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An apparatus for supplying surgical buttress material to a surgical stapler is provided. The apparatus has a pivotable area for attaching surgical buttress material. The apparatus may also have an adhesive and a release liner disposed over the buttress material.

An apparatus for supplying surgical buttress material to a surgical stapler is provided. The apparatus has a pivotable area for attaching surgical buttress material. The apparatus may also have an adhesive and a release liner disposed over the buttress material.

A computer system for automatic replacement of direct advertisements in scarce media includes an advertising server for selecting a direct advertisement based on certain criteria. Transaction results of the direct advertisement placement are reported back to the advertising server, and an associated accounting system. In one embodiment, the direct advertiser's server reports transactions back to the advertising server by email. In a second embodiment, a direct proxy server brokers the user's session (or interaction) with the direct advertiser's server, including transaction processing and the direct proxy server reports the results of transactions back to the advertising server and its associated accounting system. A direct proxy provides an independent audit of transactions at a remote direct advertiser's web site. The feedback of the results of direct advertisement transactions provides an efficient utilization of direct advertising space by way of an automated computer system with a predictive model for selection and distribution of direct advertising.

An integrated multimedia, entertainment, communications and control system. The system is based on a general purpose computer and is capable of interfacing with, controlling or managing a wide variety of audio, video, telecommunications, data communications or other devices. The system includes a programming environment for creating services or user experiences that may incorporate features or functionalities of several devices that are conventionally operated as separate, standalone devices.

A measurement module for glucose testing includes a glucose testing measurement module housing, a test strip receptacle formed in the housing, and a connector portion formed in the housing and shaped to permit mechanical removable attachment of the housing to a hand-held computer. Electronics determine the amount of glucose present in a sample of body fluid, when the test strip is positioned in the receptacle and the body fluid is placed on a test strip, and communicate the glucose amount to the hand-held computer via the connector portion.

This invention provides novel nanofiber enhanced surface area substrates and structures comprising such substrates for use in various medical devices, as well as methods and uses for such substrates and medical devices. In one particular embodiment, methods for enhancing cellular functions on a surface of a medical device implant are disclosed which generally comprise providing a medical device implant comprising a plurality of nanofibers (e.g., nanowires) thereon and exposing the medical device implant to cells such as osteoblasts.

A client-server architecture includes a plurality of clients and a plurality of servers. Information resources are replicated among the servers. According to one aspect, the invention includes an intermediary device called a "depot" sitting transparently between a client and a pool of servers which have the replicated information resources. The depot dynamically distributes multiple sessions contained in a client request among the servers. This architecture realizes a good granular scaleability of servers, and improved server throughput with a good response time. Multiple depots also realize robustness.

A system and method for managing electronic communications more effectively utilizes electronic communications. The method assigns a prioritization score and category to each electronic communication so that a user can more effectively manage the communications. The user interacts with a graphical user interface to effectively manage electronic communications. The system arranges and displays the electronic communications according to prioritization scores and categories, and includes interactive modules to override a system assigned prioritization scores and assign any score or category the user selects. The method also measures productivity of users as a function of at least three different metrics, a decision-making metric; a communication metric; and a processing metric, and takes into account prioritization scores and the amount of time it takes users to effectively utilize the electronic communications. The method also generates reports of the productivity of individual users, and the productivity of relationships between multiple users of electronic communications.

Disclosed is an integrated handheld computer and telephony system. Integration of the handheld computer and telephony system is at the physical and operational level. For example, the integrated handheld computer and telephony system physically integrates a handheld computer with a mobile (e.g., cellular) telephone. In addition, the handheld computer is distinct from telephony system in that they are logically separable. However, they are also operationally integrated, for example, the telephony system executes a telephone application on the processor of the handheld computer. Likewise, the handheld computer can execute applications, for example, a phone book, that can be used to launch the telephony application.

A method for providing load balancing and failover among a set of computing nodes running a network accessible computer service includes providing a computer service that is hosted at one or more servers comprised in a set of computing nodes and is accessible to clients via a first network. Providing a second network including a plurality of traffic processing nodes and load balancing means. The load balancing means is configured to provide load balancing among the set of computing nodes running the computer service. Providing means for redirecting network traffic comprising client requests to access the computer service from the first network to the second network. Providing means for selecting a traffic processing node of the second network for receiving the redirected network traffic comprising the client requests to access the computer service and redirecting the network traffic to the traffic processing node via the means for redirecting network traffic. For every client request for access to the computer service, determining an optimal computing node among the set of computing nodes running the computer service by the traffic processing node via the load balancing means, and then routing the client request to the optimal computing node by the traffic processing node via the second network.

A method and system schedules inbound inquiries, such as inbound telephone calls, for response by agents in an order that is based in part on the forecasted outcome of the inbound inquiries. A scheduling module applies inquiry information to a model to forecast the outcome of an inbound inquiry. The forecasted outcome is used to set a priority value for ordering the inquiry. The priority value may be determined by solving a constrained optimization problem that seeks to maximize an objective function, such as maximizing an agent's productivity to produce sales or to minimize inbound call attrition. A modeling module generates models that forecast inquiry outcomes based on a history and inquiry information. Statistical analysis such as regression analysis determines the model with the outcome related to the nature of the inquiry. Operator wait time is regulated by forcing low priority and / or highly tolerant inbound inquiries to self service.

Reactive halogen-ion plasmas, having for example, generating chloride ions, generated from low-pressure halogen gases using a radio-frequency plasma are employed for producing low-friction carbon coatings, such as a pure carbon film, at or near room temperature on a bulk or thin film of a compound, such as titanium carbide.

A system and method for generating a list is provided. The system includes a seed item input subsystem, an item identifying subsystem, a descriptive metadata similarity determining subsystem and a list generating subsystem that builds a list based, at least in part, on similarity processing performed on seed item descriptive metadata and user item descriptive metadata and user selected thresholds applied to such similarity processing. The method includes inexact matching between identifying metadata associated with new user items and identifying metadata stored in a reference metadata database. The method further includes subjecting candidate user items to similarity processing, where the degree to which the candidate user items are similar to the seed item is determined, and placing user items in a list of items based on user selected preferences for (dis)similarity between items in the list and the seed item.

A system enables capturing biometric information while a user is perceiving a particular product, service, creative work or thing. For example, while movie-goers watch a movie, the system can capture and recognize the facial expressions, vocal expressions and / or eye expressions (e.g., iris information) of one or more person's in the audience to determine an audience's reaction to movie content. Alternatively, the system could be used to evaluate an audience's reaction to a public spokesman, e.g., political figure. The system could be useful to evaluate consumer products or story-boards before substantial investment in movie development occurs. Because these biometric expressions (laughing, crying, etc.) are generally universal, the system is generally independent of language and can be applied easily for global-use products and applications. The system can store the biometric information and / or results of any analysis of the biometric information as the generally true opinion of the particular product, service, creative work or thing, and can then enable other potential users of the product to review the information when evaluating the product.

A novel fiber comprising a substantially homogeneous mixture of a hydrophilic polymer and a polymer which is at least weakly hydrophobic is disclosed. The fiber optionally contains a pH adjusting compound. A method of making the fiber comprises electrospinning fibers of the substantially homogeneous polymer solution. A method of treating a wound or other area of a patient requiring protection from contamination comprises electrospinning the substantially homogeneous polymer solution to form a dressing. An apparatus for electrospinning a wound dressing is discosed.

A handheld gesture recognition control apparatus and its method are provided for a mobile phone. The input method of the present invention includes collecting a plurality of images; storing the images as control images; mapping the control images to corresponding control commands; capturing an image taken by a camera as a current image; comparing the current image to the control images; selecting one of the control images as a target control image according to a comparison result; extracting a control command mapped to the target control image; and executing the control command.

A plasma CVD apparatus for forming a thin film on a substrate includes: a vacuum chamber; an upper electrode; a susceptor as a lower electrode; and a ring-shaped insulation plate disposed in a gap between the susceptor and an inner wall of the chamber in the vicinity of or in contact with the susceptor to minimize a floating potential charged on the substrate while processing the substrate.

A FOUP opening / closing device includes a housing containing a mounting table for mounting the FOUP thereon, an FOUP loading opening, and a delivery opening. The device further includes a rotator for rotating the mounting table, a door opening / closing unit to open or close the door of the FOUP and keep the door open, a mover for moving the FOUP and the door opening / closing unit in a reciprocating manner, to allow the FOUP and the door opening / closing unit to be connected to or separated from each other, and a controller to output control signals for moving the FOUP and the door opening / closing unit via operation of the mover to mount the door of the FOUP to the door opening / closing unit, separating the door from the FOUP, moving the FOUP and the door opening / closing unit away from each other, and rotating the mounting table to make the FOUP face the delivery opening.

A user interface for a mobile office is provided for allowing simple, safe, and convenient access to electronic mail, calendar, news, and web browser functions. The dialog or number of steps required to access desired items is minimized using a state controller responsive to voice commands and manual activations of reconfigurable steering wheel switches. Someone unfamiliar with the user interface is assisted by prompts for various commands and can use the mobile office without needing to resort to use of the reconfigurable steering wheel control elements. A more experienced user can bypass prompts by interrupting them with voice commands and can quickly move through various steps by utilizing the configurable steering wheel control elements to gain access to individual items within the mail, calendar, and news functions.

A multi-channel encoder / decoder scheme additionally preferably generates a waveform-type residual signal. This residual signal is transmitted together with one or more multi-channel parameters to a decoder. In contrast to a purely parametric multi-channel decoder, the enhanced decoder generates a multi-channel output signal having an improved output quality because of the additional residual signal.

A device for repairing a heart valve comprises an implantation instrument. The implantation instrument comprises a first support ring, and a second support ring connected to said first support ring to form a coiled configuration. The first support ring is configured to abut one side of the valve and the second support ring is configured to abut an opposite side of the valve to thereby trap a portion of the valve tissue therebetween. The device further comprises an annuloplasty implant adapted to be attached to the heart valve annulus in order to reshape the annulus and allow the leaflets to open and close properly. The annuloplasty implant is connected to the implantation instrument for insertion to the annulus.

A computer, terminal and a method for blocking the use and creating of vulgar and pornographic material in a responsive and interactive matter that comprehensively monitors computer operations for creation or transmission of vulgar and pornographic material. Data created by the keyboard, data passing through the clipboard, data selected by the mouse pointer, and data passing through the Internet interface are monitored for content and further operation of the computer terminal is blocked. The computer terminal may only be unblocked by a supervisory intervention, such as by entering of a password, or by restarting or resetting the terminal. Key word searches, such as those in Internet search engines, are also monitored, but the terminal adapts to monitor not only for words of a profane and vulgar nature, but also for words that are behaviorally tested to produce lists containing vulgar and profane items, e.g., Internet sites. The computer terminal and method can be modified to block other forms of communication or computer operation, such as blocking transmission of secret business data, blocking execution or opening of certain programs or files, and the like.

This invention relates to methods and apparatus for performing microanalytic and microsynthetic analyses and procedures. The invention provides a microsystem platform and a micromanipulation device for manipulating the platform that utilizes the centripetal force resulting from rotation of the platform to motivate fluid movement through microchannels. The invention specifically provides devices and methods for performing miniaturized in vitro amplification assays such as the polymerase chain reaction. Methods specific for the apparatus of the invention for performing PCR are provided.

An open Information Services network architecture is disclosed which enables multiple business entities to assume specialized roles of access provider, service provider, and service retailer. The disclosed technology provides instant plug-and-play service, decouples access and service networks and provides seamless (single step) access enabling customers to maintain a service account regardless of location. The benefits of the disclosed technology, among others, include: Multi-level and multi-service registration; Broker Services providing customers with a choice of provider; Security Services relating to distribution; Revenue Assurance services, Gentle Reminder / Gentle Touch; Revenue Assurance services pertaining to usage integrity verification upon registration; mobile services derived from G-ISN; and claim benefits pertaining to LNP services derived from G-ISN.

The present invention discloses a system for transferring electrical power between a grid and at least one vehicle. The vehicle can be Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV), Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) or Fuel Cell Vehicle (FCV). The type of vehicle will be recognized and controlled by the system to support demand response and supply side energy management. Vehicle recognition can be carried out by load signature analysis, power factor measurement or RFID techniques. In an embodiment of the invention, the grid is a Smart Grid. The present invention also discloses a method for facilitating electrical power transfer between the grid and the vehicle.