Abstract: An apparatus and methods enforcing network-centric control over access to a selected destination point in a switched telephone network are presented in which, a user seeking access to the selected destination point is authenticated in the network on a separate telephone connection prior to authorizing the user to access the selected destination point. An on-the-fly generated authorized calling line identification is associated with an origination point from which the user initiates the call completion request to enforce access control. The call completion is monitored end-to-end and the resulting telephone session is audited at the signaling and payload levels providing management support personnel with information substantiating the release of the call in case of misuse or intrusion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for secure and authenticated access to command controllable computerized equipment is described. The method involves using an access apparatus that prevents access to the command controllable computerized equipment until a user is authenticated as a trusted user authorized to access the command controllable computer equipment. The apparatus may be a secure access controller or a secure access transceiver. Each has a normally disabled data port that prevents the pass-through of data until a user is authenticated as a trusted user. The apparatus may operate under autonomous control or under the control of a network centric control facility. The advantage is secure control of access to command controllable computerized equipment that enables remote access to the equipment by authorized users with substantially no risk of compromise.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring vital signs and capturing data from a patient remotely using radiotelemetry techniques. The system is characterized by a cordless, disposable sensor band with sensors form measuring full waveform ECG, full waveform respiration, skin temperature, and motion, and transmission circuitry for the detection and transmission of vital signs data of the patient. A small signal transfer unit that can either be worn by the patient, e.g., on his or her belt, or positioned nearby receives data from the sensor band, which it then forwards by e.g., radio transmission to a base station that can be located up to 60 meters away. The base station receives data transmissions from the signal transfer unit and is designed to connect to conventional phone lines for transferring the collected data to a remote monitoring station. The base station may also capture additional clinical data, such as blood pressure data, and to perform data checks.

Abstract: The invention provides a polymeric composition comprising a blend of highly fluorinated ion exchange polymer and highly fluorinated nonfunctional polymer, the blend having interpenetrating continuous phases of the highly fluorinated nonfunctional polymer and the highly fluorinated ion exchange polymer. Further the invention provides for liquid compositions comprising a highly fluorinated solvent, a highly fluorinated ion exchange polymer precursor and a highly fluorinated nonfunctional polymer with the polymers being miscible with each other in the solvent. The compositions are useful for making ion exchange membranes. Membranes of the compositions have enhanced tensile properties.

Abstract: The invention provides a polymeric composition comprising a blend of highly fluorinated ion exchange polymer and highly fluorinated nonfunctional polymer, the blend having interpenetrating continuous phases of the highly fluorinated nonfunctional polymer and the highly fluorinated ion exchange polymer. Further the invention provides for liquid compositions comprising a highly fluorinated solvent, a highly fluorinated ion exchange polymer precursor and a highly fluorinated nonfunctional polymer with the polymers being miscible with each other in the solvent. The compositions are useful for making ion exchange membranes. Membranes of the compositions have enhanced tensile properties.

Abstract: A process for removing carbon dioxide from a fluorocarbon carbon dioxide mixture in which the fluorocarbon carbon dioxide mixture is contacted with a semipermeable polyimide membrane to form at least one exit stream having an increased concentration of carbon dioxide and at least one exit stream having a reduced concentration of carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A process for separating carbon dioxide from an unsaturated fluorinated compound carbon dioxide mixture comprising contacting the unsaturated fluorinated compound carbon dioxide mixture with a semipermeable membrane to form at least one exit stream having an increased concentration of carbon dioxide and at least one other exit stream having a reduced concentration of carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A method and system for providing answer supervision in a switched telephone network are described. The method involves monitoring signaling links in a common channel signaling system to track call progress. If a called number is determined to be suspect with respect to providing call answer indications, the system may route calls to monitored facilities which measure the commencement of payload traffic. When payload traffic is detected, a call answer message can be sent through the signaling network to initiate billing, or call release messages may be sent in each direction to cancel the call. Both inter-network and intra-network calls can be monitored to provide answer supervision and ensure that toll calls are properly billed in accordance with actual toll facility usage.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for the transparent monitoring of selected telecommunications sessions in an intelligent switched telephone network is described. The method involves conditioning the network to enable the monitoring of all telecommunications sessions originating from or terminating to any selected subscriber address. The network is conditioned by the installation of monitored trunks with translation tables, linksets and routesets which route all calls to be monitored through the monitored trunk groups. After the network has been conditioned, call monitoring can be accomplished with minimal datafill changes to the translation tables of the telephone switching system that serves the subscriber address. The monitored trunk groups are preferably loop-back trunk groups, but they may be dedicated inter-office trunk groups as well. It is also possible to designate a central switching point to monitor calls for a plurality of satellite switching points.

Abstract: An improved process is disclosed for separating and recovering a fluorocarbon and hydrogen chloride (HCl) from a gaseous fluorocarbon/HCl mixture, wherein the fluorocarbon and HCl are difficult to separate by conventional means because of the presence or potential formation of an azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition in the mixture, such process comprising using a semi-permeable membrane unit to form a fluorocarbon-depleted stream and a fluorocarbon-enriched stream which may then be further processed individually by distillation.

Abstract: A process for producing metalized packaging films comprises the step of sputtering a metal, such as aluminum, gold, silver, copper, platinum, nickel, titanium or tantalum onto a biodegradable poly(hydroxy acid), preferably poly(lactic acid) film, which may then be adhered to a cellulosic substrate if desired.

Abstract: An integrated process for the manufacture of lactide from a solution of lactic acid in de-ionized water comprising the sequential steps:A. Dehydrating the aqueous lactic acid in at least two stages to effect condensation polymerization of the lactic acid and the formation of oligomers in which the average number of monomer units is 8-25, the dehydration stages being conducted in equipment fabricated from low ferrous materials;B. Thermally cracking the oligomers in the presence of depolymerization catalyst to form lactide vapor of which the average residence time within the cracking zone is less than 15 seconds;C. Condensing the lactide vapor and fractionally distilling the condensate to remove concentrated lactide as a liquid sidestream; andD. Subjecting the concentrated lactide sidestream to melt crystallization to separate purified lactide having an Acidity Potential less than 6.

Abstract: A metered bead extrusion coating apparatus for applying a coating fluid to a moving web includes a drawdown die having a beveled drawdown surface thereon, the angle between the drawdown surface and the axis of the extrusion slot being an obtuse angle.

Abstract: A sectional, coating die having a shaped shim between two die plates. The shim defines an extrusion slot and has an integral tab that extends laterally into a cavity in one of the plates for diverting bubbles and foam in the coating formulation.