Author: claimsbot

1. A computer-readable medium having computer executable instructions for determining an influence of at least one possible user choice on at least one prediction of likely user choices, said computer executable instructions comprising:
predicting at least one likely user choice based on a probabilistic model and a set of preferences for the user; and
determining the influence of at least one of the possible user choices on the prediction of at least one likely user choice.
2. The computer-readable medium of claim 1 wherein the set of user preferences is determined implicitly.
3. The computer-readable medium of claim 1 wherein the set of user preferences is determined explicitly.
4. The computer-readable medium of claim 1 wherein determining the influence of at least one of the possible user choices comprises calculating explanation scores for each set of at least one predictorvariable value pairs for each prediction of likely user choices.
5. The computer-readable medium of claim 4 wherein each explanation score is sorted in order from highest to lowest.
6. The computer-readable medium of claim 5 wherein a predetermined number of highest value explanation scores from the sorted explanation scores are provided via a user interface.
7. The computer-readable medium of claim 5 wherein a predetermined number of highest value explanation scores from the sorted explanation scores are automatically provided as part a natural language explanation for explaining each prediction of likely user choices.
8. The computer-readable medium of claim 5 wherein a predetermined number of lowest value explanation scores from the sorted explanation scores are provided via a user interface.
9. The computer-readable medium of claim 5 wherein all of the explanation scores are provided via a user interface.
10. A system for automatically assigning scores to members of a set of at least one predictorvariable value pair representing likely user choices, comprising:
obtaining a set of user preferences for a particular user;
computing predictorvariable value pairs for each possible user choice using the set of user preferences in combination with a probabilistic model;
computing at least one prediction of likely user choices based upon the predictorvariable value pairs;
calculating explanation scores for at least one of the predictorvariable value pairs for each prediction; and
determining the influence of at least one member of the set of predictorvariable value pairs for each prediction based upon the scores calculated for the predictorvariable value pairs.
11. The system of claim 10 wherein the set of user preferences is obtained by examining a set of responses to a set of questions provided to the particular user.
12. The system of claim 10 wherein the set of user preferences is obtained by automatically examining at least one pattern of behavior of the particular user.
13. The system of claim 10 wherein the set of user preferences is obtained automatically by using a combination of implicit and explicit methods for determining the preferences of the particular user.
14. The system of claim 10 wherein the probabilistic model is automatically generated by examining a behavior of a group of at least one user.
15. The system of claim 10 wherein the probabilistic model is automatically generated using machine learning techniques.
16. The system of claim 10 wherein at least one explanation score is provided via a user interface as part of a natural language explanation for explaining why each prediction was made.
17. A method for identifying positive and negative influences on recommendations of likely user choices, comprising:
automatically computing predictorvariable value pairs for each possible user choice using a set of user preferences in combination with a probabilistic model;
automatically providing at least one recommendation of likely user choices based upon the predictorvariable value pairs;
automatically calculating an influence of each possible user choice for each recommendation based upon scores calculated for the predictorvariable value pairs.
18. The method of claim 17 wherein the set of user preferences is provided by user input via a user interface.
19. The method of claim 17 wherein the set of user preferences is provided by examining Internet web browsing behavior of a user.
20. The method of claim 17 wherein the probabilistic model is automatically learned using a set of behavioral data from a set of at least one user.
21. The method of claim 20 wherein the probabilistic model is automatically learned using machine learning techniques.
22. The method of claim 17 wherein the influence of at least one possible user choice is provided as a natural language explanation via a user interface.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A carbonated liquid dispensing system adapted to operatively connect to a first container containing compressed CO2 gas and to a second container containing a carbonated fluid to be dispensed, the system comprising:
a user interface adapted to enable a user to select a pressure range and a flow rate range;
a gas delivery subsystem adapted to deliver gas from the first container to the second container at a selected pressure;
a fluid delivery subsystem adapted to deliver fluid from the second container to an outlet at a selected flow rate; and
a controller, responsive to the user interface, adapted to:
control the gas delivery subsystem to constrain the selected pressure to within the selected pressure range; and
control the fluid delivery subsystem to constrain the selected flow rate to within the selected flow rate range.
2. The carbonated liquid dispensing system of claim 1 wherein:
said user interface is further adapted to enable a user to select one of a plurality of fluid types; and
said controller is further adapted to:
store, for each of said fluid types, a respective control table comprising a range pair, each pair comprising a pressure range and a flow rate range; and
constrain the gas delivery and fluid delivery subsystems to the pressure and flow rate ranges, respectively, stored in the control table corresponding to the fluid type selected by the user via the user interface.
3. The carbonated liquid dispensing system of claim 2 wherein:
said user interface is further adapted to facilitate electronic download of a supplemental control table; and
said controller is further adapted to store said supplemental control table for selection by said user via the user interface.
4. The carbonated liquid dispensing system of claim 1 wherein:
said user interface is further adapted to facilitate electronic download of a supplemental control table; and
said controller is further adapted to store said supplemental control table for selection by said user via the user interface.
5. A carbonated liquid dispensing system adapted to operatively connect to a first container containing compressed CO2 gas and to a second container containing a carbonated fluid to be dispensed, the system comprising:
a user interface adapted to enable a user to select a pressure range;
a gas delivery subsystem adapted to deliver gas from the first container to the second container at a selected pressure; and
a controller, responsive to the user interface, adapted to control the gas delivery subsystem to constrain the selected pressure to within the selected pressure range.
6. The carbonated liquid dispensing system of claim 5 wherein:
said user interface is further adapted to enable a user to select one of a plurality of fluid types; and
said controller is further adapted to:
store, for each of said fluid types, a respective control table comprising a pressure range; and
constrain the gas delivery subsystem to the pressure range stored in the control table corresponding to the fluid type selected by the user via the user interface.
7. The carbonated liquid dispensing system of claim 6 wherein:
said user interface is further adapted to facilitate electronic download of a supplemental control table; and
said controller is further adapted to store said supplemental control table for selection by said user via the user interface.
8. The carbonated liquid dispensing system of claim 7 further comprising:
a fluid delivery subsystem adapted to deliver fluid from the second container to an outlet at a selected flow rate; and

wherein
said user interface is further adapted to enable a user to selected a flow rate range;
said control table further comprises a range pair, each pair comprising said pressure range and a flow rate range; and
said controller is further adapted to control said fluid delivery subsystem to constrain said selected flow rate to within said selected flow rate range.
9. The carbonated liquid dispensing system of claim 5 further comprising:
a fluid delivery subsystem adapted selectively to deliver fluid from the second container to an outlet at a selected flow rate; and

wherein
said user interface is further adapted to enable a user to select a flow rate range; and
said controller is further adapted to control said fluid delivery subsystem to constrain said selected flow rate to within said selected flow rate range.
10. The carbonated liquid dispensing system of claim 9 wherein:
said user interface is further adapted to enable a user to select one of a plurality of fluid types; and
said controller is further adapted to:
store, for each of said fluid types, a respective control table comprising a range pair, each range pair comprising said pressure range and said flow rate range; and
constrain the gas delivery and fluid delivery subsystems to the pressure and flow rate ranges, respectively, stored in the control table corresponding to the fluid type selected by the user via the user interface.
11. A carbonated liquid dispensing system adapted to operatively connect to a first container containing compressed CO2 gas and to a second container containing a carbonated fluid to be dispensed, the system comprising:
a user interface adapted to enable a user to select a pressure range and a flow rate range;
a gas delivery subsystem adapted to deliver gas from the first container to the second container at a selected pressure;
a fluid delivery subsystem adapted to deliver fluid from the second container to an outlet at a selected flow rate;
a temperature control subsystem adapted to determine the temperature of the fluid delivered by the fluid delivery subsystem; and
a controller, responsive to the user interface, adapted to:
control the gas delivery subsystem to constrain the selected pressure to within the selected pressure range as a function of said determined temperature; and
control the fluid delivery subsystem to constrain the selected flow rate to within the selected flow rate range as a function of said determined temperature.
12. The carbonated liquid dispensing system of claim 11 wherein:
said user interface is further adapted to enable a user to select one of a plurality of fluid types; and
said controller is further adapted to:
store, for each of said fluid types, a respective control table comprising a plurality of range pairs, each pair comprising a pressure range and a flow rate range for a selected temperature; and
constrain the gas delivery and fluid delivery subsystems to the pressure and flow rate ranges, respectively, stored in the control table corresponding to the fluid type selected by the user via the user interface as a function of the determined temperature.
13. The carbonated liquid dispensing system of claim 12 wherein:
said user interface is further adapted to facilitate electronic download of a supplemental control table; and
said controller is further adapted to store said supplemental control table for selection by said user via the user interface.
14. The carbonated liquid dispensing system of claim 11 wherein:
said user interface is further adapted to facilitate electronic download of a supplemental control table; and
said controller is further adapted to store said supplemental control table for selection by said user via the user interface.
15. A carbonated liquid dispensing system adapted to operatively connect to a first container containing compressed CO2 gas and to a second container containing a carbonated fluid to be dispensed, the system comprising:
a user interface adapted to enable a user to select a pressure range;
a gas delivery subsystem adapted to deliver gas from the first container to the second container at a selected pressure;
a temperature control subsystem adapted to determine the temperature of the fluid to be dispensed; and
a controller, responsive to the user interface, adapted to control the gas delivery subsystem to constrain the selected pressure to within the selected pressure range as a function of said determined temperature.
16. The carbonated liquid dispensing system of claim 15 wherein:
said user interface is further adapted to enable a user to select one of a plurality of fluid types; and
said controller is further adapted to:
store, for each of said fluid types, a respective control table comprising a plurality of pressure ranges, each for a respective temperature; and
constrain the gas delivery subsystem to the pressure range stored in the control table corresponding to the fluid type selected by the user via the user interface as a function of the determined temperature.
17. The carbonated liquid dispensing system of claim 16 wherein:
said user interface is further adapted to facilitate electronic download of a supplemental control table; and
said controller is further adapted to store said supplemental control table for selection by said user via the user interface.
18. The carbonated liquid dispensing system of claim 17 further comprising:
a fluid delivery subsystem adapted selectively to deliver fluid from the second container to an outlet at a selected flow rate; and

wherein
said user interface is further adapted to enable a user to select a flow rate range; and
said controller is further adapted to control said fluid delivery subsystem to constrain said selected flow rate to within said selected flow rate range as a function of the determined temperature.
19. The carbonated liquid dispensing system of claim 15 further comprising:
a fluid delivery subsystem adapted selectively to deliver fluid from the second container to an outlet at a selected flow rate; and

wherein
said user interface is further adapted to enable a user to select a flow rate range; and
said controller is further adapted to control said fluid delivery subsystem to constrain said selected flow rate to within said selected flow rate range as a function of the determined temperature.
20. The carbonated liquid dispensing system of claim 19 wherein:
said user interface is further adapted to enable a user to select one of a plurality of fluid types; and
said controller is further adapted to:
store, for each of said fluid types, a respective control table comprising a range pair, each range pair comprising said pressure range and said flow rate range; and
constrain the gas delivery and fluid delivery subsystems to the pressure and flow rate ranges, respectively, stored in the control table corresponding to the fluid type selected by the user via the user interface as a function of the determined temperature.
21. The carbonated liquid dispensing system of claim 20 further characterized as being adapted to operatively connect to a refrigeration subsystem adapted to refrigerate the carbonated fluid, wherein:
each control table further comprises a selected temperature range and a respective range pair; and
the controller is further adapted to constrain the refrigeration subsystem to the temperature range stored in the control table corresponding to the fluid type selected by the user via the user interface.

1. A semiconductor package comprising:
a substrate having a first surface and a second opposing surface;
at least one electrical terminal on said first surface of said substrate;
at least one semiconductor die, said die including at least one electrode electrically connected to said at least one electrical terminal; and
a cover disposed over said opening and enclosing said semiconductor die.
2. A package according to claim 1, wherein said substrate includes a recess, said die being disposed within said recess.
3. A package according to claim 1, wherein said substrate includes an opening extending from said first surface to said second surface, said opening including a mouth at said first surface and a mouth at said second surface, wherein said mouth at said second surface is closed by a second electrical terminal, and wherein said semiconductor die is disposed on said second terminal.
4. A package according to claim 3, wherein said die includes at least another electrode which is electrically and mechanically connected to said second terminal by a conductive adhesive.
5. A package according to claim 4, wherein said conductive adhesive is solder.
6. A package according to claim 1, wherein said cover includes an enclosure and a lid attached to said enclosure.
7. A package according to claim 6, wherein said lid is comprised of Kovar or Alloy 42.
8. A package according to claim 1, wherein said cover hermetically seals said semiconductor die.
9. A package according to claim 1, wherein said substrate is comprised of AlN.
10. A package according to claim 1, further comprising at two more terminals disposed on said first surface of said substrate.
11. A package according to claim 1, wherein said semiconductor die is either a power MOSFET, an IGBT, or a power diode.
12. A package according to claim 1, wherein said at least one terminal is formed from tungsten.
13. A package according to claim 1, wherein said tungsten terminal is formed on said substrate by bulk metallization.
14. A semiconductor package comprising:
an AlN substrate;
a terminal on a surface of said substrate;
a semiconductor having at least one terminal electrically connected to said terminal; and
a cover disposed over and hermetically enclosing said semiconductor die.
15. A package according to claim 14, wherein said substrate includes a recess, said semiconductor die being disposed within said recess.
16. A package according to claim 14, wherein said substrate includes an opening extending from said first surface to said second surface, said opening including a mouth at said first surface and a mouth at said second surface, wherein said mouth at said second surface is closed by a second electrical terminal, and wherein said semiconductor die is disposed on said second terminal.
17. A package according to claim 16, wherein said die includes at least another electrode which is electrically and mechanically connected to said second terminal by a conductive adhesive.
18. A package according to claim 17, wherein said conductive adhesive is solder.
19. A package according to claim 14, wherein said cover includes an enclosure and a lid attached to said enclosure.
20. A package according to claim 19, wherein said is comprised of Kovar or Alloy 42.
21. A package according to claim 14, wherein said semiconductor die is a power MOSFET having a gate electrode and a source electrode on one surface thereof, and further comprising at two more terminals disposed on said first surface of said substrate, at least one of said terminals serving as a source sense terminal.
22. A package according to claim 14, wherein said semiconductor die is either a power MOSFET, an IGBT, or a power diode.
23. A package according to claim 14, wherein said terminal is formed from tungsten.
24. A package according to claim 23, wherein said tungsten terminal is formed on said substrate by bulk metallization.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

What is claimed is:

1. A method for determining the activity of a protease, said method comprising
a) incubating a mixture of said protease and a substrate capable of being bound to an anchor, said substrate having a fluorescent radical attached thereto;
b) binding the substrate to an anchor;
c) measure the fluorescence polarization of the mixture.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the substrate is selected from compounds of Formula I
Z(W)mX(V)nY(I)
wherein X is an amino acid sequence sufficient for substrate recognition by a protease; wherein V and W are independently selected from aminoalkylcarboxylic acids; wherein m and n are numbers independently selected from 0 and 1; and wherein one of Y and Z is a fluorescent radical and the other is a binding radical.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein X is a peptide containing six to sixteen amino acids, inclusive; and wherein V and W are independently selected from glycine, 4-aminobutyric acid, 5-aminopentanoic acid, 6-aminocaproic acid and 7-aminoheptanoic acid.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein the anchor is selected from a biotin selective protein, a solid support, and an antibody; wherein the binding radical is selected from biotin, digoxigenin and radicals capable of binding to a solid support; and wherein the fluorescent radical is selected from derivatives of fluorescein, rhodamine, coumarin, eosin, pyrene, quinoline, DANSYL, dinitrophenyl, benzimidazole, DABCYL, EDANS, cascade blue, Texas red, acidine orange and BODIPY.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein the fluorescent radical is a fluorescein derivative.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein the biotin selective protein is avidin or streptavidin; wherein the binding radical is biotin; and wherein the fluorescent radical is DTAF.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the proteases are viral proteases.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein the proteases are selected from HIV proteases and herpes proteases.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein the herpes viruses proteases are selected from HCMV proteases, MCMV proteases, HSV-1 proteases and HSV-2 proteases.
10. The method of claim 6 wherein the substrates are selected from biotin–Abu-Gly-Val-Val-Asn-Ala-Arg-Ser-Leu-Lys(DTAF)-NH2 SEQ ID NO:3 and biotin–Abu-Ser-Gln-Asn-Tyr-Pro-Ile-Val-Gln-Lys(DTAF)-NH2 SEQ ID NO:4.
11. A method for identifying compounds which inhibit a protease, said method comprising a) incubating a mixture of said protease, the compound, and a substrate having both a fluorescent radical and a radical capable of binding to an anchor; b) binding the substrate to the anchor; c) measure the fluorescence polarization of emitted light; and d) calculating the amount of protease inhibition.
12. A compound of Formula I
Z(W)mX(V)nY(I)
wherein X is an amino acid sequence sufficient for substrate recognition by a protease; wherein V and W are independently selected from aminoalkylcarboxylic acids; wherein m and n are numbers independently selected from 0 and 1; and wherein one of Y and Z is a fluorescent radical and the other is a binding radical.
13. The compound of claim 12 wherein X is a peptide containing six to sixteen amino acids, inclusive; wherein V and W are independently selected from glycine, 4-aminobutyric acid, 5-aminopentanoic acid, 6-aminocaproic acid and 7-aminoheptanoic acid; wherein the binding radical is biotin; and wherein the fluorescent radical is a fluorescein derivative.
14. The compound of claim 13 which is biotin–Abu-Gly-Val-Val-Asn-Ala-Arg-Ser-Leu-Lys(DTAF)-NH2 SEQ ID NO:3.
15. The compound of claim 13 which is biotin–Abu-Ser-Gln-Asn-Tyr-Pro-Ile-Val-Gln-Lys(DTAF)-NH2 SEQ ID NO:4.