Nxi Communications, Inc.

Utah Bioresearch, Inc.

Technical Research Associates, Inc.

Separation Technology, Inc.

Thomas J McLaughlin

James E Messinger

Ronald J Nelson

Owen D Brimhall

Stephen C Peterson

Charles D Baker

Sam L Sparks

Alan S Call

Jeff F Knighton

The present invention informs a recipient of a holding non-voice call and allows the recipient to participate in real time text communication. A voice/text server is capable of communicating with a text device across a network or the Internet. The text device transmits the non-voice call to the voice/text server where the non-voice call is stored in a memory. The voice/text server generates a placeholder call and transmits the placeholder call to a voice telephone. The recipient receives the placeholder call by use of a voice telephone. A local text device generates a text link that is transmitted to the voice/text server. The voice/text server matches the text link to the holding text call. Text communication may then proceed between the users in any number of formats.

System and method for accepting text calls on voice telephones at call centers or other locations

The present invention is directed to a network communication system that provides textual communication and call transferring between nodes. The system further allows simultaneous notification of multiple nodes of an incoming call. The system includes a local computer that may also serve as a node in the system. A call may originate with the local computer or be generated by a remote device that is in communication with the local computer. The local computer generates a call indicator that is transmitted to one or more nodes simultaneously. Selection of the nodes may be based on user intervention or by predefined groupings. Each node receiving a call indicator is configured to generate a ring message in response. The ring message is displayed on an output device to alert a node user to the incoming call. In response to the ring message, a node user may choose to accept or decline the call. A node user's responses to the call indicator are transmitted to the local computer. Once the local computer receives an acceptance from a node, the local computer transmits call data representative of the call to the accepting node.

Network communication system

A communication system allows a remote user to access a web site across a PSTN using a conventional text device such as a TTY device. The web site is configured with text, menu options, and communication transfer capabilities as may be found in an automated telephone service. The system includes a text gateway module in electrical communication with the text device. The text gateway module receives text data generated by the text device and directs the text data to a text/web translator. The web/text translator converts the text data into web data suitable for use by a web site and server. The web/text translator transmits the web data to a web gateway module that directs the web data to a specified web site. The web/text translator further receives from the web gateway module web data generated by the web site. The web/text translator converts the web data to text data which is readable by the text device. The text data is then transmitted to the text gateway module and then passed to the text device. The web/text translator converts text, graphical icons, menu options, and communication links within a web site into equivalent forms of text data. A remote deaf user may read and select different options that previously were available only in a automated telephone service.

A network communications system containing one or more nodes includes an ITU/TDD/VOICE modem in electrical communication with a local computer. A remote device connecting to the ITU/TDD/VOICE modem is able to converse in real time using textual characters with the local computer user. Once connected to the ITU/TDD/VOICE modem, the remote device is recognized by the network as an additional node. If the remote device wishes to textually communicate with a node on the network, the local computer formats the data into a network compatible format for transmission to the node. The local computer transmits the data to the node while communication between the ITU/TDD/VOICE modem and the remote device is maintained. Once the remote device is connected to the network, the network may treat the remote device as an additional node. Thus, the remote device may be privileged to some or all of the network services. Furthermore, the remote device may be allowed to utilize a network modem for connection to a second remote device.

A modem system includes an ITU/TDD/VOICE modem or other modem that is connected to a local computer and a telephone line. The ITU/TDD/VOICE modem allows transmission and reception of ITU, TDD, and voice signals over the telephone line to and from a remote device (such as a remote TDD, ITU modem, or telephone). The modem system may include one or more of the following features. The modem system may be used in a network whereby an indicator on a display screen indicates sound energy received by the modem over the line. The modem system may allow speed jumps from one speed to another during a call. The modem system includes a display in which the screen is split into two vertical areas, to display text sent between remote computers. The text sent by one computer is displayed in the right vertical area, while the text of the other computer is displayed in the left area. The vertical placement of the texts are based on the relative time in which they were sent to the other person. The modem system may also provide a special provision for 300 BPS connections, voice recognition, typing during a file transfer, and prevention of file transfers and/or high speed transfers. A local modem may communicate control information to a remote modem to, for example, synchronize protocol settings.

ITU/TDD modem

A communication system includes an ITU/TDD/VOICE modem that is connected to a local computer and a telephone line. The ITU/TDD/VOICE modem allows transmission and reception of ITU, TDD, and voice signals over the telephone line to and from a remote device. Examples of remote devices include a remote TDD or ITU modem (which connects to a remote computer), or a telephone. The ITU/TDD/VOICE modem may operate in various modes including (1) a computer communications mode and (2) a stand alone mode. During computer communications mode, the ITU/TDD/VOICE modem is controlled by the local computer. During stand alone mode, the ITU/TDD/VOICE modem operates independently of the local computer. The stand alone mode may further include an answering machine mode and prestored outgoing message mode. The ITU/TDD/VOICE modem includes various other features including one or more of the following: a particular utilization of the transmit/receive LED's in TDD mode; the ability to reacquire a new ITU or TDD connection from TDD mode (i.e., reacquisition mode); techniques for minimizing answer tone duration; techniques for modem status query; techniques for silencing Baudot or ITU modulation during voice carry over or hearing carry over; uses for audio-in and audio-out connectors.

An automatic hematocrit reader wherein a sample of blood in a microhematocrit capillary tube is banded with a standing wave from an ultrasonic transducer. A light source and photocell combination is used to determine the relative thicknesses of the bands of red blood cells and the bands of plasma. The hematocrit of the sample of blood is electronically calculated from this data. A calibration strip is included so that the device is calibrated each time the hematocrit is determined. The device includes a mechanical interlock/eject system for the microhematocrit capillary tube and is specifically configured so that the operator does not handle or even touch the microhematocrit capillary tube.

Noncontact hematocrit reader apparatus and method

Methods and apparatus for controlling the movement of materials having different physical properties when one of the materials is a fluid. The invention does not rely on flocculation, sedimentation, centrifugation, the buoyancy of the materials, or any other gravity dependent characteristic, in order to achieve its desired results. The methods of the present invention provide that a first acoustic wave is propagated through a vessel containing the materials. A second acoustic wave, at a frequency different than the first acoustic wave, is also propagated through the vessel so that the two acoustic waves are superimposed upon each other. The superimposition of the two waves creates a beat frequency wave. The beat frequency wave comprises pressure gradients dividing regions of maximum and minimum pressure. The pressure gradients and the regions of maximum and minimum pressure move through space and time at a group velocity. The moving pressure gradients and regions of maximum and minimum pressure act upon the materials so as to move one of the materials towards a predetermined location in the vessel. The present invention provides that the materials may be controllably moved toward a location, aggregated at a particular location, or physically separated from each other.

Methods and apparatus for moving and separating materials exhibiting

This invention relates to the ultrasound enhancement of sedimentation of particulates in a particulate-bearing fluid medium while the fluid medium is undergoing centrifugation. The ultrasound energy forms standing waves in the fluid and cause particulates in the fluid, whether solids, liquids, or gases, to agglomerate in bands. The bands approximate either the nodes or antinodes of the standing wave, depending on the density of the particulate relative to the fluid. The banded or agglomerated particulate enhances the rate of sedimentation as well as the reverse flow of suspernatent by removing particulate which would otherwise impede this flow.

Apparatus and method for ultrasound enhancement of sedimentation during

Methods and apparatus for controlling the movement of materials having different physical properties when one of the materials is a fluid. The invention does not rely on flocculation, sedimentation, centrifugation, the buoyancy of the materials, or any other gravity dependent characteristic, in order to achieve its desired results. The methods of the present invention provide that a first acoustic wave is progpagated through a vessel containing the materials. A second acoustic wave, at a frequency different than the first acoustic wave, is also propagated through the vessel so that the two acoustic waves are superimposed upon each other. The superimposition of the two waves creates a beat frequency wave. The beat frequency wave comprises pressure gradients dividing regions of maximum and minimum pressure. The pressure gradients and the regions of maximum and minimum pressure move through space and time at a group velocity. The moving pressure gradients and regions of maximum and minimum pressure act upon the marterials so as to move one of the materials towards a predetermined location in the vessel. The present invention provides that the materials may be controllably moved toward a location, aggreated at a particular location, or physically separated from each other.

A hand-held centrifuge apparatus for sedimenting a fluid suspension in a sample tube, the sample tube being subjected to centrifugation at an acute angle to the axis of rotation. An electronic circuit activates an electric motor for a preselected time period as a function of voltage supplied by a battery to the motor to provide a predetermined degree of centrifugation to the sample. A voltage tester periodically tests the voltage in the circuit to assure that adequate voltage is being supplied by the battery. A deactivation circuit is actuated if inadequate voltage is sensed and a disabling circuit disables the electronic circuit until adequate voltage is again available. The disabling circuit is masked during acceleration to preclude deactivating the circuit when the motor is in acceleration.

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Salt Lake City, UT, United States of America

Thomas J McLaughlin