Abstract: A communications system for general business environments that exploits knowledge of user state to provide advantages of efficiency and control for individual users and for the business. The communications system also provides particular advantages in environments where users have multiple communication devices and for communications of a business with external parties. In other aspects, the communication system provides features of application flexibility and system fault-tolerance with broad applicability to communication systems. The communication system includes a controller that receives requests for establishing communications when a user is in an appropriate state to receive communications and communicates state of the user to other users.

Abstract: A semi-frameless cabinet system including a top panel, bottom panel, two side panels, and a back panel. The cabinet may also include one or more middle shelves, drawers, or doors. Each of the forward facing sides of the cabinet include a grooved surface, wherein edging is secured to each panels such that the panels and edging form an interior space within the cabinet. The edging overlaps the outer edge of the cabinet panels, but not the inner edge, such that the edging and panels are flush within the interior space of the cabinet. As such, the cabinet employs the advantages of both framed and frameless cabinetry.

Abstract: An automated meter reader module can be operably connected to an existing utility meter to provide an endpoint for use in an automated meter reader system. The automated meter reader module can utilize an index attachment drive mechanism to electronically and mechanically monitor consumption of a utility such as water, gas, or electricity. The index attachment of the existing utility meter is attached so that it does not physically impede reception or transmission of radio frequency communications by a patch antenna integrated into a printed circuit board located inside the automated meter reader module. A gasket around the edge of the housing sealingly interfaces with the existing utility meter and a multi-faced cover that allows the registered dials located on the index attached to be viewed from a plurality of vantage points.

Abstract: An actuator for use in adjusting a device by means of a Bowden cable includes a housing and an input shaft mounted in the housing and rotatable on a first axis. The shaft has an eccentric portion centered on a second axis laterally offset from the first axis, while a gear track defined by, or fixed in relation to, the housing is concentric with the first axis. A gear is rotatable on the eccentric portion and drivingly engaged with teeth of the gear track. A pulley member rotatably mounted on the input shaft is rotatable with rotation of the gear and is adapted for securing an end of a wire of a Bowden cable. With rotation of the input shaft on the first axis, the gear is caused by the eccentric to orbit around the first axis. In so orbiting the gear is caused by its engagement with the gear track to rotate on the second axis and thereby rotate the pulley member for longitudinally advancing or retracting the wire of the Bowden cable relative to the sheath of a Bowden cable.

Abstract: A semi-frameless cabinet system including a top panel, bottom panel, two side panels, and a back panel. The cabinet may also include one or more middle shelves, drawers, or doors. Each of the forward facing sides of the cabinet include a grooved surface, wherein edging is secured to each panels such that the panels and edging form an interior space within the cabinet. The edging overlaps the outer edge of the cabinet panels, but not the inner edge, such that the edging and panels are flush within the interior space of the cabinet. As such, the cabinet employs the advantages of both framed and frameless cabinets.

Abstract: A dishwasher includes a cabinet and a wash system slidably mounted within the cabinet in such a manner that it may be withdrawn horizontally out of the cabinet for loading with dishes. The wash system includes an open top wash chamber having a floor and side walls adapted to accommodate dishes within which wash liquid is sprayed. Two rotating spray arms are mounted in the bottom of the chamber for producing a spray of wash liquid within the chamber. A wash pump for pressurising wash liquid discharges into a manifold located on the floor of the chamber. The spray arms receive wash liquid from the manifold. A drain pump evacuates wash liquid from said chamber. A wash chamber closure is mounted in the top of the cabinet. The closure engages with the wash chamber opening to sealably close off the wash chamber on its retraction into the cabinet.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an IC includes forming a test circuit in/on the wafer to electrically indicate that a correct mask set was used during a revision of the IC design during the manufacturing process. The readout of the circuit enables the manufacturer to immediately identify that an incorrect mask set was used, thereby preventing any improperly fabricated devices from being shipped to the customer. The test circuit may be located either in a primary device area or in the corridors between the devices (ICs). In either case, the test circuit includes a plurality of test devices, each test device corresponding to a version of the mask set in which at least one mast level modification has been made. In one embodiment the test devices are verification arrays, each array including a multiplicity of n electrical paths electrically connected in parallel with one another and extending across n of the N (n?N) structural levels of the wafer/IC (e.g., the poly, window and metal levels).

Abstract: An electronic control unit for an internal combustion engine having a fuel injection system and an ignition system including: timing determination means (2) for determining timing sequences for injection events of the fuel injection system and ignition events of the ignition system and to provide update timing sequence data (10) to a schedule sequencing means (3) adapted to control at least one driver circuit (4) wherein the at least one driver circuit (4) is adapted to provide drive pulses (11) to the fuel injection system and ignition system; wherein the schedule sequencing means (3) is adapted to select between update sequence data to at least one of an injection of ignition event, such that the update timing sequence data is selected when there is no current injection occurring.

Abstract: The actuator has a housing with a longitudinal passage between a first end and an opening at a second end. A spindle, supported and moveable in the passage, has oppositely handed, first and second threaded portions each nearer a respective end of the housing. A first nut fixed relative to the housing is engaged with the first threaded portion. The spindle is rotated and moved relative to the first nut by a handle at the housing first end. A second nut fixed against rotation relative to the housing and engaged with the second threaded portion moves relative to and in the same direction as the spindle as the spindle rotates. The second nut is connectable through the opening to a device, and the spindle is rotatable by the handle for adjusting the device by movement of the spindle and the second nut.

Abstract: A communications system for general business environments that exploits knowledge of user state to provide advantages of efficiency and control for individual users and for the business. The communications system also provides particular advantages in environments where users have multiple communication devices and for communications of a business with external parties. In other aspects, the communication system provides features of application flexibility and system fault-tolerance with broad applicability to communication systems.

Abstract: A communications system for general business environments that exploits knowledge of user state to provide advantages of efficiency and control for individual users and for the business. The communications system also provides particular advantages in environments where users have multiple communication devices and for communications of a business with external parties. In other aspects, the communication system provides features of application flexibility and system fault-tolerance with broad applicability to communication systems.

Abstract: A communications system for general business environments that exploits knowledge of user state to provide advantages of efficiency and control for individual users and for the business. The communications system also provides particular advantages in environments where users have multiple communication devices and for communications of a business with external parties. In other aspects, the communication system provides features of application flexibility and system fault-tolerance with broad applicability to communication systems.

Abstract: An apparatus for displaying indicia and securing an object to a support includes a body member that defines an indicia bearing surface and a resilient hoop member that normally extends around an object. The body member includes a cup segment that defines a cavity and a plug segment that extends into the cavity of the cup segment. The resilient hoop member extends between the cup member and the plug member.

Abstract: An apparatus for displaying indicia and securing an object to a support includes a body member that defines an indicia bearing surface and a resilient hoop member that normally extends around an object. The body member includes a cup segment that defines a cavity and a plug segment that extends into the cavity of the cup segment. The resilient hoop member extends between the cup member and the plug member.

Abstract: A communications system for general business environments that exploits knowledge of user state to provide advantages of efficiency and control for individual users and for the business. The communications system also provides particular advantages in environments where users have multiple communication devices and for communications of a business with external parties. In other aspects, the communication system provides features of application flexibility and system fault-tolerance with broad applicability to communication systems.

Abstract: A semi-frameless cabinet system including a top panel, bottom panel, two side panels, and a back panel. The cabinet may also include one or more middle shelves, drawers, or doors. Each of the forward facing sides of the cabinet include a grooved surface, wherein edging is secured to each panels such that the panels and edging form an interior space within the cabinet. The edging overlaps the outer edge of the cabinet panels, but not the inner edge, such that the edging and panels are flush within the interior space of the cabinet. As such, the cabinet employs the advantages of both framed and frameless cabinets.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an IC includes forming a test circuit in/on the wafer to electrically indicate that a correct mask set was used during a revision of the IC design during the manufacturing process. The readout of the circuit enables the manufacturer to immediately identify that an incorrect mask set was used, thereby preventing any improperly fabricated devices from being shipped to the customer. The test circuit may be located either in a primary device area or in the corridors between the devices (ICs). In either case, the test circuit includes a plurality of test devices, each test device corresponding to a version of the mask set in which at least one mast level modification has been made. In one embodiment the test devices are verification arrays, each array including a multiplicity of n electrical paths electrically connected in parallel with one another and extending across n of the N (n≦N) structural levels of the wafer/IC (e.g., the poly, window and metal levels).

Abstract: An electronic control unit for an internal combustion engine having a fuel injection system and an ignition system including: timing determination means (2) for determining timing sequences for injection events of the fuel injection system and ignition events of the ignition system and to provide update timing sequence data (10) to a schedule sequencing means (3) adapted to control at least one driver circuit (4) wherein the at least one driver circuit (4) is adapted to provide drive pulses (11) to the fuel injection system and ignition system; wherein the schedule sequencing means (3) is adapted to select between update sequence data to at least one of an injection of ignition event, such that the update timing sequence data is selected when there is no current injection occurring.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an IC includes forming a test circuit in/on the wafer to electrically indicate that a correct mask set was used during a revision of the IC design during the manufacturing process. The readout of the circuit enables the manufacturer to immediately identify that an incorrect mask set was used, thereby preventing any improperly fabricated devices from being shipped to the customer. The test circuit may be located either in a primary device area or in the corridors between the devices (ICs). In either case, the test circuit includes a plurality of test devices, each test device corresponding to a version of the mask set in which at least one mast level modification has been made. In one embodiment the test devices are verification arrays, each array including a multiplicity of n electrical paths electrically connected in parallel with one another and extending across n of the N (n≦N) structural levels of the wafer/IC (e.g., the poly, window and metal levels).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automating the qualification process for chromatographic systems. Automation technology and regression analysis are used for qualifying a chromatography system. The trained operator prepares the chromatography system to ensure that the samples, solvents, and the separation column are ready for analysis. The qualification of the detector, the solvent delivery system, the sample manager, the gradient proportioning system, the column heater, and the delay volume of the chromatography system are completed without the necessity of operator intervention. Regression analysis is performed to compute performance statistics that demonstrate the accuracy, linearity, and precision of the chromatographic system and quantify its suitability for chromatographic analysis.