Abstract: A calibration device consisting of a gas cell constructed so one window (16) is a Fabry-Perot etalon. The gas cell absorption lines are used to calibrate the Fabry-Perot etalon characteristics. Thus the device can be used to calibrate an optical instrument over a broad range of frequencies that are generated by the Fabry-Perot etalon with the accuracy determined by the stable gas absorption lines.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for provisioning a mobile station over a wireless network are described. The mobile station contains a browser to allow navigation of hypermedia content. The browser sends a request for provisioning content to a remote provisioning server via the wireless network. The request includes a network resource locator. In response, the provisioning server sends a markup language document via a wireless network to the mobile station, containing a reference to provisioning content. The browser retrieves the provisioning content based on the reference and stores the provisioning content in the mobile station. The provisioning content is used in the mobile station to enhance a capability of the mobile station.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing a sufficiently stable power to a load in an energy transfer system that transfers energy from one side of a physical boundary to another side of the boundary. In one example, a power supply and a primary winding are located on a first side of a physical boundary (e.g., external to a body), and a secondary winding and the load are located on a second side of the physical boundary (e.g., internal to the body). A primary voltage across the primary winding is regulated so as to provide a sufficiently stable output power to the load notwithstanding changes in the load and/or changes in a relative position of the primary winding and the secondary winding. One aspect of the invention relates to energy transfer methods and apparatus for use in connection with the human body. In particular, one example of the invention includes a transcutaneous energy transfer (TET) system for transferring power from a power supply external to the body to a device implanted in the body.

Abstract: A seal structure is provided for a downhole tool. In a described embodiment, a seal structure includes a seal support ring having at least one annular groove formed thereon and a longitudinal axis. At least one seal is included in the seal structure. The seal is disposed at least partially in the groove, and the seal is bonded to the ring. An annular recess is positioned longitudinally between opposing side walls of the groove. The recess may be formed in a body of the seal.

Abstract: An semiconductor device package (10) with improved thermal properties that limits unwanted parasitics and provides a more consistent distribution of parasitics from one device to another. The package of the present invention (10) is extremely compact and uses, in one embodiment, a minimal length of bond wires (20 and 22) between the terminals (14 and 16) and the attached device (30). The path length of the package (10) is reduced so as to represent only some fraction of a wavelength relative to the terminals (14 and 16) of the package (10). By reducing the length of the bond wires (20 and 22) and selecting the appropriate dielectric constant of the encapsulant (12), the invention provides a package (10) with a unique hexagonal structure that limits the effects of parasitics and provides good thermal dissipation. In a second and third embodiment of the present invention, the semiconductor device package (10) is useful in optoelectronic devices such light emitting diodes with an anode (71) and a cathode (72).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for rich text document storage on small devices. One embodiment provides a compact word processing document format. The document format allows viewing and editing of a document on PDAs. In one embodiment, the document format also includes style information. In another embodiment, the document format handles multi-byte characters. Yet another embodiment is designed to utilize a record-based storage system. One embodiment stores two style galleries in one record of a document. One style gallery represents style information for paragraphs. The other style gallery represents style information for smaller text runs (where a run is sequence of text of one style). The rest of the document stores the text of the document and information about applying styles from the galleries to the text. Documents in standard word processing formats are converted to the document format of the embodiment with little or no loss in stylistic information.

Abstract: This invention relates to isolated polynucleotides encoding at least a portion of a glycine metabolism enzyme selected from choline oxidase, L-allo-threonine aldolase, phosphoserine phosphatase, and sarcosine oxidase. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of a glycine metabolism enzyme, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the glycine metabolism enzyme in a transformed host cell.

Abstract: A diffusion barrier for an implantable device, such as a stent, carrying a therapeutic or bioactive substance is disclosed. The diffusion barrier reduces the rate at which the therapeutic or bioactive substance is released from the device. The diffusion barrier can be made from a polymeric material impregnated with particles.

Abstract: Methods to allow for patient/consumers to collect, store, organize, password protect, and share personal health, medical, dental, and pharmacy data without regard to healthcare provider systems are provided. Application software necessary for complete functionality is contained on a portable, pocket sized, re-write enabled compact disk. Application software necessary for providers (doctors, dentists, hospitals, pharmacies) to view, print, and modify data points is contained on the compact disk. Communication software for the automatic updating of patient information by provider billing/management systems is contained on the compact disk. All software functions necessary for the user/patient and providers to collect, store, update, organize, and share patient information is contained within the application software imbedded on the compact disk.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing lightweight particulates during processing of a primary material. The apparatus includes a classification tank having an inlet, an outlet and a plurality of settling stations located therebetween. A slurry of fluid and particles is introduced into the inlet and directed towards the outlet. As the slurry traverses along the classification tank, particles come out of suspension at the settling stations according to weight and to a lesser degree, density. The composition as well as the quantity of particles at the settling stations is periodically inspected. If particles deposited at a particular settling station are more or less the same size, and if they have accumulated in sufficient quantity, they are discharged to a flume which directs them to preselected collection areas.

Abstract: To avoid traditional muscle dissection required in the placement of a screw for a pedicle screw fixation, a retractor is provided having a guide of an appropriate length to provide access from the skin surface to the dorsal aspect of the vertebra over the pedicle. The retractor has a handle to provide appropriate holding leverage and to maintain the guide so as to stabilize the guide against the lateral aspects of the facet with the paraspinous musculature. The retractor has a channel of an appropriate size to accommodate a variety of tools, including a drill bit or a tap. The channel also provides a pathway for a probe or feeler to inspect the placement of the screw.

Abstract: Methods of forming a coating onto an implantable device or endoluminal prosthesis, such as a stent, are provided. The coating may be used for the delivery of an active ingredient. The coating may have a selected pattern of interstices for allowing a fluid to seep through the coating in the direction of the pattern created.

Abstract: A service desk capability is accessible by customers of the service desk, the customers including external customers, e-commerce customers, and global customers. The service desk includes means for solving problems and incidents reported, and also means for tracking and reporting the service desk's performance in solving the problems and incidents. A method for providing the service desk capability is also disclosed.

Abstract: A Bulk Mail Container (BMC) unloader uses a simple crossed four bar-linkage to move a predetermined point on a BMC unloader in a substantially straight line while the overall BMC unloader rotates about that predetermined point so as to upend the BMC container. This takes advantage of the crossed four-bar's substantially straight-line motion over a limited range of its motion, as well as the rotational motion of the particular unloader link disclosed herein. This is advantageous for unloading. In use, a BMC container is simply rolled into the BMC unloader, and the entire combination of the BMC container and BMC unloader is then actuated to produce substantially straight line motion along a suitably selected “center” point of the BMC unloader while the overall combination rotates about the center point so as to upend the BMC for unloading.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer implemented instructions for processing an error in a multiprocessor data processing system. An error is detected within the data processing system. A chip, causing the error, is identified within a plurality of chips to form an identified chip. Data is collected from the identified chip and hardware associated with the identified chip.

Abstract: The present invention relates to low dielectric constant nanoporous silica films and to processes for their manufacture. A substrate, e.g., a wafer suitable for the production of an integrated circuit, having a plurality of raised lines and/or electronic elements present on its surface, is provided with a relatively high porosity, low dielectric constant, silicon-containing polymer film composition.

Abstract: Context aware computing systems and methods are described. In one described embodiment, devices and methods are provided that are context-aware (in one example—location-aware) in that they provide for the application and enforcement of various policies as a function of context. Specifically, various computing devices, through the described methodologies and structures, are able to automatically determine their context. Once context is determined, a collection of policies can be evaluated to provide a resultant set of policies that apply to the given context. The resultant set of policies are then enforced, typically via the device's operating system. Policy enforcement can involve promulgating new settings or state to applications that are executing on or off the device. Advantageously, the devices and methodologies can adapt the resultant set of policies as the device's context changes so that the policies can be dynamically determined and enforced automatically as the device's context changes.

Abstract: An apparatus for embedding data in information material, the data being a plurality of data items each having a different relative importance. The apparatus comprises an encoding processor operable to encode each of said data items, and a combining processor operable to combine said encoded data items with said information material. The information material provides a limited data embedding capacity, as a result for example of the limited bandwidth of the information material itself. Each of the data items are encoded and embedded to the effect that a proportion of the limited data embedding capacity is allocated to the encoded data items in accordance with the relative importance of these data items. As such, for example, an amount of error protection given to each of the data items can be arranged in accordance with the importance of the data items, whilst still satisfying the limited data embedding capacity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for a file format for storing spreadsheets compactly on PDAs. PDAs only contain a limited amount of computer memory due to their small size and processing ability. To reduce memory constraints caused by PDA spreadsheet applications, the present invention focuses on reducing memory allocated for file storage. This is accomplished by optimizing the compression of individual spreadsheet files within a database record storage system. This method and apparatus of the present invention reduces the overall storage of spreadsheets within a spreadsheet program. The invention uses a collection of records to represent a spreadsheet file. In one embodiment, the invention stores spreadsheet file data in a first record. A second record stores access data of the spreadsheet file and cell data is stored on third or more records. The property data includes name, version, date information, and default cell format information of the spreadsheet file.

Abstract: A method for insuring an entity's exposure to liability created when a member resigns from the entity includes receiving information pertaining to an entity and a member, receiving information pertaining to the initiation fee, and processing the received information to track premium, coverage and claims relating to the initiation fee of the member. A system for implementing an insurance program for an entity's initiation fees includes at least one user device and a server connected to the user device. The server is configured to receive, via the at least one user device, information pertaining to an initiation fee insurance program. The server is also configured to process the received information and transmit information to the user device regarding whether the initiation fee insurance application has been accepted or rejected.