Abstract: Blue-emitting phosphors for use with plasma display panels (PDP) or other vacuum ultraviolet-excited (VUV) devices are provided. These blue-emitting phosphors and mixtures thereof include at least a europium-activated calcium-substituted barium hexa-aluminate (CBAL) phosphor. Preferably, the CBAL phosphor has a composition which may be represented by the formula: Ba1.29-x-yCaxEuyAl2O19.29, wherein 0<x<0.25 and 0.01<y<0.20. These blue-emitting phosphors exhibit improved degradation characteristics, including reduced color shift and increased intensity maintenance, under conditions found in VUV-excited devices.

Abstract: A wireless communication device includes a range finder, and is configured to obtain distance measurements via the range finder for processing by the device. Such processing may comprise, by way of example, storing distance measurement information, outputting distance measurement information on a display screen of the wireless communication device, transmitting distance information to a wireless communication network, or outputting tones, pulses, or vibrations as a function of the distance measurement information. The wireless communication device may include a camera, and the range finder may be aligned with the camera, such that related distance information may be obtained for objects imaged by the camera.

Abstract: The UVC emission of a Sr(Al,Mg)12O19:Pr is improved by providing an excess of magnesium relative to the molar amount praseodymium In particular, the UVC-emitting phosphor has a composition represented by the formula Sr1-xPrxAl12-yMgyO19 wherein y>x. The phosphor is excited by vacuum ultraviolet radiation and may be used to create a mercury-free germicidal lamp.

Abstract: A grating system includes a first welded subassembly and a second non-welded subassembly joined to one another. The first subassembly includes spaced elongated bearing bars and spaced elongated cross bars extending transversely to the bearing bars. The second subassembly includes spaced elongated filler bars and spaced elongated cross bars extending transversely to the filler bars. The filler bars extend in the same direction as the bearing bars and are disposed in sets between adjacent bearing bars. The bearing bars include spaced notches in which are received the first subassembly cross bars and the second subassembly cross bars, which are aligned above the first subassembly cross bars. The subassemblies have respective upper surfaces which are flush with one another. The first subassembly is configured to support vehicle traffic and the second subassembly is configured to support pedestrian traffic.

Abstract: A UV-emitting phosphor comprising SrB4O7:Eu phosphor particles that have been treated to yield a surface layer containing from greater than 0 to about 25 atomic percent aluminum. The holdover stability of the treated SrB4O7:Eu phosphor improves the 100-hour maintenance in a fluorescent tanning lamp to the extent that the treated phosphor may be subject to a holdover period of more than 25 days without a significant change in its 100-hour maintenance.

Abstract: A narrow-band UVB emitting phosphor is described wherein the phosphor has a preferred composition represented by the general formula (Y1-x-y-zGdxCeyPrz)MgB5O10 where x has a value in a range from 0.02 to 0.80, y has a value in a range from 0.01 to 0.97, and z has a value in a range from greater than 0 to 0.05 and x+y+z<1. The phosphor has a narrow emission centered at about 312 nm when excited by radiation from a low-pressure mercury discharge.

Abstract: A method is provided for making narrow-band, UVB-emitting, (Y,Gd,Ce,Pr)Mg borate phosphors. The method involves the use of a mixed oxide co-precipitate which is combined with MgO and boric acid and fired twice to form the borate phosphor. The mixed oxide co-precipitate is formed by dissolving sources of Y, Gd, Ce, and optionally Pr, in an acid solution. Oxalic acid or ammonia is added to the solution (or vice versa) to form a co-precipitate of oxalates or hydroxides that are further fired to obtain a mixed oxide co-precipitate. The use of the mixed oxide co-precipitate improves homogeneity and yields a phosphor having a higher brightness with very little or no sticking between the fired cakes and the firing crucibles.

Abstract: In a method and system, one or more communication devices within a communication network are provided with a dynamically and remotely configurable probe element, implemented at least partially in software and controllable by the network operator via one or more communication links, capable of monitoring, measuring and capturing user interaction data flowing from voice and/or data transactions occurring in the network. User interaction data reflects a user's experience on the network and thus provides valuable raw data usable by the network operator for improving network quality from the user's perspective, especially when received from a statistically significant number of network user devices. Collected user interaction data can include network engineering metric data and/or user profile data.

Abstract: In a method and system, one or more communication devices within a communication network are provided with a dynamically and remotely configurable probe element, implemented at least partially in software and controllable by the network operator via one or more communication links, capable of monitoring, measuring and capturing user interaction data flowing from voice and/or data transactions occurring in the network. User interaction data reflects a user's experience on the network and thus provides valuable raw data usable by the network operator for improving network quality from the user's perspective, especially when received from a statistically significant number of network user devices. Collected user interaction data can include network engineering metric data and/or user profile data.

Abstract: A method of making a haloapatite phosphor having a general formula represented by (Ca(1?x?y)MnxSby)5(PO4)3(F(1?z?y)ClzOy), where O<x<0.05, 0.004<y<0.01, and O<z<O.1. is provided. The method involves (a) formulating a blend of ingredients to make the haloapatite phosphor, the ingredients including CaHPO4 as a primary source of calcium and phosphorus, (b) partially substituting an amount of an equimolar combination of an ammonium phosphate compound and calcium carbonate for an equal number of moles of CaHPO4 in the formulation, (c) combining the ingredients in their formulated amounts to form the blend, and (d) firing the blend to form the haloapatite phosphor. The partial substitution has been found to increase the 100-hour brightness of the haloapatite phosphors.

Abstract: The present invention is a single-component, UV-emitting phosphor having a composition represented by the general formula (Y1?x?y?zLaxGdyCeZ)PO4 where x has a value in a range from 0.001 to 0.98, y has a value in a range from 0 and 0.1, z has a value in a range from 0.01 and 0.2, and x+y+z<1. The phosphor when stimulated by 254 nm radiation emits in both the UVA and UVB regions. The relative balance of the UVA and UVB emissions may be varied by adjusting the relative amounts of Y and La. Brightness can be increased by adding Gd to the composition.

Abstract: An improved fishing lure is disclosed. The improved fishing lure of the present invention emulates a prey fish being hunted by a predator fish and comprises a prey fish lure having a connector line for attaching a predator lure to the improved fishing lure. The connector line is attached to a connector coupler on the prey fish lure and is used to attach a predator lure of the fishermen's choice to the prey fish. The prey fish lure further includes a leader coupler for connecting a leader line to the improved lure. The size of the prey fish lure and the length of the connector line are selected according to the fishing environment in which the improved fishing lure are to be used. The predator lure selected for use with an improved fishing lure of the present invention should be at least as large as the prey lure.

Abstract: An improved fishing lure is disclosed. The improved fishing lure of the present invention emulates a prey fish being hunted by a predator fish and comprises a prey fish lure having a connector line for attaching a predator lure to the improved fishing lure. In one embodiment, the connector line is attached through a hole in the prey fish lure and includes a loop on one end to attach a predator lure of the fishermen's choice to the prey fish. The connector line further includes a loop at the other end for connecting a leader line. The prey fish lure is allowed to slide up and down a portion of the connector line to further simulate the movement of a prey fish in the water.

Abstract: A grating system includes a first welded subassembly and a second non-welded subassembly joined to one another. The first subassembly includes spaced elongated bearing bars and spaced elongated cross bars extending transversely to the bearing bars. The second subassembly includes spaced elongated filler bars and spaced elongated cross bars extending transversely to the filler bars. The filler bars extend in the same direction as the bearing bars and are disposed in sets between adjacent bearing bars. The bearing bars include spaced notches in which are received the first subassembly cross bars and the second subassembly cross bars, which are aligned above the first subassembly cross bars. The subassemblies have respective upper surfaces which are flush with one another. The first subassembly is configured to support vehicle traffic and the second subassembly is configured to support pedestrian traffic.

Abstract: A method of storing a phone number within a mobile phone that was received from an information service. The user places a call to an information service to obtain a requested phone number. The requested phone number returned from the information service is detected by the mobile phone and can be stored within the mobile phone. In one embodiment, the requested phone number is returned audibly from the information service to the mobile phone and is detected using voice recognition algorithms to parse the audible response returned from the information service into a series of numbers that make up the requested phone number. The mobile can then prompt the user whether to store the returned phone number permanently and where it should be stored. Another feature prompts the user if he would like the mobile phone to automatically dial the phone number just obtained from the information service. In addition, flags can be set to automatically store and dial the requested phone number without having to prompt the user.

Abstract: Nature evolves biological molecules such as proteins through iterated rounds of diversification, selection, and amplification. The power of Nature and the flexibility of organic synthesis are combined in nucleic acid-templated synthesis. The present invention provides a variety of template architectures for performing nucleic acid-templated synthesis, methods for increasing the selectivity of nucleic acid-templated reactions, methods for performing stereoselective nucleic acid-templated reactions, methods of selecting for reaction products resulting from nucleic acid-templated synthesis, and methods of identifying new chemical reactions based on nucleic acid-templated synthesis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method of selecting a complementary multi-media effect for activation in a wireless communications device. A user or service provider creates a picklist comprising a list of complementary multi-media effects available to the wireless communications device. A complementary multi-media effect from the picklist is automatically selected for activation upon the receipt of a predetermined event, such as an incoming call. Thereafter, the selected complementary multi-media effect is automatically changed to a new complementary multi-media effect that is also selected from the picklist. Upon the receipt of a subsequent predetermined event, the new selected complementary multi-media effect is activated. A processor within the wireless communications device or in an external network may perform selection of the complementary multi-media effects from the picklist.

Abstract: Electronic device holders, such as vehicle cradles and holsters are provided with optical elements that are configured to overlie and magnify the display panel of an electronic device supported thereby. An elongate, adjustably bendable arm may be utilized to allow a user to maneuver an optical element to any of a plurality of positions relative to an electronic device display panel.

Abstract: A water drainage system and water collector pan for use in unit masonry block walls includes a plurality of water collection pans which may be quickly placed on the top surface of the course of masonry block units over the length of a selected block wall course for collecting the water drained through the interior cavities of the upper courses and directing the water to the exterior of the wall. The collector pans includes a substantially planar collector surface, which, when installed on the block, extends from the front to the rear edges of the block, and generally vertical ridges surrounding the front, rear and side edges of the collector portion and extending to a height slightly less than the height of the bed joint between the blocks, and a weep spout extending outward from the collector surface over the portion of the block to be covered by the bed joint to provide an exit for the collected water from the interior of the wall.

Abstract: A holder (100) for a portable electronic device (600) comprises a mountable housing (102), a latching mechanism (104), and an electrical connector (101). The portable electronic device (600) has a bottom surface (608) defining a slot (800) and a front edge (610) including an electrical connector (624). The mountable housing (102) has a first end (151) and a second end (153). The latching mechanism (104) is movably disposed on the first end (151) and includes a biasing element exerting a force on the latching mechanism (104) in a direction towards the second end (153). The electrical connector (101) is positioned on the second end (153) and includes electrical contacts facing the first end (151). When the portable electronic device (600) is properly inserted within the holder (100), the latching mechanism (104) engages the slot (800) for securing the portable electronic device (600) within the holder (100) and for establishing and maintaining an electrical connection between electrical connectors (101, 624).