Abstract: An automated method for servicing a plurality of work items within committed times. A workflow including two or more work activities is assigned for each of the plurality of work items and a commitment is assigned either to each workflow or to each work item in each workflow. Queued work items are automatically assigned to a next available agent based on an activity state. A short-term predictor provides early detection of work items that are at risk of failing to meet their commitments. A long-term predictor detects backlogs of work items where excessive delays in queue are likely to put work items at risk of failing to meet their commitments. An activity's state can also cause additional reserve and backup agents to be assigned to it, to service work items from its queue before their commitments are missed.

Abstract: A foldable lighting structure comprises a decorative frame and a plurality of support members that assemble with one another via a mount of flanges and insertion rods arranged there between. Thereby, the support members can be easily separated from the decorative frame while the decorative frame can further be dismantled into separated parts. Hence constructed, the foldable lighting structure can be dismantled and folded to reduce its occupation space.

Abstract: A single-unit multiple-transmission device is installed in a computer system that involves the use of various wireless input peripherals, comprising a computer main unit that has a receptor, and an input device that is composed of at least a keyboard, a mouse and a game control. The wireless input peripheral devices respectively have a transmitter that is composed of an RF module; the transmitters are controlled by CPUs to transmit control signals to the computer main unit at different channels. The computer main unit includes a scanning mechanism on its receptor, this scanning mechanism is controlled by a CPU to receive signals transmitted from various input devices at different times during the scanning operation, the signals are then transmitted to the computer main unit through a USP port. Based on the above, the computer main unit of the single-unit multiple-transmission device is capable of simultaneous reception of different input signals.

Abstract: An animated light sculpture framework is configured for enabling the framework to be quickly and easily unfolded and erected for use and to be quickly and easily folded together into a compact configuration for transport and/or storage. A head and neck portion of the light sculpture framework is vertically movable in an oscillating manner to simulate natural movement by use of a motor connected to the framework and a counterweight operably positioned between the head and neck portion and the motor.

Abstract: A fast rotation joint is disclosed. The fast rotation joint is engaged between a machine body and a joint of the transferring flexible tube. The fast rotation joint includes mainly a first main body, a second main body, and a third main body. A drain-preventing pad is illustrated between the first main body and the second main body. The drain-preventing pad is used to prevent air from drainage so that the pressure will be insufficient. A plurality of rollers are mounted between the second main body and the - :third main body for preventing the deformation from the engagement of the machine body with the transferring flexible tube so as to increase the lifetime of the transferring flexible tube and the joint.

Abstract: A fast rotation joint is disclosed. The fast rotation joint is engaged between a machine body and a joint of the transferring flexible tube. The fast rotation joint includes mainly a first main body, a second main body, and a third main body. A drain-preventing pad is illustrated between the first main body and the second main body. The drain-preventing pad is used to prevent air from drainage so that the pressure will be insufficient. A plurality of rollers are mounted between the second main body and the third main body for preventing the deformation from the engagement of the machine body with the transferring flexible tube so as to increase the lifetime of the transferring flexible tube and the joint.

Abstract: An animated light sculpture framework is configured for enabling the framework to be quickly and easily unfolded and erected for use and to be quickly and easily folded together into a compact configuration for transport and/or storage. A head and neck portion of the light sculpture framework is movable from side-to-side in an oscillating manner to simulate natural movement by use of a motor connected to the framework.

Abstract: A waferless seasoning process is described, which waferless seasoning process is suitable for an etching chamber of an etching machine when the etching environment is so bad that etching cannot be performed. A dry cleaning process with a plasma formed by oxygen and hydrogen bromide is performed to restore the etching environment in the etching chamber.

Abstract: A corrosion resistant and wear resistant nickel-iron-cobalt/hardener alloy or nickel-cobalt/hardener alloy having a brilliant luster is electrodeposited onto the surface of a substrate as an alternative to chromium plating. The plating solution contains nickel ions, cobalt ions, a completing agent, a reducing agent, a hardener and optionally, iron.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a MOS transistor. A substrate has a gate formed thereon and a LDD is formed in the substrate beside the gate. A spacer is formed on the sidewall of the gate. A sacrificial layer is formed over the substrate to cover the gate and the spacer. A portion of the sacrificial layer is removed to expose a portion of the spacer. The exposed spacer is removed, such that a portion of the gate sidewall is exposed. The sacrificial layer is removed. A source/drain region is then formed in the substrate beside the spacer.

Abstract: A method is described for electrodepositing an alloy of Ni-Fe-W-P. The alloy has good corrosion and wear resistance and hence is a possible replacement for hard chromium. The electrodeposition solution contains nickel ions, iron ions, tungsten ions and phosphorous ions, and a reducing agent. The solution yields high iron content, bright level alloy deposits containing up to 40 percent iron. In another aspect of the invention, electrodeposition is carried out on a surface containing a geometric error. A sensor determines the surface topography of the surface. This is compared in a microprocessor to the desired topography. A corrective signal is sent to an electric current source to cause electrodeposition of a quantity of leveling agent sufficient to at least partially correct the geometric error.

Abstract: A fabrication method for a gate spacer. The method comprises provision of a substrate with a gate formed thereon, after which a SiNx spacer is formed on the gate sidewall. The substrate is then covered with a SiOx layer. A part of the SiOx layer is removed until the surface of the SiOx layer is lower than the top surface of the gate. A portion of the SiNx layer is removed to expose the top edge of the gate spacer and to increase the exposed area of the gate. The SiOx layer is consequently removed.

Abstract: A pivotal device connected between a door and a door frame includes a first part connected to the door frame and a second part connected to the door. The first part has a torsion member connected thereto which has a roller connected to one of two ends of the torsion member. A cam member is rotatably mounted to the first part and has a plurality of recesses one of which is engaged with the roller. The second part has a tube which is rotatably mounted to a shaft of the first part and is fixedly connected to the cam member. The door is pivoted relative to the door frame and positioned at an angle when the roller is engaged with one of the recesses of the cam member.

Abstract: Surface micromachining and bulk micromachining are employed for realizing a porous membrane with bulk support for a microparticle filter. The filter is manufactured by a process employing a thin film etch-stop, in which the bulk substrate is etched using a first etching process followed by etching of the etch stop and of material within pores of a filter layer using a second etching process. The filter is sufficiently sturdy to allow for easy handling. It may be used as a diffusion barrier and under high pressures. The disclosed fabrication method is simple, reliable, and integrated-circuit compatible, and thus amenable to mass production. Electronic circuitry may be integrated on the filter surface, as may be desired for several purposes, such as fluid characterization, filter self-cleaning, or charging of the filter surfaces. Methods are shown for the realization of biological containment capsules based on this microfilter.

Abstract: A microfabricated containment capsule has a bulk substrate delimiting a cavity with a boundary, a first portion of which constitutes an inner wall of a solid portion of the bulk substrate. The bulk substrate also provides at a second portion of the boundary a membrane joined to one side of the bulk substrate, the membrane having at least one porous area with controlled pores.

Abstract: A free-standing, collapsible, three-dimensional wire framework and light supporting display for use as a light sculpture includes a plurality of wire frame assemblies hingedly connected to each other for enabling the framework and display to be quickly and easily unfolded and erected for use. Each of the wire frame assemblies defines a portion of a figure, such as a deer, and the wire frame assemblies can be quickly and easily folded together into a compact configuration for transport and/or storage.

Abstract: A light microscope comprises a light source and a first acousto-optic tunable filter responsive to the light source for producing two light streams of different polarization. A control circuit is provided for tuning the first filter to a plurality of frequencies. A mechanism, such as steering optics, is provided for combining the two light streams into a combined light stream. Input optics focus the combined light stream. A condenser, such as a darkfield condenser, receives the focused, combined, light stream and projects it onto a sample. A second acousto-optic tunable filter is responsive to light from the sample. A second control circuit is provided for tuning the second acousto-optic filter to a plurality of frequencies. The light from the second acousto-optic tunable filter may be captured and stored for future processing.

Abstract: A door closer includes a casing fixedly fastened to a door leaf, a shaft turned in axle holes in the casing, a spiral spring mounted around the shaft within the casing and having one end fixed to the shaft and an opposite end fixed to the casing and adapted for returning the door leaf to the close position each time it is opened, a rack fixedly fastened to a door frame to which the door leaf is hinged, a bevel gear fixedly mounted on one end of the shaft and turned with it along a 90-degree arc toothed bar section of the rack, and a curved springy holding down plate fastened to the rack and adapted for holding down the bevel gear to keep the door leaf to be retained in an open position.

Abstract: An imaging system comprises an acousto-optic tunable filter for receiving light at an input end thereof and outputting light at an output end thereof. A control circuit is provided for tuning the filter. A prism is responsive to the light output by the tunable filter. The prism is oriented at an angle with respect to the filter to compensate for dispersion of the output light caused by the tunable filter.