Abstract: A method for preparing an area for hunting or wildlife observation, comprising providing a dummy bearing an image of at least an upper torso of a person in the area for a period of time prior to the time of the hunt or wildlife observation.

Abstract: In a mass storage library, a module storage array includes a back plate having apertures patterned to form a cartridge storage together with cell blocks that mate with the openings in the back plate. A column of cell blocks are held in place between a shelf and a spring load and include calibration targets to align the cell blocks to the library accessor and reader. One stripe the length of the storage cell stack contains a bar-code. The bar-code extends the entire length of the stripe and identifies the individual cell blocks when empty. A plurality of columns of cell blocks provide the complete storage array. Each column of the cell blocks include one stripe with a bar-code along its length that is directly fastened to the back plate with each cell of the column having a separate bar-coding on the strip. The accessor includes a sensor that reads the coding to provide an indication of an empty cell block.

Abstract: A pair of patch antennas are used to form a null slit antenna pattern for receiving GPS signals from at least three GPS satellites functioning as pseudo stars for spin rate and spin axis attitude determination for a spinning space vehicle in an earth orbit below the GPS satellites.

Abstract: A null slit antenna pattern receives GPS signals from at least three GPS satellites functioning as pseudo stars for spin rate and spin axis attitude determination of a spinning space vehicle in an earth orbit below the GPS satellites.

Abstract: In a mass storage library, an input/output station for inserting cartridges into and out of the library includes a door pivotally mounted to the station through cams that pivotally rotate a toggle bracket having fingers, one for each cartridge cell in the input/output station. Each cartridge used at least in the input/output station includes a cartridge orientation indicator in the form of a recess at one top edge of each cartridge. After inserting the cartridges into the cells of the input/output station, the door is closed rotating the toggle bracket and its fingers into the recess of each cartridge. The door will close if all of the cartridges have the recess correctly oriented to permit the fingers to clear the cartridges.

Abstract: A novel mechanism is disclosed by which a sender can direct information such as an audiovisual signal to a particular recipient's audiovisual display device, such as a cable television set and, thereby, share information between the sender and the recipient. In one embodiment of the invention, a calling party originates a telephone call and associates that telephone call with audio-visual information that exists on the caller's personal computer or on an Internet server. The called party answers the call, and can tune an associated cable television to the appropriate channel in order to view the audio-visual information. The caller can modify the audio-visual information during the call. Accordingly, the current invention ties together the telephone, cable, and IP networks in a manner that does not require large investments from cable or telephone service providers.

Abstract: A novel mechanism is disclosed by which a sender can direct information such as an audiovisual signal to a particular recipient's audiovisual display device, such as a cable television set and, thereby, share information between the sender and the recipient. In one embodiment of the invention, a calling party originates a telephone call and associates that telephone call with audio-visual information that exists on the caller's personal computer or on an Internet server. The called party answers the call, and can tune an associated cable television to the appropriate channel in order to view the audiovisual information. The caller can modify the audio-visual information during the call. Accordingly, the current invention ties together the telephone, cable, and IP networks in a manner that does not require large investments from cable or telephone service providers.

Abstract: Numerous benefits are realized by allowing messaging platforms to receive and act on information packages that include one or more Execution Instruction Sets (EISs), where the EIS is executed as specified. Execution of the included EISs provides vastly enhanced capabilities to the messaging platform, such as controlling when an EIS is executed, from where necessary data is obtained for the execution of the EIS, what kinds of executions are permitted, who will be the recipients of the content portion of platform, what that content will be, etc. Increasing the interaction complexity a step further, the EIS permits creation of an interactive session with the recipient that makes the message more effective. A still additional capability is the establishment of a communication path from the messaging platform. This may be in the form of a message that is sent by the messaging platform, or a connection that is established between the recipient and some other party.

Abstract: An improved messaging system for transmitting message information to a plurality of recipients comprises the steps of: sending a first message including the predetermined message information to a first recipient address of a first recipient on a list of recipients; updating, after the completion of the step of sending, the list of recipients to create an updated recipient list, the updating being implemented independently of the first recipient at the first recipient address; and sending a second message, including the predetermined message information to an address corresponding to a next recipient selected from the updated recipient list. The method can iteratively repeat the steps of updating and sending the message to thereby transmit messages to a plurality of recipients with the list of recipients being dynamically updated after each message is sent. The recipients may have an opportunity to modify or add to the message before the message is sent on to the next recipient.

Abstract: A media selection device is in functional parallel with an alternate local telephone network and an existing local telephone network. Upon detecting a loss of local power, the device switches to the local exchange network based on the assumption that the local exchange network is operable, despite the loss of local power. While power is supplied to the device, originating calls are transmitted from the telephone to the device and to the alternate network. Incoming calls from the alternate network are transmitted to the device and to the telephone. Alternatively, incoming and outgoing calls are also selectably engageable on the local exchange network without disrupting telephone service on the alternate network. Differences in dial tone indicate which network is currently being used.

Abstract: A method for wide area overlapped ringing is disclosed wherein a primary destination is rung, and, if a no answer condition is encountered after an initial ringing threshold, a secondary destination is rung such that the ringing of the primary and secondary destinations at least partly overlap. Some embodiments involve the ringing of more than one secondary destination, where each secondary destination is rung for a set time and then halted. Other embodiments provide bridging capability for three-way calling. The disclosed method has wide area capability; thus, the secondary destination may comprise any destination accessible by the Publicly-Switched Telephone Network.

Abstract: A mechanically operated cleaning apparatus is provided for a magnetic tape drive of the type which has a tape cartridge transport device. Reciprocal movements of the cartridge transport device actuates movements of the cleaning apparatus which causes a cleaning device, such as a brush, to wipe multiple times across the ABS of a magnetic head to remove debris therefrom. A frame is provided for mounting the magnetic head and the cartridge transport device. A guide apparatus is mounted on the frame and supports the cleaning device for guiding the cleaning device between the first and second lateral locations so that the cleaning device wipes across the ABS as it moves between said locations. An actuator device is mounted on the frame and is connected to the guide apparatus. The actuator device is actuated by reciprocal movements of the cartridge transport device for moving the cleaning device across the ABS to remove debris therefrom.

Abstract: An automated method for alerting a customer that a transaction is being initiated and for authorizing the transaction based on a confirmation/approval by the customer thereto. In accordance with one illustrative embodiment, a request to authorize the transaction is received, wherein the request includes a customer identifier; a determination is made whether to authorize the transaction based on the customer identifier; if the determination is to authorize the transaction, that fact is communicated to the customer; a confirmation that the transaction should, in fact, be authorized is received back from the customer; and the transaction is authorized in response to the customer's confirmation thereof. In accordance with another illustrative embodiment, a transaction initiated by an agent of the customer (i.e., the principal) is authorized by the principal when one or more threshold parameters that may be pre-defined by the principal are exceeded.

Abstract: A process for fabricating an electrolyte-electrode composite suitable for high energy alkali metal battery that includes mixing composite electrode materials with excess liquid, such as ethylene carbonate or propylene carbonate, to produce an initial formulation, and forming a shaped electrode therefrom. The excess liquid is then removed from the electrode to compact the electrode composite which can be further compacted by compression. The resulting electrode exhibits at least a 75% lower resistance.

Abstract: A system for employing a computer to control a device to provide a plurality of services for a plurality of entities. Each entity corresponds to exactly one of the services and each service has its own copy of the code which defines the service. The system associates a process which executes the service with each service. The code for a service defines a finite state machine which is continually executed by the service's process. While in a given state, the finite state machine may traverse a decision graph which is directly accessible to the process. Actions to be taken on traversal of a node of the decision graph may be defined in the finite state machine. The service's process communicates with other processes and with itself by means of interprocess messages. Each state of the finite state machine contains event handlers for responding to messages received by the service's process.