Abstract: A method for providing an indication of financial strength includes receiving a financial indicator and a predetermined spending budget status from a user. The predetermined spending budget status is associated with a spending budget for the user that has at least one payment account. The financial indicator is then associated with the predetermined spending budget status. A payment request that includes one of the at least one payment accounts is then received from a merchant. A current spending budget status is then determined using the spending budget and the at least one payment account. The financial indicator is then sent to the merchant for provision to the user in response to the current spending budget status being included in the predetermined spending budget status.

Abstract: A method for providing an indication of financial strength includes receiving a financial indicator and a predetermined spending budget status from a user. The predetermined spending budget status is associated with a spending budget for the user that has at least one payment account. The financial indicator is then associated with the predetermined spending budget status. A payment request that includes one of the at least one payment accounts is then received from a merchant. A current spending budget status is then determined using the spending budget and the at least one payment account. The financial indicator is then sent to the merchant for provision to the user in response to the current spending budget status being included in the predetermined spending budget status.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a prosthesis, such as a megaprosthesis, for a joint replacement or any segmental bone deficit. In particular, the present invention relates to a stem for a prosthesis having threads on at least part of an outer surface thereof. A prosthesis, such as a megaprothesis, is also provided. The prosthesis contains the threaded stem and a modular body engaged to the stem. The modular body contains a bone replace segment or a replacement joint, such as replacement knee joint, hip joint, shoulder joint, wrist joint, ankle joint, elbow joint, joints of the hand, joints of the foot, etc.

Abstract: Semiconductor wafers are polished simultaneously on both the front and the rear sides between an upper polishing plate and a lower polishing plate, each covered with a polishing pad, wherein a polishing gap (x1+x2) corresponding to a difference in the respective distances between facing surfaces of upper polishing pad and lower polishing pad which come into contact with the semiconductor wafer at the inner edge and at the outer edge of the polishing pads is changed incrementally or continuously during the polishing process.

Abstract: A method for providing an indication of financial strength includes receiving a financial indicator and a predetermined spending budget status from a user. The predetermined spending budget status is associated with a spending budget for the user that has at least one payment account. The financial indicator is then associated with the predetermined spending budget status. A payment request that includes one of the at least one payment accounts is then received from a merchant. A current spending budget status is then determined using the spending budget and the at least one payment account. The financial indicator is then sent to the merchant for provision to the user in response to the current spending budget status being included in the predetermined spending budget status.

Abstract: A method for providing an indication of financial strength includes receiving a financial indicator and a predetermined spending budget status from a user. The predetermined spending budget status is associated with a spending budget for the user that has at least one payment account. The financial indicator is then associated with the predetermined spending budget status. A payment request that includes one of the at least one payment accounts is then received from a merchant. A current spending budget status is then determined using the spending budget and the at least one payment account. The financial indicator is then sent to the merchant for provision to the user in response to the current spending budget status being included in the predetermined spending budget status.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a prosthesis, such as a megaprosthesis, for a joint replacement or any segmental bone deficit. In particular, the present invention relates to a stem for a prosthesis having threads on at least part of an outer surface thereof. A prosthesis, such as a megaprothesis, is also provided. The prosthesis contains the threaded stem and a modular body engaged to the stem. The modular body contains a bone replace segment or a replacement joint, such as replacement knee joint, hip joint, shoulder joint, wrist joint, ankle joint, elbow joint, joints of the hand, joints of the foot, etc.

Abstract: A method for providing an indication of financial strength includes receiving a financial indicator and a predetermined spending budget status from a user. The predetermined spending budget status is associated with a spending budget for the user that has at least one payment account. The financial indicator is then associated with the predetermined spending budget status. A payment request that includes one of the at least one payment accounts is then received from a merchant. A current spending budget status is then determined using the spending budget and the at least one payment account. The financial indicator is then sent to the merchant for provision to the user in response to the current spending budget status being included in the predetermined spending budget status.

Abstract: A method for providing an indication of financial strength includes receiving a financial indicator and a predetermined spending budget status from a user. The predetermined spending budget status is associated with a spending budget for the user that has at least one payment account. The financial indicator is then associated with the predetermined spending budget status. A payment request that includes one of the at least one payment accounts is then received from a merchant. A current spending budget status is then determined using the spending budget and the at least one payment account. The financial indicator is then sent to the merchant for provision to the user in response to the current spending budget status being included in the predetermined spending budget status.

Abstract: An alarm transmission system and method for summoning assistance in response to a problematic situation, with police, consumer and helper versions. In all versions, a fast data transmission mobile phone is carried by a user, which is capable of transmitting real-time on-site video images (a video call) to a server. In the police version and helper version, the real-time on-site video images are transmitted to a monitoring device, which may cause transmission of the real-time on-site video images to a rescuer communication device or otherwise take action in response to the video transmissions. In the consumer version, the user of the phone will communicate with an inter-active voice response system, which may trigger transmission of the real-time on-site video images to a rescuer communication device. In all cases above, the video calls are recorded live. An innovative testing system is constructed to measure the delay at the video call.

Abstract: A novel wireless tracking system is disclosed for determining a location of an 802.xx compatible mobile tag or other 802.xx compatible wireless device located within the wireless tracking system. The mobile tag or wireless device communicates with the wireless tracking system using data packets in accordance with predetermined wireless protocols. A plurality of location sensors receive the data packets and provide angle of arrival and intensity information to a wireless tracking system server which performs statistical processing on this information and determines the location of the mobile tag or other wireless device within the wireless tracking system.

Abstract: A method and circuit are presented for operating a polyphase dc motor in which drive voltages are applied to the windings of the motor in predetermined phases. Zero crossings of currents flowing in respective windings of the motor are detected, and phases of the drive voltages are adjusted to have zero crossings substantially simultaneously with the detected zero crossings of the currents flowing in respective windings of the motor. The method includes generating a set of three waveforms (45,46,47) to provide drive voltages to respective windings of the motor. Each waveform has a period of 360° with a first segment (43) having a value of zero for 120°, followed by a second segment (50) having an “up slope” shape for 60°, followed by a third segment (67,68) having two consecutive “cap” shapes for 120°, followed by a fourth segment (52) having “down slope” shape for 60°. Each waveform of said set is displaced from one another by 120°.

Abstract: A method and circuit for operating a polyphase dc motor in which discontinuous sinusoidal drive voltages are applied to the windings of the motor in predetermined phases. The discontinuous portion of the sinusoid is timed with the bemf zero crossings. Bemf zero crossings are detected, and phases of the drive voltages are adjusted to have zero crossings substantially in the discontinuities of the drive voltages. The method and circuit result in motor operation with significantly reduced acoustic motor noise.

Abstract: A pseudo-random switched resistor for emulating a relatively high input impedance. The switched resistor comprises a relatively low value resistor, a semiconductor switch coupled to the resistor, and a pseudo-random pulse generator coupled to the switch for controlling the on time of the switch to emulate the relatively high input impedance. The random pulse generator comprises a plurality of cascaded circuits that are coupled to a flip flop. The plurality of cascaded circuits each comprise a shift register for receiving clock signals and for generating a sequence of (2.sup.N -1) pseudo-random numbers and a terminal count pulse at the end of every sequence, an N-bit binary counter for receiving the terminal count pulse which clocks it, and an equivalence circuit for comparing the outputs of the shift register and the binary counter and for generating an output signal when there is a match.