Alternatively, the message notification may be delivered and the complete message may be retrieved via the same network.

Abstract: The present application in one aspect discloses a method and system for directing communications in a communications network using a non-unique receiver identifier that allows users to forego the unique receiver identifier (such as electronic mail address), for a simpler, non-unique, alphanumeric address (a name, or number or a combination of both). The method enables an initiator to direct communication to a particular receiver by using a non-unique custom-defined receiver identifier as part of the communication process. The service provider system residing on the communications network retrieves the non-unique receiver identifier from the initiator and maps the non-unique receiver identifier to the corresponding receiver's unique identifier by accessing a stored user record that pertains to the specific initiator. The service system then directs the communication to this unique identifier of the receiver and completes the communication.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for reducing audio signal noise in a communication system includes, biasing (214)an audio signal noise level beyond a transmission device (200) operating range to condition an audio signal intended to be received by a receiving device (400) having an operating range including the audio signal noise level.

Abstract: An answering machine includes memory for storing voice messages and caller identification records. A control system receives input from a user and causes a display system to display caller identification information from a selected caller identification record in response to input from the user. The control system also causes a presentation system to present a voice message associated with the selected caller identification record.

Abstract: A testing module for testing the strength of the welding area on a PCB is disclosed. The testing module has a plurality of first plates each provided with a plurality of pressing plates adjustably mounted thereon and a plurality of second plates each provided with a plurality of supporting plates securely mounted thereon. Each of the pressing plates are located at the center of two adjacent supporting plates, such that a plurality of PCBs are able to be tested for the strength of the welding area at a time.

Abstract: A ball bonding method on a chip mainly comprises steps of: a wire is burned to form a ball on a capillary; the capillary is moved down to a second bonding point for ball bonding; and the capillary is moved up in a vertical direction thereby pulling the tip of the ball to be cut such that the ball has a uniformly body shape and tip height. Therefore, the ball provides uniform body shape and tip height for wire bonding at a second bonding point under lower variability conditions thus increasing the reliability of products.